Team Ethiopia: The Lord Often Uses the Least Expected
The following is an update from Team Ethiopia, a small group from Central Church in Memphis, TN, who will be serving as short-term missionaries at Children’s Home Ethiopia in June 2010. We’ve invited our dear friends and ministry partners to post their trip updates and prayer requests here on the TFC blog. Enjoy…
Today marked our second full day of Team Ethiopia activities. We split the day in two halves. The beginning of the day started again as we arrived at the Drop-In Center at 9am. There we split up into our individual team responsibilities. Kara taught the VBS Lesson on David and Goliath – focusing on how God’s ways are not always the way we imagine but better in the end, even against the greatest foe. K.C. played Goliath for the lesson, as he stood on top of a table and was surely over 9 ft that way. In relation to the VBS Lesson, the kids were all given sling shots to play with during a selected amount of free time (nurf sling shots! No worries on injuries there!). The kids ate it up! In addition, Kelly and her trusty sidekick, Tom took care of the dental check ups. Man, the kids couldn’t wait to be paid attention to with such detail – even if it meant having a shiny mirror and odd objects sticking in their mouth while a flash light shined in their face. With the help of nurse Bonnie, the kids were also attended to for any cuts, infections, and the like. We also were able to give a great Hygiene Lesson in which the kids were instructed on the proper way and importance of washing their hands. I believe Bonnie, Liz, and K.C. probably sang Happy Birthday a million times (what you sing to make sure you lather up long enough to kill the germs). The kids loved it. And then we had activity time, where Kelly McGoo surely shined…. “Nega Says” has become more than popular in the center these days.
Some of the Kiddos, enjoying the sling shot after the VBS Lesson about what David was able to accomplish with God's strength!
Around noon, the group headed to a restful lunch together away from the Center – - – time to encourage one another and breath a bit before we headed to the second half of our day. After lunch we headed to the Boys Half-Way Home, where we enjoyed the company of the five boys (and 1 girl) living there. We played games, Kelly D continued her dental checkups, and we did our best to love on the children throughout the afternoon! Again we find ourselves back at the SIM Guesthouse quit exhausted but looking forward to the strength the Holy Spirit will continue to give us tomorrow for another day! We cannot wait to follow our fearless leader, Joe tomorrow to again share the love and affection we have to offer because of what Christ did for us! Sleep tight.
Team Ethiopia
Team Ethiopia showing a little personality!
Thanks for another wonderful update! I think I needed to sit in and learn from that VBS Lesson. It sounds like you guys are going non-stop, so I will continue to pray for energy, strength, and good sleep at night. Thanks for sharing your experiences and letting me live vicariously through you all the way from Memphis.
Kara, you look like you might have gotten some rest. Yea! Still praying for you guys
The kids sure look like they’re having a good time with their sling shos! And Tom, are you thinking of making a career change into dentistry? This is your second year in a row as a dental assistant! Keeping posting – it’s wonderful to feel like I’m along on your mission.
I feel like I am there with you by reading your updates. I think K.C. is pretty menancing in height without being on a table
Looking at the picture of the kids, it appears they are joyful in spite of their surroundings. That is what I also noticed in Kenya last year.
Do the kids speak English? Thanks for keeping us up-to-date.
Love the updates – thank you so much for taking the time to let us know how you all are doing and I agree with the others that it makes it *almost* feel like we are there with you all! Praying for the group & kiddos & staff at TFC. I hope that you all are able to get some rest & that you continue to feel God’s strength encouraging you along as you get to love on the kids!
Kara and Bonnie look a little to normal in the funny picture. I expect something a little zanier next time.
Thanks for the updates! It’s so awesome to be able to read almost in real time all that’s happening over there. Sounds like God is doing some pretty incredible stuff through you guys. And how humbling and surprising it must be to be RECEIVING blessings out of the experience and not just giving them
The kids looks so happy to have the little they do. So thankful to God for using “the least of these” to help challenge and grow your faith. Can’t wait to here more when you come home!
We are praying for all of you and God’s provision to include a renewing of heart, soul, and body constantly. We love you and pray God’s Words over you; Grace…Peace…Mercy and Love. We rejoice in your faithfulness to serve the Lord with gladness. We are honored to be in prayer for you. Your blogs are very inspiring. May the Lord richly bless you and continue to guide you on this incredible journey. He will never leave you or forsake you. Love ya!