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 Onesimus Children Development Association in June 2011. We’ve invited our dear friends and ministry partners to post their trip updates and prayer requests here on the TFC blog. Enjoy…
Have you ever been chasing after something you really wanted and you didn’t stop until you got it?
Today was a tough day. But, in the midst of our broken hearts, God was ever present. As we were leaving the center today headed for the soccer fields, several of the beneficiaries were chasing after our van. These children RAN approximately 1 mile without stopping just to greet us at the fields as our van door opened. This paints such an evident picture of God and how He “chases” our hearts and He doesn’t stop until we open the door.
As I said, today was a really tough day. The longer we are here and the more time we spend with these children, the more we love them. So, learning their stories can really rock you to the core and make you question EVERYTHING!
Being here really puts things in perspective and gives you a completely different outlook on many things. There are so many things I take for granted: a roof over my head, food in my belly, a doctor and medicine when I am sick, and so much more.
This morning, a little girl fainted during VBS because she is diabetic and does not have the money or medicine to treat her illness. It really took a toll on all of us. Please pray for this child and that God will provide for her in ways that only He can.
God is truly using Onesimus to reach the children here and it is so uplifting to witness His mission in action. The best part of each day is seeing the future that this program offers these children and while, their past may be haunting, their futures are bright.
Aside from the hard parts of our day, we have a great team and we really are able to enjoy each other. We went to dinner tonight at a cultural restaurant and it was nice to reconnect as a team. While we have shed many tears this week, our laughs have also been many. Please pray that this continues and that our new friendships will last far beyond our time here in Ethiopia. We are ALL bonded now by something much bigger.
God is chasing us. It is our time to surrender. He can change your life.
Other Prayer Requests:
Please pray for Liz as she had a really rough day as she felt really attacked by Satan.
Please pray for Kelly McGoo as he struggles with being away from the children because he is so busy with administration. Also, pray that God shows him how much we appreciate him as our leader. He is doing an amazing job!
Please pray for Britainy as she felt extremely broken today. Thank you, Molly, for telling her that God told you it was okay for her to be sad. It helped her through today.
Please pray for Nicci as she struggles with understanding and feeling completely brokenhearted and helpless.
Please pray for Morgan and Bree to have a willing hearts to what God wants them to do when they return home.
Please continue to pray for Michelle and her health. Also, pray that God provides her comfort in situations that are uncomfortable for her.
Please pray for Kelly Dawson and her heart for this place. She is such an amazing testimony for all of us and please pray that the Lord gives her strength to recognize it.
Please say a special prayer for all of us as we only have a few days left with these precious children- God’s children.
Thank you so much for all of your comments! You never could know how much we appreciate your words. We anxiously await them each day! Please keep them coming!
Much Love to all,
Team Ethiopia
(Nicci and Morgan)
