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…
"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
Salvation belongs to our God. who sits on the throne, and to the lamb."
Today we knew God would show up in a mighty way. It was our last full day with the kids. We enjoyed the time that we have had building relationships, loving and holding these amazing kids. God definitely showed up by using everyone's gifts today.Whether assisting, teaching, encouraging, or using their imagination to bring joy to the kids.
Kelly had an awesome opportunity to speak to 150+ this morning about God's unending love, his testimony, and incorporated it in with the sports ministry. The people there were hanging on to every word! Kelly definitely planted many seeds through this talk. Great job Big Bro!!
It was more of a hectic day then what we had planned for, but when have plans ever gone exactly right, especially in Ethiopia. :) We started out all at the drop-in center in the morning. Ms. Liz and Morgan did the lesson today on Paul, and how even though he hadn't always walked in the light, God still had a huge and mighty plan for him! The kids love it when we sing crazy American songs, such as Pa-Tootie-ta..."thumbs up!..elbows back!..etc" :)
Wow!!! Tonight was indescribable, words could not fathom the presence of God! It was amazing to sit with kids on either side of you, people singing in Amharic and English around you, but all praising God with their hands open wide! It isn't just the adults worshiping the king of kings, but all of the kids were shouting glory to Him too! As a great example of Christ's sacrifice and forgiveness, there was a sheep killed and later eaten! We were all broken and captivated today, so thankful for God's provision in our lives to go on this trip! We all can say, Ethiopia will never know how much it has changed our lives! We all will never forget the beautiful faces worshiping our Lord! Today was a true blessing from God and encouraged all of us for what awaits us at home!
Thank you so much for all the prayers and blog comments! You do not know how much it means to hear from everyone!
Love, Team Ethiopia (Bree and Morgan)
P.S. Here are some of the nicknames we have acquired on our trip :D
- Mr. Kelly: Big Boss
- Mrs. Kelly: Conjo Kelly & CoCo
- Britainy: Bridgette & Alberta
- Nicci: Ashley & Chiquita
- Michelle: Eleanor
- Ms. Liz: "Mother" & Beula
- Morgan: Barda, Sassifrass, Tweedle- Dee, & (one of the Wonder Twins)
- Bree: Gidget, Tweedle, & (other Wonder Twin)
