Day 1 Reflection: God's plan by Mrs. Tammy Flowers

We met these neighborhood children along the road as we made our way to Mission Ethiopia on Sunday. We sang and danced and they practiced their English and asked for chocolates! ;)

Photo of Beth Zahnd and Tammy Flowers in front of the Rodeo Addis restaurant. It was a 'cowboy' themed restaurant complete with burgers and fries.

Day 1 reflection: God's plan
Have you ever had a time in your life that you knew that you were fighting against God's plan for your life? When I first began attending Wellspring church, our pastor asked the congregation, "How do you know when it's God?" How do you know when it's God nudging you toward a path or the enemy misleading you through your own selfishness and insecurities? Many people spoke up that day and several key indicators rose to the surface. 

If you are wondering if it's God, you have to spend time with God. Spend time in prayer, spend time in His word, spend time in counsel with other followers of Christ. When you have returned to those basics and find that a particular path continues to be revealed to you, be certain that you are to follow.

One of the things that I have learned over the course of the last year is that repeatedly in history God even uses people's sin and disobedience to fulfill his master plan. Why? How can such blatant sins be turned to good? How did a perfect sinless Jesus Christ come from the bloodline of a prostitute and adulterer? 

Our Palm Sunday service at Beza International church brought this into perspective. We belong to a just God. We are loved by a God that holds us accountable. However in direct juxtaposition, we are held in the hands of a merciful God. How can judgement and mercy both describe our God? 

The pastor of the church demonstrated that the Ark of the Covenant is an illustration of God's law and unfailing mercy. The ark is an elaborate container that was intricately designed by hands led by God. The container was built specifically to hold the stone tablets that were etched with God's 10 commandments. Commandments that proved that each human is a sinner and in need of a merciful God. Atop the closed container sits two angels with their wings extended toward each other creating what looks like a bench, a bench known as 'the mercy seat'
A container built to describe God's plan for us. He has a set of rules that we are to follow, a path for each of us to take. However in his unfailing love he cloaks that law with his mercy. Do we deserve such forgiveness? Do we offer in return such forgiveness for others?

Colossians 3:14
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

by Tammy Flowers

Palm Sunday by Mrs. Cindy Richardson

After one year of praying and planning I finally arrived in Ethiopia; travel weary and ill.  I had been hearing stories and seeing pictures for several years and could hardly wait to experience God in Africa.  Maybe it was the long line we stood in to receive our hand written visa, or having to check the math of the woman who exchanged my money into Burr, or being greeted by the smell of exotic spices while still feeling queasy, but my first thought was why would anyone want to come back to Ethiopia?  

We piled into vans and we settled into the guest house.  I could hardly wait to fall into bed.  I slept so soundly I didn't hear the muslim call to prayer that seemed to wake everyone else.  But when I did awaken, it was with a sense of anticipation and excitement; in stark contrast to my first impressions last night.  After worshipping with believers from around the world at Beza International Church I would have been satisfied and called it an awesome trip.  The Spirit of the Lord is alive and active in Ethiopia!   

We had lunch at "The Rodeo" restaurant complete with the Texas Lone Star symbol to greet us at the entryway.   After enjoying pizza with moss which we found out was just mozarella cheese,  we headed to Mission  Ethiopia.  As we got out of the vans we were swarmed by many beautiful children.  They shouted their greetings, hugged us, wanted to have their pictures taken and play with us; total strangers. So opposite to America where we have to teach our children to beware of strangers.  

 

Ethiopia is a county of contrasts. Business men in suits and finely dressed women  walk the same streets with those who live in the streets.  Goats and cows share the small grassy areas with children at play and those with wares to sell. Donkeys are driven down the sidewalk while cars dodge each other and pedestrians in the streets.   Metal shanties are built next to beautiful buildings. Loving, joyful children living in poverty.  Muslims are called to prayer five times a day while believers access to the one true God anytime, anywhere.  I am excited to meet more believers tomorrow at Kind Hearts school. After a day like today,  how could anyone not want to return to Ethiopia?  by Cindy Richardson

Mrs. Richardson

The whole crew eating pizzas after church

First power outage Sunday night!

Sunday morning- Palm Sunday

Sunday morning coffee with the boys! True Ethiopian coffee! Girls all still in bed! — with Tyler Davison, Logan Morrison, Tim Chester and Rick Randleman. 

Good morning from Ethiopia! The sun is shining on Palm Sunday and we are headed to church late morning. After lunch, guys are visiting Layla House and ladies are teaching sewing at Mission Ethiopia. A great day is ahead!  

We are here!

We arrived safely in Ethiopia about 1pm central time.  Everyone is doing well.  Cindy and Madison had a little sickness on the way over, but that seems to have passed.  Our stop in Frankfurt and Khartoum went well.  We are headed to our housing- will update more as soon as we can!  Thank you for praying for safe travel!!

Travel Day!

Group photo before we board the plane!  KC-Newark-Frankfurt-Khartoum-Addis here we come!

Team Verse

Travel Day is Friday!

Our team of 16 is packed and (almost) ready to go to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Here's an overview of our schedule:

Fri/Sat-Travel Days; arrive in Addis around 9 pm Saturday night.

Sunday-Palm Sunday! Worship at Beza International Church; lunch with our group and our Mission Ethiopia guides; guys will head to Layla House and ladies will go to Mission Ethiopia to do a sewing class.

Monday-Kind Hearts School! Reading, singing, games, handing out teacher's gifts and touring the grounds. Excited to see the kids and staff and our clean water well!

Tuesday-Kind Hearts; handing out care packages to kids. This takes almost the entire day!

Wednesday-Headed to minister to the homeless people who live around the city dump with Project 61. We have sponsored a lunch and will help prepare and serve many homeless people.

Thursday-Trees of Glory! So excited to see the library the group Rescued Readers is helping create there!

Friday-We're leaving this open-hoping to go back to Layla House, do some shopping, packing, and later leaving for the airport. This is such a short, crazy trip!!

Saturday-arrive at KCI late afternoon. Ready to celebrate Easter!!!

Thank you for your prayers for our team as we leave to minister to our friends in Ethiopia. We certainly could not do this without you! God bless you!

(We hope to update this blog as electricity and the internet permits!)