Birthday Get-A-Way...

It's rare that Noel and I get to spend a birthday together, in recent years- continents and oceans and time zones have separated us. Not this time. We were together here in Ethiopia so we decided to celebrate by going out of Addis for a few days. We traveled to a town about an hour away. The change of scenery- the peace and quiet- was perfect- and just what we needed. It was such a change from the city.  Beautiful countryside, mountains, lakes, so pretty and refreshing!

Our Mom's birthday was the first we celebrated- on October 27. We gave thanks for a WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, PRAYERFUL Mom. We love her! We are truly blessed to have the best parents in the world!

outside of Addis, with Noel celebrating our Mom's birthday :-)

With my Mom this summer, she's the best :-)

she even went and had injera with me as I prepared to go to Ethiopia, what a Momma :-)

best parents on the planet!- Jim and Rosie, we are blessed to have them!

As our birthday approached, we reflected on the road behind . We chuckled at some parts. We shook our heads in amazement at other things. It's crazy the places God takes you to and how He opens things up just in time. Remarkable! We're so grateful to be part of what He's doing in the world and humbled that He can still use us. It was fun to reflect and even dream about what could be ahead.

Well, the night before our birthday, we got news from the Czech Republic that was like a splash of cold water on us. We got news that Noel's friend and Czech pastor (Viktor)-(also the leader of their Czech-Ethiopia Exodus project) had been in a bad motorcycle accident and was fighting for his life. Our birthday discussion shifted after that to praying for Viktor and also on the brevity of life overall and how we really need to make the most of each day. Wow, it was sobering and a challenge to continue to give God our ALL at any cost. We're continuing to pray for Viktor's recovery- he's still in intensive care at a Czech hospital.

Viktor with Noel and some Ethiopia teammates, January 2011

Our official birthday day (October 29) went really well. We continued to pray for Viktor and give thanks for life overall. Thank you SO much for those of you who called or sent messages/emails.  We felt the global love.

A and B

Before heading back to Addis on Sunday morning, we decided to go for a final morning hike around a nearby lake. It was during this hike that God would speak to me very powerfully. As we began to make our way around the lake we were suddenly surrounded by six kids, all between the ages of probably 7 and 10 years old. They didn't beg or call us “forengie” (foreigner)- which sincerely gets old after not too long of being here. The kids, 5 guys and 1 girl, seemed fully of joy and were very playful and talkative. It was endearing really.

They took us by the hand and carefully took us up and down the big hills and cliffs around the lake- showing us where they swim and where hyenas sleep. As two boys clutched my hands, I noted their grip was iron. They really did pull me up hill after hill and loved doing it. Sweat poured from their little faces and I felt very well led and taken care of. It amazed me really- at how secure I felt being led by these little people. :-)

And that's when I heard God begin to quietly speak to me.

You see, I've been feeling some mounting stress as time has passed here, not sure of where to serve after December. And I heard God say- Holly- I'm going to show you where to go from here and it's going to be this easy. Like these little kids of mine- joyfully and skillfully leading you....my Spirit, with joy, will show you exactly where to go from here. You might have to climb a bit or slide some...but I will get you there. My hand is clutching yours, FEAR NOT.

I came back exhausted from this little climb- but exhilarated at the same time. God's hand was in mine.  That birthday message for me couldn't have sweeter than that. :-)

So onward in trust I will go holding to a very sturdy pair of hands that sculpted the mountains and carved the seas- and yet knows every hair on my head.

His Spirit and His Word continues to lead and encourage me....

...I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, “you are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.....I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you: “do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:8-10; 13

Thank you for praying for us and journeying with us!  Onward we run!

PRAYERS for this WEEK

-continue to pray for Viktor and his recovery

-for our team here- as we reunite this week to plan the coming month of activities- that God will lead and give strength

-for continued health

-for my research- as I finish up interviewing and begin putting it all together- for wisdom and continued good favor

-for the way ahead...may we run forward with courage and fear not!

Where You Walk

Most of you who know me at all, or have heard me tell all or some of my life story, would know I've never been a big fan of feet. Yep. :-)

I remember at our church when I was growing up that when they had times of “feet washing" -an act of service to each other- these were times when you would most likely find me hidden in a bathroom stall, trying to avoid FEET.

Which is why I'm confident that years later, God would open up a job for me assisting a podiatrist- for a few years while working my way through seminary, LOL. God indeed does have a sense of humor. And while I was challenged at that work place being in the midst of so many with FEET issues, it would also be one of my most spiritually challenging as well, where I definitely had to defend my faith and live it as never before.  God has a way of humbling us and stretching us at the same time, all good.  Those feet days are long behind me though, thankfully. :-)

Well, having spent most of this past year walking in Africa in sandals, feet have come into my vision yet again. And they inspired some thought in recent days. Yep.

The rainy season ended up coating feet in mud, making the shoe shiners that line the streets in many places very necessary. Someone here in Ethiopia told me recently that people here keep their shoes clean because it can reveal much about one's life: like where you live, where you've been, etc. The cleaner the shoes, the more people would assume your background, economic status, etc, was higher. This cleanliness even includes the splatter of mud on your jeans. A shoe shiner will clean your jeans too, and make you look sharp. Pretty sweet. :-)

Well, since rainy season here has stopped, our feet come in now at the end of the day: dusty, cracked and sometimes even bleeding. Yep, sorry for the feet imagery there. But it had me thinking about FEET this week as I examined my own and tried to take extra measures to take care of them.

What do my feet reveal at the end of each day? Where have I been? Have I gone to the hard places when God has asked me to? Have I been careful too of where I've stepped and stayed away from places I shouldn't? You can often notice or smell even where people have been. Our words and actions are good indicators of this as well...where we've allowed our minds to go and what has been our heart focus. What a hard thing, keeping on the right path! And it's not just about keeping my feet and life clean for my own good, but also for the reflection of God in me for others. I was challenged by that this past week.

Noel and I had very different paths we walked done this past week. Noel visited with families in some of the poorest areas of Addis. She would tell me stories in the evening of heartbreak and struggle, also victory and transformation. In the fields, she was inspired by national workers- these volunteers and neighbors who were taking care of the least among them as commanded to by God. 

My feet led me this week into some of the country offices of some of the top Ethiopian Aid and Ministry organizations. My feet stayed clean but as I listened- I was deeply moved by the stories of so many who were getting their feet dirty in the fields. Many were making huge differences in peoples' lives on a large scale to help those trapped in poverty. I can't share their names for confidentiality, etc, but I was deeply impacted by ALL. Also- just the examples they were being as well to their colleagues and communities- OUTSTANDING and so ENCOURAGING. There are so many people here working from all parts of the world and despite frustration, discouragement, overwhelming need, and often lacking funds and facing persecution- they have pressed on. I was blessed!

Another blessing for me this past week- I received some timely emails of people saying they were praying for me, for us. It reminded me that one of the biggest battles you can fight on someone else's behalf- is in prayer. You leave your feet in humility- hitting your knees or even lying with your face on the floor on behalf of another. I felt grateful. I'm so thankful for a global family, a team, a troop, a tribe- all heading towards home.

I was reminded too of how big the work is that still needs done. Many more feet are needed in the fields.

These verses came to mind:

...respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord...hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work...1 Thessalonians 5:13-14

...how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.- Romans 10:15

...Jesus said to his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Matthew 9:37-38

..We are God's fellow workers...1 Corinthians 3:9

May we follow His lead this new week. As the world seems unsteady for many, may our lives be present, our feet ready to go, to do, to be. May He makes our steps firm.

Prayer Requests for this Week

-for continued health

-for continued favor in my interviews

-for Noel's continued work in the community and with families

-for a missions team working in the southern part of Ethiopia

-for a special team traveling to Egypt this Friday, many of my dearest friends are on this team from the USA- that God will protect them and give them favor

Thank you for praying for and with us!

Blessings from Ethiopia,

Holly with Noel

Backpacks and "Chigger Yellum"

Two big things stick out in my mind from this past week here in Ethiopia:

1. Backpacks
2. What God is teaching me about “chigger yellum”

BACKPACKS...This past week- school kicked back in here for most students. Kids were clad in uniforms, walking hand in hand in the morning and afternoons. So cute to see. Most noticeable to me in refection- were seeing the backpacks.

On many walks- I would notice these. And I started to think about what I carry in mine here. There are some things I've learned that are essential. Here's my list: my cell phone- which also serves as a “torch” (flashlight). No fun to be out without a phone or a light at night when you could literally fall in a hole and disappear or step in something that would not be pleasant. :-) Other important things: contact phone numbers; keys to the guesthouse; some form of ID, a little money; “soft” aka toilet paper (definitely don't want to be without some of this); and I personally like to have a journal, pens, and my camera. There are all kinds of moments to be captured. :-)

Other necessities depending on the day or season: bottled water; hand sanitizer, sunglasses, an umbrella (for rain or sun), and a light jacket or scarf.

KEYS

Noel with "soft"

Me with my scarf :-)

I've learned to largely pack as light as possible though, otherwise your shoulders ache the next day.

The backpacks had me thinking too about what other things I carry with me and why. Do I carry things that weigh me down- things like worry, fear, stress? Yep. I constantly need to be checking what I'm carrying with me, why it's there, and even who put it there. Noted!

God help me to carry what I need and get rid of what I don't so I represent you the best I can- and can be most effective for you!

These verses came to mind this past week...

Cast all your anxiety on him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:8)

...do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

...throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.... (Hebrews 12:1)

CHIGGER YELLUM...

Another thing I noticed this past week was how many times I said the Amharic phase: “chigger yellum.” This means “no problem.” What God has been teaching me about mission life in general- is the need to largely go with the flow. To not set expectations too high that power will be on, that water will be hot, that meetings will happen as scheduled, that taxis will be available, that internet will connect; that you will get what you ordered, etc.

One of the funniest from this past week was when they took our toilet seat off our toilet in our guesthouse and forgot to put a new one back on. We had to laugh and say “chigger yellum.”

Today- Noel and I went to a restaurant for dinner and ordered salad but got soup. Also, ordered a “tall macchiato” and got one of the smallest we had ever seen. Had to say again “chigger yellum.”

Wow, living like that is tough though. I like checking things off my “to do” list. I like getting what I order. I like things to work and expectations to be met. But to make it here, I have to continue to put others first and try to live content, taking it one day at a time. There's a freedom that comes with chigger yellum. I'm still trying to get to that. :-)

These verses are helping...

...Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2

...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.- Philippians 4:12-13

ONWARD...may God give us strength.

This past week I did have some great interviews and connections with some organizations and NGOs working to empower the poor. Most of what I'm learning so far is that development here is multi-faceted. The strategy has to be unique case by case and it's not easy. I was encouraged by one country director who said: Jesus himself was the great first social worker. We can learn much by looking at his strategy. May God help me continue to learn and put good research together.

Noel had a good week with the families she's working to empower with her Czech team.. More home visits were done and more small groups visited.

The volunteer training on Thursday was a highlight, thanks for those of you who prayed. It went extremely well. Fifteen volunteers were here from 9am to 3pm. We discussed openly about the challenges of leading small groups and doing home visits and gave teachings on best methods. We're excited by the lives of these volunteers who are being used by God in powerful ways in the lives of people in this community. God truly empowers those who make themselves available and in weakness, proves Himself strong.

Prayer Requests for this Week:

I have more interviews this week with NGOs (non-government organizations) and ministries. Pray for wisdom and favor and good connections. That I can learn good empowerment strategies to put into my research and also encourage those who are ministering here.

For Noel- as she continues to help the field staff with the families being empowered, that God will give her wisdom and favor.

For continued good health for us both. (we are still giving thanks for the warm sun and end of the rains).

For three American teams passing through here this week and next. One will serve in the western part of Ethiopia this coming week; one is in South Sudan for the week and will debrief here after that, and another team heads south then north here in Ethiopia. For their safety and opportunities to bless others. Also, as our paths cross with these short term teams that God will use us to encourage them and serve them.

Thank you again for following our stories and praying for us. Please keep it up.

May God richly bless you this coming week!

In His Strength,

Holly with Noel

Changing Seasons...the Ebb and Flow

Well, this past week closed the first big chapter of our time here in Ethiopia. Kristyna- Noel's Czech teammate, left Monday, after a month here. The very demanding schedule of this last month was set to maximize Noel and Kristyna's time together- and that time had a large focus on their Exodus project and families who they're striving to empower.

In reflection, it was full and much was accomplished. For me personally, it was a time of adjusting to the culture, being with Noel again, many things. Having Kristyna here was truly great. I even teared up seeing this Czech-Ethiopian team huddle together for a final time before taking her to the airport. I know God has much ahead for Kristyna.

Kristyna making her first injera :-)

With Kristyna's departure, we found ourselves in the middle of a holiday week, which there are many in Ethiopia. Monday was flag day- and they were everywhere. Even horses were wearing them. :-)

Another big holiday took place here on Tuesday-Wednesday, called Meskal. It celebrates the finding of Christ's cross by the Empress Helena here in the 4^th Century A.D. It is believed she found the cross Jesus was crucified on, smoke from a fire led her to where it was buried. People stack poles with daisies around a cross. This is later fanned by torches of eucalyptus twigs. Dancing and feasting follow. We saw daisies being sold the days prior to Meskal. (we learned these yellow flowers also mark the end of rainy season and supposedly only bloom for one month- a mark that harvest time, a new year and season is officially underway. Meskal kicked off on Tuesday night, with a large procession in the downtown area and a huge bonfire being lit- other bonfires and celebrating could be seen and heard into the night.

Meskal being celebrated on the main square in Addis

bonfires were burning in many villages :-)

with Noel in a taxi through the Meskal streets

So interesting to watch..

We wrapped up the rest of last week- reflecting on the time behind and planning for the month ahead.

Another big change this past week was the weather. The rains stopped! Praise God! Beautiful blue skies with sun and lots of breeze- has been with us several days in a row now. SO SO SO NICE. It's a wonderful change and our steps feel lighter.

lots of beautiful colors...

As I've walked more and more, taking everything in, I've continued to notice and sincerely be enthralled by the ebb and flow of life here. The different pulses of sights and sounds- is almost rhythmic. Whether it's birds flying by, clouds drifting past, children playing a game of pick-up soccer, music playing, calls to worship, all seem in rhythm, an ebb and flow. Even the dogs and hyenas making noise in the night, roosters crowing at all hours (so much like Haiti), even cows walking by leisurely, have a pulse of some sort. My favorite too is seeing kids dance and shake their necks and shoulders at the slightest beat- wish I had good rhythm like that :-)

God indeed orchestrates a great and diverse symphony of life. :-)

Sometimes, I believe, we miss sights and sounds. I'm often thinking ahead or being introspective- thinking of “to do” lists, etc. I don't want to miss the great ebb and flow here. May God keep my eyes open so I can take it all in. For life is surely a gift.

I've noticed too though that not all the ebbs and flows here are pleasant. YEP...

There are rivers that smell. You often see mourning tents put up and people crying for those who have passed on. And it doesn't take long to notice the shackles of poverty and oppression. So what you do you do? Sometimes I shut my eyes. Or try to ignore the smells or walk quickly past the chaos or begging. Usually I end up stepping in it if I don't acknowledge it.

So what is my part to play in it all? Why am I here? What can I do?

What can I write, communicate, be or do here to make a difference in any one life? To let God's glory or truth be displayed in and through me?

I'm not sure yet, what my part is here. But I think what God is showing me so far is to take it all in. The good and the bad. And to see the people in the ebbs and flows. Then do or be or say or write what He tells me to. So, I will.

And what God calls me to be and how He wants me to respond should show others-Him...
His grace, mercy, love, truth, compassion, etc. And wow, that sure does take big connection to Him. May He help me.

So I will continue to dwell in the ebb and flow here and will laugh and smile at the good, the amazing, the diverse. And will pray for and be ready to take action for those in the not good...

keeping these verses in mind...

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
(Isaiah 43:18-19)

“The ransomed of the Lord will return...gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” (Isaiah 55:12-13)

Thank you for continuing to pray for us here!

Our Prayer Requests for this coming week:

-for continued relationship building

-for Noel's continued work for the Exodus-Hope in View families

-for my interviews with NGOs and ministries- I have four interviews this week

-for a big training on Thursday we have with volunteers

-for protection and increased awareness of spiritual warfare

-for continued favor and wisdom in collecting stories and profiles of what God is doing here

May you enjoy the wonderful October fall season!

And may God teach you and use you in the ebb and flow of where you are.

Blessings and Love from Ethiopia,

Holly with Noel