A Donkey's Bray ... Thoughts for Easter Weekend from Ethiopia ...

Many times a day here in Ethiopia… you can hear a donkey BRAYING. It’s a loud, long sound that lasts about 30 seconds.  It sounds like a frustrated cry.

It’s funny, when I first came to Ethiopia, I wondered what was up with the donkeys. Why did they make that noise? Were they in labor…. having a baby? Having a heart attack? Were they being threatened by another animal? Or were they just greeting other donkeys? Not being a farm girl, I asked google, ha ha.

Sometimes they’re frustrated or feel threatened… and these are common reasons they bray.

 

The other day, when I heard a donkey braying, I thought… I’m with you Mr. Donkey. I feel like braying too.

Life can be frustrating.  Seasons can bring times of stress or fatigue and you may feel like shouting or going somewhere and having a good long cry.  People let us down. We let ourselves down. And the world seems a mess.

In recent days, we’ve seen people killed by gas in Syria. We’ve seen churches bombed in Egypt. A lot of crazy stuff going on globally.

There seems to be a downward spiral lurking, a strong pull DOWN…into darkness… in all areas of life. Do you see it, do you feel it?

It’s in the world and even inside of us. It’s a pull to sin, to selfishness, to envy to hopelessness. It’s a like a depravity, a darkness is lurking.  And you see this pull down and its effects on your mind, in your body, in people, relationships, and even churches.  

I was thinking this week about all the chaos and then about Jesus’ final week.

This depravity, darkness, loneliness, separation from God…was the result and is the result of sin. There wasn’t a way to get away from it or conquer it. 

But today, over 2000 years ago, Jesus came to give us a way out. This muck and mire and sin and death, He came to save us from.  He reached down and offered himself as a way out, an escape… taking the punishment for our sin on Himself … and He offers to pull us up and out and offers us a new life!!!!

 

 

UNBELIEVABLE MOVE!!!

I’m amazed and so thankful- that Jesus gives us the ability to walk in newness … cleanness… having joy, peace, hope, victory, and relationship with God because of what He did!!!

 

Romans 5:8
God demonstrated His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23

…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

Psalm 73:2; 22-26

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold… I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.  Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heat may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Romans 7

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. … I know that nothing good lives in me, that is in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. … I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man am I! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 8

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because Jesus has set me from sin and death… Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus… We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us

Today, as we remember, Jesus’ final walk, as He was beaten and bruised and mocked and killed…may we remember this incredible sacrifice He made for us. May we be thankful and grateful that we don’t have to stay in sin and defeat.

For those who feel lost and pulled down and hopeless and alone, may you hear about and see the hand of Jesus- offering you a way out, a way up, and a newness of life that can’t found anywhere or in anyone else!!!  Nothing else and no one else satisfies or gives your life purpose and meaning- than God!!! Relationship with Him is offered and ONLY comes from accepting what Jesus did on your behalf.

John 14:6

I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me.

Romans 10:9

If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hers my voice and opens the door, I will come in…

On Sunday, Easter, as we celebrate Jesus, our Risen King, may we continue to give thanks for His sacrifice that changed everything.

And the times when we feel like braying like a donkey, may we remember the frustration and darkness and sin is not our end nor does it have to take us down. But it’s been defeated. We are pulled out and have a great road to walk ahead with the hand of Jesus in ours.  May we live into that with confidence and joy!!!  And may our braying become songs of praise!!!

Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the muck and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to God…

AMEN!

God Bless You and your Families this Easter weekend!  I’m so grateful for each of you!!!

Praises-Prayer Requests

-It’s been busy here. I thank God so much for all He’s done, all He’s doing.  My classes at ETC have continued and I’m grateful for the chance to encourage and challenge and learn with my brothers and sisters in Christ. My classes this spring semester are: Cross Cultural Communication; Small Group Ministry; and Evangelism and Discipleship.

 

-The spring semester started at Hope College. And I’ve enjoyed those classes too. I’m teaching Basic English writing to freshmen students- and have about 130 students in three sections. I’ve enjoyed getting to know these new students and I’m grateful for the continued opportunity to build into the youth here.

 

-I’ve started back with two Bible studies with students- and have been challenged and blessed in walking through life with this group as we talk together about the Word of God and apply it to our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

-This is a big holiday time here in Ethiopia, as in the rest of the world. Easter (Faskia) is a huge celebration for both Protestants and Orthodox. The Orthodox will be breaking a 55 day fast on Saturday night into Sunday. Today is a long day of bowing at churches and remembering the pain the suffering Jesus experienced. Most Protestant churches have all night prayer services on Saturday to usher in Easter. Last night, I attended a Holy Thursday service with some students and took communion in remembrance of Jesus’ final meal.  On Sunday and Monday, I will be with students and families celebrating.  May God Bless this time!

 

-Please keep my classes and students in prayer here. That I can be creative in planning and manage my time well, I have about 175 students between the two schools.  Please pray that God will use me in and out of the classroom to represent Him well.

-The weather has been weird so please pray for good health to remain.

-Please keep my Dad, Mom and Sister in Prayer. My sister will be traveling in the next few months on mission trips, please keep her in prayer. She’s so great!  I’m so grateful for my family. My parents celebrated their anniversary (46^th) a few weeks ago. They’re too cute. J  And I’m so thankful to have them as my Dad and Mom!

 

 

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. Please let me know how I can pray for you as well.

God bless you this Easter weekend and spring!!! 

Blessings and love from Ethiopia!