For me overall, being back in Ethiopia since Christmas has been a great start to 2018.
My love for this great land is deep. The coffee, the sunshine, the people, the cute kids ...there is so much to love about this place.
We've had holidays to celebrate, birthdays, and I've loved seeing some of my best former students start new businesses. I've smiled much in 2018 and truly have felt God's hand on the new year.
Big since my return has been the political situation here and the growing protests that have spread around Ethiopia. Though much of it has been outside of our capital city, Addis Ababa- where I live, ... almost daily I'm getting email alerts to take caution in certain areas and to be prepared at any time for the city to change. Often in taxis and on the roads, I find myself running scenarios in my head, if this or that happens up ahead, this is what I would do or try. There's an added level of vigilance I've felt I've had to keep.
Late last week, the Prime Minister of the country resigned and that was a surprise. So, a six month state of emergency was initiated over this past weekend until new leadership is chosen and transition happens. Please pray for peace here.
http://www.aljazeera.com/topics/country/ethiopia.html
Another shaky thing for me has been a huge delay in the clearance of my work permit.
What usually takes a few days has now turned into seven weeks and though it seems it will process through, that it hasn't yet- has made me feel insecure. Not having documents processed with the government now transitioning is also not good, so that has made me feel off balance too. Thoughts have come to my mind- like what if I'm blocked from working. And what if God changes where He wants me to live and work. So, all of that has been on my mind.
So things seem insecure. But, I think life in general seems that way.
So how can I live secure in insecurity? That has been what God has trying to teach me.
And Paul figured it out... it's time I did too.
Philippians 4:11-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... whether well fed or hungry, ... I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
God has been trying to remind me that the KEY to my STABILITY is HIM.
If my foundation is Him, if I stay focused on Him, and rooted in Him, I can live secure in insecurity.
He doesn't shake. His hand in mine doesn't let go.
Psalm 112
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord... He will never be shaken.. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord. His heart is secure...
Psalm 37
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord... He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn... be still and wait patiently for the Lord...If the Lord delights in a man's ways, He makes His steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
2 Timothy 2:19
God's solid foundation stands firm
Psalm 40:2
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand
God has helped me to see the great value in constantly checking my connection with Him. For if I lose sight of Him or look at other things first, my perspective can be off and I can feel insecure.
Here in Ethiopia, there are often power outages. And with most people now having smart phones, it seems most people know places where you can grab a quick charge. I know most cafes around my school where if needed, I can sit at a certain table and find a socket where I can charge my phone and have a good cup of coffee.
God challenged me recently in those times. When I plug into a power source for charge for my phone, I heard God say- also grab those moments- to plug in with me, get charged in me. Talk to me, listen for me. Check your focus, your foundation- be with me, I'll give you security, perspective, peace, joy... grab moments, all the time, to connect with me.
So, I've been grabbing moments, not just in the morning or at night, but several times during the day, to charge, to check my foundation and plug in with God, and literally my mood changes if it's off. For maybe I start to plug into frustration or doubt or insecurity or fear, but when I spend time with God, grabbing moments with Him, I plug into hope, joy, peace and security. And I leave those places charged, my phone and my spirit.
Great indicators of what you're standing on, connecting to, or looking at ... are your words and actions. If jealousy, negativity, anger, bitterness, unholiness is coming out of your mouth or is seen by others in your actions, then you need to plug into God, get alone with Him, and let Him refocus you in Him and for Him. The world is watching and listening to our lives. We have to take care. And if insecurity is also evident, we can connect with God and experience His peace.
We CAN live secure, even in insecurity, because God is with us and in us.
But can we REALLY connect with God... a holy God, a just God, when we're not worthy?
Does He really want us to be with Him? That's the good news we have... a way has been made possible for us to connect- and it's only through Jesus. He's the connecter, with Him in us and with us, covering our sin- we can boldly approach God as much as we want. Amazing!
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life. For God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ... let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.
If we're rooted in God, we can face any army, and not be afraid. We can look at any storm or disease, and still feel anchored in peace, having joy and hope. We can walk through any valley that has danger, we can see any door slammed shut and still come out the other side, secure with God. We can sing in the dark places, rejoice in the hallways and times when we don't see the next thing, because on the mountains, in the valleys, God doesn't change. He is for us and we can trust His leadership to see us through.
And as we countdown to Easter and reflect with humility the greatness of the fact that we are loved by God and can walk with Him, talk with him, grab moments with Him, be used by Him, and be with Him forever, thanks to Jesus, may we not lose days or time but make the most of all.
Psalm 91:
Because He loves me, I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble...
John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in me.
John 15:4
Remain in me and I will remain in you.
1 John 4:4
Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.
Romans 8:31; 39
If God is for us, who can be against us? ... Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 28:20
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
May we live secure in insecurity, grabbing moments to be with God. And sharing the connecting power of Jesus Christ in a world needing to know the peace He gives! Onward.
Prayer Requests... Please pray...
-For Ethiopia, for wisdom in the coming days and peace as leadership transitions. Pray for new leadership that will unite the country and be just and fair for all the people here.
-For my work permit to process successfully this week.
-For my new classes at both ETC and HCBST, that God will use be at both schools to be a good example of Him
-For security in insecurity, that I will grab moments all the time, to be with God
-For this Easter-Lent season for us all, that we can remember and celebrate the great sacrifice made by Jesus
-for continued good health and for my family's health
Please let me know how I can pray for you too! Blessings from Ethiopia
My love for this great land is deep. The coffee, the sunshine, the people, the cute kids ...there is so much to love about this place.
My start to the new semester at both ETC (the Evangelical Theological College) and Hope College has also been very good. I've loved getting to know new students and have felt God's leadership in lesson planning and preparation. I really feel so honored to get to do what I do. I've also started working again with the Student Parliament at Hope and love these student leaders and feel again humbled to be part of their life journey.
 |
| new freshmen class at Hope, Management students |
 |
| Hope Student Parliament celebrating Valentines Day |
 |
| Some of my ETC students helping celebrate my Dad's bday |
 |
| My great sis Shali, celebrating her January birthday |
 |
| H and H Leather Products... new business of my great former students: Hilina and Heldana (Hidi) |
Despite the great start back to the new year, a few things have been throwing me off balance and have made things seem insecure.
Big since my return has been the political situation here and the growing protests that have spread around Ethiopia. Though much of it has been outside of our capital city, Addis Ababa- where I live, ... almost daily I'm getting email alerts to take caution in certain areas and to be prepared at any time for the city to change. Often in taxis and on the roads, I find myself running scenarios in my head, if this or that happens up ahead, this is what I would do or try. There's an added level of vigilance I've felt I've had to keep.
Late last week, the Prime Minister of the country resigned and that was a surprise. So, a six month state of emergency was initiated over this past weekend until new leadership is chosen and transition happens. Please pray for peace here.
http://www.aljazeera.com/topics/country/ethiopia.html
Another shaky thing for me has been a huge delay in the clearance of my work permit.
What usually takes a few days has now turned into seven weeks and though it seems it will process through, that it hasn't yet- has made me feel insecure. Not having documents processed with the government now transitioning is also not good, so that has made me feel off balance too. Thoughts have come to my mind- like what if I'm blocked from working. And what if God changes where He wants me to live and work. So, all of that has been on my mind.
So things seem insecure. But, I think life in general seems that way.
So how can I live secure in insecurity? That has been what God has trying to teach me.
And Paul figured it out... it's time I did too.
Philippians 4:11-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... whether well fed or hungry, ... I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
God has been trying to remind me that the KEY to my STABILITY is HIM.
If my foundation is Him, if I stay focused on Him, and rooted in Him, I can live secure in insecurity.
He doesn't shake. His hand in mine doesn't let go.
Psalm 112
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord... He will never be shaken.. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord. His heart is secure...
Psalm 37
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord... He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn... be still and wait patiently for the Lord...If the Lord delights in a man's ways, He makes His steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
2 Timothy 2:19
God's solid foundation stands firm
Psalm 40:2
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand
God has helped me to see the great value in constantly checking my connection with Him. For if I lose sight of Him or look at other things first, my perspective can be off and I can feel insecure.
Here in Ethiopia, there are often power outages. And with most people now having smart phones, it seems most people know places where you can grab a quick charge. I know most cafes around my school where if needed, I can sit at a certain table and find a socket where I can charge my phone and have a good cup of coffee.
God challenged me recently in those times. When I plug into a power source for charge for my phone, I heard God say- also grab those moments- to plug in with me, get charged in me. Talk to me, listen for me. Check your focus, your foundation- be with me, I'll give you security, perspective, peace, joy... grab moments, all the time, to connect with me.
So, I've been grabbing moments, not just in the morning or at night, but several times during the day, to charge, to check my foundation and plug in with God, and literally my mood changes if it's off. For maybe I start to plug into frustration or doubt or insecurity or fear, but when I spend time with God, grabbing moments with Him, I plug into hope, joy, peace and security. And I leave those places charged, my phone and my spirit.
Great indicators of what you're standing on, connecting to, or looking at ... are your words and actions. If jealousy, negativity, anger, bitterness, unholiness is coming out of your mouth or is seen by others in your actions, then you need to plug into God, get alone with Him, and let Him refocus you in Him and for Him. The world is watching and listening to our lives. We have to take care. And if insecurity is also evident, we can connect with God and experience His peace.
We CAN live secure, even in insecurity, because God is with us and in us.
But can we REALLY connect with God... a holy God, a just God, when we're not worthy?
Does He really want us to be with Him? That's the good news we have... a way has been made possible for us to connect- and it's only through Jesus. He's the connecter, with Him in us and with us, covering our sin- we can boldly approach God as much as we want. Amazing!
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life. For God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ... let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.
If we're rooted in God, we can face any army, and not be afraid. We can look at any storm or disease, and still feel anchored in peace, having joy and hope. We can walk through any valley that has danger, we can see any door slammed shut and still come out the other side, secure with God. We can sing in the dark places, rejoice in the hallways and times when we don't see the next thing, because on the mountains, in the valleys, God doesn't change. He is for us and we can trust His leadership to see us through.
And as we countdown to Easter and reflect with humility the greatness of the fact that we are loved by God and can walk with Him, talk with him, grab moments with Him, be used by Him, and be with Him forever, thanks to Jesus, may we not lose days or time but make the most of all.
Psalm 91:
Because He loves me, I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble...
John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in me.
John 15:4
Remain in me and I will remain in you.
1 John 4:4
Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.
Romans 8:31; 39
If God is for us, who can be against us? ... Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 28:20
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
May we live secure in insecurity, grabbing moments to be with God. And sharing the connecting power of Jesus Christ in a world needing to know the peace He gives! Onward.
Prayer Requests... Please pray...
-For Ethiopia, for wisdom in the coming days and peace as leadership transitions. Pray for new leadership that will unite the country and be just and fair for all the people here.
-For my work permit to process successfully this week.
-For my new classes at both ETC and HCBST, that God will use be at both schools to be a good example of Him
-For security in insecurity, that I will grab moments all the time, to be with God
-For this Easter-Lent season for us all, that we can remember and celebrate the great sacrifice made by Jesus
-for continued good health and for my family's health
Please let me know how I can pray for you too! Blessings from Ethiopia
