We all like the way ahead of us to be "open" ...
It seems the past 18 or so months with Covid hitting globally, the word we have heard and dreaded the most is "closed."
School is closed. Work is closed. Travel is closed.
What a difficult season it has been for so many.
I think for years to come, we will still be thinking about lessons learned and the valleys passed through during this pandemic time.
In June, when I boarded a plane from Ethiopia to the USA, I prayed.... God... please keep the way "OPEN" ... so I could see my family and get the Covid vaccine.
And I prayed for my way back to Ethiopia to stay OPEN so I could return to live with the people I love so much.
Would God keep open what seemed to be shutting? I braced for His will and His perfect plan and slipped in and out of a barely cracked "open door."
The way stayed "open" for me to get to the USA safely.
Immediately I was warmed by the temperatures in Ohio and was shocked by the loud noises of what seemed like an Egypt plaque of bugs in the skies and trees. Cicada bugs had decided to visit Ohio when I did. That was lovely. Ha ha. Also shocking was how late the sun stayed in the skies- until almost 9pm every day. Had it always been that way? I appreciated my mask because I froze in air conditioning. And on my first full day back... I started the Covid vaccine process. I don't think many realize how fortunate you are to have access to this if you do. I got emotional on both the first and second vaccine shots, knowing how so many around the world would love the chance to get vaccinated and how many didn't have the chance or take the opportunity and didn't make it.
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| Listening for cicadas...not a fan... |
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| cicada |
I enjoyed rest and time with my family so much. It had a been a long time it seemed since I was home for more than a month in the summer time. I visited with my Dad and Mom- enjoying Father's Day, shopping, and big walks. I was amazed at the big clean pieces of ginger in supermarkets and the overall selection of food available. A few times we opened windows and I could hear grass being cut and it reminded me of my childhood. I had icecream and lemonade. I was able to see some new movies in theaters with recliner seating. Oh my gosh. So so so nice. I visited with my sister- Noel- and her husband Mike. We went to the zoo and biked around their lake. Even in 90 degree weather and I was sincerely melting, it was fun and so enjoyable. I celebrated the 4th of July (America's birthday) and dressed in red, white and blue... even getting our dog, Buddy, in his own patriotic attire, ha ha.
I love my family soooooo much and truly cherished the time!
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| Big, clean ginger |
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| Movies |
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| Shopping |
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| The most shocking animal at the zoo for me |
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| Mike, Noel, and my Mom...checking out the reptiles :-) |
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| A lion lounging, I don't like any size of cat |
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| Giraffes...always a favorite |
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| Cold in AC |
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| So much fun with My Mom |
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| 4th of July... finding red, white, and blue |
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| Buddy in his buggy and USA scarf, ha ha |
Also very memorable.... my Mom and I had a good laugh one day... that I will never forget. It's one of those laughs that come from deep in your gut that maybe happens once in a decade....we cried our eyes out, literally, we laughed so hard. We will never forget it. ha ha ha ha ha ha.
When the vaccine had finally almost fully set in my arm- I was only down to about a week left stateside and I quickly had the privilege to speak at some churches and do some presentations about Ethiopia. To have time with many of my long time supporters and share about all God has been up to in the last ten years of my time in Ethiopia...was humbling and so encouraging. To share the stories and introduce the family God has given me was a privilege-... so so so good!
Thankfully, the door to return to Ethiopia remained...OPEN...so thankfully this past week...I slipped back into the land I love.
Arriving back in Addis is and can be shocking, even after living here for so long.
Rainy season had definitely fully arrived.
My backyard looked like a jungle.
My first week welcomed me with bug traffic on my floor and about three days with no POWER, it continues to be off and on.
I quickly remembered that power is a luxury for most of the world and to not take electricity and a good network for granted.
But I was and I am so happy to be back!
The reunions have been so sweet. With friends, neighbors, students, and the family God has given me here.
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| big rains are here |
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| Catching up with my trainer-friend-coach- Belay |
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| Lunch with my new neighbors...Hilina and her family |
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| Noah(T-p) - soooo cute |
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| Catching up with Abu |
I feel hopeful for the way ahead here... and so thankful for the open door to return.
Though my "work" here might shift significantly in the time ahead, what I hear God saying is that ...
HE IS My Place, My Portion. He always has been. It is He is Who I stand with and in!
With Him, the way is OPEN and the future... is His to write... He will open things in His time and way.
I can trust Him!!
We can trust Him!!
He positions us and plants us. He lifts our head and establishes our steps.
The way is OPEN because He is for us and with us!
He is..."my portion; my cup"... He has "made my lot secure" and He is at "my right hand.. I will not be shaken..." (Psalm 16: 6-8).
AMEN!
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| The way with God is OPEN ahead of us, He makes a way when there is not one to be seen! |
God is the Author and the Finisher of our life stories.
On the highest and brightest mountains, He is there.
In the darkest of valleys, He is there too. He carries us if we let Him.
He never leaves us or forsakes us and His promises REMAIN for us.
Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
He will finish what He started in us!
He opens and shuts the path before us, we can trust Him timing!
He parts seas and levels mountains.
He calms storms and crushes evil.
He removes obstacles and gives favor.
He plants our feet and enables us to stand.
His Spirit emboldens us and empowers us to be effective.
His gives beauty for ashes and a spirit of joy for mourning.
He is our our Good Shepherd!
We have to nothing to fear about the future and our best days are still ahead, not behind!
You have taken hold of my right hand. You will guide me with your plan, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you and I desire nothing on earth but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever... (Psalm 73:23-26)
Do not fear, for I am with you. I have summoned you by name, you are mine... 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.... (Isaiah 43)
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water. It will not fear when heat comes, its leaves will always be green. It has no worries in a year of drought and its leaves will never fail to bare fruit. ... (.Jeremiah 17:18)
If your way feels closed or you feel that something is blocking you in this season.......remember God is with you and He makes a way.
We can sing in the dark and in the tight spaces because our story is not done or finished!
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what I have prepared for those who love me..... (1 Corinthians 2:9)
I have set before you an open door... that no one can shut. (Revelation 3:8)
Our best days for God are still ahead and an OPEN road of life with Him is before us!
May we trust Him and move forward with confidence and hope!
This is my prayer for my life and I will pray this for you as well!!!
Thank for continuing the journey with me!!! Your prayers mean so much!!!
Praises
-for the safe travel to the USA, time with family, and the Covid vaccine received
-for the safe return to Ethiopia
-for the Peace in Ethiopia, since the elections, so far
-for ETC- it had its graduation while I was away and I was so happy to see many of my best students finish their theology education. May God use these humble servants and bless them!
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| ETC... 2021 Graduates |
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| Excited for this first graduating class of MA students in Youth Ministry |
Prayer Requests
-for Clarity with work- that God opens up where that best is in my time ahead
-for Effectiveness
-for Good health
-for Peace in Ethiopia and wise leadership, also for relief and remedy for the Tigray area and people there
-for Graduation at Hope Univ at the end of August- some of my best students will be finishing three, four and five year degree programs. Pray it's a great finale for them!
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| Arch, Year Five....finish line soon...GC |
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| Arch , Year Five, GC |
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| Jimmy, OC, Gech, ...Environment and Food Science GC Classes... finishing soon, Year Four Students |
Thank you again for your support and prayers! Please let me know how I can pray for you as as well.
May again...we stand in the open place God gives us and represent Him well and never lose hope!
