Wow, well we are back from Ethiopia and all in one piece- I think. Atleast physically that is. Coming back from a place like Gondar, there is a part of you that is forever changed and yes a piece of you stays there. It was a great trip with many highlights that I will share over the next days, but I think the piece that sticks with me the most right now is the opportunity for change. As you drive along the roads and go out to the villages you see a land of milk and honey, miles of farming land and beautiful scenery of green, and yet around the corner our lives tokened with disparity and poverty. This is my third trip there and I seem to find out something new about the country every time. I never cease to be amazed at the children and their contentment with what they have. At the schoolyard, they play with a soccer ball tethered for who knows how long, barely staying together in a circle, yet entertained and full of joy to be playing together. At this time of year, as Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of not the things that separate us, such as(homes,jobs,miles,material things, abundance) but the things that unite us, the need for friendship, for love, for security, for life, abudant life, one God) As I was in Gondar one evening outside a hotel overlooking the city, I could hear whispers of the people in Gondar "living" conversations of families, of laughter, of tears..I was reminded of the song You're the God of this city, your'e the king of this Nation..you are..and He is..I for one am thankful this Thanksgiving for who He is, that He is victorious even when things feel at loss, let's all be reminded He is the King! Happy Thanksgiving!

On a Mission

Well, we've been praying about this for quite some time, and the time is almost here. Yes, headed back into Ethiopia to serve the people in Gondar through e3 Partners and Chase Oaks. I am so excited to be going in this time to provide help through wheelchair distribution. The other day we met together as teams and I saw for the first time the wheelchair we will be taking with us-thanks to all your generosity in helping make this happen. The thing that excites me the most is having the opportunity to love on the people in Ethiopia, to be able to provide for some of the most needy people there in Gondar, "legs" to view there surroundings in a whole new way. How exciting is that. We will also be providing eyeglasses for people to give them a new opportunity to read. Along with that Aids awareness and just offering hope to the people there. So please continue to pray for us as we prepare to go. I am asking God to prepare my heart in what he wants to teach me, in how He wants to use me and our team, and for the people we will have the opportunity to meet-that they would meet God. I am once again so thankful for God allowing me to live into the passion He has given me to go....