Wow! Egziabeher Yimesgen!

 Wow! Egziabeher Yimesgen 

(Amharic for "May God be Praised!")

Just a quick selfie at the hotel :)

*Tiny wormy disclaimer---This post has and will not be edited. It’s from the heart and right off of the top of the dome.
**Feel free to comment and add some words of encouragement…

 I swear when I went to bed last night, I wasn't really feeling being here.  I felt dirty...The accommodations aren't the best, all that nice and definitely aren't up to date.  We haven't had running water since we've been here, so we have  made use of baby wipes, hand sanitizer, bottled water and just the basic necessities.  I had already started to count down the days until we returned home, especially when I was awaken at 3am by Ethiopian Orthodox church service with singing and chanting in Amharic over loud speaker. WTF Geez! This went on until about 9am and will go on every day. Jesus be some deep sleep and some ear plugs!  Caden slept through all of it. I prayed about it. I know that God has a reason for me being here. We still don't have running water, but somehow God has really moved quickly within me to shift my mindset... and for that I am truly grateful.

By the way, Caden is really enjoying this experience more that I thought he would. He said he feel like he is camping, something that he's always wanted to do.  Me on the other hand...when I looked up at at the ceiling and the top of the mosquito net covering my bed last night, I recalled all of those times that I wished that I was a princess and could sleep under a canopy. God really does have a sense of humor. My "canopy" is really a mosquito net...lol!

During our meal times, we have been discussing the miracles of Jesus. This morning over breakfast, we discussed John 2. Tomorrow morning we'll discuss John 4 before taking a 2.5  hour drive up the mountain to work in a few of the villages.

After lunch, we had some time to walk the streets outside of the gates of the hotel. It was when we were walking and interacting with the people and especially the children that I realized I was actually very happy to be here and that I do in fact have a purpose to serve while I am here. All of that can become a bit cloudy when you are distracted by feeling dirty, don't have running water and aren't in your preferred swanky type of hotel.  Mind you we are at the number two hotel in the area :) It could always be worse, huh.  The kids just start following you and the people wave and smile.  Most speak and stare. Some of the kids start holding your hand, hoping that you have something to give them. I was warned to be discreet in giving because you will be swarmed and taken over by them.    

Hotel entrance

 

Walking the streets of Arba Minch

We met a few gentlemen who approached us, spoke great English and were Christians.  They were so open and detailed about their love for Jesus. It made me question whether or not I really needed to be here to share the gospel at all...lol.  We met Neal, Muhjanek and Miju. 

Caden and I with Muhjanek

Some of the group with Miju and "Frio"

I feel in love with this little girl in the red shirt, "Frio". She is deaf and lives on the streets. Her parents are deceased, but she would not let us out of our sight.  After taking her picture, she wanted to see it.  We also went through about 100 of my pictures on my phone. It was amazing how much we were able to communicate without language or sound.  Everytime she saw Caden or I in a picture, she pointed at us. I spent about 30-45 minutes "talking" to her. She gave us the biggest hugs when we departed. I already can't wait to find her again.

Before dinner, we completed Priceless Cube training and met our translators for the first time.  My translator's name is Girma and even Caden has his own translator, Elizabeth.We spent time getting to know eachother and preparing for the work we'll be doing starting tomorrow. They both stated that they were surprised that we (Caden and I) were black like them.  99% of the time they work with white-Americans. Interesting.

Girma, Caden and Elizabeth (our translators)

Here's a snippet of our group leader, Katie going through the Priceless Cube training.

While on the plane, I began reading this book. "Revolution in World Missions"It's free to download or they will even mail you a copy. So far it's a great read! 

Revolution in World Missions book

We eat breakfast at 6:30am and get ready to get on road. I can't wait to update you all tomorrow on our first day in the field. Please pray that what we have to share does not fall on death ears and that we are able to also lead people to Christ. 







Here are some more pics below....

Ethiopian money= Birr. I love the picture on the money

Normal scenery while walking the streets of Arba Minch

Caden with some of the ladies in our group

Connor and Muhjanek discussing the Gospel

Guards outside of the hotel.  They use those sticks to keep animals and the "poor" outside of the gates :(

My lunch: Doro Wat (Chicken Stew with boiled egg) and an apple soda. Yum!

Priceless Cube training

Caden reading up on Priceless Cube