Reflections: 12 days after our return from Ethiopia

It has now been a little over 10 days since Caden and I returned from Ethiopia and I have still been digesting and reflecting on our entire experience while there. I must admit and it has been a lot to digest and reflect on.  Here are a few of things that have been on my mind:

1) I would be remiss if I didn't give a SUPER huge shout out to my amazing son, Caden. He is THE absolute best travel companion that I have ever had. He was so patient, didn't complain and saw the good in everything.  Due to him being so comfortable and seeing the good in everything, I was able to take a few pointers from him and have an open mind.  We can really learn a lot from kids! Sometimes we have to step back and see things from their perspective.  God really blessed me when he gave Caden to me!

2) I still am amazed of the work that God did while there:

Gospel Presentations:  The Gospel was presented to 5,601 people!

Professions of Faith:  New Christians! 339

Priceless Cube: The number of people who are now aware of the dangers of human trafficking  ...2240

I Am Second Groups: Total: 996 people

Churches started: 3

Isn't this amazing!!!

3) Last but, not least, the amazing team of leaders that I got to work along side, left an amazing impression on me:

Our translators who not only translated for us, but were also a source of protection.  Pastor Jeff Timblin of Bridges Church in California, his amazing daughter Sami, our wonderful group leader, Katie Brown (this was her 13th trip to Ethiopia) and Pastor Samuel (far right). His story of meeting his wife while in prison made me really realize how much of my faith and relationship with Christ that I've taken for granted. They were both arrested in the late 80's for preaching the gospel. Wow!  I wonder how many of us would change our downplay our beliefs if that were the case.I don't know of many people that would still be preaching if this were the case.

 All of this made me think of the sacrifices my late grandfather, Rev. John Loyd Edwards made during the Civil Rights movement and during his 70 years of ministry.  I would have loved to hear his thoughts of facing imprisonment for preaching.  He was proud and excited about me going on this trip and was one of my biggest supporters.  When I get to heaven, we'll have this conversation a long with many others.  I was so proud to wear his hat while I was there...

I am looking forward to returning to Ethiopia next summer or the following year...

Just my rambling for today. Still digesting all of this on today...my 34th birthday!

The Final Days

We are coming up on our final days here in Ethiopia :(

We'll be back though...

Thanks to the many of you who supported us during this journey...whether it was through prayers, financially, providing encouragement and/or kind words! WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!!

Today and Yesterday Combined: Yesterday, we completed our last day of field ministry: We did an in home bible study.  I wasn't feeling too well. I think I ate something that didn't agree with me, so I tagged a long with another group so that I didn't have to do too much walking.  I am feeling 100% better now. Yay!

We met a 120 year old man! He was so vibrant, singing and even doing a little dancing. We couldn't believe his age, so we kept asking different translators to find out.  That is amazing!  One thing that I found out is that although many Ethiopians own cattle, chickens etc, most still don't eat meat. They also don't eat much, if any process foods. One reason is because they don't have access to it and two is because they grow and cook everything from scratch.  I bet that has a lot to do with the longevity they have.

Caden and the 120 year old man we had the pleasure of meeting

This little beauty stole my heart!

Another thing that I've noticed is that even in poverty, they are still some of the most giving people that I've ever met. When they invite you into their homes, they love to feed you and have a coffee ceremony for you.  I feel like should be giving to them.  I also don't think fashion and having on a different set of clothes every day is a priority.  Every day on the way up to the mountains, I see men and women "bathing" in some of the filthiest water that I have ever seen.  Some hang out and wait for their clothes to air dry and others just put back on the same thing. Even in all of this poverty, they are still some of the most joyous people that I have EVER come across.  I am already looking forward to coming back.  This trip has certainly made me reflect on how much "stuff" I have, how much I waste and truly discover how truly blessed I am... even more.


TODAY was great as well! We went back to the school for a dedication ceremony and service.  We had a chance to take a tour, interact and play with the kids.  Caden and the other kids, played soccer and other games until the ceremony started.  After the ceremony, we had a church service to say goodbye to our translators, discipleship makers, give them thank you cards and a love offering.  There was singing dancing and yes, another Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

The school entrance

During the dedication ceremony, translators, e3 Partners, school and government officials

One of the handsome school boys

Another beautiful face at the school

Selfie time with my favorite little guy! He's so awesome!

Soccer! They will play soccer with any size ball or even a plastic bottle

Dancing and singing at the church service

Tomorrow, we get an off day. Caden and I will be going on an alligator and hippo tour while some will go to other village where they started a church a few years ago to check on them etc.  Others have the option to hang around the hotel. Four of us will start heading home on Sunday while, 7 more arrive. Please pray for traveling grace for the entire team and the work that will continue.

Ethiopian taxis! 3 wheels.

There's always heavy traffic during our early morning and afternoon commutes to and from Segen!

Just the High Points!

Woohoo! We've got water folks! Somebody, please cue the shouting music *doing my happy dance* I am about to make today's blog post short and sweet because, I plan on taking a much needed shower an going to bed pretty early. So here are the main points:

-Delivered bibles to two families and conducted bible study with them. We covered the John 3:16 and John 14.

Writing messages in the cover of bible. Proudly wearing my grandfather, Rev. John L. Edwards, Jr's, hat.

-Started one in home church plant

Starting a church in his home with 15 members today.

-Villagers thanked us for coming to do bible study with them. Although they are Christians, no one has ever come to share the gospel with them.  They have never had access to bibles. My prayer is that we will be able to get more bibles to them.

-Caden showed his new friend, Gideon how to play a few games on the iPad

New friends

A quick silly selfie with Gideon

This is where THE best coffee come from!!!

You have to have transportation around here.  No one has cars. Only taxis, buses or donkeys. Solomon is the best and coolest driver ever!

The bank!

THANKS AGAIN to the 80 plus of YOU who donated to support this very important mission to Ethiopia. We would not have been able to do any work here without YOU!

Bubbles, Barley and Bible Study!

How we are greeted when the vans arrive! They love us!

  *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, comment and/or ask questions

Day 4: We went back up to the mountain to meet with more families. The first home that I entered had several women and a few men.  They declared themselves Christians, but admitted that they do not own bibles and have not read it.  I did a bible study with them focusing on Matthew 28:16-20, The Great Commission I am looking forward to returning to this home tomorrow to deliver bibles. written in Amharic. We also prayed and they offered to do a Buna or coffee ceremony with us.  We accepted.  We were first given a plate of Kolo, an Ethiopian roasted barley snack. It was actually pretty good.  The coffee was so good. It was the absolute BEST coffee I have ever had.  I found out that they grow their own coffee in the back yard and that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee.  They hand roast the beans until they are dark brown/black. They also grind the beans by hand and place the grounds in a Jebena, Ethiopian coffee pot and allow it to settle for 5-10 minutes. All of this is done without any electricity in the area. I ended our time with Priceless cube. You could see the expressions on their faces change to concerned and frustrated looks.  One of the ladies said that one of her daughters left with some foreigners and she felt that she couldn't do anything about it. 

Kolo

Coffee Ceremony

Gideon and Caden. They are both 8 years old :)

The group after we completed bible study

The remainder of the day was spent going to different homes. Some ran away or hid from us. The majority of the people in the village are Ethiopian Orthodox and they are warned by their pastors to not listen to anything Christians have to say. Outside of some of the homes, up to 30-40 people gathered to hear the Priceless Cube message.  Some even asked questions. After we completed the Priceless Cube, we did the Evangicube.  More questions were asked regarding clarification of the beliefs, how to get to heaven etc. I was glad that they were interested in what I had to say.

Listening to one of the translators translate for me.  

While walking to other homes, I remembered that I had bubbles in my backpack. The sound of the kids laughter was priceless!

My translator Girma blowing bubbles

I enjoyed having lunch with my translator, Girma. We discussed race relations, politics etc.  I invited him to try some of my lunch and snacks. They don't really have potato chips like we do in the states.  Their chips are actually french fries.  He really enjoyed the Flaming Hot Cheetos and Salt and Vinegar Chips :)

Walking through the village

Caden posing with hotel security. It's real out here in these Ethiopian streets

She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain...

 *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, comment and/or ask questions



Day 3 without water and I feel like a millions bucks! We were promised that we would have the water back working tomorrow.  Every now and then I have a moment where I pause and look around and say to myself, "Kem, you are in Ethiopia. You are REALLY in Africa. Wow! Wow! Wow!

Oh and by the way, it is 2006 here and not 2014, since they follow a different calendar, based on the phases of the moon.  I think that is pretty cool!

On ministry days, the women in the group dress in over the knee skirts and loose fitting tops to respect the older traditions in the villages. The men wear pants.  None of this trip has been about fashion and I absolutely love being in comfortable clothes, no make-up etc.

After breakfast this morning, we loaded into vans with our translators and took a two hour bumpy ride up the mountain to Segen.  It was so bumpy that I started to feel car sick.  However, the views were breath taking and the air here is nothing like I've experienced before. It was so fresh and... pure.  I couldn't help but to to stick my face out of the window to take it all in.

  Along the way, we passed through many villages. I even managed to give some Skittles and Starbursts to some of the kids as we were passing by.  Many of them starting dancing when they saw us.  Often times, they repeatedly yell, "You, you, you, you," to get our attention. It works.  If there aren't too many around, we will give usually them some candy.

My favorite part of the day was arriving at the school that e3Partners has funded.  We were able to see the work that had been completed so far and to meet with the Governor.  I love that they train, employ and pay the locals to do the work to help stimulate their own economy etc. versus sending outsiders to do the labor.

There were so many kids greeting us when we arrived. I couldn't stop smiling. Have you ever smiled so much that your face began to hurt?   I shook so many hands and looked into so many eyes that I couldn't keep count.  Pure joy!

They kept getting in trouble by the school master for not staying back.  That made us feel bad. Even Caden felt that he was blending in too much and might get hit with the stick too.

Caden on the other hand was overwhelmed by all of the attention he was receiving.
Everywhere he went, they kept walking up to him starring.  He said, "Mom they are getting too close."  I told him to relax, say hello and to extend his hand for a handshake.  He did, but he was still uneasy about it.  They starred at him more than anyone else and I still can't figure out why.  As far the white-American girls in our group, the kids loved to pull on and touch their hair.  Most of them are used to it, so they try to wear it pulled-up if possible. 

Kids waving good-bye

After we left the school, we traveled a little more up the mountain to a church to meet with our "Discipleship makers." They are from the local villages and speak the tribal tongue.  In other words, another translator.  We speak, the translator translates to Amharic and the discipleship maker translates to the native tongue. It's amazing to watch.  We were split into groups to go and speak with the Burji tribe about Priceless Cube (a cube to educate about human trafficking) and share the EvangiCube (another cube used to tell the story of Jesus).  According to the Joshua Project, the Burji tribe are among some of the ones that have been "unreached."

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?
         ~Romans 10:14

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from EVERY nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb... 

           ~Revelation 7:9

 Can you believe that almost 30 people decided to give their live to Christ today? OMG! And many are now aware of human trafficking.

And I'm still having  "WTH are you doing here moments?"...smh! For those of you that really know me are probably wondering what in the world is Kem doing. My answer: I have no idea! I am just allowing God to lead me and use me.  I'm still the same witty person. I love to give back and experience life. It's just that simple.

Tomorrow we will head back up the mountain to Segen. We will leave the hotel bright and early to arrive by 8am to minister with the men of the Burji tribe before they leave to work the fields. 

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