Ethiopia

I have learned (the hard way) the importance of being still, and what it took to get me there. Over half my time here I’ve been sick. I had a sinus infection, ear infection, trouble breathing (hospital prescribed me an inhaler), low temperature (as low as 92 degrees), crackling in my lungs, dizziness, loss of appetite, and a few others things. This sickness would have me go to hospital 3 different times, and see 5 doctors.

I had to leave my team, travel 4 hours to the other team so that I could be in the city for access to the hospital, and stay there for over 2 weeks. 2+ weeks of sitting on the couch, not able to leave very often. And when I do leave, even if just for a short walk, I come back feeling much worse than before. My breathing gets all jacked up, and my temperature drops.

But it’s all good! I know that God will heal me, He told me that He would. I had a dream that the words from Isaiah 60:22 were being read to me. I have faith that I am right where I’m supposed to be, and at the right time (not a moment too early or too late) I’ll be whole again. And I know that I’ve interacted with people here that I was meant to. I talked to anyone and everyone in the hospital about Jesus, and there was one doctor (or nurse) who seemed to be struggling with her faith, and she was encouraged by our conversation. That alone makes this whole sickness worth it! I have met many different incredible people that I never would’ve. We serve a God that turns suffering into joy.

I’ve had time to sit in prayer, be in the word, worship, and just sit and listen for His still quiet voice. God’s hand has surely been on me throughout this whole process. I feel so much peace and comfort at a time that I shouldn’t. The people around me are more concerned about me than I am. Who can add a single hour to their life by worrying? Not me. The God of the universe knows me by name, He knows every hair on my head, and He is for me! I’m not worried about this at all.

There is a spiritual heaviness here that is different than in Asia. The first week or two of us being in Ethiopia my team was having bad dreams. I had a dream that we were all being beheaded with swords and chainsaws. And another dream that something from outside was coming in. Attacks from the enemy to try and scare us. We covered ourselves and our house in prayer, and these attacks stopped. The name of Jesus is powerful!

The little bit of ministry I’ve done has been awesome. In the mornings my team does a devotional with the boys and girls living on the compound. Later in the day we would have a vbs paired with something in the afternoon. My favorite was planting trees. The kids would come out and help, everyone here is so nice and so selfless. I came to serve, but I find myself getting served.

I will always look back on my time here with good memories. That’s not despite my sickness, that’s because of it. If I wasn’t sick for weeks, I wouldn’t have done or met the people I have. I praise God that He allowed me to walk into this fire, and just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there was another in the fire with me. I am not alone.

Isaiah 60:22 (NLT)

“At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”