Jehovah Jireh

Today the many people that make it possible for me to be here in Ethiopia have been on my heart and mind.  I’m extremely grateful for you and your support!  When I felt God leading me to Ethiopia in 2010, one of my biggest concerns was the money that I would need to live here.  God has promised that He will provide; He is our Jehovah Jireh.  I have loved watching and waiting to see how God has and will continue to provide for me. One of the many ways that God has made it possible for me to follow after Him is through the generous giving of others, and that is something I don’t take lightly.

Since I have been here in Ethiopia, I have watched God provide faithfully for me.  From the moment that God called me here, He has been working to ensure that I will have everything I need.  I don’t worry about finances anymore because I’ve watched God literally provide every penny, or should I say santeem, for me over the past 2 years.  There are some months that are tighter than others because of course unexpected expenses come up for me just like everyone else.  I have to acknowledge, there are numerous times that that I don’t have the money to pay for something unexpected.  My first reaction is to worry and fret over it, but I eventually decide to give it to the Lord, and EVERY time I have watched Him provide in unexpected ways.  It’s gotten to the point that now I choose to trust God first instead of wasting the time worrying.  There is nothing that can build your faith more than relying on God for your every need.

The reality is that we all owe everything to God.  He is the one that provides us with our jobs, homes, and belongings.  However, I feel that it is much easier to acknowledge God’s provision when you are relying on the support of others.  I am working a full-time job just like most people I know at home who get paid a salary.  However, my salary comes from others who have made it a point to invest in my students and me. 

My church has been amazing and faithful in their support of me and my ministry here at Bingham.  The church provides faithfully for me each month and also supports me in other ways.  They have blessed me with airfares to and from Ethiopia, and with the opportunity to join and serve with them here in the country I love so much.    I would not be here without their support. 

However, there are also other people who support monthly or give randomly at exactly the times I need it most.  Without these people I would not be able to teach my students.  Your support is literally reaching the ends of the earth from North America all the way to Australia and all the continents in between.  God has entrusted 27 third grade students to me this school year who are citizens of 9 different countries.  I have students in my class from all over the world, who will one day grow up and travel all over the world themselves.  I have no idea how far my circle of influence will reach, and that is something that excites me!  Sharing about my relationship with God is one of my favorite things to talk about with my students.  My prayer is that one day something that I say will resonate and plant a seed in the hearts of my students.  I hope that my students will too one day desire to follow God’s plan for their life and will be blessed with people like you to cheer them on! 

Thank you for generosity, belief, and support in me.  And remember that the same God that provides faithfully for me, will do the same for you!  Trust Him and give your financial worries to Jehovah Jireh for He will provide.

Who Wouldn’t Love It Here?

It’s true that we missionaries do sacrifice much to come to the mission field.  But in return we get to experience and have things that we never would otherwise.  Those of you who stay home are sacrificing things as well; you just don’t know what you’re missing.  I’ve put together a list of the things that tend to over-shadow my sacrifices.  It’s all about perspective……

Who wouldn’t love…..

being told you’re beautiful all the time?  

I think the Ethiopian race as a whole is made up of beautiful faces, but Ethiopians tend to think the same about us.  The Ethiopian people are often fascinated with ferengees (foreigners).    When I go outside the gates, I almost always hear the phrase betam konjo (very beautiful).  People often want to touch my hair or skin; kids want to shake or hold my hand.  It’s not abnormal for some stranger to tell me that they love me or even ask if I am married.  I have had to turn down a proposal or two in passing... no big deal.  These things would be out of the ordinary for me at home, but here they happen all the time.  Although it could make you uncomfortable at times, you still have to admit that being acknowledged and told you’re beautiful all the time would never get old! 

having a personal relationship with your DVD guy and veggie man?

Grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do, especially here in Addis since I have to go to numerous places to get everything I need.  But one thing that makes shopping fun is the personal relationship I have with Hennock, the guy who sells DVDs in front of the grocery store.  I love the DVD guy, and we are both mutually excited to see each other.  If I’m not with my friends, he asks about me.  If I go to Fantu (a local grocery store) and he’s not there, I ask about him.  Buying a new DVD is the last thing I need, but I always take the time to look through his DVDs.  And I feel guilty to buy from anyone else, like I’m betraying him.  Often I do not want any new DVDs, but because I like him so much I always buy at least a couple from him; it’s my way of supporting a friend.  There is something to be said about getting to know your customers because it does ensure that they will continue to support you, whether they need your product or not!

Another person that makes shopping more bearable is my veggie man.  When I pull up to buy vegetables, he always looks very excited to see me!  He greets me with “Denanish konjo?  Tefash!”  (How are you beautiful?  It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! paraphrased)  The reality is that there are several people that I could buy my fruits and vegetables from, but because I have a relationship with this guy, I keep coming back.  And in return, he brightens up my shopping experience!

cheap produce?

Speaking of fruits and vegetables, where else could you get such cheap produce?  I mean let’s face it, in America one reason it’s so hard to eat healthy is because all of the fattening stuff is cheap while the healthy stuff is expensive - especially when you want to get all ultra-healthy and only  buy organic produce.  Here in Ethiopia though, fruits and veggies are CHEAP!  I eat way more fruits and vegetables here because it’s so cheap to buy it.  What I spend on a month of produce here would be equivalent to paying for one big salad and a few apples at home.  With prices like that, all of us would eat better.  And guess what, it’s all organic here!

perfect weather?

Other than the 4 month rainy season from June-September, the weather here in Addis is pretty much….perfect.  The weather is not too hot or cold.  It’s warm in the day with no humidity, but then cools off at night.  You never need more than a light jacket, and I’m almost always in a pair of flip flops. If the temperature wasn’t enough to make you happy, then the shining sun is.  The sunshine is so bright that it can make anyone’s day better; all you need is 10 minutes in the sun, and it can turn any bad mood around.  I’ve never been a fan of cold weather, and it seems that’s because I was made to live here.  Swimming in December?  Yes, please!  I could actually have a swimming party for my birthday….fun!

bunna/machiatos?

I used to be content with a good ‘ol cup of Folgers coffee, but not anymore.  I like coffee enough that I could probably drink any kind, but you haven’t really tried coffee until you try Ethiopian bunna.  This country is known for its coffee, and let me tell you, you’re missing out!  I’ve never really been a fan of coffee without cream, but this country has won me over.  Cream or not! 

I’m a fan of the coffee in general, but nothing compares to Ethiopian machiatos.  You haven’t lived until you’ve drank one of these!  All I have to do is go to the souq (store) at Bingham, put in an order, and they will deliver one to my classroom all for the low price of about $.5o.  Spoiled, I know!  If I ever have to leave, these I will miss…

having a house helper?

Anyone that truly knows me knows that I am not a Suzie homemaker.  I mean, I can cook a few meals, (more now than before I came) but it’s not my favorite thing to do.  I’m also quite capable of keeping my house clean and doing my own laundry, but here it’s not necessary.  Since living here in Ethiopia, I’ve employed a house helper that I love dearly.  There is nothing better than coming home to a clean apartment with an unbelievable dinner waiting for me!  Meseret, my house helper, is wonderful, and she takes care of me!  I’m so grateful for her and everything she does to make my life better.  Although I could do these things myself, I don’t have to and for this I am thankful. 

You see life is all about perspective.  Yes, I do have to sacrifice some things that I love in order to follow God’s will, but He has also blessed me with much here.  I would never know what I was missing if I didn’t listen to Him….thank God I did!  Who knows what you are sacrificing by not listening…

God’s Redeeming Love

One of the things I love most about teaching at Bingham is the Christian environment I am surrounded by daily.  Every morning the staff meets before school for devotion and prayer.  It is one of my favorite parts of the day, and I wouldn’t think about missing it.  The devotions are led by different members of the staff.  We are each given a week of staff devotions in which we share something that God has laid on our hearts.  This past week I led devotions and I chose to speak on the power of God’s redemption in my own life.  Because my heart is so full with this, I want to also share with others from home.

“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those that love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

For years I have been fascinated with this idea of God’s redemption.  One of the things I love most about God is that He truly can work all things for good in our lives.  This verse in its essence illustrates redemption.  Stories of redemption are my favorite kinds of stories; there is something so encouraging and inspiring in the fact that God can take some of the most horrifying moments or choices of our life and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece.

Redemption can refer to the deliverance from sin---salvation--- or compensating for the faults or bad aspects of something you have done or something that has happened to you.  When I think of God’s redemption in my own life I can see evidence of both of these references.  God has in His power and sovereignty given me salvation, delivered me from my sins, redeemed some of my worst moments/ mistakes, and has somehow managed to glorify Himself through them.

Anyone who has known me since high school can attest to the fact that God has truly worked in amazing ways in my life.  I am not proud of the girl I used to be and I have a past that is shocking to many.  However, the transformation that has taken place can only bring glory to God and His power to change lives.  When I think back on my past, the only response I can manage is praise to God.  I’m so grateful that He saved me from myself and my awful choices.  Not only did He save me, but He also healed the broken parts of my life.  Only God could save me, heal my brokenness, and give me the ability to not wish any of those bad choices away, but to be grateful for them as reminders of how amazing my God truly is and how much He loves me.

How does He do it?  How is He able to redeem us from something we believe to be unredeemable?  Will we ever be able to understand it?  Do we really want to?  In my time with God today, I came across a quote from Eugene Peterson that caused me to reflect on Him and my own position in accordance to Him.

"We are not presented with a functional god who will help us out of jams or an entertainment god who will lighten our tedious hours.  We are presented with the God of exodus and Esther, the God of Sinai and Calvary.  If we want to understand God, we must do it on his terms.  If we want to see God the way he really is, we must look to the place of authority---to scripture and to Jesus Christ.

And do we really want it any other way?  I don’t think so.  We would very soon become contemptuous of a god whom we could figure out like a puzzle or learn to use like a tool.  No, if God is worth our attention at all, he must be a God we can look up to—a God we must look up to….The moment we look up to God (and not over at him, or down on him) we are in the posture of servitude.”

I don’t know how God is able to work all things in our lives for good.  I’m just grateful that He does.  If anyone who reads my blog happens to be struggling with a sin or mistake you have made in your own life,  let God’s redeeming love heal your brokenness.  He wants to do it because He loves you, and it’s a tangible way for Him to show you His power.  I promise, it will only make you fall so in love with this God that you will never be able to figure out.  And in return it will also make you want to spend your life trying.