I went to Ethiopia in pursuit of Jesus and the call to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15). Missions is a heartfelt purpose of mine to heal the hurting, clothe the poor, feed the hungry, comfort the widows, care for the orphans and love all people. Everyday I'm learning compassion, grace, mercy and the continual love for people--just like Jesus. Life can sometimes get rocky, treacherous and overwhelming... But I promise, when you place your trust in Jesus He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
This second mission trip to Ethiopia was special and powerful beyond belief. It was a 12 day high intensity trip but every moment was used for the glory of God. This trip was focused ministering to the boy's orphanage(s) and the women. The first orphanage we visited was Hold My Hand and its mission is to lessen homelessness for street kids that have been physically and mentally abused in the Bole region of Ethiopia. It was founded by three university students who were saddened of the vast amount of street kids roaming with no one to care for them. Our time spent hearing the boy's stories, playing games and showering them with immense love was beautiful. Each smile, hug, tear and laugh will be forever cherished and I can't wait to go back. The founders are using their gifts for the glorious works of God allowing each one of these children and young adults ranging from ages 6-24 a new and prosperous chance at life.
CC: My team and I @ Hold My Hand with the boys
The next organization was Make Your Mark and it's also catered to minimizing the amount of street boy's in Ethiopia. The founders are from North Carolina and have a powerful testimony on how God is using them in Ethiopia to create new beginnings for the boys. Their mission is bringing kids out of street life to a life with purpose and their driving principles are to Love God & People, Serve Jesus & Other's and Build Lives & Gods Kingdom. Hearing some of the boys testimonies were very dark and frightening-- to think of all the suffering and abuse they faced was unthinkable. No child should ever have to suffer. But God.(Romans 8:28) While we were at MYM, we got to minister to the boys, do arts and crafts and showed them love. And while there was a huge language barrier, it never stopped us from communicating with one another with laughter and smiles. That's the beautiful thing about culture :) We are all one and the same.
Some of our days were also spent with the women--worshipping with them, supplying them gifts, praying for them, dancing with them and loving them. You could see in their eyes how joyful and exuberant they were that we came not only to love and minister to their kids, but that we made it a priority to love them right where they're at. It truly was a moment in time I will never forget.
There was one day where we got to minister to the kids on the street through Street Reach. Street Reach was created by Pastor Bill Wilson in NYC that reaches millions of children worldwide with the Gospel from a bus. We started with five children, and by the end of the lesson 20-30 children and parents came out to hear the gospel--I love how God works...every second, minute hour or day can be devoted to sharing the gospel to all. :) Jesus is working so mightily in these last days!
Hope for Korah a Socio-economic Empowerment Center goal is to break the cycle of extreme poverty and offering hope and a future to the most vulnerable children and families in Korah Ethiopia. Hope for Korah provides holistic care to the entire family through education, physical, spiritual, psycho-social, and economic empowerment. They strive to keep families healthy and together, acting through the love and compassion of Christ so that each person can come to know their inherent worth, meet their full potential, live with dignity, and become self-reliant. Our time here was special--we got to see the women create the traditional Ethiopian baskets, visited the local daycare center and got to minister to the elderly men.
This mission trip to Ethiopia left me feeling full of love and on fire for God; forever changed. We are all called to be ministers of the gospel in our communities and to the nations. Friend, you have everything you need to share Jesus. I encourage you to go on a mission trip whether it's domestic or international--it will forever change your life and God will work wonders through you. You are a child of the MOST HIGH KING! God will speak to you and show you the purpose and calling on your life. Talk to God, tell him your deepest desires and he will fulfill them.(Psalm 37:4)
Everyday we get up we have the opportunity to be a blessing to someone in our own innate way that God created us. Just like in the Bible (Roman's 12:6-7), we each have different gifting's, so use everyday as a purpose to channel those God-given gifts to all you encounter.
I leave you with this: Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
XOXO Brit
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