An Undoing

I wrote this approximately two weeks after arriving at HOPEthiopia, but my team is just now getting wifi strong enough to post blogs. I’m planning on posting several over the next few days while we’re in Addis Ababa for our midpoint debrief. Enjoy. 

“I’m undone by the mercy of Jesus, 

I’m undone by the goodness of the Lord, 

I’m restored and made right, 

You’ve got a hold of my life, 

I’ve got Jesus–how could I want more?” 

This song, these words, have been repeating through my head the past few days.

If the past two weeks have been anything, they have been an undoing. It has been a continual string of the Lord revealing His grace, mercy, and goodness to me. 

Through our ministry, my preconceived ideas of service are being undone.

Through the members of S Squad here with us right now (and preparing to leave us tomorrow), my understanding of community, worship, and intentionality are being undone. 

Through my team, my expectations of friendship are being undone. 

Through each and every day, the Lord is undoing the things I’ve built up in my life and is replacing them with things that are better. 

Friends–it is so good. It is so different from life in America, but it. is. sweet.

Life here is much slower than at home. 

It’s the rainy season still, so on extra rainy days, we’re pretty stuck inside until it stops. Many things are done by hand. Sometimes the electricity cuts out. We play a lot of card games and watch a lot of movies. There is ample time to be in the Word. Sometimes the kids giggle about you when you can’t understand them. There is a clothes line strung up in the living room. Sometimes the rain is so loud on the tin roof that conversation becomes nearly impossible. I don’t remember the last time I finished a book, and I’ve finished two this week. Even when I can’t remember a kid’s name, he’ll still give me a big hug and a smile and snuggle into my lap. Wifi really doesn’t exist here, and even cell service can be scarce. Church here is loud and long and your lap becomes an open seat to any curious child. We eat a lot of popcorn and drink a lot of coffee. All. good. things. 

I’d be lying if I said it was always comfortable. Walking through town sometimes feels like a parade, as everyone comes out of their houses to look at you. Not every meal sits well in your stomach. Sometimes the sound of the rain on the roof keeps you up at night. Sometimes there is no hot water during your shower. Walking everyone where in your rain boots can give you some major blisters and leave your legs sore for days. 

Despite the momentary discomforts, what I’m finding here is so much more.

Here there is abundant joy. thankfulness. peace. faith. power. love. HOPE. 

There is a vision for this community of spiritual revival and continued growth. The kids here have the biggest dreams and the brightest futures, despite the circumstances they come from or the families they were born in to. 

The Lord is doing big, big things in and through and all around Ethiopia. He is moving through the World Racers who are here for one month and three, and He will continue to move in and through this place long after all of us have gone home. There is no orphan, widow, man, woman, or child here that He does not see and does not love deeply. 

Praise Him that my team, and S squad, get to be a part of it for even just a moment. 

Please pray for health and safety for my team, as well as unity, humility, and growth. Pray for safety and strength over S squad as they head into month 10 of their Race. Pray for the children here at HOPE, that we would continue to build relationships based on respect, understanding, and the love of Jesus.