Returning to my Holy Place

Sometimes I like to think back as to how I ended up in Africa.  The likelihood of ME, a mom of two, a business woman and a wife to a wonderful Godly husband, how would I end up in traipsing across the world sharing Jesus? 

There wasn’t a lightning bolt, or prophesy from someone great or a vivid vision that God sent me.  I do believe that I have always had a desire to be used by God.  I wanted him to show me what to do.  We often gave generously, shared compassion with those around us and had an incredible desire to love the least of these but in the beginning it would have appeared almost by accident that I traveled.  I went with my dear friend who was adopting, I was along to be a blessing to the family and be supportive.  I had no idea how my heart would be crushed.  I opened my eyes to see what God was doing.

After returning from my first trip to Ethiopia, I knew there was something about that place.  I could hardly sleep.  During the day my mind was consumed.  My heart was on the brink at all times as I questioned my very existence.  As a family we began to strip away our worldly distractions, the blessings and bondage of our stuff, our pride and our hopes.  My actions, however, did not really become so purposeful until I said, “God, where you moving, where are you already stirring the hearts of the people, and how can I join YOU?”  This resonated with me in a new way.  We took a family trip 6 months later to see what God was already doing in Ethiopia and how we could participate.  We were able to visit Alex’s village for the first time, meet some of the missionaries we had only connected with on Facebook and see firsthand what God was doing. 

Now, 14 months later as I sit in my comfy spot on my sofa so many miles away, I cannot help but feel emotion swell inside for the place where God met me.  He met us.  While I sense God’s presence most everyday and thrive in walking in his footsteps, leaning on his understanding and hoping with all of my heart he will use me in this beautiful place where I live, there was just something very special that can only be explained with an awe of God.  An awe for his timing, for his love for his people, and for the miraculous wonders that happened throughout our ordinary circumstances. 

Once you ask God to show you what he is doing, he does just that.  I couldn’t stay away.  Being where he meets you, where he crushes and rebuilds you is a holy place.  I returned again to Ethiopia just 2 months ago in January 2012.  This time I traveled with my friend Ellen Johnson and my Ethiopian brother Alex Kaba, who has lived in the United States for 2 years now, and we met up with Yordanous.  Yes, two white women, traveling like sisters into Ethiopia and out into the countryside where no other white people had traveled before our family.  We followed God footsteps.  Asked God to show us what he was doing and where he was moving and he showed up and showed out.   Awe of God.  Awe of his love.

The stories follow of each day….God moving, us watching and following, miracles in the details happening along the way and our hearts moved and blessed.  I hope you will be inspired to see that God is working in our current time.  He wants us to join him in his agenda.  It doesn’t take someone extraordinary but only a heart willing to ask God to open your eyes to see what he is doing and a willingness to join in.  Each of us is created for this very purpose.