Here are a few highlights from Jordan and Israel! You will want to visit with me when I return to the states to hear many more details and see pictures!
My time there was amazing. I came into the Middle East with a lot of uncertainty and misconceptions due to listening to media, etc. However, I was quickly repenting of some of my doubts and thoughts about the people here. One of the strengths of Ethiopian culture is their hospitality but the Jordanian people outshine Ethiopians in this regards. Everywhere I went I ran across amazing people, good food, and a level of hospitality I have not seen. My time in Jordan was spent in Amman, Petra, and Ajloun. I was a part of the Global Outreach Member Care Retreat. It was a lot of pouring in and being poured into. Do not let the pictures fool you of the tourism side of our time together-even then meaningful conversations, member care, and support and encouragement was occurring.
My role was as one of the facilitators for our small group sessions as well as teaching on Resiliency and Trauma. I have realized that I love teaching and training and it is something I will continue to incorporate into my work in Ministry Care. I loved getting to meet new missionaries and hearing where they serve, how I can pray, what challenges they face; I also had some joyful reunions with some of the missionaries I met in Uganda in October.
The best way to share about my time is to share a portion of the email written by the Mission Director of Global and sent to those of us involved in Member Care: “each time I opened my eyes and looked around I saw you using your God-given abilities to strengthen the team that He has placed in fields far from home. Your ability to listen, to love, to guide, to provide, to care, and to strengthen is awe inspiring. I see so clearly how God has called you together and built a foundation upon which He will help our world-wide team thrive and be an increased blessing in the lands to which they have each been called. You are multiplying the work of many helping our family in Christ not just stay the course but to plot the course and to become a brighter light than they were without you. I saw heavy shoulders and burdened souls shift countenance and leave inspired and able, ready to serve in new ways with new capacities. Health, resilience, support, resources, joy, laughter, biblical grounding flooded to the forefront through your many acts of service. Thank you for facilitating conversations, for your ongoing and daily prayers informed by empathy and knowledge. We honor the many ways that God has prepared each of you to do what only you can do for His body and His bride. The good news of the Gospel will be proclaimed with joy and renewed energy and a thousand hardships handled with wisdom and care as a result of your ministry. Bless you and thank you for your Kingdom partnership.” We serve such a mighty God and it was a great privilege to be a part of this team!
The retreat continued from Jordan into Israel. There is just something about being where Jesus walked that brings new life and meaning into familiar Scripture. One of the highlights was going to the Garden Tomb. One of the missionaries said it best when she stated that this is where Jesus fought all of our battles and won. Yes, battles still carry on around each us day-that is why Paul implores us to put on the Armor of God-but the war has been won and praise God for His Love and Mercy upon us!!! There is question about where the Garden Tomb is-2 locations claim this but the reality is, it does not matter-He is not in the grave, He is risen, death has lost its sting, and what a beautiful picture of the empty tomb as we soon celebrate Easter; the cross is meaningless without the resurrection! As we gathered together and sang, "Up from the Grave He arose" hope swirled all around us and peace flooded my heart. I also enjoyed just spending time walking in the old city of Jerusalem-there is so much history here that it is too difficult to put into words the impact.
Personally, one of my favorite parts was going to the Dead Sea. The shores of the Dead Sea are the lowest point on the surface of the earth, and the saline water of the lake give lead to the name ‘Dead Sea’ because no fish can survive in the salty waters. The other result of the salty water of the Dead Sea is the unique feature that one can float naturally in them. In the photo, do you see the pure joy on my face?! I love how God in His sweet and gentle way shows me His Love and knows me intimately to grant the desires of my heart-even if it is to float in the Dead Sea! I came into this time spiritually dry due to many challenges in Ethiopia. As I listened to others share their stories of experiencing God in our time together, I felt jealous. I wanted one of those mountain top moments with God-something tangible to sustain me when I returned to Ethiopia. My lesson learned in Israel was it is His gentle whisper and small ways that remind me He knows me, He sees me, He alone sustains me, and He loves me. And He loves you too-delight in this and let this knowledge fill you with joy.
In my next newsletter, I will share about my return to Ethiopia and give some specific details as to the finance side of Ministry Care.
Prayer requests: I return to the states April 1st; please pray for safe travels. The next few months need to be spent fundraising-please pray for God's Provision. Thanks friends!!!
Ministry Care is a 501c3 organization, therefore, your donation will be tax deductible.
Greetings from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia! May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace! This has been a very challenging newsletter to write. Let me hit a few highlights and then share why it was so tough. I spent 5 days in training with the Onesimus staff. We spent several of those days talking about attachment in relationship with street kids. Working with street kids is one of the more challenging ministries I have seen. There are many struggles the kids face on the streets: abuse, drugs, violence from the police, from one another, etc. Attachment is just one facet of behavior and is not the only explanation for difficulties with the kids. Trauma, brain development, abandonment, addiction, etc. are other pieces of the puzzle in working with street kids. But the focus for the week was in attachment. We discussed an overview of attachment theory, with an emphasis on the practical points of attachment. The primary focus was looking at security, significance, and boundaries, in particular on setting limits and boundaries. Ultimately, I wanted to help the staff see the need to focus on helping the kids find their foundation and worth in their identity in Christ.
One goal in working with children with attachment problems is not merely to change children’s behavior, but rather to change their negative core beliefs. This is quite challenging, because core beliefs are rigid, automatic, and associated with self-protection and survival. The hope to the staff is that their relationship with these kids can become the pathway to change and healing. Without change, negative core beliefs formed early in life remain fixed into adulthood, with severe social and emotional consequences. The good news is new experiences can change a person’s belief about self, others, and life. The training goal was to equip and empower the staff in gaining a better understanding of where these kids are coming from and provide some practical tools for them to intervene and help change their behaviors. The ultimate goal for the week was to lay the foundation as we discussed specifically the rules at the drop-in center and halfway homes, and establish code of conducts for both, which we were able to do.
A final thought on identity: this is not just relevant for street kids but for all of us as children of God-do we find our worth, our value, our significance because of Him? I love Ephesians 2:10 that states, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT) I am a big fan of the impressionism era of art and when I think about stunning masterpieces created by Monet, Degas, etc. and I think about me being a masterpiece by God, it blows me away and is a solid visual reminder for me of being God’s beloved. What reminds you of your identity?
I also spent some time in Southern Ethiopia, in Soddo. The highlight for me during that week was the opportunity to lead a small group discussion with 5 General Practitioner Doctor’s, 1 Surgeon, and 1 Internist on trauma and practical ways they can cope with the daily trauma they see. It was heartbreaking to hear their stories of patient loss. We spent some time talking about the importance of self-care and each had the chance to share what works best for them to have a time of renewal. We also spent some time discussing suicide and some intervention tips. I was pleased with the openness of the group. They wanted to know if I would be around longer as they shared in their culture it is hard to have some open conversations like this and receive support for what they face-several wanted to meet with me individually to process further some of the challenges. We ended our discussion by talking about the warning signs of burn out and what to do if you recognize those signs. I also spent some time with Compassion Family International (CFI, where I started the first week I was here with the team), serving in multiple ways. The kids were sweet with their questions about where the team was, did I go to America and come back, had I been there all along?
This speaks volumes to me and I am thankful for Jesus who can be the One to carry our burdens and give us rest. This is a verse we know all too well but I wonder how frequently we put it into practice?
Please pray for your missionaries! Ask the Lord to reveal to you what Scripture is relevant for those you know and pray that verse or verses over them. And remember to pray for one another too, not just for your missionaries. The battle is fierce but ultimately, in the end, victory will be ours because of Jesus!
Please pray for a wonderful retreat for the Global Outreach Missionaries during this time in the Middle East-that they can be refreshed, renewed, and recharged to be sent back out to their respective fields.
Please pray that when I share about Resilience and Trauma during the retreat, it will be what the Lord wants and not what I want.
Please pray for re-entry into Ethiopia on March 20th. Many things have changed with their visa process so pray there are no challenges with immigration.
Please pray for me as this month has been a heavy burden to carry and there is still work to be done.
​Oswald Chambers says, “We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” This is my prayer for those missionary units who are facing many challenges-that they keep their eyes on God as He is the one who can sustain them and walk with them through those difficulties! Will you take a moment right now to pray for those you know?
Thank you for partnering with me in this ministry!