In Ethiopia, our host Glenda, did a devotional time each morning before we went out. She has amazing insight into scripture and her time with us was always in preparation for what we would be doing. One day, when we were going out into the village to visit widows and orphans, she talked about how … Continue reading The One
World Race
Creation’s Song
Creation speaks to me. Always has. The smallest flower, the highest mountain…all of it is inspiring to me because it points me to the one I love, who loves me. Rain is my love language. The moon is my muse. The thing about nature is it is rarely silent. There is always a song. In … Continue reading Creation’s Song
The Widows and the Orphans
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27 The ministry we partnered with, HopEthiopia, uses James 1:27 as the core scripture on which their vision is built. Rather than an institutionalized orphanage, they have what is called a Children’s Village on their property. The … Continue reading The Widows and the Orphans
The Power of Story
Story is defined as an account of past events in someone's life or in the evolution of something. A good story has complex characters, action that builds, an exciting storyline, and surprising plot twists. We don’t often think of our lives as a story, but they are, which is why great stories resonate with us. Whether … Continue reading The Power of Story
Entering Ethiopia
Making our way from the city of Addis Ababa landed us in traffic which resembles chaos. Vehicles of all kinds weaving in and out cutting one another off makes for a hair-raising ride. It is easier to trust the driver and look away. Gazing out the window gives more understanding of this place anyway. There … Continue reading Entering Ethiopia
Circle of Light
It is amazing to me how little light it takes to shatter darkness. The smallest spark creates a point of light where once there was none. Then the spark lights a candle which, when it begins to burn, provides a circle of light. Each candle carries its own arch, and as it travels down the … Continue reading Circle of Light
Freedom
I have a different view of freedom these days. Before, I rarely travelled outside the US, and when I did, it was to tourist destinations. Now, I have been to countries where freedom is spoken, but not lived out. My navy-blue passport allows me access to places where others cannot move about freely. That alone was … Continue reading Freedom
Bearing Fruit
I have been wanting to update you on my most recent trip to Uganda but I hit the ground running when I got home and have just now gotten the time I needed. The conference was focused on literacy again this time. When the ALI (Advancing Leaders International) team went in January, we decided to … Continue reading Bearing Fruit
Preparation
The rain is coming down in sheets. A steady downpour which begs me to stay snuggled down into the covers, except my mind is awake. Wide awake. It is running two weeks ahead to my next trip to Uganda. It seems like I just got back…two times a year comes around quickly. May isn’t too far … Continue reading Preparation
Dear Teachers
Dear South Sudanese Teachers, I regret to inform you that we may have to cancel the May teacher conference. We had planned to come, as you requested, to continue the literacy training we started in January. I know it is difficult to teach your children to read when you hardly read well yourselves. Keep practicing your … Continue reading Dear Teachers
