Our team to Ethiopia was an amazing, fun-filled, loving bunch representing the east coast, mid-west, and best coast (west coast) ;)

It was such a treat getting to do life with this group, serve with our contacts at Hope Ethiopia, and love on Harbu Chulule. Ethiopia is an amazing place with interesting climate, culture, people, with lots to experience...but before I get carried away, here is one of my teammates Kylie Cain sharing about her life in Ethiopia. 

"People who speak a different language. No traffic laws after 8 pm. The awful smell of pollution surrounds me, making it hard to breathe, as I step out of the airport door into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Oh man, what have I gotten myself into?? My thoughts were starting with "why here, God?" "why not somewhere closer to home?" "why do I not know anyone else going?" From this moment I knew God was going to yank me from my comfort zone I was in back in Kentucky. And frankly, I was not ready for what was about to happen. Just as anxiety began to set in, I felt comfort and rest and warmth from God whispering so sweetly in my ear Philippians 4:6, over and over again. At that moment, I was ready to be at the mission house and spread the best news ever.

I immediately forgot about our 3 hour, bumpy, and nerve racking, hot car ride to the village of Harbu Chulule once we were greeted by the children chasing our car and jumping into the windows to say hello to the new white people in town. We could barely manage to get out of the car, let alone our luggage inside. My heart was completely wrecked at the moment.

As the week progressed on my heart fell more and more in love with the culture, the people, the atmosphere, the country. The thing that stole my heart was walking into the reforestation nursery. OH MAN was that just the most peaceful place. Heaven meets Earth inside the gates of that nursery. The beauty had me speechless. This is when I knew I was supposed to be right here, right now.

After a painful goodbye to the reforestation nursery and the people, I knew I was coming back no matter what it took. God completely wrecked my heart time and time again and my comfort zone was shattered - but 100% for the good. Now, I have been resting on the rest of the truth from Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Kylie Cain

Looking forward to seeing you on the next trip out to Ethiopia.