Ethiopia
A beautiful land. A rich culture. Stunning people.
I had the opportunity to do mission
work there in 2008. I fell in love with the country and with its people and
their kind spirits and hospitable ways. I have traveled to a decent amount of
countries and each place I go I seem to love a little more than I thought I
could. I love the nations though. I love experiencing new ones and I always
hope for the opportunity to return to ones I’ve visited before. So when the
Lord started highlighting this country to me a year and a half ago I didn’t put
too much thought into it. I prayed. I interceded. I recalled fond memories. I
thought about going back some time but I didn't expect it to be such a
persistent loitering thought in my mind-
So much that I had to start asking that question:
I remember one evening in class we watched a documentary
called A Walk to Beautiful. (A film about women who suffer from obstetric
fistulas in Ethiopia) I had seen the film before and it had definitely
made an impact on me- but when I watched again this time it stirred a response
in me I didn’t expect. I felt so broken and burdened by the reality of what the
women in Ethiopia are suffering from that I immediately knew I had to respond
to the need. I wept. I mean the messy, uncontrollable, unattractive type of
weeping. I think in that moment the Father revealed His heart to me and He
showed me it was breaking over these circumstances.
Ah! I am so excited.
This landlocked nation on the Horn of
Africa has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.
Too many girls and women continue to die unnecessarily in pregnancy and
childbirth. Those who survive often experience debilitating injuries because of
inadequate medical care. Only 6% of births are attended to by a skilled
healthcare worker.
I know these might just seem like facts to you. But images
of real women I've seen suffer are burned into my mind. It's not just a
statistic. It's mothers and daughters and actual human beings that the Lord
cares deeply for.
So I am going to Ethiopia for a short trip and I don't
really know what to expect from it. But I know I heard the voice of God and I
have to respond to it. I am going to search, to seek, to discover. I am going
to help, to heal, to serve, to love.
I am needing to raise around $3,000 for this trip. Would
you consider helping me get there? The fact is I need funding to be able
to go and to provide while I am there. There's a donate button at the top of my
page. I don't want to feel like I have to pitch a sale to get there. I just
know that someone has got to go and I'm saying I
am willing. So if you're willing to be apart of this financially I
truly would appreciate it.
Bless you all. Love you and look forward to filling you in
on details as they come. The set date for the trip right now is May 12th!
