How is it even possible to love someone so much, but yet you both live such different lives, cannot speak the same language and look so different?

I'll tell you how...it's when the two share the love of Jesus Christ and have the Holy Spirit living inside of them. With the power of my God, NOTHING is impossible for Him! Hallelujah!

It's been one week since we said goodbye to the beautiful people of Burayu. My heart is heavy just thinking about how hard it was to drive away knowing I might not ever see these people again in this lifetime. I've spent a lot of time reflecting and praying these past few days, asking and sometimes pleading with the Lord for Him to show me what to do now. I feel unsure of what I'm supposed to do with the things I've seen, heard, felt and experienced. How am I suppose to process something that happened an entire world away from the one I'm living in now? 

As I've been wrestling with the Lord over this, He keeps whispering the same thing in my ear....

"Be still and know that I am God. Just be still my beloved..." 

So as I sit here, remembering the God I serve, I'm at peace. Although I'm still trying to process the things that happened to me in Ethiopia, I'm honestly just in awe of the majesty of God.  I'm here in little Coeur d'Alene, inside a state whose location most people in America don't even know. But around the world my friends, my "daughter" and beloved children are still carrying out their everyday life, still are praising God with the raw thankfulness, and some are still struggling to survive everyday. Even though I cannot be with them right now, my Father is there with them, and cares for them with such a passion that if they were to experience it full force it would bring them to their knees. This is the God I choose to trust the people of Burayu with, because I know that one day He may let me see them again. 

Praise God for what he did and is doing in Ethiopia. Praise for the 23 children who gave their life to the Lord at the end of VBS. Praise for safety, good health and generally smooth plans during the week. Praise for having car trouble the one day we didn't have to be somewhere on time. Praise God for the new and completed church building that over 1,000 people came to on the first Sunday. Praise for His strength and joy that overflowed to each team member. Praise for the faithful and godly men and women teaching the GGI kids. Praise for the 200 street kids who came to VBS and heard the living word of God! His word does not return void. Praise that God is in control and that He knows that whole, complete plan. Praise for his never ending love that unites his people all around the world. 

Thank you for praying, encouraging and supporting us. I can honestly say my life was changed on this trip. I will never view certain things the same way again. God is so good. All the glory goes to His Holy Name!

Trusting the Almighty God,

~ Audrey and the GGI team

We've been in Ethiopia for five and a half days now and I've gotten to the point where I'm just exhausted, physically and mentally. Although I absolutely adore working with the children and spending time at the school, my heart has broken too many times over the condition of these children's lives. We've done several home visits now and before each one I always have to take a deep breath and ask God to give me strength to go in. I know I can't be sobbing while we're being welcomed into someone's home. Our new friend Dinka (he's 17) is such a blessing...he is so kind and gentle and just loves the Lord. But seeing his small, one room home that he shares with his mother and brother was almost too much. The three of them share a "bed" on the cement floor...although I wouldn't even call it a bed. It's a couple of thick blankets stacked on top of each other. There is a small bench and table where they eat together, and the house is separated into two rooms with a large curtain. The amazing thing is that this small, bare home is considered very good by Ethiopian standards. As we continued talking to Dinka and his beautiful mother, we found out that they are three months behind on their rent and could be kicked out at any time. Dinka goes to to school during the day, therefore he can't keep a steady job. To support his family he does odd jobs around the church after school to earn a little bit of money, but it's not even close to being enough to meet the rent requirement each month. Situations like this make me feel utterly and completely helpless. 

I've been praying all day, just surrendering the things I've seen to the One who sees it all. I want so badly to clothe, feed and house all of the desperate people I've met, but I know in my own strength I cannot do that. It's is such an awful feeling knowing that I have to leave these children's homes without being able to do more than give the girls gift bags with hair things in them and small pieces of candy for the boys. But I've learned very quickly in these past few days that just giving the kids hugs and kisses means so much to them. I usually get mobbed by about twenty small kids at VBS all pulling my head down so I can give them a kiss and they can give me one back. You won't ever find me denying a kiss from one of them! 

They have all stolen my heart, but none as much as my sponsored girl Lydia. I love her so much I cannot even describe it. The first day I met her, I also met her father. He told me through translation, "Lydia is now your daughter because you love her and support her. Please bring her home with you in America so that she can have a better life than she does right now. There must be room in your suitcase for your new daughter!" As he told me this, completely serious, I was speechless. This father loves his daughter so much that he would sacrifice never seeing her again so that she could have a better life in America. I got tears in my eyes and told him that if I could bring home my new daughter I would. Since that moment, (it sounds silly to say) but I honestly feel like Lydia is my daughter. I've never experienced this kind of love for anyone before. I find myself constantly watching her, wanting to protect her throughout the day and make sure that she is well fed, and has good water to drink. Every morning before VBS starts I pull her aside, give her tons of kisses and tell her I love her. I also bring her a water bottle full of good clean water for her to drink and a snack for later in the day. She is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and I want her by my side always! Her kisses mean so much to me and I love hearing her say "Lydia, Audrey, I love you" in her broken English. She is the most precious part of my life right now. Thank you Jesus for such a beautiful, smart, funny, joyful, kind and thoughtful "daughter"!

We only have two more days of VBS left, but more prayer requests than ever. Please be praying that the children will be attentive during Bible lessons, and truly hearing the words that are being translates. Praise God that His word does not return void!  Please pray that the team would be wise in the way we spend the money we have to help specific families and meet the needs that God wants us to. It's so hard to determine which people need help more than others, we need God's wisdom through the decision making. Please pray for the GGI board meeting that is happening tonight. Dale, Roy and Sandy (board members) tried to have the board meeting last Monday, but it completely fell through since three of the Ethiopian board members failed to attend although they promised they would be there. There is a lot of frustration in this area, because without the cooperation of the Ethiopian GGI board members, the sponsorship program could cease to exist. It is absolutely necessary that they make the meeting tonight and are willing to continue working on the board to make sure that the children are blessed through the sponsorships. Thank the Lord for faithful people like Alimayu, Pastor 'Mmanuel and Kanini. These men have faithfully been taking us through the city each day as well as translating during VBS. They are absolutely wonderful and such a blessing! Please pray for good rest for the team and for renewing of spirits in the Lord and His word. We return to the hotel absolutely exhausted each night because of the amount of energy it takes to do VBS, as well as how mentally draining it is to do home visits. 

We love you all very much and I have been so encouraged by my beautoful friends and family these past few days. How wonderful it is to be fully supported by the ones we love most! Thank you, or "Amisagunalo"  in Amharic :) Praise the Lord for what He is doing in Ethiopia!

Serving an Awesome God...

~ Audrey and the GGI team 

                                                       Dinka and his mother

                                                           Their bed

I just want to say that I am so thankful to God that we have this opportunity to share His love with so many people here in Ethiopia, who are so much less fortunate than we are. I think the main thing that has stood out to me the most so far, is the way that the Christians here are so much more thankful, and express their joy than most people in America.


Today we awoke to some kind of parade or something outside of our hotel and all through the streets, and I was later informed that it was a parade of mourning, probably signifying the death of someone of some kind of significance. The culture here is so shockingly different. There was also a chorus of barking dogs, probably strays, that joined the parade, and also the daily call to prayer, before the sun was even out. We met for breakfast and had a team meeting, praying and planning for the day, and the VBS that will be taking place the rest of this week. 


After a delicious breakfast, we again loaded into the van, that is super shady and scares me a little bit, and traveled the cobblestone roads from Addis into Burayu, where we met with the pastor of the Full Gospel Church of Burayu in a local coffee shop. The macchiatos that we drank were by far the best tasting coffee I have ever had. 


We walked down the street a ways, and Pastor Emmanuel led us into the church building, and led all ten of us up onto the stage, where they had seats waiting for us. Dale introduced our team to the whole church. I was so overcome with emotion when the choir stood up and led the church in worship. I was thinking so much today about how awesome it is that even though I have no idea what these people are saying, by their body language, tone, and expression you know they are filled with the holy spirit. We worship the same God here in Africa as we do back in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, it is just in a much much different way. Different language, different culture, different continent, the same HUGE amazing and all powerful God! I started crying tears of pure joy when I leaned over to Samuel, one of the church leaders and asked him what the people were singing. He told me that they were singing about how they will never forget all that God has has done for them, but they thank Him because he has done so much, and He is so good. Wow! They are having church inside a building that has been built with sheets of metal for walls, and a tarp for a roof. Why am I not as thankful as them? I have so much more. I guess the church really is the body of believers and not the building. Cool! I started crying another round of tears of joy when at the end of the church service, they had an altar call, and five people came up and dedicated their lives to Christ for the first time. I had no idea what they were praying, but I did know that I am going to see those beautiful men and women again someday in the kingdom of heaven! Praise God.


One of our big goals this week is going to be to connect the kids who are sponsored through GGI to their sponsor back at home. Today we gathered as many of those children together as we could, and took pictures with them so that we can show their sponsor how they are progressing. It was such a blessing for me to get to spend more time with the little boy I sponsor, Fraol, and meet his beautiful mother. What an honor! We played with the kids, taught them how to high five, and Audrey led them in a new song to them, head shoulders knees and toes! It was precious. They are such a blessing. We got to visit four of the homes of sponsored children today, hoping to find out how we can meet specific needs, and bless them in the most helpful way. We have found that a lot of them need beds and mattresses, because a lot of them sleep on the dirt floor. Pray that we will be able to find good deals on beds and bedding so we can get them up off the ground, out of the dirt, and away from all the critters that love to crawl all over them. One thing about todays home visits that stood out to me most, was a sign that I saw hanging on one of the mud walls. I asked one of the school officials to translate it for me, and it said, "We thank God because he is good to us". They are so thankful and so full of joy, that it leads me to tears on a constant basis. 


We prepared tonight for VBS tomorrow, and shared a lot of good laughs over dinner tonight. Please be praying that we will have a spirit of flexibility as we go into this week with a plan, but not knowing exactly what is in store. We have already seen that things are very subject to change here in Ethiopia. Pray that we will have the energy to keep loving these kids as much as they need. I have already found it to be very rewarding and awesome, but it takes a lot out of me. It has not been easy for me to put mind over matter. I look at the places they live and how dirty their faces are, and the flies literally in their eyes, and have a hard time not crying. So I have... A lot! Next week should be the first week in the new church building for the Full Gospel Church of Burayu, so be praying that that gets completed on time. Also, please pray that the Lord will make an impact on these children's hearts this week as we tell them about God's plan for their life, how much He loves them, and how they can spend eternity with Him! I pray that I will be a vessel that God will use in whatever way He needs me. I hope He stretches me, and grows me in ways that I could have never expected. I am seeing that already.


To God be all the glory! Good night or Good morning :)
~ Jill and the GGI team

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands
Deuteronomy 7:9

After almost three days of traveling, our team of ten people made it to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia safe and sound with the exception of some lost luggage. This morning (Saturday) we were able to set out and begin to explore the city of Burayu and meet many of the people we will be serving with this next week. 


As we loaded up into one of the most sketchy vans I've ever been into, our driver merged onto   a main road filled with crazy drivers, people walking straight through it and people's livestock taking up way too much space in the middle of the road! I instantly pulled out my camera and slowly but surely began to fall in love with the people, the culture and this beautiful place. The buildings are made from anything to metal roofing material, to dried mud and straw mixed together to make walls. many of the people sit in the side of the road with their merchandise spread out for people to purchase. I loved seeing the small produce stands with the bananas hanging from the roof. The colors are just beautiful here...the people don't really match their clothes like we would, instead they just wear an array of bright colors all together. 


As we continued on our bumpy and crazy van ride, I had my head out the window and couldn't stop smiling. I'm one of the few white people in the city, so all of us are easily spotted by the locals. I waved and smiled at them and got shocked looks, big grins, waves or raised eyebrows as we passed by! After awhile of driving I waved to some small boys and they were so excited they ran up to the van shouting to us. A member of our team, Carol, immediately let out a shout of joy and called the boys over, speaking their names and saying "I love you, I love you" over and over. She knew these boys from the GGI school when she lived here two years ago. We had finally arrived at the school! This is the moment I was so anxious for...I would finally get to smother these precious children with hugs, kisses and "I love you's". We walked into the courtyard and were immediately greeted with big brown eyes and happy smiles from dozens of children. They poured into the main room and greeted us with the polite handshakes they have been taught to. I shook their hands, but quickly taught them I preferred big hugs and kisses. As the smiling kids poured in I was just overcome with tears and couldn't stop them from flowing! I was so utterly joyful because God had brought us all to these beautiful children...many who do not have parents to show them this kind of affection. We spent some more time at the school but soon left to walk down the street to go to our next stop. I was heartbroken as one little girl named Chaltou had gotten attached to me and started crying when we told her we had to leave. She followed us all the way to the street and would not let go! She stole my heart. 


For the next few hours we walked all through the city and had the honor of visiting Pastor Emmanuel's home and drinking coffee with his family. Bonus: it was also some of the best coffee I've ever had. We got to see the rest of the GGI school and visit the new church building that the Full Gospel Church of Burayu has been working on for over a year. What a blessing that it's almost complete! Tomorrow's Sunday service will be the last time they are in their old building. 


As much as I love seeing the city, meeting the different people and trying the different food,  everywhere we go I seek out the children. They are where my heart completely is! Although I only know about four words in their Ethiopian language, I've learned how true it is that a smile means the same in every language. God is so good and allowed us to meet many many precious children today. We hugged, kissed and held them and smiled to let them know they are loved. This is the first day in our adventure, but I already think it's been one of the most blessed days of my life. I thought it would take me awhile to adjust here, but I feel such an overwhelming peace about being here. I absolutely know that this is exactly where God wants me and the rest of my team right now, and that's why this feels so normal and so right. I am overcome with the type of joy that only comes from resting in the Lord's strength. And it is such a blessing to know the rest of my team is experiencing the same peace, joy and comfort as well. Praise God!


Some specific prayer requests would be for a member of our team, Betrese, who is not feeling well tonight. Her stomach and head are upsetting her. She is one of our main translators, so not only do we need her language skills, but also her sweet and encouraging spirit with us tomorrow! Also pray for wisdom for Dale and Roy as they attempt to open up better communication with the GGI school board in Burayu. 


Thank you so much for your prayers and support, this blessed trip would not have been possible without your loving encouragement. I am so excited to see how God will be moving tomorrow!!


Under the protection of the Almighty God,
Audrey and the GGI team

                                                  The GGI sponsored kids waiting for lunch

                                          Betrese translating for me and my sponsored girl Lydia

                                                      Coffee at Pastor Emmanuel's house

                                                                    The new church building

                                                                                       Oops

    Isaiah 1:17 says "Learn to do right! Seek justice, Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of the orphans. Fight for the rights of widows."


God is speaking to His people in this verse, plainly telling us what our lives should be about. As God-lovers, no matter what place we are at in our life, we are to be about these things. I believe the reason we remain on this earth even after receiving Christ, is so that we can be the literal hands and feet of Jesus Christ, sharing His love to the people He loves. And those are often the unloved people of our world; the widows, orphans, oppressed and unjust. 


As modern day Christians, the word "worship" is often misinterpreted or misused. The Apostle Paul clearly describes true worship in Romans 12:1-2... 
      
         “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present 
          your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is 
          your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this 
          world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you 
          may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, 
          or well pleasing and perfect.”


We often view worship as the time allotted during a church service to sing praise songs. But worship is not a specific time during the week, rather a way of living. True worship is finding ways to incorporate loving people unconditionally into our everyday life. It is following and obeying the commands that the Lord has revealed in His Word. It is meditating on the Word throughout the day, so that our minds will be renewed. Because this is what is good, pleasing and acceptable in the eyes of the Lord. 


Because we believe these things so plainly seen in the Bible, on June 6th a group of ten individuals will set out on a missions trip to Burayu Ethiopia. We are working through Grace Giving International with the purpose of bringing glory to God. Eight of us will be working at the GGI Academy in Burayu to put on a Vacation Bible School for over 400 children. Our theme for the week is "God has a plan for you". We want Jeremiah 29:11 to become a reality for each child there, and for each one to embrace it personally through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Although planning, teaching and communicating a VBS for 400 children who do not speak our language seems like a daunting task, it is nothing compared to our mighty God. We will have five different translators helping us teach the Bible lessons that week which is such a blessing. We are so excited for this opportunity, and we are honored to be able to tell these precious children there is a God that loves them more in a moment than any other lovers could in a lifetime. 


If you would like to pray for our team, it would be greatly appreciated. This trip will not be successful unless it is soaked in prayer. Some things to be praying for are...


- For God to be preparing the hearts of everyone we come in contact with so that they are ready to receive His truth. 
- Safety! We are traveling to a third world country and there are obvious safety issues that we could come in contact with. 
- A spirit of flexibility for everyone on the team. Although we are planning how we would like the trip to go, a lot of the time God has something different in mind. We want to take everything in stride and realize it's part of God's sovereign plan. 
- That we would not miss any opportunity to share the gospel. Whether it's on our flight, in the airport, hotel, village, marketplace, restaurant or someone's home, we want to take advantage of every opportunity that the Lord places in front of us. Carpe Diem. 
- Most importantly, that this trip would bring God glory and win hearts for His kingdom. 


Thank you for your prayers and support, we are so excited to see how God is working in Ethiopia! If you would like to read about what God is doing during our trip, we will be putting up posts and pictures while we are there, when we able. 


Under the protection of a Mighty God,
~ Audrey and the GGI team