Nine months on...

So I must be the laziest blogger ever but once again I have to admit that there have been many blogs that have run through my mind since the last time I have blogged.  I do send out fortnightly email updates, however, so if you would like to get on my email list, then message me at the bottom of my blog.

I did want to update my blog on how life is going for us here in Debre Zeit Ethiopia.  I still struggle to pronounce Debre Zeit properly; I have to admit, so I love to write it as there is no pronunciation necessary.  There are a few words (that I have already learnt) that I struggle to pronounce properly, although I have acquired a whole lot of words in my Amharic vocabulary list, which I didn’t think I could do a few months ago.  I have come to the conclusion, that this will be my Ethiopian accent.  Most ESOL speakers don’t pronounce their words as we would so we just call it an accent- I’m sure my mispronunciation of Amharic can pass as the same. 

Well, we are almost done with our 42 week internship here with BCI.  The time has flown by so fast, it seems like we just got here.  But in a good way, it does seem like we’ve been here so long.  We have settled in, past the first two phases of “Culture Shock” and we are feeling like this is home-like for real home- not like the feeling we had when we first arrived. 

We have made new friends and have built trust that exceeds the definition of acquaintance and extends to the relationship we would define as family.  There is mutual respect although some respect and honour us far too much.  We are really inspired by those who we love here.  We have nothing to boast of but the grace of God which allows us to be here.  Even for those who admire us from afar, we can’t really comprehend their admiration for what else are we to do, but to do the will of God. 

Before we came, we were full of fear.  The task seemed so overwhelming and the sacrifice so great.  Yet the Bible always seemed to resonate with what we wanted to do.  Now, as we read the Bible, we see that actually, this is the NORM!  We are meant to be sent, to live courageously, to feed the poor, to advocate for the fatherless, to leave our home country.  We are not doing anything supernatural; we are just living in obedience to what God expects of His children.  No brownie points for being obedient either, because we have been so disobedient so many other times before.  It’s only because of Him that we are able to be obedient.

Today my son Matthias (who’s almost 9) was telling us about his lost lunch.  There is a boy whose family worship the devil that goes to school with him.  He thinks that he stole his lunch.  I started to get mad at the devil.  He has tried to rob us so many times of our inheritance.  He does steal from us, what rightfully belongs to us.  The Bible says he comes to steal, kill and destroy.  He makes his way seem too exciting, delightful, fun…yet the end is always filled with regret, hopelessness and shame.  He is not going to have his way in my life or my families! 

I love with the ministry here at Zion Church.  I love that they know their authority against the devil.  I love that they seek to restore to people what the devil has taken away.  We are starting an English service at their church this week.  We know that the devil doesn’t want this to succeed.  That it’s easier for him to kill a seed than to destroy a harvest.  And we believe that there will be a harvest because that’s what God called us here for.  Please pray for us this week as we begin this exciting new venture.  Pray for our protection and also pray for the harvest-  Mat 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;  therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

We have had such an amazing experience thus far, met some amazing people, and enjoyed some amazing company over some amazing food.  There have definitely been challenges but in all of that God has shown us so much more of Himself.  We have grown as a family- in confidence, in love and in our walk with God.  There are no limits to what we have ahead of us, other than limits we put on ourselves.  Thank you to all of you, who have encouraged us, read our updates, prayed for us and asked others to pray for us.  God has heard your prayers and He has lavished us with blessings beyond our imagination. 

Egzabiher Yirbakachu! (God bless you all!)