This past weekend was my birthday
and I was blessed to have 25 of my closest friends and family around me. Aside from a few friends who couldn’t make it
from out of town, everyone was gathered in my backyard around a warm bonfire,
enjoying delicious food, and celebrating my birthday and soon-to-be departure
to Ethiopia. I looked around and realized
I was surrounded by my most loved ones.
These are my people.
I have the most amazing friends in
the world. I have friends who serve God
and work in Kenya, Chile, Thailand, and other countries around the world. I have friends who are extremely intelligent
and applying their God-given skills in medical school. I have friends who are disciplined and beat
their bodies and train to run marathons and even 100 miles. I have friends who are dedicated to being
amazing teachers, loving caregivers, and responsible leaders. I have a best friend who is the most
compassionate, faithful, and perseverant follower of Jesus that I’ve ever
known. I could go on and on, and don’t even
get me started on my family! These are
my people.
Being surrounded by my family and
friends this week was the perfect send off for me to move to Ethiopia for a
year. This verse came to my heart this
week.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured
such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose
heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
Now let me be honest here. If it was me writing this letter, if it was
my nature and attitude, it would go something more like this: Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud
of witnesses, such wonderful godly encouraging family and friends, then
STAY. Stay among them. Stay where it is comfortable, enjoy the
fellowship of friends, receive love and affirmation, and be built up
together. That might be what my heart
would say right now, but that’s not what the Word says. Now don’t get me wrong, I am SO EXCITED TO
MOVE TO ETHIOPIA, but there is a big part of me that doesn’t want to leave the
people I love. That’s how I feel, but I
also know what God has called me to.
I know that God has called me to
move to Ethiopia, and I want to “run with perseverance the race marked out for
me”. Long before God blessed me with
this position with Water is Life I knew that God was calling me away, was going
to lead me away from Gainesville or even the U.S. to somewhere else for a new
purpose that God would give me. It’s
amazing how God in his faithfulness has taken me back to Ethiopia, and has now
given me a place there for the long-term.
I couldn’t be more excited to make this move, and begin my year in
Ethiopia serving with Water is Life! I
know that this year is going to be full of new adventures, difficult
challenges, wonderful cultural experiences, and sights and experiences that
will forever change my heart and my life.
Thank you for supporting me, following my journey, and also (please!)
praying for me. Stay tuned. I honestly can’t imagine what’s coming next,
but I know it will be amazing, and I’m ready for whatever God has in store.
In eager anticipation of this journey,
