The following is an update from DownLine 2011 Team, a small group from DownLine Ministries in Memphis, TN, who will be serving as short-term missionaries at Onesimus Children Development Association and throughout Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in September 2011. We’ve invited our ministry partners to post their trip updates and prayer requests here on the TFC blog. You can learn more specifically about the goals of the trip by going to this post. Enjoy their journey and all God has in store...
We had another amazing day at Onesimus! The medical team saw over 270 patients today! The pace seems to get a little quicker every day. Tomorrow is the last official day for medical care and I can only imagine that God is going to continue doing BIG things.
Several members of our team are going to share how being here is touching them and how they feel about what they have seen thus far. Enjoy!
“How would I describe the week? Physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and spiritually exhilarating! What a blessing to see God at work in the hearts of His people and to be put in a place where we can more clearly appreciate our dependence on Him.”
– Dr. Ed Cattau
“Words cannot describe how much joy this trip to Ethiopia has been to me. Praise the Lord for His many blessings.”
– Dr. Steve Rice
“The Ethiopians are a beautiful people. It has been a true pleasure to teach them about our Lord’s strategy of disciple making. They will forever have a place in my heart.”
– Karly Hines
“I love seeing my kids again and meeting new and wonderful people. I have loved the experience of working alongside the medical team- both the Americans and the Ethiopians.”
– Kelly Dawson
“I’m loving it here in Addis. Great team! The drop-in center staff has been gracious hosts. Hope to come back and do this all over again!”
– Aileen Bearden
“It is a privilege to be here in Addis serving the sick. They are some of the sweetest people I have ever cared for. I can’t wait to come back to Ethiopia on another medical team.”
– Dr. Gene Scobey
"Impossible to sum up the week in a sentence. The believers of Ethiopia have served and blessed me far more than I could have ever had hoped to serve them. What a privilege it has been to see the spirit of God at work on the other side of the globe. “
-Shad Berry
“God has a heart for widows and orphans. Joining in with what He deems valuable, loving and serving these precious children, is an investment we will never see the true value of. Pray God will continue His work in us and in the children we serve to accomplish what we never can.”
– Jason Collier
“Today, I learned a hard lesson. God’s timing is not our timing. My son, Jonathan, had to have an emergency appendectomy and I was away. I really had to lean on my God and your prayers carried me. Thanks for continuing to pray for his continued healing while I am away.”
– Sylvia Hawkins
“Although, I said, “yes!” to this trip, I could never grasp the purpose for God wanting me back here so soon! However, this week, God has continued to change my world and He has really put some questions in my head about the next step in my life as His servant. God only knows what He is up to and I sure can’t wait to find out!”
– Nicci Feathers
Please continue praying for our entire team! We only have a few days left and we want to make them count!!! You truly have no idea how your support has carried us throughout this week! There may be 14 of us in Ethiopia but our team is much larger! Thank you for taking this journey with us!