Team Ethiopia is a short-term missions group from Central Church in Collierville, TN. They partner with our Ethiopian Team on the ground in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for about a week. Here is their daily update regarding their experience and the way God moves in and through this ministry. We thank them for their service! Written by: Kelly Dawson, Team Leader
Make a note, first trip blog post ever! As I sit here in the terminal at Dullis International Airport, I have a strange grouping of emotions. I've already seen God's amazing provision even before we have left the country. Our flights were pleasant and on time, or team slept well and we're in good spirits. All 14 of our checking bags are accounted for and ready to go. No one is sick, no one is tired . . . God is amazing.
This being my 9th time to go to Ethiopia, I think back to some of the other trips. Lost luggage, sickness, sleep deprivation, dehydration . . . all of the things that Team Ethiopia has persevered in years past. We've been tested and tried. We've been stretched emotionally, spiritually, and physically and all for the name of Jesus. He has trained us, protected, provided, and held us in some of our darkest and brightest times. We have seen his face so many times, I fear we may take it for granted. And then He brings us back . . . a bunch of broken people.
Psalm 135:1-7 (NIV)
1 Praise the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord, 2 you who minister in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. 4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.
5 I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. 6 The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. 7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
I am overwhelmed at His grace and mercy, how He has already used us and our gifts. He has brought the seven of us together for His mission, and I am humbled beyond what I think I can even comprehend. My eyes are filling with tears as I think of the gift He is about to let the seven of us receive by serving Him.
I look forward to what He will show us on this trip. I look forward to how He will reveal Himself to my veterans [those who have gone to Ethiopia on this short term trip with Central Church more than twice now]: Howard, Liz, Meme, and Joyce. I am waiting with extreme excitement on what He will do with our two newbies: Alexa and Mary . . . how will He mold and shape them.
Our God is so amazing and so creative, what does He have for us and especially for the people of Ethiopia. And if He decides to sift us with any sickness or disappointments, I pray our team embraces them and counts ourselves fortunate.
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Love, Kelly Dawson, Team Leader