Take of in two.... days!

Our countdown has changed from a year to months, to weeks, and we are now down to days!  Friday night the team spent a few hours packing up all of our supplies and donations.  We are so thankful for all of the great items that have been donated and the funds that were given for purchases too!  We will be busy helping at a children's program at a local church, working on the sponsorship house of Korah Kids, and installing water filters in area homes. We also get the privilege to build relationships with some amazing Ethiopian people.  We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve, to see some old friends, and meet new people.

Last night (Sunday), we were sent out with prayer.  Thank you to our family at NABC for setting aside a time of encouragement and prayer for the entire team!  It was such a blessing to worship together and see how many people have been, are, and will be praying for us.  We know that there is a spiritual battle that is being waged - some team members have experienced struggles that we know are from the enemy. Please continue to pray that we would stand united against those attacks and that we would be a constant encouragement to each other during this journey.

This Wednesday is take off!  We leave very early - meeting at 3am so that we can be to the airport by 4.  (Yes, I said 3am)  We land in Addis at 8:30am on Friday morning, and will hit hit the ground running.  Please pray for us that we would get the rest that we need on the flight.  After settling into the guest house we will be taking our first trip to Korah Misgana.  We will get to help prepare the food and do other activities related to the Saturday children's program.

Thank you for following us!  As we get busy in service, we will post some pictures!

~Melissa

One week from today....

In just 7 days, we will be on our first of three flights to Addis!  This Friday night we are having our packing party for the donations and supplies that we are taking with us.  The donation area is getting full, and we are so thankful for all of the items that are being brought in daily.  Korah Kids sponsors have also been sending items for us to deliver to their sponsor children.  What a gift we have been given to be a part of delivering those items!  The entire team has been increasingly thankful for the way that God has worked through this past year and how He has allowed us to be a part of the work He is doing.

We found out yesterday that there was a fire in Korah.  This is the area where we will be spending the majority of our time in country.  The fire destroyed many of the tarp homes that people live in.  One household rescued 54 people. 2 children were burned and treated at a local hospital.  The community is gathering together to care for those without homes and to rebuild what was destroyed.  Please pray for the community as they recover and rebuild.

As we draw closer to travel day, we are all seeking God's heart to be our heart for the people we will encounter. We want God's love to be the central motivation for the time we spend with people and with the activities we participate.  Would you please pray for us as we build relationships with new Ethiopian friends?  Please also pray for all that we do be an act of worship and service to those we meet.

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many."  
Mark 10:45

~Melissa

Take off in two!

   After a year of preparation, it is hard to believe that we are really only two weeks away from take off. These last two weeks are full of last minute preparations - getting donations to take to Korah to use and give as gifts; making sure we have what we need because running to WalMart in Addis won't be an option; learning a few key phrases in their language to be able to say "Hello", "What is your name?", and "Where is the bathroom?".
   One of the main things that is in the forefront of our minds, however is our team unity.  We know that there is an enemy who will seek to tear our team apart and lessen our effectiveness in service.  We also know that our God is bigger and when we stay united in the purpose of serving and loving like Jesus, we will not be overcome.  Please join us in prayer for our team unity and good relationship building between the team members.

Melissa

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves"
Philippians 2:1-3

Counting the days

We are now down to just 22 days until we leave for Ethiopia!  All of us are getting excited and doing last minute preparations to go.  Collecting donations, planning activities, and making sure that we have all that we need is making life crazy and exciting!

Our team has been talking about flexibility throughout this entire preparation process. We have made plans, but are constantly reminded through our everyday life, that things can change quickly. We are preparing to be focused on the goal, but flexible to change course if God directs it that way.  Would you please join us in praying that our attitudes would be focused on being attentive to what God wants us to do and flexible enough to change our course if He directs us.

Melissa