31 hours of flight, layovers, and delay allowed us to make safe arrival in a foreign land we would soon call home. Arriving at 2:30 in the morning, being greatly excited dispersed any negative feelings that might have wanted to take root deep within our souls.
Jaime, a friend of our son Andrew, met us at the airport. With her knowledge of the culture and language, we were soon able to land safely at “The Guesthouse”. This was to be our home for 6 days, but beyond that, living conditions remained a mystery. 6 of us shared 1 room with 3 sets of bunk beds. This haven of rest offered us great comfort and peace while we dealt with jet lag, uncertainties, knowing that life would not be familiar at least for the 6 months that lay ahead.
Asni, the guesthouse cook, looked after us so that we would not fall prey to sickness. Demis, the guard watched out for our safety, knowing full well we were like “sitting ducks” during high season. I suppose this is why he felt it to be his duty to find us a little place we could call home. There was no question that God had His hand upon us.
The sheer number of people and their constant cackling uttering the word “Forengie” along with the distinct odors and sights of the cramped communities gave sight to something quite different from our “Fair Isle”. Yet, this new habitat became a place we would become familiar with. It would become a place we would fall in love with. A place where food was served to street children and a place where children would learn to bathe and take care of themselves. Our home became a place where the term “Christian” became an action not a word.
“The Arrival” allowed our feet to go where they had never trod before but with God’s guidance, they would take new paths and enter areas not imaginable.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Change of Course
Hearing the call “to go" to Ethiopia and answering it are two quite different things. Yet, we believed that one could not happen without the other. And that belief would cause change in our life.
The call to Ethiopia caused our family to experience a dramatic change in lifestyle and our way of thinking.
We were surrounded by a wonderful family and many friends, living in a small community, teaching school and enjoying the comfort of a regular pay cheque. Leaving this for a life of the unknown was the call and challenge that Christ had placed on us. I suppose people thought we were absurd in our way of thinking but when God gets a hold of your heart He tends to make the foolish things wise. This is the uniqueness of God. The call He had put on us was so strong, and the need to "go and preach the Gospel” was never in question. We knew we wanted His way to be our way.
Five of our eight children had now either completed or were involved with undergraduate studies. This left us with our 3 younger teenagers, Bethany, Matthew and Patricia, who had decided they wanted to travel with us to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Looking back, God’s hand had to be upon them. They, along with us, were willing to leave their home and friends to accept the challenge of uprooting themselves and going where the unknown awaited us. Yet, they handled it with such grace. His Grace.
As the time drew near to leave, we were flooded with feelings of guilt and abandonment. Many had tried to convince us it was like an unforgiveable sin to leave my mother and siblings, yet we knew we had to press on and answer the call! The journey began and “the arrival” would soon take place.
The call to Ethiopia caused our family to experience a dramatic change in lifestyle and our way of thinking.
We were surrounded by a wonderful family and many friends, living in a small community, teaching school and enjoying the comfort of a regular pay cheque. Leaving this for a life of the unknown was the call and challenge that Christ had placed on us. I suppose people thought we were absurd in our way of thinking but when God gets a hold of your heart He tends to make the foolish things wise. This is the uniqueness of God. The call He had put on us was so strong, and the need to "go and preach the Gospel” was never in question. We knew we wanted His way to be our way.
Five of our eight children had now either completed or were involved with undergraduate studies. This left us with our 3 younger teenagers, Bethany, Matthew and Patricia, who had decided they wanted to travel with us to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Looking back, God’s hand had to be upon them. They, along with us, were willing to leave their home and friends to accept the challenge of uprooting themselves and going where the unknown awaited us. Yet, they handled it with such grace. His Grace.
As the time drew near to leave, we were flooded with feelings of guilt and abandonment. Many had tried to convince us it was like an unforgiveable sin to leave my mother and siblings, yet we knew we had to press on and answer the call! The journey began and “the arrival” would soon take place.
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