a chance to GO.

 

Many of you know God birthed a deep love for Ethiopia in my heart in the summer of 2010.  As result of that love, a passion for caring for the orphan and serving the least of these in Ethiopia became a dream of mine. God has been so faithful over the last 2 years of our adoption process, and has shown us just how big He is and that He is true to the promises He gives us.

As you may know, Phillip and I have traveled to Ethiopia twice in the last 7 months.  The first time was in November when we went to court to officially become the parents of our beautiful Emerson. Then again in January, when we brought her home to her forever family.  During each trip while we were in Ethiopia, I felt a stirring that I needed to do more & more specifically that there was something there for me. Something that God needed me to do, and something that God needed to do in me.  God placed a deep love and compassion for the people in my heart. It wasn’t something I could do, it was something God was doing and continues to do in me.  I have a deep desire to minister to, love and feed into the lives of God’s precious children everywhere but more specifically, His children in Ethiopia. 

In Matthew 25:35-40 Christ says “For when I hungry you gave me something to eat, when I was thirsty you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” “ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?” The king will reply, “truly, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  God tells us several times that we are to care for the least of these, to care for oppressed, to visit the widows and the orphans in their distress. I have an opportunity to do just that, to experience a dream I have longed to fulfill. To go back to the place that has stolen my heart and captured my attention, a place that I miss and long for.

June 9^th – June 19^th our church, Mid Cities Community Church, is taking a team of 16 people to Ethiopia. The team will be serving alongside Project 61 in Korah Ethiopia, a community that is located just outside of Addis Ababa (the capital city of Ethiopia). Korah is one of the poorest of the poor communities in Ethiopia, a leper colony that houses 75K+ people who are considered to be the outcasts of society.  In Korah, people live in houses made of corrugated metal, left over lumber, plastic, mud and other such materials. Their dirt floors are covered with nothing more than a woven plastic-like material if anything at all.  Most of these homes are no bigger then a 12x12 room and usually houses a family of 6 or even a couple of families.  The people of Korah also suffer from many sicknesses such as Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and much more.  There are 4 generations of families living in Korah, babies, children, widows, fathers, sons, daughters and grandparents.  For some of them, their sole survival comes from digging in the dump; this is the main source of food for many.  These people know the magnitude of their distress yet they have a deep devotion to the Father.  Some know Jesus and cling to the hope that He brings and restoration that comes from the Father.

As Ravi Zacharias said “those of us who are believers are God’s hands in benevolence, to lighten the burdens and pains of this world and if we don’t do that we are not being Godly in our lives.”  I want to be godly in my life.

My husband, Phillip, was originally signed on for this trip. He was the one who was going to be the hands and feet of God and help in bringing the hope of Jesus and help lighten the burden of our brothers and sisters in Korah. However in this last week God has been moving and making things happen to where I can go in his place.  I am beyond thrilled. My heart is overjoyed to finally be in this community and to be serving the people who have stolen my heart. 

I tell you all of this to ask for your support.  The purpose of this mission trip is to simply be the hands and feet of Christ and share his love and to support Project 61. We plan to do this by caring for those affected by their extreme poverty, Leprosy, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and many of who are widows and orphans. There is also an opportunity to help make improvements on the shelter there in Korah for the children who are homeless and sleep in the trash dump.  

The cost of this trip is $3,000. I have missed all early deadlines due to my late joining of the team therefor; I owe it all up front. (Due by June 1^st) These funds cover travel, accommodations, food and a portion will also cover meeting some basic needs once we are in Korah such as, clothes, personal hygiene products, medicines etc.  Please note that all financial gifts are tax deductible. If you feel led to partner with me financially simply write your check or money order payable to Mid-Cities Community Church. Do not put my name anywhere on the check as this eliminates the tax-deductible eligibility.  There is a small instruction card attached that insures we receive your gift properly and allows Mid-Cities to credit your gift to the right account. Please make sure to use this card when sending in any gift. Please mail your decision card and/or payment to Mid-Cities Community Church, 8700 W. Hwy 191 Midland TX, 79707. Or you can visit www.midcities.org and create an account or log in to donate online. You can designate you donation to Missions.

Most importantly, beyond all things, we and I would value your prayers. We believe and have great faith that the Lord will do great things on this trip and we are preparing for it.  Also I would appreciate your prayers, as I will be leaving our 3 littles at home with Phillip for 10 days. Pray for him as well ;) Pray that their little hearts will be protected and that God, who comforts, will comfort them when they feel little spouts of sadness that I am away. Especially Emerson. I am standing on faith that the same God who protected her heart all those months while we were apart will protect her heart again. Pray that the enemy will have no room to mess with her mind and that all the progress we have made since bringing her home will not be damaged and that when I return home from Africa we will pick up where we left off.  Pray for the health of our entire team during travel and once we are on ground, pray for opportunities to bring people to the Father, pray that all the logistical plans for the trip will run smoothly and that this mission will be blessed beyond measure.  If you would like to be added to our prayer team list, please respond with “prayer team” in the subject line.  (my email is jennaknight(at)gmail(dot)com)

Thank you for your love and your support. None of this would be possible with out a support system here at home. You are a very vital and important part of this mission. I will leave you with this...

 “Sometimes I would like to ask God, why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world, when He could do something about it…but I’m afraid He might ask me the same question.”  

This is the video that the team made. Isn't it great?! Notice the cute bald guy with the green sweater... Thats my hottie husband! Picture me in his role. ;)