hope. strength. resolve.

Teresa is 13.

We visited her today at her tiny, windowless home in the village of Adami Tulu, where she lives with her mom and younger sister.

Her eyes are bright and animated, and she has a beautifully shy smile, always glancing her eyes downward and bringing her fingers to her face.

Her clothes are tattered; the red scarf wrapped around her hair is worn and weathered. Her home is simple... dreary even. But Teresa and her mom exude such hope. Strength. Resolve.

It's evident in their eyes and in their words.

Teresa's mom shared about the challenges she faces—like paying rent for their home—but also about the support she receives from Food for the Hungry. She talked about Abraham, their FH social worker, and what a gift he has been to her. She described him as being like a father figure in her life. She finally feels as though she has someone who cares about her and looks out for her, and that is a priceless gift. Hope. Strength. Resolve.

Teresa has been in the Food for the Hungry sponsorship program for 5 years.

When we asked her about her sponsor, she ran into her house and came back out with pictures, cards, and notes she's received over the years. She proudly showed us her sponsor family and told us how grateful she is for the education she receives because of them. She said when she finishes her schooling she'd like to become a doctor and build her mom a new house. Hope. Strength. Resolve.

When we asked Teresa what she might want to say to people in America, she didn't hesitate.

"There are so many children in my village who have never even seen the inside of a classroom. I want them to have the same help and support I've received, the same opportunity to get an education."

Hope. Strength. Resolve. I love seeing the ways sponsorship infuses those life-changing gifts into children and their entire families. Makes me want to be more intentional in my relationships, because I want my life to always build hope, strength, and resolve in others. I've seen what a difference it can make.

If you feel like Teresa was talking right to you, take a look at some of the kids you can sponsor in her community.

{Photos by the amazing David Molnar}

expectancy

I recently had a great conversation with some friends about the difference between living with expectations and living with expectancy. And this trip thus far has been a clear and candid object lesson in exactly that.

 

Prior to coming, I had to purposefully choose to let go of any expectations I may have had in terms of preconceived ideas about Ethiopia and what I would experience here. And since I headed to the Nashville airport around noon on Monday, I've had to let go of any expectations that may have lingered in terms of that ever-taunting illusion of control. As if our well-mapped-out plan was more important than whatever journey God wanted to take us on.

We've gotta drop expectations and embrace expectancy.

 

The six of us travelling from Nashville became very adapt at rolling with the punches. We even managed to do so with good attitudes despite being deliriously tired. I really think it was because we were able to let go of that clenched-fist grip on what we thought would and should happen. We knew deep down that God was up to something, even when it made no sense to us, and we were able to cling with joyful hope and expectancy to Him. Not to a schedule. Or to an itinerary. Or to an airline agent. But to Him.

 

Mechanical failures, delayed flights, and airline errors derailed our simple travel plans and turned them into an epic few days of country-hopping. And tonight, the adventurous journey finally had us touching down in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

 

A day late, with unexpected stops in Ghana and South Africa, we finally made it. Exhausted. Dirty. Even a bit sick. But we are here. I am pretty excited about the shower I'm about to take and the bed I'm gonna sleep in after two nights on airplanes. And my heart just keeps swirling with that word expectancy.

 

I'm choosing to lay down any expectations I may have about my tomorrow and to place my expectant hope in Him.

Because He is in control.

And He is good.

And that is all the expectancy I need to live each moment with.

do justice

I've been in Africa for 24 hours, but I still haven't touched down in Ethiopia. Airline debacles had half our group rerouted to Ghana and then to South Africa. We're in Johannesburg for the next 6 or so hours, and then—finally—Lord willing—we will board our final flight for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (I'm borrowing someone's laptop and wifi to send out this quick update.) Sidebar: I'm really glad that I got my first trip back to South Africa under my belt in April/May. I'm not sure my heart could have handled the rawness of those emotions on top of the exhaustion I'm feeling right now. Because, seriously, I'm more tired than I've been in a long time. The past two nights have been spent on overnight flights, so I haven't seen a bed since Sunday night. My bloodshot, teary eyes are selling me out right now; it's impossible to hide how ridiculously tired I feel.

Now, more than ever, I just can't wait to get to Ethiopia. And not just because a shower and good night's rest await me. I've been "teased" with Ghana and now South Africa, and I'm ready to embrace the beautiful people and culture of Ethiopia. I want to meet and hug my sponsored kidlets. I'm anxious to see and experience the work of Food for the Hungry (FH) firsthand. I want to see it with my own eyes and feel it with my own heart.

The other half of our group is already there. Kristen, Emily, and Alysa made it into Ethiopia yesterday as originally planned, and are spending today visiting communities with FH staff. I'm so eager to finally meet them and hear about their experiences so far.

The Joburg airport is a little chilly (a welcomed reprieve at the moment), and I've got my FH hoodie on. "Do justice." That's what's written across the front of my sweatshirt. Do justice. That's from one of my favorite passages. Micah 6:8 says, "Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

I'm ready to get out to the communities of Zeway, Ethiopia to discover how FH puts that passage into action. And to be challenged in new and unique ways to embrace and live out that verse in my own life.

… … …

Ways You Can Help:

meeting my kidlets

Well, today's the day! Nashville to Atlanta to Amsterdam to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!

The thing I'm most looking forward to on this trip is meeting my kidlets: the children I sponsor through Food for the Hungry. I get to see where they live and visit with them and their families.

I. Can't. Wait!

There's Nathinael, who won me over with his smiling eyes. He's in first grade and doesn't like hot weather. (He would not have enjoyed Nashville last week, that's for sure.)

Then there's sweet Chaltu. She's in Kindergarten and loves to play jump rope. (Her rogue braid is almost as adorable as her squishable cheeks!)

And 16-year-old Aklilu loves to play soccer. His favorite color is red and he has an amazing smile! (Seriously. Look at that smile!)

I'm really excited to meet and hug my kidlets! I can't wait for them to move from my fridge into my arms, and even deeper into my heart.

You want a kidlet now too, don't you?!

Sponsor a child in one of the communities I'll be visiting this week!

Don't forget to join us for the live Twitter chat on Thursday. It'll be at 2 PM Eastern / 1 PM Central, using the hashtag #FHBloggers.

beautiful redemption

Back when I was living in South Africa, leading a ministry there, I had dreamed of hosting a Blogger Mission Trip. I wanted to make it possible for this amazing Gritty community to come be a part of what we were doing. In fact, we'd already solidified the dates and details, I'd announced it on my blog, and people were signing up. Then when the bottom started falling out of my world, I had to push pause on pretty much everything, including the Blogger Trip.

So the opportunity to help plan and participate in a Blogger Mission Trip with Food for the Hungry is a slice of beautiful redemption.

In something so personal where I've mourned the death of yet another dream, God has gone and made beauty out of the ashes. He really does redeem all things.

And you, my Gritty family, still get to be a part of it all.

Travel with me by following my updates on Facebook, Twitter, and The Grit.

Track along with the #FHBloggers hashtag on Twitter and Instagram, and join us for the live Twitter chat this Thursday.

Sponsor a child in the communities I'll be visiting this week.

Go with me in prayer — for safety, health, and a heart that stays open to all God wants to do.

I leave tomorrow. Please come along with me in every way you can.