April 12, Friday, leaving Addis.
To start the day I feel much, much, better. No more fog. I have the devotion for this morning, and I plan to speak about boldness/trusting in God and not in ourselves. I am sure it is as much for me as for others. It’s easy to walk into this after many trips and think “I got this – I know what I’m doing”. And of course, that’s the worst place to be. This is all about God and what He’s doing. We are simply tools, hopefully willingly, in His hands. The moment I rely on what I can do, well, I’m limited by what I can do.
April 11, Thursday, Addis.
Today I was in a fog the whole day, start to finish. My best guess is that the sleeping pill I took is still hanging around, since I realize I’ve felt this before. It’s like not being fully awake, not quite able to breathe, and wanting desperately to lie down. But enough of that.
We visited the Women At Risk ministry, where we had the privilege to meet with women in their very first day of the program. I hope we encouraged them, as they are starting a long, hard, but ultimately life changing journey.
For me personally, the rest of the visits blurred into the fog – museum housing Lucy, the anthropological find; the Derg (Red Terror) Musuem, and the Orthodox church.
I realize the first two days have been lacking in spiritual content….
April 9-10, travel day(s). First blog.
Overall, no issues with travel. No one was sick, no bags lost, no missed flights. We had a flight with at least some empty seats, so that was an extra bonus. I believe the team, and I in particular, are switching into “ministry mode”. I’ve never noticed this in myself so much on other trips.
I know this trip is going to be different for me than past trips, for various reasons. For one, Rachel is not with me this time, which is different from all but the first trip. For two, I am different: lots of processing and change since the last trip, for me individually. I am curious, and at least a little anxious about things will go.
D Helfrick 