Mission Ethiopia - Pretrip 2

Only 4 more days until we depart for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the team is anxious yet a bit apprehensive, at least I am. So much more to do before we leave. This past Saturday evening and Sunday morning, our team was commissioned by our congregation to witness on behalf of them in Ethiopia. As I stood there with my teammates, I could feel just how strong we were bonding together as a team. Tears came so easily knowing the support that we were receiving from the congregation and the awesome mission we were soon to embark upon. Feelings swelled within me standing next to past mission trip teammates remembering the closeness that I felt now with them and when we were off to other far away places witnessing in His name. How great is God's blessings on those that work in His name!

Our Christ Care teams have dropped off their collection of items to take - school supplies and Christmas gifts for 40 orphans along with shirts, ties and sleeping bags for the local evangelists. We are so grateful to them for this collection effort. How we are going to get them packed in our luggage will be a real miracle. Plane tickets for Ethiopian Airlines also arrived today. Everyone has their passports, visas and immunizations. So now all that is left is packing, kissing our loved ones farewell, boarding the plane and, of course a lot of praying by all.

Heard last week from our hosts that we will be priviledged to attend an Ethiopian wedding the first full day we are there. Can't wait to see how different it is from our traditional weddings in the US. I'm secretly hoping that there is cake!

We wanted to post another testimonial from one of our team members on why he decided to go on this trip far from home. We pray that you are blessed with and inspired by his witness.

Why I’m Going…

By Joe Milledge

When I first heard about the Mission trip to Ethiopia my first thoughts were “what a Great Opportunity”. I also thought it could not have been at a better time. This is a time when I feel I need something more in my life but not sure what I am looking for. I did not have to deliberate in making my decision to participate. I must go.

I must admit that I am skeptical about the recent volatile disturbances in Addis Ababa, the capitol of Ethiopia and the destination of our Mission. I do feel that the benefits outweigh the risks involved in this Mission and God will prevail.

I started to ask myself several question as to why I am going, what can I give, and how can I benefit from this heart touching experience. I must be soul searching.

I have done some volunteer work in the past for the American Red Cross as a Disaster Relief Volunteer. My most memorable and satisfying experience was when I volunteered in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Hugo. This was a very devastating storm. The majority of the people there share in the faith of Seventh Day Adventists. Many of these people were very poor and had much less than us. However, they were very rich in love for each other and the Lord. I also volunteered locally when a tornado went through Kendallville, IN. In addition I supported our local firemen and women with the Emergency Response Vehicle offering food & drinks for their hard work.

I enjoyed helping all of these people and feel that this Mission trip could be the most rewarding of all, because now I can help to engage people with Jesus. I want to go and be the apostle that God has sent us out to be. I want to share what I feel has been the two most important ingredients in my life, hope and faith. I was at the age of sixteen when I lost my mother to cancer. This is when I realized that I needed to have hope and faith in Jesus Christ to give me the strength and courage to live in this world.

God has blessed me and my family more than I can say. I am not sure if I will be totally spiritually prepared for this experience and to know how God will use me on this journey. However, I know one thing for sure. He will lead me as He has in my life.

I am looking forward to see how God works through all of us to make this Mission trip happen.

May We Grow Deeper in His Love!