I’m writing this post as a first time visitor to Ethiopia, a member of Impact Team 2013.  I’m honored and humbled to share with you reflections on the Women’s Conference that we just completed.

One woman sharing her testimony

God is amazing in this place!  Marybeth greeted 80 beautiful women with opening reflections.  Her overwhelming initial impression was the joy and light that is evident in them.  A year ago when these same women came to conference their faces were cold, their spirits low, they were recovering from a painful past.  They were learning who Jesus is and searching to believe they were worthy of His truth.

Jesus transforms.  The women have embraced and accepted Christ and they radiate His light, His love.  Glorious redeemer, wonderful savior.  One woman came forward to share her testimony.  She acknowledged, “our faces have changed because we changed on the inside.  It’s because of our prayers.”   Amen, my sister – amen.  

 The Holy Spirit was powerful and present in the small space where the conference was held – I could literally feel the energy in the room.  We opened each of the sessions with worship. The songs of their native language are energetic and compassionate.  It’s amazing to join together and honor God through music -- united in praise and faith.  One body in Christ. 

God has led the framework for the four conferences to be consistent in purpose and message.  The women know and accept that they are blessed and called to faith.  It’s their time and purpose to now bless others.  They’re ready to own this faith in a bigger way – to live it, to walk in it, to be the hands and feet of Christ to other people.  To keep building their community – but even more so, to keep building His Kingdom. 

The women listened to messages on how to hear God’s voice, how to receive the words and guidance of His Spirit, how to discern their purpose in God’s plan.  They completed activities together: they blessed each other with prayer, they used pictures and prayer to receive and share words of validation for other women.

At the risk of over-using the word ‘powerful’, here I go again….  We ended the first day with a fire tunnel.  God’s empowering presence for every person.  As each woman passed through the tunnel we touched her, giving her prayerful words – a sharing of Spirit.  And the tunnel grew; as the Ethiopian women added on to the end.  Then it was our turn to pass through.  Wow.  I was so filled, honored, humbled and blessed by these women.  Beautiful women of God, sharing of themselves and building us up in His love.  It’s so true – we always receive far more than we can ever give…..

The Fire Tunnel

There are so many God stories here.  I’m amazed at the big picture and the changes He is making in Hosanna.  Following the women’s conference, what touched my heart greatly was how God is also present in the details.  Countless, amazing details in the stories of our experiences with His people.  I can best summarize them by saying that I am changed.  These beautiful women offer heartfelt prayers for basic things that we take for granted.  They have remained steadfast in their love for Christ and committed to a life of faith despite challenging circumstances and a painful past.  They trust God. They love Jesus.  They need and believe in Him as their Lord and strong provider.  They walk in faith.  They continue to seek Him passionately.   

We ended both days in one large circle in the courtyard, holding hands and praying together.  Praising and thanking God for His plan in our lives, in this community, in His Kingdom.  Asking for the strength that comes through people of His church on the other side of the world lifting us up in prayer.  And as we shared Christ’s love together – it’s evident that faith transcends languages, cultures, and geographies. 

All Glory is His!!!

~ Jodi

 Again God comes and shines brighter then ever. A day none of us will ever forget. His great Grace changes, His love fills, and all are changed. 

It was our second day with the children here in Hosanna. There is so much change in all the kids since I was there last year. Kids are shining... really shining. Healthy, happy, growing, and knowing who Jesus is. What a blessing to see how much sponsoring a child can really change a life. It's not only the change we see, it's the thanks we here form the kids. The impact is not only for the kids it is changing a  community. 

It was a sweet few days sharing with them about walking in a deeper knowledge of who how to spend time with God,  how to walk with Jesus and how to usher in the Holy  Spirit. I think it is safe to say our worship time with them is so precious. Dancing and singing in their native tongue and knowing they really believe what they are saying.

Fun to have the team meet their sponsored child for the first time has had us all in tears. Wow! The children just soak up every minute they have with their sponsor with I love you's, hugs and and deep  thank you's.

After being with the kids we were able to spend time With Solomon and Fantu the Husband and wife who are in charge of the Women's program. It was an emotional time sitting in their living room as they spoke of how much has changed in the lives of the women and children in the last couple of years. It was a treasured time. Solomon is also going to Seminary as Hosanna! Church has supported him to do so.

I wish I could put into words correctly what happened today as 6 of us women went into the women's prison. The other 5 women on our team stayed back to Intercede on our behalf as we did not know what to expect or have anything planned just knew God had opened the door for us to go into the prison once again.

I had been told that  there were about 30 women in the prison. We had brought 30 blankets plus many other children's blankets for the children that live with their mothers in prison.

After going through questioning, we were told we could spend about 10-15 minutes with the women and only pass out the blankets if we had enough for all 52 of the women. This was far more women then I thought but we had other small baby blankets, so even though I did not know how many we had I said I am sure we had enough. :/

The women and their little ones were all sitting in the small chapel waiting for us. I talked for awhile how God had laid it on my heart for several years to come back and knew he wanted them to know how much He loves them. I then asked if anyone wanted prayer to come up. 90 % of the women came up for prayer. As we all laid hands on them they all began to weep a cry of deep grief. Talk about heart wrenching. So much pain...ugh. There was not a dry eye in the room. The Pastor of the Hope Chest Care Point Abinet started to sing a worship song. It was the most beautiful thing as they began to sing their song in their sobs, and then... it turned into joy and dancing. I am sure you can imagine all of this so far took well longer then 10-15 minutes they alloted us, but their was a change happening and it is evident that the guards were thankful.

We then sorted all the blankets and counted how many we had. SERIOUSLY... we had just enough for all of them, not one less, not one more. What a confirmation that God orchestrated this time with them. We were crazy amazed.

We passed them all out.. all but one. Their was some talk among the guards as we waited patiently to see who the last one was for. They turn to me to say that there is one more women, they had to go get her becase she was in "solitary confinement," as she was very dangerous. She was serving a life sentence for killing a child of her neighbor who she was angry at, disposing of the body in the river. SHe threatened continully the lives of all the inmates and prison guards.

She walked in. The guards said you need to pray for her. She had a hardness you do not see often. Head down, no eye contact. I prayed, and spoke truth over her life speaking against all that was not meant to be her to be gone. God was present. Her glassed over eyes became soft and she began to look into my eyes, understanding and agreeing with everything I said. Our Ministry Partner who works alongside with us Nebiyu was talking to her and speaking more truth to her. Suddenly she got on her knees, and Nebiyu said, she wants to accepts Jesus. SERIOUSLY she asked for it, she repeated every word of my prayer as if she believed it. She hugged and embraced our whole team and walked out a changed women. The one she was created to be.

The guards were so excited, amazed and thankful. We literally walked in that place not having a plan, not knowing what to expect, but asked the Lord to have His way... I think He did. 

Another year has gone by since I was in Ethiopia last. Many days and hours of preparation for what will lay ahead on yet another trip. To be honest... many tears and sleepless nights, and an aching heart all join with the very same heart that is full, so very full.

 Each time I go so much has has happened in the many steps we have taken and progress made. Bonds with the many churches are being formed, Women are stronger, Children learning and knowing Jesus, wells being dug, new churches formed, and many new baptized!

                                       Love from across the globe... it changes lives.

My heart is leaping again as I lay all my own pretenses aside and wait upon the Lord. I know better now after so many trips to not expect what I think will happen, but to be in expectant of bigger.

This trip will be yet again, life changing, life altering, for us and those Jesus encounters. Yet this time seems, after preparing for so long has a special newness. I am excited. I am nervous. I am all in!

A new Team of 11 women. They too are nervous, excited and probably a bit scared too. God is guiding. 
A Children's program... a Women's Retreat... a Pastors Conference... an open Campaign to the whole community and a prison visit! Wow... are we all over the place?

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.9"For as the are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.…

I am so at peace as we walk into a Grand adventure as He is orchestrating every step and every detail. When I think of the magnitude of what God is doing in this town of Ethiopia and to think of all He has entrusted "little ol me" with it could make me crazy. But these very words of the Lords hold so true in my heart as I have tasted and seen, and tested the waters of my self verses, Him in me. He guides our every step. It's such a beautiful knowledge and a very different existence then we naturally care for. Giving it all up, laying it all down, giving up control... surrendering.

Here we go!

Itinerary

November 14^th Leave Minneapolis Arrive airport at 11:30 departure time is 1;30

Friday 15th Arrive Addis Ababa

Saturday 16th  Visit Steadfast Love

Sunday 17th   Attend Wedding

Monday 18th   Leave Hosanna

                 Sponsored Children 

                 Prison Ministry

Tuesday 19th   Sponsored Children -morning

                  Women’s Conference-afternoon

                  Visit Mekonan and Abibech

Thursday 21st  Women’s Conference  

                Sponsored Children 

Friday 22nd Leadership Conference 

Saturday 23^rd   Leadership Conference-morning

                Campaign-afternoon

Sunday 24th Campaign 

Monday 25^th  Leave Hosanna, for Airport

Tuesday 26^th Team Arrives home Marybeth stays in Hosanna to work with women and children.

Dec. 1st Marybeth leaves Hosanna! Flies to Germany to visit Anna and David Mansfield and family.

Dec. 4th Marybeth Arrives home.

                                         PLEASE BE IN PRAYER  

Want to give a big thanks and a shout out to all our sponsored families. I have been so blessed by your e-mails asking if you could send a package again this year or that you were worried that you missed it. I am so honored and blessed by all of you who are truly loving these children.

What sweetness God has in store for the kids this year. First of all I wanted to let you know that possibly as we are in Hosanna or very soon after we are going to break ground on building our first well right outside the children's complex. WOW!! This is huge. God has blessed us to be able to do this and can not than Hosanna Church enough for their support and generosity towards this project. This will be the first of 5 wells we will be build. 2 more will go in next year and 2 the following. Praising God for His Provision for these kids and the surrounding community. 

Here is what we will be bringing and why we did  not need packages this year. We have had several organizations donate to all the kids. We just received 300 of the most adorable puppets handmade by ladies part of an non-profit organization called Puppets for Orphans. They handmade and prayed over each one. How precious. 

We also received crosses donated for the kids that were right from Olive Trees made in Israel. :)

The other item the kids will receive is a bracelet with the Amharic inscription saying. "I am blessed... I am a blessing." This will be the over all theme of our message to the kids. God loves you and has blessed us to go and be a blessing for those who need His love and blessing too.

10.25.2013

Love this quote from a friend 

"Apparently Ethiopia is the land where I am not meant to sleep. A place where my own soul finds peace amidst so much chaos around me.. as it longs to see with the eyes He has given me...

This is my prayer that we go in to this trip with eyes of Jesus not our flesh. It is so easy to want to go into hard places like this and want to bring special sweet things that we are just sure they are missing out on, or even "essentials" that we could not think of living without. What do they really need? What do we really need? Its life... It's love... It's purpose... It's Jesus. So this is our prayer that we bring the knowledge of the bigness of this life... of His love... that they have purpose.... and it all is about and because of Jesus. We have focused on keeping it simple so we can get out of the way and Jesus can change individuals from the inside out... it will penetrate... it will change atmospheres... change a town... change us!

A little glimpse...      There are 4 big conferences that we will be putting on. 1. Our 300 Sponsored Children 2. 80 Women formerly on the streets 3. 500 leaders and Pastors from surrounding area of Hosanna. 4. A 40,000-50,000 people Campaign open to the public. I am greatly anticipating a time I know God has to bring the people of Hosanna, Ethiopia into a deeper knowledge of the power and purposes they posses. It has been evident that God has a very specific word for them this year. The same word is resonating for all... the children, women, leaders and all of Hosanna. "To own and walk out what the Lord has called you to."  " I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."Romans 9:17

Dr. Gemechis Buba and Tim Hatt with another team of 7 will be jumping on to the end of our trip as we put on the Conference for the Leaders and the Campaign open to the whole Community. 

There is an evident and great call on the town of Hosanna! As I have been sitting and listening before the Lord in this last year and from the beginning of our work in Hosanna, God has made it clear He is raising up leaders... calling them out... teaching them... and sending them. So beautiful that He is even calling out our little ones. "I am blessed... I am a blessing" This will be on wristbands passed out to them to live and walk out. Our women will be taught to be encouragers, uplifting one another and that they have power to change another with as they reach out in love and encouragement. Our leaders and town of Hosanna will hear they were created for a purpose, they have a calling and it's their responsibility to walk it out.

                                               MORE ON OUR CHILDREN!!!

Well we are so thrilled to be blessed with a group of women who is right now working on puppets to give to the kids. Each puppet has been donated for us and each one is prayed over while the women are making them. These puppets will be incorporated in our Bible Stories and lessons on how we can reach out and be a blessing to another.  Look for more information in our upcoming Building Bridges Newsletter Coming the beginning of November.

For more information on Puppets for Orphans go to. www.puppetsfororphans.org/index.php

God is doing so much.

10.02.2013

God is doing so much.

So here we are... Lots of new news!!!

-TEAM 2013 is busy preparing to go to Ethiopia, the 11 of us leave on November 12th!

-We are preparing to start our Training Center for the Women, and in the process of purchasing our first 5 looms out of 15 for the women to start in their business of scarf making.

A-Our Sponsored kids, all 301 of them, have now been in school for 2 months!! They have received rations of food, clothing and shoes, going to church together and learning to write to their sponsors! Another team trip from us just solidifies our relationship with them and our long time commitment that we are always here.

-We have with the blessing and help of Hosanna! Church, just purchased a well/ water Point for the children at the Care-Point! Imagine these kids spend most of their day walking to get water from a river. Now they will have access to water right where they are at!!! This should be getting ready to be put in in the next few months.

-We have Dr. Gemechis Buba Traveling down to Hosanna with us to speak at our Leadership Training Conference and then at our Campaign that is open to the public. We expect 30,000-40,000 people to attend this event. Pastor Tim Hatt from Hosanna! Church will also be traveling down to Hosanna with a team of 7 and meeting our Team at the end of our trip.

Itinerary


November 14th Leave Minneapolis

Friday 15th Arrive Addis Ababa

Saturday 16th Ministry to sick in Homes.

Sunday 17th Wedding of Abinet Hailu Leave for Hosanna Ethiopia Check into Hotel and have dinner - Prision Ministry

Monday 18th Sponsored Children

Tuesday 19th Sponsored Children

Wednesday 20th Women’s Conference

Thursday 21st Women’s Conference in morning, Prison Ministry

Friday 22nd (Tim’s Team arrives in Hosanna) Leadership Conference

Saturday 23rd Campaign

Sunday 24th Campaign

Monday 25th Leave for HOME

Tuesday 26th Arrive home



-I, Would love some specific prayers as I will be staying on in Ethiopia after both teams have gone. I am going to spend some one on one time with the Women creating profiles for them, hearing and recording their stories. I am feeling led to press into more of the plight of the prostitutes ring and go visit areas where it is taking place. We visited one busy area several years ago and God brought us 80 women since. What more can we do? What is God calling us to? It will be a powerful sight bringing some of these women who have lived this life to this area and see them be used by God to help many more find freedom.

I will go, and see as God is leading. My heart for the women of this area just is so unsettled. God has given us such favor and we want to see His fullness come!


“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” Mother Teresa

Here are the pictures of the kids receiving their shoes. For many it is their first pair of shoes. These are great "Croc Like" shoes that can be washed off, are durable, cover their feet and are all the same. We debated on us sending over shoes, but realized the easiest and best way to do this was to purchase them there. While to many it is just a pair of shoes, to these kids it means someone LOVEs them, a sense of BELONGING, and it bring HOPE. They were purchased with the money from the sponsorship program, so a HUGE thanks to all our sponsors. 

MY GOD IS STRONG AND MIGHTY, FOR HE IS ABLE, MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD, AND HE IS FAITHFUL!