In May of 2011, I had the opportunity to spend six days with the children and staff of Lola Children’s Home in Mekelle Ethiopia. During that time, my eyes were opened and my life was forever changed. My eyes were opened to a community of children affected by HIV and rejected by society. Having arrived at Lola with seven other short-term missionaries from different parts of the United States, we all had a common goal to share the love of Christ to the orphans and their caregivers through painting, craft activities, and bible lessons. What I quickly learned was that it was not all about the painting or crafts, but simply entering into the children’s world, seeing the beauty of God’s grace upon them, and meeting their need to be hugged, kissed, loved, and embraced without judgment or fear. These children were not just orphans affected by HIV; they were children with a story. As I played with the children, saw their bright eyes and smiles, my heart melted after hearing their stories of how they came to live or have special care at Lola.
If I could describe in three words what I saw during my time at Lola, I would say faith, hope, and love. During our mealtimes, the fellowship with the staff and caregivers was just as eye opening for me as being with the children. It was during these times that Abebe shared his heart and the story of how Lola came to be, and the vision that he had for the future. I saw and heard a young man who was orphaned as a child, but through the power of Jesus Christ, had been redeemed and set free. I saw the unconditional love that he has for not only the children of Lola, but orphaned children throughout Ethiopia and abroad. As Abebe shared his vision to help more orphaned children through meeting their physical, social, spiritual, and educational needs, his words were seasoned with faith in God and the hope that one day, these children would know and embrace the love of Jesus Christ.
Prior to me leaving for Ethiopia in May, I had many discussions with my Pastor, who is also my spiritual advisor. One thing that he told me was that he would not be surprised if God had a long term mission for me in Ethiopia. I took that information and stored it in my heart and did not retrieve it until I received the revelation from God that this would become a reality. The first day that we were at Lola, one of the babies fell asleep in my lap. I went to lay her down in the crib and proceeded to join the rest of the group, however there was a very distinct pull on my heart to return to her. As I held back my tears, I began to pray that God would reveal to me what the meaning of this pull was and how I was to respond to it. I physically joined the group in another room, but my heart and mind were in prayer.
As the week went on, the more time I spent with the children, in prayer, searching the scriptures and wring my thoughts in my journal, the more I began to see what the pull on my heart meant. Then it all became clear, after sending my family and friends an e-mail, telling them about the wonderful time that I was having, and informing them that there is a great need for more missionaries to come and share of themselves and the love of Christ children and people of Ethiopia, I was moved to tears with the gentle voice of God in my spirit that said it was me; that I was to return to Mekelle, Ethiopia, and specifically to Lola to serve.
So the journey continues. As I stated earlier, my life has been forever changed by this experience. I am returning to Mekelle to serve at Lola for three weeks. As I spend quality time with the children, loving on them, teaching them, and learning from them, I pray that God would reveal to me His plan, and how He would have me to serve the children of Ethiopia on a long term mission. I am so grateful and humbled to be chosen to serve and bring hope, peace, and love to God’s precious children.
