Ethiopia Trip Journal Entry #4

7-12-2009

I just finished reading "The Barbarian Way" and it has really changed my thoughts on my faith. It made me realize that I have been playing it safe in my walk with my Saviour. The author mentions that the entire "wall of faith" is comprised of believers that were more than willing to lay down their lives for Christ and in most cases put themselves into those life or death situations on purpose. I want a faith like that. One where my life is only of secondary importance and furthering my heavenly Father's kingdom takes precedence, where the needs of others become my own needs, and where my home is wherever God happens to call me to for that period of time. God's plans for my life, I feel right now, are too grand and extraordinary for me to possibly be able to fathom at this point in my life. I feel called to great things in my life, but I haven't the slightest idea what that all entails... but its a start.

Being around these children has made me very open to the possibility of adopting later on in life, like when I (hopefully) get married someday. These kids have almost nothing going for them, yet they still are so full of joy. Its something I could definitely learn from. I actually told some others on the team that I kind of selfishly hope that like 4 of the kids dont get adopted for a few years, that way I could adopt them myself... but I really hope they do get adopted soon, they would be such a blessing to whoever they go to.

My high-light for today (and maybe for the entire trip, thus far) was after leading a small church service for the kids, we were able to pray for them. It was just simply amazing. One of the boys there basically chose me as his best-friend as soon as he saw me the first day, and I was able to pray for him today. It was just a beautiful time, so much so that I wasn't able to verbalize some of my prayer for him because I was afriad of crying and I didn't want him to see me sobbing. It was a good time.