LAST DAY!

Today I am thankful for:

My Longs List of Thankfuls



     After a month of reflecting on the many blessings both great and small I have in my life, I am thankful that I have a long list of things I never got to. I am thankful for new blessings this year, and ones that have carried me through the years! I am thankful for blessings unseen that are still on their way. I am thankful for December and the hope and promise that it brings with the celebration of the birth of Jesus. I am just thankful!
     Even with all the ups and downs of power and internet in Ethiopia, I managed to get something down for almost every day. Looking forward now to going back to a variety in posts, and for more opportunities for the spirit to lead my heard in writing. God is so good to us--I think we all have a great deal of things we can be thankful for this year!

Day 29: Thanksgiving in Ethiopia

Today I am thankful for:

Thanksgiving in Ethiopia 

     I have been asked time and time again about Thanksgiving in Ethiopia. Was it hard to be away from family? What foods do you eat? How do they celebrate?

 

     That last question is my favorite... How do Ethiopians celebrate? They don't. It's an American holiday. But because we live within a community of other missionaries from the states, we did get to celebrate this year with an imported turkey and all the trimmings! It was such a beautiful time of thankfulness and fellowship with those who are in the same boat. So this year, even thousands of miles away from home, I was able to celebrate Thanksgiving. How was it away from my family? Not nearly as difficult as I expected! I attribute most of that to it being warm here and not feeling like the typical Thanksgiving, but along with that I know I have an amazing family at home that is fully supporting me in this so for this year anyway, it is ok that I am away. Did I miss them? Of course! But more than that I am thankful for the opportunity to be here and be in the midst of lives being changed by Christ! What more is there to be thankful for? 

 

Day 28: $ Easy Money Math $

Today I am thankful for:

Birr-Dollar Conversion

     Part of going to a foreign country is figuring out money exchange rates. I remember getting through immigration at the airport and going to exchange my money--I LOVED it because I handed the lady a $50 bill and she handed me a thick stack of birr! I felt rich as could be. It seems like a shallow thing to be thankful for, but the easy 20:1 conversion rate between the Ethiopian birr and the US dollar has made the world of difference in figuring out money matters. Today as family and friends, and the rest of the US are working on getting deals and steals in the chaos of Black Friday sales, it seems only American to have money on the mind. Today I am thankful that I learned to count by 20s in elementary school, and that the conversion rate is easy to follow! 

Day 27: My Family

Today (and every day) I am thankful for:

My Family!

     Happy Thanksgiving!! Though it did not feel much like Thanksgiving here in Ethiopia, I was able to celebrate with my family via Skype. My mom and dad, sister and brother, grandparents, aunt and uncle, and even some cousins stopped in to chat! Seeing all of them together did make me sad that I could not be there too, but I am so in love with the work that I am able to be a part of here that it is ok being away this year. I am so thankful that I have a family I love, a family I am close with, who support and love me. Seeing them all and spending part of the holiday with them was certainly the highlight of my Thanksgiving. Thankful today for my family!

Day 26: The "In"

Today I am thankful for:

The "In"

      Today I spent my morning at the hospital with one of the little boys from the baby home. When I got to there this morning one of the nannies asked me if I would like to go along with her. Of course I said yes! It was such quality time together, even under the circumstances. (The little boy is fine--he had an infection that some antibiotics should clear up). When we returned it was well after lunch, but the ladies back at the orphanage had prepared a meal for us and waited for us to get back to eat. Again, such wonderful time of fellowship with the women that care for the children I so dearly love! And to wrap it all up: a coffee ceremony... Because no habasha (Ethiopian) meal is complete without a 3 pour coffee ceremony! I am thankful today that I am "in" with the ladies. They thanked me over and over for going to the hospital, but I really felt like I should thank them for including me and allowing me to be a part of yet another layer of these children's lives! These ladies are such a special part of the baby home--as you think of it today say a special prayer for them and the work that they do!

Day 25: The Pregnancy Clinic

Today I am thankful for:

The Pregnancy Clinic

     I have connected with some fellow missionaries in the area that operate a rural pregnancy clinic (more on that in my next newsletter). I went quite a few times after our move to Soddo and absolutely fell in love with being a part of sharing the gospel with new lives! Currently I go and help out when they need an extra set of hands--today was one of those days. After bumping an hour and a half down the road we arrived and set up shop. Roughly 40 women later we were packing up for the day. The ministry provides a bit of food, checking of vitals (my role is blood pressure and baby's heart beat), a lesson on care for self and baby incorporated into a gospel lesson, and a time of prayer for the women. It is such a joy to be a part of this awesome ministry that is touching lives of those who are yet to enter the world. Grateful today for the opportunity to be a part of this medical mission, and for the special women who walk for miles and miles to come.

Catching Up

     Well, it has been a few (more like quite a few) days since I have written. Africa has not been cooperating with my 30 days of Thankfulness these past few weeks. Rather than double and triple, or quadruple post as the case may be, I opted to pull another "I have forgiving readers" card and scrap it. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to start up again and finish out the month strong.
     Just to catch you up on the latest happenings of Ethiopia, in typical Africa fashion we had another few days of power outages. Other than that life has been pretty normal. We are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with our missionary friends this week. It is so strange preparing to celebrate without all of the typical holiday buzz. Between the continuation of normal day to day life and the lack of change in temperature it really does not feel like the end of November at all. I think it is weird preparing for Thanksgiving without the typical holiday buzz, I cannot even imagine what it will feel like welcoming Christmas. Either way the month and my projects here are moving right along. Today was our first rainy day since leaving Chencha--the dry season is getting a little break. It made the perfect excuse to stay inside at the orphanage and get a few extra snuggles with the munchkins.

In other news, I started my SECOND newsletter and it should be ready to send out shortly after Thanksgiving. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to receive it, email your name and address to goservelove.giving365@gmail.com . I would love to include you!



Days 16-18

November 16th

Today I am thankful for:

Nail Polish

     Yepp, nail polish. I may be in a 3rd world country, but I am still a 1st world girl. Our favorite shop (the one the size of your living room) just decided to upscale and started carrying things like lotion, soap, and NAIL POLISH. When I say they started carrying nail polish I mean like 5 or 6 bottles, but still... It's a big deal! ;) Even here in the hills of Ethiopia I keep a fresh coat of polish on more times than not. Let's be real here: there is absolutely nothing better to hide the Africa dirt than a nice coat of polish! 

     Today I am thankful for a fun and fashionable way to hide the dirt... I mean, I am thankful for nail polish! 

November 17th

Today I am thankful for:

The people who believed in me/sent me

     Getting to Africa was no feat of my own. Getting here took a team of people who believed in me and what I wanted to do. A team of people willing to support me financially. A team of people willing to pray for me as I prepared to go, and faithfully pray as I am away. It took a team of people willing to let me go, and people to encourage me every step of the way! Today I am thankful for you all: my readers, my senders, my family and friends, my prayer worriers, and each and every person who's belief in me got me to where I am today! I could not do it without you all!! 

November 18th 

Today I am thankful for:

The 1st Step

    I have a ring that I always wear that reads "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." The first step in coming to Africa, perhaps my biggest journey yet, was as simple as saying yes and responding to the tug on my heart. In dong so though I was taken beyond a thousand mile journey... Taking the first step in this journey was one that took me 7,450 miles away, across the ocean and into a land far from home. Hey, go big or go home. Right? 

Day 15: My Pink Book

Today I am thankful for:

My Pink Book

     There I was standing in the airport with my family at the crack of dawn. Just after our tearful goodbyes my mom handed me a bag and said, "You can open it once you get to your gate." What was inside that bag has brought me more tears, more joy, more encouragement, and more inspiration than any gift I have ever received. 

     Inside the bag was a pink book dated from when I left on-through my stay here. On nearly every page is a message from somebody in my sphere of relationships sharing a Bible verse, memory, quote, note of encouragement, or even just something to make me laugh. As I sat there at my gate skimming the names of everybody who had written in the book the tears that I had taken control of suddenly took control of me again. I am sure people were staring, wondering why a girl on a flight to Washington D.C. was such an emotional mess, but I couldn't help it. The beautiful book I was clinging to was an overwhelming outpouring of love and encouragement from people I did not even realize I had an influence on. 

     To everybody who added a special note to the book: THANK YOU! The messages that I look forward to reading each night have been one of the biggest blessings. God is so faithful in how each message is written on a day when those are exactly the word that I need to hear on that particular day. Today I am thankful for each and every person who added a bit of encouragement to the book, and for the amazing blessing that reading the notes has been to me! 

100 DAYS!!

    It's official. I have entered the triple digits. Today I am celebrating my 100th day in Ethiopia (no I am not counting... I have an app for that). In some ways I have a hard time believing that I have been here that long, but in other ways it seems like so long ago that I stepped off the plane and thought to myself "this is it, I am in Africa!" There is something about time here... It simultaneously moves so quickly and yet so slowly. I cannot really explain it, you just have to experience it. 

     These past 100 days have taught me so much. Seeing the world, experiencing culture, stepping out of my norm, learning from people who live life so differently than we do in the states, and seeing God in every portion of that growth... it's indescribable. I have always known and been close to God, but there is also something about stepping out in faith that has drawn me so much closer to Him. No matter the depth of the difference I make here, I feel like my time here is so worth it even just for that. 

     100 days ago I was on an airplane eagerly awaiting my first peak through the clouds of African soil. I was clinging to those "see ya later hugs" that would have to last a year, and trying to contain my excitement for all the little ones I would get to hug here. I was taking the ultimate step of independence and not looking back. And here, 100 days later I am going strong and loving life here. 

Days 9, 10, 11, & 12

November 9th

Today I am thankful for:

God the Artist

     Just a few minutes ago Jess called me outside. "Hannah, the stars are amazing tonight. You have to come look at them." So out I went. What I saw took my breath away as I stood there in awe of the twinkling lights that blanketed the sky. If I could have captured it in a picture I would have, but believe me I was capturing the moment in my head. It was one of those times when I was reminded of how small I am in the grand scheme of existence, and along with that how big God is. And to think, all those stars are there because He simply spoke them into being.  
     We have been without power now for roughly 24 hours, and as I stood outside, head tilted high, I was thankful that there was nothing to take away from the beauty of the night. No lights to minimize how full the sky was, no distractions that would keep us from that time of admiration. I've said it before and I'll say it again: God is an AMAZING artist, and for that I am very thankful. 

November 10th

Today I am thankful for:

Letter Writing

     One of the ways I take time to relax is letter writing. Similar to receiving letters, I like the old fashioned connection of taking time to share the latest happenings. It's such a fun way to let people know I am thinking of them... And seriously, who doesn't love getting mail from Ethiopia? Today I am thankful for the ability to relax while sharing my life with others. I am thankful for a post office that is GREAT about getting my letters mailed out and where they need to be (believe it or not those are tough to come by here). I am thankful for friends and family to write to. Thankful today for letter writing. 

 

November 11th

Today I am thankful for:

ELECTRICITY!

        Our power is back on!! After nearly 48 hours of mabrat yellum (power there is not) we are back in business. Being without power is pretty normal here. It is expected that we'll lose it at least once a day for some span of time, but rarely is it out for a day or more at a time. Usually it's no big deal, but when I missed 2 Skype dates is got to be a bit of an inconvenience. Lucky for me I have a forgiving family who won't hold it against me. ;) There was certainly beauty in the outage... Like getting to see the stars in all of their glory, knowing that we can indeed go on without it, and then the fun of guessing when it will be back on (which none of us were anywhere close this time around). Thankful today that the power is back on, because let's be honest..... Life with power, even in Africa, is much easier! 

   

 

 

 

November 12th

Today I am thankful for:

A forgiving audience

 

     As you gathered from compilation of posts we have been having major power and internet outages. So today, as the internet has finally come back I am thankful that I can post, but also thankful that I have a forgiving audience who won't care that I am copping out on today's post! ;) 

Day 8: Pictures

Today I am thankful for:

Pictures

 

They say that a picture can speak a thousand words. I say they can speak more. So here, without any words are pictures that can speak for themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Day 7: Friendships...Near and Far

Today I am thankful for:

Friendships... Near and Far

Friendships. I take them very seriously. I take quality over quantity and hold tight to people that are important to me. It has been such a privilege to see friendships stand firm even across the ocean, and it has been equally as wonderful to watch new friendships form over here. I have met missionary women of all ages that hold such value in my life because they "get it". I have friends in the states who are so intentional about keeping our relationship strong. I count myself blessed to have such wonderful people in my life! Such wonderful people who I can call friends. 

Day 6: Snail Mail

Today I am thankful for:

Snail Mail

What can I say... I'm old fashioned when it comes to my love for hand-written letters and cards! My love for them has been amplified even more since being over here. It's just such a fun way to connect with people, and feels so personal and special. Today we traveled into town and made a stop at the posta-bate (post office). Using my broken amharic I asked the guy if there was any mail in our box and sure enough he brings some out. I frequent the place mailing cards and letters to the states so they know me by name. I guess that's my claim to fame around here. A card, a letter, and a package. (S/O to Rachel, Melita, and my grandparents). Made my day as it always does. 

Thankful today for the Soddo post office and for the mail that finds its way into my hands! 

<Snail Mail Address>

Po Box 131 

Soddo-Wolaitta

Ethiopia

Day 5: Encouragement from Mom

Today I am thankful for:

Encouraging words from Mom

Last night just before going to bed I opened up a card from my mom. The card spoke such truth into my heart: a truth that I clung to today with everything in me. 

"You are changing the world one child at a time... Love them like no one else, invest in them like no one else, and believe in them like no one else and they will never forget you or the God you serve!!!"  

Today was tough. As cultural stress met homesickness I had a hard time holding onto the joy that keeps me going strong. Suddenly all I wanted was a hug from my Mom and a reminder that I CAN do this! How timely. Her words from last night played over and over in my head. She was so right. I may not feel 110% in it today, but how important today was. Today, along with each day before, and every day I have left to spend with these kids I need to love, invest, and believe in them with all that I have. It is true, they bring my heart such joy, but above that I find joy in truth that my serving them on God's behalf will hopefully one day turn their eyes and more importantly their hearts towards Him.

While I wish I could be spending time with my Mom, I am so thankful for the words of encouragement that God filled her heart with to give me just at the moment when I needed them. 

Day 4: Baby Giggles

Today I am thankful for:

Baby Giggles

It has been just over a month since I started spending time at the baby home. I sat there with the kids this morning in awe of how far this month together has brought us. These little ones have learned to trust me, accept me, and love me. They have welcomed me into their lives and have allowed me to see deeper into their hearts with each priceles smile and every precious giggle. They have taught me even more about what it is to love, and have showed me the value that love holds. 

When I started at the baby home, there was a litlte guy who did not take long to win my heart. He was the 1st name I learned and the 1st little one that I really connected with. He stood out to me because his eyes held an emptiness, a look of mere existance. It broke my heart and yet all I knew to do was hold him close and love him. And so that is what I did. It did not take him long to warm up to the attention that he was getting, and not too much time passed before he became jealous if my attention was elsewhere. I was overjoyed by his jeaousy because that meant we were getting somewhere... we had bonded. For a week he sat limp in my lap, content to just be close. Two weeks ago though he began sitting up on his own, making eye contact, letting out a smile, grasping my finger, and he even began to giggle. The first time he let out a giggle I thought my heart was going to burst. God has been at work in this little one that just a month ago was merely existing. He is a new baby. What a joy-filled transformation it has been. 

Today I sat on the pourch of the baby's room with little ones all around. I was lost in the moment with one little guy on either shoulder and one fast asleep on my legs. It was a moment of pure bliss. There was lots of snuggling, but more than that there were giggles. Today, I am praising God for baby giggles! 

Day 3: Suquar (Sugar)

Today I am thankful for:

Sost Kilos Suquar 

(Three kilos of sugar)

    
It has been about a month since sugar has been available in rural Ethiopia. That's just how things go here sometimes. They run out of stuff. Sometimes eggs, sometimes benzine (gas), sometimes sugar, sometimes electricity, and sometimes even water. It's just a part of life. Picture this though: you go to your local grocery store, walk down the baking aisle, and realize there is no sugar to be had. Two weeks later you go back: Nothing. You spend the next two weeks asking every shop keeper you know if they have sugar. Still none. Until FINALLY, on a beautiful Monday in November sugar has returned. 

Some fun grocery facts:

• The biggest "grocery store" in Soddo is about the size of the average living room and has AN aisle. 
• When you purchase items such as sugar, flour, pasta, lentils, or beans they measure them out on an old fashioned scale and pour them right into a plastic grocery bag. Have you ever tried to pour 5 kilos of flour out of a plastic grocery bag? It's not exactly what you would call easy. 
• Most shopping here happens at a suke. A suke is a walk-up shop where you can get just about anything you need. (See picture)

Not having sugar has not been the end of the world by any means, but it has certainly added an extra layer of complication when I have gotten the urge to bake. What tops this still: we have not only sugar but eggs also. AT THE SAME TIME! It's a marvelous beautiful thing. 


Today, I am thankful to have sost kilos of suquar (three kilos of sugar) in the cupboards waiting to sweeten our lives. 

Day 2: His Plans Trump Mine

Today I am thankful that:

God had a plan for me far beyond any I could have imagined for myself. 

My journey to Africa is one that goes back to 6 1/2 years ago when I was in middle-school and God first laid the idea of going to Africa on my heart. Back then I didn't know details I just knew that when I graduated I was going to a baby orphanage in Africa. As the months turned into years I could barely contain my desire to hop on a plane and cross the ocean that laid between me and my dream... Me and my calling. Up until just last August I thought I was going to Johannesburg, South Africa to serve in a home for babies that were abandoned on the streets of the city. Last August God opened my eyes that the struggles and challenges that would come with being in the crime capital of the world on my own. Bad news bears! It was not long after He closed that door for me that He presented me with HIS plan: Ethiopia. In January I made contact with the family I am staying with now, at which point plans fell into place as perfectly as puzzle pieces and there was no doubt in my mind that God had orchestrated this. 

Yet another plot twist. Originally I thought I was coming here to help homeschool and teach at a local preschool. I was excited about the possibility as working with kids was really where my heart was, but once I got here and we talked about moving from Chencha to Soddo I was even more excited than ever because of what moving would mean for me. Moving to Soddo opened up the door for me to do exactly what I said I was going to do all those years ago: work in a baby orphanage in Africa!

God called me to faithfulness even when I did not have all the details. He called me to follow His plan and be willing to give up my own. He called me to GO and promised that everything would fall into place. And it has. God has been so faithful, and through all the possibilities that have come and gone, He allowed me to follow my heart and serve the babies of Africa. It's a beautiful thing when life's dreams align with God's plan. 

Today as I reflect back on my journey to Africa, I am thankful that God had a plan for me far beyond any I could have imagined for myself.

Day 1: Skype

One of my favorite things to do leading up to Thanksgiving is the 30 days of Thankfulness where each day I intentionally take time to think of something I am thankful for. It's a good time to be intentional about counting your blessings. So... for the next 30 days I'll be doing a daily post (or nearly daily depending on the internet) with items in my life that I am thankful for. During this time I encourage you to spend time thinking about the blessing in your life.

Today I am thankful for...

Skype

Today, as I eagerly await a Skype date with my family later this evening, I am thinking about what a blessing Skype has been since arriving in Ethiopia. I am so thankful for the ability to see my family in real-time and share with one another the joys and struggles of life. Without fail, getting to see the faces of the family that I love so very much brightens up my day and brings a smile to my face!  Even from thousands of miles away, we can be together. For that reason and so many others: today I am thankful for Skype.