We took Hannah, Dovie, Zoie, and Mercy on a 2 day fun-filled holiday to rural Ethiopia. The adventure to Awassa is a wild, donkey darting 4 hour drive. You can even spot camel along the way. We chose a beautiful lakeside resort called Hotel Lewi. Hannah and I visited there a few weeks before with our Visiting Orphans team for a special dinner. It poured rain on the drive from Addis Ababa, so spotting the camels and mud huts, I promised the girls, was nearly impossible. We forgot to check the weather report for the weekend. Despite the rain, the monkeys came alive when we arrived at the hotel. A huge monkey walked right into our room and grabbed Zoie’s cracker box and walked back out. We laughed so hard, but had no idea if they would attack us or keep their distance. The colorful monkeys were bold and brave grabbing food off our plates at breakfast, even stealing the sugar dish. We had a ball cheering the monkey’s on, even though they were a terrible nuisance to the wonderful staff armed with sling shots.

The sun came out on Saturday and the girls played in the (freezing) pool. We met four men from Saudi Arabia at dinner the night before who invited us to join them on a hippo boat ride. We were thrilled to set sail on a 2 hour ride to hunt down hippos!!! We passed near the Hawassa fishing docks and scattered fishermen. The mountains surrounding the lake were stunning. Everywhere we looked, the wildlife was straight out of an Animal Planet episode! I honestly thought it was a scam, but soon we were 10 feet away from a herd of hippo floating in the water munching on the tall grass. They were huge!!!!!! The boat driver kept reminding us to “balance” as we zipped from side to side taking photos! It felt like we were REALLY in Africa! We all felt a little nervous when the massive “King of the Lake” opened his mouth wide to disapprove of how close we were to his family. Our boat driver respected the hippo’s grumpiness as a sign to leave.

We serve God best as passion-filled people. It’s so important for our family to love big and serve the needs of the people here as missionaries, but we also need to take time as a family to just have fun. “ The thiefs purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10) Satan’s attempt to drain our energy during our mission-adventure in Ethiopia is the real deal. God wants us to live life to the fullest with joy, passion, and zest!!! I’m thankful for the reminder in Awassa that God loves His beauty. He loves to brag. He created the hippos and the beautiful sunset we enjoyed each night resting behind the mountains. Our mini holiday re-energized our family to go back and face the day to day challenges on the mission field. He is the Life Giver. Continue Reading

Thank you God for giving me grace grace today!!!

Our little family of five was so excited to join our friends and the Visiting Orphan’s team for Sunday service at Beza Church! Last Sunday, we were blessed hearing Pastor Zi share on giving, but today was the healing service and this was going to be a powerful message! Zoie couldn’t wait to join her new friends at kid’s class, too. We were all ready to worship and join with our new church family in unity, joy and blessing in the Holy Spirit.

We spent extravagant time with Jesus. It was simply beautiful enjoying time with our brothers and sisters singing and praising and loving Jesus together. As I looked around the congregation, there were so many people groups from all over the world. We had friends sitting near us from Africa, United States, Australia, and even France. The testimonies of healing glorified God and encouraged others to go forward for prayer. “The whole church must take the whole gospel to the whole world.” (Live Dead)

One of the things God put on my heart was letting go of all my “plans.” It took me weeks to plan what to bring to Africa for my family. I planned on the things I anticipated we would need here for the four months in Ethiopia, but already I realize most of the stuff I packed was unnecessary. I never thought I was much of a planner, but enjoy the surprises that come along with adventure. However, in my mind, I made a lot of plans about how I thought things would go. I keep reminding myself, I have no agenda when I wake up in the morning, but I can sense in my heart how much I crave feeling needed and wanted. The worst thought would be to go through an entire day and not serve big or love big. Today, God reminded me that the only thing He wants me to do daily, hourly, second by second … first SEEK God’s kingdom. Jesus says, “Fall into freedom; trust me, and stop worrying about what you have or don’t have.”

So, today sitting with my new church family, I confessed my motives and weakness to make my own plans to serve my purpose for the day. I want to step aside and let God make the plans. He knows exactly what He wants me to do during my time here in Ethiopia. He will use my strengths and weaknesses.. I just need to obey. I’m so grateful for the ministries and missionaries and adoption families that I love are [here] with me in Addis Ababa. There was no way I could ever have planned that!! I want to be a “happy helper” but more than anything, I want to please my heavenly Father and enjoy each and every day in freedom. I look forward to living this day to the fullest and not worry about tomorrow. Continue Reading

Last year, when hubby asked me what I wanted to do for my 45th birthday. My wish was a little different crazy, but what I really wanted more than anything was to wake up on January 21st and hear the words “Bonne Fete Mama Kiki” in Haiti with a team of crazy mission-hearted people. I love Haiti. I love the adventure, the people, the beauty, and the spirit of Haiti. If I could only pick one word to describe Haitians, it would be “courageous.” Their courage has been tested to extreme levels, but I can testify that our brothers and sisters are standing firm in their faith in God.

Here’s my crazy wish for you … I want YOU to fall in love with Haiti, too. I have a challenge for my friends to look past your fears and ask God to grow a deep love for the unreached people groups in Haiti. Did you know that traveling to Haiti is only a short, 2 hour and 15 minute flight from Miami? Did you know there are organizations that will help you serve in the poorest place in the Western Hemisphere, where we can make a real difference? You may think you don’t have skills to volunteer in Haiti, but I promise …. you do!! If you can love big, give hugs, pass out food, organize crafts, pound a hammer, hold hands, bring hope, pray, sing, and dare to try new things, you are EXACTLY what Haiti needs!

It breaks my heart when I hear people say to me “I’m afraid to go to Haiti” or “It’s too risky” or “Can’t I get sick?”  Haiti is one of the five places in the world that NEEDS your help the most! That’s what volunteering is all about … giving your love in a place that desperately needs it. (Allison Thompson, Guideposts) We need to be mission-hearted together. Ask Jesus if He wants you to go- to share His gospel in Haiti. Because, Jesus is worthy, because Jesus is worth it, “the whole church must take the whole gospel to the whole world.” As we fall deeper in love with Jesus, we become like Him. To be like Jesus is to love the nations of the world! The gospel is what God has done for us in Christ. (Live-Dead) There is a spiritual battle between Christianity and Voudo religion … Haiti needs our fervent prayers.

When we were ministering in the community of Pignon, Haiti, I met a new mommy living in horrific conditions with her newborn twins. Her family brought her to a witch doctor for healing. We went inside the home, with permission from the WD and asked to pray with her. She was sitting on the edge of a bed, swollen and drugged beyond reason. I wrapped my arms around her and looked around the tiny space. This was her crossroads, if she made a decision to leave the house, we could help her, but if she chose to stay she was under the care of Satan, literally. She was completely lost. As we prayed for her healing and heart, I could feel the battle going on all around us. My heart was broken when her family refused to let her go. Her brother, was the only Christian in the family and he was desperate for our prayers. He shared that he wanted to be the man of the home, but struggled with not having the courage and strength to stand up to the witch doctor and Voudo control. Our team, also surrounded the brother and prayed for him. We left there that day not knowing how the outcome would be for the mom and twins. But, we knew with all our hearts, God has directed us specifically there that day to simply love.

I heard a few days ago, that the mother died in the witch doctor’s care and the twins were now being cared for by their uncle, our brother in the Lord. The saddest part of the story for me is the fact that she was lost and separated from the gift of salvation. This has made a great impact in my heart … If we love Jesus Christ, we will listen. Eventually we will feel His broken heart. If we love Him we will like the mighty men of old, make His longing our MISSION no matter what the risk. (Live-Dead)

(I took these photos inside the witch doctor’s home of mother and her twins)

I have five stories I want to share from my Visiting Orphans trip to Haiti and pray that they encourage and inspire you to love big and go big! As soon as I can, I will plan a mission trip back to Pignon, Haiti. Please consider joining me to Simply Love Haiti. I’d love to hear what you think … does this leave a mark on your heart?

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