the Truth series part 1 : e t h i o p i a

For the past 48ish hours, I have been processing our president's statements about Africa, Haiti, and El Salvador. I am completely and utterly heartbroken and appalled. I have cried a lot. Many if not all of you know that I have been to Ethiopia, Uganda twice and Haiti twice, along with a trip to Guatemala planned this summer. In the past 24 hours, I have realized how extremely thankful I am that I have gotten to spend time in the countries Trump has labeled "sh*tholes" because I am able to stand in my first-hand experience opinion and that I get to look back and see so many amazing memories of getting to be in these incredibly beautiful countries with people who have the biggest hearts. 

What he labeled these countries could not be farther from the truth. 

In thinking back on these memories, I realized that all I wanted was to replace Trump's words with the truth. 

I wanted to tell the stories.  

I wanted to tell the truth. 

They deserve the truth to be shared and to be shared boldly.

Because the truth is that these countries contain the most beautiful, loving, self-denying people I have ever met. That they are each made in the image of Christ. And one day, those people will be worshiping at the throne of our Savior. Those are the people Jesus died for, along with every people group of the world. As Christians, we no longer see each other as "American" or Haitian", we are now all one family under Jesus. And if we are a family, then it is my job to stand up and to speak out against evil. As the Church, it is our job. 

What Trump said will never be forgotten. But if I can be one among the many lightbulbs shining right now for truth, love, and justice, in the midst of the darkness of white supremacy and racism, then I will do just that. 

I want to in the next couple of blog posts highlight the three countries that I have had the opportunity to visit. Ethiopia, Uganda, and Haiti. Along with things God taught me in being in those countries, and the beauty of those places. 

First, I want to start with Ethiopia. 

I have only been once but it holds such a piece of my heart. 

Ethiopia is like its own little world. It is very distinct and unique. The culture, the people, the food, it is all so unique and like nothing else in Africa or in the world. History shares with us that Ethiopia is a country filled with strong people. Fun fact, the land of Sheba that is mentioned frequently in the Bible is modern-day Ethiopia. So this was the land the Queen of Sheba would have come from, and there is a myth that one of the wise men that visited baby Jesus was also from here. But again, that's more of a myth. :) And it also was one of only two countries to not be colonized by any Europian country. Which is crazy when you think about it. Ethiopia is the very first country I went to and definitely sparked the flame for my love of travel and Africa because 10 months after coming home from Ethiopia, I was getting on a plane to go to Uganda. Ethiopia also holds a very dear and special place in my heart because I have four little Ethiopian cuties that I get to call my brother and sisters. This place is just as much a part of our family as America is and I am so incredibly blessed that I get to be apart of these two cultures. 

I miss waking up in the mornings to the sound of the Orthodox and Muslim call to prayer. It really wakes you up to the fact that the need of the Gospel is great, that people literally right outside have no idea how much they are loved by their Savior and that we as the Church must continue the unfinished work. I miss sitting on our patio that looked out into the city and watching life in Ethiopia happen. Ethiopia is the land of mountains, Coffee ceremonies, and the most incredible food. The people of Ethiopia take great pride in getting to prepare a meal for their visitors, and it is a sign of disrespect and unhospitality if you do not feed your guests. Food in ET is never without spice and flavor, and oddly enough it resembles the people. They live with passion and love. I have yet to meet an Ethiopian who was not kind; they genuinely are the sweetest people. You never quite know what to expect, in the best way possible. They love boldly and fearlessly, and unlike anything I have ever seen.

When I was in country, we toured schools just outside the capital city that we as a family had connections to. I remember watching through the window of our van as we would pull into school courtyards, and kids came screaming and running to meet us because they were just so excited. Often we would barely be out of the van before they were grabbing our hands and introducing themselves to us. The people of Ethiopia they just love life. They love to celebrate people. They love each other and strangers with open arms. It is truly breath-taking beautiful. Even when the world would classify them as "poor" in possessions, they truly are rich in love. I see this even in my siblings. They are quick to laugh and love. Whenever a good song comes on, without a doubt they all will be bobbing their heads or doing their Ethiopian shoulder dance to the music. 

I see the ability to love boldly in teachers.

I have seen it in our drivers while we were in country.

I have seen it in the hotel managers we stayed in. 

I have seen it in the nannies that took care of my sisters. 

I have seen it in the store owners in Georgia, as well. 

It just runs deep, and it truly is the most beautiful thing to experience. 

In this trip to Ethiopia, it was more than just me falling in love with a country. God used this time to just wreck my heart in truly the best way possible. 

There is something just completely humbling, heart-wrenching and eye-opening about sitting among the individuals that make up one of the biggest human rights crises in the world.  

The Orphan Crisis.

There is just no way to describe it.

Much less, knowing that your 4 siblings used to be among that group. 

It was so overwhelming as I sat with kids who were orphans because everything within me just wanted to find a way to fix every situation. But I couldn't, I was barely 13 years old and I lived on the other side of the world. What could I do? 

I could not do much, but as I got home I couldn't just go back to my normal life before I went to Ethiopia. I have learned over the years is that one of the greatest things a person could do is be in the position where you can no longer hide from injustice, where you are made to look into these faces, and when you walk away knowing the names of the people. By the time I got home, and a few weeks after, I had learned about 23 names of kids that lived in this orphanage.  I then realized that once we have been broken for the cause of least of these than God uses that passion, that fuel to fight injustice to launch us into work. 

Into HIS work. 

Because He is the God who cares for the Fatherless, the marginalized, the needy, the refugee, and the lost. And if we are His children, the things that break His heart, break our hearts as well. My prayer is that the Church and Christians would allow themselves to come face to face with injustice. It is time we stop hiding and pretending it doesn't exist. 

Ethiopia, you are a land of people who love boldly and with such heart. Thank you for showing the world the true beauty that comes in loving people with arms wide open. You are truly beautiful, no matter what any president labels you.

Up Next: the Truth series part 2: u g a n d a