We leave Tuesday!

Today we had our commissioning at the "Ten" at church. It's hard to believe we are leaving in 2 days! wow! I'm not sure about the rest of the group, but I have started my malaria meds today. I'm sure the others have as well. We are allowed 1 bag and I have been wrestling with trying not to overload it. :) Some have decided to bless Seifu and will carry books in another bag to Ethiopia for his village. About 3 years ago my class gathered about 1,500 books for Seifu's village of Archebar. We are still trying to get all the books there!...little by little!

Please pray for us as we prepare to leave. Pray that we will make wise decisions and discern what the Holy Spirit has to tell us. And, of course, pray for safety in travels. (If you know me, you know I am terrified of flying.) Yes, I can feel my blood pressure go up as I even think about it. Ugh. You'd think I'd be over this fear of flying - but I'm not. 

We hope to take turns updating the blog while there. I've seen the pictures of the hotels we will stay at and they should have internet access. I am not bringing my computer, but others in the group will. This will be one of the few mission trips I have actually stayed in a hotel.


My fondest (ha) memory of staying in Africa was my first trip to Mozambique where I stayed with the Schmidts. The shower was shared by men and women and on the upstairs patio. There was no lock on the door, so our clue for use was light on - used - light off - empty. The shower was a bathroom/shower in one. So basically you stood in front of the toilet and took a shower. The morning before the shower was freeeeezzzing. So, I decided to get wet, turn off the water, suds up, turn on the water and quickly rinse. Imagine my surprise - 5:30 am, light on, in the shower, and I just finished sudsing up. The power went off. Not only that, the water went off as well. So here I stood all sudsed up, in the dark, with no way to rinse. All I could think of was "light off - empty". I could imagine someone opening up the door for their turn and what a surprise they'd get. I tried to turn the water on and all I could get was a slow trickle down the wall...so I cupped my hand and in the dark tried to splash it on my hair to get out as much shampoo as I could. I then ignored all the soap and tried to dry off, while making a bunch of noise so that no one would think it was empty. :) Yes, I was laughing at myself and thinking...only in Africa. :)

Pam

One week and counting!...

I can't believe it! I have one week from tomorrow and I will be headed to Ethiopia. It seems a bit surreal. :) I am excited!

I think God must be going to do something amazing. First, I consider the area. Over 250 children are sponsored through World Vision from our church in the Abaya Community. Our family has 2 kids there. We are partnering with World Vision to help this community - water, education, medical, training, food. Then, I consider the team we are taking to Abaya... our pastor Brad (it's awesome he is actually coming on this trip!), Scott H. (leader in investment strategies), Tari B. (World Vision liaison), Allie (new heart for missions), and me (leader of Zone Africa at Lakeside). It's quite a group with many church leaders - specifically in missions. So I think - this isn't a coincidence. And I begin to wonder...what does God have planned for Abaya? It must be exciting!

I continue to pray Micah 6:8 as I prepare for my journey.

What does God expect of us?

...to act justly...and to love mercy...and to walk humbly with your God.

This verse has been going through my head lately. It's a great verse and something I need to be reminded of all the time. Especially the mercy and humility stuff!  Recently a child got in trouble in my classroom. Later in the day he came up and very quietly said, "Mrs. Jimison, I'm sorry."  Well, I had already forgotten that he had been in trouble. Me - "Sorry? For what?"  "I'm sorry I was talking. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you earlier."  So, with a smile, I told him that it was okay and that I forgave him. In our classroom we have "clips" for behavior. Earlier, he had moved his down to "think about it".  Right when he said how sorry he was, a little voice inside me said, "Move his clip back up." So, honestly, I debated in my head. Hmmm...should I move his clip back up?  Is he just saying he is sorry so that I will move his clip back up? Then I heard the voice again, "Move his clip back up. Love mercy. Oh - and tell him that he is brave."  Thankfully, I listened to that voice - the Holy Spirit - and I moved his clip back up... and I told him he was brave. I showed him love by showing him mercy. The Bible verse reverberated through my mind.  Walk humbly, love mercy, act justly...love.

Do you listen to Him? That still small voice?  Sometimes I really need to slow down...quiet down...and listen. Then, I need to listen and pay attention...and be obedient.

I'm still preparing for Ethiopia. I'm so excited...beyond words...to go. Somehow I think I am going to use this verse there. I don't know how yet, I just think I will.

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:9

What does God have to say about poverty and justice?

Exodus 22:21-23
1 Samuel 2:7-8
Psalm 10:17-18, 82:3-4
Proverbs 14:31, 19:17, 21:13
Matthew 25:31-46
Acts 2:42-47
James 1:27

PS:  More exciting news in our house! Lee has decided to go to Costa Rica with Lakeside on a mission trip. Sadly, he leaves right before I get back. We won't see each other for 3 weeks! boo hoo!

If you would like to give to Lee's Costa Rica mission (he will be replacing a roof) you may click HERE
.

Also - Our daughter LAUREN is going to be heading off to NEPAL this summer for 5 weeks on a mission trip! She just got accepted onto the team and is quite excited! She will be working with child and women trafficking.