Home Sweet Addis Ababa!!

Today I said goodbye again. I just ended the 14 day Visiting Orphans mission trip with the most amazing 23 mission-hearted people who rocked Ethiopia and Uganda loving big and serving even bigger!! Hannah and I left the team last night and at the last second realized we missed the opportunity to say goodbye to our friends due to flight attendants splitting us up in 2 buses when we landed in Addis Ababa. I started bawling, so we grabbed the few remaining on the last bus and hugged like crazy! I think the one of the best parts of a mission trip is bonding and sharing life changing experiences with complete strangers from all over the world. If you have never gone on a mission trip … I promise if you’re willing to open your heart wide and set aside your fears and comfort and conveniences, God will use you in a mighty way to share the love of Jesus Christ to the unreached people groups around the world. I can’t wait to share the miraculous stories from the mission trip with you. I watched with my own eyes God healing widows in Uganda, and orphan’s spirits open again through the loving touch of the team.

I want to commit to writing everyday here on my blog during on our family missions adventure in Ethiopia and Haiti. I want to be real with you and expose my heart with the joys and challenges and ministry opportunities we will face and tackle. I want you to challenge ME with thought provoking questions and committing to praying for us when the days get tough. We have left our comfort zone for the purpose of serving the Lord. We will stay in Addis until September 5th and can’t wait to see what He has planned for us.

A friend gave Hannah a special verse to claim during our time here in Ethiopia. Joshua 1:9 (MSG) Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take. This is flat out the scariest thing we’ve ever done as a family. We are here. We are happy. We are being challenged. We are open to serving Him every single day.

A few of you have emailed and asked a few questions. Also, you have asked how you can pray for our family. Thank you so much! I hope this helps …

Q- Where are you living? We are living at the Ethiopia Guest House that ministers to Mission Ethiopia. The widows of Korah are making stunning beads, rugs, scarves, and other beautiful items you can order and purchase online here. I was so excited to hear that my son’s University MSU has made a special order of magazine bead necklaces in their school colors. I love out of the box projects!!

Q- What are your new projects we can help support? We have 2 Simply Love projects you can pray for us and help support. We have started our OPERATION: MERCY project to help bring Mercy to the states for medical treatment. We have wonderful friends who will host her until we return to the states in Sept.  Our goal is $5000 for her flights and living expenses. If you can open your heart to donate to this incredible project- click on the button on the right side of the column.

Q- Where can we buy the Africa E tee shirt? You can buy directly and support our family here at This Stuff ministry. The Blackwell family created 2 special tee shirts that support our family during our year of missions in Ethiopia and Haiti. You can wear the tee and pray for our family. Copy the tee photo or button and share with your bloggy friends, too.

Q- How long will you be in Ethiopia? We are staying in Addis Ababa through early September. We are here to pour fuel on special projects our brothers and sisters are currently working on, minister to the orphans and widows of Korah and stretch ourselves to “out of the box” ministry opportunities as a family. Yes, we are bringing the girls with us during ministry. Zoie is in her element and we are sooooo proud of her culture, heritage, and African family. We are not here to start anything new, we are here to use Simply Love to be happy helpers … loving big and serving even bigger! Please pray for us!

Q- How do we donate to Simply Love ministry? There is a special button on the top right column (directly above Mercy’s button) you can click and send donations directly to our new non-profit, Simply Love. We are humbled to ask for your help and support … we are all in this together!