7 More Days

Hello Everyone!

Today marks exactly one week until we begin our journey back home. One more week. Only one week left in this place with these beautiful people. Only one week left with all the children we’ve grown to love. Only one week left of beginning each day with endless hugs and kisses. One week left of a classroom full of 7th and 8th graders enduring my attempts to teach them English. One week left of always having my girls play with my hair, usually leaving me with either braids or a frizzy, tangled mess. One week left of still having meaningful conversations even through a language barrier. One week learning from the awesome Ethiopian interns.

One week left of seeing God at work first hand through the ACT/AIDs Project here in Addis. I can’t even believe it. It seems like just yesterday we were getting off the plane, anxious about what the Lord had in store for the summer.

Since I was sick most of the first two weeks of our July Program, I decided I should tell you all a little bit more about what we are doing and what our days look like. On Mondays we start the day with some singing and a devotion with the full time staff and all the Ethiopian interns for the month of July. After devotion, all of the interns break into groups to plan for the week. We have three different sites where we are running our July program: Suki, Lideta, and Colfeit (SP??). This makes for around 300 children participating in the program Planning includes lessons plans and deciding what bible stories and crafts we want to prepare for the children during the week. After planning and eating lunch, we all go to our designated sites and have VBS time (bible lesson and craft). Tuesday-Thursdays run the same every day. We spend 8:30-12:00 teaching either English, Physics, or Math. Then from 1:30-3:30 we have VBS time. Then on Fridays we just do the morning part of the schedule.

I’m at the Lideta site and we have around 100 kids! We have them split into 1st & 2nd grade, 3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th, 7th & 8th, and 9th and 10th. I’m with the 7th and 8th graders and boy are they fun! I teach them English and Beti and Essae teaches them Physics and Math. It’s been so much fun spending time with them and really having the time to get to know each of them. Most of us try and incorporate the bible into our English lessons. We may read a story and have them practice their listening skills, reading comprehension by having question for them to answer, and sometimes we even have them answer application questions. We also have taught on grammar, homophones, and sentence structure. Although teaching has been fun, my favorite part of the day is break time in the morning and free time and VBS in the afternoon. This is when I get to hang out with my girls and get to know them. I’ve been amazed at how we have been able to build relationships with each other even with a language barrier. It’s always encouraging to see the Lord at work through situations.

I’ll leave you with two of the most encouraging moments of my week:

Earlier this week for craft time with the older group, we had them make envelopes and write a letter to someone they love. We wanted to help them understand that the love we’ve been shown in Christ is something you share with others. They all really seemed to love it! Especially since we had glitter for them to decorate the outside with (they love ANYTHING that involves glitter). As things were winding down and it was nearly 3:30, one of my girls ran over to me and handed me a pink envelope covered in gold glitter. I looked down at it confused, and she said in English, “for you!” My eyes filled with tears. I thanked her as she gave me a hug goodbye. After all the children left, Beti translated the letter for me and it was the sweetest! She told me how much she loved me and how glad she was that I came to Ethiopia. The whole letter was so endearing. I was so touched by her act of kindness towards me! It was encouraging to see how God has allowed us to build a relationship even with limited time and a language barrier.

The girl on the left side of the photo is the one who gave me the letter!

Secondly, during free time one afternoon, I sat down by three of the 9th and 10th grade girls. It wasn’t long before they started talking to me in English. These girls all speak really good English for their age! The three of them had been involved with the project’s “girl group.” Mary Emily, who was here for two years (she left Addis to go home last week), led this group of about 13 girls. They met weekly for one year and went through books of the bible and talked about other applicable topics. They also would occasionally get together on the weekends and Mary Emily would take them to do something fun. Between the three of them we were able to communicate really well. They asked me all kinds of questions, hard ones and silly ones. They were able to tell me how much they loved girl’s group and how their favorite study they did was 1st Timothy. They even shared with me some of the specific things they learned! It was so neat to see some of the fruit of Mary Emily’s year of ministry to them. I’m looking forward to spending more time with them this week.

The three girls on the right are the ones that talked to me about their girl’s group!

It’s crazy to believe this summer is almost over. Please join us in praying for our last week with the children. Please pray that we will make the most of every opportunity to show them the love of Christ. Please pray that God would open doors. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4: 2-6
I pray we make the best use of the time we have left with these wonderful children. So here’s to the next 7 days left here in Addis! And 4 days left playing with cuties like this little guy!

Thank you all for the continual prayers and encouragement. I appreciate you all so much!
In Christ,
Mary Claire

Health Update

Hello Everyone!

Most of y’all probably have gotten word that I’ve been sick for the past two weeks here in Addis. I wanted to post and let everyone know that I’m doing MUCH better. I’ve been receiving Cipro by IV since Sunday night and I’ve seen so much improvement. My appetite and strength are almost back to normal. I finished my last dose of medication this morning and was able to attend the afternoon part of our July program. I wanted to thank everyone for y’alls prayers and concern during this time. I’ve been so encouraged by all of the love and support I’ve received. Thanks be to God and his sweet mercy!

Being sick for almost two weeks straight really began to take its toll on me. The night the decision was made for me to return to the hospital the second time, I laid in my bed and cried out to the Lord. I couldn’t take it anymore. It was a feeling of desperation. I fell to complete pieces. It wasn’t long after that that Jess and the rest of the team came into my room and prayed over me. They read some scripture, such as Psalm 23 and Psalm 91 and even sang a couple of songs. One of the songs they sang was Isaiah 43, one of my favorites. It was such a comfort to know I had these people standing beside me during this and praying to the Lord on my behalf. Jess and I then left for the hospital. The doctor reevaluated everything and decided to put me on Cipro IV. I was still pretty sick for the rest of that night.

I woke up the next day with a feeling of hopelessness after being sick all night again. I went to the health clinic not long after waking up to get my first round of IV meds from the staff there. It wasn’t long after they hooked me up to the medicine that I was left alone a room. I couldn’t hold anything in anymore and just lost it. Every part of me was shaking as I cried. It wasn’t long until TG, one of the Ethiopian nurses, walked in and saw me. She sat beside me and grabbed my hand to hold. I looked up at her as she quietly told me to stop crying and I noticed that she herself was pouring tears. She then told me that I had a beautiful smile and I needed to show it. As she held my hand and wiped away each tear that fell down my face, she smiled at me and said, “Since you are away from your loved ones and are so sick, maybe God is allowing you to experience his presence in a different way than ever before. He is here with you. He has been all along and will be until the end.” I cried every more hearing the sweetness of her words. Then Audra, the American Nurse at the clinic, entered back into the room and her and TG decided to pray for me. Not long after they ended their prayer Aster, another one of the Ethiopian nurse, entered the room and began to comfort me as well. She told me that her daughter is in the US right now. She squeezed my hand tight and said, “We can be here for each other while we are away from the ones we love.” A little while later she brought a piece of cake into the room and offered it to me. I happily obliged and reached out to get a bite. She pulled it out of reach and said, “No, here we feed the one who is sick. For the sick one is too weak to feed themselves.” How beautiful is that? So I let her feed me. And with every bite I felt my strength return to me. Not simply due to the nutrients and calorie content of the cake, but more so to the hope that God returned to me through the precious hands that fed me. Through the precious hands that held mine as I cried. Through the precious words spoken in prayer to the Lord. Through the hands that wiped away each tear that fell from my eyes. The Lord heard my crying out the night before, and even though I expected an answer that looked more like him healing me completely, He answered me in an even sweeter, more loving way. A way that led me to be even more in awe of Him. A way that manifested his glory through the people that He called to care for me during this time.

I’m so thankful for the comfort we have as Christians knowing we can trust the very hands that uphold our lives. Although we often don’t understand why things happen that do, we can trust the One who controls our lives. We can be sure of the Father’s love for us. Just as Jess read out loud over me as I laid in bed sick:
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

I cannot thank you all enough for y’alls prayers. Please continue to pray for me and my health for the next two weeks. And please pray for Layna, another one of the interns who has been sick. They are still in the process of figuring out what she has in order to treat it best. Pray that they’ll figure things out and she will quickly be on the right track to getting better. Thank y’all so much!

In Christ,
Mary Claire

Goodbye to the Preschool Program, Hello to the July Program!

It’s hard to believe we’ve been in Addis for a month now. The days have seemed long, but the weeks have passed by so quickly.

This past Thursday was our last day of the preschool program! It’s hard to believe that it’s been three weeks since that first day of complete chaos. These past three weeks have been challenging to say the least! But the Lord has shown his faithfulness throughout them all.

For starters, the Lord really provided us with all sorts of help. All of which we could not have done without. He really provided with giving us two of the best Ethiopian interns possible to help with the program. We couldn’t have made it through even one hour without Maylot and Kennedy! Also, the first week of the program, a medical team from Cedar Springs, TN came to Addis and had a couple of younger guys on their team who came and helped us each morning. We couldn’t have made it through the first week of the program without the extra helping hands. They were lifesavers. And lastly, we couldn’t have made it through the program without some of the preschoolers older siblings staying with them for the morning. The older siblings were so helpful with teaching us games and songs to play with the little ones. They also helped when we transitioned from different times during the day and really helped their younger sibling during craft time.

It is really neat to look back and see the Lord’s hand on this program and I pray that he’ll use it for his glory. It was extrememly hard saying goodbye to the preschoolers thursday knowing we would likely never be able to see them again. Especially since they aren’t old enough to understand how much we love and care for them. But I have hope that God will use this program as a tool to build his kingdom here in Addis- in Suki. My prayer is that since this preschool program may have been most of these little one’s first encounter with something related to the project, that it will be a tool to draw them back in for more kid’s programs in the years to come. I pray that all the children always felt loved and cared for while at the program each morning. That they found a place where they feel safe and can have fun. May God use these past weeks to continue bringing these children to a place where they can encounter His love through different people and circumstances. I have such great hope for the lives of these littles ones.

The ending of the preschool program means the beginning of our July program! Our july program consists of around 18 interns (5 americans, 13 ethiopians) split into three different locations ministering to around 300 kids altogether. Each morning will be spent teaching our assigned grades either Math or English. So of the older kids will be learning Physics as well. This will require a lot of lesson planning at the beginning of the week and a lot of creative approaches to creating an environment that is fun but also conducive to learning. After lunch time each day, we will have a kid’s program for all the different age groups. This will be a time where we will share our testimonies with the children and also tell them a bible story. We will have a craft for them to do each day too. This month looks as if it is going to be busy and extrememly challenging. But a promise I’m holding onto is what the Lord says in Hebrews 13:20-21

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

He has equipped us with all we need to do what He’s called us to.

Here are some updated prayer requests:

-Prayers for our July program as it begins this week.

-I’ve been sick for the past couple of days. Please pray for me while my body fights off whatever is going on!

-Prayers for all the children apart of the program for this month. That this program would not only be a blessing to them individually, but also their families and communities even.

-Prayers for continued team unity. That we would all stay healthy. For both our emotional and spiritual well-being.

-Prayers for the two short-term teams that will be joining us later this month

 

I cannot thank y’all enough for your continued support and prayers! Thank you so much for being a part of this ministry with us. We couldn’t do any of this without the support and prayers of you all. We love you!

In Christ,

Mary Claire

So long, little ones! I hope you return to this same compound again later in your lives!

 

 

A Childlike Smile

Aside from ministering to these preschoolers, I cannot help but see how God has used our time spent with them to reach out and touch other people’s lives too. Almost every day we have at least thirty minutes where we play games outside with all the kids. We play a game similar to “duck-duck-goose” and one similar to freeze tag, except it involves a hyena running around to eat its prey. The kids LOVE these games. Even the little little ones who barely can talk try their best to sing along and participate. There are usually a line of adults sitting outside the project building either waiting to be seen by the nurse or the mothers of some of the children in the program. So while we play these games we have quite the audience usually. This happens nearly every day. It has become one of my favorite parts of each day. As all the adults sit and watch us play, their faces light up and a childlike smile fills their faces. You know, the kind of smile that you have no control over. The kind of smile that cannot be hidden. And they laugh and laugh- especially when one of us interns get picked to be “it” and try our best to either sing the song in Amharic, or mumble the tune under our breath. But my goodness, the joy that welled up inside of me when I looked down the line of those women the first day and saw the happiness written across their faces is a feeling I’ll never forget. I’ll never know what they are thinking as they watch and smile. Maybe they are thinking, “Who are these crazy foreigners that want to play with my children?” Or maybe they are really laughing at how ridiculous we are. Or maybe the Lord has allowed his love to shine through us and among us and be seen and felt during the time we’ve spent with the littles. Maybe, just maybe, the only explanation for the childlike smiles filled the faces of our “audience” is them seeing the love of Christ manifested in the lives of those He’s called his own. Maybe they realize these things, and maybe they never will. But I have hope and believe God can use something as simple as a game of duck duck goose and freeze tag with a group of three year olds to reveal his glory. While they may not ever realize why we are caring for their children, why we would leave our homes and the people we love to come here and spend time with their babies, they’ll always remember that we did- they’ll remember how they saw and maybe felt something a little different than what they are used to. Maybe these weeks were some of these children’s and adult’s first piece of Jesus they have ever seen and it’ll lead them to want more. I’m not sure as to how the Lord plans to use these past couple of weeks other than for his glory in the way he sees fit. But I hope that these lives come to know the love of Christ- the ONLY thing in this life that can bring you true joy. A joy that runs deep and unshakable even amidst great heart break and pain. A joy that fills every need and longing we have. A joy that is a gift we’ve been given in Christ. A joy that fills you in a way that it pours out. Sometimes it pours out in a gentle way through an act of kindness or a perserverance through the toughest of times. Other times it pours out through a childlike smile that emerges across your face without you having any say so. I pray to see those smiles again one day, standing before the throne of God.

In Christ,

Mary Claire

Preschool Program

 

Hey everyone!

I’m sorry it’s been two weeks since I’ve updated you all. We started our preschool program 2 weeks ago and things have been busy. I want to tell y’all more about the program we are running and show you some pictures of the sweet kiddos we are spending all our time with and that y’all have been praying for!

I’ll begin by telling you a little bit about our first day with the preschoolers. Most of the children are between the ages of 3-5 and for a handful of them this was the first time for them to ever leave their mother. So as you can imagine, the first day was full of screaming babies and a lot of chaos. We began that day with a schedule of things to do with the kids, games for them to play, and even a craft for them to make. We weren’t able to successfully do much of anything in a room full of a lot of crying, a lot of shyness, and a lot of runners. At the end of the day we were left exhausted and wandering what in the world we were going to do with these kids for the next three weeks.

It’s funny to reflect on that first day and see how different things are now! We start the mornings around 830 and the kids run around and play on the swings until everyone gets there by 9. It’s so cute how they all love to reach their little hand up and greet all of us each morning when they get there. After some play time, we all circle up for some games! This is one of my favorite parts of the day. Even the little bitty ones that can barely talk participate in them. We then bring out a bag full of toys. Such as little building blocks, some legos, and fish puzzle pieces. These have been great in helping the children learn to play and interact with other kids, and work on some of their fine motor skills. After toy time, we separate the kids into two smaller groups and send one half to do a craft, and the other half stays outside to play and have snack. Craft time is so fun for these little ones! They have gotten to color a lot of coloring sheets, use scissors and glue for the first time, make fishes out of paper plates, and yesterday they all made crowns!  We have been told by some of the mothers that the kids love their crafts so much, that they walk it around everywhere with them for days. After everyone has done their craft, they sit in a room and we go over the numbers 1-10 with them. Some of the youngest are even getting to the point where they can say them straight through! At this point most of their mothers have arrived to pick and the day is over.

It’s hard to think we only have one week left with these little children. Through their big brown eyes and contagious laughter they have crawled their way into our hearts. The Lord has really blessed our time spent together. Some of their older siblings come and they have been the biggest help. We couldn’t run things without them helping us teach games and help their little sister/brother with the craft each day. The two Ethiopian interns we are working with are so great! They are wonderful with the children and we definitely couldn’t do anything without them. It’s been so neat seeing how far some of the children have come. I pray that through all these things, they have felt the love of Christ during their time spent in the program.

Prayer requests:

For our last week of the preschool program

Kid’s program will start the first week of July so this week will have a lot of planning and preparation for it.

Our tutoring program that is one Thursday and Friday afternoon this week, and will be every afternoon the month of July. Please pray for us as we teach through a language barrier and that we will form relationships with the children.

Please continue to pray for our focus in all of these things. That in every program, every story, every amount of time spent with a child- that we will share the love of Christ. That we will be gospel centered in every approach.

Prayer for the interns as we transition into busier days in the month of July. We will be going from 8-5 almost every day. Pray that we will have endurance, find rest, and continually be strengthen by the Lord.

Now here are some pictures our babies:

In Christ,

Mary Claire

The “Untouchable”

Almost each day this week there was time set aside for us interns to meet with one of the Ethiopian members of the Project and hear their testimony. It’s been so neat to hear the way God has worked in their lives and how they were called to become a part of the ACT Project. I want to share with y’all one of the guys testimony:

Even being born and raised in Addis, he had no idea about the slums. He knew they were there, but knew nothing about the living conditions and the people. When he was first asked to join the project and the first time he went on a home visit he said he had NO idea life was like that in the slums. He didn’t know how impoverished they were. He was with the American that helped start the project when he attended his first home visit. The beneficiary they were visiting was HIV positive and he was scared to interact with them. He couldn’t believe that the guy with him not only would get near the beneficiary, but also would touch them and care for them. He said since he joined the project He has seen the love of Christ like never before and that he realized that it is by the grace of God alone that he too didn’t grow up in the slums. He told us that the fact that we will enter these people’s homes and touch them is a huge deal to them. The people living in the slums are all viewed by those outside as the “untouchable”- the unclean. This is mainly due to their HIV status. People in the city won’t have anything to do with them. Praise God for the ministry he has established through the ACT Project/MTW.

What a beautiful picture of Christ they are being to those in the project, the people they are serving. Christ came down and entered into our world (or slum) and loved us, the untouchable. We are all unclean and filthy from sin. We are impure, dirty, and broken. Sin seeps into our lives and leaves nothing untouched. Our sin keeps us from being in the presence of God’s holiness. But he became man and loved and lived among the unlovable. During his ministry He always involved himself with people who were social outcasts. When he encountered the Samaritan woman at the well since he was a Jew he wasn’t supposed to have anything to do with her. And even more she was a prostitute. But he reached out to her and offered her the living water, the only thing that will satisfy her thirst and give her eternal life. When the Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus- he showed her no condemnation and commanded her to go and sin no more. In humility he washed the disciple’s feet, he cleansed a leper, and healed a paralytic. He laid down his life for a people that hated him, mocked him, and were his enemies. What a picture of Jesus it is for the project to reach out and show mercy to the people who are viewed as unclean in this community.

Hallelujah that, while we were yet enemies of God, He called us to be his own. He has loved the most unlovable parts of us. I’m so humbled that God has called me to be a part of this project. I pray that our team will love these little children in the same way Christ has loved us.

Sharing in the Love of Christ

Hello from Addis!

                It’s hard to believe that our first week in Ethiopia has now come and gone. This week has been full of learning more about the *ACT Project/MTW ministry, *home visits, and orientation on how to do life here in Addis Ababa. The second day we were here we had the privilege to go with the some of the staff to home visits. The project has two different slums where their beneficiaries live, Lideta and Suki. On Wednesday we went to the slums in Suki. A home visit is where staff goes and visits the home of their beneficiaries and checks in to see how they are doing and if there is anything they need. I really didn’t know what to expect entering into these communities and going into the homes. Nothing could have prepared me for all that I was going to see.

                Once we arrived in Suki, we left the project compound and headed down the dirt roads to go to our first house. We passed through a couple of tin fences and entered a back yard area where there were two huge bulls tied up by ropes, two very mean looking dogs and a lot of feces all over the ground. We were greeted by a petite middle aged woman with one of the most beautiful smiles I’ve seen. After greeting us all she welcomed us into her little home. The five of us nearly took up the whole living area she sat us in. We then had the opportunity to ask her questions and learn more about her life. The Ethiopian staff with us translated back and forth for us. We learned that she is HIV positive and heard about the project through her neighbor. She has been a part of the project for 9 months now and her health has improved tremendously. She has two children- a 9 year old girl and a 14 year old boy. She shared with us that she became a protestant Christian years ago when she was a maid in a family’s house. While we were talking she put out some anjara (the staple bread-type food that is served with all Ethiopian food; it is round like a pancake, but extremely thin and spongy in texture) and began to prepare us some coffee. It is a Ethiopian tradition to have coffee ceremonies with guests. As I watched her heat the water and clean out all of the little cups and saucers, I was overwhelmed by her generosity towards us. While we were drinking the coffee (which was delicious), she began to say a whole lot. After she got done talking our translator told us what she said. She repeated what she said to us, “It’s so beautiful to her that even though we have nothing in common and speak different languages, we share the same love that God has shown us in our lives.” How amazing is that?

                That was one of the most beautiful truths I’ve heard spoken even if I couldn’t understand her while she said it. Even though we live different lifestyles, speak different languages, eat differently, value things differently, and so much more, the most important thing about us we share. She touched my heart in a way that I’ll carry with me always. Her generosity, her smile, and the bond we share because of the love we’ve been shown in Christ are things I’ll always hold dear. I pray the Lord will continue to bless her and her family.

                The reason I’m here in Addis is only because of the one thing me and her share- the Lord looked upon us and said, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43) The hope we’ve been given in Christ is unshakable- and it’s all I have to offer. I pray that the children we will be working with will grow to know the love of Christ. That we too will share in the love that God so graciously lavishes upon His children.

                Thank you all for your prayers as we serve here in Addis. I appreciate all the encouragement I’ve gotten and the ministry y’all are to our team. Here are some specific ways that y’all can pray for the next couple of weeks:

• Monday we will start our Preschool Program. It is 3 hours every morning (mon-fri) where around 20 preschool aged kids from the Suki slum will come to the compound and spend the morning with us. We will spend our time with them playing, singing, working on some developmental tasks (most of them don’t go to school), arts and crafts, and a bible story. Please pray over this time we will be spending with these little ones! We will do this through the month of June.
• This coming week we also begin helping with the Kid’s Program in the afternoons on Tuesday and Thursdays. This is where some of the older kids come and here a bible story/skit and do a craft.
• Most of the people here in Addis are orthodox or come from orthodoxy background. Where they put more of an emphasis on works rather than grace in their salvation. So the idea of grace is foreign to most of them. Please pray that we will be diligent and faithful to teaching Christ and Him crucified to these children. Pray that they’ll grow to know the grace God has shown us by sending His son.
• Continued prayer for the team and I as we adjust to the culture here and strength as we wrestle with all the emotions we are experiencing from the extreme poverty and injustices.

 

By His grace,

Mary Claire

*ACT Project/MTW- This is the ministry us interns are a part of here in Ethiopia. It is a part of the SIM Project but is specific to here in Addis Ababa. It stands for the “Aids, Care and Treatment Project” If you would like to know more about it you can check out their website!

http://www.mtwact.org/

*Home visits- the ACT project has a number of beneficiaries living in the two different slum areas I mentioned earlier in the post. We will not regularly do home visits. They let us go this week to see the homes of the children we will be working with and get to meet some of their families.

The Team

Here is a picture of everyone on our team this morning at the airport before we began our travels to Addis Ababa! So far we have one flight down, 2 more to go. These are the people I get the opportunity to serve alongside this summer and the people you all having been praying for!

Pre-field Training

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to give you all a quick update before we fly out of the country tomorrow to finally head to our field! We just finished our 3 days of pre-field training at Ridgehaven Camp in North Carolina. All of the summer interns (and some interns that will spend up to 10 months on their field) joined together for training before they send us off. It was really fun getting to meet all the other interns and learn about the place they were going and the type of ministry they would be doing. The past two days have been filled with a lot of preparation about entering into a new culture, team dynamics while on the field, and other protocols. We ended our week in a circle where each team shared prayer requests for the summer and had another team pray for them.

One of the talks we heard the speaker said something that really struck me: He said, “God does not need us to be apart of the Great Commission, he designed it to be that way.” It’s so humbling to remember that God doesn’t need us in any way. But He CHOOSES to invite us to be apart of His story. He chooses to use us, broken vessels, to bring glory to Himself. What a honor we have as His loved one.

Another thing that was exciting about the past three days is finally getting to meet everyone that I will be serving with this summer. There are five of us altogether and I’m really looking forward to serving alongside each of them. Tomorrow the five of us will begin our 29 hours of traveling to finally arrive in Addis Ababa! Our flight leaves at 9:45 from ATL! We will have quite a few stops along the way! (ATL–>Washington–>Frankfurt, Germany–>Addis Ababa!)

Some prayer requests for the upcoming couple of weeks:

• Traveling mercies over the next couple of days. Prayers for us while we navigate all the different airports, that our bags will not get lost, and safety while flying
• Please pray for our transition into the place we will call home for the summer.
• Physical health
• Please join us in praying for Team unity. That the love of Christ will bond us tightly and that we will always be gracious and understanding with one another.
• Prayers for the hearts of the children we will be working with. That they will be receptive of us and Christ will show his love through our interactions with them
• That we will have energy and joy as we serve and that it will persist throughout the summer.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this! I’ve received so many encouraging words and letters over the past week. I’ve felt extremely encouraged and loved by all of you. I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers more than I can say!

Until next time (which will be from Ethiopia!!!),

Mary Claire

25 More Days!

Hello everyone!

     It’s hard to believe it, but only 25 more days until me and the four other interns leave for pre-field training in Brevard, NC. Then on May 31^st we will fly out of Atlanta to eventually end up in Ethiopia!

     This whole process has flown by. Part of that might be due to the business of nursing school. I’ve been so encouraged by how God has used His church to provide a way for me to spend the summer doing the work He has called me to in Addis Ababa. The responses and encouragement I’ve received so far from people has amazed. I want to thank every single one of you that have supported me in any way- whether through encouragement, finances, prayer, etc. Throughout this whole process I’ve been reminded of the truth in 1 Corinthians 12:

(v. 4-7) “Now, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

(v.12) “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves, or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

(v.24-26) “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

     What beautiful unity we as Christians have in Jesus Christ. We have all been gifted in unique ways so that we may come together in the same spirit and bring the greatest benefit to the church as a whole. There are many details that have gone into making this trip possible for me to go on. While God is ultimately the one who has made this all possible, he has used a great number of people to bring about His will. It’s been so neat to see the body of Christ at work first hand. With a little less than a month to go, there are many ways you all could be praying for both me and the four other interns:

• Prayers that God will provide all of the interns with their full amount of financial support raised by the time it is due on May 15th.
• Prayers that God will prepare all of the interns hearts for the way in which He has called us to serve.
• Please pray for the hearts of the sweet little children we will be working with all summer long. Pray that they will grow to know the love of Christ and call upon His name. Pray that they will feel deeply loved and cared for by all of the interns. 
• Prayers for the safety and health of all the interns.
• Pray for the team that is already in Ethiopia, our team leader, our coach here in the US, and the many other people apart of MTW.

Way that you can pray for me specifically:

• Prayers for my family and other loved ones as they prepare for me to leave. Pray for God to comfort any worries and concerns they have for my health and safety while I’m gone.
• Prayers for God to supply me with a peace only He can provide as I prepare for the work He’s called me to.
• Pray for God to give me an eager heart and teachable spirit as I prepare for the changes that are approaching.

Ultimately, please pray that in all we do, that God will be glorified. That he empties us of ourselves- our pride, our comfort, our expectations- and fills us wholly with Christ- his strength, his compassion, his grace. That we serve together in the unity we’ve been given in Jesus Christ. What an honor to even have this opportunity. Praise be to the Father!

Yours in Christ,

Mary Claire