“It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.” --- Helen Keller
Today was a travel day and we left beautiful Jinga to head back to Addis Ababa. Before we pulled out, I walked up to Katie’s house to say goodbye to Margaret, her 11 year old daughter. She and I bonded on Saturday because she helped me all day with my felt board and story telling and I let her take pictures with my camera. It was very sad. I can’t wait to get better internet service so I can go back and read about her “rescue” story. What a precious child…what if she hadn’t been saved?? Your perspective about “those poor starving children in Africa” is so different when you actually meet them, touch them, and look into their big brown eyes. And when they write you notes telling you how much they love you in the Lord and how good God is to send you to them….well, it just changes you.
The flight back to Addis was MUCH better this time…no terrifying moments. I will say I had a long interesting conversation with my seat mate, an Arab businessman. Very quickly, the conversation turned to God and he began explaining about Allah’s protection and how I shouldn’t fear take-off. (I was a little nervous Of course, I couldn’t let that slide, so I just asked the HS to give me wisdom and I began sharing what I believed. He was very kind and interested, not at all what I expected. I thought it was ironic that his name, his wife’s name, and his children’s names all mean “peace”, “joy”, or “love”. He believes the Koran is all about love. I must admit I wasn’t as bold or assertive on major points as I could have been. But I listened a lot and gave him a little John Piper book/track, For Your Joy. He seemed appreciative and actually gave me a gift in return….his pen So pray for “Said” and his wife, “Salem”. And pray for the Ethiopian man that I sat by from D.C. to Ethiopia, “Aragay”. He is a retired Agriculture professor who lives in the U.S. We also had lengthy conversations about politics, religion and history. He is an orthodox Christian…very similar to Catholic.
We are back at the Ethiopian Guest House tonight and will head out in the morning to the Mother Teresa Aids Orphanage.
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Nancy,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note to let you know I have read every post, shed a few tears, prayed a lot of prayers, and are very thankful that you have shared your heart as you have walked this journey. I had to smile, though, that the Lord would put you next to a man that would try to give you comfort from the Koran when you possess the true God of Comfort who could only calm any anxiety related to that flight. Can't wait to see all your pics and hear more when you get home....love, debra