Returning Home

Whether it's from a week long mission's trip or many years of living abroad, returning home is never easy. And for a number of different reasons. "Reverse culture shock" is often one of the culprits; and for me it is always a culture shock to return to culture of American Christianity in relation to the Christianity that I see and experience abroad. No matter how much I try to to prepare myself, it never ceases to catch hold of me. 

Another reason returning home can be so hard is because of the passion that you develop while abroad (I've noticed this can even happen at weekend conferences). You often come back wanting to change the world right away and it's easy to get overwhelmed or discouraged. I am getting better at preparing myself for all the adjusting and knowing that I need to make efforts not to lose that passion. 

But the hardest thing about returning home, to me, is telling people about my time there. Everyone asks about your trip, but for the most part people don't actually want to hear about it. They like hearing that it was great and maybe about the food or an experience or two, but the topic often gets changed after a minute or two. Sometimes though, I find it even harder to talk about my time with the people that genuinely want to know. Where do I start? How much do I share? What is the best way to convey what God was/is teaching me (if I can even put it into words)? What about my experience will best impact them? 

One thing that I have taken from my time in Ethiopia has been a widened perspective of who God is. Genesis 1: 27 says, "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them." We can catch a glimpse of who God is by looking at ourselves and the people around us. But as a young white woman from small town Pennsylvania it is very easy for me to picture the image of God as myself and those I am surrounded by. But each new place I go to and each new culture that I am exposed to widens my image of who God is. I am just not made in God's image, but the man sitting in the corporate office in New York is made in God's image. The young single mom in Nicaragua, washing her clothing in the river is made in God's image. The old drunk man asleep on the side of the road in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is made in God's image. Just as the young malnourished child in an orphanage in Asia is also made in God's image. The more people I meet and learn their stories the more my love for my God has grown-How creative, how wonderful and how loving of a God He is!

Through that God has been teaching me more of his heart. In Ethiopia, it was as if God was saying to me, "See Lauren? See all of the beautiful people, created in my image? I love each and every one of them so much!" I was able to see God's love for ALL of the nations through my experience, and His desire for them to all know and experience His love. More than ever I have seen the importance of have a global mindset and loving ALL people as God has called HIS people to do. Sometimes we don't know a specific call that God has created us for, but God does layout some very clear callings already for us in the bible. Matthew 28: 19-20 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.." That is a call to His people, to Christians. We are called not just to share Jesus and love those right around us-but to do this for all God's people! Even though for each of us, our individual walks look different and we live out that call differently, God has reiterated to me the importance of missions and prayer for ALL of the world.

So as I settled in back home, my heart and mind is overwhelmed with all that I heard and saw. But God is working. He is working in the teachers at the International School, in the children attending the school, in the missionaries serving in Ethiopia, and the missionaries all around the world. God is working in the children and the adults who are being reached by those missionaries. And God wants to continue is work in you and in me! The love that God has for each of us is indescribable! And every single one of us can play a role in the call and purpose that He has given to us. I know for sure that I will never be the same. And as I continue to process everything I cling to Him and what he is going to do next in me and through me!

"I have taken you from the ends of the earth and called you from its most distant places. I said to you, 'You are my servant. I've chosen you; I haven't rejected you. Don't be afraid, because I am with you. Don't be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand...Don't  be afraid; I will help you." Isaiah 41:9-10, 13b  

From the Heart- Written by Alicia Thompson

Zambia...I can't even explain the experiences and emotions that came from this trip but all in all, it was amazing. 

The people, the kids, the culture, everything  completely changed my perspective on life and my future. It's so easy in the first world, especially in America, to get caught up in success and comfort and wealth, but all those things are so empty compared to fulfilling relationships with other people and with God. 

These past few months have been super rough for me, and I'm still trying to find my way back. Life can be hard no matter who you are or where you live. Each day is a battle not to let the darkness win, but to me, if you're still fighting, that's a victory in and of itself. 

In the people of Zambia, there's this renewed hope; that even the smallest things can change a person's life, that in the poorest parts of the world, love and laughter exist, and that even when things are dark, there is still life, there is still beauty, and God is still there. I've seen children and adults who have next to nothing sing at the top of their lungs to a Creator who is so, so worthy of praise. And it's real. They've had ups and downs and everything in between on a far more extreme scale than I ever will, and yet, they have faith and hope that are strong enough to withstand it all and to overflow into the lives of people like me. 

The smallest things and the briefest words have slowly shifted my ever changing perspective - people and food and kids and insanely bumpy dirt roads and bugs and fear and smells and rain and heat and dogs and stories and silence and laughter and kindness and music and everything in between. I have a better idea now of what I want to do and how I can do it, and it feels really good. So much pressure is lifted when you realize what's truly important and what's just not. 

Zambia honestly took whatever presuppositions I had about life and needs and other people and turned them upside down, forcing me to look inside myself and figure out who and what I depend on. 

I'm so grateful for the people I've met, the things I've heard and seen, and really the whole experience; I wish it was much longer. I've learned so much about myself and my God, but now I guess it's time to go home. 

Bye for now, Africa. I'll be back very soon. ❤️🌍

This is a little bit of Alicia Thompson's heart- She is a 17 year old senior in high school and just returned from a 2 week trip in Zambia, Africa. She has a heart for missions, loves children, 

and enjoys crafts, music, reading, and playing sports. 

Out of the Hopelessness

 "I always thank God about Compassion's ministry for the needy, oppressed, depressed and hopeless ones like me." 

On my trip to visit Ruzeya I learned so much about Compassion International and how it has helped and is helping so many people. I wanted to share another encouraging story with you. A story of Hope. During my time traveling to visit Ruzeya I got to hear the my translator, John's*, story. John was actually a sponsored child who grew up in Addis. He entered the Compassion program when he was around 8 or 9 years old. 

During his time in the program he had multiple sponsors, but there was one sponsor that he had for over 7 years and he said that she helped him get through the hardest times of his life. During the time that she was sponsoring him, things weren't easy at home and when he felt depressed or as if things weren't going to get better her letters reminded him that he was worth it and that he had a future. There was now hope for him. 

Many times children in developing countries don't even finish secondary school since their families can't afford the school fees. But not only was he able to finish secondary school but he also went through the Compassion leadership development program and went to University. John has now been working for Compassion Ethiopia for 7 years and is also currently taking classes for his MA.

He said, "I don't know where would I be and how I would end up without it. My family had nothing to feed me up, to buy me clothes with or to send me to school. The time Compassion appeared to my life it was a BIG & HUGE surprise. Words will never express my appreciation that I have for Compassion!"

Because of the Compassion program, John also learned about God and became a Christian, growing in relationship with Him. Sponsorship in John's life not only met his physical needs, but also his mental, emotional and spiritual needs. He has two younger siblings, a brother and a sister, who were not enrolled in Compassion's program. Today, neither of them are Christians and John's younger brother spends his time on the streets of Addis addicted to the local hallucinogen and alcohol. It is amazing how the future of a life can be changed when there is hope. Being born into poverty can lead to a mentality that says "I am nothing" and "This is just the way things are". But through encouragement, discipliship and knowing God, John now lives a completely different life than he ever imagined. 

"You know what God did through Compassion? It not only released me from financial or economic poverty but from every aspect, especially from hopelessness and despair and it made me think that there is life beyond the challenges that I was passing through."

*This name has been changed for the privacy of the translator and his family

Off of Paper and Into My heart

I have been sponsoring children for quite a few years now and I really like what Compassion International is doing. But for the most part the children that I sponsored were a picture that I looked at and a letter that I received a few times a year and prayed for sometimes, and then went back to my everyday life. I'm guessing that's the way it is for a lot of people who sponsor a child. 

Recently I have gotten more passionate and involved with Compassion so I jumped at the chance to have the opportunity to meet my child, Ruzeya, from Ethiopia, to see what the Compassion Projects actually looks like, and to see what difference my sponsorship is making. With the current situation in Ethiopia I was not sure if I would have the opportunity to meet her. But by the grace of God, I found myself traveling to meet her on Thursday.

With Ruzeya, her mom, and her two baby sisters

It's honestly hard to put into words what I experienced, but I will do my best. We first arrived to the Compassion Project where Ruzeya attends. Obviously not all projects are the same, but this project is blessed to have a lot of land with offices, the church, the project classrooms, and a school located on the grounds. There was also playground equipment and this project has a school for KG1 and 2 (prek and kindergarten), this is for children who are both Compassion Children and other children who live in the community to get a head start on their education and have better opportunities. 

The playground and schoolhouse at the Compassion Center

I had a tour of the office, the church, and learned more about what the children do at the project and how all Compassion children attend sunday school on Sundays, as well. A fter the tour they took me back to the multi-purpose room where a group of students were gathered to sing to me a Welcome song. Ruzeya was at the front holding some pretty red flowers. At the end of the song she brought them to me and then hugged me. It was hard for me not to cry. 

The children singing their welcome song 

The other children then left and Ruzeya's grandmother arrived to meet me. She hugged me for so long with tears in her eyes and I realized how much I mean to her whole family. The Compassion workers who weren't with the children, the Pastor, and his family joined us for coffee and popcorn. Even though they have so little, I felt like I was treated like royalty. The told me a lot about the project and Ruzeya would sit shyly smiling at me. But she didn't say a word.

Ruzeya and I after she gave me the flowers

Eventually I asked to go outside and they warned me that all of the children would rush over to me; which if you know me at all, you know that is something I would totally be fine with. Hand and hand Ruzeya and I walked outside, and sure enough the majority of the children rushed off the playground and surrounded us (probably 60-80 children). They hugged me, shook my hand, touched my hair, and some of them even fought over me. Not once did they push Ruzeya though, they knew that we belonged together. I was overwhelmed and wished I could take every one of them into my arms. 

After a little while the Compassion workers, Abraham, myself, and Ruzeya and her grandmother headed off towards her home. The area where she lives is not currently being effected by the drought, especially thanks to rainy season and it actually rained the night before I arrived. We took the little taxis that are typical to the area but because of the rain the ground was muddy and we kept getting stuck. We walked part of the way and I learned that Ruzeya made the 25/30 minute walk to the project each day with just the other young children who attend school with her. 

Upon arriving to her home I met her mother, two little sisters, and her grandfather. She lives in a mud hut with her father, mother, and sisters, while her Grandmother and Grandfather live in the hut next door with her four aunts and Uncles who are still in school. They invited me into the little hut which had mud walls covered by newspaper, a grass floor, and two mattresses covered in thin blankets. They told me about how her father works a patch of land and her mother walks in town each day to clean. Ruzeya's grandmother looks after Ruzeya's little sisters and takes care of the family. 

Ruzeya's family minus her dad and the Aunts and. Uncles at school

As I talked to them and saw them interacting together I could feel my love for this family grow as if they were my own blood family. Even though Ruzeya had hardly said a word, her mother told us that the previous day all day long she kept saying, "Do you know who is coming to visit me tomorrow?" I began to see just how important I was to this beautiful little girl and her family. I had the opportunity to bring her gifts and I brought her a backpack with some things including a blanket and a stuffed animal. The happiest moment of my life may be the smile that the little stuffed elephant brought to Ruzeya's face. They even gave ME a gift of a traditional bone spoon with beads on the end!

Ruzeya with her new stuffed elephant 

Ruzeya and I with the goat that they got as a gift.

Before I left they took me outside to show me the two goats that they were able to buy through my sponsorship. There many hugs and kisses and I struggled not to cry as I said goodbye to each one of them. Ruzeya and her little sister held my hands and walked me down to the entrance of their land. As I walked away the tears began to flow and even though I already had loved Ruzeya, she was no longer a picture on a piece of paper, but a piece of my heart. In fact, every single member of her family has now stolen a piece of my heart. 

 

I was really impressed by what I saw through my visit . I am only one person, but the 260 children who are being sponsored in that project each have one person behind them that God is using to change lives. A lot of the families in that community are Muslim (including Ruzeya's), so for some of them, Compassion is the one opportunity they have to learn about God. The opportunity that I had to provide Ruzeya's family with a goat can help to positively impact their financial future not just now, but also in the future. The tutoring, medical care, and other basic needs that Compassion provides on top discipleship aren't just meeting short term needs, but impacting the future and the ETERNITIES of those children. 

I have now seen with my own eyes that Compassion is not an organization that merely gives a child a fish (feed them for a day), but it teaches them how to fish (feed them for a lifetime). What is happening cannot only transform the life of the child in the program, but also of the family, generations, of that family to come, entire communities, and the future of that community. By giving these families and children hope, Compassion is allowing the "least of these" to come into the Kingdom of God. And when that child (Ruzeya and others), is no longer just a picture on a piece of paper, but a part of my or your heart, thats when the possibilities become endless! 

Jesus said, "Let the little Children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." -Matthew 19:14

The Heart of Giving

There is always more that I can learn about having a giving heart, but since coming here to Ethiopia, God has especially been speaking to me about giving. From the devotional book I had been reading, to songs I hear, from seeing the selfless giving of others, to having the Pastor speak about giving on Sundays; Giving has been coming up over and over in my life and so naturally it has been in my thoughts and on my heart as well.

There are so many ways that I can give as a person. I can give through my time whether it be teaching Sunday school, going out to coffee with someone, or volunteering with VBS or at a Soup Kitchen. I can give up my money through tithing, sponsorship, missions, or directly to someone in need. I can give of physical belongings such as gifts, extra clothing/toys, food, etc. These are just some of the things that have popped into my head as far as giving, as I try to be more aware as how I can give. And I found myself pondering; How can I give more selflessly of myself? And as I was thinking and praying I was convicted of something.

I am usually pretty quick to offer help whether its with a school assignment, packing or driving someone to run errands, or offering a listening ear. But many times my attitude is not right because I am expecting other people to always help me in return when I need it. And when they do not I often grow upset with them and say something or not want to give of myself the next time. Obviously I know in my head that this kind of attitude is wrong. But in the moment it is so easy to think about myself.

During this time of my life, God has been constantly pointing me back to the life of Jesus and reminding me of how I NEED to live as His daughter. Matthew 6:2-3 says, "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing," In living like Jesus I need to have an attitude of giving in all circumstances and as this verse states giving (whether time, money, physical gifts or other) should not be flaunted. As this verse speaks of the humility of giving it also makes it very clear to me that my attitude about giving has been prideful and I destroy the whole purpose of giving if I have an attitude that I deserve something in return.

And in reality if I were 'to get what I deserve' it would be punishment of death, because no matter how much I give and try to be like Jesus I still fall short of the holiness and perfection found in God. But because of God's mercy and grace towards me, I have been granted the high position of servitude. In pursuing to live a life like Jesus, my attitude of giving needs to become that of humility, mercy, and love without thoughts of myself. As a broken human I will still fall short, but through God's grace and strength my attitude of giving can be renewed and restored. 

At the heart of giving, there needs to be the foundation of servitude. The mostly lowly position on earth, but a high position in the kingdom of God. And as I allow God to shape my heart around His idea of giving and service I will become more like Christ. 

Student Teaching at Bingham

Living here, it is easy for me to get distracted from student teaching as I am adjusting to a new home, new life, new friends, and an entire new country. In some ways I feel like I have been here forever and in other ways it feels only like a day or two. But even with everything going on I am still learning so much from my student teaching. 

Bingham Academy has grades Junior K through 12th grade and there is one class of each grade. The teachers here range from 22 years to over 60 in age and all of the teachers from kindergarten, to art, to 11th grade Science are missionaries who raise funds to be here. The nice thing about so many of the families and teachers living on campus is that I am getting to know the teachers beyond the school day and am becoming friends with them. Every morning there is an optional devotions for the teachers to attend, Tuesday afternoon are staff meeting times, and there are plenty of other ways to be involved with extra activities. 

As I mentioned previously, my cooperating teacher, Chris Griffin and her husband are from Britain. They took an early retirement to come here to Ethiopia and while Chris is teaching during the day, her husband Phil is the Doctor at the SIM missionary clinic. Chris has so much teaching experience and I had heard so many great things about her. So naturally, I was a bit nervous. But she also happens to be one of the most kind and  encouraging people that I have ever met. She is always challenging me to find ways to make my lessons even better. 

Our class is KG1 (Junior Kindergarten) and there are 15 students in the class. We also have a teaching assistant-TA (each grade up until 5th has one), who is Ethiopian and speaks Amharic. Our classroom is connected to KG2 and the two classrooms share a playground that is only used for our grades. KG1 uses a curriculum that is different than the rest of the school and uses short amounts of whole group learning mixed in with free play, and small group learning.

I love the classroom layout and resources that I have at my disposal. In the center of the room there is an area centered off for whole group learning on the carpet, then using shelves and tables there are other 'centers' set up. The centers include a role play center, construction zone, Maths Area, Literacy Center, arts center, and Science and discovery center. Each day the TA puts out different things to be used in each of these centers and there are different things that are always available such as the computer, music instruments, dress up, books, and rice table. I am writing down so many great ideas! 

A typical day starts with some free play and then the children are gathered for for Weather Chart, and bible and prayer time. Every day there is a Phonics/literacy lesson and Number work lesson (Math). Other subjects including Discovering the World (Science), Art, Phys Ed, Music, and Library are alternated in. Normally each subject begins with an introduction and whole group time that lasts no more than 10-12 minutes. This includes question and answer, thinking time, pictures on powerpoint, songs, and/or videos. Then there is small group application time and the TA and teacher each take one group, while the other two groups play and then they switch. The children also have choosing time where they choose from different activities in and outside, and then have snack and free play. The day ends with a story and some singing and the parents come to pick their students up. 

Every few days I pick up a few more subjects that I am teaching and it has been great having so many resources to work with. I also am excited to teach the special subjects (gym, art, and music) as library is the only subject that KG1 goes to outside of the class. We are also working with KG1 and KG2 to prepare for their Christmas play, so this has been a fun experience to help the children learn their lines and the music. I also had the opportunity to run the Cross Country Race with my class (the whole school did it at different times and distances) and be a part of Parent teacher conferences. 

I feel like I have been doing so much and I am not even teaching the whole time yet! I absolutely love my kids and I know it will be so hard to leave them. I have also been so blessed to have such an amazing team (Including Chris) to work with and am so excited for what else I am going to learn. 

The Role Play Center-Set up with Nursery Rhymes 

KG1 getting ready to start the Cross Country Race 

All of the students during story time

 

The Construction center 

Running Water

This week our water supply turned off. That happens sometimes here. I heard from some people who live here that the longest it has been off was five days. This time it lasted less than 24 hours. We had plenty of drinking water stored under the sink (we never drink from the tap). And a 55 gallon plastic drum in the laundry room to use for the toilet and washing up. But still it got me to thinking.

I have so many things in my life that I take for granted. It wasn't too hard living without water for less than a day, but I realized there are so many things that I am able to do that I don't even think about. Like pressing a simple button to flush the toilet, or turning the tap on and immediately cleaning my hands after cooking, painting, or using the bathroom. We even have a filtered tap for drinking water on the campus. Not to mention-hot water whenever I need it to shower or wash my clothing. Even here in Ethiopia I have all those commodities, yet I can look out my window and see one room tin houses with dirt floors that most definitely don't have running water.

Rarely do I think about how blessed I am when I flush the toilet or when I drink a cup of water. However, in reality there are millions of people in this world who do not have this gift. My life is made so much easier and even healthier because of running water. There are so many other countless things that I have that other people only dream of having, even though technically as an almost college graduate I am living below the poverty line in the United States.

I'm not sure why our water was turned off for that time, but I am looking at it as a gift to me. A reminder of how blessed I am. A reminder of how much I really do have. A reminder of what God has provided me with. I don't know why I was born where I was born, or why I have been blessed with everything that God has given me. I just know I'm not meant to live my life taking everything I have for granted. Not having running water for a few hours has renewed my attitude of thankfulness to 

God (an attitude I will constantly need to renew as it becomes more natural to me).

But it has done more than remind me to be thankful and not take things for granted. It has also reminded me that what I am freely given is a gift that I should not selfishly keep to myself. For every gift God has given me there are thousands of people who don't have it. That does not mean that God does desire for others to have what I have, but it is an opportunity for me to remember that everything I have is actually on loan from God and become more aware of how I can bless others in return.