Ethiopia...

It has been 2 years since I've been overseas. 


That is far too long in my book! I have been aching for another trip. Well, my time of waiting will hopefully be over soon! One of my friends told me that she is going to Ethiopia to work with victims of the sex trafficking industry in the Red Light district this fall. The moment those she started describing the trip, I knew. I had to go. My heart leapt at the mere prospect of going to Africa. A few of the details are yet to be worked out, but I am thrilled nonetheless.


Actually, thrilled would be an understatement. It is more like let-me-pack-my-bags-right-now-because-I-can't-wait-one-more-second kind of excited.


The organization that that puts these trips together is the International Crisis Aid. Their blog is pretty phenomenal. They have some truly amazing stories about what they are doing there. Here is a description of how far they have come:

In March 2007, ICA opened the first home for young girls rescued from sex trafficking in the red light district of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We began with one home, and 6 girls. Now, we have grown to 7 homes and more than 40 girls ages 6-20 that have been rescued from trafficking. Once these girls are rescued they are taken to their new home where they receive food, shelter, emotional and spiritual counseling, schooling, vocational training, & medical care. The ultimate objective of the rescue home is to free girls COMPLETELY from a life of sexual slavery and give them a chance at life that they never knew was possible!

I cannot wait to get there are pour myself out for these people. I am blessed to be a blessing. I have these gifts to use them for the sake of Christ...for the sake of others. I am filled to be emptied again. The love of Christ poured into my heart is not meant to stay; it is meant to flow out into other hearts from mine.

Here is a little letter to the people that have my heart these days:

To those I have yet to meet:


Your footsteps lead up the beaten path

Each day brings the same toil, the same tears

Some orphaned, some trapped as slaves

But don’t lose hope or give into your fears

Our God has not forgotten your pain

He is sending His people to meet your needs

A generation is rising up to right injustice

Love and mercy is our new creed

We are coming - let hope fill your heart

From these ashes beauty will soon arise

Love will heal your wounds and scars

Truth will replace all the endless lies

So now your faces are etched upon my heart

Though my eyes have yet to see your form

My heart loves you so deeply already

For your pain and sorrow my soul is torn

I will meet you soon, my dear Ethiopia
Hand in hand, heart to heart we will be

My heart will be out poured for yours

I long to see that you are completely set free

I will proclaim to you of the endless love of God

And of His perfect sacrifice on the cross

I long for you to know Him, know His love

And that all apart from Him is loss, all loss

May I be cursed if I do not love you

If I sit in selfish silence when you have need

I have been so blessed in this life, so blessed

Oh, that I may love you so much I bleed

Ethiopia...