As
we’re accepting applications for Impact Team 2014…..
I’m incredibly excited and
expectant to see who God brings to this team! He knows you intimately, He loves
you completely, He is planting a caring interest on your heart in this very
moment that is guiding and calling you in truth. His team.
We’ll come together and be
known as “Impact Team 2014” (with t-shirts to prove it!) We’ll become so much
more than a group of individuals who share an *amazing* life experience….. We
will become the body of Christ for this trip, the bridegroom that is His church,
the ministers of His mission.
And for those of you asking,
“is this for me?” and “so what’s it like?” – let me share with you a few of my
thoughts and experiences. All for your greater consideration as you pray into
the possibility of joining this year’s Impact Team. All for God’s glory.
His
Calling
Ethiopia 2013 was my first
mission trip. I literally took a leap of faith along with my “yes”. I didn’t
know how I would carve out the time, I didn’t know how I would pay for it, and
yet I knew God was calling me to go. He resolved my doubts along the way. When
I stepped away, He brought me back. When I leaned in, He affirmed. The night following
our initial meeting (still contemplating) I woke with a bible verse on my
heart:
“And we all know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew
he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be
the firstborn
among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he
also called;
those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also
glorified.” [Romans
8:28-30]
The
Journey
Preparing for my mission
experience became the catalyst for a profound new depth in my relationship with
Christ, one that continues today. My spirit was renewed with a truth called
“worthy”, and upon this healing I was able to receive the unconditional and
personal love of Jesus – given freely, uniquely, and divinely – just for me. Because
ultimately that’s our preparation: connecting genuinely with the Christ in each
of us so we can be His love to others.
“We love because He first loved
us.” [1 John
4:19]
.jpg) |
Praying blessings and anointing ~
My sponsored son, Dawit and his Auntie Hirut |
The
Trip
My memories of the trip are
a kaleidoscope of indescribable moments and life-experiences – far beyond what
blog posts, journal entries or photos can relay. So I’ll strive to target my
reflections towards “the things you should know” as you’re contemplating being
a member of our 2014 Impact Team.
** God
has a glorious plan for Ethiopia – witnessed as ‘an
anointing in that region’, manifested as a passionate movement of Christianity,
and upheld through our compassionate walk of service and love. This isn’t an
evangelistic trip (God already has that covered!) We simply walk with Jesus and
the people of Ethiopia to bring the Kingdom….. together.
** Hosanna! has established a long-term partnership with the
town of Hosanna, Ethiopia. A model of change is being implemented in their
community – a model that’s progressing and succeeding because the ultimate
ownership is by the leaders and people who live there. We’re part of something
that is so much bigger than what any single mission trip can
accomplish. Our consistent presence there facilitates progress, affirms and validates
collaborative trust in God’s plan, and it re-energizes enthusiasm for God’s
work among us.
** I’m a big believer in ‘daily missions’ – a person doesn’t
need to travel to the other side of the world to be the love of Christ to
others. Yet there’s something about stepping completely outside of our daily
lives with a heart of service that opens our eyes to see Him in new ways. It’s
through the purest emptying of ‘self’ that we are opened to receive God –
filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit for ministering to His people.
** I have so much respect for our leaders and their passion
for this ministry. They exemplified discipleship in how they planned, guided,
and walked with us throughout the entire journey: God-honoring;
Christ-centered; Spirit-led. All for His
glory.
** The people of Hosanna love Jesus and are hungry in their
faith ~ ministering to them was such a welcoming and rewarding experience! Their
culture is affectionate by nature, so we shared many hugs and cheek-kisses, and
truly connected with each other through loving kindness. And they’re passionate in worship. I felt
incredible spiritual presence through our joining of prayer and worship. Together
we elevated in one common ‘language’ of giving praise to our King!
** I went into the trip with the purest intent and desire to
serve, yet this pales in comparison to how much I received in return. “Pouring
into” others with our love and faith goes both ways. Exponentially.
** And at times it was challenging for me on a personal
level; I definitely felt my areas of insecurity…. God breaks us so that he can
re-build us, for it is in our weakness that we learn how much we need Him. We
turn to Him, we humble ourselves, and He lifts us up – healed, restored, equipped
and commissioned – to His greater purpose in our lives. Awesome and glorious.
God.
** During our 2013 trip we received several touch-points of
a common and hope-filled theme of progress. Words of “breakthrough”; comments
indicating “this is just the beginning” – messaged consistently through many
and varied sources. It’s an important time of momentum in Hosanna. Impact Team 2014 is championed to
perpetuate this optimism and expectancy!
The plan is good!
And
the Journey Continues….
God perfectly designed and
formed our 2013 team – people who were at different places in their faith
journeys; each member with unique purpose and spiritual gifting(s). God also
had a plan for what each of us would “bring home.” We walked away from our
shared experience in Hosanna, Ethiopia with very different reflections and personal
impacts. Yet every one of us humbly acknowledges and passionately proclaims a
testimony of the same 3 words….
“I
am changed.”
I have every confidence that
God is assembling another amazing team for the 2014 Impact mission – people
with diverse backgrounds, purposes, and giftings.
And I’m *so excited* to meet
you!!!
All
Glory is His!
~
Jodi
.jpg)
