Ethiopia Day 4 - Experiencing God

Today we had the pleasure of attending church with another family from our agency who just arrived last night.  Our agency picked us up and we stopped for coffee on the way, which was actually fabulous!  Jeremiah had a caramel machiotto, and the rest of us just had regular ones, but we all agreed they were way better than we expected.

When we arrived at the church we discovered that it was an International Evangical Church.  Before we even made it in the door we met another group of adoptive families who are here for their Embassy trip.  They all had their beautiful children with them and we had a great time getting to know each other.  And how cool is this: one of the families is from Gallipolis, OH which is about an hour from where my parents live.  Another of the couples is from Indiana.  Small world, isnt it!  You go to Africa and meet people from neighboring states.  Totally wild!

When we made it in the doors, they handed us a program which looks a lot like our program at Mt. Olivet.  It listed the songs for the service, the name of the pastor and had a couple of inserts about their programs for the week.  Then, when the music started, it was like we had been transported back to Grant County and we were singing in our very own church.  Jeremiah looked at me and grinned when he recognized the music for "Your Grace is Enough."  We recognized every song they sang!

The other night when Alemu asked us if we wanted to go to church today, I said yes without hesitation because I thought it would be an interesting cultural experience.  I had no idea that I was going to go to church today and experience God in such an awesome way.  As we were singing, I was looking around at all the people, which was a lot, because the place was huge and it was packed. There were people of all colors.  People who speak all sorts of different languages.  People who were dressed in traditional African dress and people who were dressed just like us.  I was overwhelmed by the awesomeness of a God who can bring such a diverse group of people like this to one church , to pray to one God, to hear a sermon about living your life for that God.  I'm in Africa.  Over 7,000 miles from home.  And God is working here too.  It brought tears to my eyes.

It's easy to become isolated and safe in our little community and forget that there are warriors out doing God's work in places like Ethiopia.  The preacher for this church is from North Carolina.  Today he spoke about not just being "saved" but about how people who are followers of Christ need to live a certain kind of life - the kind that makes sacrifices for God.  Ummmm, hello....sound a little bit like the "Not a Fan" series we have been doing at church?  I think so.  I mean seriously people, I'm in a church in AFRICA, and I'm hearing a sermon with the same message that our little church in Grant County, KY has been studying for the last few weeks.  Now that, is an awesome God. 

You guys know I'm a cryer, so you won't be surprised to hear that I had a hard time keeping it together during the service, but there were two parts that were especially moving for me.  One was the baby dedication.  There were probably 10 or 12 Ethiopian families who came up front today to dedicate their children to God and to promise to raise them in a Christian home.  I just think it is so amazing that this is happening in Ethiopia.  The other part was when we sang the doxology.  Here I am in Ethiopia, with my beautiful son, and my closest friends, after having met my gorgeous daughter and I am blending my voice with voices from countries all over the world to sing the words, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow...."  Wow.  It was an experience I won't soon forget.

Yep, I'm a cryer.  I'm crying while I'm typing this, and I still feel like I can't find the words to express what I felt in that church.  You'll just have to trust me....it was amazing.