Lucky Seven!

This time tomorrow I'll be on my way to Ethiopia - again!  This will be my seventh trip with Lifewater International, my sixth to Ethiopia and fifth on this project.  Ironically, I find that I'm worried a bit that I'm so nonchalant about this adventure!  It's not that I know what to expect, because every trip is different and there are always unexpected challenges.  But I've learned through experience that there aren't any challenges too big for God, and, after all, this is His project!

The most exciting thing for me about this trip is the people I'll be seeing.  Of the 18 participants in the training next week, I know 17 from previous trainings.  And several of them have been in all 4 trainings I've been part of!  So, old friends that I've written about before, like Teshale, Misrak, Shunta, and even Mohamed, will be there.  And I just found out today that my dear brother Getu will be our driver!  Just over a year ago, he had a major heart attack and his family was told that his chances for recovery were slim.  There was MUCH prayer from the US and Ethiopia that week!  His recovery has been miraculous, but he has still not been cleared to make the long, difficult trips - until now!  It will be such a blessing to be riding shotgun with him again, dodging goats and donkey carts all the way to Awassa.  He is so much more than a "driver" - he is also our cultural attache, menu advisor, shopping bargainer, comedian, and above all, spiritual partner and prayer warrior.  And I know I will get to see his beautiful family again, too!

So, we leave tomorrow from three different airports.  Linda, Bart and I will meet up in O'Hare, then on to Frankfurt and Addis Ababa Wednesday evening - about 24 hours of travel.  Alan will join us there the next morning.  Then four days of travel and prep, and training begins next Monday.  I hope to post updates occasionally, but it's always hit or miss.  Please keep us in prayer, particularly for team unity, clear communication, and successful brainstorming and problem-solving.  Thanks as always for your support!

Compelled

Two weeks ago, Cindy and I attended Lifewater International's Field Trainer Conference in San Luis Obispo.  The theme was Compelled 2012, based on 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, in which Paul describes how Christ's love compels us. While we are passionate about clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for all people, our motivation is not to make this world a better place to live.  We are driven by Christ's love, which constrains and empowers us to love others in turn.  When we're asked in the field why we sacrifice so much to come to them, this is our answer.

The conference was a great opportunity to hobnob with my fellow wizards.  There were about 30 field trainers, as well as staff and supporters.  It was fun to introduce Cindy to everyone, to share old stories, to learn some new tricks, and to worship together with a great group of people.  I had the opportunity to help give reports on two projects, in Ethiopia and Kenya, in which we stressed the relationships rather than the nuts and bolts.  I also co-facilitated a team leaders workshop and an introductory Exploring Transformational Mission course for prospective field trainers.  As an added bonus, we got to celebrate my birthday on the Central Coast with lots of friends!  Altogether, a VERY busy but wonderful trip.