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If you don’t know, I’m in Ethiopia.

I am literally in the middle of nowhere without WiFi. So I’m gonna try my best to get you up to date with my 16 thoughts for the 16 days I’ve been here:

 

1. It’s honestly been the coolest thing to not be able to communicate with anyone back home (btw miss you mama.) Everyday, I wake up to hangout with a bunch of kids in a village and teach them English and then play with them in the afternoons.

 

2. Africa is literally everything people have talked about. We had kids run up to our van and wave at us. I was greeted by so many children at the children’s village (HopEthiopia)… which means two kids grabbed my hands and pulled me in for a hug immediately. I think I may start doing this more often.There are few cars so most things are delivered by donkeys. We eat things out of the gardens on the property. And I’ve gone to multiple coffee ceremonies.

 

3. I’m living the World Race dream.

 

4. I’ve been teaching my squad a lot about Kingdom Dreams. It’s been a cool experience to share with my PSquad family the things that give me more passion that I can handle. They’ve been so supportive and it’s been incredible.

 

5. I’m realizing that the more I step forward in what God has called me to do, the more evil likes to cloud my vision.

 

6. The song by Elevation Worship Here Again has summed up my thoughts:

 

I’m not enough.

Unless You come

Will You meet me here again?

 

Cause all I want

Is all You are

Will You meet me here again?

 

Not for a minute was I forsaken

The Lord is in this place

Come Holy Spirit

Dry Bones awaken

The Lord is in this place

 

7. Things aren’t perfect just because I’m hanging with orphans all day and I’ve dreamed of this since I was in high school. Things aren’t better because I’ve become passionate about dreams. Spiritually, things are SO much harder than ever before. But shoot, that brings big faith.

 

8. I’m learning to sit in silence in the morning hours. I’m learning that these children have more joy than I do half the time and they don’t have a lot of things.

 

9. I’m learning that community means everything to me.

 

10. I’m also learning that I’m coming home in 66 days and I feel like I just started the Race. I’m learning that prayer becomes more and more important in my life everyday. I’ve learned that this blog is so incredibly scattered and I’m trying to be okay with it.

 

11. Recently, I’ve been humbled that the Lord has asked me to live this life. I’m thankful that my mood doesn’t decide whether I have purpose today or not.

 

12. Not once in the Bible when people prayed did they said “God I pray.” That’s like saying “I talk” when you’re talking to someone. I’m trying to pray like it’s an actual conversation with God because… well it is.

 

13. My back has hurt a lot this month and my ministry is sports ministry so let’s pray for some supernatural healing.

 

14. I’m learning that Jesus and the disciples healed people by praying and then commanding people to walk. They didn’t quit at prayer. Maybe the “faith that moves mountains” or “faith as small as a mustard seed” is the actual commanding of things. So I plan to do this A LOT more.

 

15. I have a hard time not thinking about the past but also not thinking about the future. Present time seems like the perfect time to me.

 

16. There is healing water here. The man in charge of HopeEthiopia (he’s just like Bob Goff it’s amazing) said they drilled for water here. Apparently when they tested it… it came back as the purest form of water in the world. People have been healed by it. I’m downing bottles on bottles and saying “In Jesus’s Name my back will be healed” every time. That’s big faith.

 

More later. But for right now… I’ve got a soccer ball to go kick with my new village friends.

 

4 responses to “No WiFI & No Problems”

  1. I loved this update no matter if it felt scattered. It was great. Very encouraging to see and hear all that God is doing in you and through you. He is faithful!!!! Love you EmJay! Keep on keeping on with Jesus!! Walk with your King today and be a blessing…like you are already doing. Xoxox
    Maryjo (another mj)??

  2. My dear girl, keep seeking our God with all your heart and let nothing keep you from this great joy for it will bless others and your own soul in the process. May God bless and keep you for Himself, for His glory, and His kingdom. Love you very much.
    Dad

  3. I love your journey, Marianna. God’s unshakable sovereignty provides everything in perfect time. He’s shaping you to be precisely what He’s planned. It’s a privilege to keep you all prayed up! You’re dearly loved.

  4. Praying ?????? for you to go even deeper ! Marianna, thanks for sharing your journey with all of us.
    Your Heart ?? felt writings are so inspiring to all of us.
    Praying for a BIG hedge of protection
    around you !
    John 3:30 John 3:36
    Jeff &
    Sue