Aftermath of Africa

January 20, 2012

I am not sure that I can get thru an entire post about how I feel right without that lump in my throat turning into tears, but here goes nothing.

From the beginning; A little over a year and a half ago a dear friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go to Africa. Why not, I replied? Let's do it. So we signed up never thinking about it again and went about our daily lives for the next 12 months. I have been to Kazakhstan ( 8 times) I have seen some not so great things, I have had my heart ripped out of my chest ( more than once in Kazakhstan), I have had some not so proud moments where I have questioned WHY is this happening to children of the world, but then I always came home never flinching once or thinking twice about my very comfortable life, right here in my safe little world. I needed a reality check but not sure I signed up for what I really got.

I am not a world traveler by any means but I also don't think I am naive to the fact of the world is a sad place with lots of poverty, famine and injustice, but I really had no idea of how MUCH of that was really real?? From the first time I stepped on African soil, I knew I was changed forever ( again) It was very familiar to me ( although I had never been there before), the smells, the thick diesel in the air, the gray half finished buildings, the traffic ( oh the traffic!). I remember driving down the road from the airport thinking " oh this feels like home". I am comfortable there. God made a place in my heart for Ethiopia. For those of you that are going to judge me for focusing on Africa right now I want you to know that Of course Kazakhstan will always be my first love. My babies were born there. I will always have a piece of my heart there, but God says right now Stacy I need you in Ethiopia.

My first day in Korah ( if you click on the Korah you can watch a short video about it- is a village that survives off od the local trash dump) Was well hmmm, how do I say this lightly, HEART WRENCHING. I saw things there that I really really wish I could unsee. Really I am not just saying that. Until that day I thought those save the children commercials were only a ploy to get you to give money. Let me just say, they are not fake. I didn't prepare myself for the poverty that I was going to see but it didn't sadden me ( well a little but not more then I can handle). It inspired me to do more for the beautiful people in Korah. That first trip opened my eyes to a whole new world, outside of adoption, of what I could be doing to help people and children in need. The people are beautiful, inside and out and so very grateful for the very little they do have. I am inspired by them to be better, less selfish, more giving of myself.

One day, on my second trip, I was praying about my "role" in Ethiopia, was it more then just to visit and serve? I asked God to break my heart for what breaks his. Ummmm can I take that back? Yeah I didn't really mean it ( well I guess I did) but right now I feel little like Noah. I am being told to build a boat, but have no idea how to do it and I waiting for detailed instructions. I am clinging to this scripture " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9) AND another favorite right now " He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump" (Psalms 113:7). I know that God has plans for the people in Korah. I know his love never fails and he is always with them. I know in Samuel 2:8, 9 it says,

He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
on them he has set the world.
⁹ He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

That being said, no more sad stuff. I am heading back to Korah ( click on the link to read history of Korah) again, for the third time in less then a year. I am heading there again (WITH MY HUSBAND!!) because I have a vision. A vision of how to get more children out of the trash dump. A HUGE vision that needs A LOT of prayers. I am blessed to be traveling with one of my dear friends and fellow Kaz mom Lori, my husband and my pastor! We all have a different agenda in Korah but hopefully all of our missions will bless the others. Contrary to popular belief we are not traveling to adopt another child. ( yet! hahah Just kidding). We have a jam packed schedule this week, all of us. So please be in prayer for all of us as we scout out how to impact the most lives in Korah.

I will update when I can ( if the Internet it working). Chow... See you on the other side.