Upon our arrival today in Addis Ababa, a few things have already changed my perspective in the few hours we have been here. As we drove through the city I was struck by how similar we are to these people across the world from us. It can be so easy to fall into line with stereotypes that society projects. As we rode through the streets I witnessed people going to work, hanging out with friends and kids running around. I feel as Christians it can be so easy for us to view mission work as "us helping them." I have so quickly realized that although poverty is prevalent in this country and there are people who need their stories told, we are similar. Mission work is affective when it is based relationships. The idea that you can travel some 70,000 miles across the world and still relate to people is such an amazing example of how big our God is. Please pray that we would be intentional with our interactions, that each individual we encounter will be heard and understood and that we would pursue boldly what God has for us here.
Thank you for sharing your story Mariah. I pray that you can be a light to those who build relationships with and also have an open heart and mind to all they can teach you :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Sarah Travis.