As of tomorrow we will have been back in the United States for a total of 3 weeks. Though this doesn't seem long, it seems like our time in Ethiopia was forever ago. A girl on our team phrased it perfectly- she said Ethiopia seemed like just a really good dream she had. And thats how I feel after coming back home and transitioning back into the busy constant motion of the life in America. However, there are moments when there is something that triggers my senses and I'm brought back to Ethiopia. I still feel like it was yesterday, and that some mornings I should open my eyes to my room in the Red Cross.
I apologize for not being consistent with this blog. Halfway through the trip it became more difficult to find internet that was fast enough to update my blog and even check email. It was then that I made the decision that I wasn't going to waste my time trying to update people on what was happening in Ethiopia when I could be taking that time to experience even more of it. And that is exactly what I did. The last two weeks of the trip were some of the best. It was then that I began to see the country through different eyes and began to love it more. I was able to see past the corruption, disease and poverty that covered the streets and begin to see the love, joy, restoration and hope that was beyond all of it. God was present and Jesus love was weaved in everywhere in the people, the shops, businesses and streets. There was something going on past all that we could see with our human eyes. I continue to tell people that at first I was very overwhelmed with everything on the streets; there were so many people that were living in such great poverty and you wanted to be able to help each and every one of them but you honestly just can't. There are too many people, you help one in front of you and then there is another one right next to them, one 5 ft down the street, and a handful across the street. I then began to shut down, not knowing what I was going to be able to bring to this country and its people. But something inside of me changed halfway through the trip. I left the country of Ethiopia with a heart full for its people and its places. I saw more of what I had to offer, or more of what I had in me to be able to share. I didn't see the country as all the bad stuff that was apart of it, instead I saw the country as what it was and where it was going. I was able to see the restoration that was occurring from deep within.
It was a trip of a life time and I promise to take more time soon to tell some specific stories. I met people that have changed my life and the way I see things and I have experienced things that have melted my heart. It was a trip that was worth much more than 100 birr (the currency in Ethiopia), it was a priceless. I know you are all probably hoping to hear all of it right now, and I wish I could tell you every little detail but there just isn't enough time to tell you all the great things that happened in those short 5 weeks. Plus, now that school has started and I am officially a pharmacy student there isn't much time to devote to sharing with you all that has happened. I do promise though to continue to add stories throughout the next week or so. I would really like to share with you the big stories that I continue to go back to now that I am home.
Thank you all for following me and for all of your support. Its been an honor to be able to partner with you on this trip and to share bits and pieces of it with you.
Can't wait to tell you more. so stay tuned, much more good to come!
Love and blessings,
Court
