Day 1: Travel

Hi Friends! Wow, I can't believe today is the day I leave for Ethiopia! It's a 12 hour flight to Istanbul and then another 5 hour flight to Addis. The good news is that my friend Nicole will be flying with me to keep me company.

The question I've gotten a lot the last few days is.. "Are you ready?" The easy answer is: "Almost!" I'm just about finished packing with only a few more things to do, but in reality I'm still praying that God will prepare my heart for what I know will be a huge adventure and opportunity to open my eyes to a new culture, people, and plan for my life. There's so much more I wish I had done before I left, I just started to learn some basic words in Amharic the language of Ethiopia, but it is honestly very hard. But I know that just trying to learn and say greetings in Amharic will go a long way with the people I meet, showing them that I do care about their language and culture. (Well that's what I think and what I've noticed in the past, I'll get back to you on that one, once I try it out.) I really wish I researched more about the city and country, the good news is that I'm bringing a travel book on Ethiopia on the plane so I should have plenty of time to catch up.

Well, I don't know when I'll blog next, but I do know I will be in Ethiopia when I do! Thanks everyone for the prayers, support and encouragement. As I start on this journey I mediate on this verse: Psalm 51:10-12 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." I know it's important to get my heart in the right place, AND to take time to pray for the people of Ethiopia, the ones I will encounter and the ones that I won't be fortunate enough to meet.

LOVE,
Brittany