A few weeks ago one of my neighbor kids called. He had typed a resume on our computer a couple years ago. He needed it updated. An hour later he arrived and began editing. I noticed under "Goals" he had written, back in June 2011, "travel to Ethiopia someday". And guess what?! He made his goal this past March!!
For 2 years he has been begging me to take him to Ethiopia on my next trip. I must admit, I was nervous taking on the responsibility of having a minor on the trip, he's a great kid, very responsible but nevertheless, 17. I know teenagers take mission trips all the time but this was my first experience leading a team and I just wasn't sure I wanted that responsibility. However, he wouldn't stop asking. He attends our church so I talked with our youth pastor and was strongly encouraged to take him. I helped him get his passport, walked him through fundraising and in the end, it was all worth it! Our church is SO supportive of trips like this and all the funding came in for both of us. His passport arrived in record time, less than 3 weeks, and his enthusiasm brought joy to our entire team.
I've known this kid since he was 4. He showed up at my screen door in 1998 asking for bananas, not candy or cookies like the rest of the neighbor kids, but bananas. He was a unique kid then and today, a very special young man.
He was definitely the comic relief on the trip. He is SO stinking funny and even our Ethiopian hosts were quite amused at his antics. Below is my most memorable moment of him on this trip.
First, there was this...
Then, this...
Then, this...
"You mean that cute little black and white thing that was just over by the fence?"
Yes, they slaughtered a sheep for us and roasted it over a fire. I'd never had sheep before, it was salty. The reality is slaughtering a sheep in our honor was very special and we immensely appreciated it but as Americans, we aren't use to seeing animals slaughtered and cooked right before our eyes. It was definitely a new experience for me, one of the neat things about visiting another part of the world. My young friend was SO funny about it! I definitely made sure he wasn't too vocal about his shock and we reminded him that all the village people lining the fence would gladly eat his portion. That truth definitely humbled him but at the same time, he just couldn't believe they slaughter that sheep who had been baaing at us all week :-)
I recently announced my dates for my next trip to Ethiopia, October 2014. Almost immediately, I got a message from my young friend, "Can I go?" I LOVED that! For information about joining my next team e-mail me at reachinghiskids@gmail.com Also, I've still got 41 precious little friends who need a monthly sponsor. $34 a month helps support their education, nutrition, basic medical care and Christian discipleship. Follow THIS LINK to see the waiting children and sponsor one of them.
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