trying to make Him famous » Ethiopia

Help!

Tammi — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:12:21 +0000

My, my, my…how this summer has flown by. Next week, I will begin in-service and the following week the kids will be back. I will be just as nervous as they will be because I will be at a new school, in a new position. I will be 9th grade Campus Support Specialist for GPHS…sounds fancy…but its really not. I get to help struggling readers become better, and hopefully pass their TAKS test. I also get to mentor and help the four English teachers…as I see it, this is all in preparation for what God is doing in Ethiopia. He just happens to be training me in America…for now

Today I sent out a mass e-mail to a lot of people. People I grew up with, served with, went to seminary with, and worked with. Its funny how God puts people in your life for purposes undenounced to us, for the furthering His Kingdom. I don’t stay in constant contact with many of these people, yet they (we) still can work together for advancing the gospel….I find that very cool.

Knowing that I will be returning to Ethiopia in what is now less than a year away has put a since of urgency on me. I am studying religions that are dominant in the areas in which we frequent, hoping to gain a better understanding on how to minister in love to these people. I am also waiting on God to provide the means in which I can purchase some CD’s and DVD’s that will teach me the Amharic language…all in His timing, but I am ready to learn!

I don’t think I have ever began support raising this early before a trip, but again, the urgency God has placed on my heart is great, and I really feel the timing is right….please join me as I pray for these Ethiopian people; those I have already met, and those I have not. Pray too for those who I have contacted here in America…pray that they, through my words, pictures, and e-mails, can somehow experience the love and join me in this movement….

Peace.

Golden Slumbers

Tammi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:51:04 +0000

Random thoughts since I have been back from Ethiopia..

WARNING!!!

Many of the following words/phrases/etc. will not make sense to you unless you were with me. But I wanted to give everyone the golden chance to read it anyway

The words”golden opportunity” will forever make me smile.
Juice tastes better in Ethiopia, but ice cream tastes better here.
Never underestimate the importance of shoes.
Beef Balls
Love knows no language
OK…ready?….ready???
HOME!
Now, I officially LOVE “doing what I feel it”
I will never sing the song “All in All” again and not remember playing it in church.
Picture time!! Where’s Berhano?
What????? His church got crayons and ours didn’t?? I’m telling Afework!
Ordering food in an Ethiopian restaurant is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get.
French Fries…chips
Never ride in a van with a live animal tied to the top…its not worth it.
I enjoy all my bites of food.
Dial up internet still exists. And is used on a daily basis. And people are ok with it,
I have to wait a whole year for a good macchiato.
Rubber shoes just don’t have the same feel here.
In Ethiopia, colon cleansers aren’t necessary
“You’re gonna die, Charlie”
“Quit eating all the pop tarts…this ain’t no buffet table.”
If you want to get children excited, use a drum. Works like a charm.
To-ta
Spraying off in your eye really hurts
The Dark Lord is real
Shashamene hotel = College dorm room
Sarah Jimmy
Having hot tea poured in your lap really does take your breath away.
35 birr? No way…33
Bob Marley is the MAN!
Wacky Weed.
TONY!
“Who’s got the green bag?”
“Does this hotel have pepper steak?”
Ummm, Ambo.
If you wondered who won the last power uno game or what you ordered last week for lunch, just ask Sarah.

I could probably keep going but I need to take a shower…without wearing shoes…with a hot water guarantee…that won’t give me some dreaded disease if I accidentally swallow some…

Boy do I miss it…Peace and “Much Love”.

Here comes the sun

Tammi — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:02:52 +0000

Well, Ethiopia 2008 is now part of my past. Part of my pilgrimage. My journey. And it has forever changed my walk.

I haven’t really felt like writing about it until now, due to all the changes my body is dealing with physically, mentally, and spiritually. The big question I always ask after trips such as these is “why am I still here in America”? Gods word says to be willing to go, and I am willing, so whats the problem? God whispered something to me yesterday that gave me rest in this question and I want to share it with you. He told me that there is no problem.

My day began at 4:30am (gotta love jet lag) with a bowl of cereal and several unanswerd emails. At about 5:15 I realized that I hadn’t seen the sunrise over the gulf in a very long time, and that it would be the perfect place to spend my quiet time with God. I was right.

God actually began speaking before I even reached the island. He told me to pay close attention to the color and majesty of what I was about to see. I realized as I watched, that even though the sun rises at different times in Ethiopia and here, its still the same sun. If I find a body of water in Ethiopia, Lake Awassa for example, and watch a sunrise on any given cloudy day, I am likely to see the same colors and setting as I saw before my eyes. Hence, He is the same God here and there. He had a task for me there and He has one for me here. This thinking led me to ponder the needs that I saw over the last 5 weeks compared to the needs here in America….I came to the conclusion that they were basically the same.

Love. Thats it. People need love. They need to know they are loved. They need to know that someone (who doesn’t have to) cares. They need to be shown that love in practical ways. When we love, people see Jesus Christ in action.

As I traveled down the roads of Ethiopia, I found myself wondering how the people would respond if we took them to America. Just packed them all up and brought them here. How would they respond to what they saw? I came to the conclusion that they don’t need what I have to be happy. They don’t need the comforts that we have because quite frankly, I didn’t have those comforts for a few weeks and I was just fine. Do they know that they are living in poverty? Of course they do. Do they wish to change this? Of course, we all want things we can’t or don’t have because thats our nature…but my point is this: What they really want is what all of us want…to know that they are loved, regardless. They want to know that they matter. When we show people that they matter to us, they are more likely to see that they matter to the God who sends us. Thats what I attempted to show these past five weeks, and God showed me that is what I must continue to do here in my country.

God puts a lot of people in my path, daily. Some are more challenging as I figure out how to love them as Jesus does, but I am learning. Others, are a true joy to be around and I can’t believe how lucky I am to be able to invest in them and them in me. Regardless, God called me to love. And I want to do that well.

I’ve heard it said that wherever you are, be all there. Well Houston, I am back, all back, and ready to love.

Thanks God for your big ocean, the bright sun, and the opportunity to see them collide.

Peace.

Shes got a ticket to ri-i-ide…

Tammi — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:10:06 +0000

The other day, I was sitting at the edge of the coast watching the waves. I do this often but that day was different. The waves were as big and frequent as I had seen them in a long time, and the wind was really blowing hard. I watched as the white caps would roll in, flatten out as they reached the sand, and seemingly stop. On the surface, the ocean looks like a constant motion of “forward”. The way it constantly rolls in and forward almost looks therapeutic. The top of the ocean, or the part we can visibly see is actually quite predictable. Selah.

Anyone standing about knee deep would probably disagree when I said the main activity was on the surface. They would feel the sand shifting under their feet, the water rushing back out and the pull of the undertow. To the eye, we cannot see all that goes on the minute that wave stops on the sand and begins its journey back out to sea. The process of making the wave, the rip tide, the undertow; is all taking place and is done underneath what we can actually see. Can we see the pull underneath the wave? No, but we can certainly feel it if we get in the deep water…

For this upcoming Ethiopia trip, I think the same holds true. On the surface, we have made preparations, packed all the necessities, have a plan, and schedule. These are significant and important but these are only things we can see on the surface. I have a feeling that when we get into it, the hand of God is going to be like that undertow and show us that the trip is so much more than what we can actually see. Its bigger than teaching English. The teaching is only the surface, but what is going on beyond that outweighs anything we can imagine. The real work, the real movement, and the real outcome will be done below what seems apparent. I have a feeling God is going to do something huge. I don’t pretend to know what, but this I do know…the ramifications of it will be felt long after I leave the country. It will be felt in the hearts of those who are going with me long after they leave as well, and I dare say they will be forever changed by what is about to begin tomorrow. Even those of us who have been there before…

Yes, this trip is going to be huge…and if you will pray along with us, you will be just as much a part of it as we are. All glory to Him…see ya when I get home.

Peace.

Can’t Buy Me Love

Tammi — Sat, 31 May 2008 17:44:23 +0000

I chose the title today because that statement has become so very true these last couple of years. I used to be in the corporate rat race, making my way to the top, and achieving success at a very young age. Those of you that know my testimony know my story, so I wont go there…but we live in a society where people will do whatever they can for the all mighty dollar. Not only do they have jobs that they don’t love, but they do almost anything to keep and climb in that job, just to increase the zeros at the end of their earnings. Its sad.

Yesterday was the last day with my students at GPMS, and today was the last day with my colleagues. I got more hugs than I could count yesterday and a genuine sense of knowing that kids had grown because of Jesus. Today, again, more hugs and some tears. I can’t tell you how many teachers donated stuff for the Ethiopia trip next week…I honestly can’t wait to give it all away. I looked around my empty classroom this morning; the bookshelves were bare as well as the walls, the desks were empty and the room was quiet. I thought of all the smiles and love that God brought in and out of the door, and I prayed for the teacher who would be serving there next year. I prayed that the students would feel the Holy Spirit there and the teacher would show them Jesus no matter the cost. I prayed for God to get the glory and that His name would continue to be made great on that campus. I prayed for peace because I honestly love that school and all it stands for.

Closure.

Yesterday, I went over to my new place of service, GPHS, and unloaded some of my things. The place is HUGE. I don’t know anyone and they don’t know me…but as I was putting boxes in my office, I knew that this was my next step and that this was where God wanted me to be. This is deeper water, but my Life Preserver is the same. I will cling to Him everyday and pray that these high school kids will see Him in me, and become better readers in the meantime.

As you read this, I hope you understand one thing: what you do with your life isn’t about you or what you make of yourself…its about Him and constantly seeking His calling over your life. Remember, the need is the call and when you see a need that YOU can fill..thats your calling. The money, the provisions, the support, the encouragement, all that stuff will come…. It will come His way and in His time. Remember that things aren’t always as we picture them or how they seem…nobody could have told me 5 years ago that I would end up being a school teacher, and I have no idea when my love for kids began…but here it is….

Do what God created you to do, and no way will you be disappointed. All glory to Him as I prepare this week to take my calling halfway across the globe and spend half my summer in Ethiopia. I can’t wait to see what He does.

Peace.

IIIIII look at all the lonely people

Tammi — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:04:58 +0000

About two years ago, at a Newsboys concert, God impressed something very important on my heart. I must confess that I have been disobedient with it until now. Until today.

I know what God’s Word says about taking care of orphans, but for some reason, undenounced to me, it resonated with my heart today. So, soon and very soon, I will begin sponsoring a child through Compassion International.

I always knew God had given me a heart for adoption, but this type of adoption is different…and I will be obedient. The hardest part now is to pick out a child. I am really struggling with this. The easy part is picking out a country….Ethiopia. But these kids are all in disparate need of help, I don’t see how I can fairly pick one out. They all look so sad. So needy. So very lonely. Please pray I choose the one God wants me to sponsor, and that I can do everything I am supposed to do in the life of this child.

Is God telling you to do this too? If so, don’t make the same mistake I did and needlessly wait…Share Christ’s love monetarily now…do it today. Peace and love. Now, enjoy the Beatles.

Accepted: GRACE

Tammi — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:14:59 +0000

For the first bullet point in this post to make any sense, you will need to refer to the post called Wanted: GRACE

I had two really bad boys in my classroom. Really bad. Last week, they almost got into a fight with each other at the end of the class period. I didn’t mind having them, as a matter of fact, I knew it was by God’s design that I did. On Monday, bad boy #1 moved and I signed his exit papers. Today, bad boy #2 moved and I signed his papers. What was once a very tense atmosphere became once again peaceful over the course of 48 hours. I don’t write this to say “WOOHOO, they’re gone.” I write this to say how saddened I am to have this happen. I really was beginning to make some progress into cracking that “bad boy” exterior that they both displayed….I can see past that and see a lost, hurting little boy. I only pray that God puts them into classrooms with teachers that can love them like Jesus because God knows they both have had enough adults check out on them. This also makes me see how in and out of peoples lives we can be. One minute were in the life, and then the next minute we may not be. This really drives home the point that we should make every minute count…especially in the ministry. Sometimes we are the seed planter, sometimes we water, and sometimes we harvest..whatever the case may be, we have to be ready and satisfied knowing that God moves people in and out in His way and will….tough lesson to learn, no matter how old you are.

My buddy Melissa bought a jet ski last week. This summer is gonna rock. Finally, I have cool riding buddy…she even has a wet suit

I think I found somebody to stay in my apartment the 5 weeks ill be in Ethiopia this summer. That is such a load off my mind knowing Jake will be taken care of. Thanks Tucker!

Speaking of the apartment, I can’t believe I live here…its amazing. This place has a billiard room, a gym, beautiful pool, free wi-fi….it feels more like I am at camp than home…its awesome and I don’t go a single day without realizing how abundantly blessed I am.

TAKS writing is in 11 school days. Pray for my kids..and for me as I pour into them these next few days. Before they graduate (if they get that far) they will be awesome writers!!

All glory to God

<>< Peace

Hands and Feet

Tammi — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:50:45 +0000

Originally, I set out to write this post to review a movie I went to see this past weekend: Cloverfield. It was fabulous. Go see it.

Today I didn’t have to work, and my goal was to pack for my much anticipated up-coming move…upon taking a break, I though I would come in and check my email. I saw a blog that was recently written regarding some missionaries returning from a foreign country. Although the work done in the country was not in vain, and I know full well was done with willing, servant hearts; the blog focused on how they couldn’t wait to get home. That really struck a chord with me.

Home. Just what is home? I would define it as the place where the bulk of your up-bringing happened. Some may say its the country in which you were born. Others may view home as the place where their family lives. Theologians may call heaven home for those who are in Christ….I guess there are many ways to look at it. I will be the first to admit, I get home sick at times and long to stare into the faces of those closest to me. I do get to go home once a year, but honestly, after being there a few days I begin getting ready to get back to the work God has called me into…maybe I get ‘home sick’ for the work?

My point is this. I have been to many places in the world and at times, have stayed several weeks or even months. Sure, I really missed the comforts of America. I enjoy a warm bed, hot shower, sanitary toilet, safe drivers, and good food as much as anybody else, but what I want and desire isn’t the point. Jesus is.

I guess for me, the end of a mission trip doesn’t look like “finally I get to go back home”, but more like “you mean I don’t get to stay here, God?” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some perfect missionary who has this whole thing figured out, and believe me, last year by the time I was leaving Ethiopia, a pedicure sounded pretty good…but in my heart of hearts, I really do ask myself “why am I still here in America?” And before you say, “then go”, believe me, I have been asking since graduating from seminary, and the answer has been the same from God…”WAIT”.

So back to my question, “what is home?” For Jesus, it wasn’t any place on earth, and as a follower, it shouldn’t be for us either. Maybe home is wherever the Father is at work (everywhere). Maybe it is where the Father dwells (everywhere). Maybe it really is heaven….or maybe….just maybe…it really doesn’t matter. Maybe God just wants His children doing the work He has called us to do, wherever He calls us to do it, and not get caught up in the pettiness and logistics of it all. The bottom line is souls getting saved, not our comforts. I think we sometimes forget we will be living eternally in heaven and the reward time is then…not now.

Please don’t get offended by reading this, I know not everyone is meant to go to a foreign country. Everyone is however called to get uncomfortable and see what God is doing in your world. How could you not want to join Him?

Let It Be

Tammi — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:25:57 +0000

I gotta admit…when Russel kept saying ‘Let it be” today, I couldn’t get the image out of my head of the little boy singing the song in the movie Across the Universe.…and now, the image is in my head again…

I realized something for the first time today that I want to get your thoughts on. I have read and known for years that the baby (John) that Elizabeth carried leaped in her womb as Mary walked up to greet her. What got me today was this verse and how it ties into baby John leaping. It is the later part of Luke1:15; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.

Could it be possible that when Jesus (while still in Mary) entered the presence of John (while still in Elizabeth), he (John) immediately received the Holy Spirit? Even as a fetus in the womb, Jesus’ deity was displayed unto John and he received the Holy Spirit, and he leaped…as a baby…still in his mothers womb…I think this is a safe conclusion because isn’t it true that when Christ enters a life, the Holy Spirit enters as well?

This makes me think of something a seminary professor told us many times over and over…“Take Christ to the nations, thats all you have to do, just take Him to the nations.” That makes sense to me now more than ever because as I spiritually prepare for the next Ethiopia trip, I am reminded that all I am required to do is to take Christ to the people. Simple as that. Give them my hope. My joy. My savior. I will give them Jesus, and let Him take care of the rest.