Day ONE Addis: The calling to love

I landed in Addis in a daze. My stomach was filled with Ethiopian coffee and mysterious airplane food. No one quite knew the day or the time, however we were all ready to start our journey into the unknown world of Ethiopia. Walking out of the airport my first thought was "Wow these are beautiful people." , everyone seemed to have a story written on their face and in their eyes and it was beautiful, like nothing I had ever seen before. 

Thought we were all beyond exhausted we would not have a chance to rest. The second we unpacked we were off to an orphanage. Driving there was a powerful experience in itself. The buildings where rugged and used. People were building whole communities under bridges out of scraps of garbage such as old cardboard and rock. It was the norm, It was common, for people to see people sleep on the side walk with nothing but a blanket. The smell of smog choked my lungs as we tried to drive through the endless maze of traffic. And though you could immediately see the poverty and need you could see, just as fast, the love and affection of the people of Addis. It was beautiful. Beauty from the dust. 

As we drove up to the orphanage you could see the joy in the kids eyes to see they has someone to play with. Most had torn clothes and were covered in dirt and yet they were so joyous to be with us. As I walked into the three story apartment like home I could smell the woman roasting their own coffee and see the smoke fill the home. Walking up the stars I saw rooms filled with babies. There were about 3 Nancy's for every 15 children. I instantly wanted to hold as many babies as possible. They were such beautiful angels and I couldn't imagine why someone would abandon such a helpless being. 

Every touch, every tickle, every smile was worth more than gold to these children. I had never felt so much love for a child I had never met before. I knew, as I was holding these precious babies that this was in fact my calling. To love and to be love as God loved me. 

God has given me an amazing gift to love others with a pure and true heart. And that day I knew, this is why I was given this gift. His love is more than anyone could ever fathom and I will humbly be a vessel of a minute amount of that love. 

Honestly those children are fact a vessel of love, just the same. I had never felted so loved and wanted than when those children would hold me. I knew this is where I needed to be, this is what I was born to do. To love with the purest love of Christ is to love life to the fullest. This the calling of me and Gods people, to love and love to the fullest. Love God with all your heart and love His people just the same. 

He makes the lightening dance for you

Yesterday was my first day in Nashville and God has already revealed so much amazing beauty to me and to my spirit. 

Last night me and my best friend Maddie went outside and we noticed that it was about to rain. Thunder was roaring in the distance as we walked to the park. We sat in awe of this amazing storm inching its way towards us. As the rain starting falling and the wind started blowing we turned on songs of worship and experienced Gods raw power. 

In this instance as we were worshiping and praising God, I experienced for the first time a true healthy fear of God as well as his eternal love for me. I was watching the lightening cores through the cloud and feeling the beating of the rain on my face praising God for His love and compassion.

I was praying for The Lord to reveal himself to me and before I could end my prayer a lightning strike hit that was so bright I feared I went blind. However as I closed my eyes the image of the root like lightening seared into my eyes. I felt a warm feeling of comfort an love as God told me "I make the lightening dance for you" 

The God of the universe, the God who makes the thunder roar and the rain fall loves me and loves you. He has a heart of compassion and pure love for His children. He even pursues us and gies us refuge in his arms of love. He shows his amazing power and amazing beauty in our everyday lives but it is our choice to open our eyes and ,with a sober mind, appreciate and admire His love for us. God is and always will be love. How great is Gods love for us? It is infinite, external, all knowing, all powerful, all seeing, undying, and unfathomable. Therefore we must love one another as God loved us with compassion, truth, and mercy. 

Love God, love people.

Today stop and admire Gods amazing beauty, love and power. 

I'm Going on Mission... Again!

Dear Family & Friends,

I would like to inform you of an amazing opportunity that God has blessed me with. As of June 30th through July 9th I will be in Ethiopia as a missionary spreading the love of Christ to the locals. Ethiopia is a land of poverty, hunger, and waste, however, the organization Ordinary Hero has chosen me to bring life and love to the small city of Addis Abada. 

A village community built in the dump of Addis

While I am on this mission trip I will be doing many things to benefit young children physically, spiritually, and financially. I will be visiting trash-dump communities, orphanages, feeding families, mountain communities and more. This trip is not a vacation. I am going as a missionary and a humble servant of God. If you could find it in your heart to give I would be extremely grateful. Not only can you give financially but spiritually as well. My team and I plus the wonderful people I will be meeting there will need much prayer as we walk this journey together. 

As for donations you may give by check or cash to me or straight to the organization by mail at Ordinary Hero, PO box 1945, Brentwood TN, 37024 and please place my name in the memo if using a check. Any surplus money that is given will be donated to the entire team. My goal is to raise $3,500 by June 20th and as of today I have raised over $2,000 in order to fulfill this mission. All donations to this non-profit organization are tax deductible. Thank you so much for your time and prayers. 

I love you all very much and I know God will bless you in every step you take. Please visit www.ordinaryhero.org to learn more about the organization I am traveling with. Additionally please follow my blog, which I will try to update daily to keep you aware of the beautiful things God will be teaching and showing me on this wonderful trip. I would like to thank you in advance for all your prayers and any donation you find in your heart to give. 

With Love: 

Angelina Rose Ximenez