the lost practice of Sabbath

(Photo of my view from the top-floor restaurant. Cows walking in the lane of traffic, on their merry way.)

I love Sunday's in Ethiopia! In America, people tend to carry on with business as usual. Here, Sabbath is just a part of life. I walk to church from where I live. It's about a 30 minute walk. The streets are much quieter than the other days of the week and the frequent calls of "Farenge" (foreigner) are much less. There is time to think, time to pray, and time to just enjoy walking in the presence of God and worshiping Him for who He is and what He is doing in this city. My prayer over the last week or so is that I would have eyes to see where He is at work, and that I would be attentive to how He's asking me to join in His work. I want to do nothing out of my own desires or ambition, but only what the Father is already doing- otherwise, it's all in my own human effort and has no eternal value.

After church, I had a wonderful lunch with new friends: a woman from Romania, one from Canada, and 4 of us from America, atop a large building overlooking some of the city. We have found that much time and conversation are spent on the topic of food. What to eat. Where to eat. Is it safe? What will we eat next?...You get the picture. Afterwards, we strolled downstairs to Kaldi's the local "Starbucks" where I enjoyed the most splendid caramel macchiato! Have I mentioned I love this place?

It was just so refreshing to talk, laugh and not have to be on a time schedule. No place to be. No things that need to be done. Just be. Right here. Right now. I'm still learning to do this, and I pray that with each passing week, I will be better at it.

Market Day!

Today was a wonderful day! Once a month, there is a Bazaar held at the church that I go to, where local NGO's who are doing work here come and sell their goods. Every farenge (foreigner) makes their way. You didn't realize there were so many expatriates here until you come to the market. It was a great time! I met my friend Katherine and we sat and enjoyed a cup of buna (coffee) and talked about life and our families. I just met her a week ago, but already she has been such a blessing to me. I bought a few things: a beautiful new scarf, a woven basket/bag thing, and a little potted flower for my room, as well as some homemade rye bread and brussel sprouts! Can I just say I was most excited for brussel sprouts! Yum! Made them for dinner tonight with my spaghetti. Mom, you'd be so proud :)





Time is now going much faster here. I love the fact that I live in Addis Ababa! I can walk down the street to go to the bank, buy bananas, or even walk to church. And I'm learning how to get around by taxi and on my own. I'm meeting so many wonderful people and enjoying the time I have alone with the Lord. The first 2 weeks were very difficult. I was very scared and felt so alone, but clung to the knowledge that I KNOW God has called me to do this. Now, I'm just loving life! I'm sure there will be many ups and downs in the year ahead.




I enjoyed ice cream this week! That was one of my highlights. Also enjoyed the girls at Women At Risk again. The photo above is with my Yerusalem, one of the women that I met there. We got a chance to hear some of their stories this week. It's so amazing what God can do with a willing heart!





I'm trying to blog as often as I can. The internet is dial-up and I pay per minute. I will be quite interested to see what my first bill looks like!! Yikes! Often I can't even access the blog.

First 2 Weeks

This is a photo of my room.

Here are some highlights from my first 2 weeks here:

- Starting to sleep through the night!

- Found a great International Church with people from all over the world- a little taste of Heaven!

- Making friends with Ethiopians (Habasha) and other expatriates (Fareng)

- Starting to get around on my own by walking and taking taxis

- Visiting the Women At Risk Program (a program that disciples young women who were formerly living in prostitution and on the streets. Here they are taught about freedom in Jesus Christ, counseled, taught English and job skills.) These girls were so amazing and I'm looking forward to spending more time with them.

- My English class began. I have 7 students. They are so sweet and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better.

- My friend Meseret, who helps me with cooking, invited me to her house this weekend. I had lunch with her family including Dora Wot (chicken stew) Injera (bread-like food that you eat with) vegetables, and barley juice. Followed by traditional coffee ceremony & chocolate cake!

- Seeing my beautiful friend Renee & her husband Jason and their new beautiful baby!

- Lots of time to hang out with Jesus!

- Being part of a prayer group with missionaries that have been here for a very long time and experienced many things. Praying together, hearing their stories, gleaning from their wisdom, and encouraging one another.

There have been moments that are difficult. I suddenly came to the realization the other day that I can't just pick up the phone and call home. Nights are kind of scary and lonely. Please pray that I would be bold and courageous, and that all critters would return to the fields where they belong :)

I'm looking forward to beginning language study (Amharic is the primary language here) very soon to begin communicating with people on a more meaningful level.

afternoon storms

Sitting outside under the thunderclouds. Blackness begins to set in and cover the sky. It is time for the daily rain and thunderstorm, which I have come to count on around 2 or 3pm everyday. The clouds are about to give way & I sit enjoying the musical chorus they give all around me. It's so amazing to me that the Lord holds all of this in His hands.

I did eventually come in, just in time before the floodgates opened. This was the biggest storm we've had yet, which included measurable amounts of pea-sized hail.

Tonight I had the opportunity to leave my room and the confines of the compound where I live. A missionary friend picked me up and we went to a prayer meeting with about 15 other missionaries. It was so exciting to look around the room and think of all the stories, miracles and experiences they represent. It was a great encouraging time of fellowship, and, most of all lifting each other up in prayer. Afterwards a few of us went out to dinner. I am so grateful for the people God is placing in my life. "He sets the lonely in families" was a Scripture He showed me the day before I came, and I am finding this to be true in my life.

I started reading Experiencing God yesterday, while I was sitting outside watching this storm, and God has been breaking my heart these past two days for so many who know about Jesus, but do not KNOW Jesus. This is where eternal life lies, in being in a loving, dynamic and personal relationship with the God of the Universe! And He is longing for all of His children to be in this relationship with Him! It was very convicting to my heart, because we never arrive at this place. It is a life-long journey where we continue to seek Him and fall more and more in love with Him daily. So, I share this to encourage you- no matter where you are in your faith journey, know that there's so much more!! We will never know the limitless measure of His love on this side of Heaven, but I know I want to waste my life to experience the depths of His heart.

I'm home!

"I'm home" was the thought I had as we were about to land in Addis Ababa last night. It brought such joy to my heart knowing that this is where God is calling me for this season, that it melted away the sadness of leaving my family and friends on the other side of the world.

God has already answered so many prayers. Today was such an amazing day, it's hard to believe I'm actually here! I was picked up for church by Samuel & his wife Yodit. They are such wonderful friends! They took me in and totally blessed me today. We went out for lunch after church & afterward spent time at their home- they didn't want me to be alone today. They prepared a room for me to rest and rest I did- I took 2 naps! They were wonderful. Afterwards we had traditional Ethiopian coffee and visited.

I experienced the Ethiopian tradition surrounding funerals this evening. A friend of theirs lost their mother yesterday. In Ethiopia, the person is buried the same day or the next day. 7-10 days are spent in mourning. We gathered at their home where there was a tent set up outside & many benches and chairs. People were gathered conversing with each other and the family.

I am already learning so much, I don't know if I can retain it all! Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

Please feel free to email me at: jillian597@yahoo.com or I can receive mail at:

BWTC- Jill Osterdyk

PO Box 2323

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Blessings to you on the other side of the world from Ethiopia!

PS- The photo is my view of the Alps! Breathtaking!