Journey Into Addis

Mission Family

lawsons — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:09:05 +0000

To give everyone a brief update, we are currently just over 16% support raised and we are still waiting on a few more people to let us know what their support will be. We are so gracious for all the prayers and support that we have received. Our house has also had a lot more action. It seems we are having showings at least three times a week and will hopefully be receiving an offer before to long! : )

When Ashley and I first began this journey we had no idea everything that it meant. We have faced extreme ups and extreme downs. Up to this point in time there have been a few things that God has shown me. First, God has shown me what it truly means to depend on him for everything. We have always talked about depending on Him, but pursing missions has really shown us what that really means. I can only imagine how Moses must have felt in the desert, constantly waiting, praying and seeking God. I am sure at times he wondered, “when are we going to get to the promised land God? I feel like we have lost our way.” The second thing that God has shown us is the great amount of love and support we have received from family, friends, and at times even strangers.

Lastly, God is showing us the mission family. When I say mission family, I mean anyone who has had to raise support to serve for an extended period of time whether overseas or here in the United States. For instance, there are people all around the country going to different parts of the world to serve in missions but I know that I can call or e-mail anyone of them and receive prayer and encouragement. They also know that they can contact us for the same. It is a part of this mission journey that I did not expect but one that I have come to appreciate. It is wonderful to have people who truly understand the emotions, struggles, and joys that we experience as we are on this journey. We are so thankful for ALL of you who have been a part of this journey with us whether in person, by support, encouragement, or simply by prayer. There are two things that get me through the difficult times, God and ALL of you!

I am an Idiot

lawsons — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:48:04 +0000

Sunday night I broke down. I started freaking out about how our house isn’t selling, how I did not want to go to Ethiopia because Brian was going to die, and how I would not have a dishwasher at Bingham. All weekend long I had prayed and prayed and prayed that God would show himself ( the breath prayer from K-Love a few weeks ago)…. and nothing.

I went to work the next day and told some of my co-workers how I flipped out and made my husband stay up way too late, yada yada yada. Brian had written me an email and I had just finished reading it at work [I was on a break I am sure ] and then my phone rang. In the email he restated our ‘plan’ if God’s timing was not our timing. I answered the phone and he told me about a letter we recevied in the mail. A financial supporter and a one time gift. Now it is Friday and we have had 2 people who wanted to see our house and an interested buyer by word of mouth as well!!

Moral of the story: Keep your faith.. don’t be an idiot

Peace out homies~~ Ashley

Eschatological Conviction

lawsons — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:31:26 +0000

An excerpt from Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry written by William H. Willimon.

“Tabithat is the only person in the New Testament to merit the feminine form of the word for ‘disciple.’ Her discipleship, indeed her ministry, is caring for the widows. In other words, Tabitha ministers among the most vulnerable of the community. When she abruptly dies, all the hope that these desperate women may have dies with her. They pitifully show the clothes, which she has provided for them, as tangible evidence of their great need now that Tabitha is gone.

Surprise! Death will not have the last word in the ministry of Tabitha among the widows. Peter speaks bold words of resurrection: ‘Tabitha, get up!’ (Acts 9:40). And she does”

“To all who are trapped in old, dead, fixed arrangements, we keep crying, ‘Get up!”. “The world and its wiles, the principalities and powers, are too great for mere humanistic altruism. What we need, if we would engage the powers in all of their tenacity and complexity, is some vision beyond today. Eschatology is not an escape from prophetic ministry (‘Pie in the sky by and by), an evasion of concern about justice issues in the present through dreams of some ethereal heavenly future. Eschatology is the very basis of prophetic action. We are able to act with courage and conviction because we KNOW the last chapter of the story” (Willimon 263, 264).

“…’I am making everything new!’…He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 21 vs. 5-6.

Our House

lawsons — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:33:35 +0000

Last Friday we had a showing of our home and yesterday we received word that our house was one that these potential buyers may consider. They were looking at another one last night at which point they would make a decision as to which house they wanted to place an offer on. We also have a showing to another set of potential buyers tomorrow from 11-12. We are so thankful for your prayers so far and we can see how God is bringing more people to see our home. Please continue to pray, pray, pray like crazy that God brings the right buyers for our house. We will be sure to keep you updated!

~BL

Jesus’ Emotions

lawsons — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:11:00 +0000

As we enter into Holy week, leading to “good” Friday, I am profoundly impacted reflecting on the emotions that Jesus must have been going through. To know the day and time that you are going to die, I believe, would lead to unimaginable emotions. Jesus knew He was going to face a horrific death for the world and we see a small glimpse of His fear, stress, anguish, and courage.

“Father, if you are willing, TAKE this cup from me, yet not my will, but YOURS be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in ANGUISH, he prayed MORE EARNESTLY, and his SWEAT was like drops of BLOOD falling to the ground” (Luke 22.42-44).

This small portion of scripture says so much about our Lord who died for the world. It shows us that whatever we find ourselves in, whatever struggles, emotions, fears, hurts, and confusion that God is there, can sympathize and will strengthen us if only we search him. If we go to a quiet place and pray more earnestly we will find strength, guidance and courage.

Ashley and I have recently been hosting a Bible study in our home at which we have been studying the book of Hebrews. In this book there is a profound scripture that I love and believe our country and world needs today: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4.15-16)

As the GM commercial says, “lets put our rally caps on,” and find our way back to God’s throne at which we find GRACE and MERCY.

~BL

New Photos

lawsons — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:19:45 +0000

Hello wonderfully amazing reader. Tonight I attended Ashley’s athletic awards ceremony for the basketball team she coached. We had a great time and I greatly enjoyed seeing the excitement on both the players and their parents’ faces. If you have not looked at our SIMCO photos, you definitely should. There are photos of our first experience with Ethiopian food. The chicken tasted like we were eating at a wing place. We also wanted to thank those who have already become a part of our financial support team! We will have an update shortly of where we are at financially and what we still need. Until then, my prayer is that all of you may be blessed and deeply impacted by the power of our God.

~BL

SIMCO Blizzard of ’09

lawsons — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:27:46 +0000

Leaving Ohio, my wife and I expected warm weather and absolutely no snow; however, God had something else in mind. Last night Charlotte received around 4 to 5 inches of snow. Suddenly adults became like school kids playing in the snow and desiring a snow day the next day. After twenty minutes of snowball fighting, snowman making and pure fun, a group of us decided to take a walk into the woods which turned out to be an hour adventure through the woods. As I think back, walking into the woods during a snow storm that contained thunder and lightning in the middle of the night, may not have been the wisest choice.

During this hour of being lost in the woods in the middle of the night with no cold weather clothing, God was at work. Through this adventure we, the group of missionaries we were with, grew closer together and conquered a task. In a sense God was training all of us to be flexible, strong, and how to work together as a team with people we barely know. I praise God for the unexpected learning experiences that He provides us everyday, if only we opened our eyes to notice.

~BL

P.S. Ashley had to come to NC to finally get her two hour delay!

5 Months to Go

lawsons — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:46:56 +0000

Coming up on the beginning of March means we are prayerfully 5 months away from going over seas! Currently we are at SIMCO in North Carolina for our second round of a three round preparation process. We have had such a great time so far. We are meeting missionaries who have been in the field for decades. Everyone we talk to about Bingham has so many positive things to say about it. We have heard that the weather is awesome and that there is a giant turtle ( I am picturing Crush from Nemo but much larger–I hope he has the same accent!). More importantly, we have heard stories about how amazing the students are and how much of a culture they are of their own, even though they make up 26 different countries. SIMCO makes me want to go to Ethiopia NOW!!!!! I am super crazy excited~~Ashley

A story of God’s Power

lawsons — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:42:57 +0000

Enter with us into a story of how God can use His servants to impact the lives of those in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.