Some Video Inspiration

Yes, I'm a child on the "technology century" and rely on technology and video to help me articulate life. These videos speak for themselves.

First, a Dave Barnes song "10,000 Children." I listened to it every night before falling asleep in Ethiopia. I could finally put faces to those children. Wow. "10,000 children and all I can do is just talk." Take a listen for yourself:


Second, a video of Barrett Ward explaining the Mocha Club school project in Ambo. I recognize so many of these faces. And am SO excited that if people join my mocha club team (www.mochaclub.org/joinme/mkohne), the money goes towards finishing this exact school!


That's all for now...more videos coming soon that I took myself on the trip!

Things I give up

When my team met in Dallas for training (pictured above), we spent some time reading in the bible and reflecting on it. The particular passage we read focuses on not complaining. As we discussed this passage and our expectations for the trip, our training leaders suggested we all create a list. We were to create a list of things we were "giving up." The things we were surrendering and not longer having the right to. I dug through some stuff and finally found my list that I wrote out on that day, July 1st, in Dallas; here, I'll try to translate it to typed text as best as I can:

I'm giving up my right to:

- complain about the weather or other uncontrollable, insignificant things

- get enough sleep every single night

- be stagnant & ignore my journey of faith

- pick & choose who I think I should/would be friends with or get along with & instead be open to everyone

- talk about myself before listening to others

- worry about things after the trip (wedding, zoo, boys) that I can't control

- be picky about my food (spicy, coffee, etc...)

- plan and be on schedule - know what's ahead

- hot shower

- to stay dry & comfortable

I look back at that list and think about how I had to give up those things, surrender my right to be picky or to worry, to be able to fully experience Ethiopia. Without worrying or giving in to these trivial things, I was able to be completely present in the moment as possible - to let it all sink in and to give of myself, my attention, to these people as fully as I could. I look back at the list and realize how many of those things I did give up.

"get enough sleep every single night"

My mind wanders back to a night spent in the guest house (pictured above). I was downstairs journaling in the living room, as Keith journaled in a chair across from me and Geoff sat engrossed in his book. It was probably well past midnight already and I was in desperate need of sleep. The two soon finished their tasks and headed up to bed, but I stayed for what I thought would only be a bit longer. Another team member, Sarah, soon came down and we found ourselves talking until almost 2am (knowing we had to get up by 7:30 or so). That time together really was the start of our friendship though and was needed. We needed to be present and caring towards one another. Sleep could wait."be picky about my food"

Well, I was in Ethiopia where coffee was discovered. Nevermind I had probably only drank 3 cups of coffee in my whole life, I decided to embrace the culture and had coffee every time it was offered. You know what? I didn't absolutely love it, but I did enjoy it. It was all part of experiencing the country and was worth it. We even had the privelage of experiencing two coffee cermonies. The one pictured above was in our guest house, put on for us by Tigis, one of the guest staff, on our very last night in the country.

"to stay dry & comfortable"

On our last day of ministry, we went back to Hannah's Orphanage. This was our third day at the location and we went to help the children with their chores. The "chores" at one point entailed our eleven person team helping to wash dozens of children's clothes. We had probably six basins of soapy water that team members would scrub the clothes in, then another 4 basins of rinse water, and then lines upon lines of clothes. It was raining and dreary out. At the end of the endeavor, my back hurt and my sweatshirt, shoes, and shirt were completely soaked through. I was neither dry nor comfortable. What I was instead was content. I had been able to do something that I knew was a service to these people...a small token of thanks for sharing their lives with me.
"hot shower"

I specifically remember taking a shower in the Ambo hotel (view from our balcony posted above). The water was absolutely freezing. Sooo, very cold. I could barely handle the water. I found myself complain in my head about how cold it was. And then I stopped. I realized how incredibly selfish I was. Here, I had just spent the day with people who didn't even have running water in their homes most likely and I was complaining that I had to endure a cold shower, one day out of how many days? That's when the tears starting falling.

Now that I'm back home and have gotten back into the "flow of things," I have noticed myself falling back into habits. Habits like complaining about the weather or traffic. Why? There is no need. I have no control over the situation. I have to continually remind myself that the list of things I "gave up" before going to Africa doesn't need to be reclaimed again. I can be that person I hoped to be on my trip while I am back home. I hope and pray that I can always strive to be that person.

Making Sense of it All

I know I haven't written much since my return. I apologize. I could blame it on being busy, but that is not entirely the case. It is more because I am at a loss of words. I'm scared of not doing justice to the wonderful and beautiful souls I met. I'm scared you'll get bored reading it. There is so much bottled up inside of me concerning this trip that I'm at a loss at where to begin. So I'll just begin somewhere easy:

Meet my friend, a precious little girl I met at Kachene Study Center. Her name escapes me at the moment; even if I could remember it I wouldn't be able to spell it correctly. My team spent a total of three days at the Kachene Study Center in the heart of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The center is for kids who are orphaned but still live with extended family, whether that be an aunt, uncle, grandma, etc... It provides a safe haven for the kids and allows the family members to have time to work without worrying about the kids. Think of a Boy's and Girl's Club in the U.S.

The first day of ministering in Ethiopia we visited Kachene and just spent some time with the kids. Then we left the capital (Addis Ababa) for a few days. Upon our return to Addis we returned to Kachene for two more days. This little girl caught my eye right as I hopped off the bus on that second day. She instantly jumped into my open arms. I got asked by Sister Amoss (the founder and lady in charge) to help take some pictures of the kids so I had to set the little one down. She just stayed nearby and watched as I worked with Sister Amoss for at least 40 minutes. When finished I looked over and waved her over and she came running to me. She didn't leave me for the entire day.

The next day we visited Kachene's again. This time the girl saw me probably before I saw her and again came to hold my hand and hangout for the day. This girl had so much attitude and sass and giggles in her. She was a riot to be around and made me smile so much. Her hugs were precious and her giggle made you start laughing instantly.

She stands out in my mind for her tremondous amount of joy and laughter. You'd forget she had gone through a hard life of losing her parents and lives in poverty. Yet, that's the way the people of Ethiopia are: so incredibly joyful and loving despite the hardship. If I learned anything while in the country, that was it.

Back From Africa

No - I didn't get stuck in Africa (i wish!). I'm back.

First of all, thank you so much (whoever actually reads this) for your prayers, thoughts, encouragement, and support. I appreciate more than you can ever imagine. It means the world to me and I hope to attempt, although unadequately, to "pay you back" by sharing with you what this journey entailed and what happened.

Second of all, sorry for the delayed post. I thought I would be able to post a blog or two while in country, but my attempts failed due to the extremely slow dial-up internet. I will have to gather some pictures and refer back to the journal I kept to help relate how things were at that time.

I got back in the U.S.A last Tuesday (the 15th), but then proceeded to drive up home for my sister's wedding and then drive to Chicago to meet up with friends and see a concert (a friend drove up from Nashville, and I'm friends with one of the bands that played so it was all around a great trip). Then work started up on Monday after a 3 week "vacation." Basically, life has been hectic and makes me miss the slow African pace of life (we joked that one city in Africa that we visited, Ambo, had 26 hours in the day because they took everything at such a slow pace).

Everyone keeps asking me "HOW WAS AFRICA?!?!" Well, the response to that is more of a feeling than words. When I think about it, a sense of warmth rushes over me and a longing to go back. If I didn't have a plane ride back to the US, I'm not quite sure I would be here right now. Not that I never wanted to come home...I just didn't want to come home quite yet. There is so much that my trip entailed it is hard to sum it up in a few words, but I'll try. Here are some that come to mind:
*Amazing
*Life Changing
*Unreal...yet more real than anything I have ever seen
*Beautiful
*Blessed
*Heartbreaking...but heartwarming at the same time
*Breathtaking
*Laughter
*Bonding
*Joy, Joy, Joy

I'm trying to adjust back to life here. It seems to be harder than trying to adjust to African life. Strange to understand unless you have experienced it. For me, the journey is not over. I'm still processing. I'm still searching. I'm still trying to understand why I was on thetrip and what I'm suppose to do with it all.

Life calls though...so more later.

Until next time...

Packing

Wow. Packing was probably a 6 hour ordeal today. I'm exhausted from it. I jammed everything possible into those bags...I honestly can't believe it all fit. I spent so much time taking everything out of its bulky packaging and sucking all the air out as humanly possible.

I leave for Dallas in about 9 hours. AHHH!

Here are some pictures to show the packing adventure for the day:

taking over the living room:


Packing 1 of 3 suitcases... layer one:


Layer two:


Layer three:


Weight:
suitcase one: 46 pounds
suitcase two: 49 pounds
suitcase three: 46 pounds
carryon: JAMMED

Morale of blog: Melissa is going to FALL OVER trying to haul this through the Dallas and Mpls Int'l airports.

I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update this while on the trip. So keep me and the team in your thoughts and prayers. Team members: Geoffrey, Daina, Danielle, Sarah, Jenny, Elizabeth, Geof, Keith, Jessica, Missy, and myself.

Until next time...

Preparing for Heartbreak

I keep on thinking that I am traveling all the way to Africa to get my heart broken. Sound strange? Yes. Let me attempt to explain. I don't know how anyone can go into this sort of situation...to see some 200 orphans in one orphanage who have seen more terror and hardships than ever imaginable. These kids who will be so, so incredibly happy to recieve the simplest things like stickers or school supplies - maybe some of the first times ever seeing these things. I'm not fooled to believe that little me, the little white girl from MN who somehow is affording international airfare and who definately wears her heart on her sleeve will not be affected by these kids. How can I witness these kids...open my heart to them...and NOT get my heart broken in the process? And in way, yes, I do want my heart to break. I want to know that I am capable of that compassion...that I can give these kids that sort of love and care. I've said this before, but I want this trip to change me in some fundamental way. I just think my heart getting broken is part of the process. That my friends is not something that is easy to prepare for. It's not like remembering your passport or gathering donations...it's so much more. It's trying to mentally and emotionally prepare. *sigh* I just really feel like the "leap" into the unknown is here. Bring it on.

Until next time...

3 Days and Counting

Considering it's past midnight and officially Saturday morning I only have 3 days until I leave for Africa. 3 DAYS! When did this happen? Why am I not completely ready? There is so much to do but I know it'll get done. My goal is to purchase my malaria medication tomorrow and to pack my bags of donations.

First though, let me say how incredibly grateful I am for the people I have in my life. They are so generous and thoughtful and amazing. I really do lead a blessed life. My favorite part of this whole process so far has been collecting the donations. People have volunteered their money and posessions to help. It honestly takes my breath away. Thank you friends. You are my inspiration. You are the reason I believe in the good of this world. You are amazing.

I'm SO excited to meet the team in Dallas. I've never flown alone either...that just occured to me. I guess it'll be an interesting adventure down to Dallas all alone. Who will I tell "I love airports! I love airplanes!" to (on spring break I'm pretty sure Tori heard those two sentences half a dozen times on the trip out to VA). I'll be able to bring a 3rd suitcase on our international flight. I hope my domestic flight doesn't make me pay too much money to bring it along. Yuck. I guess you do what you must do though.

It felt a little more real this past week. I talked to Elizabeth (she's going on the trip) and that made it sink in a bit more. Then today at work I walked around saying goodbye to my co-workers since I'll be MIA for three weeks from work. Can I just say how lucky I am to be an intern and have a job that allows for 3 full weeks off in the middle of the summer? And that they want me to continue on into the fall.

Just a little side note...I'm co-leading a street team for the band the Alternate Routes. Their EP is being released while I'm away in Africa. I'm going to see them after I get back home and excitement can barely be contained.

My sister is also getting married RIGHT after my return. It's going to be a crazy, crazy welcome back to the U.S.A. I'm actually more scared about the return and jumping back into "real life" after such a huge experience.

More to come this weekend as I really start to digest my Tuesday departure. Right now...sleep!

Until next time...