"Who am I ... and what is my people?"

Humbled.
Privileged.

Those have to be the two words that I use most often when I talk about a trip to Ethiopia.

I often find myself wondering why God has chosen to include me in the work He is doing in Ethiopia. It is very humbling to stand shoulder to shoulder with the ministry leaders we have partnered with in Ethiopia...amazingly gifted servants who are truly giving their lives to show impoverished children the love of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I feel like a "spiritual midget" when I hear their stories and see their faith (despite often difficult circumstances!)

I also find myself feeling so very, very privileged.....to go, to serve, to deliver donations, to put shoes on those little feet, to hug those sweet children, to encourage those beautiful women, to pray over those street children, to share Jesus all along the way.

In the course of my reading this week, I came across a passage that has grown to mean so much to me.

Its at the end of 1 Chronicles. When the people had brought their offerings for the soon-to-be-built temple. David begins to pray....and its the prayer of my heart when I think about offering myself to serve in Ethiopia.

"But who am I,

and what is my people,

that we should be able thus to offer willingly?

For all things come from you,

and of your own have we given you."

1 Chronicles 29:14

When I think about how the Lord has so graciously allowed me to play THIS role in His Kingdom. to meet THESE people. to serve THESE children.....I ask myself that question "Who am I?" And when I see my daughter and my brother and my friends...I ask myself that question "and what is my people?"....that we could offer to the Lord what has come from Him.

He has given us the opportunity.

He has provided the means.

He has introduced us to the children.

He has orchestrated the journey.

He has given so freely.....and we only give back what has come from His hand in the first place.

Humbled. Privileged.

Blessed.