I've just been a Cornhusker girl living in the Lonestar world since 2010, soaking up all the opportunities of service and adventure that came my way...locally, domestically, ha! But I had a conversation this past September about my thoughts on joining a group of Fort Worth folks for a short-term mission trip to Ethiopia this June. Living in the Bible belt, I had friends that went on mission trips, but I just didn't think it was for me and frankly, I never needed to give my list of reasons of why I wouldn't go because I had never been asked - until this September. I brought forward about 5 reasons why I was going to respectfully decline this invitation. Each reason was met with understanding and a full explanation of what the heart of this Ethiopian mission trip with e3 Partners was about. My friend Garrett left saying, "If after this meeting I've just put a pebble in your shoe about this trip or future mission trips, then that's great." (I'm paraphrasing this).

Well, God definitely left a pebble in my shoe. I could hear Him asking me in my prayers, "Okay Jessica, so now what? You have all this information, reliable answers to your doubts, you've seen how I've come through in every facet of your life...how far will you go in trusting me, your Heavenly Father?" Later, I read 2 Timothy 1:7-9a, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me (Paul) his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life..." All I could do next was say, "ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT GOD. I'll go. I'll go to Ethiopia!"

So here I am writing this, and here you are reading all of this. This truly is just a little bit of my story. I'm not perfect, I'm a sinner, but as I'm reminded continually I am on the perfect mission, for the perfect savior, for the perfect message of hope and grace.

With a humble heart, I ask you, will you help me? This is a team project and you are needed on the team.
1) I need prayers for the spiritual battles ahead (oh boy, from now till June 12th and after that, I need prayers!!!), my team, our Ethiopian translators and disciple-makers, and for the people who get to hear about the love and grace of Christ!
2) Your financial help is needed to help cover part of the cost of this trip. If you would like to join me financially, this site is where you can make that happen.

I have set a personal goal of raising $2,500 of the $3,950 total trip cost. Much of this cost is due on March 1st. These funds go toward transportation, food, lodging, translators, and supplies. Any funds raised above and beyond the final trip cost will be directed toward the local disciple-makers training.

Essentially, this short-term mission trip with e3 Partners and Watermark Community Church involves us teaming up with Ethiopian Christians to build relationships and share Christ with Ethiopians who have never heard the name Jesus and help fulfill e3 Ethiopia's vision of planting churches within the unreached peoples of the Arsi Oromo.

THANK YOU for taking the time to read this. If you have any further questions or would like to know more about the trip, please let me know.

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:15
~ Jessica