I've been in Africa for 24 hours, but I still haven't touched down in Ethiopia. Airline debacles had half our group rerouted to Ghana and then to South Africa. We're in Johannesburg for the next 6 or so hours, and then—finally—Lord willing—we will board our final flight for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (I'm borrowing someone's laptop and wifi to send out this quick update.) Sidebar: I'm really glad that I got my first trip back to South Africa under my belt in April/May. I'm not sure my heart could have handled the rawness of those emotions on top of the exhaustion I'm feeling right now. Because, seriously, I'm more tired than I've been in a long time. The past two nights have been spent on overnight flights, so I haven't seen a bed since Sunday night. My bloodshot, teary eyes are selling me out right now; it's impossible to hide how ridiculously tired I feel.

Now, more than ever, I just can't wait to get to Ethiopia. And not just because a shower and good night's rest await me. I've been "teased" with Ghana and now South Africa, and I'm ready to embrace the beautiful people and culture of Ethiopia. I want to meet and hug my sponsored kidlets. I'm anxious to see and experience the work of Food for the Hungry (FH) firsthand. I want to see it with my own eyes and feel it with my own heart.

The other half of our group is already there. Kristen, Emily, and Alysa made it into Ethiopia yesterday as originally planned, and are spending today visiting communities with FH staff. I'm so eager to finally meet them and hear about their experiences so far.

The Joburg airport is a little chilly (a welcomed reprieve at the moment), and I've got my FH hoodie on. "Do justice." That's what's written across the front of my sweatshirt. Do justice. That's from one of my favorite passages. Micah 6:8 says, "Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

I'm ready to get out to the communities of Zeway, Ethiopia to discover how FH puts that passage into action. And to be challenged in new and unique ways to embrace and live out that verse in my own life.

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