Comments on: Are You Serious, God?

By: Escape Adulthood with Kim & Jason » Calling Your Shot

Escape Adulthood with Kim & Jason » Calling Your Shot — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:23:04 +0000

[…] 6. My perspective on life was challenged when I traveled to Ethiopia to meet Hailemariam. […]

By: Swingset Reflections » Calling Your Shot

Swingset Reflections » Calling Your Shot — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:26:51 +0000

[…] 6. My perspective on life was challenged when I traveled to Ethiopia to meet Hailemariam. […]

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 28 May 2007 22:13:07 +0000

Leigh, you raise some great questions. First of all, I’d trust Compassion on the issue of safety. I know that they put safety above everything else when planning the trips and have a good handle on things going on in the respective countries in which they work. If they feel the risks are minimal, then I’d put the rest in God’s hands.

Secondly, I too am Catholic, but have many good Protestant friends. It wouldn’t surprise me if Kim and I were in the minority (the odd-people-out, as you suggest) on a trip like this. But I’d look at it as a good opportunity to share what I like about being Catholic. I would not expect that people would attempt to convert me on the trip (nor would I be concerned with converting them). I think we have a lot to learn from each other, and I like to focus on the vast number of the things we all agree on rather than get distracted by the few things we disagree on.

That’s just my two cents.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Sat, 26 May 2007 06:17:02 +0000

I am considering this trip in March ’08 as well. Two questions: (1) Are you at all concerned about recent (March, 07) travel concerns for tourists in certain areas of Ethiopia? A European group was kidnapped (and thankfully released after 10 days)a few months ago. (2) As a practicing Catholic, would I feel like an “odd-woman-out” touring among what are presumably evangelical Christians? I live in Wheaton, IL, the golden buckle of the Bible belt and I hold a deep respect for my Protestant brothers and sisters. But I am Catholic as Catholic gets and intend to stay that way. I would just like your perspective on this matter.

By the way, I also sponsor a child through Compassion and it has been a wonderful experience.

In Christ,

Leigh Eckroth

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:35:23 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement, Kelly!
I guess it should really be “Hail” but 8-year-old habits are hard to break!

By: Kelly Cox Semple

Kelly Cox Semple — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:31:16 +0000

How wonderful! I hope you have the opportunity to go to Ethiopa and meet Hal (shouldn’t that be Hail?). It seems to me that your 8-year relationship with him has probably already changed your lives, even if subtly. And I believe that a visit would most certainly change it, in more obvious ways.

Don’t be afraid! :)

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 12:38:49 +0000

Thank you, guys!

By: Aster

Aster — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 05:40:00 +0000

I came across this site via the Ethiopian Portal website,

http://www.EthioPortal.com

May God bless you and your family for your good deeds!

Regards,

Aster

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 01:10:08 +0000

I really hope you get to go. How cool it would be for you to meet Hal. It would be a dream come true for him as well.