I didn't expect to go to Africa. But God made it clear that I was suppose to take this trip to Ethiopia, and I quickly realized He was going to teach me something huge.

Over a month later, I am still learning lessons.

This trip, the people I went with, the experiences I had all played a huge role in changing the very course of my life.

I came back to Kentucky with three truths, which God had heavily impressed on my heart.

He is faithful. Even when we are not, even when we can't see Him working. He has proven Himself over and over again.

He loves us. Like a Father who loves His children, a redeemer, a hero. Almost everything He does in our lives stems from this love - His desire to close the gap between us and Him. So simple, yet transforming.

He is strong. One of the most personal lessons I learned while in Ethiopia stemmed from my struggle of feeling weak. The verse our whole trip was based on was Philippians 4:13. It took me a while, but finally I began to understand it is not important how strong I am. The whole story is about how strong the Lord is, and how we are called to let His strength work out through us.

—Ana Vaughn