In March we had the opportunity to be a part of the Medan team for an unforgettable, life-changing experience. We approached our week excited to make a big impact, eager to serve and support where needed. But as the days passed, we quickly realized that we were receiving far more than what we were giving. The children at RAEY School left a lasting imprint on our hearts.

The moment I set foot on RAEY’s campus I knew, without a doubt, why God had brought me there. Any feelings of inadequacy and unpreparedness vanished, replaced by a deep sense of love, belonging, and purpose. The warmth and kindness that we received from the children and the staff at RAEY were like nothing I had ever encountered before. It was as though God's presence was palpable there, radiating through the smiles and the genuine love of the staff and children alike.

Traveling to Ethiopia with Medan Initiative was one of the most humbling and life-changing experiences we’ve ever had. As part of the non-medical support team, we assisted with fluoride treatments, height and weight checks, and hearing tests—simple tasks that carried deep meaning when done in the context of Medan’s mission to bring care and dignity to every child.

I was immediately drawn to Medan because of their unique model of care. Medan’s partnership with RAEY School ensures continuity of care, which allows for tracking of interventions and impact on health over time. While serving on the team in March, I had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the progress these children have made, which is remarkable.

Reflecting back on our trip to Ethiopia this past April conjures up many thoughts and emotions for me. Many of these thoughts and emotions revolve around the truths and the realities of what the children whom we served face each day. Truths and realities that we most likely never will have to face. Truths and realities that humbled me and emphasized the importance of the work that Medan is doing.

As I reflect on our recent trip to Ethiopia, there are so many images and emotions that come to my mind. I can picture moments from our trip that capture both the joy and the heartache of our experiences there. So many images to process, and yet I keep coming back to one in particular.

A few weeks prior to the trip, I was surprisingly diagnosed with breast cancer. No one ever expects this diagnosis and I was full of emotions. Nonetheless, I still greatly desired to travel with Medan. My care team encouraged me to go, so I packed my bags and made the long journey to Ethiopia.  With certainty and peace, I knew that God was still calling me to serve and trust Him, despite my current circumstances.

It has taken time to process the trip, my experience, and the many emotions that I felt before, during, and after the trip.  It has been difficult to experience so many conflicting emotions over the past several months. 

As I sit writing this, on the cusp (hopefully) of the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, I can't help but look back on the past year and reflect on what I know and what I still don't yet know.

Vision care is an enormous need in Ethiopia.  In fact, Ethiopia is believed to have one of the world’s highest rates of blindness (1.6%) and low vision (3.7%), of which more than 80% is either treatable or preventable (NCBI).