Almost there

I wanted to give you an update on our fundraising for new uniforms.  One of our sponsors, Stefany, took on the task of fundraising to buy a new school uniform for each of the children at Kebron.  She did this in conjunction with training for a half marathon.  

Unfortunately, just days before the race, her father-in-law unexpectedly died.  Stefany had a very sweet friend who stepped in to run the race on her behalf.  She did a great job!

Through Stefany's fundraising and some additional funds raised by her friend, they were able to collect a total of $960!!!!  Incredible!!!  We need $1400 to be able to buy each child a new uniform.  That means we are just $440 short of our goal! If you would like to help us reach our goal, please contact me.

Let's help these children get new school uniforms for this fall!

It Matters to One

I'm sure you are familiar with the Starfish Story but it is such a great inspiration to follow your heart.

          One day a man was walking along the beach, when he noticed a boy 
          hurriedly picking up and gently throwing things in to the ocean.
   
          Approaching the boy, he asked, "Young man, what are you doing?"

          The boy replied, "Throwing starfish back in to the ocean.  The surf is
          up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them back, they'll die."

          The man laughed to himself and said, "Don't you realize there are miles
          and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make any
          difference!"

          After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another 
          starfish, and threw it in to the ocean.  Then, smiling at the man, he 
          said, "I made a difference to that one."

We are making a difference to the children at Kebron!  Even though the number of orphans can be overwhelming (over 4 million in Ethiopia alone!), you can make a difference to one.  Sponsorship isn't just a monthly financial commitment, you become a crucial part of a child's life.  They rest in knowing that there is someone who loves them and prays for them.  Someone they haven't even met!

I know it may sound funny, but so many sponsors have shared with me the overwhelming and unexpected feelings of love for the children they sponsor.  They become family.

So if you ever wondered if sponsoring one child really made a difference, I can tell you without hesitation that it does.  

These are just a few of the children who desperately need sponsors now.  If you are interested in sponsoring, let me know.  You can be the one who makes the difference!

Kidist, 4 years old

Kalkidan, 5 years old

Abinet, 9 years old

Yohanis (boy) 5 years old

Feraol, 4 years old

Running for Uniforms!

Let me start by saying that I am NOT a runner!!  However, I AM inspired by so many of my friends who have decided to start running at this point even if they have never been a runner before now.  That describes my friend and fellow sponsor, Stefany!

Stefany has decided to tackle a half marathon!! That is awesome!  She has also decided to raise funds and awareness about Kebron.  She is currently seeking people to join her by sponsoring her $1 for every mile she runs (13 miles total for you non-runners, like me :) ).  All the funds raised will be for purchasing new school uniforms for the kids at Kebron.

The children have not gotten new uniforms in a long time. Typically they only have one, which means they have to wear it every day.  As you can imagine, it doesn't take long to wear out their uniforms.  They are ready to get some new ones and Stefany is stepping up to help!!

Here is a link to Stefany's blog where you can read more:

            http://enjoyingchrist-stefany.blogspot.com

If you feel led to help Stefany reach her goal of raising $2000 to buy the kids new school uniforms, please contact her or me.  I can't wait for the kids to be able to go to school with fresh, clean, new uniforms!!

Thanks, Stef!

In The Comfort Zone

One of the best parts of my role as a Sponsorship Coordinator is traveling back every year to see the kids.  My planning for the next trip seems to start almost as soon as I get home!  I actually was making notes for myself on the loooong plane ride home this last time.  You can never be too prepared!  I'm learning from my house full of Boy Scouts!

I wish I could adequately describe the experience of serving the children.  Being in the midst of the children in surroundings that are so impoverished, quickly gives a lesson in our overabundance at home.  It actually can make it a little difficult transitioning when I return home.  The blessing I receive from the children in what true joy is though, is immeasurable.  I am always so blessed by the kids.

It is also an honor and delight for me to travel with people who are visiting for the first time.  We carry such perceptions in our head of what Africa will be like and especially in a third world country.  It is often through those misconceptions that fear takes root.  I love to experience the amazement from those very same people as they wonder what in the world they were ever fearful of to begin with!  What we think is stepping outside of our comfort zone is actually stepping right in to God's presence!  How He waits to delight us!

If you feel God has ever prompted you to serve on a short term mission trip, I would love to have you join me!  I will be going to Ethiopia 6/25 - 7/2.  There is a spot for you!

Christmas is My Favorite Time of Year

I love everything about the holidays....decorations, Christmas lights, Christmas tv shows and movies, baking, spending time with family and friends and the list could go on.  It's easy to get swept away by "doing" Christmas.  But this year, 
I'm trying to not get too caught up in the busyness of the season but to really reflect on the meaning of the season.  

Reminding myself that Jesus left the perfection of heaven to come and make himself human among man.  That He faced any trial and temptation that we face so that not only would he know our joys and hurts but that we would have an example of how to live.  And most importantly, He made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins in giving His life so that we could know eternal life with God.  I don't know about you, but that gives me a great reason to celebrate this Christmas!

As we enter the holiday season and begin our preparations and festivities, I often think of the children at Kebron.  While they don't have the material comforts that we often do, they share in the same joy in celebrating the birth of our savior, Jesus.  Their joy isn't from the physical circumstances they are in but in knowing their Jesus and celebrating the miracle of His birth.  

I have partnered with Children's HopeChest in their Change Their Story campaign.  We are raising funds to help provide additional nutritional needs for the children at Kebron.  Our goal is $7500.  I know that's a lot but I think we can do it!  Please consider donating ANY amount to help us reach our goal.  The following link will take you to the page to be able to donate.

http://bit.ly/UDQssk

Thank you so much!!

"I Have A Word For You...."

Six simple words that have a profound impact.  In fact, a much larger impact than I could have ever imagined.

 

I was led to minister to the children of Kebron and the community of Modjo, Ethiopia two years ago.  My last visit however, I received an unexpected gift.

We were visiting Kebron for our second day.  Many of the children were in school so it gave us a great opportunity to visit with some of the kids individually and to explore the property a little better.  Yewbi originally started Kebron on the land her father owned and where she grew up.  She has since bought the land directly behind Kebron and across the street.

Since we had the time to explore, I asked Yewbi to show us the land across the street, which I hadn’t seen yet. She and I left the gates of Kebron and headed out to the dusty road with my friend Carol, who had joined me on the trip.  Carol was carrying a precious little 3 year old girl whose dad, Derebe, was a caretaker for the property.

As we were walking across the street, the little girl spotted her dad and was waving to him.  We introduced ourselves and began walking toward the gate of the property.  Carol was standing to my left and I saw someone coming up behind her out of the corner of my eye.  As I turned to look, the woman who had walked up behind Carol reached out and suddenly grabbed a handful of hair on the back of Carol’s head and pulled it.  She then began angrily speaking at us in Amharic.

Yewbi and Derebe had walked ahead of us and quickly turned to see what was happening.  They began to try to speak with the woman but she would have none of it.  Of course we couldn’t understand anything that was being said but the woman was obviously very angry.  She did speak in some broken English but all we could clearly understand was her swearing at us.  Derebe and Yewbi redirected her away and we continued through the gate on to the property.  She stood outside the gate and continued to yell and swear at us. 

Once inside, we began to walk around the property.  Besides having a large open field area where corn had been planted, there was a small church there where the kids go for discipleship training every week.  We went to take a quick peek in the church and after walking out, we turned the corner to see two gentlemen standing and speaking with Derebe.  They were introduced to us and I assumed that they were friends of Yewbi.  One of them was wearing a suit and tie.  We were told he was a pastor.

While we were talking, the local woman came back to the gate and began yelling again.  Derebe opened the gate and she pushed her way in.  She was yelling and swearing again and even began spitting at us.  The man who had come with the pastor led her back out of the gate and off the property.  Carol and I weren’t quite sure what to make of her.

We soon began to start back across the street to Kebron.  As the gate opened, I surveyed the area to see if she was still around.  She was nowhere to be seen.  I remember thinking as we crossed the street that this woman was being used.  I felt Satan was trying to make us be fearful or doubt and distract us from our purpose in being there.  I truly didn’t fear this woman, I just wanted to know what she was so upset about or what she thought we had done.

Once we were back at Kebron, the pastor asked if he could share with us.  He said, “I have a word for you.”  Still thinking this was a friend of Yewbi’s, we made our way to the main room to hear from him.  There were several adults and a few of the children.  He pulled out his bible with the worn cover and wrinkled pages in preparing to speak.

He said that he was a pastor headed to Awaasa from Addis.  This is a long journey of several hours.  While on the bus, God had given him a message to deliver to us.  When the bus stopped in Modjo, he got off.  He somehow found Yewbi’s friend who brought him to Kebron. 

Turns out that he did not know anyone and was only there to deliver a message that God had given him.  He began speaking and referencing from 2 Corinthians.  Yewbi translated his message to us as he spoke. 

After a few minutes, Yewbi became very emotional and was no longer able to translate.  Alex, the staff person from Children’s HopeChest, began to translate.  Even though I couldn’t understand the words the words the pastor was speaking, I was drawn to his passion in delivering his message.  I could tell what he was saying was important.  I could feel God’s very presence in that room.  Every eye was on him and there was no other sound than the rhythmic speaking of his voice.

He spoke for only 15 or 20 minutes even though time truly seemed to stand still in the moment.  Once he was finished, he quietly closed his bible and walked out of the room.  As suddenly as the pastor had appeared, he was gone.  He was heading back to the bus station to continue his long journey to Awaasa.

It wasn’t until later that evening when I had the chance to speak with Yewbi that I actually understood what had fully happened.

Of course I wanted every detail of what had been said by the local woman as well as the pastor.  Who was this woman and why was she so angry? Yewbi said she was a local woman whom they knew.  While the woman had seemed confused before, they had never seen her behave in this way.  Yewbi said she was yelling, “It’s your fault!” at us as well as cursing us.  She apparently kept saying this over and over.

Yewbi then explained that she had never seen or spoken to the pastor before. She met him for the first time that day.  He had told her that God had given him four specific messages to deliver while he was on that bus headed to Awaasa.  He didn’t know any of us or even where to find us but was obedient to God’s prompting.

The first message was to Yewbi.  She had a potentially life threatening illness many years ago and admittedly lives in fear of it returning.  She has visions of so many things to do at Kebron to help the children there and in the community and fears she may not live to see them all through.  The message to her was that she would be okay.  Her health would be okay and that God had many more things for her to accomplish at Kebron and in Modjo.

The second message was for the director at Kebron.  He is an elder at his church and had been questioning whether he should continue doing this.  The message for him was that he needs to stay where he is and that his church needs to hear truth.

The third message was for Alex.  He had been exploring options to pursue a higher degree.  He wasn’t sure where or when to go to university. His message was that now was not the time for him to move.  He needs to stay where he is and God would tell him when it was time.

The fourth message was for Carol, Dalton and me. He said that we are to be the light for Kebron and Modjo.  We are to go back home and to tell others. We are to return and bring others with us.  We are to share His glory.

As Modjo has become a more Muslim influenced community, the pastor concluded with saying that God’s message was, “He would be their God again.”

Wow!

I believe there are spiritual battles that take place around us all the time.  I also believe we aren’t even aware of many of them.  I have no doubt that this was a tangible, spiritual battle played out before our very eyes.  I believe that Satan had a word for us through the local woman who was angrily confronting us and swearing at us.  He tried to strike fear and doubt in us through her.  I am in awe that God swooped right in at the exact same moment with a powerful word of encouragement and commission for us through the humble pastor.  They literally crossed paths right in front of us.

Kebron had 11 children when HopeChest partnered with them two years ago.  Wonderful things were happening for those children.  Last summer we added 35 additional children.  Only 15 children total are able to stay at Kebron full time.  The rest of the children come in for clothes, meals, discipleship training, etc and then go back in to the community.  Modjo is being impacted.  These children are hearing truth and growing in their relationships with God and they are spreading that good news.

I believe that we are beginning to see the ripple effects of the impact that Kebron is having in the lives of the children and in the community.  To say I am overwhelmed with humility at the calling and commission God has given me is an understatement.  But I know I trust Him completely and that scripture is full of broken people like me who just had a heart for their God and He used them in mighty ways.  I have no pride here.  This is His story. 

  

It brings to mind the words of Mordecai to Queen Esther:  “Who knows, whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14

Amazed and Encouraged

  
I want to give a quick update on my recent trip back to Ethiopia and my visit to Kebron.  With this being my second trip to Kebron, it already felt comfortable and familiar.  I loved being met at the gate by sweet little faces that I already knew!  Giving hugs and kisses to children who looked bigger to me, older and more grown up, was wonderful. 


I was so fortunate to be able to coordinate my visit with Yewbi's annual spring trip to Kebron.  We both got to meet the new children for the first time.  In addition to the 35 new kids we added last fall, there were 3 additional children at Kebron.  This puts us at 50 children right now that we are providing services for!  We just have a handful left who need sponsors.  Once these last few children have sponsors, we are planning to bring in another 20 children.  Wow! Hard to believe we will be caring for 70 children from just the 11 we started with a year and a half ago!  If you are interested in sponsoring one of these children or know someone who may be interested, please let me know.

Our kids at Kebron

Kebron is definitely growing!  The kids are doing so well.  They are all in school, except the youngest ones, going to discipleship training once a week and are receiving healthy meals.  


One of my favorite things to do when I visit is to be able to hand deliver the care packages that were so lovingly packed by the sponsor families.  We were able to deliver each child's package to them individually so that they had time to explore everything.  Of course they linger over the photos of their sponsor families. These are precious keepsakes for them. On a funny note, one of the boys received a whoopie cushion in his care package.  The children, and the adults, had never seen one before.  It was hilarious to see how they laughed at this toy!!  It was quite the hit!










That smile tells it all!  Photos of their sponsor family is the best gift of all!








The very popular whoopie cushion!

Through donation money, we were able to buy three sheep to prepare a feast for the children at Kebron and the surrounding community.  In all, we fed well over 100 people and there was enough food left over to provide a meal the next day too!  While I didn't enjoy the slaughtering of the sheep, to see the kids gobble up the hearty and nutritious stew was well worth it.  Meat is very expensive there and the kids don't often get to have it.

Preparing the sheep.

Some of the kids enjoying the feast.

Through a generous donation from the Thomas family, we were able to provide a bible to every child and even a few from the community. The kids were so proud of their new bibles!

 

The kids showing off their new bibles.

         Also had someone donate 50 pair of glasses for all the kids.  




I have such a hard time telling the kids goodbye.  Our time just seems to go so fast while we are there.  It does make it a little easier to tell them I'll see them next summer!

We had such fun just hanging with the kids......










Dalton playing a game with the kids.

Hanging out in the boys' room.  They loved listening to Dalton's IPod.

I had to bring some UK blue with me to Ethiopia!








After we return home, I enjoy sharing with others about our experiences and about Kebron.  I'm kind of like one of those teachers that you knew you could get talking about something if you just asked the right question....I get so excited sharing about all that is going on at Kebron and in the community of Modjo!!  (I'll have more to share on that soon.) 


I often am asked if it is hard to visit there.  I have to answer a resounding NO!  I am completely amazed and encouraged with what I see.  If I visited and felt like it didn't make any difference and nothing was changing, it would be devastatingly hard.  But I see changes happening; kids growing physically and spiritually, developments in the property.  I see hope!  I can't wait to come back and share with others and brag about what God is doing.  Things are changing! I see God providing a hope and a future for the children right before my eyes.  Amazing......