We are back, and now the adjustment begins. A friend told me, "Africa wrecks you." In a sense this is true. Before we left, we prayed,
"Father, break our hearts for what breaks yours." He did, He has, and I believe He will continue to do so in the future.
It's not a comfortable place to sit, in this broken hearted state, but then again, we aren't called to be comfortable. (By the way, the song we sang in church our first Sunday in Africa used those very same words. "Break my heart for what breaks yours." Coincidence? I don't think so!)
Please don't misunderstand me, there are needs on my own street, all over America for that matter...
but the level of needs in the beautiful country of Ethiopia... are far beyond anything we have here. Children for whom schooling is a luxury. Fresh water a rarity.
I will never forget the feeling as the guest house (luxurious by their standards) ran out of water because a group of Kolfe boys had enjoyed the shower a bit too much downstairs. ;o) I waited for hours, and finally the pump had filled... I could wash my hands... but the water pouring out of the spout... was muddy brown.
Back at the orphanage, more than one change of clothes? That's reserved for the "big boys" who have far away moms... the littles wear tattered and torn shirts, with wide, gaping holes, and pants with zippers that no longer work to hide the fact that they wear no underwear.
They could be wearing their shoes they were given in March... but choose instead to go barefoot on rock filled ground, littered with broken glass from windows that used to be. Why? School starts in a month, and at least their shoes might be somewhat presentable if they save them.
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| 15 new boys received tennis shoes, flip flops, sock, underwear, and an outfit. The joy on their faces was priceless... they didn't need a new X-box game to make them happy... just the basics! |
One of the older boys and I spoke at length about the needs of the younger children, I still remember him saying, "It does something to your mind to have to go to school with your clothes like that. Can you do something? Can you ask your friends to help them?"
John and I have wrestled with what our role should be in the lives of these boys.
I adore them, and feel as if it is only God who could have me love them the way I do... but spending each day trying to raise money to travel? Is that what is truly best for them?
Admittedly, we spent a bundle, (only 1/2 fundraised) for the 4 of us to travel. Would that money have been better spent writing a check to an organization to be spent directly on the boys?
I have asked Emnatu this question repeatedly, and he refuses to answer, maybe he is too afraid I will stay home, because for the first time in his life, he has something to look forward to.
But Sintayehu is much more blunt,
(ha... there's a story there...)
I am not his mom, and he is the leader over the orphanage, so I asked him for the truth once I got home...
"Nooooooooo your coming is very important! Everybody waiting you... Yes you are right our need is big but you did your best so that is great. There is a lot of people they have much money though they don't do anything." In other conversations, he has gushed over the generosity of my "friends".
I think they get it... it is taking so many willing hearts to help them!!
That's all the confirmation I need, because I am learning, that each time I go...
God speaks to YOU, so many of you hear the stories and respond. You step out of your comfort zone, and fill my suitcases, you send me with cash to make purchases there, you give to Gladney to help with the projects, you give to Agape to help us get there... but YOU join in... something you probably wouldn't do if I sat at home and fundraised for a check that might not make it where it is supposed to go anyway, without someone personally watching over it.
In a sense... I endure the bug bites and get blessed with the hugs, all the while, you get the reward of knowing that
WITHOUT YOU, I CAN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THEM!!! Here's the other thing I am learning... a lot of people care about these boys, but the ones closest to them typically don't have the ability to step in and help us... 99% of the help we NEED, the help we GET, comes from people who are NOT connected with this orphanage... just your average Joes and Janes... with an ear set to hear when our Savior calls you. In a small way, in a big way... you have been increasingly getting the job done!
So what's next?
1) There will always be needs of shirts, shorts, pants, socks, shoes and underwear. Much of that, is best to buy in country, because of baggage fees.... that being said, I am always collecting gently used boys soccer themed shirts, they love them, and they pack small.
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| 70 pairs of shoes purchased in August. |
2) Schooling is still a need... Looking for a tax deduction? // There are directions for donating to Gladney's Kolfe Schooling Fund on this blog. //
3) The boys have asked that I revisit that original Pillow Project plan of getting new bedding. (in country) Many of the boys do not have sheets. ALL of the boys are in need of newer blankets and sheets. If they have them, they are in very sad shape. I have contacted Gladney and it looks like we can run this through them again. (Yes, there was money left over from the Pillow Project, but I have asked that the money go to schooling for the older boys, who are getting ready to start back up soon.)
4) And as always, money is needed for me to get there and work the projects, love on the little boys, feed many of the big boys, and make the purchases in country... My trip costs run about $4,000. (Less if the boys would eat less, but who can tell a growing teen who rarely gets his belly full to take it easy on my food bill??)
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| One of our last lunches... it took a full van and a hired taxi to get the 16 of us to lunch. The cost was $123 USD, but worth it to know there were full bellies amongst the laughter in the room. |
// If you feel this is something you can help with, let me know, and I will get you the address of Agape, the local church, who is accepting tax deductible donations on our behalf. // There is also the opportunity to help us with our next garage sale sometime in late Sept/early Oct.
~*~
When do I plan to go back?
Well, it's fair to say that the bank is broken from August's trip for 4! I would love to be there for Ethiopian Christmas in January, but at this point, we will just have to wait and see what God provides, and when. The point is... I am ready whenever HE says "Go!".
