Where do you stand?

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money

and be content with what you have,

because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”

 Romans 12:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve

what God’s will is—

his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Thinking these two verses go together just a bit. 

If we are content and free from the love of money,

 we won't fit in with this world. 

We will also have more of HIS money freed up to

help those who TRULY need it.

Feeling a bit awkward here,

and happy like my friend here

 because of it!

Where do you stand? 

Need to do some praying?
 

Africa Cookie Cutters

Africa Cookie Cutters

$11.55 shipped.

We can do paypal.

Raising money because a sweet young man keeps asking...

"When you come?"

Hoping that answer is ....

SOON!!!

Leave a comment, or email me using the link on

the top right of this blog to get yours!!!

~ Want to help me get there?  Please share this! ~

Nothing new...

For those of you who are regular followers to our blog, and check back every so often to see if there is something new...  I am exhausted mentally and physically, too much on my plate here, and too many heartaches with things over there...  I am taking a much needed break this week, so there will be no new posts for a bit.

In the meantime, a funny but true depiction of what often times is our worship...

Lovin' on as many as we can...

This last trip was a special one for me.

Obviously, being able to have my

family all under one roof,

on one Continent was huge,

but the great part about bringing

3 extra family members

is that you can bring

300 extra pounds of luggage.

That meant that THESE

(click for the story)

great jerseys donated by

JCPENNY

finally made it into our bags.

Soccer is HUGE for these boys,

so they flip at the idea of

a soccer shirt!

(The other kiddos are wearing

their "new" clothing too!

We filled our suitcases with as

much as we could.)

Happy boys!

I loved seeing them wearing their

new clothes all week.

That's when you know they were a hit...

when they get worn

DAY after DAY, after DAY!

These were 15 of the newest boys,

showing off their new shirts,

and pants/shorts.

Their needs were a tad greater,

because they had missed

 the once a year govt hand out

of 1 outfit for the year.

The older boys asked us to buy

the 15 new tennis shoes for school.

Same as last trip,

each boy got shoes, socks and undies.

Leaving Ethiopia, you can only carry

200 birr of their money with you.

(less than $12)

On her way out, our sweet friend Linda,

handed us her leftover birr.

What a blessing!

The next day after lunch,

we stopped by a "shop"

on the side of the road.

We handed a group of our boys

a handful of Linda's cash

with some extra...

and told them to go nuts

buying flip flops for the boys.

The chaos that ensued reminded me of

pillow day a few days before.

Armload after armload, the

boys brought back shoes to the van.

Those of us still in the van

rushed to find the "matches"

and bind them together

 with green bands

I had planned to hand out that day,

before the next load arrived.

The end result was over 70 pair.

Sadly, not enough for everyone,

but it made a small dent.

Yordanos, our driver, reminded us that

we were helping not only the boys,

but the merchants.

In particular, a crippled woman,

who, unable to stand upright,

moves around on all fours.

The purchase of 40 or more pairs of shoes

from her alone, was a huge blessing.

THAT is why buying in country

 is so important!!!

Showing off their new shoes...

We started with those same 15

who were new to Kolfe,

and then got as far as we could with

the other boys.

These shoes will be a top priority again

next trip.  Cheap to replace... they

cost less than $1.50 in country.

Prayer works!

It has been a prayer of our family's

for months and months now

 that the older boys of Kolfe

would be able to continue

with their education... 

So many of you joined us in these prayers.

A few of you also donated to our

Kolfe Pillow Project,

and as a result,

the excess went to the schooling costs.
 

This morning we got confirmation that

God had nudged a heart to help underwrite that fund.

Scholarships are back in full swing for this year.

Thank you Jesus for once again

 providing for these boys.... 

Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

Into HIS arms...

‎19 months ago, I was asked a very simple question... "Do you want the kid studying to be the baker, or the kid studying to be the auto mechanic?" I had no idea how to choose... but God did. John and Kyle are car guys... so I went with the auto mechanic. I later learned his name was Emnatu.

We didn't have a clue what we were doing... but we knew God had commanded us in his word to care for the orphans, so this was a small start. We were willing, and HE chose to use us.

My life will never be the same, and I wouldn't have it any other way!!! There is so much joy in being used for HIS GLORY, HIS PURPOSES. 

♥♥ What's HE calling you to do? ♥♥ Take a running leap... HE will catch you! ♥♥

A challenge... to give it all you've got!

What is God calling YOU to do?  I had a conversation with one of our sons tonight.  He asked me to do something for 4 specific boys who have touched his heart.  I am praying about it, and trying to remind myself that this is not my job, but God's...  I just need to be willing to be used by Him.

Are you willing?  God's word is pretty clear that we need to be doing SOMETHING to help the widows, the orphans, the least of these...  they are all around us.  AND YET... so often we get caught fighting for the "American Dream"...  focusing on our own tiny little worlds. 

I am asking you this week... think about where your treasures are... are your priorities in the right place?  At your funeral, what will they say about you?  That your nails were perfect, your house was neat and tidy... or something more?  Will people be able to say, "He made an impact on my life."  "She was sold out for Jesus, and HE shined through all they did."

I'm still a work in progress, but I am aiming to make an impact on people who have lives that aren't as easy as mine truly is.  I don't want to just be blessed... I want to be blessed to be a blessing, and live my life to make a difference. 

How about you?

Overflowing with blessings...

Garage sale day!

I am always amazed at how

much we have to sell on

our sale days.

So many people, all giving

a little, leads to a BIG blessing!

Thank you!!!!

Total's total was $521!

Praise God!!!

We could not have done it without

the help of these ladies.

~ A former g.sale customer, who is now

a sweet, sweet friend.

~ A new friend (of 5 weeks) from our small group,

who has a huge heart from serving.

~ A friend (and her beautiful daughters) who's heart

 for adoption and orphans, brings me to tears... often.

These ladies gave so sacrificially of their

time both Friday during set up,

and Saturday during the sale.

Hours, and hours of selfless work,

to abundantly bless our family.

Special thanks to my family.

my hubby, the Ks for their tireless work

on Friday and Saturday,

and my parents for helping out on Saturday.

My daughter read a C'slist add

that I had placed that said

"Multi-family sale"...

she misunderstood the multi-family

part, and (so sweet) said,

"but WE aren't going this time,

just YOU."  I appreciate their help,

they would love to go with me,

and I know it will be tough to see me

travel without them.

 - - -

We have a long way to go,

before the next journey to ET is

paid for, but today,

God, and so many of you,

helped us make great progress!

Next sale will likely be in late Nov/early Dec.

Melkam Meskel...

Tomorrow in my other home its Meskel, a Holy Day.

Meskel means

"The finding of the True Cross"
Meskel is celebrated by dancing, feasting

and lighting a massive bonfire

known in Ethiopian tradition as "Damera".

I posted that first photo on fb this morning,

and one of the boys commented that their

dameras are bigger at Kolfe.

That reminded me of these photos

from last year.

Boys and fire... not sure they need the excuse

 of a Holy Day, but it doesn't hurt.

There is no school today,

no work, just celebrations.

The bonfire is ready and waiting to be lit

at Kolfe in the next few hours...

oh, how I wish I could be there to see it.

Melkam Meskel boys!

Want to learn more about Meskel?

Click here...

Trip #4...

Well, we have been home a month,

and it is now time...

to start fundraising for my next trip.

Still praying about the date for the next trip.

I'm willing, as are a few friends,

but its HIS timing we want, not our own. :o)

So in the meantime, "I don't know yet."

 is the answer I seem to have to give to

a lot of young people in my life.

We will be having a garage sale

on Saturday, October 8th

to raise funds for my next plane tickets.

If you have things, (even small amounts)

that you can donate to our sale...

We would appreciate it!

Share Nights this week!

3rd Trip Share Nights this week:

Thursday and Friday

6:45pm

 

These will be casual, family-friendly evenings.

Please feel free to come and go as you need to!

We will be sharing stories and photos

about Ethiopia, Kolfe, and Korah. 

 

Message me for our address!

We'd love to see you there!

We will also have our Raspberry Jam

 for sale that evening.

(Ingredients: Raspberries from Utah, pectin and sugar.)

$6.50 for one,

$12 for two.

These make great Christmas gifts,

and will help me get back to Ethiopia in 2012.

Please help us spread the word,

my friend Nickie, her mom,

 and I made over 50 of them!

(Thanks, ladies for the help!!!!)

Reflections, heartbreak, and plans for the future.

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.

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.

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??) 

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!".