Selamawit is a grade 4 student whose future aspirations are becoming a famous dancer. Her favorite color is yellow and her favorite animal is the dog. She likes to learn to read and she likes going to school.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Orphans Sleeping on Sacks on the Concrete Floor - Save the Candy _ Feed the Child
Meet some very cute siblings Selamawit Yohannis and Getaneh Yohannis, ages 11 and 8 respectively, new kids to BCI's sponsorship program.
Currently neither sibling is receiving benefits from BCI. These orphans attend government school not far from where they live. Before their parents passed away when they lived in Addis Ababa, they were living in good conditions and attending a private school. Now they live with their grandma who is unable to find work and their aunt and two cousins, with the aunt the sole income - not much for a total of six in the house. They had not had breakfast when we visited as they were out of food. The kids are sleeping on sacks on the cold, sometimes wet, concrete floor as seen here:
Selamawit is a grade 4 student whose future aspirations are becoming a famous dancer. Her favorite color is yellow and her favorite animal is the dog. She likes to learn to read and she likes going to school.
Getaneh is a grade 3 student and he wants to be a compassionate person when he grows up, someone who helps or works with an orphanage. He didn't answer when we asked if he likes school. His favorite color is green and he, like his older sister, likes dogs.
According to their grandma, these kids are having trouble adjusting to the new reality of mom and dad not being here and not being able to attend a private school such as BCI Academy. It is hard for the family to accept the current circumstances. The family is of the Orthodox community. When on the visit I asked the social worker if they knew the difference between a relationship with Jesus and worshipping Mary as is taught by the Orthodox church. They are just learning that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. They are just learning there is no other way but through Him, not Mary, and not a priest.
Would God be moving your heart to respond to their need of sponsorship? Are you being called to give them breakfast? This Halloween, is your family called to save the candy, and feed the child?
To sponsor Selamawit or Yohannis, visit www.blessingthechildren.org/donate or call Melissa at 1.888.269.2719.
Selamawit is a grade 4 student whose future aspirations are becoming a famous dancer. Her favorite color is yellow and her favorite animal is the dog. She likes to learn to read and she likes going to school.
Daughters of the King - Women's Conference
I watched as eighty women filled the seats of the conference room at Genesis Farms, land for planting farmers started by the Dutch. Eighty daughters of the King. Whether they had accepted and began a real relationship with the Father or not, the work of Jesus Christ had already been completed over 2,000 years ago - it's our decision day, our moment of arrival at the Truth that matters. All of us, precious, costly daughters of the one true King.
The day began with prayer and worship in song. They sang a song about how God is our protector, we're never outside of His eye, and asking to protect us like we are in His eye. The Word of God was shared by a fellow Habesha. We limited her time of sharing to one hour. Many of these moms are the only ones available to watch their children after school, so we were on a tight schedule to have them on the bus in order for them to be home by the time their children arrived.
After a coffee break, the women were separated and placed into four groups. We had time enough for the women to join two of the four sessions. The first session was originally titled "Food Safety" but changed more to proper handwashing, led by Sheila Lamb, who showed the women what bacteria looked like on their hands after washing via black light. Despite some minor technical difficulties, the session went well. The second session was simply called "Crafts" led by Peggy Kohut where the women learned to cross-stitch, some for the first time. The third session was "Fun Times," my group, where we held a scavenger hunt for the women, and whoever found the most items within a five minute time frame won a prize. The idea of a scavenger hunt was very new to these women and it required some memory work as we translated the list of items but they enjoyed it, especially watching the winner wear the prize for a quick photo! The last session, but certainly not the least, is where we got our theme and calling for it - it was called "Daughters of the King" co-led by Stephanie Hastings and Sonja Ward. In this session, salvation was explained and the women made friendship bracelets.
When the sessions concluded, because we ran out of time during "Fun Times," as they were dismissed to retrieve their lunch - a traditional spicy Ethiopian meal - each of the women were given a balloon to pop. These balloons had a bible verse and either birr in denominations of 1, 5, or 10, or they had a 25 birr phone card. This went well, that is, until men from the street wanted to join along and I had to tell them these were only for the women, a risk one takes if ever doing something outside where others can see.
Before the conference concluded, we handed out gift bags to each woman and they each got a greeting card signed by all of us as a token for them to remember who they are in Christ: Daughters of the King. The gift bags contained various items such as lotion, wash cloth, soap, hand sanitizer, finger nail polish, etc. On the face of the greeting card was the conference's theme "Daughters of the King" with a crown and on the inside the second half of Isaiah 51:11.
The women seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Each lady also received a single rose and were told "Konjo" as they left the building. (Konjo is Amharic for beautiful as they are beautiful daughters of the King). After joining together for a group photo the ladies boarded the bus and headed for home as we waited for the bajaj. My ride back to the guest house was quite phenomenal as seven of us crazy soldiers piled into one bajaj with Kristi Bennik's (logistics and gift bag extraordinair) tote lids covering the heads of the gentle ones of us in the back seat. We made it back safely and I just know it was because of the prayers I (perhaps you) had been praying. While the day may be tiring as we gave it our all, it was a great day and so glad to see women show up in praise to Jesus. Glory be to Him, as He has called us all Daughters of the King.
The day began with prayer and worship in song. They sang a song about how God is our protector, we're never outside of His eye, and asking to protect us like we are in His eye. The Word of God was shared by a fellow Habesha. We limited her time of sharing to one hour. Many of these moms are the only ones available to watch their children after school, so we were on a tight schedule to have them on the bus in order for them to be home by the time their children arrived.
After a coffee break, the women were separated and placed into four groups. We had time enough for the women to join two of the four sessions. The first session was originally titled "Food Safety" but changed more to proper handwashing, led by Sheila Lamb, who showed the women what bacteria looked like on their hands after washing via black light. Despite some minor technical difficulties, the session went well. The second session was simply called "Crafts" led by Peggy Kohut where the women learned to cross-stitch, some for the first time. The third session was "Fun Times," my group, where we held a scavenger hunt for the women, and whoever found the most items within a five minute time frame won a prize. The idea of a scavenger hunt was very new to these women and it required some memory work as we translated the list of items but they enjoyed it, especially watching the winner wear the prize for a quick photo! The last session, but certainly not the least, is where we got our theme and calling for it - it was called "Daughters of the King" co-led by Stephanie Hastings and Sonja Ward. In this session, salvation was explained and the women made friendship bracelets.
When the sessions concluded, because we ran out of time during "Fun Times," as they were dismissed to retrieve their lunch - a traditional spicy Ethiopian meal - each of the women were given a balloon to pop. These balloons had a bible verse and either birr in denominations of 1, 5, or 10, or they had a 25 birr phone card. This went well, that is, until men from the street wanted to join along and I had to tell them these were only for the women, a risk one takes if ever doing something outside where others can see.
Before the conference concluded, we handed out gift bags to each woman and they each got a greeting card signed by all of us as a token for them to remember who they are in Christ: Daughters of the King. The gift bags contained various items such as lotion, wash cloth, soap, hand sanitizer, finger nail polish, etc. On the face of the greeting card was the conference's theme "Daughters of the King" with a crown and on the inside the second half of Isaiah 51:11.
The women seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Each lady also received a single rose and were told "Konjo" as they left the building. (Konjo is Amharic for beautiful as they are beautiful daughters of the King). After joining together for a group photo the ladies boarded the bus and headed for home as we waited for the bajaj. My ride back to the guest house was quite phenomenal as seven of us crazy soldiers piled into one bajaj with Kristi Bennik's (logistics and gift bag extraordinair) tote lids covering the heads of the gentle ones of us in the back seat. We made it back safely and I just know it was because of the prayers I (perhaps you) had been praying. While the day may be tiring as we gave it our all, it was a great day and so glad to see women show up in praise to Jesus. Glory be to Him, as He has called us all Daughters of the King.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Mom needs miracle to survive: will you help?
Meet Abreham Tesafaye and his mom.
Mom is sick. She may not look it, but she is awaiting her 2nd surgery since her son’s arrival for a uterine tumor. Time is running out. Without a miraculous healing from the Lord, she is in dire need of this surgery that could save her life. Her doctor gives her 3 months until surgery before it grows.
Mom is sick. She may not look it, but she is awaiting her 2nd surgery since her son’s arrival for a uterine tumor. Time is running out. Without a miraculous healing from the Lord, she is in dire need of this surgery that could save her life. Her doctor gives her 3 months until surgery before it grows.
But how will she pay for it on an income of 100 birr per
month that she gets from washing clothes?
Her rent is 400 birr for the small place they do have. And when her child’s father walked out on
them neglecting his responsibilities as father and provider?
You would think her thoughts would be of herself, but her
thoughts are on her son.
Who will take care of him should she not get this
surgery? Family is far away; they are
unavailable. Will he become another
orphan, another photo, another child in Ethiopia that has fallen through the
cracks?
We hope and pray for God’s provision for this family. Abreham is new to the BCI program and is in
need of sponsorship so he can go to school – a chance for education, food,
clothing, and a growing knowledge of God’s hope for his future as the family
comes from the Orthodox faith (believers in Mary and a priest), not yet
believers in Jesus Christ.
Are you willing to sponsor this child or donate toward this
mom’s surgery? For $30 USD per month,
Abreham can start school at BCI Academy.
If you sponsor a child through BCI, the organization not only allows but
encourages packages to be sent for the child and visits are always welcomed.
Activity Day and more!
Fantastic weekend!!
Saturday was Activity Day, an event BCI hosts monthly that is evangelistic in nature full of bible stories, crafts, games and concludes in serving lunch. This month's theme was Sanitation. I got to teach Samson and Delilah to ages 3-5 and I took on sanitation courses for the older kids we split into ages 6-11 and 12+.
In this class we talked about several points. We talked about the importance of clean water, how we know it's good for drinking and ways we can help make it so. We went over littering, how it makes our village look bad and how choosing not to litter (holding onto trash until it can be properly disposed of) can be a way of worship to the God who created the land. We went over proper hand washing, how hand sanitizer is helpful but the best for us is soap and water, and we talked about times for washing our hands and how this can prevent the spread of disease. I got to teach HIV/AIDS prevention with the 12+ class, ways we can prevent the epidemic through using the wisdom God gives us, using caution around blood and bodily fluids, knowing what God says about sex - our purity, etc. We even went over times when it's not our fault, instances such as the evil of rape. I really wanted to touch the shame piece that rape victims may feel and get them to Jesus.
With each class, my prayer was that nothing would sit heavy as learning and talking about some of these topics can open a door for the enemy to taunt with hopelessness, but as we bound demons, the Holy Spirit did His work because at the end of each class, none of the kids responded when we asked how their hearts were doing after class, if anything was heavy. They could respond in answering questions so they heard, but their hearts were fully protected by God. There were exactly 58 kids in this class because I prepared 60 bookmarks/pen friends to remind us who we are in Christ, just something simple: a white plastic bead tied at the top with purple pipe cleaner that extended to the length of a nice bookmark or because the pipe cleaner is flexible, they could wrap it around their pens as a daily reminder that we belong to Him.
Later that evening, I got to escape or get away for a bit. A couple of girls here for two weeks from TN invited me to go to Pyramid Hotel and Resort - one of them wanted to Facetime her husband as he works during the week - and I got to Skype with my family for the first time since being back in DZ. My nephew could see me once I turned the camera part on: "Aunt Jamie!" It was so good to watch the sunset with the birds flying near the water, catch some photos, Skype them, hear good news from my sister and eat pizza with new friends.
On Sunday, we finished up our Daniel in the Lion's Den lesson by making lions out of foam pieces and yarn. Right before we started Sunday School, one of the little girls peeled off a sequin from her shirt and gave it to me as a gift. I extended my hand once more only wanting to take her hand and she started to peel off another. I held on to that sequin, a prized gift from a child who doesn't own very much. (You'd be surprised and/or humbled at the gifts you may receive here). I placed it in my glasses case for safe keeping. I thought of her giving Jesus her best (I am clearly not Jesus, only His rep) and my thoughts also went to how she wanted to give me more things as I extended my hand when all I wanted was her, and how often the human race gets that screwed up with the Father. God does not want our money or our stuff when it's not about the money or stuff at all. He only wants us.
When we started Sunday School, some of the kids got pretty creative making their lions. We had problems with the glue in the heat of the small room, but they had fun as we found different ways to make it.
Later that night we spent time and had dinner at the foster home. We started a game of UNO with Haben, our 10 year old girl, the youngest at the home now. Mekdes, one of the older girls who lives there, cooked all afternoon for us as she's learning to make different things. We played spoon and fork as laughter consumed us. Then we played it in Amharic, which was even more comic relief...a gift as much of our work can be overwhelming if we allow it.
Thanks for your prayers and your sacrificial giving of your finances.
Saturday was Activity Day, an event BCI hosts monthly that is evangelistic in nature full of bible stories, crafts, games and concludes in serving lunch. This month's theme was Sanitation. I got to teach Samson and Delilah to ages 3-5 and I took on sanitation courses for the older kids we split into ages 6-11 and 12+.
In this class we talked about several points. We talked about the importance of clean water, how we know it's good for drinking and ways we can help make it so. We went over littering, how it makes our village look bad and how choosing not to litter (holding onto trash until it can be properly disposed of) can be a way of worship to the God who created the land. We went over proper hand washing, how hand sanitizer is helpful but the best for us is soap and water, and we talked about times for washing our hands and how this can prevent the spread of disease. I got to teach HIV/AIDS prevention with the 12+ class, ways we can prevent the epidemic through using the wisdom God gives us, using caution around blood and bodily fluids, knowing what God says about sex - our purity, etc. We even went over times when it's not our fault, instances such as the evil of rape. I really wanted to touch the shame piece that rape victims may feel and get them to Jesus.
With each class, my prayer was that nothing would sit heavy as learning and talking about some of these topics can open a door for the enemy to taunt with hopelessness, but as we bound demons, the Holy Spirit did His work because at the end of each class, none of the kids responded when we asked how their hearts were doing after class, if anything was heavy. They could respond in answering questions so they heard, but their hearts were fully protected by God. There were exactly 58 kids in this class because I prepared 60 bookmarks/pen friends to remind us who we are in Christ, just something simple: a white plastic bead tied at the top with purple pipe cleaner that extended to the length of a nice bookmark or because the pipe cleaner is flexible, they could wrap it around their pens as a daily reminder that we belong to Him.
Later that evening, I got to escape or get away for a bit. A couple of girls here for two weeks from TN invited me to go to Pyramid Hotel and Resort - one of them wanted to Facetime her husband as he works during the week - and I got to Skype with my family for the first time since being back in DZ. My nephew could see me once I turned the camera part on: "Aunt Jamie!" It was so good to watch the sunset with the birds flying near the water, catch some photos, Skype them, hear good news from my sister and eat pizza with new friends.
On Sunday, we finished up our Daniel in the Lion's Den lesson by making lions out of foam pieces and yarn. Right before we started Sunday School, one of the little girls peeled off a sequin from her shirt and gave it to me as a gift. I extended my hand once more only wanting to take her hand and she started to peel off another. I held on to that sequin, a prized gift from a child who doesn't own very much. (You'd be surprised and/or humbled at the gifts you may receive here). I placed it in my glasses case for safe keeping. I thought of her giving Jesus her best (I am clearly not Jesus, only His rep) and my thoughts also went to how she wanted to give me more things as I extended my hand when all I wanted was her, and how often the human race gets that screwed up with the Father. God does not want our money or our stuff when it's not about the money or stuff at all. He only wants us.
When we started Sunday School, some of the kids got pretty creative making their lions. We had problems with the glue in the heat of the small room, but they had fun as we found different ways to make it.
Later that night we spent time and had dinner at the foster home. We started a game of UNO with Haben, our 10 year old girl, the youngest at the home now. Mekdes, one of the older girls who lives there, cooked all afternoon for us as she's learning to make different things. We played spoon and fork as laughter consumed us. Then we played it in Amharic, which was even more comic relief...a gift as much of our work can be overwhelming if we allow it.
Thanks for your prayers and your sacrificial giving of your finances.
"Yesus Konjo" or "Jesus is beautiful": Mom picks Jesus.
Exciting news! If you have been following my blog, you have read about Dawit, Israel, and Wandimage, three sons to Wendishet seeking help for Dawit's schooling and about medical needs for his eye. Wendishet stopped me on the walk to BCDO for devotions and she showed me she took off the Orthodox cross. She said "Yesus konjo," or "Jesus is beautiful." She picked Jesus!
Some could say she's only telling me what I want to hear. I'm telling you my God is working.
Keep praying for this family, for provision, for God's continuing pursuit as she walks it out with Him!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Kisses for Jamie - this is my real life.
My heart is so full, full to overflowing. Don't misunderstand me - I miss my family and friends in the States while I am away serving Jesus among the Habesha, but good grief... Its moments like these that I am beyond words.
Perhaps you've read previous posts about my buddies Dawit and Mulugeta, the boys with medical needs and in need of clothing and Dawit's need for schooling.
If not, you may read it by clicking this link: Will you provide for Dawit and Mulugeta?
While taking care of medical needs and the boys healing from severe allergies/colds, I got to spend an afternoon shopping for clothes for these two families!
Share with me the joy of seeing these transformations.
Thanks for giving so these kiddos can have the things they need. We are still praying for doors to open so that Dawit can attend school. But, God's light has been shining brightly on these families, and when I told them this all happened because of Yesus Kristos (Jesus Christ), they are coming to the church (MKC) where I teach Sunday School this coming Sunday.
I asked them if they were believers, if they had Jesus inside their hearts, but translation at the time of delivery of these items was difficult because our Bajaj driver, (the only one with me at the time) who is still learning English, had difficulty understanding me. (I'm finding out as I write this from Kelkias and showing him pictures of the clothes he helped me pick out that they are not believers, so be praying with me that before they leave this property that is MKC, that they run to Jesus and enter a relationship with Him). Oh my goodness.
After surprising them with these clothes, I received so many kisses on the cheek, so many "I love you, we love you" and the mom even kissed my feet. Kisses for Jamie - this is my real life. So, thanks for giving to Jesus, as there are many without, and ultimately searching for something, searching for someone, searching for Jesus and they do not even know He is the answer.
HE is the answer.
Perhaps you've read previous posts about my buddies Dawit and Mulugeta, the boys with medical needs and in need of clothing and Dawit's need for schooling.
If not, you may read it by clicking this link: Will you provide for Dawit and Mulugeta?
While taking care of medical needs and the boys healing from severe allergies/colds, I got to spend an afternoon shopping for clothes for these two families!
Share with me the joy of seeing these transformations.
Thanks for giving so these kiddos can have the things they need. We are still praying for doors to open so that Dawit can attend school. But, God's light has been shining brightly on these families, and when I told them this all happened because of Yesus Kristos (Jesus Christ), they are coming to the church (MKC) where I teach Sunday School this coming Sunday.
I asked them if they were believers, if they had Jesus inside their hearts, but translation at the time of delivery of these items was difficult because our Bajaj driver, (the only one with me at the time) who is still learning English, had difficulty understanding me. (I'm finding out as I write this from Kelkias and showing him pictures of the clothes he helped me pick out that they are not believers, so be praying with me that before they leave this property that is MKC, that they run to Jesus and enter a relationship with Him). Oh my goodness.
After surprising them with these clothes, I received so many kisses on the cheek, so many "I love you, we love you" and the mom even kissed my feet. Kisses for Jamie - this is my real life. So, thanks for giving to Jesus, as there are many without, and ultimately searching for something, searching for someone, searching for Jesus and they do not even know He is the answer.
HE is the answer.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Missionary Funnies
Are you ready for this? I'm telling on myself, and us. I wanted to share with you some funny things that have happened since I've been back in Ethiopia... :)
1. "Don't light my hair." When the lights went out and I was trying to light a match to light a candle, Kelkias says, "Don't light my hair."
2. Flooding the guest house kitchen doing laundry. Somehow the plumbing was loose. Floor's clean. After teaching Noah's Ark in Sunday School, "I think we have a leak."
3. Smelling pot at the doctor's office. Here, this will make you feel better... Wow. (That's bad, and that is not how they treat the sick by the way...)
4. Being asked for my phone number, email, and if I'm married or single by a Mormon wearing shades. China, ferengi, I love you. Oy...
5. Trying to sew a baby's blanket with a sewing machine made more for man power than electricity (as electricity is not always stable here). Niguse got on the floor to push the pedal to make the bobbin. Ha, oh - fun times. We laughed together. Oh and the needle broke. Oops.
6. Two words: donkey stampede.
That's all I can come up with for now but I'm sure more will happen. Ciao! (Bye!)
1. "Don't light my hair." When the lights went out and I was trying to light a match to light a candle, Kelkias says, "Don't light my hair."
2. Flooding the guest house kitchen doing laundry. Somehow the plumbing was loose. Floor's clean. After teaching Noah's Ark in Sunday School, "I think we have a leak."
3. Smelling pot at the doctor's office. Here, this will make you feel better... Wow. (That's bad, and that is not how they treat the sick by the way...)
4. Being asked for my phone number, email, and if I'm married or single by a Mormon wearing shades. China, ferengi, I love you. Oy...
5. Trying to sew a baby's blanket with a sewing machine made more for man power than electricity (as electricity is not always stable here). Niguse got on the floor to push the pedal to make the bobbin. Ha, oh - fun times. We laughed together. Oh and the needle broke. Oops.
6. Two words: donkey stampede.
That's all I can come up with for now but I'm sure more will happen. Ciao! (Bye!)
Monday, October 6, 2014
Remember the Persecuted Church
A man I know shared his story with me tonight. This man...
We talked about the persecuted church - the World Watch List - and how it can be a hot interest.
I feel like I have nothing to say when it comes to hearing their stories. Jesus, thanks for this gift.
He shared with me how his school persecuted him in high school. If he went to a protestant church, he could not attend school. School or Jesus was his choice.
The police nearly arrested him and the only reason they didn't keep him was because they didn't have room. They called their parents - over 50 of them - to come get them instead.
He's been hit with stones for Jesus and dodged more than what hit him.
In Debre Zeyit, persecution currently does not exist to the extent it once did in his time of the 1960s.
In the northern parts of Ethiopia today, where bibles are needed, you will be kicked and threatened with death if not die, he told me. But here in Debre Zeyit right now, you will be safe.
His father was clever, he said. "You are under my control," he told him. He went to school and came to Christ later.
Hearing him speak of these things of the persecuted church gave me chills at times. It's just so evil. And, did I mention we had this talk over candlelight as the power went out lol?
I think of His cross.
If he didn't finish school, he would be a farmer unable to better himself, he said.
I asked him if he had told his father no, would he have lost his family - would things be different, what would happen?
He said you respected your parents and were not indirect so you did what they said or you were beaten as well.
In the 1960s, years before I was born, to be here and be a Christian perhaps meant death and the church was more underground. It does not mean that sometimes you may be looked at with hate now, but the chances of you being stoned or in prison here are lower than it used to be.
Remember the persecuted church. Remember the ones who have died for Jesus. Remember Jesus. Remember Jesus, remember Him, and proclaim it loud. Shout it, from the mountaintops, for God's glory.
We talked about the persecuted church - the World Watch List - and how it can be a hot interest.
I feel like I have nothing to say when it comes to hearing their stories. Jesus, thanks for this gift.
He shared with me how his school persecuted him in high school. If he went to a protestant church, he could not attend school. School or Jesus was his choice.
The police nearly arrested him and the only reason they didn't keep him was because they didn't have room. They called their parents - over 50 of them - to come get them instead.
He's been hit with stones for Jesus and dodged more than what hit him.
In Debre Zeyit, persecution currently does not exist to the extent it once did in his time of the 1960s.
In the northern parts of Ethiopia today, where bibles are needed, you will be kicked and threatened with death if not die, he told me. But here in Debre Zeyit right now, you will be safe.
His father was clever, he said. "You are under my control," he told him. He went to school and came to Christ later.
Hearing him speak of these things of the persecuted church gave me chills at times. It's just so evil. And, did I mention we had this talk over candlelight as the power went out lol?
I think of His cross.
If he didn't finish school, he would be a farmer unable to better himself, he said.
I asked him if he had told his father no, would he have lost his family - would things be different, what would happen?
He said you respected your parents and were not indirect so you did what they said or you were beaten as well.
In the 1960s, years before I was born, to be here and be a Christian perhaps meant death and the church was more underground. It does not mean that sometimes you may be looked at with hate now, but the chances of you being stoned or in prison here are lower than it used to be.
Remember the persecuted church. Remember the ones who have died for Jesus. Remember Jesus. Remember Jesus, remember Him, and proclaim it loud. Shout it, from the mountaintops, for God's glory.
My Name is Love
"My name is Love."
After Sunday School at MKC (this week we studied Noah's Ark), I had a kid come up to me wanting to hold my hand and swing our arms. She showed me her family. She told me I was beautiful. (I was a hot sweaty mess). "Amesiginalehu," I replied.
Then she said, "My name is Love."
"Your name is what?" I asked, not sure I understood her.
"My name is Love. In Amharic it is Fiker but in English it is Love."
I thought she was playing with me. After confirming the translation is true with Eshetu, and back at the guest house, I thought - if the Lord God were to introduce Himself, this is what He would say.
"My name is Love."
Scripture tells us "God is love" in 1 John 4.
Have you been introduced to Love? :)
"If anyone acknowledges Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God." 1 John 4:15.
It is only by His Spirit we can say Jesus is Lord.
If you find yourself confused about your moment - don't stay there. Go back to this verse. Always go back to Scripture and ask Him, for therein lies the truth.
"My name is Love."
After Sunday School at MKC (this week we studied Noah's Ark), I had a kid come up to me wanting to hold my hand and swing our arms. She showed me her family. She told me I was beautiful. (I was a hot sweaty mess). "Amesiginalehu," I replied.
Then she said, "My name is Love."
"Your name is what?" I asked, not sure I understood her.
"My name is Love. In Amharic it is Fiker but in English it is Love."
I thought she was playing with me. After confirming the translation is true with Eshetu, and back at the guest house, I thought - if the Lord God were to introduce Himself, this is what He would say.
"My name is Love."
Scripture tells us "God is love" in 1 John 4.
Have you been introduced to Love? :)
"If anyone acknowledges Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God." 1 John 4:15.
It is only by His Spirit we can say Jesus is Lord.
If you find yourself confused about your moment - don't stay there. Go back to this verse. Always go back to Scripture and ask Him, for therein lies the truth.
"My name is Love."
Paper Bead Training
It's paper bead training time! BCDO did the work of getting some of our neediest families together to learn and continue practicing making paper beads. Some of these ladies currently make paper beads and do not need my help, but we are learning new ways to make them as our God is a creative God.
I started my own paper bead sole proprietorship business back in the States after my first trip with BCI in October 2013 as a means of extra mission support. Now I get to work with these ladies watching creative juices flow in hopes of it becoming a trade they can use in creating more income for their families. Our latest fun: learning how to use a crayon to make colorful designs. Here's Dembulit sporting her work!
These classes started with me on Thursday, September 25, 2014 and continue every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. To continue these classes, we will need more supplies. Will you ask the Lord if you get to mail us items that aren't readily available in Debre Zeyit to continue these classes with these women?
Items requested:
- Plain white copy paper
- Elmer's glue
- Toothpicks
- Gloss glaze (for sealing) or clear nail polish
- Beading string (both regular and stretchy)
- Permanent markers and/or crayons (for designs)
If you can provide any or all of these items, please mail them to:
BCDO, P.O. Box 1410
Debre Zeyit, East Shoa
Ethiopia, Africa
Take a look at some of our work so far!
I started my own paper bead sole proprietorship business back in the States after my first trip with BCI in October 2013 as a means of extra mission support. Now I get to work with these ladies watching creative juices flow in hopes of it becoming a trade they can use in creating more income for their families. Our latest fun: learning how to use a crayon to make colorful designs. Here's Dembulit sporting her work!
- Elmer's glue
- Toothpicks
- Gloss glaze (for sealing) or clear nail polish
- Beading string (both regular and stretchy)
- Permanent markers and/or crayons (for designs)
Debre Zeyit, East Shoa
Ethiopia, Africa
Friday, October 3, 2014
Will you provide for Dawit and Mulugeta?
We have an urgent need. I met Dawit playing in the streets near BCI Academy on my way to teach Spoken English. From the Amharic I knew, I got to learn his name. He was dressed in very old clothing. His shirt had holes and tears through the shoulder and into the sleeve. His pants were the same. He had shoes on, but barely as he had outgrown them and his toes were sticking out the ends. I also noticed there was something wrong with his eye but I wasn't sure what. I didn't think he was enrolled in school given that he was outside most of the time that I saw him. He would be playing football (or soccer) with his friends or after it had rained, the boys would play in the mud puddles. How else do you play when this is your life?
I knew God did not place Dawit in my path without a reason.
Daily I would take their hand as these impoverished boys (like many we have met in Debre Zeyit) smiled from ear to ear just happy to see me and so wanting to be known, so hungry for love and affection and care.
Immediately, I wanted to get him checked out for medical treatment on his eye and I wanted to buy them clothes. I wanted him in the program at BCI and to find him sponsors. I came back to the guest house and told Kelkias and Eshetu about him. I showed them the pictures he so willingly let me take. The pictures you see here:
In the next days, Kelkias sent Eshetu with me to assess and evaluate their situation. The mom was not home at the time but we did find out more about Dawit and his family. He is seven years old and the friends I saw him play with were not just friends but his brothers. Dawit is a twin to Israel and they both have an older brother named Wandimage. The fourth boy I saw with them is their friend, Mulugeta who also lives near them. They live near the Academy with their mother and father. The mother is currently stay-at-home and the father is a plumber who sometimes finds work and sometimes doesn't. Due to prayers for this boy, his eye was healing the next time we saw him. He could open it fully. I could have sworn I saw ringworm on his forehead as well, but it was not there.
Because BCI focuses on serving the poorest of the poor with children who either have one or both parents deceased or they have been abandoned, while poor, Dawit did not meet the criteria to be placed in BCI's program. However, due to the special circumstances given a medical problem and the inability to be enrolled in school at Bole downtown where his brothers attend due to disbelief that he is a twin to Israel and they are the same age, we are taking on Dawit's case and asking for sponsorship to enroll him in school and asking for donors to help provide for his medical needs for further treatment of his eye. While it is healing, it's not completely healed.
Because the Lord drew me to them, after my class on Thursday the kids were waiting for me with their mom who I find out is named Wendishet. When I left BCI Academy and shut the door behind me, Dawit came running to me barefoot along with Wandimage. They were wearing the same clothes they had worn the days before. I was henceforth "kidnapped" by these kids in the street and given a tour of their home. Their home is small like most I've met here in Ethiopia but they seem to have a lot of things they need like a bed to sleep on at night and a dresser and they even have a tv. These are things not many here have. They told me more about their medical needs and their lack of food.
I shared with the mom how I wanted to buy her kids clothes and wanted Dawit to be treated for his eye. I took pictures of the kids shoes in hopes of creating awareness, and perhaps they would help in guessing a shoe size for these kids given the fact that the size had worn off the inside. The tongue of the shoe was not even there anymore.
It was in these moments the kids went and grabbed a BCI teacher who knew more English and he could translate what I was saying to them. In these moments of talking about treating Dawit's eye, I learn Mulugeta, the boys' friend is perhaps worse. He has been having headaches and a nosebleed for two months. I took pictures of this beautiful family and went back to find Kelkias. As you can see here, Dawit's eye looks much better. (From left to right: Wandimage, Dawit, Israel, and in front their mom, Wendishet. The father was not present at the time).
While Dawit's eye was concerning, Mulugeta's symptoms are more so. We thought Dawit may need an eye specialist in Addis, but given that it is healing, the two boys are currently seeking treatment in Debre Zeyit, but given Mulugeta's symptoms, Mulugeta needs to be seen by head specialists in Addis Ababa, where they may order a catscan of his head to find out an exact diagnosis. If that is the case, this could cost nearly (or over) 3,000 ETB, or $150.10 USD.
Here is a photo of Mulugeta:
Will you consider giving toward these families medical needs and starting Dawit in school? If you can contribute, please donate via www.blessingthechildren.org/donate and write which you are giving for; either type "Dawit" or "Mulugeta" and our accountants will be able to process it more efficiently.
The boys and I thank you for your generosity!
UPDATE: After taking the two boys to the local clinic over the weekend, Dawit could not be seen until the next week for his eye because that doctor was not in house at the time. Mulugeta was seen and after some blood work and a head xray, he was given the diagnosis of a severe sinus infection and a prescription to help clear that up quicker. If he does not get better soon, then he will need to see an ears/nose/throat specialist in Addis Ababa. Thanks for your continued prayers!
I knew God did not place Dawit in my path without a reason.
Daily I would take their hand as these impoverished boys (like many we have met in Debre Zeyit) smiled from ear to ear just happy to see me and so wanting to be known, so hungry for love and affection and care.
Immediately, I wanted to get him checked out for medical treatment on his eye and I wanted to buy them clothes. I wanted him in the program at BCI and to find him sponsors. I came back to the guest house and told Kelkias and Eshetu about him. I showed them the pictures he so willingly let me take. The pictures you see here:
In the next days, Kelkias sent Eshetu with me to assess and evaluate their situation. The mom was not home at the time but we did find out more about Dawit and his family. He is seven years old and the friends I saw him play with were not just friends but his brothers. Dawit is a twin to Israel and they both have an older brother named Wandimage. The fourth boy I saw with them is their friend, Mulugeta who also lives near them. They live near the Academy with their mother and father. The mother is currently stay-at-home and the father is a plumber who sometimes finds work and sometimes doesn't. Due to prayers for this boy, his eye was healing the next time we saw him. He could open it fully. I could have sworn I saw ringworm on his forehead as well, but it was not there.
Because BCI focuses on serving the poorest of the poor with children who either have one or both parents deceased or they have been abandoned, while poor, Dawit did not meet the criteria to be placed in BCI's program. However, due to the special circumstances given a medical problem and the inability to be enrolled in school at Bole downtown where his brothers attend due to disbelief that he is a twin to Israel and they are the same age, we are taking on Dawit's case and asking for sponsorship to enroll him in school and asking for donors to help provide for his medical needs for further treatment of his eye. While it is healing, it's not completely healed.
Because the Lord drew me to them, after my class on Thursday the kids were waiting for me with their mom who I find out is named Wendishet. When I left BCI Academy and shut the door behind me, Dawit came running to me barefoot along with Wandimage. They were wearing the same clothes they had worn the days before. I was henceforth "kidnapped" by these kids in the street and given a tour of their home. Their home is small like most I've met here in Ethiopia but they seem to have a lot of things they need like a bed to sleep on at night and a dresser and they even have a tv. These are things not many here have. They told me more about their medical needs and their lack of food.
I shared with the mom how I wanted to buy her kids clothes and wanted Dawit to be treated for his eye. I took pictures of the kids shoes in hopes of creating awareness, and perhaps they would help in guessing a shoe size for these kids given the fact that the size had worn off the inside. The tongue of the shoe was not even there anymore.
It was in these moments the kids went and grabbed a BCI teacher who knew more English and he could translate what I was saying to them. In these moments of talking about treating Dawit's eye, I learn Mulugeta, the boys' friend is perhaps worse. He has been having headaches and a nosebleed for two months. I took pictures of this beautiful family and went back to find Kelkias. As you can see here, Dawit's eye looks much better. (From left to right: Wandimage, Dawit, Israel, and in front their mom, Wendishet. The father was not present at the time).
UPDATE: After taking the two boys to the local clinic over the weekend, Dawit could not be seen until the next week for his eye because that doctor was not in house at the time. Mulugeta was seen and after some blood work and a head xray, he was given the diagnosis of a severe sinus infection and a prescription to help clear that up quicker. If he does not get better soon, then he will need to see an ears/nose/throat specialist in Addis Ababa. Thanks for your continued prayers!
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