Here is one of the testimonies given on Sunday night. More to come!
Jesus says in Matthew 25 that if you feed, clothe, comfort, the least of these then you do it for Jesus Himself. Certainly the orphans in Zeway, some of the most vulnerable children of the world – those who take care of themselves and their siblings-- fit into Jesus’ example of the least of these. So when we met with these children, we sensed a presence of Jesus and the Spirit that is rare in our lifestyles here.
I want to tell you of my encounter with Jesus the day I visited and comforted Melkete Henok.
We had visited 5 children already in Zeway. It had certainly not become normal yet, standing in an Ethiopian neighborhood surrounded by children with bare feet and smiles, clothed in rags and curiosity, but at least we had learned what questions to ask, how to greet children, and what was appropriate to say.
This small neighborhood was built of mud and grass square buildings with thatch roofs, and dry, dry, shrubs surrounding them. Dusty children came out everywhere to see us roll out of the LandCruisers. Smiling, playful children who were a little jumpy if we made any sudden moves.
Melkete and her sister was who we had come to see. Melkete is 14 years old, taking care of her 9 year old sister. Both of her parents have died. Melkete greeted each of us with full hugs and warm Amharic words. We followed her and her social worker into her humble home. Her home was the size of a bathroom for U.S. standards. It had mud floors and mud walls. This home was unique for the Zeway orphans because Melkete and her sister had inherited it from her family and it was theirs to own.
She had a twin foam pad to share with her sister. It was a foam pad that the funds from Grace had purchased for her. There were thick blankets neatly tucked under the foam pad. I don’t remember anything else in the room.
Melkete at the age of 14 cooked and cleaned and maintained the house. She also cared for her 9 year old sister. She attended school. She found time to play games with other children in the neighborhood. She bore the weight of all the household and family burdens at the age of 14 and she still kept the joy of a child who likes to play and laugh.
In addition to all this, she bore another burden that obviously weighed heavy on her. It would have weighed heavy on any adult in that community. We asked her what we could pray for, for her and she told us humbly that she owed government taxes for her home. She said that they were a one time payment of 3,000 birr or about $270. The government would take away her home if these taxes were not paid.
My first thought to hearing how much she owed was the vulnerability of a child carrying this burden. Did she have the amount correct? Was the person who told this information a credible representative of the government? Was someone trying to steal from her? Who knows the answers to all these questions? Who will go with her to handle this?
My next thought was “this amount will be paid in full”
At this time the social worker confirmed the amount, but did not know any details. We would talk more to the social worker at a later time about it.
I looked at Melkete, then, in closing to our meeting, and felt compelled to tell her that she was doing well. That she was doing everything she needed and she should continue to work hard, go to school and care for her sister. I told her that in Jeremiah 29:11, God promises us all a future and a hope and that she should continue to seek God for hope in her life.
She looked me in the eyes and gave a mournful, guttural cry and dropped her head in her hands. She cried. A deep sobbing cry. I went and held her and cried. We all did. Matt, Ariel, Tom, Jake and I cried., the social workers cried. Her sister cried. Everyone in the room cried for a long time saying nothing.
As I held her, the injustice of it all made me weep, but in anger. I wanted to tell her over and over, even if in English which she could not understand, that her $270 debt was paid in full. It was done. It would no longer be. I wanted to tell her that where 3-4 Americans travel together there is at least $270. There was $270 in the room at that moment in our pockets.
But I did not say this to her. I felt led by the Spirit to withhold these words.
I wanted to give money to this young girl and think her problem was fixed. I wanted to mark her need off the checklist. I wanted to use American dollars like a band-aid for her ailment, her wound.
What I really needed to do was to look past the wound and see the wounded. I needed to see her real need not just the symptom. I needed to pray to the Heavenly Father of this fatherless child a prayer for something that would not come easily with money.
And while I was holding this sobbing child, rather than whispering to Melkete, we’ll pay the debt, I whispered a prayer to our Heavenly Father. I prayed for a guardian. I prayed for a family. I prayed that she and her sister would be taken care of by a loving, caring family. I prayed that she get what most children have and what all children need.
It takes a Heavenly Father to provide this, not just well-meaning American dollars.
You all know how this story ends. Melkete’s debt was paid in full. Partly by the generosity of the Attic Junior class who had raised money for a thank you gift, but instead gave it to Ariel and Rachel telling them to use it for something in Zeway. That something was wonderful.
You also can guess that this story ends with Melkete still alone in her small hut with her sister going through all the daily life routines of existence.
Her burden is certainly lightened and you can see in her face, joy as she plays with us during one of the FH playtimes. Fewer physical pressures are undoubtedly important to keep at a minimum for these most vulnerable children.
But my prayer is still this; A loving Christian family to take in Melkete and her sister as their own. It’s hard not to go to a place like Zeway and wonder if you are that family. But we all walked away firmly believing that it is the Zeway body of believers who can truly come together to provide families for the orphans. It is the Zeway Saints who can stand in the gap for these children daily and share their burden, their culture and their lives. Families for these orphans is something only the Holy Father can make happen.
My dollars need to be used for the kingdom of God undoubtedly, but they should not be used in the place of fervent prayer to God to defend this child and take away her loneliness.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Amazing Opportunity
Reflecting on this trip to Zeway. . . What an amazing opportunity. An opportunity to be part of this ministry. An opportunity to be a part of a sending church. An opportunity to go to Zeway, Ethiopia, to work alongside Food for the Hungry. An opportunity to serve child headed households.
This amazing opportunity has changed.
After being there, seeing the needs, holding children, talking to Muslim and Christian leaders alike about orphans, hearing children request basic needs, seeing children do more in their households than an adult would do . . . this opportunity has turned into a responsibility.
Not one to hold as a heavy burden, but one to praise God for his allowing us to be involved and to share with others and to have others share the blessing.
A responsibility given by the Lord is a blessing.
This amazing opportunity has changed.
After being there, seeing the needs, holding children, talking to Muslim and Christian leaders alike about orphans, hearing children request basic needs, seeing children do more in their households than an adult would do . . . this opportunity has turned into a responsibility.
Not one to hold as a heavy burden, but one to praise God for his allowing us to be involved and to share with others and to have others share the blessing.
A responsibility given by the Lord is a blessing.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Meeting Ibsa
May 26th, 2009
Zeway, Ethiopia
Joanna, Tom, Jake, Drew, and I drove only a short distance from the FH (food for the hungry) compound to meet Ibsa.
Upon meeting Ibsa, I first noticed his bright white shirt, clean jeans, and leather shoes. He took us into his little room. There javascript:void(0)was a twin-sized foam pad in his room with about 2 feet of floor space in front of the pad and about 8 inches of floor space on one side. Maybe a few books by his bedside.
Ibsa had received this new mattress and new clothes through money from the Show Me Zeway project.
I took a quick glance of the courtyard behind me before entering the tiny room. There were several surrounding buildings including one 2-story building. It seems like it was all made of concrete. This multi-structure compound with center courtyard use to be Ibsa's family's house until his parents died. He now rents out the small room for $5 a month (one of the highest rents we heard of)
Ibsa invited us in and we all crammed in. I stood next to him. We started with some questions and had them translated by his social worker. There were a lot of awkward pauses. It was all astounding to take in. Here was the boy from the other side of the world who I had prayed for for over 9 months. He was one of the several from the pictures we received that pulled my heartstrings extra hard. It was his prayer request that got me: "Pray that someone would be my family."
He was timid and he answered questions as quietly and quickly as possible. Undoubtedly a very intimidating situation. I felt like we crammed him into a little room and snapped interrogation lights on.
We shared with him the pictures of the people of Grace in their Zeway t-shirts. This seemed to lighten things up a bit as we all started speaking a little more naturally.
I saw on his wall, written in English, "The Lord is my shepherd" I asked Ibsa who wrote this and he said he did. I asked him what it meant to him and he said, "The Lord is my shepherd. He watches over me."
I responded, " Me too. The Lord is my shepherd too. In some way we are both sheep in the same flock and we have the same shepherd watching over us."
He smiled. But not particularly moved.
I walked away not being overly emotional. I'm not sure why except I may have still been in a daze asking the question to myself, "Where am I?"
I did walk away a little concerned that we hadn't connected with Ibsa. Not knowing if it was circumstances ( a bunch of white adults staring at a teenager) or due to Ibsa's life circumstances, perhaps he had trouble connecting with people. Just couldn't read the situation.
But the emotion did come finally. It brought me great joy and hope to see Ibsa come meandering down the street to the FH compound where we were all hanging out. With his new clothes on, a smirk on his face and his nonchalant walk, he could have been any other teenage boy. A green screen behind him, and he could have been transported to the campus of Grace.
He sidled up to Tom and let Tom put his arm around him for at least 30 minutes. I think Tom dared not move as to lose the moment with this orphaned boy from Zeway. I hoped Tom wouldn't move either as I enjoyed watching the quiet affection between them.
-A Journal Excerpt
Zeway, Ethiopia
Joanna, Tom, Jake, Drew, and I drove only a short distance from the FH (food for the hungry) compound to meet Ibsa.
Upon meeting Ibsa, I first noticed his bright white shirt, clean jeans, and leather shoes. He took us into his little room. There javascript:void(0)was a twin-sized foam pad in his room with about 2 feet of floor space in front of the pad and about 8 inches of floor space on one side. Maybe a few books by his bedside.
Ibsa had received this new mattress and new clothes through money from the Show Me Zeway project.
I took a quick glance of the courtyard behind me before entering the tiny room. There were several surrounding buildings including one 2-story building. It seems like it was all made of concrete. This multi-structure compound with center courtyard use to be Ibsa's family's house until his parents died. He now rents out the small room for $5 a month (one of the highest rents we heard of)
Ibsa invited us in and we all crammed in. I stood next to him. We started with some questions and had them translated by his social worker. There were a lot of awkward pauses. It was all astounding to take in. Here was the boy from the other side of the world who I had prayed for for over 9 months. He was one of the several from the pictures we received that pulled my heartstrings extra hard. It was his prayer request that got me: "Pray that someone would be my family."
He was timid and he answered questions as quietly and quickly as possible. Undoubtedly a very intimidating situation. I felt like we crammed him into a little room and snapped interrogation lights on.
We shared with him the pictures of the people of Grace in their Zeway t-shirts. This seemed to lighten things up a bit as we all started speaking a little more naturally.
I saw on his wall, written in English, "The Lord is my shepherd" I asked Ibsa who wrote this and he said he did. I asked him what it meant to him and he said, "The Lord is my shepherd. He watches over me."
I responded, " Me too. The Lord is my shepherd too. In some way we are both sheep in the same flock and we have the same shepherd watching over us."
He smiled. But not particularly moved.
I walked away not being overly emotional. I'm not sure why except I may have still been in a daze asking the question to myself, "Where am I?"
I did walk away a little concerned that we hadn't connected with Ibsa. Not knowing if it was circumstances ( a bunch of white adults staring at a teenager) or due to Ibsa's life circumstances, perhaps he had trouble connecting with people. Just couldn't read the situation.
But the emotion did come finally. It brought me great joy and hope to see Ibsa come meandering down the street to the FH compound where we were all hanging out. With his new clothes on, a smirk on his face and his nonchalant walk, he could have been any other teenage boy. A green screen behind him, and he could have been transported to the campus of Grace.
He sidled up to Tom and let Tom put his arm around him for at least 30 minutes. I think Tom dared not move as to lose the moment with this orphaned boy from Zeway. I hoped Tom wouldn't move either as I enjoyed watching the quiet affection between them.
-A Journal Excerpt
Sunday, June 7, 2009
How Did You Not Bring One Home?
This is a question we have gotten many times since our return from Ethiopia:
"How did you not bring one of those orphans home with you?" And frankly, it
was a question we asked ourselves before going to Zeway.
Certainly there is the fact that a person can't just decide to adopt any
child, even an orphaned child. There is a legal process, inter-country
agreements, immigration details, country laws and regulations-all of which
guarded our hearts somewhat of falling in love with a particular child.
But there is more to it than that as to why we didn't walk away only wanting
to adopt children. God gave us a bigger vision than just our own personal
family growth. He led us down a path of seeing a bigger solution than just
the rescue and adoption of one child. He led us to desire community with
the people of Zeway to grow their hearts and means to be guardians of these
children. We are not sure what this looks like yet. Rarely does God give a
person or team the entire blueprint of his plan. Often He unfolds it slowly
over time. We are not sure exactly what this looks like, but what we do
know is that we don't feel like that was the last trip the people of Grace
are to take to Zeway.
"How did you not bring one of those orphans home with you?" And frankly, it
was a question we asked ourselves before going to Zeway.
Certainly there is the fact that a person can't just decide to adopt any
child, even an orphaned child. There is a legal process, inter-country
agreements, immigration details, country laws and regulations-all of which
guarded our hearts somewhat of falling in love with a particular child.
But there is more to it than that as to why we didn't walk away only wanting
to adopt children. God gave us a bigger vision than just our own personal
family growth. He led us down a path of seeing a bigger solution than just
the rescue and adoption of one child. He led us to desire community with
the people of Zeway to grow their hearts and means to be guardians of these
children. We are not sure what this looks like yet. Rarely does God give a
person or team the entire blueprint of his plan. Often He unfolds it slowly
over time. We are not sure exactly what this looks like, but what we do
know is that we don't feel like that was the last trip the people of Grace
are to take to Zeway.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Forgive Us For Not Posting More
We have lots of excuses as to why we did not post more during our trip.
The Ethiopian infrastructure can hardly handle 24 hour electricity. It would often go out at least once a day. Water was the same way-- even in the capital city of Addis Ababa.
So you can imagine that internet connections were occasional at best.
Another excuse we have for not posting more was time. Our schedules were packed from 7 am until 9 pm. We had full days.
But probably our best excuse is that describing our experiences with words is difficult. Many of the team members had intentions of journaling daily, and most of us had days in which we stared at our pens poised at paper unable to begin processing our thoughts to words. Our typical vernacular seemed weak and inaccurate to describe the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings we were surrounded by each day.
So forgive us for our delayed postings on the blogsite. Even days after we return we are still processing all that we learned and experienced.
I often remembered the verse from Mark 9:37 when we were visiting the children. In Mark, Jesus says "whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. . . " So in a way we had 2-3 appointments with Jesus each day we were in Zeway. This type of experience does leave one speechless.
We will fill in the spaces and tell more of our trip so please keep checking our blog. We'll also be telling more and sharing with you Ethiopian food, entertainment, and their culture on June 28th from 4-6 pm in the old worship center at Grace. Mark your calendars for this!
The Ethiopian infrastructure can hardly handle 24 hour electricity. It would often go out at least once a day. Water was the same way-- even in the capital city of Addis Ababa.
So you can imagine that internet connections were occasional at best.
Another excuse we have for not posting more was time. Our schedules were packed from 7 am until 9 pm. We had full days.
But probably our best excuse is that describing our experiences with words is difficult. Many of the team members had intentions of journaling daily, and most of us had days in which we stared at our pens poised at paper unable to begin processing our thoughts to words. Our typical vernacular seemed weak and inaccurate to describe the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings we were surrounded by each day.
So forgive us for our delayed postings on the blogsite. Even days after we return we are still processing all that we learned and experienced.
I often remembered the verse from Mark 9:37 when we were visiting the children. In Mark, Jesus says "whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. . . " So in a way we had 2-3 appointments with Jesus each day we were in Zeway. This type of experience does leave one speechless.
We will fill in the spaces and tell more of our trip so please keep checking our blog. We'll also be telling more and sharing with you Ethiopian food, entertainment, and their culture on June 28th from 4-6 pm in the old worship center at Grace. Mark your calendars for this!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
We're Home!
The Zeway Team is home and well. After 24 hours of travel from Ethiopia, we are all tired, ready for a shower, and needing some catch-up sleep. Our flights went smoothly, and God was clearly watching over us. More pictures and updates to come after we decompress a little . Please continue to pray for a couple of members who are battling some mild illness, and please also pray for protection and guidance over the next few days of re-adjusting and working through our emotions and the trip’s impact on our team.
This picture is of one of the orphan-headed household families we visited.
Matt and the Zeway Team
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Quick update
We are sorry that we have not posted more frequently. Internet and phones over here are very difficult (I can't even bring up our blog website and have to send this post via an email).
I am not going to even try to describe our trip thus far on this blog. It can't possibly do justice to the experience. We will wait until we return and are able to tell you and show you how God has moved mightily.
I can say that both Drew and Ariel are feeling a lot better after picking up an intestinal bug and visiting a doctor. Praise God for that.
We are in Addis the rest of the trip and will spend time tomorrow at a regional conference for Food for the Hungry staff, supporting them and praying for them. Please pray that Greg Vestri's presentation to the large staff will go very well and will glorify God.
We will then visit 3 government orphanages on Tuesday before getting on a plane arriving Wednesday late afternoon.
I've tried to post a couple of pictures below; hope you are able to see them.
Thank you for all of your prayers. We can't wait to share this unbelievable experience with you....
Matt and the Zeway Team
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
We made it!
The Grace Covenant Zeway team made it to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia a few hours ago! Praise God for smooth flights, no delays, and other than being pretty tired after more than 24 straight hours of traveling, all are feeling well.
It was dark in Addis, 8 hours ahead of Austin time, when we landed, so we have not had a good view of the country yet. We ate dinner together at the hotel and are headed off to bed.
We also were able to meet up with Jake Hemberger, a Grace missionary in South Africa, who will be part of our team here for this trip. He is doing great and was thrilled to get to see the team (and yes, Jo, your son looks great, has a full beard now, and loves you very much!).
Some of us have been able to talk with our children back in the states, and they are doing well, eating ice cream for Memorial Day.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. We feel them, and they are working. Please pray that our time tomorrow with the Zeway orphans will be blessed, covered in His Spirit, and rewarding for them and for us.
Love to you all,
The Zeway Team
It was dark in Addis, 8 hours ahead of Austin time, when we landed, so we have not had a good view of the country yet. We ate dinner together at the hotel and are headed off to bed.
We also were able to meet up with Jake Hemberger, a Grace missionary in South Africa, who will be part of our team here for this trip. He is doing great and was thrilled to get to see the team (and yes, Jo, your son looks great, has a full beard now, and loves you very much!).
Some of us have been able to talk with our children back in the states, and they are doing well, eating ice cream for Memorial Day.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. We feel them, and they are working. Please pray that our time tomorrow with the Zeway orphans will be blessed, covered in His Spirit, and rewarding for them and for us.
Love to you all,
The Zeway Team
Saturday, May 23, 2009
How It All Comes Together
It is the last night before we leave to go to a strange land. We all are as ready as we are going to be and at some point during the frenzy of packing and re-packing, you just say to yourself . . . "I have my passport,my Bible, my immunizations, and a change of underwear. I will be okay."
We anxiously anticipate loving on and offering tokens of love to the orphans and people of Ethiopia. It is a blessing to us just to see how God has provided. First, just with the opportunity . . . those who served to scout out this location and the prayers behind it. Then the generous donations of the people of Grace.
But it didn't stop there. Salina Street Church, a church plant by believers from Grace, donated to the Zeway project. There were friends and family from all over the country who donated towards this vision trip. There was a devoted grandmother to her Ethiopian adoptive grandson, who asked her friends to collect over 600 pounds of humanitarian aid that will be given to an orphanage in Addis.
It is amazing how it all comes together when the saints serve in Christ's name for those dear to His heart. When we are united in our purpose and love our neighbor more than ourselves . . . .wow. What the Lord has done even now, and we haven't even stepped foot in Zeway.
We look forward to keeping you on the edge of your seats on what the Lord is doing on the continent of Africa. There is always adventure in God's presence. Amazing adventure and a peace beyond all understanding.
It will take a couple days to fly to Addis Ababa (capital of Ethiopia), and we hope to give you an update then.
We anxiously anticipate loving on and offering tokens of love to the orphans and people of Ethiopia. It is a blessing to us just to see how God has provided. First, just with the opportunity . . . those who served to scout out this location and the prayers behind it. Then the generous donations of the people of Grace.
But it didn't stop there. Salina Street Church, a church plant by believers from Grace, donated to the Zeway project. There were friends and family from all over the country who donated towards this vision trip. There was a devoted grandmother to her Ethiopian adoptive grandson, who asked her friends to collect over 600 pounds of humanitarian aid that will be given to an orphanage in Addis.
It is amazing how it all comes together when the saints serve in Christ's name for those dear to His heart. When we are united in our purpose and love our neighbor more than ourselves . . . .wow. What the Lord has done even now, and we haven't even stepped foot in Zeway.
We look forward to keeping you on the edge of your seats on what the Lord is doing on the continent of Africa. There is always adventure in God's presence. Amazing adventure and a peace beyond all understanding.
It will take a couple days to fly to Addis Ababa (capital of Ethiopia), and we hope to give you an update then.
Monday, May 18, 2009
6 days and counting. . . .
Please pray for us as we scramble around preparing for this trip! We are excited about serving those close to God's heart, the fatherless, and we are hopefully expectant that God will reveal the direction He wants us to go with Grace's relationship with Zeway.
Please pray with us for this trip:
For our children we leave behind. For peace for them and stamina for their caretakers.
For travel arrangements, flights, luggage to arrive (we are carrying a lot of humanitarian aid for an orphanage), and safety in travel.
For our minds to be open to the Spirit's leading.
For our actions and words to be overflowing of God's love
That we lay our expectations at God's feet and be willing to take in what He has for us
That we do not ask "Why God?" after the many desperate situations that we will see, but that we are spurred on to pray fervently for when Jesus will reign on this earth.
That we would begin to bridge a relationship with the people in Ethiopia to the people of Grace if it be God's sovereign will.
That the orphans we've come to know the names and faces of would find hope and love in Christ
This list could go on and on! Please pray for us as the Spirit leads and stay tuned for more prayer requests and updates as international internet connections allow!
Please pray with us for this trip:
For our children we leave behind. For peace for them and stamina for their caretakers.
For travel arrangements, flights, luggage to arrive (we are carrying a lot of humanitarian aid for an orphanage), and safety in travel.
For our minds to be open to the Spirit's leading.
For our actions and words to be overflowing of God's love
That we lay our expectations at God's feet and be willing to take in what He has for us
That we do not ask "Why God?" after the many desperate situations that we will see, but that we are spurred on to pray fervently for when Jesus will reign on this earth.
That we would begin to bridge a relationship with the people in Ethiopia to the people of Grace if it be God's sovereign will.
That the orphans we've come to know the names and faces of would find hope and love in Christ
This list could go on and on! Please pray for us as the Spirit leads and stay tuned for more prayer requests and updates as international internet connections allow!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Wear Your T-shirts This Sunday!
Wear your Zeway t-shirts this Sunday! We'll be taking pictures to put together collages of Grace faces for the orphans. This is our last Sunday before we leave . . . please be in prayer for us!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Prayer Request
Two weeks from today, we'll be flying across the Atlantic!
With the countdown, there naturally comes some anxiety with all the things that still need to get done to prepare for the trip. We are also feeling such a strong need to be spiritually ready for this vision trip. Not only is there much focus on preparation to go, there is also preparation for who the team is leaving behind. With the exception of Tom, all of the team members are leaving children here to be cared for by family.
It is a difficult concept for children to understand poverty and the lives of orphans. We all pray that our children's hearts will understand fully why we are going on this trip, and someday have compassion and share hope with orphans themselves.
So it is not surprising that I held back tears when our 4 year-old, West, and I had this conversation while listening to Jeremy Camp on the radio:
There will be a day,
with no more pain
no more tears
and no more fears.
There will be a day
when the burdens of this place
will be no more
we'll see Jesus face to face.
While I absentmindedly thought about daily to do's, my son interrupts my thoughts to say, "Is that what you are going to tell the orphans?"
"Tell them what?" I reply.
West answers, " Tell them that there will be no pain and they don't have to cry in heaven"
"Yes, West," I say. "That is exactly what we will tell them."
"Don't forget to tell them that the bees won't sting in heaven either," says West.
We wonder what children get, and we wonder if they are too young to know, but it seems to me that they know better than most of us.
As you pray for the team, pray for our children who are away from us. Pray they be a joy to their caretakers, stamina for their caretakers, and most of all great peace that their parents will return soon.
Julie
With the countdown, there naturally comes some anxiety with all the things that still need to get done to prepare for the trip. We are also feeling such a strong need to be spiritually ready for this vision trip. Not only is there much focus on preparation to go, there is also preparation for who the team is leaving behind. With the exception of Tom, all of the team members are leaving children here to be cared for by family.
It is a difficult concept for children to understand poverty and the lives of orphans. We all pray that our children's hearts will understand fully why we are going on this trip, and someday have compassion and share hope with orphans themselves.
So it is not surprising that I held back tears when our 4 year-old, West, and I had this conversation while listening to Jeremy Camp on the radio:
There will be a day,
with no more pain
no more tears
and no more fears.
There will be a day
when the burdens of this place
will be no more
we'll see Jesus face to face.
While I absentmindedly thought about daily to do's, my son interrupts my thoughts to say, "Is that what you are going to tell the orphans?"
"Tell them what?" I reply.
West answers, " Tell them that there will be no pain and they don't have to cry in heaven"
"Yes, West," I say. "That is exactly what we will tell them."
"Don't forget to tell them that the bees won't sting in heaven either," says West.
We wonder what children get, and we wonder if they are too young to know, but it seems to me that they know better than most of us.
As you pray for the team, pray for our children who are away from us. Pray they be a joy to their caretakers, stamina for their caretakers, and most of all great peace that their parents will return soon.
Julie
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Our Itinerary
While we have an itinerary, we want to expect the unexpected as we travel on God's watch. That is what is exciting --- to see what God has in store. It is way better than we can hope for.
May 24-25 Travel Days
May 26-30 Meet, love, pray, and work with Zeway orphans (about a 2-3 hour car drive from Addis Ababa)
May 31 - Church in Addis Ababa, minister to and encourage Food for the Hungry staff
June 1-2 -Orphanage visits
June 3 - return to Austin
That is what we will be up to. We are submitting this schedule to God to see where He would have us!
May 24-25 Travel Days
May 26-30 Meet, love, pray, and work with Zeway orphans (about a 2-3 hour car drive from Addis Ababa)
May 31 - Church in Addis Ababa, minister to and encourage Food for the Hungry staff
June 1-2 -Orphanage visits
June 3 - return to Austin
That is what we will be up to. We are submitting this schedule to God to see where He would have us!
Plane Tickets!
Thanks to God's provision and to the generosity of family, friends, and the people of Grace Covenant Church, we have raised enough money to buy our plane tickets (which we did last week)! We still could use a couple hundred more dollars to cover some immunization costs (and the sedatives some of us will need to make it through all 7 of the required shots!), but we are almost at 100% funding for the trip. Praise our God who provides.
Our team will leave on May 24th, fly through D.C. and Frankfurt and arrive in Addis Ababa on May 25th. We will spend 8 days in Addis, Zeway, and another local community ministering to the people in these communities, the orphans in Zeway, and orphans in Addis at a couple of Gladney orphanages. We will leave Addis on June 2nd and arrive back in Austin on June 3rd.
Praise God for His continued guidance of our team, for His prompting of so many of your hearts to support our trip, and for your generosity and continued prayers. More details to come on our itinerary and in-country plans....
Our team will leave on May 24th, fly through D.C. and Frankfurt and arrive in Addis Ababa on May 25th. We will spend 8 days in Addis, Zeway, and another local community ministering to the people in these communities, the orphans in Zeway, and orphans in Addis at a couple of Gladney orphanages. We will leave Addis on June 2nd and arrive back in Austin on June 3rd.
Praise God for His continued guidance of our team, for His prompting of so many of your hearts to support our trip, and for your generosity and continued prayers. More details to come on our itinerary and in-country plans....
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Stories with African Endings
There have been many ways that our Zeway team has prepared for the Zeway trip. We have had chapters to read out of manuals, lots of trip logistic discussions, vaccinations to get, lots of prayer and team building time. We have our final meeting at the beginning of May before we leave on May 24-June 3rd.
This final meeting will probably be one of the most important ones. We will be discussing and seeking God's truth on how we mentally, spiritually and emotionally prepare for the sights, sounds and smells we will experience in Ethiopia. Poverty in Africa is like no other experienced in the world. And the team is coming from a culture in which prosperity is experienced like no other place in the world.
Which is why the pastor of Grace Covenant Church, Matt Cassidy, could have been prepared and taught last Sunday's sermon specifically to our team. (click here to listen to the sermon)
The sermon series is entitled "Faith to Endure" and we dug deep into Psalm 42.
The introduction to this sermon was that we have values as Americans that are culturally true and not biblically true. In our value system, the ending of our stories always end happily. We don't know how to respond to anything else. In most parts of the world, endings are not happy. The psalmist says in 42:3, "My tears have been my food both day and night". Nothing could be more true for the people of Ethiopia in a literal sense that we can't even comprehend.
Because of our deeply embedded value system, there is a valid fear that when we are faced with a culture like Ethiopia, where orphans are thrown aside, parents die of HIV/AIDS, food and water is no where to be found, and children die of diseases that are easily cured here, we may place a barrier between ourselves and the Lord with the big question "WHY?". "Why do you allow such suffering?", "Why do you not do something?", "Why do I have all that I have?"
Matt Cassidy's spoke directly to how we overpower this fear. In Psalm 42, the psalmist says many times over to himself "Hope in God. Hope in God" . It is believing in this that is the only true emotional and spiritual preparation for the poverty in Zeway.
Our hope in this world is not in a trip to Zeway to love on 48 orphans, our hope is not in the billions of dollars sent in aid, our hope isn't even in teaching men how to fish instead of giving them fish. Our hope is in the Lord. Our hope is in His eternal perspective and His faithfulness in working out all things for good. Our hope is in His return to rule over His kingdom in the way He intended.
So, there may be 3 ways we can return from this trip: 1. bitter and blaming God for the world's suffering. 2. Complacent and with a loss of hope that anything can get better. OR 3. Hoping more fervently and with more conviction that only in Christ's return will the wrongs in this world be righted.
Please pray for us that we would return with even more Hope in the Lord. Please pray that we can share this Hope with the Ethiopians. Please pray that we can communicate this Hope when we return to Austin.
That is an exciting prayer to pray!
This final meeting will probably be one of the most important ones. We will be discussing and seeking God's truth on how we mentally, spiritually and emotionally prepare for the sights, sounds and smells we will experience in Ethiopia. Poverty in Africa is like no other experienced in the world. And the team is coming from a culture in which prosperity is experienced like no other place in the world.
Which is why the pastor of Grace Covenant Church, Matt Cassidy, could have been prepared and taught last Sunday's sermon specifically to our team. (click here to listen to the sermon)
The sermon series is entitled "Faith to Endure" and we dug deep into Psalm 42.
The introduction to this sermon was that we have values as Americans that are culturally true and not biblically true. In our value system, the ending of our stories always end happily. We don't know how to respond to anything else. In most parts of the world, endings are not happy. The psalmist says in 42:3, "My tears have been my food both day and night". Nothing could be more true for the people of Ethiopia in a literal sense that we can't even comprehend.
Because of our deeply embedded value system, there is a valid fear that when we are faced with a culture like Ethiopia, where orphans are thrown aside, parents die of HIV/AIDS, food and water is no where to be found, and children die of diseases that are easily cured here, we may place a barrier between ourselves and the Lord with the big question "WHY?". "Why do you allow such suffering?", "Why do you not do something?", "Why do I have all that I have?"
Matt Cassidy's spoke directly to how we overpower this fear. In Psalm 42, the psalmist says many times over to himself "Hope in God. Hope in God" . It is believing in this that is the only true emotional and spiritual preparation for the poverty in Zeway.
Our hope in this world is not in a trip to Zeway to love on 48 orphans, our hope is not in the billions of dollars sent in aid, our hope isn't even in teaching men how to fish instead of giving them fish. Our hope is in the Lord. Our hope is in His eternal perspective and His faithfulness in working out all things for good. Our hope is in His return to rule over His kingdom in the way He intended.
So, there may be 3 ways we can return from this trip: 1. bitter and blaming God for the world's suffering. 2. Complacent and with a loss of hope that anything can get better. OR 3. Hoping more fervently and with more conviction that only in Christ's return will the wrongs in this world be righted.
Please pray for us that we would return with even more Hope in the Lord. Please pray that we can share this Hope with the Ethiopians. Please pray that we can communicate this Hope when we return to Austin.
That is an exciting prayer to pray!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Financial update
We are getting closer to our goal: currently we have $19,400 raised. We are so blessed and appreciative of Grace church and many other family members and friends who have helped us get to this point.
God has also graciously provided a few re-calculations of our budget -we now need a total of $23,500 instead of $30,000 Thank you God! So while we are still short, we are getting closer by needing about $4,000 more.
We are able to buy plane tickets at this point. Please pray that we'll be able to get all 13 of us on the same flight. It is complicated, but in order to get the cheapest fare, it may require that we travel separately. Of course, this is not ideal, but we want to be good stewards of the money, so we'll seek out a good deal!
We just recently had our 4th out of 5 training sessions with our team at an Ethiopian restaurant on Grand Avenue and I-35. If you haven't tried Ethiopian food, we encourage you to do so! "Taste of Ethiopia" is a great restaurant to try it out and you will love Wione who is the hostess, cook, server and all-around wonderful person to get to know!
God has also graciously provided a few re-calculations of our budget -we now need a total of $23,500 instead of $30,000 Thank you God! So while we are still short, we are getting closer by needing about $4,000 more.
We are able to buy plane tickets at this point. Please pray that we'll be able to get all 13 of us on the same flight. It is complicated, but in order to get the cheapest fare, it may require that we travel separately. Of course, this is not ideal, but we want to be good stewards of the money, so we'll seek out a good deal!
We just recently had our 4th out of 5 training sessions with our team at an Ethiopian restaurant on Grand Avenue and I-35. If you haven't tried Ethiopian food, we encourage you to do so! "Taste of Ethiopia" is a great restaurant to try it out and you will love Wione who is the hostess, cook, server and all-around wonderful person to get to know!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Update from Ethiopia
The Vision team met with the Ethiopian FH director a couple of weeks ago and received an update on the progress of the Zeway project. They have received the first 17K that was the original proposed amount to help 48 orphan-led household with basic needs and provide them with a means for a sustainable income.
The director told us that 4 of the children in the most dire need were taken on a shopping trip for clothing. They were given a small sum and taught to compare prices and look for quality items. He said that is was such a joyful trip to see the kids shop for something of their own for the first time. He also reported that the 2 girls on the trip seem to get the hang of it much quicker than the boys. :)
The generosity of Grace Covenant exceeded the original 17K budget so part of the vision trip in May is to see first hand where the money can be best used. The FH staff have told us that it is difficult not to lavish the 48 orphans with all that they need with the extra money, but it must be used wisely. One reason is that in such poverty, families would abandon their children so they could be part of the program -- parents who would rather relinquish their children than see them in such conditions.
Please continue prayer for the 48 orphans and their siblings. Please pray for wisdom and discerenment to spend the extra funds as God would want.
The director told us that 4 of the children in the most dire need were taken on a shopping trip for clothing. They were given a small sum and taught to compare prices and look for quality items. He said that is was such a joyful trip to see the kids shop for something of their own for the first time. He also reported that the 2 girls on the trip seem to get the hang of it much quicker than the boys. :)
The generosity of Grace Covenant exceeded the original 17K budget so part of the vision trip in May is to see first hand where the money can be best used. The FH staff have told us that it is difficult not to lavish the 48 orphans with all that they need with the extra money, but it must be used wisely. One reason is that in such poverty, families would abandon their children so they could be part of the program -- parents who would rather relinquish their children than see them in such conditions.
Please continue prayer for the 48 orphans and their siblings. Please pray for wisdom and discerenment to spend the extra funds as God would want.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Names and Faces of the Zeway Orphans
. . . for in You the fatherless find compassion.
Hosea 14:3
Mieso, age 12
Zafu, age 9 and Meserech, age 17
Hawa, age 14
Bungude, age 12
Meselech, age 7 and Getachew, age 17
Sofia, age 16
Chalto, age10; Saydo, age 12; Jamo, age 17
Kebede, age 12
Malasa, age 13 and Grandmother
Meko, age 11 and sister, age 17
Ibsa, age 14
Amanu, age 14
Chala, age 16; Mohamed, age 10 and siblings
Muktar, age 14
Leul, age 14
Meseret, age 16
Cheneret, age 15
Alemayehu, age 14
Shimbra, age 11
Yirgalem, age 17
Moyeta, age 13
Asnaketch, age 12
Hosea 14:3
Mieso, age 12
Zafu, age 9 and Meserech, age 17
Hawa, age 14
Bungude, age 12
Meselech, age 7 and Getachew, age 17
Sofia, age 16
Chalto, age10; Saydo, age 12; Jamo, age 17
Kebede, age 12
Malasa, age 13 and Grandmother
Meko, age 11 and sister, age 17
Ibsa, age 14
Amanu, age 14
Chala, age 16; Mohamed, age 10 and siblings
Muktar, age 14
Leul, age 14
Meseret, age 16
Cheneret, age 15
Alemayehu, age 14
Shimbra, age 11
Yirgalem, age 17
Moyeta, age 13
Asnaketch, age 12
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