Over the next few weeks and months I will be sharing stories from sponsors who have visited our care point in Kombolcha.   Their experiences have deeply moved me over the last year.    I hope you get a better sense of the journey, the transformation of sponsors and the children from these updates.

This is from Joy who went on the April 2012 trip.  

I'm a little bit of a clean freak. I'm the one who always carries GermX, you know the type!  While at our care point, having hundreds of little dirty faced kids kissing me every day was a different experience for me to say the least. I would sneak into the school building, use hand sanitizer and occasionally wipe my face with baby wipes. I loved the kids- they were precious, but I was having a problem.

I should back up and tell you that I got to meet my sponsor child while I was there.  I visited her little hut then went back to my hotel room and sobbed uncontrollably for about an hour. I was overwhelmed by the poverty, the living conditions and more.

The kids became familiar, their kisses more welcome, to share all that happened in my heart that week would take many, many pages so I will focus on one memory. 

Hayat, my sponsor child, grew in my heart until I thought it would burst.  How would I say goodbye? The last day came.  Hyat came to give me a hug and we said our goodbyes as best as possible with the language barrier then she went on her way into the sea of children. I stood there sort of numb.  I thought, well that wasn't as emotional as I thought it would be. Then I saw her, through the crowd on her knees bawling. Tears were soaking her face.  I ran toward her calling her name. I hit my knees, she came and lunged into my embrace. We sat there, her face in my face, my tears mixed with her tears. The taste of mingled tears was in my mouth. Dirty faces and hands didn't matter anymore. My heart was forever bound to her heart and it was snow white! I cried for weeks when I got home trying to work through the feelings of wanting her with me and not knowing how. God has helped me to see that I can help her and love her right where she is. Weeks later, Rahel, our wonderful translator, the children’s discipler, sent me a the pictures attached. What a blessing to have this memory captured in a photo. My memory of Ethiopia will be THAT embrace and the taste of mingled tears!

New clothes & food delivered

Last Saturday the following the items were delivered to the children at our Care point- Grace Baptist Church in Kombolcha, Ethiopia:

sweat pants, a jacket and socks for each child

2.5 litters of cooking oil for each child/family

 25 kgs (55 lbs) of Teff for each child/family

 I love the smiles on on the children's faces!! thank you sponsors!

Update on the Kombolcha April 21-30, 2012 trip!

We have received several applications for the trip to Kombolcha, Ethiopia!  There are still spots available. 
All the trip details are posted here http://ethiopianadoptionspot.blogspot.com/p/kombolcha-trip-info.html:

Several people have asked about the hotel- does it have electricity and running water?  The answer is YES!!  Others have asked about the drive to Kombolcha from Addis Ababa.  The drive is breathtaking.  We will stop to see the monkeys in the highlands.  You will see the dry and arid regions as well.  If it's market day, the drive will be a bit longer but will be filled with adventure. We've posted a few videos of the hotel and the drive. 

Children who need a sponsor

We have several children who need a sponsor.  Many of these children at Grace Baptist Church are single or double orphans. They may live with a relative who can provide shelter but not food or clothing because of extreme poverty. There is also food shortages in parts of Ethiopia. Kombolocha is located North East of Addis Ababa. According to the Famine Early Warning map, Kombolcha is dealing with moderate to high food insecurities.
We can make a difference in these children's lives. $34 per month ensures that a desperately poor and hungry child will have one meal every day, clothing, basic medical care, education and Christian discipleship. If you would like to sponsor a child or receive more information, please email me- mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com
Here are some of the precious children we were with last week who need a sponsor

Rabiya is in 8th grade.  She lives with her grandmother.  She enjoys singing and music. Rabiya is now sponsored!!!
 

Miftah is 11 years old, he lives with his mother and loves sports.  Rob really connected with this boy. Miftah is now sponsored.

Abubeker is 11 years old and lives with his mother.  He is very curious and enjoys sports.  Abubeker is now sponsored!!  If you would like to sponsor a child or receive more information, please email me- mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com

It's not like you....

Edited... 
Someone called recently asking to sponsor a child at Grace Baptist Church.  I'll call the person Pat.  Pat is very excited to sponsor a child.  We talked through the process of sponsorship and about Ethiopia. As we were about to hang up Pat said, "You know sponsoring a child isn't like what you guys did."
me- What did we do?
Pat- You know you adopted.  That's much better than sponsoring a child.
me- (deep breath) You know Pat, in some ways sponsoring a child is much better than adoption.  Adoption removes the child from his/her culture, separates them from any remaining family, their native land, language, etc.  When sponsoring a child you are potentially keeping a family together, you are bring hope to a child through education, you are are helping bring up new leaders in their own country.
Pat- How much it cost to adopt a child in Ethiopia?
Me- between $24,000 and $30,000
Pat- Why don't you take that money and use it to sponsor 65 children for the next 10 years.

Me- I have certainly thought about it.

I have thought about this conversation many times over the last few weeks. In many ways I am conflicted.  Adoption is beautiful, a commitment, a way to bring a family together.  However, it is more complicated than that.  Many children become orphans because the parents or a surviving parent cannot no longer afford to feed or cloth the child because of economic hardships.  They are forced to choose to give up a child whom they love so that child will survive.  It's really heart breaking when you think about it.
Please do not misunderstand me.  Orphans need loving homes, adoption fulfills that need.  But I cannot help wondering if we can slow down the number of children abandoned or relinquished if we try to keep the family together in the first place. 
I know everyone is not called to adopt.  I am certain we are.  I know we are committed to caring for the orphans and widows.  We do that in many ways: sponsoring children, micro-financing, mission trips to help build infrastructure in communities, etc.  Sponsoring a child in a wonderful alternative to adoption or perhaps a "supplement" to adoption.  It is wonderful way to "pay it forward"  keeping a child with his or her family.  Please contact me if you are interested in sponsoring a child- mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com

Kombolcha and sponsorship

We still have children who need sponsorship. Please help us spread the word! If you are interested in sponsorship or if of your church wants to get involved let me know. Jeremy and I share a burden for these precious children. We are looking forward to all the children having sponsors. Here's a video from our trip.

Meet Hiatt from Children's HopeChest on Vimeo.

3-2-1- lift-off!

This past weekend we "launched" sponsorship for the children of Kombolcha!
Prior to the launch I had doubts- really, how were Jeremy and I to find 188 sponsors? How would the weekend come together with Peter? Why did I feel such a burden along with such negativity? At the same time our family was dealing with all sorts of distractions.
When I had a few minute of quiet time I heard this, "Your focus should be Kombolcha. Your job is to share your heart. My job is to soften their hearts." Oh, that's a relief! With those words I became more encouraged and excited about the weekend!

Peter Abera, the Ethiopian in country director for Children's Hope Chest spoke at several churches while he was here. He did an amazing job of sharing his heart and the plight of children at Grace's care point. We had a great response. We don't have final numbers but we believe one third of the children of Kombolcha have been sponsored! How amazing is that? It normally takes 3-4 months to get a care point of this size fully sponsored so we are well on our way.

You can make a difference in these children's lives. $34 per month ensures that a desperately poor and hungry child will have two meals every day, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship. If you are interested in sponsoring a child or learning more about sponsorship- please e-mail me:
mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com

Here are some pictures from a few of the events this weekend.

More pictures from Grace Baptist Church, Kombolcha Ethiopia

Great news! Several people have contacted me to sponsor a child in Kombolcha!
Are you interested in sponsorship or learning more about sponsorship? E-mail me at mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com
Here are some of the precious children we met at Grace Baptist Church.


I ask you to consider sponsoring a child at Grace Baptist Church, in Kombolocha, Ethiopia. I met these children when I traveled there with Children's Hope Chest in December, 2009. I saw the need first hand.

Many of the children in Komobolcha are double orphans- meaning they have lost both parents. They live with a relative but many of these families can only provide a roof over the child's head. These families are so impoverished that they cannot provide food for the child they take in.

Can you imagine living with a family but not being fed? These children's lives are as important as own child(ren) or grandchild. God calls us to care for the ‘least of these’ and in doing so, we care for Jesus himself. The orphans in Kombolocha have nothing. I witnessed the children eating grass simply because they did not know where their next meal would come from or when it would come.

What is SPONSORSHIP? It is the most precious gift you can give an orphan. A sponsor is a
person who commits to three things that we call Pray, Say, and Pay.

1. Pray: As a sponsor, we ask that you would pray for your child as often as possible. Your child’s packet will give you information about their circumstances, family of origin, orphanage, town, and country–all vital tools in helping you pray for your child.

2. Say: (AKA Write Letters) Using the “Write Your Child” link on the Children's Hope Chest Web site you may write your child as often as you’d like. We ask sponsors to try and send a message to their child about once a month. In your information packet, you’ll get more details about how
to send handwritten letters to our office for delivery. A simple letter from a sponsor is one of the most precious gifts to a child who literally has no one.

3. Pay: Each sponsor commits to a $34/month (per year) sponsorship relationship that provides a child with many benefits. Your funds will be providing meals, discipleship, access to clean water, basic medical care and education to your child.

4. Trip: Once a year Children's Hope Chest will plan a trip for the supporters of the Kombolcha orphans to visit with their sponsored kids. This is not mandatory, but if you are willing and able it is life changing to be in Africa and see things first hand, and especially to love on the little child you have had a relationship with all year!

If you do not feel that you are able to sponsor a child right now, please consider making a one time gift to help us meet their greatest need right now: Food!

If you want to be a part of our sponsorship team, please email me mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com with the number of children you are willing to sponsor as well as if you would like a boy/girl/or no preference. Once we get the pictures and profiles prepared we will contact you with your child's information!

Children's Hope Chest Sponsorship Site

Jeremy received the call from Children's Hope Chest (CHC) saying we are a "go" for Grace Baptist Church in Kombolcha, Ethiopia!! You may read more about our time in Kombolcha here.
The CHC staff in Ethiopia will go to Kombolcha in approximately 3 weeks to take pictures of all 180 children and the hear each child's story. We should have profile information on each of the kids by March!
Many of the children served by Grace are double orphans, meaning both of their parents have died. Most of these children have nothing but the clothes on their back and they come to school with empty stomachs.
When I think about trying to find 180 sponsors I get a little overwhelmed but we will do it one child at a time. Please talk with your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers about the kids at Grace Baptist Church. You may contact me through facebook or mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com to let me know if you or anyone else may be interested in sponsorship. I would love to be able to say we have 180 people/families ready to sponsor a child when the profiles become available. For $34 per month each child sponsored will receive; food, access to basic health care, education, clothing and christian discipleship.
Here a few of the children we meet will at Grace. I will never forget the young girls who kissed my hands, my palms, my cheeks.. these girls wanted to be loved, hugged and cared for... we can make a difference in a child's life.