Ethiopia

so many places to start, so many thoughts.... Tuesday we went to a drop off center and met some beautiful children.  We handed out bags of goodies and then played with the kids.  It was a sweet time. That night at dinner I was so sick that our driver had to take me back to the guest house.  Heather came with me.  She took care of me in my worst moments.  She had the team pray for me and in the morning I was so much better! Praise God. It's a good thing I was feeling better because we left early Wednesday morning for Kombolicha.  We were told that it would take 6 hours...um... it took 11 hours!  I cannot describe the trip in words.. think pot holes the size of VW bugs... (NOT KIDDING).unpaved roads for miles... so bumpy your head it the ceiling of the van, we drove through a "dry" river bank filled with water because the main road was closed.  fog so thick you could not see 10 feet in front of you... did I mention we were on a side of a mountain without guard rails... good times!  seriously, we had a great time in the car despite all the hazards.  I would do it again tomorrow.  the children we met were amazing!  Some are orphans due to AIDS.  Many are living with a relative but only have a school uniform and a roof over their head.  They rarely receive food, care, or encouragement.  The relatives they live with have so little that taking in an orphan is a hardship.. they can only provide a roof for the child.  so heart breaking... What do you do with that? How do you play with children and then walk away?  How do you save these children?  Children who just kissed my hand, kissed my face, held my hand.... these children want is a chance in life... I cannot do it by myself... so I sit here and pray.. What am I suppose to do?  I want to do the things that I am called to do not the things I think I can do.  I need to listen for the quiet whisper... but yet my days here are filled with noise, needs, children, heartbreak and longing... perhaps that is the quiet whisper I need to hear now.. The good news- the children we met today have Jesus in their heart... something far greater than worldly possessions.  We were able to provide food for the children for many days to come...  today, that's what I hang on to..

From Ethiopia

This Candy's husband Rob posting on her behalf while she is in Ethiopia. Here are some of her Facebook messages to me.

I was very sick last night (Early Wednesday, 12-2-09 ), I am feeling better this morning but we have a 6 hour trip ahead of us early today. Please pray I stay well. I am preparing my heart for what we will see. Yesterday we went to an orphanage and drop off center in Addis. I was an incredible experience. The kids were so full of life. I met a little boy named Hailemariam. He reminded me of Henry, sniff snif.

(Posted Thursday, 12-3-09) Thanks for praying- I was healed!! Seriously, I have never gotten over a sickness this fast... you all rock.
I cannot tell you how beautiful and heartbreaking the last few days have been.

(Posted Thursday, 12-3-09) I cannot explain what has happened in the last few days in a few words. I was healed from sickness! I survived an 11 hour trip to a church NE of Addis. The children were so beautiful and loving. They would kiss the palm of my hand, my cheecks, they wanted to be so close. They have nothing but Jesus in their hearts. Many are not fed for days .... How do you leave children in that state?? Heart breaking to say the least. If you donated money I gave some of it to the center there so they could feed the children. Not able to blog- check out Tom Davis' blog daily.

Off to Ethiopia!

Tomorrow our team will be on our way to Ethiopia!
Please keep us in your prayers.

Ethiopia Count down!

I'm testing out the e-mail feature to make sure I remember how to blog while in Ethiopia. I cannot believe that I leave in a few days. l will meet most of the team at Dulles airport Monday morning.  We will arrive in Addis Ababa on Tuesday. Karen did great job posting our schedule in Ethiopia on her blog!  Here's our schedule: Tuesday - 8:30 am Ethiopia time (8 hour time difference) arrive and travel to the Ethiopia Guest Home.  Visit "Promising" Drop-In center which serves 81 children.   Wednesday travel 6-7 hours to the town of Kombolcha (North of Addis) to visit Grace Drop-In center which serves about 180 children, but there are over 400 children identified in need.   Thursday - spend morning again at Grace Drop-In center and then travel back to Addis in the afternoon.   Friday - Visit CFI school which serves about 25 kids.  Visit "Hope for the Hopeless" drop-in center which serves 15 orphaned children.   Saturday - Travel to Woliso ( about 1 hour South of Addis) to visit Emanuel Orphanage which serves 122 orphans.  Then travel to Debre Zeit (about 1 hour East of Addis) to visit Elolam Orphanage which serves 120 children locally, and another 110 children from Addis. Sunday - Visit Kind Heart drop-in center which serves 56 children in Addis.  We will be attending a church service as well.   Monday - Visit Gospel for All Nations drop-in center which serves 40 children in Addis. Tuesday - Several of us will be visiting the America World Adoption Transition Home where we adopted our children.  We will also have time to do a little shopping and touring before catching a 10:15 pm flight to the USA. Wednesday- arrive home!!

A little girl's heart and Igor's painting

Today, I received a letter in the mail with a check. The note was written by a little girl whose heart was touched on Orphan Sunday.

Here's Igor's latest painting. It was inspired by a sailboat adventure he had with his cousins a few weeks ago.

Fall fun, Henry, Flat Stanley & packing

Fall has arrived! The leaves are falling, cooler weather is here... This is Henry's first experience with fall. He loves playing in the leaves.

Igor loves to climb....

Henry has no fear.... Here he is scaling the outside of the stairs. Notice his, "whoops, I've been caught doing something wrong" look? Like many toddlers, I cannot turn my back for a second or he will be in some mischief.

The trip to Ethiopia is in 9 DAYS!!! So far, everything from gift bags to toothpaste has been donated. The amount of donations received has been amazing!!

To everyone who donated- THANK YOU!

I packed two bags yesterday with only donations. The two bags weigh a total of 96 pounds! I need to do some created packing since I haven't packed any clothes or personal items. I can take 100 pounds for free. If I go over it will cost $50...

Do you see Flat Stanley among the markers, crayons and underwear?

Flat Stanley is going to Ethiopia with us! Flat Stanley is courtesy of Dottie, who is an adoptive mom and Elementary school teacher.

It's not too late to donate funds for our trip. Every dollar donated will go towards food, emergency medical procedures, shoes... for orphans. Our team will report on how the money will be spent. We promise to be good stewards of all funds donated. It cost less than a dollar a day to feed an orphan in Ethiopia.

To donate go to:

http://www.hopechest.org/

Click on GIVE

Please put November Ethiopia Mission trip in the comment section.

Thank you!

Weekend recap

Friday night my brother met Henry!

Saturday night we enjoyed food, fun and fellowship at the second annual AWAA Africa get together. We had so much fun!

Four years ago today we adopted Igor in Pskov, Russia! Tonight we celebrated at Igor's favorite restaurant. He enjoyed scrambled eggs and pancakes for dinner. We love you Igor!!

In TWO weeks I'll be in Ethiopia!!