Look who is 6 years old!

Happy big boy!

Patterns for Sew important!

Here are the pattern links for Project Sew Important:
Draw String Bags
Tri-fold Liners
Shield pattern

Each kit needs two shields, 8 Tri-fold Liners and two Shields.  We need everything so if you can make just bags- great!  If you can only make liners or a few shield- no problem!  If everyone does a little bit we will have plenty!  If you do not have a snap machine- send us your liners without them.  We have a snap machine and will happily snap your shields.
Please e-mail me if you have questions!

Project Sew Important

In March and October of 2013, we are going to our Children's HopeChest Care point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia.  We will be serving 168 children, 96 of them girls.

Last year I debated about posting about Project Sew Important... should I share or not share... because it's sensitive, maybe taboo... not everyone is comfortable with the topic and I wasn't sure if I wanted to share this publicly.  But after I shared we received very positive feedback and women all over the country joined us. 

The girls at our care point are vulnerable economically.  Many of the girls are orphans and receive their only meal at our care point.  These girls are in school because someone has cared enough to sponsor them so the required school fees have been paid. But they are still at risk.... Some girls miss school up to 4 days a month.  They miss the lessons, the practice time, the homework, the exams and if they have a part time job they miss time a work/income because they cannot afford hygiene products.  It happens every day in impoverished communities all over the world... it was happening at our care point. 

We changed that at our care point and two others in Ethiopia.  We want to ensure our girls and young ladies have their own sustainable, effective feminine hygiene products. 

We've started up "Project Sew Important" for 2013.  If you sew and can help, please join us!  We have two patterns options provided by Days for Girls.   Please e-mail me at mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com for all the details.  We have a snap machine so we can finish off the products for you.   

Thank you for making a difference in young women's lives.

Celebrating Henry

I can hardly believe that Henry has been a part of our family for FOUR YEARS!  Henry is funny, delightful, sweet, thoughtful and generous.  Every morning he wakes up with a smile.  It is an honor to call him son.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Henry this past year along with his referral photo from September 2008.

 

Make a difference Tuesday

  It's giving Tuesday- for a 3rd year we are selling two children's books- the proceeds will feed children at our care point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia.  http://childrensbooksforfood.blogspot.com/

We also have some precious children who are in need of a sponsor.

A  sponsorship fee ($34 monthly) provides resources for children to receive at least one meal a day, an education, and discipleship.  Contact us if you have questions or would like to sponsor a child.  mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com

Seven Years with Igor

Last night we celebrated Igor's Gotcha Day with Pizza!  I cannot believe how quickly time has passed.  We love you Igor and are delighted you are our son.

Medical Mission trip to Ethiopia!

We are delighted to announce a second mission trip to our care point in 2013!!  

You are invited to join our medical mission team October 12-21, 2013!  We are recruiting medical professionals to provide health care for orphans and extremely vulnerable children and their families at two Children’s HopeChest Care-points!  We will be serving the children at Project Greenlight in Addis Ababa and our Care-point at Grace Baptist Church, Kombolcha, Ethiopia.  There will only be 20 spots available on the October 2013 team! 

Our mission is to provide medical care to the children and family members, build relationships with the children and be a reflection of God’s love.  

We will have a few spots available for non-medical personnel to help with set-up, intake, games, and loving the children.  We are looking for a photograph, puppeteer or others talented in entertaining children ages 6-18 years old.

Registration is now open for our medical trip to Ethiopia. If you are interested in joining the team, please e-mail me at mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com. 

We would be delighted to have you join us! If you are ready to sign up, please complete the online application at http://onechildcampaign.showitsite.com/#/ethiopia/

COSTS
One Child Campaign has prepared the in-country travel package on our behalf and has fixed the cost at $1,390 per person - which includes hotels, transportation, translators, and meals.  You will be responsible to book your flight.  We will meet in Washington DC and fly to Ethiopia together. The cost of round-trip airfare to Ethiopia will vary. Trip/medical evacuation insurance can be purchased at the time of booking your flight. The cost for insurance varies based on gender and age. Entrance visas for Ethiopia are $20 per person.

NOT ABLE TO GO BUT WANT TO HELP?
Spread the word!  Share this blog post with others.

We’d love to have you join our prayer team or fundraising team (to purchase medical supplies for the trip and a treasure box items).  We’ll also have a medical supply wish list available soon.  Please contact me at mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com to see how you can make this an amazing trip not only for our team and but to bless the children!