Kombolcha reflections

Here is the next installment of reflections 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 Les who went on the March 2013 trip. 

This was my 1st mission trip internationally, 1st trip anywhere I think without a construction element of some sort.  I was going to spend time with the children, play some games, show them and tell them that they are loved by me, by us and by Jesus.  I had prayed over the decision to go, sought God in the time leading up to the trip, there were many conference calls to discuss the trip.  I was ready, or so I thought.  There were tests of my patience (long lines, crowds, delayed luggage, no water at the hotel), but what overwhelmed me was the joy and love of the children once we got to the care point.  They didn't care what we were bringing, they were simply happy we had come….and happy is such a weak word to describe it.  They wanted to spend time with us, sit with us, hold on to us, play with us, laugh with us.  I share with you, some of the many memories that remain with me, burned into my soul.

When we first arrived, I remember the kids surrounding me, 10 or 15 or more.  All wanted my attention.  We played some simple hand clapping games, laughed, shared hugs.  Emotionally exhausting but physically energizing.  Sitting with them later that day they wanted to hold my hand, touch me, be near me.  They were curious about the hair on my arms and laughed at the sweat pouring off my head.  Another memory is Matthew, Derek, I playing keep away with a volley ball.  We'd toss it to each other high above our heads and the kids would jump on us to get the ball.  I decided to lift the kids above my head so they could get the ball, soon they all seemed to be around me, pointing to say "me next" until my arms ached.  The games we played were simple - bean bag toss, jump rope, hop scotch, pin the tail on the donkey - and we had labored to pick the right games.  But the kids didn't care what games we were playing.  Again, they only wanted to spend time with us, to feel special, to say without words "look at me, watch me", to be loved.

The last day was tough.  The kids were more clingy.  They knew we would be leaving, we knew we'd be leaving and each of us were trying to steal extra minutes together.  The week had gone by so fast.  Hugs lasted longer, tears were wiped away only to be replaced.  For me the tears were knowing I'd miss the children's smiles, laughs, knowing they were returning to their daily existence and I mine….each sad in its own way.

By worldly standards Ethiopia and its people are poor, lacking what the rest of us define as necessities.  The children we saw running along side the bus, the children we spent time with at the camp, the children you / I sponsor, though had a beautiful, simple joy that week, something I am poor in.  Part of me is back in Ethiopia playing with the children, sharing a love that breaks all language barriers.  Part of Ethiopia is here with me, I didn't declare it through customs though.  It exists in my mind, heart and soul, changing me.

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!

Visiting our carepoint

The team left last Saturday for Ethiopia.  It is not easy getting to our care point.  First, the flight to Ethiopia is 12.5 hours from Dulles airport.  Then there is a nine hour drive (on a good day, with clear roads) from Addis to Kombolcha!  Some people wonder why we go.  One of our team members, Carey, wrote yesterday:

today we washed the kids feet. They washed ours, the Care Point leaders washed each others. It turned into a way to honor one another. It was beautiful. Then we painted toe nails and the party got wild with Ethiopian music. After that we face painted. Ben was clever and started painting the Ethiopian flag on the boys cheeks. They loved it all. We had the feast- traditional Ethiopian food. Shiro, lentils, cabbage and potatoes along with lamb on injera . After that came giveaways and goodbyes. I've cried more this week than I have in a long time. It wasn't because I was sad. It was because this trip has been one of the most fulfilling things I've done in my life. The beauty of the heart is beyond measure.

We go because we care. We go because we are called.  We go to love and be loved.
I cannot wait to share the stories and the pictures. This smile says it all.

Sponsorship- does it matter?

Our team has been back for about a month.  They continue to process their experience.  I thought this was a beautiful perspective on sponsorship written by Laura.

One of the best parts of my trip was meeting Sonneit, a shy 9-year old whom I sponsor through Children's HopeChest.  I got to hug this little girl.  The sweet girl I've been praying for.  The adorable girl whose photo is pinned on my fridge.    I got to see where she lives.  I got to meet her guardian.  I got to enjoy her.  We got to play together.   And she opened up.

 Sponsorship organizations often tell you things like, "the children love letters and photos from their sponsors."  And I used to think that was a ploy.  The child my small group sponsored when I was in middle school never looked happy in his photos and I figured that they made him stand there so why would he be happy?  On this trip I realized some things about these kids:

1. They don't smile automatically when a camera is pulled out.  Apparently, that's an American thing.
2. They LOVE their sponsors. 

  I had children all week showing me their sponsor photos.  One boy kept saying over and over, "My sponsors are Julie and John.  Julie and John.  Julie and John!"  They would show each other the photos and then snatch them back to their chests.  And for those of us sponsors on the trip, they couldn't get enough.I love the children's reactions to sponsors photos and notes.  Thank you so much for making care packages for your sponsor child(ren)! 

Next year's trip is, March 9-18, 2013, please joined us.  As of today, 17 people have signed up for the 2013 trip.  E-mail me if you want more details or are interesting in going. 

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!

Shoes!!

Our children at our HopeChest Care point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia received new shoes in January!!  Look at the smiles! 165 children received new shoes. big thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!

We still have some children who are not sponsored at our care-point. E-mail me mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com for details or click on the sponsorship tab on our blog. 

Project Sew Important

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

I've debated about the post... 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 sharing this with my close friends and receiving very positive feedback, I decided to risk it all and post the details of our newest project. It really is that important to me... to the girls at our care point.

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's happening at our care point. 

We want to change that at our care point.  We want to ensure our girls and young ladies have their own sustainable, effective feminine hygiene products. 

We've started "Project Sew Important".  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.   

If you cannot sew but would like to help you may buy the finished product online, here , Please contact me for a shipping address for one our our team members.  Please e-mail me for details.

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

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. 

Kombolcha 2012!

Our plans for a mission trip to our Care-point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia have been finalized! We invite you to join the team that will be going to Kombolcha from April 21-30, 2012!

When Rob and I were in Kombolcha in May of this year, the pastor and staff at Grace Baptist Church were delighted that we were bringing a team back in 2012. After we finalized the dates, the in-country staff in Ethiopia said they could talk of little else.

If you have ever considered going on a mission trip or visiting your sponsor child, this is the time. Please prayerfully consider joining us or help with preparations!

The Mission

We will spend time with the 165 children in our sponsorship program at Grace Baptist Church. Our mission is this - to build relationships with these children so they know they are cared for and loved not only by us, but by God.  We will spend 5 days with the children at our care-point. We will shower them with love, spend time with them, play games, share care packages and letters from their sponsor families. On our last day in Kombolcha we will have a feast with the children and staff. The feast will include purchasing an ox so all the children, church staff and team members may enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal. 

Travel Details

All team members will meet in Washington, DC. From there, we will travel to Ethiopia together on a non-stop flight into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After a day of travel, we will arrive and spend the night in Addis Ababa. The next day we take an incredible journey to Kombolcha by van. You will be able to see the high and low lands of Ethiopia. We will be accompanied by a Children Hope Chest and One Child Campaign representative the entire time we are in-country.

The total trip will be approximately $2500, this includes air fare, hotels, transportation, translators, and meals. One Child Campaign has prepared the in-country travel package on our behalf and has fixed the cost at $1,296 per person. Entrance VISA's are $20 per person. The cost of round-trip airfare to Ethiopia will vary but is approximately $1,100-$1,300.

You do NOT have to be a child sponsor to go on this trip.  However, all sponsor families are invited and encouraged to meet their sponsor child.

Registration is now open for our April 21-30, 2012 trip to Kombolcha, 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 know someone at your work place, church or in your community that would be interested in sponsoring a child - we have several children who are available for sponsorship! According to the pastors of Grace Baptist Church, sponsorship is the number one need. Sponsorship is $34 per month; it provides resources for children to receive at least one meal a day, school supplies, a school uniform, basic medical care and an education! Sponsorship not only offers monthly support, but encouragement through prayer, letter writing, and relationship. E-mail me at mblueberry.madamblueberry@gmail.com for more details.

Father's Day- a gift of giving

Father's Day is right around the corner.  If you are like me, I struggle to find the "right" gift for my dad.  This year we'll be blessing our dads with a gift from the heart, the gift of shoes.... no, not for them... the shoes are for a child in Ethiopia.
Grace Baptist, sponsored by Children's HopeChest, is a care-point for orphaned and impoverished children. Through the support of sponsors, Grace Baptist is able to provide food, clothing, education and Christian discipleship! However, the children have many other needs. One pressing need is shoes.

Tracy, a sponsor mom, and her brother are professionally printing and mailing out Father's Day cards to benefit the children at our care point, Grace Baptist, in Kombolcha, Ethiopia.  The printing and postage is being donated!  Your monetary gift will be presented to Grace Baptist and will go to purchase new shoes for all the children. One pair of shoes costs $18.   

Go to Tracy's blog to send a card to your dad.

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

Kombolcha

I cannot believe we are home!  A week ago today we were handing out care packages to children at Grace Baptist Church in Kombolcha.  The children were so excited to see us, spend time with us, to "talk" to us. 
There were several things we noticed about the children.  First, they were delighted to see us.  They wanted hugs, they wanted to touch us, they wanted to connect with us. 

They loved playing with the jump ropes and soccer balls we brought. Thank you sponsor families who helped purchase these items!!

We had a wonderful time with the children.
As we spent time with the children we noticed that underneath the joy, there was a need for some basic items:
proper footwear

and proper clothing:

Our current fundraising event is with Sami- her blog is little goody2-shoes.  Sami has raised half the amount needed for the 175 children in the sponsorship program.  She is 12 years old and making a HUGE impact.  Check out her blog and her necklaces!  She's currently hosting a giveaway- it's free to enter. 

Kombolcha

We have returned from Kombolcha.  We had a great trip.
We were able to appreciate the breathtaking views as we crossed over the mountains.

When we arrived at the church  we were greeted by 300 children.  Hundreds of little hands extended to shake our hands.  "Hello.  What is your name?"  That's it, that's all the English they know.  They had been practicing in anticipation of arrival!  So, after hundreds of handshakes and saying, "My name is Candy," we were able to pass out jump ropes and the soccer balls.  the children were so excited!!

The next day we handed out care packages!  I have pictures of each child receiving their care package.  They were so excited to receive cards and pictures.  They loved the stickers.  They also loved putting them all over their faces.   When we return I will send you photos of your sponsor child.

Ethiopia here we come!!

We are packed and ready to go!  We've had quite a week of trials and hiccups but we are ready. 

The first part of our trip will in Kombolcha where our church and other families sponsor children through Children's Hope Chest.  We have your care packages, jump ropes, soccer balls and more packed for the children.  We pray they will be a blessing to the children.  With the help of the One Child Campaign and private donors we were also able to purchase a guitar for the discipler assigned to Kombolcha.  The children will learn bible songs and verses to music!  Hundreds of children will be blessed by this purchase!

On the second half of our trip we will meet our daughter!  We cannot wait to finally be with her.  We will go to court to gain custody of her on May 18.
Please pray for our children and Rob's parents who will be caring for them.  Also for our meeting with our daughter.  We would love it if you would pray that MOWCYA (it's similar to social services in the US) will write a favorable opinion letter to the judge and it will be on the judge's desk the day of court!  We cannot pass court without a MOWCYA letter.
Thank you all for your support and prayers.  I hope our next post will be from Ethiopia!

Care Packages are arriving!

Next week we will be in Ethiopia!!  Sponsor families are sending us care packages for the children at Grace Baptist Church in Kombolcha, Ethiopia.  Rob and I are so honored to be handing out care packages on behalf of sponsors.  Everyday UPS and USPS delivers boxes and envelopes!!
Here is one of the care packages we received today!

Thank you sponsor families for all the care packages!  The children will delight in them!

The winner is....

Thank you to everyone who entered the Blog giveaway!!  I loved hosting the giveaway and may host another one soon!
We put all the entries in a bowl and Henry pulled out the winner.

Even though I failed to say it on the video clip- Congrats to our winner!!!  We hope you enjoy the magnet.
I wish we could give one to everyone who entered.  If you love the magnets you can buy them here.  Let Debi know which design you prefer- she makes each one to order. The magnets cost $10 each but Debi is donating $7 to our care point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia! The purchase of each magnet will feed one child for six days!
Thanks again to everyone who entered!

Blog Giveaway!

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3)4)

We are so excited!  We have teamed up with Debi's Esty shop!  Debi and her husband are adopting from Ethiopia and sponsor a child in Ethiopia!  We are doing a giveaway for one of her super cute magnets.  The magnet measures approximately 4 inches x 3 3/4 inches. It is stained and has a slit on the top to set your photo in. They are the perfect size for a sponsor child's picture, a referral picture, a photo of a missionary family, your family... the possibilities are endless!

The winner of the giveaway may pick any one design posted above.  She also has Russia magnets available!

To Enter the giveaway:

1. To enter this giveaway post a comment on which of the magnets you would love hanging on your refrigerator!  (1 entry) You may enter even if you do not have a google ID or blog.
Additional Entries:
2. Tweet about this giveaway with a link to the giveaway. Make sure you comment here telling me you have done so. (1 entry)
3. Blog about this giveaway (5 entries) leave your link in a comment.

4. Share our page on Facebook (2 entries).

If you love the magnets and want to guarantee that one will be hanging on your refrigerator you can buy them here. They are a perfect gift! Let Debi know which design you prefer- she makes each one to order. The magnets cost $10 each but Debi is donating $7 to Children's Hope Chest's care point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia! The purchase of each magnet will feed one child for six days!

Giveaway ends Midnight on Tuesday, April 19th.  The winners will be announced on Wednesday the 20th.

Good luck!

One day without shoes

Tomorrow we are going barefoot.  We are joining TOMs in their One Day Without Shoes campaign to raise awareness for the millions of children who don't have a choice. 
Our friends at One Child Campaign have partnered with TOMs to raise money for our Care Point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia. 
If you are looking for a knew pair of shoes- check out TOMs! KICKS FOR KOMBOLCHA IS HERE! For each shoe purchase, Toms will donate $5 to One Child Campaign. The money will go toward funding service projects for this year's team to do in Ethiopia. Order online a TOMS.COM use offer code "KICKS".

Are you going barefoot on April 5?

TOMS SHOES/ONE CHILD CAMPAIGN - KICKS FOR KOMBOLCHA!!!

Help support our Children's Hope Chest care point in Kombolcha, Ethiopia.   Thanks to the Stums and the amazing team at First Baptist in Cleveland, TN.

KICKS FOR KOMBOLCHA IS HERE!

For each shoe purchase, Toms will donate $5 to One Child Campaign. This money will go toward funding service projects for this year's team to do in Ethiopia. You can join the team by applying at http://onechildcampaign.showitsite.com/#/trip-dates--events/

Order online a TOMS.COM use coupon code "KICKS" online and One Child gets the $5. Spread the word!

SHOES!!

Wonderful news!!  Sam - Little Goody 2 shoes- has raised enough money to buy shoes for half of the children at Grace Baptist Church's care point in Ethiopia! 
Check out her most recent blog post here for all the details. Here's part of her blog post:
I am delighted to say that together we have raised enough money to buy awesome new shoes for 93 of the kids at the Kombolcha care point in Ethiopia! There are still 94 kids at this care point that I would love to bless with new shoes. $18 will buy a good sturdy pair of shoes. As always, 100% of your bottle cap necklace purchase is donated to a special shoe fund at Children's HopeChest.


If you haven't purchased a necklace head on over to her blog!  These little girls are three of the orphans who will receive a new pair of shoes because of your generousity.