Day 5

Care package day!!!!!  I have studied every one of these photos, grinning from ear to ear as I take in the expressions on each of the children's faces.  Oh how I wish that I could have been there to be a part of this.

Every one of the 155 children received a care package lovingly prepared by their sponsor.  Each one received his or her care package individually with the help of a translator.

Enjoy the happiness on these sweet faces:

Days 3 & 4

I have more photos from the field to share.  I wish that I could narrate these, but that will have to wait until I can get the stories to go with the pictures after the team is back home.  I did find out from Daniel that several from the team have been experiencing tummy troubles.  Please pray that they heal quickly!

Doesn't this little guy look happy?

View from the Wellsprings Guest House, Addis Ababa

Streets of Merkato

Going to visit this little guy's home and family

Eating dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant.  

Day Two

I got another quick update from Daniel.  They do not have internet access at the guest house, so they have been going to the Children's HopeChest office for about 30 minutes per day so they can all email home.  They actually haven't even had any electricity at the guest house for the past 24 hours.  Things like that come and go in Ethiopia.  Oh the things we take for granted....

The spent the whole day with the kids at Merkato again today, doing Bible stories, games, crafts, etc.  He said that it went great, and the team is working together really well.  Everybody is pretty tired, though.  Ethiopia is 8 hr ahead of home (CST), and they are two days into trying to adjust to that AFTER missing a night's sleep while traveling.

I wish I had more stories to share, but that will have to wait until later.  For now, pictures....

Day One

I finally heard from Daniel today!  The group made it to Ethiopia, and they had a great first day loving on the kids at Merkato.  They don't have internet access at the guest house (hotel) that they are staying at, so our communication is very limited. It's crazy how conditioned we are to being in touch with our loved ones at every second.  I am trying to let go and not  freak out about only hearing from him every few days.

Anyway, 110 of the 155 kids were there today.  They divided the kids into four groups and spent the day sharing Bible stories, doing crafts, and playing games.  The fed them PB&J for lunch.  Daniel said that it was a great day.  The kids are amazing to be around and full of life and happiness.  The mission team worked extremely hard and everyone is spent, but filled up.

Daniel got to hang out with one of the kids that we sponsor today too.  It was so fun to show this picture to our kids.  They see that Daddy is really there, really with Minty, who we pray for and talk about all the time.  Benjamin was grinning from ear to ear.

Here are a few more photos that Daniel was able to send me from the first day at Merkato:

Mission Trip

The time has come!  This Saturday, a team of 13 will be flying out of Washington, DC, headed to Ethiopia!  They will be spending the next week in Addis Ababa, ministering to the kids at Merkato and learning all that they can about how to grow and improve the ministry there. 

The team will have six full days in Addis.  During that time, they will:
·         Spend four days doing VBS type activities with the kids at Merkato – Bible stories, songs, games, etc.
·         Feed the kids at Merkato lunch four times, including providing a FEAST for all the kids and staff one day with freshly slaughtered goats purchased in the city :)
·         Deliver care packages to each of the kids individually
·         Visit the homes of six of the kids in the program and meet their families
·         Visit two other Children’s HopeChest CarePoints that are more well-established to learn from and be inspired by what they see there.  One is in Addis Ababa, and one is about 40 miles outside the city.
·         Visit with a missionary who runs a rescue ministry for girls trapped in prostitution
·         Spend an afternoon sightseeing and shopping, and eat at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant
·         Worship at the church at Merkato on Sunday
 

Here are a few ways that you can be praying for God’s protection and blessing on the trip:
·         That the children will be able to come and won’t be prevented by parents or circumstances.
·         That the children will have a clear understanding of the Gospel and God’s love for them.
·         That the parents of the kids will also be blessed by seeing God’s love through the team.
·         That relationships will grow quickly between the team and the kids at Merkato.
·         For the HEALTH of the team – no stomach ailments and trips to the hospital for dehydration
·         For the SAFETY of the team – they are going to attract a lot of attention and will be working in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Addis.
·         For God’s blessing on the team – that they would be bonded together, that they will work well together, and that God would grow and challenge each one of them.

I hope to be posting pictures from the trip here during the week if the internet in Ethiopia will cooperate.  Check back for updates!