tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55630538622258140342024-03-13T12:34:01.765-05:00FAMILY FROM AFARKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.comBlogger564125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-14090054597833361262022-06-27T14:58:00.000-05:002022-06-27T15:00:49.968-05:00Karen, Hello<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Karen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><a href="https://bit.ly/3NntRhm">https://www.google.com/search?q=kjwistrom.family-from-afar@blogger.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'>K Wistrom<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.3pt;font-family:Tahoma'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-7800445816262137022014-10-02T21:04:00.002-05:002014-10-02T21:04:41.245-05:00There is no trust more sacred ..."There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want, and they they grow up in peace." ~Kofi Annan (The State of the World's Children 2000)<br />
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Four hundred kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints in Ethiopia are experiencing the life-changing affects of that sacred trust. <br />
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Through the provision of sponsorship, each child has nutritious meals and clean water they can count on every day. Immediate and critical needs necessary for their survival, health and well-being. <br />
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Medical care and clothing as well. <br />
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And transforming their future ... education and Christian discipleship with the loving care, concern and mentoring from the staff at each CarePoint.<br />
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Our team of twenty volunteers will be leaving for Ethiopia in mid-November to work one-on-one with these kids we have come to know and love over the years. <br />
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There are still a few kids that are waiting for a sponsor family. $38 per month provides for all of their basic needs - and transforms their lives! If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please email me at <a href="mailto:kjwistrom@yahoo.com">kjwistrom@yahoo.com</a> to be matched with a waiting child.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-15439603506760801092014-05-04T19:09:00.001-05:002014-05-04T19:09:53.051-05:00Til the Cows Come HomeAt Trees of Glory CarePoint in Ethiopia, the cows are coming home ...<br />
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Walking side by side with Simret (the founder and director of Trees of Glory), she pointed to a number of projects that a future livestock project would benefit at the CarePoint. <br />
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Not only would livestock provide nutritious milk for the 230+ kids attending the CarePoint every day, but excess milk would provide an important source of income as well. <br />
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The local markets have staple products like rice, tef, beans, oil and spices available for purchase and trade by the local villagers, but important nutrition sources like milk and eggs are in short supply. <br />
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The poultry project, which has been underway at Trees of Glory for a few years has not only provided ample eggs for the children, but has provided a valuable nutrition source for the local villages AND provided an income source for the CarePoint that has made the poultry farm self-sufficient!<br />
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It is with this same vision that Simret explained the numerous benefits of a future livestock project that would have far-reaching effects beyond the obvious nutritious milk provided by the cows.<br />
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In Ethiopia, where trees and firewood are not in abundance, cow dung is dried and used as a fuel source. The dung can be sold in the local markets to produce income and it can be provided for free to the poorest of families so they can use their small earnings to purchase food instead of fuel.<br />
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The dung can also be used to fertilize and replenish the depleted soil as gardens and orchards are being planted at the CarePoint. "Orchards???" I questioned, wondering if I had heard her correctly.<br />
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Simret smiled proudly and walked us over to an area where a drip irrigation system had been dug by hand. Soil was being tilled with dung and small apple trees were already planted. Again, not only a valuable future nutrition source for the kids, but an income source when the apples can be supplied in the local markets!<br />
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Perhaps the most suprising and inspirational plan is how Trees of Glory has already implemented a bio-fuel system in the kitchen at the CarePoint. Dung, from the few cows already at the CarePoint, is being used within a bio-fuel system to create methane gas that provides fuel on-demand for cooking.<br />
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Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo, MN came alongside Trees of Glory CarePoint with their annual Christmas Love project to fully fund the new livestock project! Not only to provide pregnant cows to immediately expand the herd when calves are born, but to build a barn to protect and house the cows.<br />
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And as the barn nears completion in Ethiopia, the cows are beginning to come home. Three healthy cows have already taken up residence in the nearly completed structure!!<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-84932694229256681182014-04-09T21:34:00.000-05:002014-04-09T21:34:48.430-05:00School Supplies for Kind Hearts KidsI smile as I see a message in my inbox from Ethiopia and click on the images to see the smiling faces of the kids at Kind Hearts! <br />
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School supplies are always in high demand at Kind Hearts school because the kids take their education so seriously - and school supplies are an expense that is hard to justify for families who are struggling to feed themselves. When volunteer teams travel to Ethiopia, this is always something at the top of the list that the kids appreciate.<br />
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Recently, Kind Hearts was able to provide each child with new school supplies provided by their sponsor families (through monthly sponsor funds). Each child received 5 exercise/notebooks along with pencils and pens. Here are a few photos as the kids received their supplies ...<br />
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Kind Hearts sponsor families - THANK YOU for your ongoing love, support and encouragement for these kids!!<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-74871519616089923912014-03-02T17:34:00.000-06:002014-03-03T10:05:09.252-06:00Pressing Love into Each Child (Ethiopia)As the suitcases are pulled from the vans and laid out on the tables, the kids start buzzing with excitement. This is the day we sit with each child and a translator, give them one-on-one attention, unwrap the care-package sent by their sponsor family, and pour over each photo and letter. <br />
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They let the words wash over them ... "We love you!" ... "We think about you all the time." ... "We are praying for you." ... "You are smart, you are beautiful, you are so very precious to us." ... And they soak the words in. Smiling shyly, swinging their feet, and grinning from ear to ear. Their eyes are glued to the photos of their family in America.<br />
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And even though the packages are filled with special gifts picked just for them, things they need like a new shirt, underwear, socks, and soap and a few things like pencils, chapstick and a doll or matchbox car ... their focus is on the letter and the photos.<br />
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One of the things I appreciate so much about our HopeChest staff and our volunteers and translators, is how they use this one-on-one time to touch and hug and love the kids. To press into them through touch and eye contact how precious and valuable they are to us and to God.<br />
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<strong>I will never forget being told by one of the kids at Kind Hearts, who
scavenged in garbage for things to eat and things to sell. "I ate garbage, I
walked in garbage. I was garbage.... but I'm not garbage any more." And I could
look into his eyes, with tears welling up in my own and say ... "Oh you are most
definitely NOT garbage."</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>And it wasn't just empty words.
Through the provision of his sponsor family who loved him enough to provide for
him ... and through the daily encouragement and love of the staff and teachers
at the CarePoint and Children's HopeChest ... <strong>he knew. Knew it
in his heart ... he was not garbage.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
The photos below are from Kind Hearts CarePoint, as the kids received their packages. <br />
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Pictures of family ...<br />
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Letting the words from the letters sink into their hearts ...</div>
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Knowing the importance of a touch and a hug ...<br />
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And then there's this little peanut, Kidist. Her sponsor family waited for over a year to see her beautiful smile, as every picture before this has been of a sad and scared little girl. She was the very last child in line to get her package, and she waited so patiently for the 200 kids ahead of her. Her eyes were lit up as she watched the other kids get their packages and she genuinely smiled for each of them as she waited.<br />
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And then finally it was her turn ... to hop up into the chair and see her family's smiling faces and hear their words of love and encouragement, and she hugged their picture to herself and she grinned and grinned and grinned.<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-6315330071261371122014-01-22T07:00:00.000-06:002014-01-22T07:00:09.005-06:00Their Voices ... (Ethiopia!)<div class="yiv9769432811MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14383" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14382" style="font-family: inherit;">While we spend time with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints, we are working closely with them in their classrooms. Investing in their educations and investing in each child (it gives us the opportunity to spend time with each child, letting them know how precious and valuable and worthwhile they are!) Janine Kruger was one of our volunteers this year, and her background is in teaching and youth minstry. Below, Janine shares her experiences with the kids in November ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Janine:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can hear their voices in song, greeting us to their school as our bus slowly pulled into Trees of Glory on the dry, crunching gravel. Anticipation of all sorts filled my mind and heart. Will they like us? Will they want to talk with us? What will I say? How will I communicate? I have no idea what they were saying while they were singing, but I could hear them singing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I stuck my head out of the bus window so I could see them and immediately my eyes filled with tears. Huge smiles were plastered to their faces as they “yell sang” for us. We were finally here. We were at Trees of Glory, the first of the two care points we had traveled hours and hours to visit. We were here to love, to teach, to listen, to smile, to share, to hug, to kiss, to hold hands, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I hear their voices sing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Later, as we taught in the classrooms, <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14387">I can hear their voices talk of their troubles when I asked the question, “What problems and issues do you have here in this life?” Soft, quiet voices muttering answers to themselves. Knowing full well that they have a multitude of troubles, I waited for the first hand to rise to give an answer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“When my dad died.” My mind whirled at this answer, knowing that it would come, but unable to be prepared for it nonetheless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Car accidents.” Yes, that is a real and true fear of the children attending Kind Hearts School, children who live just outside a city populated by 5 million people; a city that has zero traffic laws. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Being attacked by animals at night.” What a horrible thing for a child to worry about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Economy problems.” What 8 year old has to worry about such a thing?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Sickness.” Of course, which child has not had to deal with some sort of major illness in themselves or a close family member. I can hear their voices talk of their troubles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14390">I can hear their voices as we ask our class if they would sing a song for us at the end of a long teaching day. Their voices, somewhat quiet at first, gradually growing louder and louder as they gained confidence and momentum. Seeing our faces filled with joy and excitement, they sang, oh did they sing! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Their teacher, one of our translators, started pulling children from the desks to come and join in the song and dance at the front of the room. The children sang loud and danced with such passion and happiness. I didn’t know what they were saying, but I danced along with them. Later I was told that it was a song about how good the Lord is. The way they sang and danced held both chaos and energy and yet it was organized and peaceful all at the same time. They sang and beat drums and smiled and held hands and we all danced together. I can hear their voices sing out loud. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <em>It's a long video clip, but even a few minutes will make you smile ...</em></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14395" style="font-family: inherit;">And after ten days with these kids, I can hear their voices as they said “goooodbye!”<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1390090251918_14396"> </span>The time had come to leave this place that I had quickly fallen in love with. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JRIZYvhrwN8/Ut9QCV-Of-I/AAAAAAAAP04/3lArzNUho38/s1600/IMG_3052+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JRIZYvhrwN8/Ut9QCV-Of-I/AAAAAAAAP04/3lArzNUho38/s1600/IMG_3052+(2).jpg" height="538" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love with the rolling hills off in the distance. I had fallen in love with the sight of the trees native to Africa . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love with the paint colors on the buildings. I had fallen in love with the innovation and determination that the staff at TOG has to deeply love and care for the “orphan and the widow.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love with the beautiful faces of the 200 children whom we were privileged to meet, to love, to attend to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love with seeing just how huge our world is, but just how intimate the Father’s love is for each and every one of His children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had fallen in love and now my heart was breaking as we, for the last time on our trip, drove away on that dry, crunching gravel. I can hear their voices say “Goodbye…” </span><br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-87467548716511039212013-12-21T21:15:00.001-06:002013-12-21T21:15:03.843-06:00Food Budget is Stretched ThinThe smell of cookies baking fills the house as Maea and her friends congregate around the kitchen island, laughing, talking and baking. Different flavors of chocolate chips are being debated and selected and sprinkled in - mint chips, white chocolate, dark chocolate ...<br />
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Maea glances at me and gives me a knowing smile ... because she knows what I am thinking and she is thinking the same. Amid the abundance within our kitchen (and in the midst of the holidays), we can't help but think about our kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory in Ethiopia and how they would be amazed by the variety and abundance in something as simple as chocolate chips ...<br />
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With just a few days left in 2013, as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christmas, I have been talking with the team at Children's HopeChest and reviewing budgets and upcoming capital projects that will enable us to enroll more children at our CarePoints. <strong>Last year, our meal budget was stretched thin because of inflation in Ethiopia as well as emergency medical needs that had to be met.</strong> <br />
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There were many days last year where the children were served a meal of just rice or just injera (a pancake-like bread). <br />
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<em>Some days, a meal consists of rice or bread (injera).</em> </div>
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<em>Injera is a pancake-like bread that is a staple in Ethiopia.</em></div>
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And although tummies were filled at each meal, in 2014 we want to be able to supplement the meals with extra meat or egg protein, a glass of milk or even a treat like an orange or banana.<br />
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<em>Meat is expensive in Ethiopia but a delicious stew can be made <br />and ladled onto the injera to create a protein-rich meal!</em> </div>
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With that in mind, we have established a Nutrition Fund at Kind Hearts. <strong>For all of 2014, for only $150 per child, we can make sure every child gets the nutritional jump start they need every day - not only to survive but to THRIVE!!!</strong><br />
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<strong>Before the end of 2013, would you consider making a donation to support the Kind Hearts Nutrition Fund, to supplement the daily meal program with extra nutrition for every child.</strong> <br />
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Click here for the donation page and to see our progress. <span id="shortcut_link"><a href="http://donate.hopechest.org/goto/khfoodfund"><strong>http://donate.hopechest.org/goto/</strong></a></span><a href="http://donate.hopechest.org/goto/khfoodfund"><span id="shortcut_text"><strong>khfoodfund</strong></span></a> <br />
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Your donation to the Kind Hearts Food Fund is tax deductible.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-42274262365449320712013-12-12T21:12:00.000-06:002013-12-12T21:12:27.125-06:00Because you chose to make a difference ...Our team of volunteers has been home for two weeks and after the whirl of Thanksgiving dinners and as the holidays approach, everyone is thinking about the kids in Ethiopia ... the grinding poverty and the shining smiles full of hope!<br />
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Here are just a few of the beautiful faces of our Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory kids, each one with their own story to tell and each one with a hope-filled future (because YOU chose to make a difference for these kids ... and WHAT A DIFFERENCE YOU HAVE MADE!!) ...<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-76694985242594573562013-11-30T08:01:00.000-06:002013-11-30T08:01:00.719-06:00Giving Thanks: EthiopiaIt's 5 am on a Saturday morning as I begin to write this post, sitting in a pool of lamplight in a dark and quiet house. (Our team of volunteers worked hard and slept little and arrived home Tuesday evening completely spent and poured out for the kids.) <br />
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Thanksgiving and Black Friday are behind us and the hub-bub of family and holiday activities are still at the moment ... and my mind goes back to Ethiopia. <br />
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The last several nights, I wake up dreaming of Ethiopia, still thinking I am there with the kids and the team ...<br />
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There is much to update ... <br />
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Progress is palpable at both of the CarePoints. <br />
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Challenges are before us as well. <br />
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Most importantly, the 400 children being served at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints are thriving! Laughter, love and hope abounds and it is visible, tangible and real.<br />
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Reflecting on Thanksgiving ... Giving thanks ... I think of each one of these people who I had the honor of working alongside over the past two weeks. I watched them pour themselves out before and during the trip for the kids and the CarePoint staff and our Children's HopeChest team.<br />
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<em>Our dedicated Children's HopeChest team!</em></div>
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Elias</div>
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Maea</div>
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Chris</div>
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Karen</div>
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Bailey</div>
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Tammi</div>
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Emme</div>
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Isabel</div>
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Stephanie</div>
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Jessica</div>
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Nick</div>
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Rich</div>
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Monty</div>
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Karisa</div>
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Guy</div>
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Linda</div>
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Wendy</div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-50468098490616323772013-11-10T19:32:00.001-06:002013-11-10T19:32:26.930-06:00Leaving Soon For Ethiopia ...Thursday of this week our team of volunteers jets off to Ethiopia to work with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory. For some team members, this is their second trip to work with the kids they have come to know and love, for others, it will be their first time in Africa and they are feeling a little fear, a lot of excitement, and a little trepidation as they step into the unknown with open hearts and open minds! Please keep the team in your prayers as we pour ourselves into these kids and the staff at the CarePoints ...<br />
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<strong><em>Sponsor families - THANK YOU for sending a package to your sponsor child! Our team will give a hug to your child from you as we read your letter to them, show them your pictures and go through the special gift you have sent to them. Your gift means so, so much to the kids and they feel so special to be remembered by you in this tangible way!! </em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>As your packages pour in, I arrive home from work each evening to a stack of boxes and packages at my front door - nearly 400 of them!!! And I am so appreciative of the time and care you take to make your child feel special and loved!</em></strong><br />
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Blogger does not always work well overseas - so please find me and follow me on Facebook or Instagram for updates! Instagram is karenwistrom and Facebook is Karen Wistrom.<br />
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Great news before we go ... ALL of the kids at Trees of Glory received new shoes recently from the youth program at Buffalo Covenant Church in Minnesota. After months of walking on the harsh, sharp volcanic rock in the area around the CarePoint, the children's shoes were in tatters and soles were worn thru. When Lindsey's team was there in June, she commented that the children needed new shoes. The youth at Buffalo Covenant Church had just completed a fundraiser and I was happy to be able to tell Lindsey - "New Shoes are on the way!!"</div>
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We will be spending time with these precious kids in just a few days!!</div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-70481221200477431562013-10-31T21:23:00.001-05:002013-11-01T07:28:15.108-05:00Thoughts Before We Go ...In November, our team of volunteers will be leaving for Ethiopia to
work with and mentor the 400 kids at our Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory
care-points. Each volunteer has invested time and finances in this trip to go
and be physically present with these kids - because our presence demonstrates how very
valued and precious and loved they are!<br />
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Each year - I ask each volunteer
to email me a photo and a few sentences about why they are going to Ethiopia.
For many of us on the team, this is the first glimpse we will have of each
other, before we meet face to face in Washington DC to begin our journey to
Ethiopia. It gives me a glimpse into the heart and mind of each person that by
the end of the trip, I will know and love like family.<br />
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Guy Bergstrom, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Guy: When I was first approached about going to Ethiopia I was resistant. Not because I didn’t want to go, but the issues of time and money seemed insurmountable at the time. But, once again, God revealed that when He wants you to do something, no obstacle is too big for Him. ;) I’m excited to be going to Ethiopia with the team for several reasons. Having done mission trips before, I look forward to seeing God use the team to be a blessing to others, while at the same time leaving us feeling as though we were the ones who were most blessed! I can’t wait to meet my sponsor child, Hailemichael, face to face and to build a closer relationship with him! And I look forward to learning more about the country & people, as my Sister & Brother-in-law are working to adopt two kids from Ethiopia. I trust God has plans to do incredible things in and through the lives of the team as we step out in faith and obedience to serve Him.</span><br />
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Karisa Vander Kooi, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Karisa: I feel so blessed to be going with this group! This trip has been on my heart and in my path for years. I'm so inspired and excited about all Children's HopeChest is doing! My original perspective on why God had me going on this trip was to "love on our sponsor child and just experience it" so I could come home and make a bigger difference in helping, fund raising, etc. I've teased Karen that since the day I met her, I was just positive she was going to be my mentor...whether she knew it or not! The closer the trip gets, I feel God pursuing me to just press in even harder to his plan and his purpose for this trip. I can just sense that he is doing a work in my life that's bigger than I could have ever imagined! I feel this deep love and compassion for the marginalized and lost here, as well in Ethiopia and just know that is God changing my perspective and has much better plans than I could have dreamed up! Thank you for your prayers!</span><br />
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Dana Lyver, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My journey to Ethiopia started in April with a dream, a strange dream where I was rescuing and "purchasing" children so I could reunite them with their families or even raise them as my own if they had no family. Within days of this bizarre dream, Pastor Max taught from Ephesians 1:7-14. <span style="font-size: small;"><sup>7</sup><span style="color: black;">In him we have </span><i style="color: black; font-family: Papyrus;"><u>redemption</u></i><span id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1382486162398_7209" style="color: black;"> through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace </span><sup style="color: black; font-family: Papyrus;">8</sup><span id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1382486162398_7210" style="color: black;">that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding...</span><span style="color: black;">” I emphasize the word redemption because there are 3 Greek words used in the Bible for redemption. The Greek word, </span>apolutrosis<span id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1382486162398_7212" style="color: black;"> means "to liberate by paying a ransom in order to set a person free". As soon as I heard Pastor Max go through the definitions, I looked at my husband Joe and said, “That is what I was doing in my dream! I was redeeming those kids.” Processing this mentally and verbally, I wondered where and how God wanted to use me in this way. Within a couple weeks it was pressed upon my heart that I should go with the Children’s HopeChest team to Ethiopia – though there was a waiting list. Then on the early morning of the 16</span><sup style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">th</sup><span id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1382486162398_7213" style="color: black;"> of July, I read an e-mail from Karen Wistrom that there was a spot for me on the team! I dropped to me knees as tears revealed the depth of my longing to go that had built-up during the waiting – God provided an opening for me! </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1382486162398_7215" style="color: black;">This is part of how God through the Lord Jesus Christ prepared me to choose to be obedient to work with Him in caring for these orphaned/destitute children.</span></span></span></div>
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Stephanie Anderson, MN</div>
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From Stephanie: I've always had a place in my heart for this type of mission work overseas, but it wasn't until last April when Karen spoke on a Sunday morning that the Lord tugged my heart just a little harder. The pictures of the children that morning stayed in the back of my mind in the months ahead and I look forward to meeting each and every one of them! I feel that the Lord has not only called me to go on this trip to spread his great news to these children but also to strengthen my walk with him. I want to share my joy and my love for the Lord with these children and I am sure they will forever change my life in return. I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for this trip!</div>
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Michael Schaefer, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Michael: It is with great excitement and anticipation that I embark on this journey. I want to share the Word of God and the love of Christ with as many kids and families as possible. Especially I want to see our sponsored child, Yikram, again. It is such a privelege to partner with Karen and the rest of the team to be the 'hands and feet of Jesus' to this group of children who so desperately need love.</span></div>
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Janine Kruger, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Janine: For several years, the Lord has laid the word "Africa" on my heart. For a long time He just let it sit there, but when the time was right I heard Him say, "Go." And so with an amazing and indescribable peace (which isn't always prevalent in my crazy life), I'm listening and obeying (which again, doesn't always happen in my crazy life!). I know what our team is going to Ethiopia to <em><strong>do</strong></em>. However, I'm not totally certain <em><strong>why</strong></em> He has me going, but He told me I don't need to know, and <em id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1382486162398_9439"><strong id="yui_3_13_0_rc_1_1_1382486162398_9438">that's</strong></em> all I need to know!</span> </div>
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Rich Dixon and Bailey Johnson, MN<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Rich and Bailey: Now is the time! For years I have heard about this trip and the work being done on behalf of these kids and now is the time for Bailey and I to travel with this amazing team. We feel that sharing the word of God and the hope that can be achieved through Him is our primary purpose in life. The second reason is that I truly have a heart for kids and it hurts me when I hear their heartbreaking stories and gllimpse their amazing resilience in the face of these struggles that we </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">can barely comprehend. I want to be able to be a voice for them, to spread the word of how we can make a difference for their lives now and in the future. I want to see their hopes met and their dreams grow! I would love to say that this is all for others and about giving/sacrificing everything, but I must admit that to some degree I am seeking to stifle my own ignorance about poverty. I know our lives will be forever changed with this experience and I pray that we may be able to positively change the life of at least one child.</span> </div>
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Monty Mellman, MO</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Monty: I'm going to Ethiopia just for the experience. To show my children there's more to life than what they see and experience in the US.</span><br />
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Wendy Ling, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Wendy: My husband and I and our two sons age 22 and 16 have been on a roller coaster adoption journey for years. 2 1/2 yrs ago I began searching for a mission trip related to orphans that I could go on to love and serve these precious babes during my waiting period. God connected me with Karen, and here we lived right in the same town! I went on the trip that November and had just an incredible experience. We started the paperwork to adopt 2 girls from Ethiopia two months later in January. I didn't go last year as I was concerned about timing with the adoption. Had I known then what I know now, I would have been on the trip! I am excited to be going again this year and see our sponsor children along with our new ones I didn't get to meet on the last trip! So many things have happened at the care points since I was there. I can't wait to reunite with the staff and children and see all that God has been up to! It is such a beautiful time of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ across the world and being blessed and refined by God's grace as we serve one another in love!</span> <br />
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Trisha Rivers, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Trisha: I have always admired those who have travelled to many different countries to serve and minister to children and families. I see the needs and my heart just sinks. The Sunday that hit me the most was when the Adoption Sunday School was being held and Karen had spoke about Ethiopia. Seeing that passion tugged on my heart even more and really wanted to experience a journey that could change lives in Ethiopia and to change my life. We serve a very big God and he made it clear that I was chosen to be part of this journey with Him along with many other Christian members. I have chosen to travel to Ethiopia to share the love of Jesus! I look forward to spending time with the kids and loving them like Jesus loves us.</span><br />
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Tammi Dorion, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Tammi: Why am I going to Ethiopia? This picture says it all. I am so in love with these beauties that it took me 1 day to know I would be going back. I plan on getting back every year that I can. I feel like I was so much more blessed from them than they were from me, but I want to do anything and everything I can for these kids.</span></div>
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Nick and Elias Uecker, MN</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Nick: My first prayers about going to Ethiopia began when my wife Stacy went 2 years ago. At first my prayers led me to take this trip so I could be a better steward for the care points back at my family, church and friends. I saw that with some great planning and willing hearts, amazing things can be accomplished. After spending more time praying and realizing the dream of taking my son with, I came to realize something more. I began to see how truly God blessed the care points are. From photos we get to see the smiling faces, the welcoming arms, the laughter, God’s love and I get to be a part of that. We are only a small part of his plan, but a vital one. God has many more amazing things planned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Elias: I want to go to Ethiopia because I want to see what we’ve changed as a church. I also would like to minister to the kids about God and last but not least to see all the joy that people have regardless of their situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Linda Hegdal, FL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Linda: I am so excited to be making my third trip to Ethiopia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love all of the improvements that I see at
Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
amazing the projects that have been accomplished in three years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to seeing the all the people
that I have gotten to know during my last two visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best of all I will get to see Tadesse, the
child I sponsor at Kind Hearts!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chris and Isabel Swartzmiller, MI</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Chris: It was almost one year ago that the children of Ethiopia gave me that last big hug before we said goodbye. I think it was then, that I realized that they had given me something that couldn't be quantified. This amazing gift was a sense of purpose and insight that I'm not sure I thought was possible and yet they have nothing. They lack food, clothing and shelter but have an abundance of smiles, laughter and conviction. They are diligent in their work and their faith but are caught in a trap of poverty and despair. To see these people struggle to survive with sometimes only their faith in God, well, thats simply inspiring. I'm very proud that I'm able to travel with Karen's team and not only witness the amazing impact and accomplishments that continue to flourish, but I'm allowed to contribute. Again, what a special gift!</span><br />
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From Isabel: It is hard to put into words specifically why I'm going to Ethiopia for a second time. There are just so many reasons. My dad, Chris works with Ms Karen and one day, two summers ago he came home and showed me her blog. From the moment I laid my eyes on the kids, my mind was set that I needed to go on this trip. Last year's trip was life changing and I hope this year’s will have the same effect on me. I fell in love with the kids and the people in Ethiopia and cannot wait to see them again (especially my family's sponsor children) in November. Counting down the days!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Amy Crowell, MN</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Amy: I want to go back to Ethiopia because I feel God calling me back to continue to help make a positive difference in each child's life. I am so excited and counting down the days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jessica Dooley, CA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Jessica: I wanted to go on the trip to see firsthand what Children's Hopechest is doing in Ethiopia. I've dreamt of visiting Africa since I was a little girl and I've wanted to go on this trip since I started sponsoring my little girl four years ago. It's mind boggling to me that in two weeks I will get to meet her.</span></div>
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Karen, Emmelyn and Maea Wistrom, MN</div>
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From Karen: We are going back to Ethiopia because we are committed to these kids and our dear friends at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory and Children's HopeChest who serve these kids daily. The transformation we have seen over the years, <strong>from hopeless to hope-filled</strong>, is miraculous and my daughters have learned first-hand that all it takes to make a difference in the life of a child is choosing to do so! We want to see these kids grow up to become the future Godly and bold leaders of their country and we want to walk alongside them as they reach their God-given potential!</div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-88486815616865675662013-09-19T21:42:00.003-05:002013-09-19T21:42:23.531-05:00Care Packages for Ethiopia!In two months, 25 volunteers from all over the U.S. will be travelling to Ethiopia to spend time teaching, caring for and mentoring the children at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints. One of the most memorable parts of our trip each year is delivering a care-package to each child from their sponsor family. <br />
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The children have gotten to know their sponsor families through letters, but to receive a special package along with a letter and photos, is an incredible gift for these kids - and you could see it on their faces as they recognized the photos and then held the package in their hands. Most of them could not believe that this package of gifts was for them. "For me??" they kept asking. "Yes - for you!" we kept explaining.<br />
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Currently - we have nearly 200 children at Kind Hearts and 200 children at Trees of Glory. Each of these children has a sponsor family here in the USA that provides for them, prays for them and writes letters to them throughout the year. If you are interested in sponsoring a child - please email me at <a href="mailto:kjwistrom@yahoo.com"><span style="color: #743527;">kjwistrom@yahoo.com</span></a> and I will match you with a child. ($34 per month provides nutritious food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship for one child.)<br />
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We will be delivering a care-package to each child from their sponsor family - so the information below is for each sponsor family with instructions on what to send me. We will be delivering packages to nearly 400 children!<br />
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Each care-package should include a letter and photos along with a few small items that you pick specifically for your child. Clothing is always needed - so I am recommending that each family purchase a shirt for their sponsor child as well. Wrap your gifts in the shirt (like a burrito) - then rubberband a label with your child's name, reference number, the care-point name (Kind Hearts or Trees of Glory) and your name on the outside of the package. <strong><em>Care-packages need to be sent to me by <span style="color: #cc0000;">October 1</span>. I will take pictures as each child receives their care-package from their sponsor family!</em></strong><br />
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<em>Use the shirt as your package. Remove any packaging from pencils, toothbrush, <br />matchbox car, etc. to keep your package compact and lightweight.</em></div>
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<em>Line up items in the center of the shirt.</em></div>
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<em>Fold the sides of the shirt in, then roll everything together into the shirt (like a burrito).</em> </div>
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<em>Clearly label the outside of your package with the CarePoint name, <br />Child's reference number, Child's name and your name and rubberband securely.</em></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-81069371935058303112013-09-10T07:05:00.000-05:002013-09-20T23:24:21.046-05:00Eager Eyes Follow Along ...With their bottoms scrunched together on the tippy classroom benches, four to five kids at a time hover over the same textbook to follow along with the daily lesson. <br />
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Their teacher tap, tap, taps on the chalk board as one child stands to read from the textbook, in rhythm with the cadence their teacher is tapping. Eager eyes follow along in the book, and the kids try to scrunch closer together to see better.<br />
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At Kind Hearts in Ethiopia, 200 children are attending class every day knowing full well how important their education is. Knowing that it is a rare and wonderful opportunity and one that will help them step themselves and their families out of poverty. Their eyes glow with the possibilities and they take notes with little nubs of pencils in notebooks that have every square inch of space filled with their tiny hand-writing - trying to preserve every precious piece of paper.<br />
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As the new school year gets underway in Ethiopia, textbooks are in short supply as class sizes grow and the pages of the books are becoming torn and tattered from over-use.<br />
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Let's provide our kids in Ethiopia with the resources they need to get the best possible education. <strong>With grades pre-school thru 5th grade attending Kind Hearts school, we can purchase textbooks for each of the grades and provide a text book for each child!!</strong> <br />
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Half of the funds have already been raised ... Would you please consider making a donation to fully fund this project? Please click on the link below to make a donation and see our progress on this fund. <strong>Click here </strong><a class="bitmark-shortlink" href="http://bit.ly/khbookfund"><strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="protocol">http://</span>bit.ly/khbookfund</span></strong></a><br />
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<strong>We need to raise about $4000 for text books for all grade levels and half of those funds have already been raised. Would you help finish this fund? <strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="protocol"><a href="http://bit.ly/khbookfund">http://</a></span><a href="http://bit.ly/khbookfund">bit.ly/khbook</a></span><a href="http://bit.ly/khbookfund"></a></strong><a href="http://bit.ly/khbookfund">fund</a></strong><br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-74613971442430458702013-08-19T19:31:00.001-05:002013-08-19T19:31:13.719-05:00A Place to Call Home ...Ron and Lauren Hunt (father daughter team) recently returned from Ethiopia as part of a vision team for Children's HopeChest. Ron and I had been in touch before their trip talking about developing clean water sources in Ethiopia and we were happy to finally meet face to face at a HopeChest conference in February! Ron's daughter Lauren is also a blogger and she chronicled their trip here <a href="http://afamily4others.blogspot.com/">http://afamily4others.blogspot.com/</a>.<br />
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During their trip to Ethiopia, the team visited Kind Hearts CarePoint and Lauren wrote this about their visit ...<br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My name is Lauren Hunt and I just got back from a Vision Trip to
Ethiopia. Our team was excited about seeking a partnership with an Ethiopian
community. On day one, we traveled with Children's HopeChest to see an example
of an established CarePoint that has had enormous success and impact in the
surrounding community. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Previously, I had heard so much about Karen Wistrom and
the two CarePoints she works with in Ethiopia, so I was excited to learn we
would be visiting the Kind Hearts CarePoint that day. Now that I have seen it
with my own eyes, I can say that it is so much more than anyone can explain
through words!
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uy-EnBeX-qo/UhK2VDIsBtI/AAAAAAAAPQc/vGHcObO58H0/s1600/IMG_0942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uy-EnBeX-qo/UhK2VDIsBtI/AAAAAAAAPQc/vGHcObO58H0/s640/IMG_0942.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The moment we arrived all the children were lined up in rows and
waiting to greet us with big bright smiles. As we stood before them, they
proudly entertained us by singing many songs-- in English! That surprised me!
My sister and I happily joined in and sang and clapped with them. They were all
so cute! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkAMYMwJhf8/UhK2WNBrWfI/AAAAAAAAPQs/yFo0KVbWxi0/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkAMYMwJhf8/UhK2WNBrWfI/AAAAAAAAPQs/yFo0KVbWxi0/s640/IMG_0945.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think it was in that moment that I truly realized I was in Ethiopia.
I'd always thought I'd go one day, but I never expected to be there so soon in
my life. And what I didn't expect at all was the over abundance of love I
received once the singing finished. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NXw72bDP7M/UhK2WhktrYI/AAAAAAAAPQw/7u6bUIMkXZQ/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NXw72bDP7M/UhK2WhktrYI/AAAAAAAAPQw/7u6bUIMkXZQ/s640/IMG_0950.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VILEiXffm5o/UhK2duBLBpI/AAAAAAAAPRw/GcjNDvxuqz4/s1600/IMG_1220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="532" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VILEiXffm5o/UhK2duBLBpI/AAAAAAAAPRw/GcjNDvxuqz4/s640/IMG_1220.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Running with open arms, I must have
received at least 20 hugs and kisses in less than a minute or two! Still to
this day, I think this is my most memorable moment of the trip. It was funny to
see Wil, our team leader, trying to get us to follow him for a tour of Kind
Hearts. No one would listen-- he would just have to wait!
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although I loved every moment with the kids, I'm also glad we had
the opportunity to tour the Kind Hearts premises. We toured the entire property
and saw the many projects Kind Hearts has accomplished in just a few short
years. The children even had their own playground which was very cool to see.
While the children were told to stay behind as we toured, one stealthy stowaway
caught my mom's hand and came along with us! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kK9A4BzLVc/UhK2ZABACbI/AAAAAAAAPRI/Pnjspm-W4LY/s1600/IMG_0991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kK9A4BzLVc/UhK2ZABACbI/AAAAAAAAPRI/Pnjspm-W4LY/s640/IMG_0991.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The land there is beautiful! Tall, beautiful acacia trees surround the school
grounds, and large fields freshly tilled are awaiting to be sown. I loved
seeing a developed water system with a large tank where they store their water.
It was nice to hear their plans to expand the water system to irrigate fields
of future crops, too. Walking across the fields, we came across a river at the
edge of the property which used to be the community's source of water. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NA5GrjAIRoQ/UhK2YdjaYSI/AAAAAAAAPRA/rft0fPJyFp8/s1600/IMG_0985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="402" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NA5GrjAIRoQ/UhK2YdjaYSI/AAAAAAAAPRA/rft0fPJyFp8/s640/IMG_0985.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is
a toxic water stream filled with trash and waste. Seeing this immediately made
us realize the real difference that clean water makes. Without the clean water
source at Kind Hearts, those loving children and the surrounding community
would have to walk long distances to an alternative water supply. Instead, the
children and surrounding community of 20,000 people now benefit from the safe
water system at Kind Hearts! Amazing!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I visited many open CarePoints on this Vision Trip who were hoping
to gain the same kind of partnership that Kind Hearts is blessed with. One
thing I can honestly say is that there is a noticeable difference between these
children who are sponsored at Kind Hearts and the children in other communities
who do not have that special relationship. Looking around, you can see why. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For
one, they have good social skills, even knowing how to interact with adults
without overrunning them with excitement-- something that I became very
familiar with at several of the open CarePoints! But mostly, these children are
home, and they feel that way. These children are provided for, looked after,
taught, and, most of all, surrounded by God's love. They are treated equally
and are growing up to be leaders-- each made in the image of God. They are
filled with hope.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSptTPsm65Q/UhK2bhmBDPI/AAAAAAAAPRg/Bs2ZmH-umQ8/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSptTPsm65Q/UhK2bhmBDPI/AAAAAAAAPRg/Bs2ZmH-umQ8/s640/IMG_1016.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoyed my time at Kind Hearts immensely. You
can feel God's love pouring out of their hearts-- more than they could probably
feel it coming from mine. I am so thankful for my time there. Not only did they
touch my heart personally, but Kind Hearts has inspired our “4others” team as a
whole. It is a place that one day we hope to replicate at our own CarePoint. A
place where God's love is overflowing in blessings to the children and the
community. A place where two hundred little kids can call home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-54641505258246086432013-07-29T07:06:00.000-05:002013-07-29T07:06:00.236-05:00"You can hear it in their laughter ..."I huddled around a table in Feburary in Colorado Springs, sharing ideas and past experiences with a team of coordinators planning their first trip to Ethiopia to work with a new CarePoint. One of the coordinators, Susan Kyner, had joined me in Ethiopia a few years ago and was now partnering with her husband Jim, and Sarah and Daniel Dubois to work with a new CarePoint. <br />
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During their trip to Ethiopia, they were able to visit Trees of Glory to grasp a vision of what can be accomplished through the partnership of all the sponsor families and Children's HopeChest! Dan is a photographer (talented!!) and when his email appeared in my inbox once they returned from Ethiopia, I was anxious to see his photos. This post will have A LOT of photos because Dan's photography is truly excellent and inspiring! Enjoy!<br />
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From Dan ...<br />
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<em>"We're here. As we step off the bus the first thing I notice isn't the stiffness in my legs from the two-hour trip but the quiet that has settled over our group. Normally chatty, we pause by the bus breathing in the beauty. The lush green grass. The rolling hills dotted with sheep and cows. This place, Trees of Glory, feels like an oasis. </em><br />
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<em>We're greeted by Simret who oversees the CarePoint. <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1375068574700_6180" style="font-size: 12pt;">She wears a huge grin on her face and exudes an infectious joy. It is clear that she loves this place and these kids. Simret, working alongside Children's HopeChest and Karen Wistrom, has done great things here — and she's got big plans for the future. </span></em></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1375068574700_6186" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>As we walk she guides us along showing us the dorms and common space. </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>We peek inside the kitchen where a huge pot of Shirowat is cooking, fueled by methane from the animal waste recovery system. We stop at the library with it's brightly colored walls and shelves full of books. </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Then it's off to the chicken house. I expect to see ten, maybe twenty chickens. I'm wrong. I walk into the chicken house and I'm met by the sound (and smell :-) of more than 200 chickens. Simret proudly shows us a box piled with eggs — all collected today. </em></span></div>
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<em>We walk across the field to another barn where she opens the door to nine milk cows and three calves. </em></div>
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<em>We hike down to the river. Along the way we stop and Simret shows us the water pump that moves hundreds of gallons of water up the hill to two giant water tanks. </em></div>
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<em>Even when the power is out, Trees of Glory still has water from the gravity-fed tanks.</em><em><br /></em></div>
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<em>All of this is impressive. But when she tells us that most of it has been done in the last two years, it seems miraculous. </em></div>
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<em>It's time to head up to the dining hall for lunch. As we walk back Simret suddenly stops. We're in a clearing, about 100 yards from the rest of the buildings. This, she informs us is where the prenatal and birthing clinic will be built. She asks if we would pray for God's blessing on this project. I have no doubt that it will be built. Simret is that kind of person and our God is that kind of God. </em></div>
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The Kyners see their sponsor child at TOG! </div>
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<em>The children here are joyous. Their lives have not been and will likely never be "easy". But God, through Simret, Children's HopeChest, Karen, and the sponsors, has brought these children and this community a place of peace and rest. </em></div>
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<em></em> </div>
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<em>Webit looking healthier than ever!</em> </div>
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<em>This is a place that feels refreshing and safe. The children know that. You can see it in their eyes and hear it in their laughter."</em> </div>
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<em>Daniel Dubois pictured on the far right.</em></div>
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<em>Thank you Daniel for the incredible photos from TOG!</em></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-66531549546173146722013-07-21T10:26:00.000-05:002013-07-21T10:26:15.769-05:00I couldn't have been more proud of my son ...There are nearly 400 children attending Trees of Glory and Kind Hearts now in Ethiopia!! Nearly 4 years ago, we started with 68 children at Kind Hearts and that has now grown to 400 between the two CarePoints. <br />
<br />
FOUR HUNDRED KIDS who are now having their basic needs met, are getting an education and know the love, care and concern of their sponsor family here in America.<br />
<br />
I know it's hard to truly see the difference your $34 per month makes for a child - a child you have never met face to face. But every year, more and more people are meeting their sponsor child and spending time with ALL of the kids. And if you never get the chance to meet your sponsor child face to face, I hope these stories and experiences from those who have show you the impact your provision and your love, prayers and concern make for each child ... <br />
<br />
A few years ago, Lindsey Kerby travelled with me to Ethiopia. She has been dreaming and planning on returning ever since and in June, she led a team of her own to Ethiopia! Megan Holt was on that team and these are Megan's words about her trip ...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65Qim2HDV-M/Uev8N6meSAI/AAAAAAAAPB8/U-wNVYeGG8U/s1600/ET2119156+Endalem+Abdi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65Qim2HDV-M/Uev8N6meSAI/AAAAAAAAPB8/U-wNVYeGG8U/s320/ET2119156+Endalem+Abdi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>This is Endalem's profile photo, Megan's sponsor child at Trees of Glory.</em></div>
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><br />
<em><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">AFRICA. </span></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">A big,
scary dream that I never dreamt would come to fruition. A "Bucket
List" item that was a far off, possibly unattainable dream that I couldn't
imagine becoming a reality. Yet, I wanted it to so bad.</span></span></em><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvjYvm73uIs/Uev6CuTldeI/AAAAAAAAPBY/o8K-NyfvBCY/s1600/megan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvjYvm73uIs/Uev6CuTldeI/AAAAAAAAPBY/o8K-NyfvBCY/s400/megan3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>A couple of
years ago a friend of my sister's, Lindsey Kerby, started discussing leading a
trip with Children's HopeChest & I could be a part of it with my
sister. My big-scary-far off-possibly unattainable dream seemed that
it might just be within my grasp. </em></span></span><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>Fast
forward to June 14, 2013 when our team of 19 departed from Washington D.C. for
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on an adventure of a lifetime. Much anticipation
centered around our first day as I was going to meet our sponsor child,
Endalem. I attempted to minimize my expectations as I had no idea how he
or his mother, "Bizu" would react to meeting me. </em></span></span><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>But, the
Lord knew. He knew that every time he made eye contact with me after the
initial meeting, he would smile & wave. The Lord knew that he would say
only one phrase to me in English during my time at "Trees of Glory"
& that phrase would be "I love you." </em></span></span><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em></em></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cEGf2KYLAaY/Uev5_UvBxUI/AAAAAAAAPBI/s2h8sAH90tA/s1600/megan1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cEGf2KYLAaY/Uev5_UvBxUI/AAAAAAAAPBI/s2h8sAH90tA/s640/megan1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>The Lord
knew that my expectations would not only be met, but exceeded when I met his
mother & visited their home. She said to me, "Do you love my
son?" & also, "He is not just my son, he's your son, too." I
had a difficult time holding it together during this conversation, as you can
imagine. </em></span></span><br />
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em>My family talks about & prays for Endalem on a very regular
basis. My son, Reddington, constantly asks when he is going to get to
travel to Ethiopia & meet Endalem. Even before this trip we embraced
Endalem as a member of our family...I already considered him to be my
son. I couldn't wait to embark on this journey of officially meeting
him & embracing him. Every expectation I had of meeting the children
at "Kind Hearts" & "Trees of Glory" including Endalem
were surpassed... & I will never be the same. </em></span></span><br />
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<em><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">On our
final day & during our tearful good-bye's I told Endalem that I would be
bringing my husband back to meet him in a couple of years & that it was an
absolute pleasure to meet him. He is a very polite young man & I
couldn't have been more proud of my son.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></em>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-8653145956302503412013-07-13T11:22:00.003-05:002013-07-13T11:22:42.607-05:00"We saw a desperate need ... "It's amazing to me how specific needs are met in just the right timing ...<br />
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Buffalo Covenant Church in MN contacted me about their summer VBS (vacation bible school) program and a project in Ethiopia that the kids here could support. We chatted about a few ideas and decided to raise funds for shoes. <br />
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It had been well over a year since our last shoe fund-raiser for Trees of Glory kids and I knew the kids were most likely in need of new shoes. We felt the kids here could easily understand this need and would readily and with hearty intent, get behind this project.<br />
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For the 200 kids at Trees of Glory, who walk to and from the CarePoint every day on rugged, sharp terrain, good sturdy shoes with thick soles are a critical need.<br />
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<em>This is what happens when the kids don't have good shoes to wear. <br />Thorns, broken glass and sharp stones cause cuts and puncture wounds. <br />Infection can set in or even chiggers can burrow into the skin causing painful infections.</em></div>
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The VBS leaders came up with all kinds of creative ideas to inspire the kids and help them fully understand this critical need. We were hoping to raise about half of the funds needed and then get word out to sponsors and others to finish the project. But the kids whole-heartedly embraced this project raising most of the funds, and then the rest of the church family finished the fund!!! <strong>Over $4,400 was raised to fully provide new shoes for ALL of the kids at Trees of Glory.</strong><br />
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The same weekend that this was announced at church, Lindsey Kerby's team of volunteers arrived home from Ethiopia. Lindsey emailed me to update me on their trip and she ended by saying ... "When we were there we saw a desperate need for shoes for the children at TOG. Fikre wanted me to talk with you about doing a capital care project for shoes for the kids at TOG. What do you think?"<br />
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I was happy to be able to tell Lindsey that this need had just been met and then some!!!<br />
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If your church or missions program is interested in fund-raising for a project that will directly benefit the children at our CarePoints in Ethiopia, please contact me at <a href="mailto:kjwistrom@yahoo.com">kjwistrom@yahoo.com</a>. There are LOTS of project like this that can make a dramatic impact on the kids and their ability to attend school!<br />
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-73398711478031323342013-06-30T08:59:00.002-05:002013-06-30T08:59:10.441-05:00They Looked Like Completely New Kids!!!Tyler Davison, a college student who recently returned from his second trip to Ethiopia working with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints, is raising funds for new school uniforms for the kids at Kind Hearts!<br />
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In Ethiopia, a school uniform is a requirement at most schools. For children who cannot afford a uniform, it can mean the difference between attending school ... or not. For the kids at Kind Hearts, a school uniform not only provides a much-needed change of clothes, it also signifies that they belong at Kind Hearts and are getting a highly valued education that they can be proud of!<br />
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From Tyler ... (who blogs at <a href="http://tylerdavison.blogspot.com/2013/06/new-uniforms-at-kind-hearts-school-in.html">http://tylerdavison.blogspot.com/2013/06/new-uniforms-at-kind-hearts-school-in.html</a>)<br />
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<em><span style="color: #20124d;">"Experiencing this all first hand was shocking to say the least. My heart ached
for the people I encountered, people who seemed so helpless and starved of life.
Leaving the kids on that last day of the trip was one of the hardest things I've
had to do in my life because I felt as though I was leaving them in the dust,
destined to graduate from adolescence into the poverty that surrounded them. But
my attitude changed<span style="color: #20124d;"> </span><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d;">drastically when I came back a second time.</span> </span></span></em><br />
<span style="color: white;"><em><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><em><span style="color: #20124d;">This past
Spring Break (2013), I revisited the two schools. Immediately my heart lept when
I recognized the children from the previous year--they looked like completely
new kids! Their bodies contained more muscle mass, their hair was growing in
thicker, their eyes weren't yellow, their skin wasn't ashen, and their smiles
were bigger than ever! They were speaking better English and they knew various
stories from the Bible that we acted out for them! </span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><em><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><em><span style="color: #20124d;">Needless to say, I left that
second trip with a completely different attitude than I had my first year. I
left knowing that the schools that these children were attending were making a
difference; it gave me hope and inexplainable joy to know that they do have a
"hope and a future" that God promises in Jeremiah 29:11.</span><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Which brings me to my main point: Nearly two years
ago, school uniforms were provided by sponsor families for the kids at Kind
Hearts and they have been wearing them with pride every day since. For many of
the kids, those uniforms have seen better days. They have become ragged and
stained with use and time, and many of the children have grown out of their
uniforms and have since passed them on to a younger child. With the recent
addition of 60+ new students, it would be a blessing to provide </span><span style="color: #20124d;">a new school
uniform to each and every</span><span style="color: #20124d;"> child.</span></span></span><span style="color: #20124d;">
</span></span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: inherit;"><em></em></span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">I can personally attest to the priceless value of
these uniforms. These kids are starving for education and find an immense amount
of joy and pride in attending their school. Belonging to the family at Kind
Hearts creates unity among the kids while symbolizing the unity of the Body of
Christ, and uniforms are a huge part of that unity!</span> </em></span></span></div>
<div style="border-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: inherit;"><em> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Kind Hearts School currently has an enrollment of 195
kids. Each uniform consists of dark blue pants or skirt, with a white shirt and
a light blue sweater and costs $20. 195 kids x $20 per uniform equals a total of
$3900. WE CAN DO THAT!"</span></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Below are a few photos of the uniforms at Kind Hearts that have seen better days ... zippers are broken, pockets are ripped, sweaters are snagged, clothing is stained, and elastic in the pants is no longer elastic ...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Please click on the link below to make a tax deductible donation toward new school uniforms for the kids at Kind Hearts!! <strong><em>It would be such a blessing for the kids to start out the new school year with new, clean uniforms!!</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/chc/site/Donation2?df_id=3000&3000.donation=form1&set.custom.Child_Reference_Number=ET2110000" target="_blank">KIND HEARTS UNIFORMS DONATION PAGE</a></span></span></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-3048648057679074082013-06-27T19:09:00.002-05:002013-06-27T19:09:53.783-05:00A Welcome SurpriseThe kids at Kind Hearts received a welcome surprise recently ...<br />
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With a slight surplus of funds at the end of the school year, the kids all received a few essentials. All of the kids received a new pair of shoes, toilet paper, two bars of soap and hair oil. Below are a few photos of the kids as they received their gifts.<br />
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These thoughtful little gifts are very appreciated by the kids and their families. The kids continue to come to Kind Hearts every day during the summer for supervised activities, learning, discipleship and nutritious meals.<br />
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The CarePoint strives to use every dollar of sponsorship funding wisely and even when there is a slight surplus, it is invested in the kids.<br />
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Lindsey Kerby's team just returned from Ethiopia working with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints and delivering care-packages from sponsor families! Lindsey and some of her team members will be guest blogging here soon with details from their trip.<br />
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Below are a few photos from their trip - as Lindsey and her husband Travis met their sponsor child, Mekides, and visited her home. Lindsey travelled with me to Ethiopia two years ago and met Mekides then, but it was Travis' first meeting.<br />
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The team doing activities with the kids at Kind Hearts ...<br />
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The team also made cloth dolls for all the girls - and they LOVED them!<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-27261885927497199772013-06-24T07:03:00.000-05:002013-06-24T12:46:39.412-05:00Weekend Wrap-UpFinally, just as the days are getting shorter, summer seems to have arrived in MN. Friday night started out with severe thunderstorms and tornados and the weekend forecast did not look promising. But the sun poked through on both Saturday and Sunday and we were able to take full advantage of the lake ...<br />
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From Instagram ...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGWhiBsN4Q4/UcfKJ4sFdfI/AAAAAAAAO2M/APVHTq0-jPk/s1600/veggies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGWhiBsN4Q4/UcfKJ4sFdfI/AAAAAAAAO2M/APVHTq0-jPk/s400/veggies.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>When you say to eat all of my vegetables, do you mean ALL of them?</em></div>
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<em>He can sleep through anything ...</em> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0RPORQBBM0/UcfKHlnP_kI/AAAAAAAAO18/oOpsXayaH_c/s1600/towels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0RPORQBBM0/UcfKHlnP_kI/AAAAAAAAO18/oOpsXayaH_c/s400/towels.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>The measure of a good day at the lake is taken by the number <br />of wet towels hanging over the railing ...</em></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIs_Dw-qaSY/UcfJ-eeuSxI/AAAAAAAAO00/C2ZTxueIkVo/s1600/chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIs_Dw-qaSY/UcfJ-eeuSxI/AAAAAAAAO00/C2ZTxueIkVo/s400/chair.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here are a few shots with my regular camera ... <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6J6tzwen9I/UcfMBKWZWyI/AAAAAAAAO2w/CkLF1nibyOI/s1600/IMG_3868+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6J6tzwen9I/UcfMBKWZWyI/AAAAAAAAO2w/CkLF1nibyOI/s640/IMG_3868+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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"<em>Is it my turn yet?"</em></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4kO5kVNIJ14/UcfMCJug75I/AAAAAAAAO24/pFJF3PRr7wY/s1600/IMG_3869+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="403" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4kO5kVNIJ14/UcfMCJug75I/AAAAAAAAO24/pFJF3PRr7wY/s640/IMG_3869+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em>"Aaaaaaah, I can't stand it. It's never my turn!"</em></div>
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<em>Are you pointing that camera at me???</em></div>
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<em>Cheesy grin!</em></div>
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<em>He sleeps again ...</em></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-51722444579465539572013-06-18T07:07:00.000-05:002013-06-19T04:58:37.053-05:00Use at Your Own Risk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you know what this is? This tiny tin building with big gaps in the doors?<br />
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It's the bathroom at Kind Hearts that serves 200 kids and the staff. This tiny, reeking building with the holes in the concrete slab floors and the doors that don't offer much for privacy.<br />
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When my team of volunteers is at Kind Hearts all day to work with the kids, I always advise with a smile, "use at your own risk", and I have helped my own daughters balance and aim while stepping carefully and balancing myself on the edge of my foot trying not to step in anything left behind by 200 other kids. <br />
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Sometimes it's just easier to use the ground outside ... but then we notice that many of the kids have had the same thought and it's treacherous everywhere <u>around</u> the "toilets" too.<br />
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But that's about to change ...<br />
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Our dear friends at St Joseph Christian School in St Joseph, MO challenged the entire student body, staff and parents to raise enough funds during the school year to fully fund a new block of toilets for the kids at Kind Hearts. Their goal for the new building - plumbed to the well for water, with a septic system and separate facitilies for boys and girls. Three toilets and a shower for each side, along with hand-washing stations on the outside. <br />
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By the end of the school year as they celebrated their 25th anniversary as a school ... $25,000 was raised for the new bathrooms at Kind Hearts!!!! $25,000 needed and $25,000 raised!<br />
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The bathroom block is being worked on along with the new classrooms being built at Kind Hearts! The plan is to have both ready (classrooms and bathrooms) when the new school year starts in September and new children are enrolled!<br />
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THANK YOU to St Joseph Christian School! As soon as these projects start to reach completion, I will share photos and updates here. <br />
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-91680101285253554822013-06-10T07:06:00.000-05:002013-06-10T07:06:00.083-05:00She described those days as "Miserable" ...<div black="" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1370662764279_7327" style="color: #754600;">
<span style="color: black;">We stood in the shade of the trees as Libby greeted Asenaku with a warm hand shake and then wrapped her in a hug. Asenaku held her children close and shyly eyed Libby as her daughter, Eyerus reached to be pulled up into Libby's arms. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Libby and her parents, Jim and Maureen, are sponsors for Asenaku's children, Eyerus and Abel, providing for them so they can attend Kind Hearts school for nutritious food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">One of the highlights of our trips to Ethiopia is when each sponsor family finally meets their child face to face, and gets to visit that child's home to meet their family OR the family comes to the CarePoint to meet each other. In this case, Asenaku came to Kind Hearts to meet her childrens' sponsor.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Libby was worried about what to ask and wanted to be sure her questions and sincere concern for this family were not interpreted as inappropriate or culturally insensitive, so I helped ask questions through a translator so we could understand the family's situation a little better. Libby's genuine interest and concern and gentle encouragement made Asenaku feel at ease quickly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We asked where she lived and what she did for a living. We told her it was clear that her children loved her very much and that she was a good mother to them. She nodded earnestly.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Later in our conversation when we asked about the childrens' father, she started to explain in rapid Amharic and as the story poured out, we could hear her voice start to tremor and her eyes welled up with tears. With sensitivity, the translator did not interrupt to interpret for us and so Asenaku plunged on, emotions building until she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Pent-up feelings of fear and rejection finally pouring out as she explained her situation to someone she could tell genuinely cared about her and her kids and would continue to walk beside her and help.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Asenaku was married to a man named Mulugeta and they lived together in a small rented room. Mulugeta was a daily laborer, an unskilled worker who sought work where he could find it. Sometimes finding manual labor that provided a small wage, and other times not. They were able to get by until Asenaku became pregnant with Eyerus, their first child, a little girl. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Now that Asenaku needed to stay home to care for their baby, it was even more important for Mulugeta to be able to find work every day, and when he couldn't, there was a baby going hungry now too. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Soon another baby was on the way, this time a little boy named Abel. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">But as work became more scarce and food wouldn't stretch as far with the birth of another baby, the pressure was too much for Mulugeta. Fifteen days after Asenaku gave birth to Abel, Mulugeta did not come home from work, and she never saw him again.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Asenaku described those days as "miserable". She was alone with a toddler and a newborn baby, with rent to pay and food to purchase, with no provision to do either. She was scared and alone.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Once Abel was old enough to carry on her back, she left Eyerus with neighbors and tried to find work anywhere she could find it. Again, she used the word "miserable" to describe this period of time. Barely hanging on to her rented room and barely feeding her children.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">As Abel and Eyerus neared school age, she knew she would never be able to give them an education. The school fees, books and school uniforms were too much for her to afford and the fact that her kids would never get an education was too much to bear. Until she heard about Kind Hearts ...</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Today, Abel and Eyerus are attending Kind Hearts school and Libby was able to spend time with both kids and meet their mother. Lots of tears were shed that day and I lowered my camera out of respect. Some moments are better left to words and hugs without a camera's nosy lens. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I know that Libby was forever impacted by her time with Asenaku, Eyerus and Abel and I know that Asenaku felt that Libby, Jim and Maureen are walking alongside her and supporting her as she seeks to be a good mother and provider for her children.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>Helina (on the left) works for Children's HopeChest in Ethiopia and disciples the children during regular weekly CarePoint visits. We are blessed to have such an outstanding team of people working with the children on a daily basis. This is one of my favorite photos because Abel is mesmerized by Helina's embrace as she rubs his ear while translating Libby's letter. Our kids at the CarePoints are in good hands with the CarePoint staff and the staff of Children's HopeChest.</em></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black;">If you are intersted in sponsoring a child, there are 4 little boys left who are still waiting for a sponsor family. $34 per month provides nutritious food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship for one child. Please contact me at </span></strong><a href="mailto:kjwistrom@yahoo.com"><strong><span style="color: black;">kjwistrom@yahoo.com</span></strong></a></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-50983776267392452392013-06-08T07:08:00.000-05:002013-06-08T10:59:48.879-05:00I didn't realize how emotional ...Next Friday, a team of 20 people will be flying to Ethiopia to work with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints. Led by Lindsey Kerby, this team from Illinois has been planning and praying for this trip and the kids for the last few years.<br />
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I first met Lindsey three years ago when she joined my team of volunteers. We travelled to Ethiopia together and her heart was bonded forever to her sponsor child, the kids and the staff. She has been planning and dreaming of leading her own team ever since ...<br />
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And next week, that dream gets underway.<br />
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The photo below is Lindsey's team of volunteers at church last Sunday, being covered in prayer by their church family as they get ready to leave for Ethiopia ...<br />
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All of the sponsor families here in the USA had the opportunity to send a care-package to their child with Lindsey's team.<br />
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As care-packages started to arrive, Lindsey wrote me this note ...<br />
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<em>"I sure didn't realize how overwhelmed with emotions I would get as I opened all the boxes and marked off each child's name from the lists!! </em><br />
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<em>All of a sudden I had tears running down my face thinking about each child as they looked at the pictures and listened carefully to the notes that were written to them. I also thought about all of the families here who are praying for each of the children and how they carefully picked their care package items. I just thought of Jesus and his love for us!! </em><br />
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<em>Then, i would read a nice note thanking our team for taking the package and the sponsor families' words of encouragement as they told me how they would be praying for our team. I just didn't realize going through the care packages could be soo emotional!!"</em><br />
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Lindsey's team will be on the ground for 10 days as they seek to serve the kids and the CarePoint staff in Ethiopia.<br />
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Would you also cover Lindsey and her team in prayer?<br />
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<em>Team members ran a 5K race to fund raiser for the trip.</em> </div>
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<em>Hand-made dolls for all the little girls.</em> </div>
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<em>Packing teaching supplies and packages for the kids.</em></div>
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<em>And getting everything to fit in a 50 lb suitcase!</em></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-80319402263638080602013-05-12T21:18:00.001-05:002013-05-12T21:18:35.070-05:00Mother's Day ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Mother's Day and I'm teasing my youngest as he excitedly holds out an envelope for me to open. </div>
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"What's it say Mom?!" he asks and I pretend like I can't read it ... <br />
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"To Mom, love Jayden?" I ask ...<br />
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"No try again!", he says. "To Mom, love Maea?" I question.<br />
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I run through all the kids' names and finally say ... "I'm not sure what it says."<br />
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He snort laughs and says, "It says Wesley!" as pleased as can be. <br />
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I read his note out loud and come to the last line. <br />
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I pause for effect, his eyes on my face, and I make a frowny face and say "How come you called me "Smort", that's not very nice." And he giggles ...<br />
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Then he hands me one more envelope and I unveil the necklace he made at school (Thank you Mrs. Sanderson!) and proudly clasp it around my neck.</div>
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<strong><em>We finish lunch and off the kids go, tummies full, without a care in the world, to play with friends and do the carefree things kids do on a sunny day ...</em></strong></div>
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I take care of a few emails, catching up on questions from sponsor families, looking through photos to find a picture of a specific child for a new sponsor family ...</div>
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And my eyes pause on a photo and I think of these moms in Ethiopia ...</div>
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The difficult choices they have had to make.</div>
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The fear, gnawing at their hearts like the hunger gnawing in their bellies.</div>
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Some who have had to make the most difficult of choices ... to give up a child, choosing life for them by giving them up.</div>
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And others who have watched a child waste away from an illness that could have been cured by a basic antibiotic ...</div>
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or from malnutrition that has wasted their bodies ...</div>
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Sometimes when we meet the moms of the kids who attend Kind Hearts or Trees of Glory CarePoints, they weep openly as they recount their past fears. Babies withering away, single moms alone in the world, no hope for their future and the future of their precious kids.</div>
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They want what all moms want ... healthy kids full of hope. Opportunities for a better life. A good education. A care-free childhood without fear, without hunger, without hopelessness ...</div>
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And because so many moms and dads here have chosen to come alongside moms and dads there ... the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints in Ethiopia, </div>
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all four hundred of them ... </div>
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<em><strong>... can finish lunch and off the kids go, tummies full, without a care in the world, to play with friends and do the carefree things kids do on a sunny day ...</strong></em></div>
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and these moms smile with confidence because they have hope for their children's future.</div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563053862225814034.post-16652637600084157322013-05-04T20:06:00.001-05:002013-05-04T20:06:07.885-05:00Goosebumps rippled on my arms ...Holding my hands, she struggled to find words. To find words in English.<br />
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I asked again if I should get a translator. And she shook her head firmly, "No."<br />
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She swallowed hard and we settled into the shade of the building, with the well visible just beyond the fenceline. <br />
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Sun glaring, heat radiating from the dry ground, and the musical sound of water splashing, women talking and toddlers laughing.<br />
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As we watched, Simret's eyes continued to well up with tears. I pulled her closer and said, "It's ok, tell me when the words come to you."<br />
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<br />
She started again ...<br />
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It was a familiar story, one I had heard bits and pieces of before, but there was more ...<br />
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Simret had left a good government job to come out into this arid, desert-like place alone. To care for children, for orphaned and destitute children. No running water at the time. And no electricity. <br />
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The government had an abandoned property, with broken and dilapidated buildings that could be refurbished over time. A well was once drilled on the property but it had been abandoned, filled in and vandalized.<br />
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In broken English, starting and stopping and searching for the right words she explained ... <br />
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"I awoke one night to hear the voice of God. <br />
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Telling me to care for His children. <br />
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Children in this remote area that needed care, needed help. Beautiful, precious children made in His image, who He loves. <br />
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And the local villagers too. <br />
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Widows and families living in such poverty with no hope. <br />
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Poverty in spirit too, without knowledge or understanding of God."<br />
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Her voice hitched in her throat again and tears ran down her face as she gestured to the well. <br />
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Water gushed and flowed from the taps.<br />
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"He told me," she said. "He told me ... they will come to you for water."<br />
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And they have. Trees of Glory has become an oasis, a sanctuary, in this dry desert place.<br />
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In this area that is predominantly muslim or animist (those who assign spirits and divinity to natural or inanimate objects like animals or trees or rocks or rivers), the CarePoint's Christian foundation was not always greeted with acceptance or warmth.<br />
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Initially there was some hostility, and some families removed their children when they found out Simret's Christian beliefs. Choosing hunger, dirty water and no education rather than have their children exposed to Christian teachings.<br />
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But that was early, when the CarePoint was first being established.<br />
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Now with so many benefits for the surrounding villages ... clean water, access to medical care, counseling for young mothers, incredibly valuable education for children along with milk, chickens, eggs and produce becoming available in the local markets to supplement their own nutrition ... and Simret's respectful, gentle nature ... the surrounding communities have embraced the CarePoint and have befriended Simret as one of their own.<br />
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The women at the well turn and wave to Simret, cross their arms over their shoulders and give a little bow, a bob in her direction. To me it looks like they are sending her a hug. She puts her hands together as if to pray and gestures toward heaven. They grin and nod and raise their own hands to heaven.<br />
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Simret gestures toward the little mud and stick structure being built at the center of the CarePoint. A small building with a traditional thatch roof and a mud bench around the perimeter inside. She is building a church because families have asked to be able to come and worship together here.<br />
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And then she goes on to finish what she is trying to tell me. Something very personal and profound ...<br />
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<strong>She continued, "It has been fulfilled. God told me ... "They will come to you for water...but I will give them LIVING WATER"."</strong><br />
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Goosebumps rippled on my arms, <br />
<br />
my throat closed up <br />
<br />
and tears welled up in my eyes and spilled over.<br />
<br />
It HAS been fulfilled.<br />
<br />
As these families come to the CarePoint for water, Simret is sharing and living and demonstrating the Gospel to them and it is LIVING WATER ...water that doesn't just quench thirst once, but living water that fills and fulfills and flows like a spring of water welling up to eternal life.<br />
<br />
<em>John 4:5-14 </em><br />
<em>So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. <sup id="en-NIV-26163">6</sup> Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. <sup id="en-NIV-26164">7</sup> When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, <woj>“Will you give me a drink?”</woj> <sup id="en-NIV-26165">8</sup> (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) </em><br />
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<em> <sup id="en-NIV-26166">9</sup> The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) <sup id="en-NIV-26167">10</sup> Jesus answered her, <woj>“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”</woj> <sup id="en-NIV-26168">11</sup> “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? <sup id="en-NIV-26169">12</sup> Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” <br /><br /></em><em><sup id="en-NIV-26170">13</sup> Jesus answered, <strong><woj>“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,</woj> <woj><sup id="en-NIV-26171">14</sup> but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”</woj></strong></em> Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04158268316743152137noreply@blogger.com1