FAMILY FROM AFAR

CURSED BY AN EVIL SPIRIT?

2012-02-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Each quarter, the staff members for Children's HopeChest in Ethiopia create a newsletter full of updates about each CarePoint and the progress of various capital projects. The newsletter highlights one child at each CarePoint, to tell their personal story and how the CarePoint has affected their life.

This quarter, a boy named Tariku was featured at Trees of Glory. When I first met him 1 1/2 years ago in Ethiopia, he was a shy and introverted boy, and yet he was very curious and polite. He observed our volunteer team from a distance the first day or so, but by the last day, he had warmed up to us and was enjoying our attention.

I noticed that he did not have a right arm, and I asked the CarePoint staff if he had lost it in an accident. They explained that he had been born that way, and that his family felt he was cursed by an evil spirt. That "curse" not only affected Tariku, but it affected how other villagers viewed and interacted with his family since they too were viewed as "cursed".

The CarePoint staff told me that it was common practice for children from destitute families to be "sold" as an indentured servant to local wealthy livestock owners. These children lived day and night with their animals as a shepherd or herder and never had the opportunity to go to school. Tariku was one of those children.

When Trees of Glory opened their doors to care and provide for destitute children, Tariku's parents relinquished him and he was now living full-time at the CarePoint with about a dozen other children who were considered orphaned or abandoned.

In November 2011, when our volunteer team visited Trees of Glory CarePoint, Tariku was one of the first smiling and outgoing children to greet our team, shake hands with everyone and welcome us to the Care-Point. During our church service at the CarePoint, while several of the children were singing a rousing song with a lot of clapping and actions, Tariku jumped to the front of the assembly and began dancing to the music. He has become a confident boy, who is quick to help with the other children and help with the various chores and responsibilities at the CarePoint when he is not in school.

Here is the excerpt about Tariku from the Trees of Glory newsletter this quarter:

"Tariku Aytenfesu was born in the countryside, one hour walk far from Trees of Glory. His parents are farmers. Tariku was born without his right arm. His parents were concerned for him, and believed that perhaps this was caused by an evil power. As he began to grow older, they made him shepherd. Tariku spent his days in the fields shepherding, however his parents were not happy with the circumstances.

When the local government offices offered the opportunity for needy children to enroll in school at Trees of Glory, Tariku was on the list. This was the day that the Lord rescued Tariku’s life. Tariku was relieved to know that he would have a place to live. Since his family didn’t want him, they were happy to relinquish Tariku’s care over to Trees of Glory. At this time, Tariku did not know his alphabet; he was introverted and unable to express himself. After few months, he began to play with the other children and became more active and social.

With many prayers and mentorship he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. Now Tariku is a model to his peers. He can accomplish all of the things that the other children do. He is a talented artist (drawing). Tariku also helps his dormitory friends to prepare their beds for night. He is so thankful for the life-changing opportunity that Trees of Glory provides. He would not have this opportunity without the love of God and without your support for Trees of Glory."

November 2011 - Tariku with our translator and Sarah (from our volunteer team) receiving

his care-package and letter form his sponsor family, the Klevens.

Life-Saving and Life-Changing Water!

2012-02-10T07:05:00.000-06:00

Drilling for the clean water well at Trees of Glory CarePoint in Ethiopia has begun!!

Trees of Glory is located 2 hours north of Addis Ababa, and serves nearly 150 orphaned and destitute children by providing daily meals, clean water, medical care, clothing, education and Christian discipleship.

Presently, water is carried to the CarePoint each morning on the backs of donkeys - drawn from the river or a spigot in the nearby village. This water is used for drinking, cooking and hand-washing only, as there is not enough water for bathing or washing clothes.

Plans for the well have been underway for quite some time, and it was fully funded in September. Since then, the geographical surveys, licensing and permits were being secured, and a date for the drilling was set, and then re-set, and then set again.

In November, when our team of volunteers was at Trees of Glory for 3 days, I spoke to Simret (founder) and Girma (finance manager) about the upcoming well project. This has been high on their priority list since they founded the CarePoint in 2010 with 84 children. With their recent expansion and enrollment (they now serve nearly 150 children!), the well is even more of a priority!

Simret explained that the well on the property would not only provide an abundant supply of fresh, clean water for drinking and cooking, but it would supply water for the plumbing in the showers and bathrooms that have not had water flowing for nearly 20 years! (Trees of Glory used to be the site of a Japanese construction company 20+ years ago which had shower and toilet facilities that had fallen into complete disrepair when the site was abandoned.)

She told me that that one of the first things they would do is implement a time each week for all children to be bathed or showered. They would also teach the kids to wash their clothes and the children would be required to bring their clothing each week to be washed in the large plumbed wash basins and hung to dry during the day. At the end of the school day, the clothes would be dry and the children could take home a set of clean clothes.

During our time at the CarePoint, we visited the homes of several children. Mud huts with mud floors, with no running water or electricity. Families walk a great distance carrying water from the river or the town spigot (at least a 45-60 minute walk one way) to use for drinking and cooking. There is not enough for bathing or washing clothes, which was very apparent.

The photos I take of these beautiful children do not do justice to show the build up of dirt on their skin and in their hair. The photos don't do justice to the stained and tattered clothing that looks grey or beige from months and years of wear. The kids go months (if not longer) without a bath and without clothes being washed. They walk to school in the dirt. They play in the dirt. Their home has a mud floor and mud walls. They sleep on animal hides on the mud floor in the clothes they wore all day.

Having a fresh water well on the property at the CarePoint will make a dramatic difference in the lives of these kids every day. Something we take for granted here, is a life-saving and life-changing luxury for these kids in Ethiopia!

THANK YOU to all the sponsor families and donors who funded this project!!! Here are the first photos from the drilling which began the last week of January!!

The drilling rigs, equipment and work crews arrive at Trees of Glory!

The drilling rig makes it way to the well site to begin the bore hole.

After many hours of drilling and several geological obstacles, they hit water!

The first water mixed with the drilling slurry, flows from the well.

Girma (finance manager) on the left and Simret (founder) on the right.

PVC pipes are inserted into the bore hole as part of the well construction.

There is still a significant amount of work to be done on the water project at Trees of Glory but it is well underway and the kids and the staff at Trees of Glory are celebrating this progress! More photos to come as the project continues!

Ear Piercing in Ethiopia

2012-02-08T07:08:00.000-06:00

Every time I go to Ethiopia, there is always a new and interesting cultural norm to discover. Last year when our volunteer team was in Ethiopia working with the children at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints, I noticed a child or two that had something strange (or at least something strange and unrecognizable to me) protruding from their recently pierced ears.

This year, I noticed the same thing with several little girls, so I motioned for one of our translators and asked about it. Here is what I found out ....

In the USA, when ears are first pierced, hypoallergenic "studs" are inserted and they remain in place for 6-9 weeks until the piercing is fully healed. Infections are very painful, and you are instructed to clean the piercing twice a day with a q-tip swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide until they are fully healed.

In Ethiopia, without access to hypoallergenic studs or hydrogen peroxide and q-tip swabs, a girl's ear is pierced with a needle and then a thin stalk from a particular plant is inserted into the piercing. Over time, the piercing scabs repeatedly and once the scabbing stops, the stalk can be removed and earrings can be made and inserted.

Upon hearing this, both of my daughter's removed their own earrings from their ears, and handed them to two little girls to use in their ears once the stalk was removed.

Expect the Unexpected

2012-02-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

"Expect the unexpected," is my mantra as I prepare our volunteer team for the work we do in Ethiopia each year with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory Care-Points. There are so many things that can happen to throw us off schedule, or throw a wrench in the best laid plans, or just plain surprise us.

After a full day at Kind Hearts, we were nearing the end of the day and we had spent one-on-one time with all 150 kids. Each child received a care-package from their sponsor family and our team was reading letters and going through photos and gifts with each child.

It was finally Becky Dunkle's turn to sit with Derartu, her sponsor child that she had met for the first time last year. Becky was part of our team of volunteers again this year and she was looking forward to her time with Derartu.

The sun was getting low in the sky, and there was beginning to be a chill in the air. Sitting on a few chairs we had set up in the schoolyard, Becky was reading a letter she had written to Derartu (fearing she would be too emotional to remember everything she wanted to say - wanting to fill her with words of encouragement, hope and love.)

As I took photos of their time together, movement caught my eye and I looked up from my camera.

Evidently, it was time for the cows to come home ... literally.

I could see that the herd of cows was not going to walk right over them, so I lowered my camera just a bit and quietly said, "Becky - I don't want to scare you but there will be a herd of cows coming up behind you in a moment."

Becky was so focused on Derartu, that I don't know if my words even registered ... and then suddenly the cows were right behind them!

There was a moment or two of surprise, and they nearly jumped up to move their chairs. Realizing they were in no danger, they laughed and went right on with their conversation, while the cows continued toward home.

ALL OF THE KIDS HAVE A SPONSOR FAMILY!!

2012-01-31T18:26:00.002-06:00

About 9 days ago, I posted photos of 12 children that were still waiting for a sponsor family at our Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints in Ethiopia!! Today - all 12 of those kids have a sponsor family!! Click HERE to read the earlier post and see photos of the kids.

We now have EVERY SINGLE CHILD at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory care-points (nearly 300 kids) matched with a family who provides for them, prays for them, and loves them ... from afar! And what a difference sponsorship makes for that child!!!

Thank you to each family who chose to make a difference for one of these kids! And thank you to everyone who helped spread the word!

We have a volunteer team from St. Joseph Christian School (MO), led by Joey Austin, that will be travelling to Ethiopia in March to work with the kids at both CarePoints! Joey and her team have generously offered to take a small care-package from each sponsor family to their child!!

Right now, sponsor families are busily preparing a small package for their child!!

Above: Photos from November, of our team of volunteers organizing
care-packages to distribute to each child from their sponsor family!

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. At the moment, every child is sponsored, but there will be more children enrolling soon and I will then contact you immediately to match you with a child who needs a sponsor family.

"I'M A MESS. I'M A HUMBLED MESS."

2012-01-28T07:02:00.000-06:00

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Apryl Harbaugh has travelled to Ethiopia with me on our last two trips to work with our Children's HopeChest CarePoints. In preparation for November's trip, she started a blanket drive for the kids, hoping to be able to provide enough warm, fleece blankets for all of the kids at one of our CarePoints - about 150 kids.

Instead, there were so many people that wanted to participate, Apryl ended up receiving almost 500 BLANKETS!! Enough to provide a blanket for all 150 kids at Kind Hearts, all 150 kids at Trees of Glory, all 130+ kids at Kechene and more to distribute to the staff and kids at another CarePoint!! At that point, we became worried as to how we would get all those blankets to Ethiopia.

Apryl shipped them to various members of our travel team across the USA - and all 500 blankets arrived in Ethiopia - to be gifted to children that sleep on hard-packed mud floors with little more than the clothes they wear during the day. There were plenty of evenings during our trip, when the temperature changed dramatically as the sun started to set. We were shivering and thinking about the kids being wrapped in cozy, warmth that night.

During our trips, I visit the homes of a few children at each of our CarePoints - to meet their families and to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances in which our sponsor kids live each day. When I was told we would be visiting the home of Dirbe Hunde, it was a wonderful coincidence that Apryl and her mom, Becky, were both on our volunteer team and between Apryl, her sister and her mom - they sponsor all 3 Hunde children. I was thankful to be able to invite Apryl and Becky to join me as we visited their home.

Last year - this was Apryl and Becky's first glimpse (photo above) of the children that would completely capture their hearts. Two little girls in matching green dresses - and an older brother that attends Trees of Glory too!

Here is Apryl's account of our visit from her blog www.notquitedoneadopting.blogspot.com

From Apryl: Last year, when a little girl stole my heart by draping her arm so protectively around her little sister's shoulders, I never dreamed their family would become so familiar to my family. I never would have imagined that we would find ourselves in their home.

We had walked through the fields on a dirt path, gingerly making our way to the crest of the hill. Each of the children grasped the hand of an adult, almost as a badge of honor. We followed the path to a cluster of mud huts surrounded by shrubs and fencing.

This was the first time I had visited the home of one of our sponsor children. The unexpected made me nervous. I was holding the small hands of two little girls. I looked down at my sponsor child, Dirbe, on my right. She was obviously excited about the visit we were making. We trailed behind the group, my mom was just up ahead holding the hands of Dirbe's older brother and sister, whom my parents and sister sponsor. My hands were clammy and my stomach full of butterflies.

From the moment we stole away from the care point; I felt such a burden. I wanted to remember each detail of the walk, each sight and smell, so that I might share the experience with our families back home. I felt such responsibility climbing that hill, as I couldn't imagine many visitors taking this path to these homes. We were there as representatives of so many people and I felt inadequate. I felt so awkwardly American with my cameras and blue jeans. I was so tired from a long flight and no sleep and so, so terribly sorry that I hadn't learned Oromiffa in the past year.

That smiling face kept peering up at me, glancing and grinning. She obviously doesn't care how out of place we look. She's delighted to bring us home. I wish I could capture her excitement! Then I catch a glimpse of the view once we reach her cluster of huts, and I wish I could bring that home, too.

The huts seem abandoned, but we are shown the Hunde family's home. Dirbe's mother comes, smiling. She looks graceful in her traditional flowing dress and scarf. Again, I feel under-dressed, though we stand in a smoky mud hut. It's unreal. She puts me at ease as she, too, is obviously excited to have us visit. We talk through two translators to try and understand how many children are in the family and what they do for a living. We are waiting for the children's father to arrive.

I'm nervous and rest in Karen's ability to think clearly and make conversation. What will their father be like? Perhaps angry that these American Christians are here? I have no idea, but not much time to think about it, because soon the crowd peering in the doorway parts for him.

He is small and wearing a ball cap with a large shawl wrapped over his shoulders. He walks with a limp and uses a cane. I never should have worried about this man. The moment I see his face, I see the same familiar joy that I adore on Dirbe's face. He is thrilled that we have come. His eyes adjust to the darkness and he comes towards me, smiling. He is talking, but I can't understand what he says. As the translators begin to sort out what he has said, he is taking my hand. Then he begins peppering it with kisses as the translator says, "He says he recognizes you from the pictures you send. He says thank you, thank you, God bless you."

I'm a mess. I'm a humbled mess. I can't think straight enough to ask any simple questions, for which I will have to beg forgiveness later. We learn that our three sponsor children sleep on the dirt floors. Their father fought in the army and sustained extensive injuries to his leg. He tries to support his family, but relies on the help provided by the care point.

As we begin to leave I realize that I must bring home at least a mental image of the home where this family lives. The three children sleep on the hard packed dirt floor near a raised mud platform where their parents sleep, a mud bench runs along one wall, and in one corner is a small fire, obviously where the cooking is done. Our visit ends far too soon as I realize I haven't taken photos or video to share with our family.

We walk slowly away from the huts and I am elated. I have just seen the smallest glimpse of the blessing Trees of Glory is to the children. I'm excited to be able to tell my sister that 'our girls' are loved and adored by their family. My nervousness has bubbled up into relief and joy. I give the little hand a squeeze and Dirbe smiles up at me again. This time, I recognize that she has her father's smile.

-------------------------------------------------------

I so loved reading Apryl's perspective of this incredibly special day. And then I remembered that I had access to another camera that day. Once we stepped inside their hut, the darkness was all-enveloping and our eyes never did adjust to the darkeness. We chatted for a few moments inside their hut and we gazed in amazement as they showed us cleverly crafted benches and shelving units - crafted from sticks and mud.

It was so dark, my "fancy" Canon camera couldn't find a focal point in the darkness, and couldn't take a picture. So I reached for my daughter's small point-and-click camera and snapped a few quick pics with the flash. Reading Apryl's post jogged my memory, and just tonight I downloaded those photos and here is what I found - along with a video I somehow captured while holding hands with a child and balancing my other camera too. :)

The "kitchen" with its cooking fire is located in one corner of the hut, at the foot of the bed.

The bench running along one entire wall is made of mud.

On the far wall is a shelving unit made with sticks and hard-packed mud.

Their parents sleep on the small elevated bed (made with sticks) while the kids
sleep on animal hides on the floor next to the bed.

Most Importantly - They Have Hope!!

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

Just before we travelled to Ethiopia in November to work with the kids and staff at our Children's HopeChest CarePoint - Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory - we got exciting news that about 80 new children had just enrolled!!! About 40 at Kind Hearts and 40 at Trees of Glory!!!

ALL of the new children have been matched with a sponsor family except for 1 little girl at Kind Hearts and 11 children at Trees of Glory. We also have a travel team that will be visiting both CarePoints in March and they have volunteered to deliver a care-package to each child from their sponsor family during that trip!!!

It would be wonderful if ALL of the kids got a package from their sponsor family - and we only have 12 children that have not been matched with a family.

Sponsorship is $34 per month, and provides nutritious food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship for one child. You can write letters to your child throughout the year - and I travel to Ethiopia each November with a team of volunteers to work with the kids. Throughout the year, we occassionally have volunteers teams who are willing to deliver packages.

If you have been thinking about sponsoring a child, please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com to be matched with one of these precious kids!!!

Two years ago, we started working with 68 destitute and malnourished children at Kind Hearts, and today we are serving nearly 300 kids between Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints.

There is no question that sponsorship has changed these kids' lives - not only are they getting the food, clean water and medical care they need to grow up healthy and strong, they are getting an education that they normally would not have the opportunity for (orphans and children from destitute families cannot afford an education and so the vicious cycle of poverty continues). And perhaps most importantly - they have HOPE for their future as they see the love of their sponsor family and the love of their heavenly Father in action.

Eyerus is 10 years old and just enrolled at Kind Hearts CarePoint.
Eyerus is now sponsored by the Meiresonne family.

Mebrat is 8 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Mebrat is now sponsored by the Sale family!!

Belaynesh is 11 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Belaynesh is now sponsored by the Rodelius family!

Tadelech is 7 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Tadelech is now sponsored by the Ahlf family.

Fantaye is 9 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Fantaye is now sponsored by the Griffith family!

Hana is 8 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Hana is now sponsored by the Treat family!

Konjit is 8 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Konjit is now sponsored by the Harbaugh family!

Mekdes is 8 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Mekdes is now sponsored by the Miller family!

Tesfaye is 12 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Tesfaye is now sponsored by the Dieter family!

Dirbe is 10 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Dirbe is now sponsored by the Lodermeier family!

Zerihun is 9 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Zerihun is now sponsored by the Wondra family!

Mickiyas is 11 years old and just enrolled at Trees of Glory.
Mickiyas is now sponsored by the Holt family!

If you are interested in sponsoring one of these kids, please email me right away with the name of the child you would like to sponsor. I will then send you their information and instructions on how to register as their sponsor. You can also send a care-package to them with the volunteer team that will be in Ethiopia in March! Please email me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com

And if you wonder if sponsorship can really make a difference for a child, here is just one example of a child whose life has changed dramatically through sponsorship!!

Nearly 2 years ago, Mentesenot started attending Trees of Glory.
Both of his parents had passed away and his aunt could barely provide for him.
The CarePoint director, Simret, lovingly took him under her wing
and not only provided for him but nurtured his grieving heart.
When I first met Mentesenot, he was not talking and would not interact with anyone.
He was a sad, lonely, malnourished, broken-hearted little boy.

This is Mentesenote today - I took this photo in November - as he received
a care-package from his sponsor family, the Primeauxs. He was wiggling with
excitement as he awaited his turn to receive his package and he chatted happily
with his friends. He has a quick, confident smile and a sweet, hearty belly laugh!

CLICK PICK of the week

2012-01-21T14:55:00.001-06:00

Most of the time, a photo is carefully planned. Several angles are tested, various exposures and apertures are tried to get the perfect shot with just the right lighting and depth of field. And other times, the "click" is lucky (right place, right time) and a great shot is discovered after the fact. Here's my CLICK PICK of the week.

All 150 kids at Kind Hearts CarePoint in Ethiopia have a sponsor family who is providing for them, loving them and praying for them from afar - they are family from afar. These are just two of the precious kids at Kind Hearts. Little Betelihem (top) is new at Kind Hearts and Mintesinote (bottom) has been attending the CarePoint for two years and has emerged as a leader, one the other kids look up to.

The Little Luxuries We Take for Granted

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

During our trip, we also visited another Children's HopeChest CarePoint called Kechene. This CarePoint is managed by my good friend (from college), Greta, and since she was not able to join us this year, our team delivered care-packages to the children from their sponsor families.

At the time, there were nearly 70 new children at Kechene that had just enrolled and did not have a sponsor family. So Greta made sure to create a care-package for each new child as well. Each package contained one t-shirt along with a few essentials like pencils, pens, toothbrush and underwear. We also had a hand-tied fleece blanket for each child (we were still at Kechene as the sun was starting to go down. It was getting COLD and I know the kids are putting those blankets to good use!

As we explained to the kids what was in each package, suddenly a cheer went up and the kids were clapping, fists and hand were pumping the air and they were looking at each other with excitement. I looked around in suprise and turned to one of our translators to ask what had provoked the cheer. He smiled and told me "they are so happy about the underwear."

The kids considered underwear to be a luxury item and as I became more aware of this, I could see little bare bottoms through the holes in their clothes. Sure enough, as soon as the packages were handed out, the underwear were the first item to be examined and admired.

This is something I will definitely ask sponsors to include in their care-packages next year!

Here are a few photos of Hana, a little girl at Kind Hearts CarePoint when she discovered underpants in her care-package. She immediately jumped down from Becky's lap and wanted help putting those underpants on right then and there. Then she climbed back into Becky's lap to hear the letter read to her and to look at the pictures from her sponsor.

You can't make this stuff up ...

2012-01-18T07:05:00.000-06:00

A friend gave me a link to a blog post from an American who is in Ethiopia right now, working hard to get updates on the work they are doing and to provide direction on projects for their organization. She explains so well the extreme challenges (from an American perspective) of navigating the system in Ethiopia.

It's always a delicate balancing act whenever an invidual from one country and culture, tries to accomplish things within another country and culture. Our western culture is very time sensitive and very technology oriented. We rely on email and voice mail and contracts to accomplish business, and a deadline promised means a deadline delivered. Not necessarily so in other countries, where cultural norms and government "red-tape" throw deadlines out the window.

Even something as simple as exchanging money at a bank, takes way longer than you expect it to. I remember stopping at a bank to quickly exchange some money, only to be given a number and told to sit in a waiting room until my number was called. Then having to hand over my passport, go back and wait again for another 30 minutes or so, before having my number called again and my passport handed back with the cash. The entire transaction to exchange about $100 USD took about an hour and required my passport. And if you think that's frustrating, it took us nearly 3 hours to fill out forms and get the right "stamps and signatures" to file a claim for lost luggage after an 18 hour flight!

It's easy to get frustrated with what seems like a lack of progress on projects, and slow timelines and deadlines that keep getting moved back. And yet despite the delays, our Children's HopeChest team in Ethiopia presses on and wades into the bureacratic waters on a daily basis on behalf of the kids and the CarePoints they serve in Ethiopia. And little by little, day by day, year by year, incredible progress is made.

Here is the link to a blog post that gives an inside glimpse into the challenges of working within another country and culture. The writer has a great attitude and good sense of humor despite the challenges she is dealing with to get 200 pairs of donated shoes freed from customs custody so they can be delivered to children in need. Please click on the link below

http://ethiopiablog.journeyweb.net/we-cant-make-this-up/

Lost in Translation

2012-01-16T07:04:00.000-06:00

Each year when I travel to Ethiopia to work with the kids at "Kind Hearts" and "Trees of Glory" CarePoint, one of the highlights of our visit is when we sit with each child individually to deliver their care-package from their sponsor family.

We have almost 150 kids at each location (nearly 300 kids in all) so this is a very labor-intensive and time-consuming process. We know how incredibly important it is for the kids AND for their sponsor family, so we try to spend as much time with each child as possible - looking at the photos, explaining who is in each photo, what is happening in the photo, reading the letter and explaining all of the items including in their package.

The kids are so curious, and want to know as much as possible about their sponsor family. They ask questions about the people in the photos and are quick to point and say names when they recognize them! They LOVE seeing photos of their sponsor family and are most amazed at the pictures that show exciting things like swimming, or skiing, or horse back riding, and the craziest thing of all ... snow!

We seat each child between one translator and one volunteer, so that everything is understood, the letter and photos are explained, and all of the items in the package are explained thoroughly. Things like hand-lotion, toothpaste, band-aids, and beef-jerkey are new and unusual, so we demonstrate and explain everything. We have 4 stations going at the same time, so we can have one-on-one time with all 150 kids in a single 8 hour day! I capture all of it on film so that I can share it with each sponsor family.

(Trees of Glory sponsor families should all have an email from me now with photos of your child receiving your care-package. Kind Hearts families will be getting their photos next week!)

During care-package day at Kind Hearts, one particular moment stands out in my mind ...

Besufekad (who has been sponsored by the Nelson family for almost 2 years) sat down between the translator, and our travel team volunteer, Wendy. The translator started reading the letter to himself so he could begin translating it, as Wendy was showing Besufekad all of the items in his care-package.

The water bottle was full of helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, pencils and pens and Wendy was going through them with Besufekad.

Just then, the translator started laughing about something he had read in the letter. He showed it to Wendy who nodded, and then he started explaining it to Besufekad. He started laughing too until both of them were nearly falling off their chairs, with tears rolling from their eyes.

Wendy and I looked at each other with a big questioning look. I asked, "What's so funny?" Between laughter, the translator showed us the part in the letter that explained how their dog had just had babies.

We both nodded again, and Besufekad and the translator started laughing even louder, holding their sides.

Puzzled, I asked again, "What's so funny?"

This time, they slowly got their giggles under control enough to point out that in Amharic, "babies" is translated as "human babies" when in fact the dog would have had "puppies".

Wendy and I started laughing too, as the other two erupted in more laughter and giggles that they had difficulty controlling for the rest of the day. It only took a sideways glance, and the two would start giggling again at the translation of a dog giving birth to "babies" instead of puppies. :)

Sometimes, the things that get lost in translation make for a lot of laughter!

And the best thing of all, is that because all of these kids are having their basic needs met through sponsorship, we are able to have fun with the kids and laugh about things like this. Two years ago, when we first started working with Kind Hearts CarePoint, there wasn't much to laugh about.

Things are very different today thanks to Children's HopeChest and our very dedicated and committed sponsor families that are providing and praying for these kids - and what a difference it has made!!

CLICK PICK of the week

2012-01-15T08:12:00.000-06:00

The beach on Sanibel Island, FL. My sandals kicked off in the sand as Emme fished from the shore in the background.

Tidal Pools Treasures

2012-01-12T07:05:00.000-06:00

Walking in the tidal pools on Sanibel Island is always an adventure.

We check the tide charts each day for low tide,

and then we head to the beach about an hour or two before low tide.

By then, the tide is just beginning to recede,

leaving all kinds of treasures to be discovered and admired.

We find all kinds of intriguing things ... shells, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, etc.

But the most interesting thing we discovered this time,

was a baby octopus, who hid in a pen shell when the low tide trapped him in a tidal pool.

Ewwww! He inked me!

CLICK PICK of the week

2012-01-08T08:03:00.000-06:00

Most of the time, a photo is carefully planned. Several angles are tested, various exposures & apertures are tried to get the perfect shot with just the right lighting and depth of field. And other times, the "click" is lucky (right place, right time) and a great shot is discovered after the fact. Here's my CLICK PICK of the week.

Sanibel Island, FL. We were walking on the beach at low tide, and 5 year old Wesley was chasing the birds with his shell bag swinging widely, yelling and laughing as the birds stayed just out of reach. I had my aperture set to slightly "fuzz" the background while keeping Wesley in sharp focus, framed to the right of the photo. Clicking rapidly, I was able to catch him in mid-air with a nice reflection in the tidal pool.

Above is the "lucky" shot when a bird flew between us and I was able to put the focal point on the bird to catch it in mid-flight, in crisp, sharp focus.

The 2 children slept on a small cushion in the corner ...

2012-01-06T07:02:00.000-06:00

Once we stepped away from our first Kind Hearts home visit, Debisa and Genet (brother and sister) excitedly took us by the hands and lead the way to their home to visit their mother. Only about a 5 minute walk away, we arrived and pushed open the tin door which lead to a small yard.

Their mother greeted us with a big smile and opened the door to their home - a 2 room home with a small "kitchen" built onto the side of the house as a lean-to to keep smoke from the cooking fire out of the house. She offered us a seat, and was as interested to hear about us as we were about her and her family.

Her husband works as a daily laborer (seeking work on various construction crews or for factory labor as he can find work). She cares for her kids and also earns income from a variety of side jobs.

She showed us their chickens (about 6) that she feeds and protects to provide eggs for the family and to sell for income. She also showed us 2 plump, healthy looking goats (that happened to be in the kitchen). They do not belong to the family, but she raises them and allows them to graze in her yard and the owner provides a small income for her to raise the goats.

She was also pleased to show us the spices she was drying and curing, which she planned to sell for income as well. As we were leaving, Genet drank a small glass of water from the yellow jerry can sitting in the shade, and she accidently threw some of the left-over water on the drying spices as she shook out the glass. She quickly glanced at her mom (oops!) and her mom clicked her tongue at her and gave her a hard stare. We couldn't help but smile.

She stressed to us how important it is to their family for her children to be able to attend Kind Hearts CarePoint for education and meals - which has enabled her family to invest in these other small income producing jobs (chickens and spices). She expressed many times how thankful they were to their sponsor families!

7 year old Genet is sponsored by the Stokes family of Minnesota.

9 year old Debisa is sponsored by the Allred family of Alabama.

We sat together in the interior of their home, with the front door open for light and air circulation. She explained that her and her husband sleep in the small bedroom (the open door way behind her), while Genet and Debisa sleep in the main room on a small cushion in the corner.

I asked her about the curious "thing" we could see on the wall above her head and on a few other walls - a kind of thin, crusty thing that looked like it had been splatted against the wall. She giggled and explained that it is an internal fatty membrane from goats that had been slaughtered for meals. She splats the membrane against the wall to dry because their cat likes to eat the crispy treat. It was a home-made cat treat.

We visited for about a 1/2 hour and then she walked us out to the tin door at the front of their yard and hugged us goodbye as we headed back to Kind Hearts to join up with the rest of the group.

We stopped at a tin door, surrounded by a thorny bush ...

2012-01-03T07:08:00.002-06:00

I was especially looking forward to our home visits for Kind Hearts because I have gotten to know the kids so well over the last 2 years. Our first home visit would be to Bontu's and Jirgna's home - a brother and sister who have been attending the care-point since I first started working with Kind Hearts.

Bontu slipped her hand into mine as we walked to her home and her other hand held Maea's. Jirgna walked with Apryl (his sponsor) and I could tell this very, very shy boy was very, very proud to take her to his home.

Only about an 8 minute walk from the school, down a dry, dusty road, we stopped at a tin door surrounded by a thorny bush. The thorns surrounding the doorway were at least 1-2" long! Jirgna pulled a key from his pocket to unlock the padlock, and with a flourish of his hand, he waved us through the door into the small yard.

The small house on the far right belongs to another family.

In a corner of the yard, a pit latrine is surrounded by plastic sheeting
to reduce the smell and provide a bit of privacy.

We then entered the house and sat on the few chairs that were placed around the walls in their 2-room house. No running water, but they had a wire running to the nearest electrical line which powered a single bulb dangling from the ceiling. What a comfort and convenience it must be to have light from that single bulb when it's needed!

With disappointment we learned that their mother was not available because she had to work that day. Jirgna then rushed out the door to run to the nearby factory where she worked to see if she could come. We sat inside the house with Bontu while the temperature seemed to rise and rise. It was hot and stifling in the small room.

The red sheet covers the door to the bedroom and provides a little privacy.

Bontu showed us the small bedroom where she sleeps on the floor with her brother - while her parents sleep on the small bed. She showed me a roll of animal hides under the bed that her and Jirgna sleep on next to the bed. Stips of drying meat hung from the ceiling in the bedroom where the walls had been covered with newspaper, I assume to minimize the dust from the mud walls. The floors and ceilings in both rooms were covered with plastic tarp.

I asked Bontu if she knew about her sponsor family, and she gave me a sweet smile and a look that said "Of course I do, Silly!" (Bontu is sponsored by my husband's parents.)

She then walked over to a cardboard box in the corner, dug down to the bottom of the box and pulled out a zippered pouch. Inside the zippered pouch, she pulled out another smaller pouch that held her personal treasures ... and she triumphantly pulled out photos of her sponsor family!

Maea pointed to her grandparents to explain her relationship and Bontu quietly said, "I know." (Later in the week, Bontu made a button bracelet in one of our classroom sessions and she gave it to Maea to give to her grandma. Grandma Jean is still wearing that button bracelet today.)

Just then Jirgna returned, somewhat out of breath, explaining that the factory had not given his mother permission to leave so we would not get to meet her. Just as we were getting ready to leave for our next home visit, their mother came through the doorway, a little out of breath and aplogizing profusely for not being there when we had arrived.

We put her at ease and then she went on to explain how last week, Bontu had come home from school telling her that her sponsor and several guests from America would be coming to their home! Her mother had smiled to herself thinking, "What tall tale is this?!" She had not believed that anyone was really coming to visit and she was mortified to discover that we really had come to visit.

We explained that we knew she needed to get back to work and we asked a few brief questions and then offered her our encouragement and prayers - along with a much appreciated gift of coffee beans and sugar.

She works at the alcohol factory while her husband works at the tannery. Sponsorship at Kind Hearts has enabled her children to go to school and have nutritious meals every day while her and her husband are now both able to work which covers the rent for their home. She explained that another family built a small home right next to theirs (the small structure to the right of their home) which also provides a bit of income.

With many hugs, we said our goodbyes, as Jirgna and Bontu took hold of our hands and lead the way to visit their friends' home.

... that's how I want to see each new day

2012-01-01T16:08:00.000-06:00

What better way to spend Christmas and start the New Year, than taking a few days off to spend with family on Sanibel Island, Florida. The kids weren't missing the snow this year, but they made a snow(sand)man anyway!

We usally go to Sanibel Island in the summer, but we decided to keep things interesting and go over the holidays. The weather was truly perfect, 80 degrees with warm sunshine during the days, and crisp cool evenings that required a cozy sweatshirt over our sun-kissed skin.

We are so thankful to be able to spend Christmas and usher in the New Year with those dearest to us! My entire family (my parents, my brother and his family, my sister and her family - shown above) and Jay's parents (shown below) who were also in Florida!

Today we have had a quiet, restful day at home and I began editing some of our Florida photos. As I reflect on this last year and look forward to 2012 ... I came across this picture of Wesley on the beach on Sanibel Island. We woke early each day so we could be on the beach during low tide. There were several mornings when we were able to see the sunrise. One of those mornings, Wesley was ahead of us as we walked down the sand path to the beach ... and just as he emerged from the tall beach grass, the sun peaked over the watery horizon and he threw his arms into the air and welcomed the new day with the exuberance and joy of a child ...

... that's how I want to see each new day with it's many blessings and mercies.

Last year she watched with a bit of horror ...

2011-12-27T07:33:00.001-06:00

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Each year, when we travel to Ethiopia to work with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints, we provide a big feast for the kids and staff, and we help with the preparation, serving and clean-up. Although sponsorship provides nutritious food for the kids everyday, this feast goes above and beyond with lamb for savory stew with large chunks of meat - as well as vegetables, fruit and a very rare treat - Coca Cola.

We work with the cook to plan the menu and to get the best prices for all of the ingredients.

She requested 4 lambs, but we provided 8 so that the CarePoint had a few extra lambs to use over the next few weeks. Until then, the extra lambs will graze around the CarePoint until it is time to become stew.

Lambs are purchased in different areas throughout the city, where herdsmen congregate with their fatted flocks. A lamb typically costs about $40 US dollars if it is healthy and plump, and once it is purchased, it's ankles are tied together and it is loaded onto a roof rack or in a trunk for transport. Almost every part is used for food, and even the hide is used for bedding (for sleeping on a dirt floor and providing a layer of protection from cold and hardness).

When the time comes, the lamb is slaughtered and bled quickly with a quick cut to the neck. It is then skinned and hung from a rack to cut it into chunks of meat. The guys on our volunteer team were happy to help with this preparation and even showed some of the kids from our volunteer team how to skin and butcher an animal.

Even the vultures could tell there was a big feast at Kind Hearts and flew down for a closer look, hoping to score a chunk of meat.

Last year, Emme watched this entire process with a bit of horror ... this year she helped skin and butcher a lamb. We tend to take the preparation of food for granted here in America because we are so distant from the actual slaughtering and butchering process (we get our meat in neatly wrapped white packages at the grocery store) and if we are in a hurry, we can have it served up immediately at any fast food restaurant. Being involved in the entire process of food preparation (an all day event) in Ethiopia is very enlightening for all of our teenage volunteers!

Emme, watching in slight horror at the slaughtering and butchering of a lamb last year.

This year Emme, and the rest of the teens, helped skin one of the lambs.

Once the lamb is prepared, select pieces of meat are roasted over a fire while the rest is used to create a savory, meaty stew for injera. We created a long assembly line from the kitchen to where the kids were sitting in the shade, so we could serve the kids quickly and not keep them waiting.

Everyone's mouths were watering from the delicious smell of the stew. Many of the kids asked for seconds and even thirds - and the little boys giggled as they showed each other how to shake their soda to get it to explode. :)

Once the meal was complete, the kids had a little time to play on the playground equipment, before they were ushered back into their classrooms for the afternoon.

Ryan helped wash the dishes after the meal so that the kids could get back
to their classrooms for an afternoon full of fun learning!

Wonder Anew at the Amazing Gift Given

2011-12-25T19:00:00.000-06:00

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Much of what is written in the Old Testament by the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah and Zechariah, and the psalmists (much of which is attributed to King David himself), was written 500-700 years before Jesus was born.

And only upon the birth

and life

and death of Jesus

does it suddenly and miraculously ... and prophetically ... make sense.

These prophetic (and at first, puzzling) words that speak of a virgin giving birth to a child called Immanuel, which literally means "God with us", and that this child would come from the lowly town of Bethlehem, through the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, through King David. He would be pierced for our transgressions and this would heal our wounds (how can this be???!) and bring about a blessing for ALL nations.

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathath, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who is ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us).

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Jeremiah 23:5 “They days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up to David (or from David’s line) a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Isaiah 53: 5-6 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves a firstborn son.

Psalms 16:10 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

And so it begins … in the town of Bethlehem …

Luke 2:8 ...

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ (Messiah, the Annointed One) the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel , praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

From my family to you and yours - I pray you have a blessed Christmas where you ponder the miraculous birth of Jesus and wonder anew at the amazing gift given to us.

Lalibela is a definite "must see" in Ethiopia!

2011-12-21T07:03:00.000-06:00

During our trip to Ethiopia in November, we took a day-trip and flew to Lalibela in Northern Ethiopia. This was my fourth trip to Ethiopia, and the first time I had been able to carve out a time to visit this exceptional archeaological site - and I am so thankful that we did!

As the legend is told, King Lalibela traveled to Jerusalem where he got his inspiration to create a "New Jerusalem" in Ethiopia after Muslims captured the "old" Jerusalem in 1187. His legacy is this archeological wonder of 13 rock-hewn churches dating from the 12th and 13th century. Each church is carved from the very rock on which it stands - some are completely monolithic meaning the rock was carved completely away from all sides of the church and it is only attached at its base, and others are still attached on one side to the rock from which they were carved.

The huge size and scale of these churches, and the reality that they were completely carved by hand from the surrounding volcanic rock, is nothing short of amazing! The detail of the exterior is incredible - and then each church was completely carved out on the interior too with incredible detail!!

The churches were hewn out of solid rock in such a short time frame, legend says that angels assisted with the endeavor. With many historic sites, you see photos and read about the history, and then when you actually arrive you view it from a distance. But that was NOT how we experienced Lalibela!!

We hiked for most of the day, in and out of the rock hewn churches with our guide, Mario, who spent his childhood playing in and around the churches, and is an expert on the history of Lalibela.

From intense sunshine that revealed intricate chisel marks on the exterior, we then took off our shoes before entering each church, and waited for our eyes to adjust to the darkness of the cool, cave-like interiors. We craned our necks to view the entire height of these structures, and then hiked to the top and gazed straight down over the edge!

All day, we hiked through the churches, sometimes scaling the walls to get to the next structure, with monks singing and praying all around us. At times we walked in complete darkness through underground tunnels with no light to guide us, running one hand on the side wall and the other on the ceiling as we trustingly put one foot in front of the other.

What I loved about our trip to Lalibela was that we fully experienced it - with back packs chafing our skin, sweaty shirts sticking to our backs, the toes of our shoes gripping the rock wall where small hand-holds and foot-holds were carved into the walls centuries ago!

Early that morning, we flew to Lalibela from Addis since to drive it would have taken over 24 hours. From the plane (a 40 seat aircraft that runs the "historical circuit" of Ethiopia with stops in Gondor, Lalibela and Axum) we could look down on the incredibly rugged terrain of the Ethiopian highlands (rain here feeds the Nile river!) and see the massive size of Lake Tana.

We were picked up at the airport, and our van immediately scaled the winding roads up to higher elevation where we checked in to our "MountainView" hotel with incredible views. (Thank you to Jessica Irvin for her outstanding recommendations on our guide and our hotel!!)

And from there ... we were off to tour the churches in an all-day excursion that left us all exhausted but agreeing that this was an incredibly worthwhile historical site which has our vote for being named the 8th wonder of the world!

After a long hot day of hiking and climbing, it was great to find a shady seat
in a small cafe for a fresh mango, banana and avocado smoothie.

Using natural light from an upstairs bedroom window ...

2011-12-18T19:29:00.000-06:00

Over Thanksgiving, I got a text message from my neighbor to let me know that her baby boy had arrived a few weeks early! How exciting - as we planned to take newborn photos during those first precious days of his life - while he's still sleepy and curls up so easily in the same fetal position he was accustomed to for the last several months.

Using natural light from an upstairs bedroom window, we photographed her sweet, content and perfect little boy. Congratulations Amy & Tom and his four proud siblings!

Sensing the sacred nature of this moment, someone asked to pray ...

2011-12-14T07:08:00.000-06:00

Just before we left for Ethiopia, I designed an Ethiopia t-shirt as a fund-raiser for the CarePoints.

This is our Ethiopia Children's HopeChest team, loving their new t-shirts!

Several people have asked what the funds were used for and I am excited to say that the t-shirt sale raised enough funds to purchase and provide a children's bible for EVERY child at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints! That's 300 bibles - plus we provided 10 extra bibles for the libraries at both CarePoints. All of the kids at Kind Hearts received a children's bible in Amharic, while the children at Trees of Glory received a children's bible in Amharic or Oromifa, depending on their native language.

Knowing that having a book is a precious thing for these kids - and knowing that a BIBLE would be even more precious, we wanted to put The Word in the hands of each child. Their very own bible. We knew the children would treasure them - but we didn't quite expect the impact that it had.

On the very last day at each CarePoint, as the sun was starting to set, and the last several days of intense activity were drawing to a close, we gathered the kids together to take a group photo and to say our teary good-byes (until next year!).

This is a group photo of the 150 kids at Kind Hearts CarePoint.
Most of the kids are wearing the new shirt they received the day
before from their sponsor family's care-package.

It was starting to get chilly, and we could see care-givers and siblings (sent to walk their little brother or sister home from school) beginning to gather near the gates as they waited for the children. For the last several days, the children had literally been climbing all over us - there was never a moment we didn't have the hands of several children grasping ours or several children sitting on our laps, with arms wrapped around our necks.

But as we explained to the kids what we were giving them, a hush fell over the group. 150 kids went silent as they watched attentively as the bibles were handed out. I was expecting the kids to put them in their bags, give us hugs and kisses, and start to head home after a long day. Their caregivers had already been patiently waiting by the gates for nearly an hour.

But the silence continued ... and several of the kids started to thumb through the pages. Several hugged the bibles to their chests, and then they all sat down in the dirt and started looking through their bible - gently touching the pages and looking at the pictures.

For the last 2 years, these kids have been attending bible studies and being mentored in the Gospel by the Children's HopeChest team, and now they had their very own bible in their hands. Reverantly turning the pages, in hushed tones they were pointing out stories and pictures to their friends. Sensing the sacred nature of this moment, someone asked to pray. The kids bowed their heads, put their hands over their faces and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for this special gift.

I knew this would be a treasured gift for the kids - I just didn't realize how very treasured and sacred this gift would be and it was one of the many truly touching moments of our time in Ethiopia this year.

I will do another t-shirt fund-raiser in a few months, for another special CarePoint project! If you purchased a t-shirt - THANK YOU!! Your purchase provided a bible for all 300 kids at our CarePoints in Ethiopia!!

She was on her own, with 5 kids to raise ...

2011-12-11T08:19:00.001-06:00

As we followed the small footpath worn into the grassy slope, I looked ahead and could see two small figures watching our approach. One looked to be a small, thin woman holding an infant, and the other a small child in a bright pink sweat suit. A dog barked as we neared, and the woman appeared near the rock wall entrance and nodded her approval to enter.

Her three children grinned in shyness as they escorted us into the small enclosure of their family's home - 3 round huts (one used for cooking, where smoke seeped through the roof from a smoldering fire inside), one for the grandparents of the children, and one for their mother, who we discovered was raising not three but FIVE small children. The three oldest are attending Trees of Glory CarePoint, and the two youngest were hovering near her skirts and on her hip.

She smiled tentatively and we greeted her. As we talked, she began to fill in details for us as I asked questions and inquired about her children. The 3 older kids, Haile (10), Mekdes (7) and Gosaye (5) attend the CarePoint with Mekdes being the first to attend, and then quickly followed by Haile and Gosaye as soon as enrollment was expanded. (Haile, Mekdes and Gosaye are sponsored by the Muecke, Culwell and Wasson families.) She expressed how thankful she was for Trees of Glory, and for the school there that her kids were able to attend. (Behind her, I could see the English alphabet scratched into the mud wall of the hut with a white rock and I smiled thinking about my kids writing on the walls with a crayon when they were little.)

I inquired about the children's father, and she explained that he had left her when she was pregnant with their 5th child - the sweet infant she cradled on her hip. She shrugged and looked off into the distance as she told us how he had decided he had too much to handle with the responsibility of 5 kids, so he left to go live with his family near the Kenyan border. She was on her own, with 5 kids to raise.

Tilting her head toward one of the huts, she told us that this was her parent's place and they had welcomed her into their home - and had even built a hut for her and her 5 kids. However, the roof was not working properly and was letting rain in, so for the time being, they were sleeping in the cooking hut. She pushed the door open with her foot and invited us into the smoky interior, and I could immediately see why the children's eyes were watery and why they were coughing so much. The hut was full of smoke, and my throat and eyes started to burn right away.

Sensing this, she kicked at the smoldering fire to try to disperse some of the smoke. We told her it was OK, no need to worry about it for us. The interior was sparse - not much more than a cooking fire area and a mud bench around the perimeter for seating. I asked where they slept and she told us the two older kids slept in the hut with their grandparents while she slept on the floor with the 3 youngest on animal hides. We then stepped back outside into the sunshine and I took a deep breath of fresh air and stifled the urge to cough.

She relied on the CarePoint for nutritious food for her older kids and it was evident that this was a heavy burden that had been lifted from her shoulders. I gestured to the little boy and asked if he could attend the CarePoint. She raised her eyebrows - and I turned to Fikre and asked if we could enroll him. He was at the CarePoint, following his older siblings the next day, and Maea immediately asked if we could be his sponsor family. I saw little Diriba in his bright pink sweatsuit on Maea's hip much of the next 2 days.

We spoke of how proud we were of her for being a good mother to her children and for letting us come alongside her to help provide for her children. As her baby snuggled contentedly into her thin shoulder, I told her how beautiful her children are and how much they are loved by God and their sponsor families. As is common in Ethiopia, she hid her smile behind her hand and lowered her eyes - but her smile never faded. We prayed with her there - for her and her kids, and we said our goodbyes. As we walked back to the CarePoint, I kept looking back and she watched us the entire way with her baby on her hip and her hand raised to wave every time.

Their father invited us into the cool, dark and smoky interior of their hut ...

2011-12-08T07:04:00.004-06:00

He opened the door and waved us inside out of the hot sun, and into the cool dark and smoky interior of his home - which was crafted of mud and sticks with a grass-thatch roof. We stepped inside and I waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness so I could make out the interior. It was suprisingly dark inside - and my eyes never did adjust to the blackness but we could barely make out a bench against one wall - crafted of sticks and mud along with a kind of room-divider (also crafted of sticks and mud) that separated the cooking area from the sleeping area.

I marvelled at how everything in the hut, even a small shelving-type unit was created using sticks as the basic structure and then packed and shaped with mud. The floor too was hard-packed dirt that barely kicked up dust as we stepped inside. Behind the wooden door that sat cocked precariously on its "hinges" I could see a raised platform, again made with sticks and covered with a few animal hides. "Is this where you sleep?" I asked through our translator? With a nod, he showed me that he and his wife sleep on the platform, while his 3 children sleep on the floor, using a few animal hides for warmth.

As we spoke, he gestured to his leg, which was stiff and oddly bent, and explained how he had served as a soldier in the former government's army and had gotten several bullet wounds in his leg that had shattered the bone. It was now deformed and could not bear weight - and he struggled to get around with a crutch made from a length of a branch with a "Y" shaped end.

He explained to us how much of a blessing Trees of Glory CarePoint is for his children and his family .. "my children have good food to eat every day and they are no longer hungry, and they can go to school". His eyes swept our faces again and I saw his brow furrow for a moment of realization and then his face broke into a smile and he spoke quickly to our translator. "I know them - I know their faces from the pictures!" He had just realized that two of the people standing in his home that day (Apryl and her mom, Becky) were the same faces he had seen in photos that his children had brought home from their sponsor families. He clasped his hands together and made a bowing gesture, expressing his gratitude and asking if he could pray over us. We accepted, of course, and then we returned the honor and prayed for him and his family.

We also explained how thankful we were to be a part of his family - to get to know and appreciate his wonderful kids - and that we know how hard it is to provide for his family with his injury and that he was being a good father by loving his children and allowing his daughters to get an education. "We know your kids and we love them and pray for them every day."

We spoke for about 30 minutes with the family, while aunts, cousins and distant relatives clustered in the doorway. As a parting gift for their hospitality, we gave the family coffee beans and sugar - and we hugged and waved our good-byes.

There were about 6-8 huts in close proximity within an area surrounded by a low rock wall - rocks that had been picked by hand from the ground to make it easier to plow. The families living within the 6-8 huts, were all related and relied on each other to gather water from the nearby river (about a 40 minute walk), cook and share meals, and to plow and harvest the small fields surrounding their huts.

Some of the women also collected dung from local grazing livestock herds, shaped them into patties and dried them in the sun to sell and to use for their cooking fire. There is very little wood in the area - and the eucalyptus trees that are there, are planted and used more for shade than for their wood. So dung is a readily accessible, readily available and renewable resource for fire fuel - although it doesn't burn very cleanly and makes a smoldery smoky fire.

In this photo, you can see piles of dung patties that are ready to be sold for use in
cooking fires and for the fires that keep the interior of the hut warm during chilly evenings.

We first met Meskrem and Dirbe last year when we visited Trees of Glory, and the 2 little girls were easily noticed because they were inseparable and had on matching green dresses. We learned that their older brother also attended the CarePoint - and so Apryl, her mom Becky, and her sister Danica, decided to sponsor all 3 siblings.

Each year when we travel to visit and work with the CarePoints, I request for the staff to pick 2 homes for me to visit, so I can meet the families and also gain a better understanding of where and how the kids live. When I found out we would be visiting this particular home, I invited Becky and Apryl to join me so they could meet the family and see the home of the children they sponsor. No running water - just enough for drinking and cooking but never enough for bathing or washing clothes ... no electricity, maybe a single change of clothing for each child ... but a home filled with love and a knowledge that they are blessed because God has provided for them through Trees of Glory and their sponsor families!

This is a view of Trees of Glory CarePoint taken from the home of the children we visited.

Dirbe (shown above) having lunch at Trees of Glory CarePoint.

Trees of Glory CarePoint just enrolled new children that are in need of a sponsor family. Sponsorship is $34 per month and provides nutritious food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipeship for one child. Currently, we are caring for nearly 140 orphaned or destitute children at Trees of Glory. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com

The World Looks Very Different from the Vantage Point of HOPE

2011-12-06T07:09:00.018-06:00

Last year when we arrived at Trees of Glory CarePoint in Ethiopia, one of our travel team members was looking forward to meeting his sponsor child for the first time. Many times, these are joyful meetings .. but when Rob Thomas met his sponsor child, Abush, it was a meeting that shook Rob deeply.

Abush was shy and withdrawn and kept an emotional wall up during their meeting. In talking with the staff later, we learned that Abush was keeping a distance because he had lost everyone he loved (both of his parents had died and he had been found wandering the streets alone) and he was afraid to form attachments.

Abush last year - expressionless and unsmiling, a little boy full of hurt.

Rob spoke with the CarePoint director to find out as much as he could about Abush and what he found out shook him ... he set Abush down and walked away from the group and I watched with tears in my eyes as Rob's shoulders shook with grief for this child. Sadly - this is the reality for many of the kids at our CarePoints. But that doesn't have to be the end of their stories ...

Rob and Jennie and their family have continued to provide for Abush through their sponsorship - and have continued to pray (fervently) for him over the past year. Rob returned to Ethiopia in November and we met again at Trees of Glory CarePoint. We had time for a quick greeting and family updates, and then I hurried off to do two home visits while Rob stayed at the CarePoint to see the kids. I wasn't there when Rob and Abush saw each other again .. but I found Abush the next day and got to watch as he received the care-package that Rob and his family had sent with me. And what a difference a year can make ... a year of prayer, provision, love and perhaps most importantly ... HOPE.

Jennie Thomas tells the rest of the story so much better than I can ... please click over to her blog to read the story behind the smile at www.oliveshootsandmuddyboots.blogspot.com. Click HERE. In her words ... the world looks very different from the vantage point of hope.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child at Trees of Glory CarePoint, please email me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com to be matched with a child immediately.

Their Eyes Lit Up When They Saw the Blankets ...

2011-12-05T07:09:00.000-06:00

Apryl Harbaugh recognized a need for blankets for the kids at our CarePoints, knowing that the temperatures at night can get rather chilly and that many of these kids don't have much more than the clothes they wear every day. Most of them sleep on the dirt floor of their home, with little more than a shared blanket and a few animal hides.

She put the word out among friends, family and church - and many of our sponsors got involved as well. We ended up collecting about 500 blankets - soft, cozy, hand-made fleece tied blankets in a rainbow of colors and patterns. We collected so many that we were worrying about how we would get them all to Ethiopia. But we did get them all there!

The kids at Trees of Glory CarePoint were the first to receive their care-packages - and each child received a blanket as well. Their eyes just lit up when they saw the blankets ... on top of the care-package they had just received. Some of the little kids were dwarfed by the big roll of a blanket they received but they wrapped their little arms around it and we could tell they were so excited to bring them home!

Below are just a few photos from the day we handed out individual carepackages to each child at Trees of Glory. The CarePoint had just enrolled about 35-40 new children the week before we arrived - and we made sure to create a care-package and give a blanket to them as well.

If you are interested in sponsoring one of the new children attending Trees of Glory CarePoint, please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. I can match you with a child immediately and you can begin corresponding wtih them. We met each of the new kids, and even though they were new to the CarePoint, the excitement of the other kids was affecting the new kids and they were curious and engaged with us right from the start!

We Cleaned and Bandaged Her Wound as Best We Could

2011-12-02T18:53:00.000-06:00

When we have a team of volunteers in Ethiopia, I always ask the team to bring any donated funds with them so we can host a huge feast for the kids - and be able to meet any needs we become aware of while we are at the CarePoints. There are always a few concerns or opportunities that come up while we are there, and this year we used our pooled funds to purchase tennis shoes for ALL 130+ kids at Trees of Glory (the rough terrain really wears out their shoes quickly), to purchase a bible for each child at Onesimus and Kechene CarePoints (we had already purchased a bible for each child at Trees of Glory and Kind Hearts with a t-shirt fund-raiser) and most importantly to set up a medical fund for Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory so that we have funds readily available if any child requires medical care.

The children at our CarePoints do not have any type of medical insurance and their families cannot afford medical care. When there is an injury or a sickness, oftentimes medical care is delayed because of the lack of funds ... and sometimes it is delayed until it is too late. We want our CarePoints to have the ability to intervene and seek/provide medical care if a child requires it. We want each child to have the same opportunity for good medical care and treatment that our own children would have.

The kids and the staff are not accustomed to having medical care, so many times a child won't even report an injury or a sickness and they just try to deal with it and hope it gets better. While we were at Kind Hearts CarePoint, Juree noticed one of the kids limping, even though she was actively playing with her friends and joining in all of the activities. It was Metike, one of the little girls who has attended the CarePoint for nearly two years. I always call her by her first and last name, because it rhymes and she giggles every time ... Metike Aweke.

I went looking for her, and found her playing with her friends, while favoring her foot. I gestured to her foot asking if I could see it. It looked like she had stepped on a piece of glass or something and it looked to be buried deeply in her foot and painfully infected.

We knelt down in the dirt, rinsed it and cleaned it as best we could, then applied antibiotic spray, and bandaged it to keep it clean.

We brought it to the attention of the teachers and CarePoint director and asked them to have a doctor treat it right away. We paid for her treatment while we were there - which sparked the conversation about a medical fund so that situations like this can be addressed immediately.

The next day - we checked on Metike and found out that the doctor had cleaned the wound and given her a shot of antibiotic to control the infection - and she was to go back the next day to have the debris extracted from her foot. Having the medical fund readily available will help to make sure that the kids are able to get the medical care they need promptly. It also ensures that the staff knows the funds are available and that they don't need to hesitate in seeking medical care for the kids.

IT'S THE LETTER AND PHOTOS THEY TREASURE THE MOST!

2011-12-01T07:00:00.001-06:00

Over the next several days, weeks and months, I have A LOT of blog posts coming about our recent trip to Ethiopia. This is an annual trip (every November) when I lead a team of volunteers to work with the kids at our two Children's HopeChest CarePoints - "Kind Hearts" and "Trees of Glory". During this annual trip, our volunteer team invests time and love in each child as we spend 3 full days at each CarePoint teaching, mentoring and showering each child with as much love and attention as we can.

Two years ago, I first visited "Kind Hearts" and the 68 kids that were enrolled at the time. At that time, the CarePoint was barely staying afloat - funding had slowly withered, the teaching staff had gone unpaid and they could only afford to provide a meal of rice for the kids one day each week. HopeChest was leading a vision team of possible coordinators to Ethiopia to visit possible CarePoints and had told the staff ... hold on just a little bit longer if you can. The kids were thin and lethargic, the teaching staff felt hopeless - but I could see the potential in this location, the kids and the staff.

While we were in Ethiopia, we purchased enough rice and beans to feed the kids for a month - and I went home worrying about the promise I had made to the staff and kids at Kind Hearts and how to find a sponsor family for all 68 kids. (I will never forget the director saying to me ... "Please don't forget about us!") Within 22 days - amazingly - ALL kids were sponsored - and the feeding program was in full-swing, classes were in session, the teachers and kids had hope and energy, and the HopeChest staff was sharing the love and hope of Christ with the kids weekly!

Two years is not that long ago ... and almost all of the original 68 kids are still there and advancing quickly through the grades. Since then - we have drilled a fresh-water well at Kind Hearts, provided shoes and uniforms and textbooks, built a new kitchen and added playground equipment. We have also enrolled more children and are currently serving about 145 kids!!! We will need to build more classrooms if we are to enroll more kids for the new schoolyear in September 2012.

One of the highlights of our trip, is when we deliver a care-package to each child from their sponsor family. Each child already knows their sponsor family from letters and photos they receive during the year. And many of the kids had those photos in their pockets when we first arrived. "Do you know my family in America?" they asked me as the photos were pulled from their pockets!

We set up 4 stations, with 3 chairs at each station. The child sits in the middle, with a volunteer and a translator on each side. I watched as each child wiggled with anticpation as they finally got to sit in the chair and their care-package was unveiled!!

And this is what I noticed right away ... as the shirt was unrolled and all of the little goodies were revealed ... almost every child pushed the gifts aside and went straight for the photos - and each photo was examined carefully and lovingly, looking for the faces they recognize. They wanted the names read to them and wanted to know who was who in each picture. Then they listened attentively as the letter was read to them - all the while gazing at the photos.

This is Yehenew who has been enrolled at Kind Hearts for 2 years.
He is sponsored by my brother and his family.

Sarah is patiently examining each photo with him, pointing to faces and naming names.

My daughters, Emme and Maea, sat down with Yehenew to explain that they are
related to his sponsor family and to point out themselves in some of the photos.

And I nearly missed this shot as Yehenew stood to gather his gifts and then
this shy little boy gave Maea a spontaneous and heart-felt hug!

They love the gifts that are sent - the toothbrush and pencils are important, the underwear even more important, the mtachbox car gets some excitement, the shirt is immediately put on and then worn to school the next day ... but it is the letter and the photos that they treasure the most.

And I couldn't help but contrast that with my own kids ... who I am guessing would probably go for the gifts first and the photos later. And that's not a negative reflection on my kids or any other kids - but it is the reality of our culture and our American lifestyle that places value on "things" and "stuff".

It's different for the kids in Ethiopia who are quick to share one of their precious pencils with a child that didn't get one. For them - the value is on the people and the relationships. They know and love their sponsor family and they treasure your letters and your photos the most!

Here are just a few photos from CarePackage day at Kind Hearts. I will share photos from Trees of Glory CarePoint in my next posts. And to each sponsor family - please be patient with me as I process through the many thousands of photos I have - I promise to send each of you a personal email with the photos of your sponsor child!! :) - and be sure to "friend" me on facebook as I post photos there as well.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. Sponsorship is $34 per month and provides nutritious food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship for one child at Kind Hearts or Trees of Glory CarePoint in Ethiopia. You can write letters during the year, and I travel each November with a team of volunteers to work with the kids. I can match you with a child right away and you can begin writing letters immediately. We now have over 270 orphaned or destitute children enrolled at our two CarePoints. All children are sponsored except for the 30 new children that just enrolled - and we got to meet and spend time with the newest kids while we were in Ethiopia in November.

It is clear she will need additional surgery ...

2011-11-27T18:14:00.000-06:00

So many people have asked me for an update about Webit, the 8 year old little girl at Trees of Glory who had surgery in March for a bone deformity in her lower leg that had initially been treated by the local "traditional healer" which caused a severe infection to set in. Hundreds and maybe thousands of people have been praying for her and many people provided funds for her initial medical care and surgery. Click here to read the original blog post from March.

For several months after the surgery, Webit lived at the CarePoint so she could get 24 hour care and the hygiene needed to keep her wound clean and healing. All signs pointed to a good recovery, and Webit was up and around shortly after her cast was removed. But just 2 weeks ago, her lower leg started to become painful again and within about a week, she was limping and needing to be carried again.

With great concern, the CarePoint director, Simret, took me by the hand and lead me to Webit when I asked about her. With tears in her eyes and a furrowed brow, Simret shared her fears with me while she pressed my hands between hers ... the pain is becoming difficult for her to manage ... she has little appetite ... Webit does not like to be a problem for anyone but it is clear she is in much pain ... she will need more surgery ...

Simret checking on Webit throughout the day.

I spotted Webit right away, a thin little waif of a girl, being carried on her sister's back as if she weighed as much as a feather. I went to her and lifted her from her sister ... she wrapped her arms around my neck ... and she weighs about as much as a feather. Her sister seemed relieved to have me carry her and yet she never complains or asks for help. She is willing and ready to carry her wherever she needs to go.

Webit wanted to participate in all of the classroom activities and lessons. She was trying to downplay the pain, but it was evident. Whenever the kids finished up in one classroom and it was time to rotate to the next, one of us would scoop her up and carry her to the next classroom.

When it was time to sit with her to give her the care-package sent by her sponsor family, she smiled a huge smile and hugged the photo to her chest. I asked if she remembered Laura and Charlie and she nodded vigorously. The Herwehe family also sponsors her older sister, Belyu, who is 12 years old.

I asked if I could see her leg, and she dropped her chin to her chest but nodded her consent. It seemed to hurt her as I carefully pulled her stretch pants up to her knee to see her scar. Although her scar looks to have healed well, I could see swelling above the incision (near her knee) and at her ankle. I could also see what looked like the bone pressing against her skin. Webit seemed embarassed by the attention and quickly moved to push her pant leg down to cover her leg when I raised my camera. I could tell that she did not want her leg to keep her from the activities and lessons being taught that day.

Children's HopeChest is working with the staff at Trees of Glory CarePoint to figure out the next steps for Webit's treatment. It is clear that the bone in her lower leg is continuing to grow abnormally and will require further treatment and surgery. I was told that there are only a few (2 or 3) bone specialists in Ethiopia - one of them is her doctor and it is difficult to get an appointment because he is in such great demand.

Please keep Webit in your prayers as we navigate the medical system in Ethiopia for her. One of the members of our travel team generously committed to providing the funds needed for her medical care and surgery, but if you would like to help as well, you can make a donation on the Children's HopeChest website at www.hopechest.org, click on GIVE. For the account code, specify ET2119000, and in the Notes area, specify MEDICAL FUND.

I am thankful for our team of sponsors and our CarePoint staff who can ensure that Webit gets the medical care she needs.

A FEAST OF THANKSGIVING IN ETHIOPIA!

2011-11-24T08:35:00.000-06:00

As Americans prepare for a long Thanksgiving weekend with friends and family, I thought I would post a few photos of the feast we prepared last week for the 140 children at Kind Hearts CarePoint in Ethiopia. We purchased 8 lambs for the feast (4 were used that day and the rest will be used for meals next week) to prepare a savory stew (wot), roasted lamb, injera, vegetables, oranges and soda. Our team of volunteers helped with the skinning, butchering and preparation of the meat - as well as serving the children their meal and cleaning up afterwards.

As my family celebrates Thanksgiving, we will all be reflecting on our time with the kids in Ethiopia and I am especially thankful for the 260+ families that partner with me to serve the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory in Ethiopia. I am content knowing that together, we are changing the lives of 260 kids who are no longer going to bed each night with an empty tummy and whose minds are being filled with a good education, and whose spirits are being nourished with the love of God!

Ryan helps load the lambs on the top of the van to deliver to the CarePoint.

Mike helped with the butchering and the preparation of the meat for roasting.

Alex roasted the meat over an open fire. We all sampled some with our
lunch and it was delicious and flavorful although quite chewy.

The delivery "truck" arrives with our Coke and Fanta for the kids - a rare treat for special occasions!

Plates of injera are prepared for the lamb stew.

Each child gets in line to wash their hands before the meal.

Mmmmmmmmm! Tasty anticipation!

The youngest kids are served first while the older kids play on the new playground equipment. The kids line up remarkably fast and sit so still for their meals - they also try to share their food with us and any child who still wants more.

We created an "assembly line" to pass the plates from the kitchen to the waiting kids.

Thank you to each and every sponsor family for loving these kids, praying for these kids and providing for these kids. YOU have changed their lives! Two years ago we began working with Kind Hearts with 68 kids! Today we have 140 happy, healthy kids being served by the outstanding staff at Kind Hearts and Children's HopeChest!

Ethiopia travel team update!

2011-11-23T07:10:00.000-06:00

Our entire travel team arrived in the USA yesterday and caught separate connecting flights from Washington DC to their hometowns and their waiting families. Saying goodbye was hard - but everyone is now home with their families reflecting on the last 10 days and beginning to recuperate from jet lag and an extremely busy week that drained everyone physically and emotionally - and yet left us feeling very fulfilled and blessed.

There are so many incredible experiences to reflect upon ... and so many individual stories to tell about the kids and the progress being made at our Children's HopeChest CarePoints in Ethiopia - "Kind Hearts" and "Trees of Glory". Please check back often over the next days, weeks and months for updates and guest blogs from those that were on the team this year.

Our team of 26 volunteers bonded quickly and worked together amazingly well right from the beginning. We had very little internet access, we were without running water when we first arrived in Ethiopia after 2-3 days of travel, we sometimes had to shower with cold water, and we were without power here and there as well. Despite these little adventures ("technical difficulties") God obviously had a plan for this team and how we were to impact the children we serve in Ethiopia!

We spent 3 days at Kind Hearts and 3 days at Trees of Glory, touching the lives of the children, as well as the staff that works with the children on a daily basis. Each child was given individual time and attention as we sat with them to deliver a care-package from their sponsor family, and to look through the photos and read their letter.

There are not enough words to adequately explain how much the children appreciate hearing from you and receiving your photos, letter and gift. I loved seeing the kids on the first day we arrived at the CarePoints as they pulled older photos of their sponsor family from their pockets asking if we knew you and wanting to know more about you. "This is MY family in America!" they proudly explained!

The kids shown above are holding photos they received from their sponsor family over the last year. We visited Kind Hearts for the first time on Monday (when these photos were taken) and did not deliver their new care-packages (with letters and photos) until Thursday.

~ We now have 140 kids attending Kind Hearts CarePoint and every child is sponsored! At Trees of Glory CarePoint, we now have just over 130 children attending. Just a few days before our trip, I received profiles for 30 new children that had just enrolled at TOG and I did not have a chance to match them with a sponsor family before the trip. We created a care-package and a blanket for each new child and we got to spend time with each of them. If you are interested in sponsoring a child at Trees of Glory, please email me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com and I will match you with a child!

And we're off! ... to Ethiopia!

2011-11-10T11:02:00.000-06:00

Our team of 26 volunteers is leaving for Ethiopia! Half of the team is meeting in Washington DC tonight while the other half is flying in on Friday morning. We will all meet at the airport Friday morning for our overseas flight to Ethiopia.

Please keep the entire team in your prayers (for health and safety) as we travel to Ethiopia to work with our kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints!! We return to the USA on Nov 21!

Suitcases of all 26 people are filled to the limit (and beyond) with care-packages, blankets and donations for the kids! I will try to update my blog while we are in Ethiopia but access to blogs is very limited and not very reliable in Ethiopia. We seem to have better luck with facebook - so we will definitely post updates on facebook as often as possible (when we can get an internet connection). Thank you to all the sponsor families and everyone else who made a donation or is covering the team in prayer while we are gone!!

In just a few days ...

2011-11-08T07:03:00.006-06:00

In just a few days, our team of 26 volunteers will be leaving for Ethiopia! Months and months of planning ... and we will finally be underway. Last year was a huge endeavor with just over 150 kids sponsored at our 2 Children's HopeChest CarePoints ... and this year will be even bigger. Because of our very dedicated sponsor team, our CarePoints have grown and we are now serving just over 260 kids!!!

The kids at "Kind Hearts" CarePoint in Ethiopia

We will be spending 3 full days at each CarePoint where we have a full curriculum planned. The kids will hear 10 different gospel lessons with an activity or a craft project to reinforce what they learned. The wonderful thing about the craft project is that these kids rarely (if ever) bring a project like this home from school - so when these projects come home from school, it will be a novelty and the entire family will want to see it and hear the story behind it!

We will also be delivering a care-package to each child from their sponsor family! This was the highlight of the trip last year for the kids ... as well as the travel team members that got to read the letters and look at the photos with each child.

For the last few months ... the mail-lady has been dropping off over 260 care-packages at my front door. And when she saw me in the driveway one day, she asked what was going on and I told her where all those packages were going! She told me it made her job feel so worthwhile knowing those packages were going to specific kids in Ethiopia.

One of our travel team members, Apryl Harbaugh, asked me about starting a blanket drive so that the kids could each have a warm blanket for those cold nights. Our hope was that we could collect 300 blankets and be able to give one to each child. But our hopes were surpassed as Apryl collected nearly 500 hand-made fleece blankets.

People all over the country have been busy making blankets and mailing them to the 26 travel team members! If that sounds like A LOT of blankets ... IT IS!! And somehow we are getting them all to Ethiopia so that kids who normally sleep on a packed mud floor with a few rags and bits of clothes to keep them warm at night, will now have a cozy, soft, fleece hand-tied blanket to snuggle up under.

In addition to spending time at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints, we will also be delivering over 100 care-packages and blankets to the kids at Kechene (from their sponsor families) - and we will be delivering blankets and essentials to the kids at Onesimus.

We would appreciate your prayers during the trip, Nov 10 - 21, as we minister to these kids we have come to know and love, while we are far away from our own families.

Read this instead ...

2011-11-03T21:56:00.000-05:00

I was planning to blog tonight about our upcoming trip to Ethiopia but please read this instead ...

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/02/how-to-be-the-village

Jen is a fellow Ethiopia adoptive parent and an author - and she offers a very real glimpse inside the experiences of an adoptive family in the early days after adoption. Our family is approaching our 3 year anniversary of when we first brought our sons home from Ethiopia. They were 7 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old then - both of them with very deep abandonment and trauma wounds and we were wide-eyed and naive, trying to be as prepared as possible for what lay ahead. We knew it was going to be rough - we just didn't realize how rough and how isolating it would be.

We arrived home weeks before Christmas and very quickly realized that the holidays and the exposure to extended family who were excited and happy to see them, was very confusing to our sons who had not yet figured out that we were their exclusive family forever - not just another set of care-givers. We went into quarantine - so that we could establish normal routines again and teach our sons about trust and family and work through several difficult behavioral issues with our youngest son. It was tramatic for all of us - including our daughters who did not get our rapt attention again for nearly 12 months.

Would we do it all over again? In a heartbeat!

If you know an adoptive family ... please read this so you know how to offer support and encouragement (they will need it). If you are an adoptive family ... read this and smile as you can relate to all of it! If you are thinking about adoption, read this and pass it along to your friends and family so they know how to love and support you - and then get ready for the most amazing, difficult, wonderful, tramatic and blessed experience of your life!

No such thing as a simple request ...

2011-10-31T07:10:00.000-05:00

.
It was a simple request really ... or so I thought.

But I should know better by now.

A few months ago, I designed a t-shirt to use as a fund-raiser for mission trips and special projects at our CarePoints in Ethiopia (where we provide nutritious food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship for nearly 300 orphaned and destitute children). I held a pre-sale on my blog to take orders, and then anxiously awaited the arrival of the shirts - hoping the design would turn out the way I hoped it would.

And it did! The shirts arrived and have already been mailed out to everyone.

I wanted one quick photo of me with my two daughters, wearing the shirts. (The simple request.)

I am leading a volunteer team of 26 people to Ethiopia to work with the kids at our CarePoints. We leave in 10 days and my 14 and 13 year old daughters are going with me.

Emme was part of the team last year and did a great job working with the kids and building relationships. The last time Maea was in Ethiopia was 3 years ago when we adopted their 2 little brothers, and she is looking forward to being part of the team this year.

So ... back to my simple request. ONE.QUICK.PICTURE.

My husband already knows the drill. Click the shutter repeatedly and hope that at least 1 will turn out. It took 65 pictures to get 3 shots where they are both looking at the camera and not goofing off.

Yep. That's frustration written on my face.

"Emme, knock it off and sit still."
It seems that Maea is clever enough to sit perfectly still with a sweet smile
on her face and only move her eyes instead of making obvious hand gestures.

"Maea, I can see you screwing up your face. Knock it off!"

Yay! We got another one!

Sometimes I can't help but laugh. It's either that or push them both off the bench.

I could see this one coming from a mile away in my peripheral vision.

Yay! Three decent shots and it only took 65!

Thank you to everyone who ordered a t-shirt. I will let you know what project they funded at our CarePoints in Ethiopia!!

Final Preparations for Ethiopia!

2011-10-29T08:23:00.002-05:00

Our team of 26 volunteers will be leaving for Ethiopia in less than 2 weeks!! And the entire team has been very busy planning lessons for the kids and preparing for the trip.

At my house, laundry baskets have been filling as the mailman stopped by every day with loads and loads of care-packages that each sponsor family has mailed for their sponsor child! Over 250 care-packages have arrived at my door in the past 4 weeks and each one has been checked off my list so we can be sure that EVERY child receives a package.

The interesting thing with these packages (I noticed this last year) is that each child LOVES the gifts that are carefully picked out for them by their sponsor family - and for many children, the shirt they receive is a very necessary replacement to the tattered and torn shirt they are wearing - but the things that the kids treasured the most were the letter and the photos. I watched as each child admired their gifts and quickly took off their old shirt to put on their new shirt - but the things they kept looking at and sharing with their friends - were the photos. To them, the photos of their sponsor family were they very things they treasured the most!

In addition to the care-packages, our team is also bringing a care-package for every child at Kechen care-point. My college classmate, Greta Byers, who was part of our volunteer team last year, is a sponsor coordinator for Kechene. Since she is not able to go with us this year - we are going as her representative and delivering an additional 130 care-package for her kids too!!

And if that wasn't enough to bite off ... Apryl Harbaugh who is part of our volunteer team this year and last year, started a blanket drive and has collected over 400 hand-made, fleece tied blankets that we will be gifting to each and every child!! Although the temperatures in Ethiopia are warm during the day, the nights can be cold and a warm blanket will be immensely appreciated!

Today, we received a newsletter update from the CarePoints and the Trees of Glory newsletter featured one specific child as an example of the life-changing impact sponsorship can make for a child. We spent time with Birtukan last year, and I could hardly believe my eyes at the transformation I could see in this child after only a few months at Trees of Glory CarePoint. Here is the excerpt from the newsletter along with photos I took of her last year.

This is Birtukan when she first enrolled at the CarePoint about 1 1/2 years ago.

This is Birtukan last year after being at the CarePoint for about 7 months.
She is looking at photos of her sponsor family.

Birtukan is six years old, approximately one year ago she joined the Children's HopeChest program at Trees of Glory. She does not know her father, and her mother suffers mentally. She was psychologically depressed and physically weak, and was unable to even wash her face or hands when she first arrived. After one week of her coming to the CarePoint she reached out to both Girma and Simret (leaders at TOG) and asked them to be her guardians. Immediately they embraced her and promised to care for her. Girma introduced his daughter to Birtukan, and the two girls have become close like sisters. Birtukan now shows a very healthy composure, she has undergone a psychological, physical, and emotional transformation. Whenever given the opportunity to pray, she prays for an extended period of time for everyone in her life. Because of your support, Birtukan has become one of the most outstanding students at Trees of Glory.

22 new children have just enrolled at Trees of Glory and will be needing a sponsor family. If you are interested in sponsoring a child ($34 per month provides food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship,) please email me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. I will be spending time with the kids in 2 weeks and will be able to match you with a child once I return from Ethiopia. Email me and I will contact you as soon as I have a profile for each child.

Ethiopia - These kids need a sponsor family!!

2011-10-21T07:32:00.004-05:00

We knew that more children had enrolled at Kind Hearts CarePoint in Ethiopia, but we were not sure we would get profiles for the rest of the children before our team leaves for Ethiopia in a few weeks! But the staff in Ethiopia worked hard to interview the last of the new children, and the team at Children's Hopechest expedited the information so we can try to get these kids matched with a sponsor family.

One of the highlights of our work in Ethiopia (when our team of 26 volunteers spends 10 days working with the kids at our 2 CarePoints) is when we get to spend one-on-one time with each child - looking through their care-package and all the special gifts that were picked just for that child by their sponsor family. This care-package is not a frivolous gift - for that child, it is a much needed change of clothes and very valuable school supplies for their education. The letter and photos from their sponsor family make them feel very loved and very special. Here are just a few photos from last year when we delivered a package from their sponsor family ...

We have just a few weeks left before we leave for Ethiopia, and the last of the profiles for the new children arrived today!!! We have just enough time to match each child with a sponsor family and there is still time to send a care-package for us to deliver to your child.

Please email me if you are interested in sponsoring one of these precious kids!! Sponsorship is $34 per month and provides nutritious food, clean water, medical care, clothing, education and Christian discipleship for one child. You can write letters to your child during the year, and I lead a team of volunteers to Ethiopia each November to work with the kids. Please email me if you are interested in sponsorship at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. And if you already sponsor a child at Kind Hearts CarePoint, please help spread the word. :)

Besufekad is 5 years old.
UPDATE: Besufekad has a sponsor family!

Tesfaye is 5 years old.
UPDATE: Tesfaye has a sponsor family!

Yitbarek is 6 years old.
UPDATE: Yitbarek has a sponsor family!

Ashenafi is 5 years old.
UPDATE: Ashenafi has a sponsor family!

Meseret is 5 years old.
UPDATE: Meseret has a sponsor family!

Mirtnesh is 5 years old.
UPDATE: Mirtnesh has a sponsor family!

Ethiopia: Six Children Still Need a Sponsor!!

2011-10-18T19:32:00.003-05:00

Our team of 26 volunteers is leaving for Ethiopia in less than 4 weeks and preparations are in full swing. We will be spending three days at Kind Hearts CarePoint and three days at Trees of Glory CarePoint, working with the kids, teaching them and demonstrating the love of family!

Nearly 30 new kids have just enrolled at Kind Hearts CarePoint and will now be receiving nutritious food, clean water, medical care, clothing, education and Christian discipleship!!

We knew the kids would be enrolling soon and many people had contacted me about sponsorship beforehand. Almost all of the kids have been matched with a sponsor family - but I have six kids that still need a sponsor!! During our trip, we will be deliving a care-package to each child from their sponsor family.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child - please email me right away. $34 per month provides food, water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship for one child. There is still time to match you with a child and for you to send me a care-package that I can deliver to your child. I will take photos as each child receives their package.

Please email me if you have been thinking or praying about sponsoring a child. I have seen first-hand the life-changing impact sponsorship and hope has for these kids!!! Please email me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. We would love to have every child sponsored before we leave for Ethiopia!!

UPDATE: As of Wednesday afternoon, ALL of the kids have been matched with a sponsor family!

Temesgen is 4 years old.
UPDATE: TEMESGEN HAS A SPONSOR FAMILY!

Emane is 5 years old.
UPDATE: EMANE HAS A SPONSOR FAMILY!

We are verifying Meiraf's birth date.
UPDATE: MEIRAF HAS A SPONSOR FAMILY!

Hiwot is 3 years old.
UPDATE: HIWOT HAS A SPONSOR FAMILY!

Tamirat is 8 years old.
UPDATE: TAMIRAT HAS A SPONSOR FAMILY!

Kuma is 4 years old.

UPDATE: KUMA HAS A SPONSOR FAMILY!

WHAT'S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND?

2011-10-15T10:36:00.000-05:00

If you ask my mom, she'll tell you she instilled a love for reading in me when I was very, very young ... and she's right. She did. And I hope that I am instilling that same love for reading in my children.

During daylight hours, there really is no time for reading, what with a full time job, four kids and a full volunteer schedule (and a full heart for 300 kids in Ethiopia!) as well.

But once the kids are in bed, and the lights are turned off, my bedside lamp gets switched on, and I settle into the pillows within a soft circle of light ... and read. Sometimes for 20 mintues ... and sometimes for a few hours.

If a particular book is especially good, or if they have several profound nuggets of truth or revelation that need further thought or examination, they'll remain on my nightstand until I can circle back again. I underline as I go, so finding the nuggets again is made easier.

Ann Voskamp's "1000 Gifts" is one that I have circled back to on a few occasions. It's a beautifully and poetically written book that provides some deep and sometimes hard to fathom insight on living daily with gratitude on the forefront of your heart and mind - and what a life-changer that can be!

So, since we're talking books. I stacked a few of my favorites from the past few months in case you are looking for some profound reads to add to your nightstand.

Tim Keller's book, King's Cross, is an outstanding commentary on the Gospel of Mark - tons of insight in this one! And the tiny little book on top, Yohannan's "Revolution in World Missions" I think should be read by everyone involved in mission work at any level. It has truly shaped my approach to working with the 300 kids at our 2 care-points in Ethiopia.

When our team of 26 people travels to Ethiopia in November, we will be visiting and spending time with the kids AND we will be teaching and mentoring to them from the Gospel with 10 different, carefully prepared lessons. Each lesson is reinforced with a small project that they can then share at home with their care-givers. We will be demonstrating the love of their Heavenly Father to each child, and we will be teaching it too!

I start to get a bit restless and uneasy when the stack of books on my nightstand starts to dwindle. It's time to replenish.

So - what's on your nightstand or on your top 10 "must read" list. I'd love to know!

What's that in my cup holder??

2011-10-13T07:02:00.000-05:00

It's a salamander, of course.

Doesn't everyone end up with a salamander in their cup holder from time to time? :)

Sometimes I see small creatures crossing the road on my drive home from work, so I bring them home. You've done that too, right?

OK - so I don't pick up racoons or possums or things like that. But the occasional turtle or salamander? You bet!

When I picked up Wesley from pre-school and we were walking to the car holding hands, I bent down to his eye level with a very serious look on my face and said "I have a very important job for you to do." And he immediately knew I had something for him to hold on the drive home. And then he gets to be the one who bursts in the front door holding the turtle or salamander.

He can barely contain himself as I unbuckle him from the car seat, and then he throws open the door and yells "Kids, guess what I have!!!???!!!" (I think he got that saying from me :)

Usually at this point, Emme and Maea will come running and Jayden will make himself scarce.

Jayden watched from a safe distance while the other three argued about who got to hold it and whether or not we get to keep it (which we don't).

Whenever I bring home something a little bit on the slimy side, Jayden, who prides himself on being brave and strong, positions himself in the farthest room exactly opposite of where the slimy thing is.

As we finished taking pictures, I called for him one more time asking if he wanted to hold the salamander or have his picture taken with it. He emphatically replied "No way - I am not touching that!" I tried to get a picture of him running way, but he was too fast. :)

Mom! Don't put those pictures on your blog!

2011-10-10T20:20:00.000-05:00

Every day this week was a crazier day than the one before. First it was twin day, then pajama day, then decade day, then class color day and it all culiminated with school spirit day leading up to the Homecoming football game and dance.

A few months back, my oldest daughter and I made a quick shopping excursion to Macy's to find a Homecoming dress. The very first one she picked, is the one we bought after trying on 20-30 just to make sure. I guess we both should have trusted her first instinct and saved a bunch of time. :)

With a pile of dresses draped over my arm, I flagged down a stressed and tired looking employee and asked how many dresses we were allowed to take into the dressing room. She looked at me and looked at the pile of dresses, and said "I'll make you a deal. If you hang up every dress you try on and put it back on the rack. You can take in as many as you want." "Deal!" I said as we swept into a dressing room with the entire pile. We emerged about 20 minutes later, after narrowing 20-30 dresses down to 3 favorites and finally selecting the favorite.

The evening of the dance - she asked me to help her with her hair and make-up. I'm a bit biased, of course, but I think she looked beautiful! :) Below - a few hours before the dance, playing soccer.

Here's the entertaining part .... For me to get a few good shots like the ones above. I have to patiently wait through goofy shots like this (below).

Click.

Click.

"Mo-ooooom! You didn't take that picture did you???!!!"
"No Emme, of course I didn't take that picture"
"Yes - you did, I heard it click".
"No - you must have imgained that."

Click.

She finds herself extremely amusing. :)

Click.

"Mo-oooom! Are you going to put those on your blog?!?!?"

"No - Emme. Would I do that???"

:)

Click.

Click.

Maea was genuinely excited for Emme and hovered close by providing advice and recommendations as I did Emme's hair and make-up.

Emme and 8 of her closest girlfriends gathered at a friend's house for pictures before the dance.

Ticket to her first high school homecoming dance.
$5.

Homecoming dress.
$70.

Watching this group of little girls become beautiful, confident young women.
Priceless.

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO ORDER T-SHIRTS!!

2011-10-07T07:14:00.003-05:00

If Ethiopia has a special place in your heart ... then wear it on your chest! And if someone you know loves Ethiopia, these shirts will make a great Christmas gift!

I designed t-shirts that I am selling only until October 10 (in time to print them and ship them before I leave for Ethiopia in November). The scrollwork pattern forms a heart ♥ over the country of Ethiopia.

These t-shirts are available for only a limited time and funds raised will support specific CarePoint projects and mission teams to work with the kids. Please click on the blog button below (Shoppe with a Mission) to place your secure order today through PayPal!

UPDATE: October 10 ... The Mission Shopped is now closed. T-shirts have been ordered and will ship as soon as they are printed. THANK YOU for your orders!!

THE HARDER THEY FALL ...

2011-10-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

We spent a lot of time on the lake this summer with the kids. After trying skiing, slalom skiing, wake-boarding and knee-boarding, both Emme and Jayden decided that wake-skating is their favorite!

This is a wake-skate - a wooden "board" with a slight curve to it and a smooth bottom. A small "fin" is screwed to the bottom at the front and back edge.

The top surface of the wake-skate is a spongy, rubber material so that your feet have a gripping surface. That's all there is to it. Very simple and easy to use once you get the hang of it. Jay really liked it too because when you fall, your feet are not secured into boots that can twist and injure a knee.

She makes it look so effortless and graceful, doesn't she?

I love this picture that shows how clean and sharp she can cut through the water!

How low can she go???

About THAT low! :)

By the end of the summer, I had folder upon folder upon folder full of photographs of all the kids skating or skiing or tubing. And after awhile, they all started to look the same. So as the summer wound to an end, I started to try to snap a photo in the split second as they wiped out. This became entertaining as we looked at the photos later and voted on who had the best wipe outs!

Jayden also became very adept at wake-skating and is all smiles when it is his turn.

And his wipe-outs are just as impressive!

Wesley prefers to go tubing and knee-boarding and enjoys watching his brother and sister wipe-out. :)

HOW THE MICE PLAY WHEN THE CATS ARE AWAY ...

2011-10-03T07:04:00.002-05:00

We had one of those rare, beautiful weekends - you know the kind where the air is crisp, the sun is warm on your skin and the leaves are just starting to turn intense shades of yellow and orange. My sister called and asked if they could visit for the weekend so we could make our annual visit to one of the local apple orchards.

We carved out a little slice of time, and they arrived Saturday evening so we could spend Sunday together. Saturday evening was crisp and cool and as the sky darkened, we started a bonfire by the lake and roasted marshmallows for 'smores. The kids slowly drifted back to the house, as the adults continued in conversation by the fire. We could hear lots of laughter coming from the open windows of the house, and occasionally we would stop conversation just to listen for the laughter and voices that signalled all was well.

Soon, we could hear music playing, then it would stop and we could hear voices and laughter. This continued for the next hour or so. Finally calling it a night, we put out the fire and climbed the hill to the house. We were shocked to see the windows all lit up and a melee of bodies dancing and spinning around in what looked to be some choreography.

Never underestimate the fun that can be had with a laptop and a webcam and a few computer savvy kids. Here's a little glimpse of what we saw ... (one of many videos)

Our youngest, Wesley, was in some of the videos as well, but I think he was feeling a bit dizzy from all the spinning and retired to the other room and the safety of his matchbox cars. We've been laughing about these videos most of the day, mainly because 2 of our kids (my oldest daughter, and my sister's son) are generally shy and reserved and dancing is just not their "thing". Until last night.

ALL 25 VOLUNTEER SPOTS ARE FILLED!!

2011-10-01T15:10:00.000-05:00

All 25 spots on our November travel team to Ethiopia are filled and everyone is busy planning activities and lesson plans for the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints in Ethiopia! For some, this is a return trip after their visit last year - to see and spend time with the kids they have not stopped thinking about or praying about for the past year. For others, this is their first trip to Ethiopia (and their first trip out of the country) and it is a huge step of faith - to overcome a personal fear in order to invest time and love in these kids - so they can see and experience the love of their heavenly Father through our eyes and arms.

I lead a team of volunteers to Ethiopia annually in November - if you are interested in joining next year's team, email me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com or be sure to follow this blog for a first-hand glimpse of our time in Ethiopia. The kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory know we are coming, and they are looking forward to our visit with great anticipation!

One of the highlights of our trip, is when we personally get to deliver a care-package to each child from their sponsor family. I cannot fully describe the emotions that play across each child's face when they receive a tangible gift from the family they have received letters from, who they know is praying for them, and who is providing for them so they are able to attend the care-point! It's one of the most joyful, emotional and humbling experiences - second only to watching a sponsor family actually meet their sponsor child face to face!

Meet the members of our 2011 Ethiopia volunteer team:

Karen Wistrom, sponsor coordinator and travel team leader (from MN) ~ "I started volunteering as a sponsor coordinator for Children's HopeChest in 2009 after we adopted our two sons from Ethiopia and we wanted to be able to help more children. Our HopeChest CarePoints allow orphaned and destitute children to stay with members of their family (many of the kids live with an older sibling, an aunt or a grandparent that can barely provide for them). Over the past few years, I have gotten to know these children personally and have been able to see them thrive and flourish as they get nutritious food, clean water and medical care. The opportunity to go to school is life-changing, as is the Gospel message they learn and live at the CarePoint. I have seen their lives transformed and I look forward to seeing them again all year long!"

Sarah from MN ~ "The reason I am returning to Ethiopia this year is simply because the children touched my heart in such a deep way there is nothing to do but to go back again. I wish to be used again by God through this trip to show His love to not just the children there but to every single person that we come into contact with. I have such a strong love in my heart for the people I have met and the places I had experienced, in a way this trip kindof feels like going to my second home."

Apryl from OH ~ "When I went to Ethiopia last year, I didn't expect it to be more than just a one time trip. Jirigna's last words as we hugged before I left Kind Hearts were, "Will you come back?" I smiled and said that I hoped so, but in my heart I knew I would have to come back. I just didn't expect to return this soon. As planning began, I wanted to help with donations, but didn't think money and schedules would allow me to join the travel team. With every letter and photo we received of our sponsor children, I felt compelled to return. In Jirigna's letters he has asked when I would come, and I was so excited to finally be able to tell him that I would be visiting in November. I don't have a wonderful gift to bestow, aside from my time. I am going back because I think one of the best ways I can show these children Jesus' love is by sitting on the ground spending time with them. My short answer--why would I NOT go back?"

Monica from Italy ~ "I traveled to Ethiopia in November 2010 because that was the country God placed on my heart. Through that trip I made lifelong friends and, more importantly, I had the opportunity to see the world through God's eyes. On the drive to Trees of Glory I made a commitment to God and to myself that I would return to Ethiopia to continue to show and receive Christ's love. Well, here I am, one year later preparing to go back to Ethiopia. I find as I sit here making my travel preparations the Lord is preparing my heart for what I will encounter. I'm anxious to see all of the children (and staff) again! I've been praying and thinking about them for the past year and I'm looking forward to being in Ethiopia again."

Becky from OH ~ "Originally, my ties to Ethiopia were because I have 2 grandchildren from there. I'm traveling to Ethiopia for the second time because after going last year, the children there have a special place in my heart. I am so excited to get to see them again and take part in their spiritual growth. I feel a real partnership with the teachers and directors there. I want them to know that there are people in other places who really care about what they are doing and struggling with."

Emme from MN ~ "My two little brothers are adopted from Ethiopia and I love going back and building relationships with the kids at the CarePoints. They are happy to know how much we love them and care for them and that they are able to go to school and learn about God."

Maea from MN ~ "I am really excited to go back to Ethiopia. This will be my first trip back since we brought my two brothers home from Ethiopia 3 years ago. I have heard my mom and my sister talking about it for the last year and I am looking forward to spending time with the kids at the CarePoints!"

Alyssa from OH ~ "I have been a christian since 2009 at age 12 when I gave my life to Jesus. Since then I've known what I want to do with my life: be a missionary. I'm currently a sophmore in highschool with plans to attended a christian college and recieve a degree in missions and ministries. I had been praying for the oppurtunity to take a mission trip and God blessed me with this chance. I am soooo excited to go. I have a heart for kids and I can't wait to just go be with and spend time with these precious children!"

Julie from OH ~ "Africa has always held a special place in my heart and now specifically Ethiopia, as my husband and I are in the process of adopting a child from there. I am excited to be able to go on this trip to show love to these children and give them hope that can only be found in Jesus."

Juree from CO ~ "This will be my first time in Africa, let alone in Ethiopia. I have been wanting to visit Ethiopia ever since I began sponsoring a child four years ago from Ethiopia. However, now that I work for Children’s HopeChest, the time has now come. I am traveling to Ethiopia for many reasons, however the three most important reasons for my travel are: to meet the field staff that I work with on a daily basis, to see the transformation/effect that HopeChest has on the partnering locations and communities that our ministry is tied to, and to meet the children who are at the center of our work –the reason for doing what we do. "

Stacy from MN ~ "The Lord has pressed it upon my heart for a long number of years to travel to Africa and I am finally being obedient to that! I know He has great things to teach me and those around me upon my return and my prayer is to bring a flame back with me to set on fire the hearts of the people around me for those living in poverty."

Terri from KS ~ "I am going to Ethiopia to A) see the progress on the well we all worked so hard to fund, B) meet my sponsored children, and C) show them (and all the other children) that we love them! I think it is important to be the physical hands and feet of Jesus, and to try and leave this world a better place, so that is what I am trying to do by going on this trip."

Wendy from MN ~ "My husband and I are on a journey to adopt. There have been closed doors and many delays but we know God is in control. My heart is burdened for the fatherless and I am excited to be His hands and feet on this trip. I know that these kinds of trips have amazing impact on our hearts and I can't wait to love these children and people in person."

Linda from FL ~ "The idea to go on a mission trip was sparked after reading the book "Red Letters" by Tom Davis. One of the suggestions in the book for an individual to begin changing the world was to give five days a year to travel overseas to help alleviate poverty and suffering. This suggestion really stuck with me and after prayful consideration, this trip to Ethiopia was the perfect fit for me."

Ryan and Lyndsey from WY ~ "Ryan and I feel it is an amazing honor to serve God in this capacity. We hope that our trip inspires others who feel there is nothing they can do for these little ones, and to humble ourselves to never take our own circumstances for granted. We hope that we can shine the light of God on these children, even if it is only for a brief moment, but we know that it is our hearts that will truly be forever changed by them."

Micah, Elli, Mike, Kael & Jannika from ND ~ (also shown with sister Leah, far right)

Micah: " I would like to go back to Ethiopia (adopted in 2010) to play with the kids who are there. "

"Elli: "I love to love on kids and when I go to Ethiopia, I feel like I'm really doing that. After I get back from being in ET, I feel mission minded."

Mike:"We have 5 kids adopted from Ethiopia. As a family, we want to be continually serving children and the children of Ethiopia are heavy on our hearts. We are excited for Micah to return to Ethiopia and serve and share the love of Jesus with the kids there."
Kael: "This is a good opportunity to live what we believe."

Janika: " I would like to go to Ethiopia to help out, by building things and playing with kids."

Susan and Rebekah from VA ~ "My husband and I went to Ethiopia in March of 2010 to adopt our two youngest children. We not only fell in love with the people of Ethiopia, but we became very passionate about helping families there. We wanted to find a way to help families stay together, since we knew that our children's biological family had given them up due to their father's death and their mother's extreme poverty. We are passionate about adoption, but believe that the best option is for birthfamilies to stay intact. Children's Hope Chest is doing this, as well as helping orphans. When we went to Ethiopia the first time, we were able to tour some of the work CHC was doing in Addis at the time. When we got home, we started sponsoring a girl at Trees of Glory, and now I'm thrilled to be returning with my daughter, Rebekah (who's turning 13 next week!).

Brook from IL ~ "I'm going to Ethiopia because I believe God has moved me to do so. For a few years, I know God has been working on my heart pushing me towards something. I'm not sure I can even articulate fully why I'm going, but I know I'm supposed to. And I must be obedient. I know I need to see the faces of the oppressed up close and personal, and I know God has a plan far bigger than I can comprehend. "

Shanyce from AR ~ "I am going to Ethiopia because I strongly feel that God is calling me to be His servant by providing for these children at the orpanages. I have always had a heart for kids and I firmly believe that before you can minister to someone, you have to meet his or her physical needs in order for them to listen to the great message of Christ! So this trip is a way for me to put that into action, to provide for these kids and to show them that someone loves them, is praying for them, and is caring for their needs."

If Ethiopia has a special place in your heart ...

2011-09-28T07:04:00.001-05:00

If Ethiopia has a special place in your heart ... then wear it on your chest! And if someone you know loves Ethiopia, these shirts will make a great Christmas gift!

These t-shirts are available for only a limited time and funds raised will support specific CarePoint projects and mission teams to work with the kids. Please click on the blog button below (Shoppe with a Mission) to place your secure order today through PayPal!

Update: October 10 ... The Mission Shoppe is now closed. THANK YOU for your t-shirt orders. I will ship all t-shirts as soon as they are printed.

Precious Packages at My Door!

2011-09-26T07:09:00.003-05:00

In 1 1/2 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 care-points. One of the most memorable parts of our trip last year, was delivering care-packages to each child from their sponsor family.

With our trip only 1 1/2 months away, care-packages for each child are starting to arrive at my door. These packages are so precious because each family carefully picked out each item, hoping that their sponsor child will sense and know the love, care and concern that went into each gift.

Each sponsor family has thoughtfully and carefully selected every item for their sponsor child.

Below are a few photos from last year, as each child received their care-package.

Below - this is Cheru who is sponsored by the Cassidy family. His profile photo shows a very serious and stoic young man and when we first met him, he was shy and reserved, barely cracking a smile.

That is until he saw the family photos of his sponsor family - his face broke into the sweetest grin and his eyes filled with tears. His excitement and genuine appreciation were so evident and it was truly a sweet moment!

Each child and each sponsor family write letters back and forth throughout the year, but this care-package is a tangible gift that we get to deliver each November!

****************************

We have 50 new children enrolling at Kind Hearts by the end of this month that will need a sponsor family. If you are interested in sponsoring a child ($34 per month provides food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship for one child), please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. I will be matching children with a sponsor family at the beginning of October and our team will be spending time with those kids in November!

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If you LOVE Ethiopia - wear it on your chest! I designed t-shirts that I am selling only until October 10 (in time to print them and ship them before I leave for Ethiopia in November). The scrollwork pattern forms a heart ♥ over the country of Ethiopia.

My Favorite T-Shirt to Wear!!

2011-09-21T18:36:00.002-05:00

UPDATE: The T-shirts are selling really well (THANK YOU!) and if you are curious about which ones are proving to be favorites ... here are the top 3 sellers so far!

#1 Black Shirt with Sky Blue Artwork

#2 Black Shirt with Bright Purple Artwork

#3 Heathered Espresso Shirt with Sky Blue Artwork

I have a few favorite t-shirts that I wear every weekend, for a few reasons - first, they have a compelling image of Africa or Ethiopia and they are a great conversations starter. I am often asked about my t-shirt by perfect strangers and we easily end up in a conversation about adoption or the children I work with at Kind Hearts or Trees of Glory CarePoints. Second - they are quite simply the most comfortable and soft T-shirts that I own!!

For a long time, I have had an idea in my head about what I would design if I would ever decide to create my own custom t-shirt design ... and I finally put that idea on paper and had it developed! I hope you love it as much as I do!

T-Shirt Front Design

T-Shirt Back Design (right shoulder)

Close-Up of Artwork on Front of T-Shirt

The scrollwork pattern forms a heart over the country of Ethiopia!

Close-Up of Back Right Shoulder Artwork

For 3 weeks only, T-Shirt orders are being accepted. On October 10, the pre-sale will close and I will place the order for the t-shirts (that way I don't carry any inventory, and every dime can go to support our upcoming volunteer mission team to Ethiopia and the special projects we will be doing in Ethiopia). Shirts will be shipped at the end of October and our team leaves for Ethiopia on November 11!!

This pre-sale will run for 3 weeks only (until October 10) - please order now and help fund mission teams and projects for the kids that attend our CarePoints in Ethiopia.

Please click on the SHOPPE WITH A MISSION button below (or on my sidebar) to see the t-shirt designs and color options and to place your secure order through paypal. If you have any questions, please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com

October 10 Update: The Mission Shoppe is now closed and t-shirts have been ordered. They will ship as soon as they are printed. THANK YOU for supporting projects for kids at our Ethiopia CarePoints with the purchase of a shirt!

Blankets for Ethiopia - Wrap them in warmth and love!

2011-09-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Our team of 25 volunteers is busy planning lessons for the kids at the CarePoints and collecting donations. Apryl Harbaugh (and her mom, Becky Dunkle) travelled with me last year to work with the kids and to meet her sponsor child! This year, Apryl and Becky are volunteering again and in addition to the children they sponsored last year, their families also sponsor a sibling group of three at Trees of Glory! Apryl and Becky are being joined on the team this year by their niece, Shanyce, and a teen from Becky's youth group, Alyssa.

Apryl saw the needs of these children last year - not only the physical needs of food, clean water, clothing and medical care, but also the developmental needs of love, Christian discipleship and education. Knowing that the night temperatures in this area can drop to 40 degrees, Apryl is leading a blanket project and we hope to deliver over 300 blankets - one for each and every child at our CarePoints. So we can wrap them in warmth as we wrap them in love during our visit.

Apryl made this incredible video with photos from our trip last year - and my eyes filled with tears seeing the kids and knowing that we will be with them again in less than 2 months!!

If you are interested in helping with our blanket project (you can make blankets or provide funds for blankets), contact Apryl Harbaugh at momof2es@yahoo.com or me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com for details. Click here for Apryl's blog http://notquitedoneadopting.blogspot.com/

KIND HEARTS KITCHEN

2011-09-14T17:18:00.000-05:00

The noon meal is a big deal at "Kind Hearts" care-point in Ethiopia.

Not only because it may be the first meal some of the kids have had that day ...

And not only because it is so filling and nutritious ...

but also because the cook USED TO prepare these meals for 102 children over an outdoor fire with no running water!

But that has all changed!

Not only does Kind Hearts care-point in Ethiopia now have a fresh water well on the property ... but we started construction on a new kitchen in March!!! The kitchen has had 4 walls and a roof since then - but then the focus switched to completing the well. Now the focus is back on the kitchen and we just got an update as further progress has been made.

When my team of volunteers was in Ethiopia last November, we purchased four goats along with fresh injera (the pancake-like rolls of spongy flatbread that are a staple in the Ethiopian diet), carrots, onions, spices, bananas and oranges. The goats were slaughtered while we watched and the stew was started first thing in the morning, with the cook monitoring the savory spices and the boiling broth to make sure it was full of flavor. The kids' mouths were watering, and so was mine!

Normally, our sponsor program through Children's HopeChest (http://www.hopechest.org/) provides meals for all of the kids, but on this day, we were preparing a feast and we invited the children's care-givers. So in addition to the 100+ children and 10-12 staff members, we fed 80-90 adult family members and care-givers so we could start building relationships with them too!

Above: This is the cook at Kind Hearts. Her husband passed away several years ago
and she was struggling to feed, educate and provide for her two sons, who are
now 8 and 11 years old. With her job at Kind Hearts, she is able to provide for
her boys, feed them nutritious meals and send them to school.
Both of her boys are now in 6th grade!

She proudly works hard to provide nutritious and delicious meals for all of the kids at Kind Hearts - making sure to choose a variety of foods that provide a balanced diet. Some days rice, other days injera, with fruits and vegetables and as often as possible ... meat! Sometimes the meat is stretched as far as possible to feed the kids by slicing it small and making a savory broth ... other days the kids get a ladle-full of bite-sized chunks poured over their injera - with seconds if they want!

This is my daughter, Emme, watching in "fascination" as the goats are slaughtered for the meal.

Injera with delicious goat stew called "Wot".

I love how the cook wrapped a bright, red scarf around her head
to "dress up" for the serving of the meal!

Below: Here is the new kitchen under construction right now at Kind Hearts thanks to our generous donors and sponsor families!! Construction started on March 29 and is progressing rapidly. I can only imagine how excited and proud the cook is as she watches her new kitchen being built.

What a luxury this must be for her ... a roof to keep the rain off, large windows and doors to capture breezes and the beautiful view, and shade from the intense sun.

A big THANK YOU to all of our sponsor families and donors who have committed to care and provide for the kids being served at Kind Hearts! It's so exciting to see the progress at the care-point since we first started working with Kind Hearts almost 2 years ago!!

HERE IS THE "KITCHEN" LAST NOVEMBER!

HERE IS THE KITCHEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN MARCH!

HERE IS THE KITCHEN NOW!

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, or supporting one of our capital projects at the care-point, please contact me via email at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. Right now, ALL of the kids are sponsored, but 50 more kids will be enrolling at the end of September and will need a sponsor family.

Sponsorship is $34 per month and provides for food, water, clothing, medical care and a Christian education for one child. Sponsors can write letters to their sponsor child, and we regularly have travel teams visiting and volunteering at the care-points. My next trip to Ethiopia will be in November 2011. There are several pending projects at the care-point, so one-time gifts are appreciated as well! Please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com with any questions.

Why did the turtle cross the road?

2011-09-12T07:08:00.000-05:00

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Minnesota is called the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" because there are truly 10,000 lakes, ponds, puddles, and swampy areas we affectionately call "wetlands".

I heard the screen door slam and Jay walked in saying "You guys have to see the cute little turtle I just saw crossing the road!" Of course the kids all ran to the front door and down the driveway ... to see the cute little turtle ... that looked like something prehistoric that had just climbed out of the primordial ooze.

Upon closer examination - it WAS something prehistoric that had just climbed out of the primordial ooze and it was about to crawl back into the ooze of the wetland across the street from the lake.

And just in case you might think I was playing tricks with the camera to make it look larger than it was ... here are the kids taking a closer look at the snapping turtle from the safety of it's backside.

Care-Packages for Ethiopia!!

2011-09-06T07:06:00.000-05:00

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 care-points. One of the most memorable parts of our trip last year, was delivering care-packages to each child from their sponsor family.

The children have gotten to know their sponsor families through letters, but to receive a special package along with a letter and photos, was 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.

There are 90 new children enrolling at the care-point this month (September). 40 new kids at Trees of Glory and 50 new kids at Kind Hearts. For families that are already on my waiting list, I want to let you know that we will get profiles for the new kids and be able to match you with a child at the end of September. I will contact you as soon as I have the profiles. :) If you are interested in sponsoring a child - please email me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com and I will add you to the list and then match you with a child at the end of the month. ($34 per month provides food, clean water, clothing, medical care, education and Christian discipleship for one child.)

Currently - we have 102 children at Kind Hearts and 100 children at Trees of Glory. Each of those children has a sponsor family here in the USA that provides for them, prays for them and writes letters to them throughout the year.

I 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. Because we will ultimately be delivering packages to nearly 300 children, I am not able to bring the large care-packages that we did last year.

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. Care-packages need to be sent to me by October 1. I will take pictures as each child receives their care-package from their sponsor family!

Include a few special items you pick for your sponsor child, along with a letter and photos.

Fold the shirt lengthwise.

Wrap the gifts in the shirt like a burrito.

Clearly label with your sponsor child's name, reference number,
care-point name and your name and secure with rubberbands.