Giving Thanks: Ethiopia

It's 5 am on a Saturday morning as I begin to write this post, sitting in a pool of lamplight in a dark and quiet house.  (Our team of volunteers worked hard and slept little and arrived home Tuesday evening completely spent and poured out for the kids.) 

Thanksgiving and Black Friday are behind us and the hub-bub of family and holiday activities are still at the moment ... and my mind goes back to Ethiopia. 

The last several nights, I wake up dreaming of Ethiopia, still thinking I am there with the kids and the team ...

There is much to update ...

Progress is palpable at both of the CarePoints. 

Challenges are before us as well. 

Most importantly, the 400 children being served at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory CarePoints are thriving!  Laughter, love and hope abounds and it is visible, tangible and real.

Reflecting on Thanksgiving ... Giving thanks ... I think of each one of these people who I had the honor of working alongside over the past two weeks.  I watched them pour themselves out before and during the trip for the kids and the CarePoint staff and our Children's HopeChest team.

Our dedicated Children's HopeChest team!

 Elias

 

 Maea

Chris

 

Karen

 Bailey

   Tammi

 Emme

Isabel

 Stephanie

Jessica

Nick

 Rich

Monty

Karisa

 Janine

 Dana

Trisha

 Guy

 Linda

Michael

 Amy

Wendy

 

 

 

   

 

 

  

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Leaving Soon For Ethiopia ...

Thursday of this week our team of volunteers jets off to Ethiopia to work with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory.  For some team members, this is their second trip to work with the kids they have come to know and love, for others, it will be their first time in Africa and they are feeling a little fear, a lot of excitement, and a little trepidation as they step into the unknown with open hearts and open minds!  Please keep the team in your prayers as we pour ourselves into these kids and the staff at the CarePoints ...

Sponsor families - THANK YOU for sending a package to your sponsor child!  Our team will give a hug to your child from you as we read your letter to them, show them your pictures and go through the special gift you have sent to them.  Your gift means so, so much to the kids and they feel so special to be remembered by you in this tangible way!! 

As your packages pour in, I arrive home from work each evening to a stack of boxes and packages at my front door - nearly 400 of them!!!  And I am so appreciative of the time and care you take to make your child feel special and loved!


Blogger does not always work well overseas - so please find me and follow me on Facebook or Instagram for updates!  Instagram is karenwistrom and Facebook is Karen Wistrom.

 

Great news before we go ...  ALL of the kids at Trees of Glory received new shoes recently from the youth program at Buffalo Covenant Church in Minnesota.  After months of walking on the harsh, sharp volcanic rock in the area around the CarePoint, the children's shoes were in tatters and soles were worn thru.  When Lindsey's team was there in June, she commented that the children needed new shoes. The youth at Buffalo Covenant Church had just completed a fundraiser and I was happy to be able to tell Lindsey - "New Shoes are on the way!!"

 

We will be spending time with these precious kids in just a few days!!