Seeds were planted that will forever change her worldview

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I love hearing about the ways kids are getting inspired to make a difference for the children at our care-points.  Laura Herwehe sent me an email tonight with this note ...

"As you know, my daughter Emma was able to travel to Ethiopia with us in January and had the opportunity to visit Trees of Glory and meet our two sponsor girls, Webit and Belyu.  It was truly a life-changing experience for her, and we believe seeds were planted that will forever change her world view.

When she recently heard that Trees of Glory needed fresh water, she was immediately convicted that she needed to do something to help raise money. She came up with the idea of making friendship bracelets and selling them for $2 each, with all of the money going to Trees of Glory.  

She has been hard at work for the last few weeks making and selling bracelets and has a goal of raising $200! We hope to make her donation to Children's Hopechest next week!"

The Herwehe's travelled to Ethiopia in January and if their name sounds familiar, it's because we shared their story on my blog and how they discovered their sponsor child, Webit, was in pain and suffering from a life-threatening infection after being treated for a leg deformity by the village shaman. 

Laura, Emma, Charlie and Webit at Trees of Glory care-point in Ethiopia. 
Webit was carried to the care-point by her older sister so she could
meet her sponsor family.  The Herwehe's now sponsor her sister, Beylu as well!

The timing of their visit and the hospital approvals being received just as Webit's body was overwhelmed by the infection is miraculous - and she has been recovering and healing with the expert care and love of the staff at the care-point.

Webit after successful surgery, being cared for by care-point director, Simret.

Laura comments that Emma's world view was changed after visiting the care-point in Ethiopia, and I wholeheartedly agree.  Our children here in America are so blessed with abundance and convenience and it is challenging to teach and instill authentic empathy and compassion for those living in extreme poverty, in situations that our kids cannot imagine.  But after a visit like this, you cannot help but be changed.

I am thankful to see more and more parents recognizing how important it is for their teen-agers to experience caring for kids living in extreme poverty.  Kids have an uncanny way of relating to each other and when they spend time with the kids at our care-points, they relate immediately and it rocks them to the core.  As Laura stated, "seeds were planted that will forever change her worldview"!

Of the 23 people travelling with me to Ethiopia in November to work with the kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory care-points, 7 of them are teen-agers between the ages of 13-14!  How awesome is that!!