The Time is Upon Us

I can't wait to step off the plane in Ethiopia on to the tarmac, take a ride on the shuttle, get our visa's, go through customs then walk through the door to smell diesel fuel and spices.  Some of you may think, YUCK, but diesel fuel is the smell of our second home.  It brings back so many memories.  I can sit here and see the blue and white taxis, bumper to bumper traffic, trash on the ground, and beautiful chocolate skin walking the streets.  You still are probably thinking, YUCK.  Dealing with the trash on the streets, the smell of diesel fuel,   peeing in a hole, no air condition, no phone or Internet at our finger tips is all worth it to know that we are changing lives and giving them hope.  

We are very anxious for our second trip to Ethiopia.  It's hard to believe that this is our second trip to a third world country within a year's time.  Having previously been to Ethiopia, we are more prepared with what to take and what to expect.  We have to remind ourselves that we will be on "Ethiopian Time", which means no rushing or being in a hurry.  In Ethiopia you go with the flow, play it by ear, and things can change at the drop of a hat which is harder for me than Derek.  I love not being rushed or being in a hurry but I like to be organized and have a plan.  I can say that our team is prepared as we can be for what's ahead of us.


We will be doing a few different things this time than last time. We are still putting a VBS for the week for the kids which include arts and crafts, bible time, and recreation.  Our theme for VBS this time is Jesus is Peace.     We will have the most humbling activity on Friday (our last day of VBS) which will be washing the kids feet and doing foot care.  As it says in John 13:14-15. "If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you."  We will also be visiting/meeting with some of the ladies that work with Fashion ABLE.  This is a non-profit organization that works with women who have been exploited die to effects of poverty.  Fashion ABLE provides jobs for those women who them make beautiful scarves.   Read about their organization and watch video below about some of their stories.  We may have a chance to visit another care point that isn't far from Addis.  

We have spent the last couple of weeks organizing and packing all the donations to take to Ethiopia.  We received a donation of 20 soccer balls and 5 hand pumps to take with us from The Big Ball Project.  Thank You guys...the kids are going to love the soccer balls.  Thank you to the girl scout troop that made first aid kits for the care point. 

Also, A special thank you to the York's and everyone who helped put together the Golf Tournament and Yard Sale.  We are so thankful for everyone who donated funds and donation items.  I remember saying when we came back from Ethiopia last year that we will go again if the Lord provides...and the Lord provided!! We were called to be the hands and feet of our God to the fatherless of Ethiopia and he made sure that we were going to make it there.