It has taken me days to write this as I finally felt like after months that I had something to say. But I still feel completely inadequate to take on this task. I compare myself to the others in my group that have been off and running since before we left and that makes me feel less than able. But the Lord keeps reminding me "It is not yours but my will be done...in My timing and under My circumstances." So, here you go. This is my offering...

Life is different. I am different.
While I was in Ethiopia I couldn't write about it. I am typically and have always been a very emotional person. But I wasn't while I was in Ethiopia. God protected me from not being able to see clearly through literal tears. I saw, smelled and experienced things that can't be done justice by pictures or words.
Do you remember holding your baby in your arms and dreaming of who God has made them to be? As they grow dreaming with them of becoming a doctor or a nurse or a pastor and seeing in them the gifts God has given them to be those things. For many parents in Ethiopia they will never be able to see the hopes and dreams they have for their children come true. Poverty brings with it death, hunger and lack of opportunity. Imagine something taking away your child's hopes and dreams. You would do everything you could to keep that from happening! I'm asking you to do that for someone elses child. My breath is taken away when I put myself in the place of my daughters first mother. Not knowing what would become of my child after my death. I have now seen both sides. I have seen what my daughter has described and experienced. Children going hungry for days, maybe having one meal a week, if you can even call it a meal. A piece of injera(bread) and some tea. Being alone in a home while a parent or care giver is at work making pennies a day. The home that a child stays in is nothing like the US. Corrugated metal, dung and sticks, dirt or rough wooden floors, rats and no in door plumbing( bathrooms or water spickets). Or taking care of a dying parent at the age of 3 or 4 years old. There is very little hope of school because even public school costs money. So, do you feed your family or send your child to school. Families make decisions both ways. Many have one set of clothing and not a complete set according to our standards... maybe no shoes(or very worn and ill fitting ones), no undies or socks or even pants. Can you imagine sending YOUR daughter to school in her fathers old big shirt and nothing else because you wanted her to have an education so badly and that is all you had. This my friends is all reality just a 17 hour flight from here!
But, I have seen how God can change all of that. When God's people give these children hope there is no telling what they can do. When you sponsor a child for just $34 a month they will go to school, eat twice a day!, have clothes to wear, have access to medical care and most importantly be told of and see the love of Christ! If you are interested in changing a life please leave your email in the comments section and I will contact you.
There is a very special place in Ethiopia that our sponsorship program will touch and it is the town of Shone. We will be working with an organization there called Look development. In the posts to come I will be giving you a clearer picture of what the partnership looks like.
If you are thinking that sponsorship isn't enough and God is calling you to something in addition and it is adoption, that YOUR child is in Ethiopia(or anywhere else) and you want him/her home, I would love to talk with you .Do not be afraid for whatever He calls you to He will provide.

Lost in translation

Ah, Christmas morning!


I know I have not written about my trip yet and I'm sorry. I am still processing in my mind what God showed me. But I promise I will write about it later.
But I had to share another word that got "lost in translation". Right before Christmas my husband was commenting to me loud enough that the kids could hear," Honey, I forgot I 'll have to buy some mistletoe so you can kiss me under it!" He was expecting to gross out the kids but not in this way. Yabby exclaimed,"OOOOO,Daddy! Mommy doesn't want to kiss your stinky toes!"

Merry Christmas!

more from Ethiopia

Today was a very emotionally draining day! We saw God do amazing things. I know my friends and family are reading to see what I am doing but it has been very difficult to process everything I am experiencing. And it is also 2:19am here in Addis and I need to be up before six. So, here is the short version. Every place we have visited has had one thing in common. When we ask them what is your greatest need they all say food. People are really starving here. And it isn't just in the city or just in the country side. It is everywhere!
Please pray for our team as we seek to listen to the Spirit and follow His plan.

Sorry I haven't had a chance to blog but our schedule has been very busy. We have visited two Orphanages since we have been here in Ethiopia.  Yesterday we traveled 11 hours to a city named Kombolcha.The ride was unbelievable.  The roads were way worse than PA!  And our driver had to dodge people,other vehicles, sheep cpws and camels! But Ethiopia is so beautiful!
  At the orphanage we meet 125 orphans who have very little.  But their love was overflowing.  They have such a strong desire to love and be loved.  Imagine not having a mom and dad to give hugs and kisses and praises.  Thats what we did all morning. Loved on these little ones.  To see a child's whole being light up from a simple," Good job" on an art project.There is so much to right and a line for the dial up internet so I must be brief.
Please contiue to pray for myself and the team. For direction and the ability to love more and more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm testing to see if I remember how to post from my email because I will not have access to blogger in Ethiopia.  But I should still be able to post via email.
I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!  Last year at this time life was very different.  We are so thankful to God to have our Yabby home!  She is learning so many new things and having so many new experiences. Like today when she announced in shock at my sister's house, "Aunt Mandi has a dead turkey in her basement!"

In less than two weeks I will be back in Ethiopia. God has been doing some amazing things in my life and in the lives of the other members of the team I am going with. He is changing us. Along with the good comes the attacks. Sickness, sin and all the distractions that keep us from our one true purpose... to love God!
My back is starting to tighten up from sitting on the floor organizing donated underwear. I've had back problems for years...but it hasn't done this in over a year. Temptations to sin are being whispered in my ear. To go back to the ways of thinking that God has healed and forgiven. They are all distractions to keep me from loving and responding to the Spirit of the Living God. To have faith and listen to His leading. It has been a life long struggle of mine. Do I do what I want or do I do what He wants me to do. I don't know why I insist on taking the lead.
It is like leading in a ballroom dance when your partner is a professional. Taking over the dance and making it look a mess. With my two left feet I pull in this direction and then that direction, then I stumble over my feet then His. But when I relax into His arms and let Him sweep me over the floor it is beautiful. It is His footwork and grace that makes the dance.
My prayer is that we can dance all the days of our lives. To relax in the arms of our Father and coopperate in the dance.