andagachew, mentesanot and tariku

So i have been trying to upload videos from ethiopia for the past week, and i think i finally got one to work.
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Some boys in my class having a meeting...

jars of clay

I heard about a beautiful answer to prayer this evening. I listen to these online sermons from a church in michigan -- the pastor is one of my role models (his name is rob bell) anywhoo! He was interviewing a couple from the congregation. They got married about 10 years ago, and decided to adopt an orphan from Russia. 10 years later there are 5 additions to their family -- all with beautiful and unique stories from around the world. Their youngest son is from the Detroit. This couple decided to adopt him after 7 other families rejected him. At the young age of 2 weeks he was both HIV+ and had hepatitis B.

The family love and cared for him. After about 6 months Princess Zulu (incredible woman from Zambia) spoke at their church about HIV and how she has been personally affected by the virus. After her talk, she and about 60 other people prayed for this young boy to be healed from his sickness and to grow up to be a mighty man of God.

The next time the little boy went to the doctor, he tested negative to BOTH hep B and HIV. God miraculously healed his precious child. Its been 3.5 years and even at the DNA level, there is no sign of either illness.

What a testament to God's power.

This story brought tears to my eyes. Both of these parents came from a divorce. The husband explained that what Satan means for brokenness and condemnation, God uses to restore the world. 10 years ago the wife prayed for God to take away her loneliness. And God gave her a beautiful family of kids from all over the world who never would have had the opportunity they now have would it not have been for this Christ-following couple.

Its so incredible how God uses people to change the world. These 2 adults could have easily chosen to save their money and retire in a few years. Instead they decided to serve Christ over themselves and follow his plan for their lives. Now they are leading, loving and disciplining 5 children who otherwise may have grown up alone. God is so beautiful!

out house girls

here is a fun video of the "4 out house girls"
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1830435341

merry christmas

hey friends. i made it home safe and sound without much jet lag. yippy! :)

big news!

I will be returning to Ethiopia after Christmas!! I am so excited. I leave for the states tomorrow, and will be in the states for about a month. So if you want to hang out, shoot me an email  :) 

Also, if you are interested in donating items for Ethiopia, please let me know, and we can talk about what items are most needed.

in the news

whats new in the news this week?

Condi came to addis. We didn't have time to hang out.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7128270.stm


I started to learn the fidel, or the Amharic alphabet.

Here is a sign in Amharic. There are over 300 characters.

Also, things may be looking up for the other Fidel:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7123986.stm

Here is a really incredible photo story. am trying to do a similar project, but DANG these images are good.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_mozambican_orphans_with_cameras/html/1.stm

broken categories

Too often we put people in categories without taking the time to understand their circumstances.

I am learning that situations are usually more complex than I make them out to be. When tension first presents itself, I often make simplifications about the situation before really knowing the foundational issues. This week God is opening my eyes to new perspectives. I am very thankful for this mental expansion. At the same time I am emotionally drained. I want to take the time to walk in someone else¹s shoes, or at least listen to their side of the story, before I pretend to understand what is going on.

I am not saying this is easy. Neither am I saying that I know the right way to respond once I listen. But I hope to be crawling towards Christ regardless.

Before I left home, Susan Lobasso taught me that everyone wants to be understood, known and loved. I believe this to be true. I hope to a piece of humanity which restores dignity to those who are shamed, breaths life into those who are out of breath and gives people another chance. Count this as an invitation for you to do the same. 

scrapbooking

Sandwiched in between teaching photo classes at Asco on Monday and Wednesday evening, I had the privilege of meeting with the girls from Hya Huellet on Tuesday.

What an answer to prayer! Again, I am so thankful for God¹s perfect timing. It was so sweet to be able to share so many stickers, candies, foam pieces, stamps, different colored paper and page protectors with these girls. I am super thankful for all of YOU (you know who you are...and you are storing up treasures in heaven  :)  for your generous donations of so many fun and creative elements to share with these girls. And for the wonderful folks who donated single use cameras...your donations are being put to GREAT use!

Here are a few images of the atmosphere Wednesday afternoon in their dining room of the girls house after we explained all the materials available for scrapbooking. Enjoy!