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Thursday, September 16, 2010

EthiopiaSmile 2010

In 14 days we will be heading back to Ethiopia. So excited I can't stand it.  So overwhelmed with all that needs to get done before that, but trusting in Him for all the details!

EthiopiaSmile 2010 is a team of over 60 that will go, love, serve and care for the dental needs of orphans and those living in extreme poverty in Ethiopia.  Yes, 65 of us.  Of course my Team Alexander is a large percentage of that number. :)  I so love the organic nature of this trip.  The Lord placed this vision on my sweets heart just after we arrived home with Eyasu.  He was able to do some dentistry while we were in country picking Eyasu up and he had done a few days last June as well.  He just knew that if he could get a few other dentists to come with him, they could do SO much.

Ethiopia is a country with 80 million people and 76 dentists.  Yes, not even 1 for every million people. Our dear Arlinton, TX has almost 200.  The dental needs of those living there are enormous.  He simply prayed that the Lord would place the desire on at least 5 other dentists to join us in October.  Then one day he came home and said, "I think we are to step out farther and pray that 10 will join us!"  At the time only one had shown much interest, so this was definitely OUT THERE!  Don't you love when He calls you to step out and He SO SHOWS UP, shows just how BIG He is, just how much He is in the details, in the very midst of those broken, hurting and just in need of someone coming to say "we care, you have value, you are LOVED!"  So we prayed.  We asked others to pray.

We will be in Addis for over a week with 18 dentists.  18 said "YES" and 40 non-dental people said they wanted to come along to help, to love on the orphans we will treat, to just be the hands and feet of Christ.  Several of my very favorite people on the planet will be there with me.  Those that got dirty with our family as we walked a very foreign road once home with Abe will be there, in the very place that captured my heart.  I cry each and every time that I think about it.  Seriously, that He would graciously allow Lori, Donna, Susan, Rainey and Jamey to be there, in Ethiopia, with me.......is just too much!  (praying a few more are there next trip as well...........)

This trip isn't a specific churches trip, a specific mission organizations trip- this is simply HIS trip.  It is all HIS and we are so humbled to be along for the journey.  We can't wait to see what He has for us each day.

There are so many amazing stories that I want to share, how HE drew various people to come along, how people have stepped SO far out of their comfort zone, how He allowed circumstances to bring them along........and I will do that in the next few days.  Another cast of characters for you to learn.

Imagine getting to witness so many people experience Africa for the first time.  We get to watch firsthand as over 40 people step foot on the continent for the first time.  What a privilege.  I just know that He has so much for each and every one that will be going on this adventure.

More to come in the days ahead.  In the meantime, I would ask for your prayers.  Prayers for unity as a team, prayers that not a single detail would go forgotten, that He would remain the very center of ALL we are doing.  Thank you.  


18 comments:

Cheryl said...

wow! so excited to see how the Lord is going to use you all to be His hands and feet on this trip!

Bless you for your faithfulness to GO where He sends you!

To His Name be the GLORY!!!!

Will be praying...

Tymm said...

praying like mad for this trip. the getting to see 40 new people experience Africa for the first time is INCREDIBLE.

Love what you guys are doing - and hope to be on the next one of these!

Polly said...

Will be praying for you as you go on this amazing trip. God bless y'all!

Heather said...

love it love it love it! can't wait to watch it all unfold! Our sermon at church last night was about praying big, bigger than you can imagine, because that's how BIG our God is! Love that you guys have so many going with you.

Rebecca said...

We will be praying for your trip! So excited to see what He is doing through you guys!

Kim said...

Will be praying from Hong Kong for your trip and eager to see all that God has in store for your team!
Love & Blessings,
Kim

Kristi J said...

yayyy, so fun...I was there for the ride home on that lst trip with Moody!! :) Ok. so i think i'm heading back myself in Jan...will give ya scoop soon :) kj

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

That is EXCITING!!!! We will be praying for you as you see God work in hearts of those on the trip and those you meet :)

Holli said...

PRAYING!!!

Lyndsay said...

Oh Emily I am so excited for you and your family, and all the other generous hearts going to serve our Creator in ET. We are definitely in for the next dental trip, but have to save our pennies for our own trip to pick up "B"... hopefully soon! I am so excited you will be there holding my daughter in 2 short weeks! I am so overjoyed knowing that you will get to give her some mommy lovin' while I am so far away. I am counting down the days for new pictures of my beautiful little girl! The whole Boulton Family will be praying for you and Team Alexander on your trip! God Bless! P.S. can you measure her little feet for me? I'd love to figure out her shoe size :)

Faith said...

Love this!!
Thank you for caring for the people of Ethiopia in this way.
May God bless your team!

Tracy said...

How exciting! I'm so happy for you! It's awesome to be a part of the story God is writing!

Cindy said...

Amazing! I cannot wait to hear all about it!

chantel said...

Hey guys, don't know you yet but praying also for your trip! I am a dentist and my wife came across your blog as we are also adopting from Ethiopia!! I would love to join your crew on any future dental trips (not sure if it's too short notice to go this time). You can email me at dmdskidmore@yahoo.com - Mike

Jen said...

I wish I were coming. I really miss talking to you. I will be praying for you during your trip.

Unknown said...

Want to write a piece about your trip for We Are Grafted In? We want to have some posts on their specific to Orphan Care but don't have any yet. We'd love to include something from you! We could post something about it while you are gone so that more people are directed to your blog to follow your trip??? Let me know!
Kelly
from www.wearegraftedin.com -- come check us out!
Kelly@wearegraftedin.com

Gail said...

so praying for this trip and the kingdom work that will be don eon it.

Courtney Holder said...

So excited about your upcoming adventure to Ethiopia to serve the poor. Scott and I are praying that your trip goes well, and that Ethiopians are blessed by what you all do while in country and then what your team does once they return to the states. Many traveling mercies to you and your team. Take Care, Courtney

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"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from becoming polluted by the world." James 1:27
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