My computer is acting really nutty- have made several posts with pics of Dube Bute and nada.....so I am tired and off to bed. :)  Enjoy the video that Savannah and Pam took on recent trip to Ethiopia.  Dube Bute has my heart, so ready to return!  The progress is so encouraging. I will share details soon, assuming my computer starts behaving.

Oh, and some other fun news to share too.

So much to write about and can't seem to find time.

Yesterday my man had a birthday!!  I love getting to celebrate his life.  I am blessed beyond measure to get to be his partner in life.

We had cake at lunch and at dinner!  Avery made TWO AMAZING cakes for dinner.  One 3 layer Italian cream cake and one 2 layer red velvet.  YUMMY.  Both totally from scratch, cake and icing.  She has mad baking skills.

Great, great day on Tuesday.  Had several opportunities to talk to my kids about the millions of children that live daily without shoes when felt the stares as we walked through the grocery store in our barefeet. Excellent exercise, I highly recommend it sometime. :)

We went on a local TOMS walk, then hurried home to get ready for the 147 event here.






The event was SO much fun and CRAZY.  Crazy because so many of you came to support 147 Million (in your bare feet) and Dube Bute.  I was so full as there was never a break the entire time.  You just kept coming in and buying the awesome new items from the 147 million orphans Spring line. :)

Thank you!!!! Thank you to those that purchased at home too.  $1,000 will be going to bring Hope to Dube Bute.  How amazing is that?
Only pic of that part, did I mention it was a bit nutty?? Heather, it was great seeing you!! :)

I have been so blessed by those wanting to participate in the raffle!! Some really great items have been added.  Read the previous post to see what is already up for grabs. This all benefits the village of Dube Bute, home to my son, Eyasu, for the first two years of his life.  Still home to bio brothers, and extended family.

This beautiful lap blanket was made by my friend Jill.  We met at church this summer.  She came up to me because I was carrying my 147 Million Orphan bag!  She has lived in Africa and has a HUGE heart. She wanted to participate and created this amazing masterpiece in 2 days.  Her dear hubby helped.  What a team. :)  Thank you so much!

Amy from Beautiful Brown Eyed Girl Boutique has graciously donated a $45 gift certificate for you to custom order from her handmade creations.  Aren't they the cutest things??





Savannah at Bringing Hope to Ethiopia has generously donated 4 shirts and a jacket! These are great- we have them.  Savannah is the precious 14 year old daughter of our good friends that traveled with us this fall to Ethiopia.  She will make a HUGE difference there, trust me. :)

Fellow adoptive mom, Ashley, has donated one of the cookbooks she sold to fundraise for their adoption!  Yummy. Thank you Ashley.

Lori and her LoPo partners have donated a cool t-shirt for the work they are doing in Korah along with an awesome Yami cuff. (leather bracelet)


Lyndsay has also donated her great adoption shirt!  They are in the process of bringing home the amazing Miss B!  I met Miss B in ET in June.  She is a gorgeous child that is celebrating her 4th Birthday.  Her last as an orphan.

Remember to share the raffle on your blog, facebook and twitter.  Let me know by leaving a comment and each way that you share Hope, gives you an entry into the raffle.  You get an entry for each $10 donation HERE as well. You can also get entered by donating something to the raffle.  Thank you for your help!

Hope for Dube Bute Campaign Fundraising Event, Hosted by the Festes and the Baileys from A Glimmer of Hope on Vimeo.


Our time in San Antonio was another reminder to us just how much He loves the people of Dube Bute.  Just how much the story resonates in the hearts of others and motivates them to act, to DO, to help bring hope to those living without basic needs today.  Not for long.

Phase 1 is DONE!  And while it was really amazing to see 100% total campaign goal on the main page, it was clear that we needed to begin Phase 2.  So we have.  The total has gone up and we rest that the funds will come in as the Lord continues to reveal to us that this is His.  We are humbled to play a role and more humbled to witness those that step up and are bringing HOPE.

Watch the incredible recap video from the event in San Antonio. Thank you Eric.  Kelley and Joey, Anne Marie and Jeff, Moody and I are so grateful that you jumped in with both feet, were willing to ask your friends to come along on this adventure!  I simply can't wait to be standing in Dube Bute with you, watching these beautiful people experience the gift of clean water for the first time!!!

P.S-- Just how incredible is Grace and how cute is my hubby???

Above is a video of Grace singing "Mighty to Save" at the fundraising event we held a few weeks ago.  It was a very powerful moment for us in the midst of an unbelievable night.  We prayed that others would hear the story and respond, well.........respond they did.

The initial project was 18 water points, 2 classroom buildings (8 total classrooms), a health clinic, and vet clinic. There are latrines at the schools and two clinics, as well as equipment and furnishing for everything.

We ended the night and had 1 well, 1 classroom, and a vet clinic left.  That's it. Hope is definitely coming.

We currently lack about $17,000 to complete Phase 1(once all the committments come in)!!!!! Can you even believe it?  God is so, so good.  My way out there, walking in faith goal was that all the funds would be raised by the end of the year.  It seemed like such a LARGE sum of money (and it is) but not to Him.  He simple funds what He favors.  His very heart is with the least of these, those living without health care and clean water.  He cares for their very needs, and He is using a LARGE community of people to meet those very needs.

My sister, my brother in law and their very dear friends, Jeff and Anne Marie are graciously hosting a similar event in San Antonio next week.  Never in our wildest dreams did we think they would have so little inventory at their event.

We knew that Phase 1 didn't meet all of their needs in Dube Bute, but it certainly was an excellent start.  We knew we would commit to a second phase, but clearly thought that would be MUCH farther down the road.  Apparently the Lord had other plans!  The people of Dube Bute will now have 9 more wells, 4 more classrooms and a library!! How amazing is that????

That is 27 TOTAL water points, both spring protection and hand dug wells.  They will have a complete Primary school.  Grades 1-8 in 12 classrooms.  A library full of books and reference materials.  A health clinic.  A vet clinic.  HOPE!

We need to quickly finish up with Phase 1 so the funds can go to Ethiopia and they can begin construction.  We will also attempt to raise the new funds needed to fully transform the lives of those living in Dube Bute!  The total for the Phase 2 will be $155,000.

I am excited to see how these funds are raised and have total faith that they will come in as the first.  I will be sharing with you some new inovative ideas of others to help raise these funds.  I have been reminded over and over again that He is raising up the group to bring Hope to Dube Bute.  We have received the most humbling donations from fellow adoptive families, some currently fundraising themselves.  From a couple with a miracle pregnancy that felt led to donate the funds set aside for fertility treatments, from a single mother that struggles to make ends meet, from some we simply don't know personally but are forever connected via Dube Bute.  We have had some that we assumed would join the cause that haven't felt led, and then been blown away by others we never considered.  Just continually reminding me that we are NOT in control, that HE is and He will provide for every need of those living in Dube Bute.

Soli Deo Gloria

In the meantime- head over to my girls at 147 Million Orphans to purchase a new tumbler and provide HOPE to Dube Bute.  They are amazing!!  Great Christmas gifts for sure. :)

Check this out!! I continue to be amazed at the incredible people coming alongside us to bring hope to Dube Bute.  Please head over here and do some shopping.  All proceeds go to bring HOPE to those living there.

Thank you Deena!!