I am so excited to serve with our team this next week!  I had high hopes of putting together a big post, full of pics, etc and for some reason, it isn't going to happen.  I blame it on the 6 kids. :)  I wish I could magically make all of our bags be perfectly packed to 50 lbs, but that isn't going to happen either.

What I want you to know is that once again, the Lord has raised an amazing team to go serve on EthiopiaSmile 2011.

Moody and I are only taking Wick on this trip.  Really excited about time with him!

The plan is to update the blog as often as possible.  We would truly covet your prayers.  We meet our sweet baby girl on Monday.  I simply CAN. NOT. WAIT to get my hands on her and kiss her cheeks.  I know my heart will break in a million pieces when it is time to leave, but I rest in the hands of the ONE that will provide for all of our needs.

Humbled to be given opportunity to once again go.

I am really missing Ethiopia today.  This video makes me happy for the upcoming trip in September.  I am ready for EthiopiaSmile 2011. :)

ethiopiasmile: By Our Love from Kurt Neale on Vimeo.

I know that I said this post would be a recap of the fundraiser that we held, but apparently 24 hours just aren't enough time on occasion here at Team Alexander!! :)

I do want to invite anyone local to please join us tonight as we give glory to the ONE that so graciously provided for each and every one of our needs on this trip!  We are blessed to have the Connect worship band, amazing photos from Bobbie Jo, videos from Kurt and testimonials from the team.  It should be a great night.

It is for anyone that prayed, followed along or simply want to see a piece of His handiwork.  We look forward to seeing you there tonight!

Please email me for more information if you need it!

I realized that I haven't properly thanked you for praying EthiopiaSmile 2010 there and back!  I know that many of you prayed, had others pray and I can promise you those prayers were felt each and every step of the way.

Only God could take a group of 67 people, many meeting for the very first time in country, and knit our hearts as one.  Unity was incredible.  Transportation was so smooth--- HUGE thank you to Gladney, Genet and the AMAZING drivers that worked so hard that week.  Food was fine great, no major illness, dental days were productive, the hotel perfect for our needs..........just can't adequately put into words the countless ways that He went before us and prepared the way!
I do hope to get others from the team to share their experiences with you- some unbelievable moments for sure.........like the dentist that just couldn't see the tooth on a child that needed extracting.  She had her headlamp on, but it didn't provide enough light.  She said out loud, "Lord, I can't see this tooth" and seriously (several witnessses to confirm) a ray of light came through the crack in the Korah shelter they were treating and shown DIRECTLY on the very tooth that needed to come out!

We had those moments all the time.  So full of His Presence.

We would appreciate your continued prayers as our team processes all we saw and experienced.  It is hard to know what to do with all of it sometimes.  We would also covet your prayers for the new fundraising effort.  It simply won't happen on our own and I know that He will lead us all each step of the way.  We feel a peace to put one foot in front of the other.........
We can't believe it, but planning for the next trip will begin soon!  Think we need to get over the jet lag first, but we are praying for wisdom and clarity.  We learned so much on this first one and we look forward to going back.  Always ready to go back!! :)