You return to your village that is lacking in clean water and the only school for your children and nephews to attend ends in the 4th or 5th grade. You most likely think of the child that is no longer there, but hope he is healthy, happy.

What you don't know is that the family that adopted your nephew has a burning desire to do something in your country, has been praying for an opportuntity to give back, to provide sustainable help in someway since their first trip to Ethiopia two years ago.

You don't know that they have been divinely appointed to partner with an organization called A Glimmer of Hope. That they traveled with them to the Southern Region of Ethiopia to see the work they are doing. The family was told they didn't work in Sidama and doubted if they would any time soon, or ever. This organization does their due diligence and very carefully chooses what development associations they work with in country. Most of their partnerships are in the north, only recently working in the Dawro zone, in the Southern Region.

You don't know that a few details have changed to allow Glimmer to explore new areas in the south to work in and Sidama is one of them. You don't know that Gladney was instrumental in helping Glimmer know exactly where you live. You don't know that a car drove as far as one had ever driven in your district and then the occupants of that car walked an hour through beautiful, mountainous terrain.

You don't know until you see this.

A group of men walking towards your home.

You then begin to see HOPE. Hope that the water source your village currently uses will be replaced with crystal clear, clean water! That your children, the biological siblings of your nephew, and the children of your kebele will be able to get an education. You now see the bigger picture, the beautiful story of redeeming what was lost. Turning ashes into beauty. That your family is now knit perfectly together with a community of people in the States that simply can't NOT do someting to help.

Can you imagine???

More details to come, more amazing characters that have been permanently woven into our lives, and how YOU can help, coming next. We simply can't do this alone. We have a peace that those who are led to help, to change the lives of those from Gorche and Sidama, will come along side with us on this incredible journey!