Saw this on several other blogs.  Oh it breaks my heart and reminds me why it lives there!  Love that A Glimmer of Hope sign is in there (next to girl at water point).  Makes me love my little boys a little more and thankful that the Lord has allowed us to partner with Glimmer to prayerfully change those statistics for all living in Dube Bute! 

Abe has people.  When you are one of them, you know.  He has his big smile and then he has the smile reserved only for "his"!  It can seriously change your mood and make your day.  It can reduce me to tears quicker than anything to see him with one of his peeps.

I didn't grow up with anyone that had significant special needs.  I know now that it was my loss.  They aren't called "special" for nothing.  Because of my experience, I don't take it personally when someone is awkward or unfamiliar with how to approach Abe.  I understand it.  I love when people will ask direct questions as it gives me a chance to explain what a blessing he is and how the Lord is continuing to work a miracle in him!

While I completely understand those that are uncomfortable, words can never express what happens to this mama's heart when people LOVE my son.  Like delight in him, consider it a gift to hold him, talk to him!  TO HIM.  He knows too.  When one of his friends walk in a room, he glows.  He kicks his legs and throws his arms wildly in the air!

One of Abe's friends is Chris Webb.  Chris and I met our first week of college.  Just the greatest guy.  Fast forward a few years and he marries a friend of mine from Kanakuk days.  As the Lord would graciously do, he moved them to A-town.  Chris is a SWAT bad-a in Big D (Hill and Wick are mesmerized by his stories) and Rainey is a DA in Ft. Worth.  Arlington was the perfect location for them to move.  Right next door to our dear ML and Tommy to be exact.

Chris loves Abe.  Abe loves Chris.  One night over the break, I looked over my shoulder and found Chris and Abe cuddled up in a big chair.  Chris was having some deep conversation with my boy.  My boy was simply giddy.  I couldn't stop the tears.  Is there a greater compliment to a parent than someone loving your kid?? It's even better when that kid is special.  Difficult to hold, drools or "spills" as Eyasu says, can't talk back (but will be very vocal with you).


Chris and his team are participating in grueling 26 mile march in honor of the Baatan Death March from World War II and is raising money for Dube Bute in the process.  Click here to see his page. 

Below is what he had to say:

How are we addressing the orphan crisis...?

We need you!!  I am not a "camper" but this camp is right up my alley.  A group of people, coming together to collectively share ideas, and ultimately bring about change in the orphan crisis.  An idea camp is only as good as those who come to participate.  If you have vision, passion and a heart for the millions of orphans in the world, this is for YOU.

Moody and I are humbled to have been asked to be guides. Love that they don't focus on the speakers, yet the speakers simply help facilitate the sessions.  You are an active participant!

Join us!! February 24-25th  Click here to see other guides.  Here for main page.


ICDC Behind the Scenes from The Idea Camp on Vimeo.

Abe pulled through this morning.  Opening and closing his hand is a difficult task, but he rose to the challenge.  Words can't adequately express our gratitude for the way each of you stepped up to help bring Hope to Dube Bute.  These people mean so much to our family and we are humbled that so many have chosen to literally transform their lives.  Over $2,000 was raised in this raffle!  A.M.A.Z.I.N.G

I hated seeing so many names in the basket and only having ONE winner.  So we have ONE GRAND PRIZE winner and 5 additional winners.  The others will be receiving a traditional Ethiopian wooden cross.

Last chance to enter the raffle today.  We have been blown away by the support you all have shown for the people of Dube Bute.  Be sure to let me know if you have put on facebook or your blog so I can add your name to the drawing.  Abe is working hard to get his hand all nice and stretched out to pick the perfect name tomorrow. :)

Some of the items donated will be mailed directly to the winner so they aren't in the above picture.

The McDurhams have given a great Christmas ornament to the cause! WE loved having these on our tree this year.  The back says "hope". :)

Kendra has donated one of her adoption awesome shirts.

Rainey at Bow in the Clouds has donated the coziest HOPE fleece vests.  I wear mine all the time.
And here are better pics of some of the items from Ethiopia.

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!

Happy 2011!!  We are going to be kicking off the new year with a little fundraiser here at Team Alexander.  It will benefit the people of Dube Bute and of course whoever wins!! :)  2010 was so FULL for our family as we had the blessing of traveling to the very village where Eyasu spent the first 2 years of his life.  2011 is the year that that village receives HOPE in the form of 27 clean water points, new schools, a library, a health clinic and a vet clinic. Here is a way to help bring that hope and win some cool stuff!

We already have some great items to giveaway as Gwen and Suz at 147 Million Orphans have graciously donated a tumbler and a shirt, Kari at My Crazy Adoption has donated an awesome Simply Love T, Erica has donated one of their groovy shirts too! A darling little keychain from Deena. Joely is going to do a custom piece of art for the lucky winner, and there is some Ethiopian jewelry, large wooden cross, beautiful silver Ethiopian cross, a scarf, a messenger bag from the Alert Hospital in Addis, a Hope for Dube Bute hoodie, hat and shirt!





If you have something that you would like to donate, that would be awesome! Just let me know.  Anything would be a HUGE benefit to the village transformation in Ethiopia.  I will continue to add items if they come in!  Anyone that donates to the haul, will get their name in the drawing. :)