Showing posts with label A Glimmer of Hope. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

buy a brick, build a school

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, ethiopia | 1 comments

Friday, August 19, 2011

The following email went out today to give a progress report on Dube Bute! Tears flow as I am humbled and grateful to have been able to witness this incredible project unfold.

Many of you have given time, talents and resources to bring Hope to the people of Dube Bute. Thank you seems inadequate. Watch the video below and see hope coming!

Donor Update: Dube Bute Village

Construction Builds Hope in Dube Bute

August 19, 2011

It has been 8 months since the campaign for Dube Bute first launched. We have exciting news to share with you on the progress of the projects. Construction on the health post, vet post, school blocks, water projects, and access bridge is well underway and all of these projects are getting ever closer to changing the lives of the people in Dube Bute.

Dube Bute July Update from A Glimmer of Hope on Vimeo.

Health Facilities Near Completion

Just around the corner from the school blocks, the health and vet posts are each at advanced stages of construction. The health post is currently undergoing roof work and the vet post, which has been completed through roofing, is just waiting for the painting, glazing and finishing works. The guardhouse, which will protect the health facilities, is also awaiting its final finishing works.

Students Help Build Their Future

At the school compound in the village center, the children are all smiles and laughter as they help construction crews mix cement and carry supplies for their new school blocks. The two school blocks, which will have four classrooms each, are getting closer and closer to completion. With only roofing and finishing works remaining, they should be ready to serve students early in the coming academic year.

Water Construction Continues Despite Rains

While the school and health facilities are clustered in the center of the village, the 17 water projects are dispersed throughout the community. Because the rains are so heavy right now, it is not feasible to dig the hand dug wells without the threat of collapse. Yet progress is still underway as the concrete rings, which will support the wells, are being prepared. The spring protection water schemes are being expertly capped and their distribution points are being constructed. Soon they will be ready to serve the community.

Roads and Bridge Improve Village Access

The roads, which will improve access to and from the village, are well underway and the access bridge is nearing completion. Work crews from the village itself are working very hard to improve these aspects of transportation.

It is incredible to see all of the change that has already occurred in Dube Bute. All of it, every water point, every classroom, every smile of hope for the future, is because of you. We will keep you updated as progress continues to unfold. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for these deserving people.

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, Hope for Dube Bute | 3 comments

Friday, July 29, 2011

drought relief in Ethiopia

The drought in the horn of Africa is so tragic. Not sure what to do, where to give??? Please consider giving here to the new campaign that A Glimmer of Hope is doing for relief in Ethiopia.

This is from the Glimmer website:

All are shocked by the news of the crisis in East Africa. Most want to help. The question is: Where is the best place to send your money? Glimmer is offering help. We are launching an Emergency Relief Campaign for Ethiopia to help reduce human suffering in the areas affected by the drought and famine. Glimmer kicked off the campaign with a donation of $100,000. We are in the process of partnering with leading international NGOs and relief agencies to assist with the crisis. We are picking our partners carefully based on specific criteria –established in Ethiopia, experienced in emergency relief, and after we review their detailed plans. 100% of all donations given to the Emergency Relief Campaign for Ethiopiawill go to our partners to help some of the 3.2 million Ethiopians facing hunger, and people arriving from Somalia, who are in desperate need for food, water, shelter and medical care.

A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in East Africa, including Ethiopia. Thousands of people, mainly children, have already died in East Africa - in Ethiopia, in Kenya and Somalia. Hundreds of thousands are fleeing their homes, walking in extreme conditions, in search of refuge and makeshift camps. They are desperate for food, water, and medical care. Millions of people are at the risk of starvation, and malnutrition

The drought specifically affects Ethiopia in the south and east. The Early Warning System helped to alert and engage aid agencies. The Ethiopian government has appealed for $400 million in aid for food, supplements for mothers and children, as well as health and nutrition, water and sanitation. Major camps in Dolo Ado, Ethiopia are on the border with Somalia serving 114,000 people with water, food, shelter and medical care.

Today they need your help. Spread the word. Tell your friends, and join the cause. Things are moving fast. More to follow shortly.

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, ethiopia | 1 comments

Sunday, February 20, 2011

fishers of men

A precious blog friend, Traci, has made her 40th birthday request be known. She wants people to donate to Dube Bute, to continue to bring HOPE! How amazing is that?? She will be 40 in a little less than 40 days. Go check out her h.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s blog and make her birthday wish come true! :)

Below is her post. You can read her blog here. Her campaign page is here.

In less than 40 days I will be 40. This spring my oldest baby will graduate from 8th grade and enter high school, and my youngest baby will graduate from elementary school and enter middle school. Have I mentioned that baby #1 gave me stretch marks and baby #2 gave me wrinkles?

It's a perfect storm.

On Sunday I was convinced I'd end up like George Clooney trapped inside a sinking ship wondering what happened to my life.

And I do believe I mentioned that I wept. The weeping didn't help.

So I continued on into Monday.

And that's when I realized that I was in the throes of a mid-life crisis.

But I digress. I know I promised you HUGE news. So here it is:

Last night I asked you to pray two things for me:

"If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will be like the noon day." Isaiah 58:10

"I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living." Amos 5:24

And then I told you that God had a come to Jesus meeting with me.

It's big. It's really, really big. It's so big that there is absolutely no way that I can pull it off. This will be a total God thing.

And it's left me speechless and terrified.

We are going to raise $10,000 in 40 days for Dube Bute, a small village in Ethiopia.

I told you. HUGE.

Over the next few days I'll tell you how all of this came about, but for now can I ask you to do one thing?

Prayerfully consider giving to this cause. Your gift will help to provide water points, classrooms, medicines, and veterinary services to a village so that poverty can be wiped out one village at a time.

You can read more about it here. What I'll tell you today is this- 100% of your gift goes directly to the people of Dube Bute.

My bloggy friend Emily and her family started the campaign to raise almost $500,000 in order to save the children of this village. They are roughly $47,000 away from finishing the project.

Did I tell you that in addition to their 4 children, Emily and her husband have adopted two boys from Ethiopia? Those two boys have changed their family forever, but more importantly, because their family was changed, the lives of hundreds of Ethiopians will change.

I promise, there will be more information tomorrow. But tonight I need you to pray and consider giving.

And consider this...

And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

God told me to go fishing for my birthday. He promised a big catch. Will you come with me?
See y'all.

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, Hope for Dube Bute | 0 comments

Monday, January 17, 2011

Idea Camp

How are we addressing the orphan crisis...?

Friends from around the country will gather at the end of February in Northwest Arkansas to answer this question. The Idea Camp is going to be a beautiful few days of sharing ideas, sharing stories and sharing lives.

For Emily and my sons, Eyasu and Abe, the orphan crisis was solved with their adoptions. Praise God indeed. However, that's not the answer for all of the 147 million orphans worldwide. Below is our story of hope, a hope that no more children will be orphaned, at least in the beautiful region of southern Ethiopia. A story of bringing hope to Dube Bute.

Four years ago, our family began a journey that none could predicted - nor had we planned on - but God did.

Our dear friend Kristin went on a mission trip to Africa and sent us a video of highlights. As our family watched the beautiful work she and her team did in the orphanages, our children began asking if we “could bring one home”. Then they began to ask us if we you pray about it. That was the winter of 2007. 15 months later, we received an email with a beautiful picture of our son Abe, wearing a Texas Tech T-shirt. We knew God has His hand in this journey. Three months after that, our family, traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to bring home Abe. That is when we first began to fall in love with the country.

Kristin chronicled the trip through pictures and made a beautiful video of the day we first met Abe, using the song “Mighty to Save”. Because of that, the song has become our anthem. Abe immediately became our “ripple maker”. I like to say that Abe is the large boulder that came crashing into our otherwise very calm pond. Those ripples reached new heights six weeks later, when we received the devastating news that Abe had a severe brain injury from an in-utero stroke. Those were hard days of suffering, but we have a God who is faithful, whose love and grace sustains. Good friends and family walked through those days - our faith grew deeper, our love for Ethiopia grew deeper and our desire to give something back to this country grew.

Just over a year ago, Emily and I went back to Ethiopia to bring home our son Eyasu. We had the privilege to meet his biological uncle who cared for him after both of his parents died from TB. The uncle cared for Eyasu and his biological brothers until he was 23 months old, and on the verge of dying from sickness and malnourishment. Also on this trip, we first met the staff of A Glimmer of Hope and began this beautiful relationship. From the very beginning, we had been looking for an organization to partner with. Once we met these guys, we knew this was the group doing big work, effective work and sustainable work.

Emily traveled back to Ethiopia in June to see completed projects of Glimmer - and the dream of returning to Eyasu’s village was born.

Another reason, Emily traveled in June, was to lay the ground work for EthiopiaSmile. In the spring of last year, the idea came to return to Ethiopia and use the gift of dentistry to love the people of Ethiopia, God moved in the hearts of over 60 people to join with us. Abe’s ripples just exponentially increased! So this passion for Ethiopia and it’s people reached out to our community.

Last month, we visited Dube Bute, Eyasu’s village, we saw the need, we saw the extreme poverty, we saw the lack of clean water, the dilapidated schools, the lack of basic health needs. Trusting God to do big things, we partnered with Glimmer to bring hope to Dube Bute by fundraising to provide 27 water points, a health post, 12 new classrooms, a vet clinic, necessary latrines and a bridge to make all of this possible. By God's grace, almost all of the funds are raised and construction is set to begin!

That’s what this is all about - a beautiful story of redemption, taking a dear orphan out of a dire situation, using him to inspire a community to make a difference in the lives of people a world away.

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, idea camp | 3 comments

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

san antonio bring hope

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???

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, Dube Bute, ethiopia | 4 comments

Monday, December 6, 2010

recap

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

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, Dube Bute, grace london music | 8 comments

Thursday, November 11, 2010

hope for christmas

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!!

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, Dube Bute | 0 comments

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Eyasu's Hope

Imagine farming for a living in Southern Ethiopia. You are raising your 4 children with the help of extended family as your wife has passed away. Your brother and his wife live in the same village and have 4 children of their own, with one on the way. Your brother passes away and you begin to care for his children and their pregnant mother. 4 months after she gives birth to her 5th boy, she too passes away. You are now responsible for 9 children, one of them an infant. You work hard to provide for them, but it is difficult. You do your very best, but the baby is sick, really sick. Weighing only 16 pounds at 23 months old.

You ultimately relinquish this child in an effort to better provide for his needs, to save his life. This is a painful decision, evidence is shown in your eyes 13 months later when you see him again with his adoptive family in Addis.

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!

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, ethiopia, Eyasu, Gorche | 41 comments

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

water source

This is the current water source in Eyasu's village in the Southern Region, Sidamo zone in Ethiopia. He is from the district of Gorche.

This image, the life of these beautiful people, is about to change. You will have a front row seat and can actually play a role if you choose.

I have so much to share with how it all came to be, how the Lord knit our hearts with those at A Glimmer of Hope and ultimately how He brought our family here, right back to the village that gave us our precious son. It is a beautiful story of love, redemption, and HOPE. We are so very humbled to be given the opportunity to play a role, but ultimately, like everything, this is HIS story. It just so happens to be one that touches us to the core, and is shaking things up around Team Alexander in a great big way.

I will start unrolling the details in a series of posts as there is so much background, so many details and I so NEED to do it all justice. So, thank you for being patient, for wanting to know, for asking for more-- I do pray you will come along this journey with us back to Ethiopia.

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, ethiopia, Eyasu | 11 comments

Saturday, July 17, 2010

walk for water

This is a powerful video that was made just after we left Ethiopia. Eric, MC, and Tameru headed up north to visit various projects going on up there. This is a 14 year old that volunteered to truly experience what life is like for those in Ethiopia. Please take a moment to watch and try to understand what it would be like to have to make this hike just to get water! We so take turning on our faucets and clear, pure water coming out for granted. I know that I do. Love that the Glimmer folks took video of this journey. Praying my big boys get an opportunity to experience something similar on our trip in October.

Walk For Water from A Glimmer of Hope on Vimeo.

I have had many of you ask specific questions about this incredible organization and I can't wait to share more with you soon. Please feel free to email me at teamalexander at mac dot com if you have questions.

Let me know what you think after watching this- would love to know your thoughts...............

Will finish up trip this week. :)

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope | 5 comments

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

day 5, part 2

Back to day 5 in Dali. So we have darling little Daniel running fast and furiously to keep up as we walked all over Dali to see first hand the work that Glimmer of Hope is doing there. The first stop was to see some new school blocks that were being built. The view from these schools was just gorgeous. The people of the community were so warm. At one point a group from a local church sang for us and they were wearing beautiful red choir robes. They also had a very large drum they were using.......remember the drum?? Back to that in a minute.

All day long we were surrounded by people, beautiful, kind, loving, thankful people. We were presented with lovely flower arrangements by some of the local girls at one point. Just a memorable moment.

We then began to walk to a few of the water points. I didn't know exactly what to expect honestly. We were told to wear hiking boots as it would involve climbing and mud. :) We began to walk down a hill, a steep hill. The kids began to follow, the older men were trying to switch them with sticks to keep them from coming, and out they would pop out of corn fields, faces with huge smiles on them. We got to the first water project and it was amazing. Just a remarkable view all around! It was incredible to think that this was their water source. What was not too long ago, dirty, contaminated water that they shared with the animals, was now crystal clear! Glimmer does natural springs, deep and shallow bore wells. These were natural spring wells. They take an existing spring, cap it uphill, allow gravity to run the water down into a resevoir, then run it through purification into 2 spickets where the water comes out!!(I'm sure they would love my elementary explanation!!) I will never forget the faces of those filling up cans with this new, clear water! The impact is immediate.

We proceeded to walk from water point to water point. At each, the people would come out, singing, dancing, showing unbelievable gratitude for the gift of clean water. It was so powerful. At one project, I just sat up on top of a hill that was above the water point, just so I could soak it all in. Children came and sat with us, one little baby was being carried around by his sister (she was probably only 6) and he looked very sick. Just broke your heart, literally. I saw so many kids, with so much freedom. Little ones, 18 months up, just toddling around.....and I saw Eyasu in ALL of them. As he was relinquished at 2-- this could have been him. I know his uncle loved him dearly, it is just the reality of life there. Life is hard. Women work HARD to get the water, walk to the market, to come home to prepare the meals, etc. and this goes on and on and on. It occurred to me that children, taken from these rural areas, placed up for adoption, eventually into a home, would have issues with boundaries, rules, etc. It is so easy for us to place the feelings that we think they will have----extreme gratitude, thankfulness, security, etc when the reality is they often don't as life is simply so very different. They knew love in Ethiopia yet were had less restrictions............I never saw an adult look for Daniel all day long. It just made the love that I have for Ethiopia, my children from there, the children that I have prayed home, the children that will remain there grow to new heights!

After this one particular water point we started to walk up this particularly steep hill (did I mention we were VERY high up altitude wise???) and I was hurting. It was hot and this hill was not getting shorter. I felt like I was in decent shape but this hill (and the children blowing past us) made me seriously question that!! :) We got about halfway up and realized Kristin was still behind. Eric from Glimmer yelled up that she might be dehydrated. (She was carrying SO much weight in camera gear.) We kicked it up a notch as our water was back up the hill in our vehicle. I got to the car, retreived some water and ran back to where they were only to find an entire village in a circle with Kristin perched in the very center! All eyes were on her. I took her the water and she asked what we could do to divert the crowd. Sweet thing, I felt terrible for her. I think one precious man literally ran to his hut to get the chair that she was sitting on........oh are they hospitable or what???

Finally she felt well enough to move on. We walked towards our car and saw another large circle had formed, this time Julie Neal was in the center. Remember the drum that I have mentioned a few times? Well, Julie asked at one of the water points where she could find a drum like they had as it was just the kind she had seen in Awassa. Much talk went back and forth and she was told that they would find out. Fast forward to the crowd around her now. The pastor of the local Evangelical church in Dali wanted to present her with this beautiful drum. He gave a wonderful speech (via interpreter) about how thankful he was to God for bringing us there, how he prayed for our family back at home, etc.......it was incredible and we didn't have a dry eye. The drum that she had searched years for, was now being handed to her in this extraordinary way! I don't have pictures as I was so overcome with emotion, but know Julie H took some as did MC.

We were sad to say goodbye to the people of Dali as they each took a piece of our hearts. The drive home we spoke of our experiences, what we saw, what the Lord taught us. He showed us so much of Himself, so much of what breaks His heart, what matters to Him.

We also spoke of how impressed we were with the amazing work that Glimmer was doing in Ethiopia. Most of the projects that we saw were only funded in October. They are serious about being efficient and effective. They have a VERY clear model of what they do and they don't stray from that. They have excellent working relationships with the development associations that they work with and they are changing lives of those living with extreme poverty in Ethiopia. More on Glimmer later......

We were all enjoying the scenery and Julie N. told Asafe to stop the car. We all looked up and saw two boys playing soccer up on a hill with a rag ball. Julie quickly jumped out of the car and we were saying "na" for him to come. He looked scared as he should have been, not often do cars drive by, much less ones full of white women telling him to come! She threw him a brand new soccer ball and his face was one of the most precious I have ever seen. He LIT up. He looked at the ball, then at Julie and seriously as if manna from heaven had just arrived! I wish I had a better picture but we were so in the moment. One of the highlights of the trip for me.

I was so full. The rest of the drive home was slow going as a heavy fog set in and we just prayed we were going in the right direction! We made it safely back to Tercha, ate dinner and hit the sack. I didn't hesitate to take my Ambien and I was out.

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, ethiopia, water | 10 comments

Saturday, July 10, 2010

day 5, part one

Has it really been over a week?? Wow! This guy has been playing in his world series baseball tournament all week and we have spent more time waiting for it to stop raining than actually playing baseball, think I would have found time to post. :)

Ok, back to the trip. I had a very comical nights sleep! I will be honest, I was looking very forward to my uninterupted nights of sleep on this trip and this one didn't really meet up to my expectations. I wish I had a pic to show you. Try to imagine me with my head lamp on, crawling under my mosquito net, working hard to lay on my sleep sack and tiny little travel pillow, now removing the headlamp and closing my eyes. Only problem was this very loud bug of somesort was just outside my window and it didn't let up for one second. I forgot to take my Ambien, thinking surely the 2 beers Atto Domani made me drink would knock me out.....I was really not wanting to crawl back out of the bed to get it either. I longed for some ear plugs, really being envious of Kristin across the way as I knew she had hers firmly in place, and somewhat jealous of the Julie's who I envisioned were snug in that sweet queensize sleep sack! I then had the brilliant ? idea to place the roll of toilet paper left on my bedside table (oh how toilet paper had a way of showing up everywhere, just not in the bathrooms!) in my ear and holding it in place with the velcro strap of my headlamp and then keeping my other ear firmly planted on my pillow. I'm sure I looked ridiculous!! I finally got to sleep and was quickly awakened to the chants over the loud speaker from the local Muslim church. Ahhhhhh............

(our dinner napkins, aka Charmin)

I got dressed and we all headed to breakfast, then had a meeting with the Dawro Development Assoc. and then we were off to Dali. The drive was breathtaking, the views incredible!

(driver Daniel snuck in the pic)

Arriving in Dali, we received the most unbelievable welcome!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

To get out of the car and be surrounded by those singing "Halleluia" over and over was something that I won't ever forget! They were so full of joy. There were instruments being played, dancing, flowers, just general happiness all around.

Shortly after arriving, I met Daniel. Oh sweet Daniel. His face and smile will be forever etched in my mind and heart. He was at my side very quickly after getting out of the car and everytime that I would smile and approach him, he would play coy and run off, only to return almost immediately. I asked someone his name, found out it was Daniel and I started calling him by name! He was pretty much with me the rest of the day. The elders of the community would try to scurry the kids off as we were walking from one project to the next, we even drove to a few projects and lo and beyond, Daniel would appear at every turn.

I'm getting sleepy and the rest of this day is just too important to try to crank out quickly, so I will leave you with Daniel for today and finish our Dali day hopefully tomorrow.

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, ethiopia | 6 comments

Monday, June 28, 2010

Days 1-2 edit, Fistula video added

I am ready to start plugging along and process the trip! I will use some excerpts from my journal, pics and thoughts as they come to me.

I will begin with the night before I left. I don't think that I have ever been under such spiritual attack- my body and mind were both hurting. I sat on the back porch, sobbing, as my sweet hubby just held me and told me that I could do this and they would be fine! It was just the craziest thing as I had been nothing but excited to go and had a real peace about leaving Moody and the kids. Bam, out of nowhere, fear, anxiety and a very upset tummy were upon me. We prayed and called on some dear friends to pray. My sister said, " the Lord must have something pretty incredible for you there or the enemy wouldn't be wasting his time!" Oh, how I think those words were true.

Come to find out, the war wasn't just being waged on me, but he was attempting the very same schemes with the other 3 women going with me. I recently heard a pastor say that the enemy is not creative in his tactics and I guess this was true here as we all had the same physical and mental attacks. The good news--- He reigns victorious and He allowed each of us to walk on that plane in the full confidence that we were exactly where He called us at that moment and we couldn't wait to get to Ethiopia for Him to reveal His plans to us.

"As I sit on the plane about to take off from Amsterdam to Addis, I'm reminded of the Lord's amazing faithfulness. Leaving was so much harder than I ever anticipated yet God is good. He reigns victorious over all, He has total authority over darkness and will provide for every need that we have along the way!

I just know that so much awaits us there, so much of Him, and what He desires for us to do in Ethiopia in the future."

Arriving at Bole felt like coming home. I love that about Ethiopia. All of the different smells and sounds, and yet it feels so comfortable.

We were staying the first two nights at the Sheraton. As we were checking in we ran into Scott Harrison of Charity:Water. He may have been a bit startled as we may have looked a tad star struck. Prayerfully he quickly realized that we were safe as he was also there with A Glimmer of Hope, only he was going North and we were headed South. Glimmer actually builds all of the wells for Charity:Water. They have an amazing partnership and are bringing clean water to thousand and thousands of Ethiopians.

Julie, me, Kristin and Julie- incredible travel buddies

our sweet friend Milliard, met first in August '08

me and Travis

Jana, Joanna and Kristin

After one incredible nights sleep, we woke up to our first full day in Ethiopia. Julie, Julie and Kristin were going to visit the Fistula Hospital (**see video below**) and I was going to work on some logistics for our trip in October. I hated to miss that experience, but my time in Addis was so limited that I needed to get this done. Gladney provided me with a driver and off we went!!! We stopped by a few hotels and guest homes to determine the best place for our team to stay. It was very productive.

I then headed out to Ayat to see some friends that are on staff with Gladney. We met at Hill Bottom for lunch and then visited a few of the care centers! I loved seeing the kids.

We met up again with Travis, Joanna and Jana at Castelli's for a great dinner! Back to the hotel for bed and the next morning we would start our trek down South.

I just got the codes from Kristin for the Fistula Hospital video. Please watch! Incredible ministry for woman suffering from the tragic result of lack of medical care while delivering their babies. They bring such hope and dignity to them. Kristin has such a gift.

Labels: A Glimmer of Hope, ethiopia | 13 comments

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