Ordinary Hero - Arriving in ET

Some people just have a way with words.  I am not one of them.  I haven't written about my trip, because I am having trouble finding the appropriate words to express just how wonderful my trip was.  I just loved it, which kinda sounds weird when you are talking about a missions trip focused on children in extreme poverty.  The children both tear at your soul and bring you great joy.   It's really a holy experience.  One that words could never do justice...

With that, I will at least chronicle my journey for my memory purposes :)

  

My "buddy", Amy, and I eagerly waiting to board ET airlines.  Both of us have adopted children from Ethiopia, so the country and people have a special place in our heart. 

  

Ahhhhh!!! After a long flight, we finally arrive in Addis around 8 am.  It is their rainy season, and the temperature is just perfect, especially since it has been a scorcher at home.  I'm beyond excited to be back in Ethiopia.  

   

  

Here we are waiting for some of our 3,000+ lbs. of donations.  The airport officials thought we had brought much of the stuff into the country to sell, so they held us up for some 5 hours while they searched, researched and re-researched our donation luggage.  It was frustrating, and I really feel like it was spiritual warfare.  The devil wants the children to suffer and remain hopeless, and we were bringing a message of love and hope - all in the name of Jesus.

  

There were 28 people on our team from all over the country, and I must say, everyone was great!  Because of our size, we had 3 vans.  We finally got all of our donations, and they were loaded on top with the rest of our luggage.

     

We turn off the main road to get to our home for the next 7 days.  Most of the roads in the city seem to be like this.  The main road is paved, and all side roads are dirt.  They all seem to look like alleys, because there are gates around everything.  You never know what is behind the gate.

  We arrive at the Ethiopian Guest House.  EGH was started by an adoptive family that wanted to do more, so they started opening up guest houses as non-profits.  They cater to mission groups and adopting families, and the proceeds go back into orphanages and other related programs.  

  

Each day outside our gates, we were met by a group of local children.  When we'd leave in the morning, they would be there to hang out with us, and when we got home in the evening, they would be waiting for us.  They just wanted to hang out.  Sometimes, we'd bring them into our little compound and give them something that they needed.  This little boy needed some shoes.  He was thrilled with his new rain boots we found for him.

  

These 3 boys stayed with us most of the week.  They live at Korah (local trash dump), and each have a sponsor that was on the trip.  It was fun to watch them experience new things and develop a life long bond with their sponsor.  I can tell you firsthand that sponsoring a child CHANGES their world.  These boys lives are forever changed because 3 families stepped up and said yes to sponsorship.  To learn more about sponsoring a child in Korah, you can visit the Project 61 website.

They are so proud of their new clothes.

 TO BE CONTINUED...

"He has to have a name!"

    

After playing with the older children in the courtyard, and after holding the toddlers, we head into a TINY but bright room where the infants are.  There are about 6 of them in this tiny little room.  The nannies due to best they can, but really do they ever go outside this room?  How much are they held and talked to?  We're taking turns holding the babies, talking to them, and reading their bio note (if they have one) when my friend asks, "What is his name?"  He's a tiny cute little thing about a month old.  He's baby "d".  He doesn't have a name, the nanny replies.  We explain through a language barrier that we know that his name is blank on his bio note, but we still want to know what his name is.  She still replies that he doesn't have a name.

Not only had this child been left at a church at birth, but he still, even at a month old, didn't have a name.  Why didn't he have name?  A lot of children + a few nannies who are underpaid + high turnover nannies + an orphanage with no money = a child in the corner with no name.  

Well, this just wasn't going to do.  My friend, LeaAnne, said that he has to have a name.  So, there in that tiny little yellow room, we throw out some names.  When we came to Elijah, which means God's grace, LeaAnne said that's it.  So, we find a pen, and she wrote it on his bio.  So, just like that he went from baby "d" to Elijah and had someone standing with him in his corner.

When we met Elijah, we knew that something wasn't quite right.  His head was a little too big for his cute little body.  Again, my friend, LeaAnne stood with him in his corner and advocated for him to go to the doctor.  She advocated the next day.  She advocated the next day.  She advocated the next day.  She advocated the next day.  

We returned to that orphanage before we left, and again she advocated for little Elijah to go to the doctor.  When we got home, she continued advocating for him to go to the doctor.

Yesterday's text...The doctor doesn't give him more than a month or two to live unless he has brain surgery.  Please please pray!

It's heartbreaking news!  But we serve a mighty God, and he hears our prayers.  So, please join us as we lift up our prayers for little Elijah - for medical miracles - for financial miracles.

  

My Child

  

My Child

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31

You were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being for you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139: 15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26

I brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6

I knit you together in your mother’s womb.  

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 134: 13, 14

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me ~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you simply because you are my child,

 and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139: 17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5

I want to tell you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:4

And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for your is revealed ~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39

The Holy Spirit will bear witness that you are my child ~ Romans 8:16

And Jesus will prepare a place for you in My house ~ John 14:2

My promise is for you, who I have called to myself ~ Acts 2:39

Keep yourself in my love ~ Jude 21

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Today we celebrated "G"'s baptism!  It was a glorious day!
    

Heading to Ethiopia...Ordinary Hero Style

 
I've been waiting for 8 months...Bags are packed - well almost packed...And, tomorrow I leave for Ethiopia, and I am so grateful that I am able to go.  When I board the plane, I will totally be on a spiritual high :)  I can't wait to go love on some little kiddos and tell them how much God loves them.
   
I won't be blogging while I'm there (not that I blog much lately anyways), but you can visit ordinaryheroblogspot.com to see the latest. 
 
Well, I've gotta go finish up some more laundry.

Please say a prayer for our team...that we would love boldly!
 

Catching Up...

  

We're alive over here - just way behind on keeping up the blog.

Life is busy with 3, we've been...

doing hair...

making soup...

 just take carrots, ham, grapes, shredded cheese, canned peaches and microwave for 1 minute...yum?!?

losing our first, then second tooth within a couple of days...

singing in the choir...

 getting guinea pigs (kept at Nanny's for now)...

getting a new dog (again, kept at Nanny's)...

having Easter egg hunts... 

didn't take long for this boy to figure out an Easter egg hunt... 

and, playing a little soccer.

First Family of 5 Weekend Getaway!

   

The kids had Spring Break this past week, so we decided that we would take them out of town for the weekend - just a short little trip.  I prepared "G" ahead of time explaining what a hotel was, what all we were going to do, and that after 2 nights sleep, we would be coming back home.  He did great.  He slept beside the girls bed and did great.

We headed to the local children's museum.

Our first stop was the water area.  "G" loved this area.  The girls have been several times, so they enjoyed being able to show him how everything worked.  We were here for a long time.

Next stop was the art area.  This is "B" favorite spot.

"A" favorite area is the music area.

After about the first half of the museum, we left for lunch.  When we returned, we headed to the science area.  All of the kids loved the hands-on activities.

 

While dad and the girls built a house, "G" figured out how to line-up the tubes to get a ball to go through them.

Next, we were off to our hotel pool.  It was awesome, because as we were headed into the pool, we ran into some good friends of ours.  We were able to hang out by the pool and visit and later do dinner and ice cream together.  They pick up their daughter from ET this week.

At first "G" was a little unsure of the pool and decided to stick to the hot tub.

After putting on some floaties, he decided to jump in.

He's a pool fan now :)

The next day, we headed to the local aquarium.

The kids discuss the "game plan".  I go over the rules of how we stick together, and what to do if you get lost.

After the aquarium and ice cream, it was such a beautiful day, we decide to do some walking.  We did a LOT of walking!!

"G" on his first carousel ride.  He loved it! 

I love this picture.  It sums up our weekend.  We had a great time!

 

God Bless America & Children Around the World

   

The kiddos have all had their school programs and have done fabulous.  I LOVE going to watch them!!!  I am so proud of them!

 

God Bless America

 

A's school did a patroitic 2nd grade music program.  It was refreshing to see the ol' red, white and blue being celebrated. 

  

".....different...different..., but we are all American - American through and through."  (I can't remember all of "A" lines.)

Children Around the World

Next, "B" and "G" had their spring program.  The theme this year was Children Around the World.  They rotate themes every 4 years, so it was fun watching and remembering when "A" first participated as a Spainish Dancer.  They did add a finale this year, and it was AWESOME!

King of the Jungle

First up was "G".  I had no idea how he would do in the program, but I was not nervous at all.  If he participated, then great.  If he froze, then I would be right there to get him, and it would be no big deal.  He did great!!  I was so proud of him, and he was so proud.  He had spotted us as he was walking in; "B" was sitting with her group really close; and he could see "A" sitting in the front with all the kiddos, so I think all of that really comforted him.

He was a little unsure as he walked up front for his turn - but smiling the whole time.  Luckily, we were in the front, so we were right there to give him the thumbs up and encourage him.

By the end, he was KING OF THE JUNGLE!!

It's been fun to see him yelling this periodically around the house.

Can Can Dancers

Their little costumes and routine were too cute.  "B" was super excited to show us her routine.  (The boys in her class did a separate routine.)

The Finale

Given the fact that our family has been blessed by international adoption and given the current situation for orphaned Ethiopia children, I "see/feel" children around the world much differently than I did just a couple of short years ago.  It was really hard not to get emotional during the finale. 

"B" class came back out together and walked around with their letters to "We Are The World". 

Then, they lined up to spell...

Then, the children started singing "Let There be Peace" on earth and let it begin with me.

With God as our Father

Brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother

in perfect harmony.

Then, everyone sang "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands". 

I have to say it was the BEST preschool show!!!  The staff, teachers and children did an outstanding job!!