Living as a Ferungi

Ferungi is a word that I hear quite often.  Most of the time it is hurled at me as I am walking down the street, riding in a bajaj, or when people are speaking in Amharic and for some reason they think I don't realize that they are talking about me.  In the Amharic language a ferungi is a non-Ethiopian.  Actually, it is more than that, it is a person that doesn't look like an Ethiopian.  If you are a "ferungi" that was born and raised in Ethiopia-you will still be called a ferungi.

Little kids run up and just want to touch my skin.  I think it is funny, so do they.  Some babies scream and cry if I try to touch them.  One little girl screams and cries if I just look at her.  I realize that I look different but I don't feel any different.  This is my home now and sometimes it is weird to have people basically point at you and tell you that you don't belong.  I know that they don't mean any harm when they scream out ferungi at me but sometimes it does hurt my feelings.  It is like a reminder that no matter how long I live here I won't ever truly fit in.  I know this isn't the case with the people closest to me but it is true for others.

I think it is more weird for me to understand the fascination of the color of my skin because I come from a country where we have a little bit of every nationality and race.  I lived in the DC and Baltimore area for a long time so I am used to seeing many different people all of the time.  I realize that here they are not used to that so maybe it is fun for them to see "outsiders".

These are just my random thoughts for the day.  :)

Thanksgiving in Ethiopia

What an awesome Thanksgiving.  There is one other American (Jess) here right now so we hosted Thanksgiving dinner for about 25 people.  Michelle (New Zealander) helped us even though this was also her first Thanksgiving.  We ordered chickens for the meal because you can't get turkey here.  I made sure to specify that I wanted dead chickens 'cause you just never know around here.  I don't usually eat turkey in the States for Thanksgiving but I wanted to get it here because it is so traditionally Thanksgiving but we made do with the chickens.  Also, ham is very expensive here so that is why we went with the chickens.

Cooking here is interesting to say the least.  You've got the altitude issues (I'm at about 6300ft here), the stove and oven are gas and it is extremely hot.  There is no such thing as simmer or warm on these dials.  Plus, it is difficult to find ingredients that you are used to cooking with.  All in all, I thought it was a great night.  We were worried that we wouldn't have enough food but we actually had leftovers.

We played a game where we drew names and we went around the room and said why we were thankful for that person.  My family had done this once in the past and I thought it was a great way to spend Thanksgiving.  It was so cool to hear some of the reasons why everyone was thankful for the others.  Mussie had to translate the whole evening so I am not sure that he really enjoyed his Thanksgiving but I am very grateful that he was willing to be our translator.  In the end we had US Citizens, New Zealanders, Ethiopians, and for a short while, a Canadian.

I spent most of the evening holding an impoverished newborn that now has a hope and a future because God used Blessing the Children to rescue her and her family.  Can't really get more thankful than that, can you?

Busy, busy. . .

Things sure have been busy lately.  Sorry for the delay in postings.  I am actually sick today (only a cold, nothing to worry about) so I am doing work from bed so I thought that I would update you on everything that has been going on.  The BCI directors came into town last week and it was busy, busy with meetings.  I wasn’t in the meetings and trainings but all the “big” people were so things that I wanted or needed to do got put on hold.

I mentioned in the previous blog that Michelle and I were starting a Bible study at one of the churches and that approximately 30 women showed up for the “welcome” meeting.  The first official Bible Study was held on Oct 25^th and it was amazing.  Approximately 25 women showed up to the study and we had an amazing time together and with the Lord.  Because all of the “big” people were in training all week, our usual translators were not available.  Mussie arranged for a man to come and translate for us.  So we get there and we are waiting.. . .

The Bible study was to start at 4:30 and by 4:45 there was still no translator.  Now, if I were back in the US I would have been totally panicked at this point, but this is Ethiopia and time is a fluid concept to most of the locals (not all, but most).  But by 5 I was starting to get nervous.  I texted Mussie to try to find out if he had heard from the translator (remember, Mussie was in this very important training so I shouldn’t have been texting him). While texting Mussie my phone ran out of money so I went to use Michelle’s and hers ran out of money also!  So I start walking around the church complex looking for our translator, whose name I didn’t even know!  I couldn’t find him but I found a man who spoke English fluently and I asked him if he would translate for us and he graciously agreed! 

Michelle and I have started a Bible study at another church as well and the welcome meeting for that one was on Oct 20^th.  Approximately 25 women showed up for this one and the first Bible study is this Thursday.  Please pray that we have a good turn-out and even though there is a language barrier, that we will be able to join together and learn more about our great God.

With the directors of BCI in town, I have been able to learn much more about this great organization.  Not only have I learned more about how they got started but I have learned a lot about where they want to go.  There has been a lot of vision planning happening and I am so excited about things that I have heard.  God is doing amazing things through BCI and I am sooooooo thrilled that He has chosen me to be a part of it!

One of the biggest happenings is that Dennis has returned to start Phase III of the school.  Dennis is from Michigan and he was been the builder for the school.  The school has come together in phases.  Phase I and Phase II happened at different times and both times, Dennis has come to Ethiopia for a month and has built the school.  Well, he is back and Phase III is happening!  Phase III allows BCI Academy to go up to grade 8 (currently it is grades 1-7).  It also includes a cafeteria, kitchen, and other rooms that will be used for training for adults. 

While there have been amazing things happening around here, there has also been heart-breaking things as well.  Almost every day I go on home visits with one or more of the social workers.  This gives me an opportunity to visit the homes of the program kids and to meet their families and/or guardians.  This also gives me an opportunity to see what kinds of needs are out there.  On Monday afternoon Betty (BCI social worker) took me and a couple from Canada to meet a family that attends her church but that is not in the BCI program. 

This home visit has been the absolute worst visit I have been on, including all of the home visits I did last year when I was here.  This home consisted of a 20 year old woman (Seble), her 4 year old son (Yabsira), and her mother.  Four years ago this young woman was gang raped by four men.  So, at the time this young girl was only 16 years old.  These men attacked her so badly that she is still in chronic pain from the injuries that she received.  I am not going to go into all of the details of what happened to her body, just know that it is horrific.  She is so messed up that she can barely stand or walk.  The only time that she leaves her house is to walk approximately 50ft to the closest church.  Her mother and son go to a different church, a church that this young woman wants to attend, but because of her physical limitations she is forced to attend the closest church she can get to. 

Basically, for the last four years this precious girl has been sitting on her bed watching the world go by through the window that is at the head of her bed.  As I mentioned earlier, she has a four year old son.  This little boy is the product of that brutal rape.  She loves her son very much.  I could see it in the way that her face lit up when he walked in the door and by how she kisses on him.  She is not only living with the physical trauma of what these men did to her but she is living with the pain of not being able to provide for her child. 

The couple from Canada that came with me on the home visit was torn up by this visit as much as I was.  The three of us were just sitting there, not believing what we were seeing or hearing.  Looking back on it now it seems weird that we weren’t crying but I realize now that we were too stunned and angry to cry.  I have cried over it since then, I actually am now as I type this, but at the time I was in complete disbelief. 

After leaving the home visit, the couple from Canada went to lunch and they decided that they would pay for this precious girl to have reconstructive surgery.  I am soooo elated at this news!  I love how God brings people from all the way across the world to change the world for one family.  This woman is not even affiliated with BCI but God is still using BCI to bless her. 

The next day, I went back to visit her and Sheila (Blessing the Children Canada Director) came so she could meet the family.  Betty told the young girl that her surgery is paid for and it was a precious moment.  I have noticed that the majority of Ethiopians are pretty reserved in their emotional reactions so there was no screams of elation or even tears of joy; but there was hope.  There was hope in her face; not just that she would no longer be in physical pain every day, but hope that she would be able to improve the life of her child. 

BCI would like to add the little boy to the program but we need to find sponsors for him.  Please pray that God brings along the perfect sponsors for this family-and let me know if you are that sponsor or if you want more information about how to sponsor a child. 

This is Seble.  This is how she watches the world.

This is Yabsira.

I miss everyone so much!  I think it is worse because I haven’t been able to communicate much because of technical difficulties.  Please know that I am trying to get everything up and running so I can Skype but things aren’t as easy to accomplish here!  J

Oh yeah, do you realize I have been here for a month already?!!

Where to help?

The needs here are overwhelming.  Sometimes it is too much and I just cry and cry when I think of all of these precious people and what they lack.  I understand that the most important thing is that they know Jesus.  But there is a part of me that hurts because they live in conditions that I consider unfit.  I also understand that a lot of my views on living conditions were formed because I grew up in the USA.  Not to say that there aren't poor people in America, because there are, but there are poor-extremely poor-people everywhere you turn here. 

I love to go on home visits to meet the children and their families but sometimes it is too difficult because I can't imagine living in such homes.  I have a lot of guilt about my advantages in life.  While I wasn't born in America, I was born to American citizens.  Why was I and not some of these children here?  I don't know why I was afforded certain opportunities and others are not.  I obviously enjoy the advantages that being an American affords me, but on the other hand it annoys me that not everyone is afforded the same advantages.  I am the same as anyone else. . .except for my birth certificate that says I am an American.

"Because I have been given much, I too must give".  That is the place I am in right now.  I have been given so much and I have greedily taken so much during my life that now is the chance for me to give back.  The only hard part is deciding where and who to give to.  The needs are so great and I am not Bono (does anyone else think it's sad that the greatest philanthropists of our time are not Christians?) but I have been given much. 

Thank you to everyone that is allowing me to be here by supporting me.  So far your money has been able to provide a month's worth of food for five separate families, new clothes for a little boy, and rent for a single mom with two children that was facing eviction.  Also, your money will soon be providing a woman that is supporting 6 children (not all are hers) by making injera and selling it, with a new electric oven and the electricity to make the oven work!!  She will be able to make the injera much faster and the electric oven will be healthier for her.  Right now she is chopping firewood and when she sits in front of the fire all day she breathes in all that smoke (she is now having lung problems) and the fire burns her knees. 

These may sound like small things but they are huge to the people that receive them.  Thank you so much for your faithful support.  I can't tell you enough how much it not only means to the families that are blessed by it here, but to me as well.

I am missing Birthdays! :(

Yesterday was my brother's birthday and I almost missed it!!  He had told me before I left that he wanted his own special blog on his birthday.  Last year when I was here I said happy birthday to him and my bff Angela in the same blog and he didn't appreciate sharing the spotlight with her!

The internet at home still isn't working, my phone hadn't been calling the States, so a group of us set out for the internet cafe yesterday so I could make Kevin's special blog.  And of course. . .it was closed!!  We went to three separate internet cafes and they all were closed because the network was down.  I was so upset that I was trying not to throw a tantrum in the street.

On a whim I decided to ride to Addis to pick J up from the airport.  Mussie and I were sitting there waiting and he asked me how I was doing on my patience (I previously told Mussie that if God accomplished anything in me in Ethiopia it would be my patience skills).  I told him that I was doing okay until today because I was missing Kevin's birthday.  We were sitting there and I just decided to try to call him and see if it would work.  I called Dad's home phone first and it actually went through but they didn't pick up!  So then I called Dad's cell phone and he answered!!!  It was so great to hear his voice and he told me that they were actually just about to sing Happy Birthday to Kevin so I got to sing along!!

Dad let me talk to Kevin next and in the middle of our convo my phone ran out of money so it hung up.  But I was so happy that I got to call and talk to them!  Isn't that just like God?  For two weeks my phone wouldn't call the States and when I was really sad because I was going to miss Kevin's birthday it actually called!!  Praise the Lord!

Kevin, I hope you had a wonderful birthday and I am so glad that you got to hear my beautiful singing voice!  You are an amazing person and I can't wait until you get here.  Hurry up!  "You too!"  :)

And of course, this blog wouldn't be complete without wishing my beautiful best friend Angela a Happy Birthday!  I miss you so much!  I hope that your new job is going great for you.  I can't wait until we can Skype!  Love you bunches!!

:)

Ethiopia is still great!  So I mentioned in the previous post that a family from New Zealand just recently moved to Ethiopia to serve with BCI, Michelle, the mother, and I have been spending some time together getting to know each other and sharing our visions for service here.  She is teaching art at the school and trust me, God definitely hasn't given me the vision to serve in that area!  However, we do have some overlapping visions.  God gave both of us the visions, before we arrived, to start a Bible study amongst the local women.  We had a "getting to know you" meeting last night for the moms to attend and 31 women showed up!!  We introduced ourselves to them and shared our visions for the study with them.  We then asked them what they wanted to gain from it and when they would like to meet.  Please pray that God blesses this new endeavor and that we may learn from these women.  I am so blessed to be a part of their lives and I can not wait to fellowship with them in Bible study!

Michelle and I both had the vision of starting a Bible club at the Academy.  I am meeting with Mulugeta, BCI principal, tomorrow to get some more information about this and to see if this is something that the Academy would like to take on.  Also, I am meeting with him tomorrow to discuss me teaching Music Theory to the older children.  This is a little bit out of my comfort zone but I know if it is of God, then He will bless it.

Also, today, Goldy (BCI social worker) asked me to give English lessons to Besa.  Besa is in the process of being adopted and Goldy wants her English skills to improve before she moves to America.  It sounds like I am going to be busy!!

I am able to communicate now!

Wow!  What a week!  I am here in Debre Zeyit, Ethiopia and I am loving it.  I have spent the last week getting settled into my room and getting adjusted to life here in Ethiopia.  I have missed my BCI crew so much!  It was so great to see everyone again.  And of course, as soon as I could, I made my way over to the foster home to see Fiker and Rebirra.  They have gotten so big!  As soon as I saw their beautiful faces I remembered why I was back here.  Actually, I saw Fiker earlier that day.  I went to BCI Academy and toured the school with the new team members that are here on a short-term missions trip.  I walked into Fiker’s classroom and from across the room her little face lit up and she ran to me.  I wasn’t sure if she would remember me but she did and it was amazing.  Absolutely amazing.  

So much has happened in this past week I don’t even really know where to start.  I haven’t been in contact much because I have been having communication issues.  I thought the house had Wi-Fi but it doesn’t.  You have to buy some CDMA thingie and use that to access the internet.  Well, it took a day or so to get it, then you have to wait 2 days for it to be active.  I patiently (Mussie would say I waited impatiently) waited 2 days and it didn’t work.  Well, Mussie was out of town so I was really trying not to bother him but I really, really, really wanted it to work so I called him and he said he would do whatever needed to be done but it still didn’t work.  So in the meantime, I get a cell phone and I had originally planned only to use the phone to communicate with my Ethiopian peeps but since I really couldn’t email anyone I tried to call my family.  I didn’t have enough money on my phone so I went to the corner shop to buy minutes and of course they were closed.  So the next day, I bought time and loaded it on my phone but for some reason it will not call the states.  Mussie doesn’t know what is wrong with it so of course I have no idea.  Tonight Mussie and I took my computer to the dude that sold Mussie the CDMA thingamagig and he fixed it.  I wanted to jump across the table and kiss him but I think that would have been extremely inappropriate here.  :)

So, I am back online.  However, I tried Skyping and it didn’t really work so that is just something else that Mussie is going to have to fix.  I really feel bad for him.  He has to deal with crazy, helpless furungies (foreigners) such as myself.  God bless him!

There is a family from New Zealand that is serving here as interns with BCI and they are awesome!  It is a husband, wife, and 5 children.  The husband and wife are about my age and they are wonderful.  I am so happy to have them here.  On Friday, we all went to Nazaret, which is a neighboring town, to some hot springs.  I didn’t pack a bathing suit so I didn’t go swimming.  But it was an awesome day, anyways.  There were monkeys everywhere!  I took a million pictures of them.  They were pretty bold though because they kept stealing food from people and they jumped up on our table and Michelle (New Zealander) was scaring them off and one of them swiped at her!  Also, I used a shintabay for the first time.  A shintabay is pretty much a squatting toilet.  I didn’t plan on using one so early in my trip but that is what was available to the time and I really had to go.  I need to work on my shintabay skills because I peed on my shoe a little bit!

On Sunday, I went to Addis (capital city) with the New Zealanders and we attended the International Church.  They were celebrating International Day and they had special singing and sermons.  At one point they had everyone stand up and when they called your country name you were to sit down.  They called Ethiopia first and then America next so I guess my country was pretty boring.  But for the next 20 minutes or so they called country names and at the end it was determined that 56 countries were represented there that day!  It was so amazing.  It was kind of like a fore-taste of what I think heaven will be like.  People of all nations, color, ethnicities, and economic statuses praying and worshipping God together.  It was wonderful to hear songs that I know sung with many different accents.  

After the church service they had tents set up outside and they had food from many different parts of the world.  It was so crazy and chaotic that I only ended up getting 2 sushi pieces but the food that I saw others had looked amazing.  The North American tent was completely bombarded I couldn’t even tell what they were offering.

There is so much to tell but this blog entry is already so long.  Please pray for me as I find the best areas to be of use here.  I have some ideas and I am working out the specifics with Mussie and Mulugeta (BCI principal).  I start taking Amharic lessons this week so please pray for me as I start this process.  I am excited but I also know that it is going to be a lot of work.

I love and miss everyone!

Sitting in my little corner of the airport. . .

I have arrived at Washington/Dulles airport.  It is 4:30pm not and my flight doesn't leave until 10pm.  So. . .needless to say, I have a little time to waste.  I have holed myself up in a corner.  I am eating Chipotle (which I have missed) and using the computer.  I thought about letting some friends now about my long layover since I am from the DC area, but Dulles is kinda far out and I didn't want to bother anyone so I am just hanging out.  Which is actually okay.  Last year I met up with Jay and Eboni, who are from Alabama that were going on the missions trip, and I spent time talking with them on the long layover.  I won't meet up with the other missions trip people until I get to Frankfurt so I may go find some strangers to talk to.  Hope you all enjoy your Sunday.  

I'm leaving on a jet plane. . .

Today, is the day.  There were times that I thought this day would never come but it's here and I find myself thinking about all of the small things that I have not gotten around to doing yet.  I feel like I left some things undone and I feel like I didn't get to say goodbye to everyone that I love.  But, I also feel like I am SO excited for today.  Okay, maybe not actually for today because I am not looking forward to the plane ride.  I don't mind flying but it is so far and I am slightly. . .okay, very claustrophobic, and a control-freak so I don't like not being able to get off of the plane for that long.  But I am excited that the plane will take me home.  :)

One week to go

Guess what?!?!?!  I leave for Ethiopia one week from today!  I am so excited that the time has finally come and I absolutely can not wait!!!!!!!!!!!!  But at the same time it is so bittersweet to think about leaving my family, Anderson, and my HPC family.  I really wasn't expecting to be so emotional about leaving.  I had been concentrating so much on the excitement of this new adventure and knowing that I am going exactly where God wants me to go that I didn't even consider how I would feel about leaving.  I have had some very emotional days.  Days where I was so sad all I did was lay on the couch.  Some days it has been exhausting just to take a shower.

There was a period of about 7 years of my life that I was utterly convinced that people didn't care about me.  That people would be better off if I wasn't around so I wouldn't be a burden on them.  There was a time when I felt so alone.  I have never felt as loved as I do in Anderson, SC and at High Praises Church.  God has blessed me with so many people that love me, care for me, and truly want the best for me.  He has blessed me with people that, even though they will miss me, has helped me to realize God's calling for my life.  I realize now that this is why it is so emotional for me to leave.  It's not because I am second guessing God's will or because deep-down I don't really want to go.  It's because God has blessed me with so many people that, not only do I so deeply love, but that love me the same in return and I am going to miss that so much.

Overwhelmed by clothes!!

I am overwhelmed. . .in a great way!  Before I quit working at my secular job in July, a teammate approached me and said that she wanted to do a clothing drive and ask teammates in our region to donate kids and teen clothing.  I got back from Texas and Sherry, the teammate whose idea it was to do the clothing drive, called me and said that her office and adjoining work area were packed with clothes.  We set up a time for me to come in to the office to start sorting through the clothes.

Well, I walked in her office this past Tuesday and stopped in my tracks.  I just stood there and stared at piles, and piles, and boxes, and more boxes of clothes, shoes, and school supplies.  Sherry then told me to turn around.  When I did, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  In the adjoining work area near her office were more bags of clothes!!  To say I was overwhelmed would be putting it mildly.

I am really at a loss for words at the generosity of my former teammates.  What is most amazing about this, is that Sherry opened up this opportunity to the whole region and outside of the offices right here in Anderson, I don't know most of the region, nor do they know me.  But God allowed all of these people to come together to bless the precious children of Debre Zeyit and for that I am so very grateful.

I don't have children of my own, but now I know what parents mean when they say that when someone blesses their child it in turn blesses them.  These children in the BCI program are my babies and when they are blessed I am blessed beyond measure.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to my wonderful teammates at SunTrust!  Remember-"Solid Gives Back".

One month from today!

I know it sounds cliche' but time really has flown by.  I remember when the "announcement" was made in February that I was moving to Ethiopia, I kept thinking "8 months is so far away-I want to go now!".  Well, the time is almost here and I CAN'T believe it!!

I spent the month of August in Texas visiting family and I had an awesome time.  It was nice to get away from home and hang out with family that I love.  I also made new friends and I am so grateful for another "arm" of support in this adventure.

I have so much to do to get ready but the biggest thing is that I have to get my Ethiopian Visa.  I appreciate prayers for a quick, problem-free turn-around.  I am constantly amazed at how God is putting all of this together so I have faith that the Visa process will not be a problem.

Many things about my life in Ethiopia are still up in the air but I know God has all of the details worked out.  God has been completely amazing during this process.  I have definitely learned that if we just take a step of faith, God will carry us the rest of the way.

I know that I have friends and family that aren't as excited about this adventure as I am, and that hurts, but I have to just walk in faith that God has a plan for us all.  I will keep everyone updated on this journey!  THANK you so much for the prayers and financial support!

One-way ticket to Addis please!

My ONE-WAY ticket to Ethiopia was purchased this week!  SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited about this new journey in my life that God is taking me on!  I leave on October 2nd!! 

Faith in God's plans

Oh my gosh...I am tired from all of the preparations that have to be done in order for me to move to Ethiopia in October.  It almost seems like a never ending list of "stuff".  I am really trying not to get bogged down in all of the details and making a point to remember why I am going in the first place.  Whenever I feel even just a little disconnected from the real reason behind all of this, all I have to do is look at the pictures and video from my trip last October.  Then all of these details actually start to seem like a joy because I know they are getting me one step closer!

Lately people have been saying things to me that have gotten me thinking about how we know or gauge what God is asking of us.  What kind of proof do we require to "prove" to ourselves or others that the path we are taking is actually of God?  The comments I have been geting a lot of lately go something like this "Well, if God is really sending you to Ethiopia then He will keep you safe".  Maybe people don't know what to say so this is their pat comment but I disagree completely with this statement.

I don't believe that just because I am a Christian or just because I am living out God's plan for me that everything is going to be all rainbows and fields of 4-leaf clovers.  In fact, the Bible is pretty clear about one thing: Christians will face trials, tribulations, test, and troubles.  Becoming a Christian doesn't give us a free pass to a perfect life.  Just read James 1.

I sometimes wonder, if I get to Ethiopia and I get hurt or sick or (and my family hates it when I talk like this but I am a realist) even die, will people begin to doubt whether or not I was called to Ethiopia?  And for the people that truly believe, as I do, that this is a true calling on my life-will their faith be tested if they truly feel that since God is calling me that I will be safe the whole time?

If something happens to me while I am there I don't want that to dim the real reason that I went in the first place.  I am going because God showed me that Debre Zeyit is my home.  The impoverished widows and children that I met while I was there are my family and because I want to serve my Lord and Savior.

Why go?

Some people have asked me why I am moving to Ethiopia.  I made a little video to give a small glimpse of the many reasons why I am going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNTnTsvTxDI

Sad

I have been missing Ethiopia a lot more lately.  I don’t really know why.  Maybe it is because I am constantly thinking about it because I am in major preparation and fundraising mode.  I would say 95% of my awake time is spent thinking about and anticipating my upcoming trip.  I am just now at the 4-mth mark. . .October 2^nd can’t get here fast enough.  I sometimes feel bad saying that, as if in some way my wonderful friends and family will misconstrue that to mean that I won’t miss then immensely.  I will. . .a lot, but God has made a place for me in Ethiopia and it’s as if a part of me is missing because I am not with my new family.  I am just now beginning to process how intensely I will miss everyone here in the States and it is a bit overwhelming at times but I know where I belong and I can’t wait until I fit in again. 

Fekerite

I just received my monthly newsletter from Blessing the Children and I am so excited!!!   

Fekerite Tilahun is 15 years old and she lives in the Sunshine Foster Home at BCI with her younger brother, Teddy.  Both of their parents and another brother died from HIV complications.  Fekerite and Teddy went to live with their grandfather but he became unable to care for them so they were sent to live at the Sunshine Foster Home.  Fekerite is a very special young lady, as she is almost completely deaf in both ears. 

Imagine being an orphan in a third-world country.  Now imagine being a deaf orphan in a third-world country.  Unlike in America, schools (if a child is even attending school) in Ethiopia are unable to give specialized care to children with disabilities.  Being born with a disability is almost like being born with no hope of being able to provide for yourself in the future.

The management team at BCI was concerned about Fekerite’s future.  They decided that it would be a good idea for Fekerite to learn a skill.  Her foster mom, Tigist, will be her teacher.  Tigist will start teaching Fekerite how to sew and hopefully, Tigist and Fekerite will then be able to take on new students as to pass this skill on to others. 

The sewing machine and supplies were bought through the Blessing the Children’s Micro Credit Program.  This program has helped many families in Debre Zeyit start their own small businesses but more than that it has allowed families a way to provide for themselves.  If you would like to help other families through the Micro Credit Program please mail your checks to:

Blessing the Children

Attn: Micro Credit Program

2267 Fraser Rd

Kawkawlin, MI 48631

As always, your donations are greatly appreciated and put to great use to further help BCI families.  There are so many ways that you can help.  Just a few are:

*Pray blessings upon BCI and the children.

*Sponsoring a child.

*Sponsoring the Breakfast Feeding Program.

*Sponsoring the Micro Credit Program.

*Making a donation to the building fund.

*Making a donation that can be used as BCI sees best fit.

Check out www.blessingthechildren.org for more information on the wonderful people of Debre Zeyit that have stolen my heart!!

On a personal note:

Plans are quickly coming together for me to leave on a 2-year visa to Debre Zeyit.  I am planning to leave on October 2^nd.  I can’t wait to get back to my babies!

I am in major preparation mode as I am constantly thinking of all of the things that I have to do and buy before I leave.  Please pray for me, that God will use me in wonderful ways to bless the children and families in the BCI program.  Also, please pray about supporting me financially.  I need quite a bit of money and I won’t be able to work for money over there so I am fully relying on God and His blessings.  If you feel  led to support me with a one-time gift or even a monthly gift please mail your tax-deductible donation to:

High Praises Church of God

PO Box 1188

Anderson, SC 29662

Memo:  Jonnett Barrick

Any and all donations are appreciated more than I can say!!

Breakfast Feeding Program at BCI Academy

Imagine sending your child to school without breakfast.  This is the reality for many parents in Ethiopia.  Due to finances, BCI Academy hasn’t been able to provide breakfast or lunch to the students; and there is no free or reduced lunch program offered by the government of Ethiopia like there is here in America.

Two of the BCI Canada board members are in Ethiopia right now and they have been testing a breakfast feeding program for the past three weeks.  They were only able to choose 12 children out of the nearly 80 children from the academy to participate in this feeding program.  They chose 12 of the most neediest kids (but let’s be honest here, they are all needy and worthy of such a program) and had them come to school early and they have been feeding them breakfast for the past three weeks.  They have seen such positive results from these children that they desperately want to continue this program. 

Of course, they need the finances to be able to do this.  To continue feeding these children they need $140/mth.  That is approximately $0.58 a day per child.  Yep, it only takes roughly 58 cents to feed a child breakfast for one day! 

I ask that you prayerfully consider supporting this program.  All of these children need a good meal but it is most dire because a lot of the children in the BCI program are HIV positive and while they have access to free retroviral medication from the Ethiopian government they are in desperate need of adequate nutrition to keep them healthy. . .more so than an HIV negative child.

Please pray about supporting this program on a monthly basis or even a one-time gift.  All tax-deductible donations can be mailed to:

Blessing the Children International

2267 Fraser Rd

Kawkawlin, MI 48631

Please include “Breakfast Feeding Program” on the memo line of your check.

I thank you so much in advance for your support of this worthy cause.

For more ways that you can help, please visit:

http://www.blessingthechildren.org/ 

Bring on the rain, the roof is done!

It has taken me awhile but I wanted to give everyone an update on the roof project for Betselote and Efrata. . .it is done!!  Praise the Lord!  I can’t even explain how happy I am for this precious family to have a solid roof over their heads! 

Thank you so much to those of you that donated your money to this project.  People I don’t even know donated to this roof and that just amazes me.  God is so good and faithful, isn’t he?!?!  Seble, Betselote and Efrata’s aunt, contacted me on FaceBook and thanked me for making this happen for their family but more importantly, she thanked God for “this miracle”.  I didn’t make this happen, God did.  I was just blessed enough to be the vessel that He used.

Here are some pics for you to enjoy:

Here’s what I’ve got coming up to raise more money for Ethiopia:

*I am selling local merchant discount cards that are $10.  The cards are good for one year and can be used multiple times.

*I will be having a big yard sale on April 2^nd.  If you want to do some early spring cleaning, I will be more than happy to take the stuff off of your hands!  J

*Matty’s in downtown Anderson has graciously agreed to do a charity day for me.  I will get 10% of any receipt that has my name written on the back of it on April 4^th from 11am-9:30pm.  Please come out and eat!  J