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!!