Destination: ETHIOPIA

I wish I could say something profound but here is the simple truth: ETHIOPIA CHANGED MY LIFE.

Almost 2 years ago, I sat at a kitchen table and heard a story of a widower, in rural Ethiopia, who gave his 3 year old son up for adoption because he couldn’t feed him. A few months later, I sat at another kitchen table and heard a similar story of a widow, a fellow believer, who made the same difficult decision. My heart broke and I thought, “Am I doing anything? Am I being obedient to the 2,000+ verses in the Bible that say I need to care, to act, to remember that, ‘Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.’ – James 1:27.” The answer was no but it needed to be YES! I needed to not be “polluted by the world”, thinking only of myself, my family and striving to live my life in comfort, ignoring that there were needs that I could meet because of the resources and abilities that God had given me.

In January 2011, I traveled to Ethiopia to visit Friends of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (FOVC). FOVC was started in 2006 by Desalegn Daka, who wanted to meet the needs of the poorest people in his community through education, food, medical care and income generating projects. In August 2011, I became FOVC’s sponsorship coordinator and I am overseeing the US side of a program that is impacting 118 precious little children in southern Ethiopia.

This past year, I’ve realized that James 1:27 holds the truth. “…look after orphans and widows in their distress…” - 49% of why I need to care, for the benefit of those on the receiving end and “…keep oneself from being polluted by the world” - 51%, it's about my heart. I need to care for many reasons; to meet needs, to learn, to keep myself humble, understanding on a deeper level that everything I have is a gift from God. I need to remember that I have just as much to gain from my outreach as do those on the receiving end. I am no better and it is only by the grace of God that I have what I have, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b.


June 1-15 I will be traveling to Ethiopia, along with my oldest son, to visit FOVC. Colin, is almost 12 and will be my assistant. He is thrilled! We need LOTS of prayer. If you feel led, please pray for our trip, for health, safety, productivity and team unity.

The cost of the trip is between $6,000-$7,000 (depending on airfare). I am trying to raise some funds to help offset the cost of the trip.  You can see my online fundraising page by clicking here.

ETHIOPIA CHANGED MY LIFE and I cannot wait to go back!

Trayvon Martin

As I walked into the crowded subway train I noticed a young Latino man, he was in his late teens and was dressed like a typical kid from the inner-city of Chicago.  He looked right at me.  I nervously turned my back, gripped my bag with one hand and the overhead handrail with the other.  A few seconds after the train took off I felt a tab on my shoulder.  I turned and he was standing by his seat, motioning for me to sit.  I was surprised and said thank you as I sat down, still keeping eye contact. He proceeded to grab the overhead handrail with this left hand and as I brought my gaze down, I looked eye-level at his right hand and in it, was a Bible.

I've never forgotten that moment.  I was a college student, living in the heart of Chicago in the early-90's.  I had a growing desire to reach out and make a difference in the world.  I also had a lot to learn.  In the fall of 1997, I moved to my current home in a very diverse inner-city neighborhood of Minneapolis.  I'm not sure of the exact racial breakdown here but the people you usually see walking around are young and black, some wearing hoodies.  With the recent death of Trayvon Martin, I've thought a lot about many of the young black men that we know, love and have so enriched our lives.  They could so easily be Trayvon and it breaks my heart.

After 14 years of seeing young black men walking around I have to honestly say that if I saw one do something, I mean something bad, I would be shocked.  99% of the time, what I see, is just young men, walking to school, catching the bus, hanging with friends, just being kids.  The other 1% of the time I might watch someone suspiciously or call 911, when I feel there is something to report.  I realize that my response is based on experience.  I think about Martin Luther King's dream,

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." 

Regardless of race, to know someone's character means you have to know them, personally!  I think the issues we still face in America are from lack of experience, lack of knowing people who are different from ourselves.  My goal is to help bridge that gap in the lives of the people I know.  This past year I had someone tell me that their struggle with racist attitudes came to light because they got to know our neighbor kids, the ones we bring to church.  I know I cannot change the whole world but I can impact the people around me.  That's my plan!

Gifts

"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:16-17

I've always thought it would be neat to walk my children to school.  When my oldest two were younger they attended a school about 1 mile away.  It was a little too far to walk.  We rode our bikes a few times but with a new baby in tow, it was difficult.  Today, they attend a charter school 12 miles away.  Thank God for carpools!

My youngest started Kindergarten this past fall and we found a wonderful charter school just 2 blocks from our house.  It has been a perfect fit for him and close enough to walk!  Next fall the school will be moving to a new building 3 miles away.  Thank God for busing!

This year we have had unseasonably warm weather and I desire to give thanks to God for this gift of being able to walk my son to and from school.  I realize it is just for one year but it is a little gift and reminder that all good things come from HIM!  

Thank you, God, for this one year of blessing me with the gift of being able to walk my son to school.  I've enjoyed the walks with him, talking about his day, enjoying the beauty of your creation and feeling your presence.

A real SPRING break!

My two oldest boys have spring break this week and it actually feels like spring! We are experiencing crazy weather. Last summer, fall and winter were warmer than normal and spring is following. Below is my lilac bush that usually doesn't look that green until late April. Our neighbor also started selling her homemade iccees, my boys favorite summer treat. They were thrilled! I am so happy we are outside again enjoying the beauty of God's creation, his picture of death to life, a good reminder of His great love for us!