Ellen and Ethiopia

I'm back!!!!!

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:17:09 +0300

Yes, the hiatus is over! Be prepared for frequent updates and prayer requests.

So why such a long absence? I suppose it would be safe to say that I have found myself in a quandary. What am I doing? Where am I going? What is my purpose?? Have you ever found yourself in that place? I’m not even waiting for an answer on that one. Well, let’s just say it can be paralyzing. However, God continues to faithfully walk us through these times and He uses it to quiet our souls and help us fix our eyes on Jesus. An old hymn kept seeping into my heart and mind over the last week and then this morning, there it was again in my morning devotional.

“Soul are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Saviour,

And life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

in the light of His glory and grace.”

So let me share a little of what wonderful, amazing things God is doing!

Last weekend I had the honor of going to Calvary Chapel in Troy, MI with Argaw Ayele and Adi and Eli. It was much too close to Rachel’s due date for her to make the trip. Her c-section is scheduled for November 20th. Argaw was invited to speak there by our dear friends Tony & Gina Giraud. You may remember them, the family who came to visit us at EGCH over the summer! Here they are, in case you have forgotten:

Let me just say they are amazing! They have a heart for orphans and God has truly blessed them with creative ways to further His kingdom. They throw Euchre parties, sell bracelets, Gina designs beautiful pallet art….just to name a few - all proceeds go to EGCH. Check out her blog:

http://daysnumbrd.blogspot.com/

As many of you know (or you know now) last Sunday was “Orphan Sunday”. So how appropriate that Argaw was able to share his testimony and all that God is doing at the orphanage? It was truly amazing how the Holy Spirit used Argaw to share God’s redeeming grace! I was blessed in so many ways! Let me just say, I have spent a lot of time with the Ayele’s over the years, and yet I learned more than I knew before about them through his message. So refreshing and encouraging.

Tony introduced Argaw and had an opportunity to share that the washing machine at the orphanage has been broken for some time! I want you to think about this just for a moment. There are 24 children at the orphanage. 12 of those are still in diapers!! Yes, cloth diapers. So what happens when the washing machine is broken? The Mama’s wash EVERYTHING by hand! Clothes, diapers, sheets, towels - absolutely EVERYTHING. The thought of this nearly brings me to tears every time I think of it. Yet, no one complains - they all chip in and do what needs to be done!

So after Argaw was done speaking, Pastor Bill announced that the church was going to cover the cost of a new washing machine = $700. And before we left they had collected twice that much. What a blessing!!!!! The sweetest little old man came up to Argaw afterwards and said that he was so touched by the message and that he felt led to give, but all he could give was $5! I was standing nearby and overheard his conversation and it brought me to tears! That precious little old man will be blessed beyond measure for giving from his heart! WOW - how humbling.

A big “Thank You” to Calvary Chapel Oakland County for being such an integral part of the Body of Christ and our new forever friends! And to Mike & Kim Vallance (Gina’s parents) for being the perfect hosts!

I can’t end this blog without mentioning our dear Lantu! Even though you have not heard any updates, trust me when I say that God is at work! I will have more to say, a lot more - hopefully next week…..PREPARE!

My new motto for Lantu:

”Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” Abraham Lincoln

Praising God that He is in control!

As promised….Lantu and the gang singing.

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 06:14:18 +0300

As promised….Lantu and the gang singing.

pa·tience [pey-shuhns] noun

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:07:48 +0300

1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner named Elle Belle

3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

This has been the resonating message for me over and over. I am certain that I fit nicely into all three of these definitions as I continue to seek and learn.

Thank you to all of you who have encouraged me over the last 3 weeks. You know who you are and I am so thankful for all of you. I am continually humbled and amazed at how God works.

So if you did not already know I am still in Indiana - not Ethiopia - and I do not see that changing any time soon. That is okay. I have much to learn and I am willing.

It was decided that God brought me back to the States for a reason and rather than try to manipulate that decision I have chosen to accept it and make the most of it.

So here is ONE of my exhilarating opportunities I now call My Mission:

Meet Lantu Legesse

Lantu has a special place in the Ayele’s heart, as she was their very first orphan. She was 5 years old when she came to Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home in January 2010. She was unable to walk, was blind, had major heart issues and was severely malnourished. Her father dropped her off because he and his wife were unable to care for her with all of her health problems and their other 6 children. Since then Lantu has thrived in the loving care of the Ayeles and Ebenezer Grace. She had corrective eye surgery, gained much needed weight, became potty trained and learned to walk at first with a stick and now on her own.

The Ayeles have been told that her congenital heart condition is inoperable by more than one physician in Addis Ababa where she has been seen on numerous occasions by an ever-changing team of doctors. However that prognosis was based on an Echocardiography Report done almost one year ago in Addis Ababa and I am happy to announce that today she continues to walk, participate in some sporting activities (such as racing speedy Adi Ayele), talk (even speak English with an Indiana accent - thanks to Rachel) and see enough to get around and be a part of the family of 20 other children at EGCH. She is a pure delight! And she “LOVED” my radish sandwiches - that little sweetie.

I am currently reading a book titled “This is a Soul” about an American doctor Rick Hodes who has dedicated his life to serving the destitute in Ethiopia for 20+ years. Specifically, those who suffer from Spinal Deformities and Congential Heart Disease. So I did a little Google search and found his website with a general email address. I wrote a little generic intro and asked the team who filtered the emails if someone could review Lantu’s Echo and give me an opinion. Much to my surprise, Dr. Rick himself responded almost immediately. Although his response was not the one I wanted -

I’ll get a better opinion, but this is bad, late stage with the right to left shunt (it should be left to right, which is much more fixable). in my simple opinion, she’s not operable.

I had one like that this week and had to break the news to the family that he’s not operable.

Here’s what I read: “I’ll get a better opinion”. I am ever hopeful and encouraged by his own stories of miraculous endings to ones that began with such lines as “inoperable”. Thankfully, he has experienced firsthand a miraculous God, serving Him with “patience” and persistence.

So I decided, “Why stop there?” Keep this moving, don’t give up. So I contacted one of the most recognized Pediatric Cardiologists at Mayo Clinic through another friend, and a top-ranked Cardio team at Boston Children’s Hospital. I sent them the echo and a picture of the heart-melting Lantu. So here is what I am asking of all you faithful followers; pray for Lantu. Pray that we receive an answer that comes from the Lord - regardless of what that answer may be.

I will close with this quote from a book “Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God” which sums it up for me today:

“She realized that prayer is not necessarily strengthened by being physically present in the place one is praying about. On the contrary, perhaps one prays more intently far away.”

More to follow: I have to figure out how I can post/share a video of Lantu singing…..”Cast Your Burdens”

Check back soon. You don’t want to miss this one.

PS. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or answers: ellen.roemke@gmail.com

The rest of the story....

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 18:29:00 +0300

I feel the need to expound on my journey over the last week and ask you to continue to seek the Lord’s divine direction for me and the ministries of Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home. I hope you can bear with me and my long-winded blog to follow. If you don’t have a good cup of coffee (preferrably Ethiopian) and a little extra time, you may want to revisit this when you do. A few hours should be enough. Not even joking. Prepare.

I’m pretty sure that most of you can relate to times in your life where you felt so certain of some “one” thing that you could not possibly fathom a different outcome besides the one that is so clearly laid in front of you. That is pretty much how I felt about my continued stay in Ethiopia. I was certain that God called me to serve for a period of 6 months. Now, I don’t want you to think that I’m one of those people who the Lord speaks to audibly and tells me every move to make. I am not. However, I felt very strongly that God was asking me to serve in faith for this specific time frame and that He was simply asking me to trust and obey without answers. I typically like a slew of reasons to back up any plan. Especially when it involves such a drastic move. And then I like to state them and restate them, as many of you know. (Smile) Remember, this almost “50” year old Hoosier had never been away from the Fort for more than two weeks at a time. So in order to follow this “call” I needed to quit my job, leave my family & friends and trust that God would provide the resources necessary to accomplish His work. And in true Christ-like fashion - He did just that. WOW! So when it came time to extend my Business Visa for 2 months, I was just sure that He would make it happen - one way or another. But I did need to do my part too. One thing that I did not do in my preparation for the trip, was gather ALL the documents necessary to apply for a work permit once I arrived in Ethiopia. In my mind, I was a volunteer and shouldn’t need a “work permit”, however the Ethiopian government sees things differently. And the one thing I have learned over the years is following the rules is always a good thing - even if I don’t agree with them.

So here’s the summary of how things went down when Rachel and I went to Addis Ababa (which by the way can be a 4-7 hour trip depending on how many cows, sheep or donkeys cross in front of you and how many times the police stop you, checking to see if you’re legal).

Our plan for Immigration was to plead the case of a worn-out “very” pregnant mother of four - under five - whose husband runs an orphanage. Meet Rachel Ayele. She needs the assistance of “moi” to help her until we all return to the States at the end of September. Tears were packaged and ready for display at just the right time. Just so everyone knows - the above information is all true and valid. Indeed, Rachel is more than capable of handling things on her own, but an extra set of hands and feet would be “nice”. Not to mention she is infected with an amoeba, which was just confirmed after our return to Awassa. Also, you may be asking yourself, “Why did they wait until the last minute?” Well in Ethiopia, the earliest they will consider your request for extension is one week prior to expiration.”

We arrived at Immigration early on Thursday morning and let me say that it is my “new” least favorite place in the world. Try to imagine your worst experience at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and then add these factors: No numbering system, no English, no air conditioning, no deodorant, no bathrooms and everyone wants the same thing - to get what they came for and to get out! So we sat there all morning and reached the front row of chairs (its like musical chairs, only there’s no music) and the ONE lady that is the decision maker behind the desk announces they will be closed for lunch and we are to all come back in 1 ½ hours. Seriously. We come back and when we walk in the room there are more people than before and remember “no” numbering system. Well, the room was almost at riot stage. Lots of shoving and unhappy faces. I was as afraid as I was with the baboon standing 5 feet away from me. We were told several times, to take a seat, even though there were none available, but my dear Rachel did not back down. She stood her ground and did not let too many shove past her. She did keep pointing to her belly, hoping they would take sympathy on a pregnant woman. Not so much. When she reached her destination at the front desk, she began to plead our case, but was quickly cut off. We did not have enough documentation to even begin a request for an extension. We needed formal documentation from our Organization (EGCH) stating why we were requesting an extension, along with all the other legal documents that I had brought, minus the work permit. We were told to return on Monday and to start the process all over again. My visa expired on Sunday. We called Argaw and told him the news, and he said that if we supplied more documentation from EGCH, we would put the orphanage at risk of being fined and giving them a bad name with the government because it would come out that I did not have a work permit. Something we were trying to avoid exposing. They also said the best outcome was a 30 day extension and only if we met all the requirements and if they felt like my reason for staying was valid. It was way too risky. So I panicked and we ran to a local hospital and I got a Yellow Fever Vaccination, in case I decided to head to Kenya and try to re-enter the country with a tourist visa. I paid 22 birr (that equals $1.20) to be injected with Yellow Fever by a woman with no credentials, in a dark room, wearing NO gloves and NO alcohol swab. I asked Rachel - did that needle even have a cap on it?? She claimed the answer was “yes”. Smart woman, that Rachel.

Well, our friend Steph had met up with us in Addis upon her return from Tanzania and the three of us returned to our room at the SIM Guesthouse and decided to pray. We prayed that God would reveal what we should do to Argaw and that we would all have a peace about the decision. Trusting that His plan was the right plan. It was very comforting and a beautiful time spent with the Lord and my dear sisters.

Rachel and I knew that we needed to return to Awassa as soon as possible on Friday because we had promised Goiti that we would be celebrating her 7th birthday on Saturday and there was a high probability that we would all be returning to Addis on Saturday. So we bumped the party up to Friday afternoon. We needed to get back ASAP. Argaw enlisted our sweet little old (older than the Rambler he drove) taxi driver to find us a contract vehicle that would bring us back home to Awassa. No private vehicles were found, but what he did find made for a trip to be remembered.

We waited along side the road at 6:30 in the morning and saw this mini-bus pull up with the driver screaming out his window, “AWASSA” and we looked at one another and said, I guess that’s our ride. He continued this routine, driving like a mad man up and down the streets of Addis screaming “AWASSA” out the window until there was enough bodies inside to fill every open inch of space in this lovely pink zebra skinned upholstered vehicle. I will spare you all the details but will try to sum things up with a few key phrases and random thoughts:

Prospective Passenger: “Are you going to Awassa?”

Madman Driver: “Only the Lord knows” evil laughter to follow

Madman Driver on his phone: “What roads are the police on?”

Rachel to Ellen: “Start praying”

Ellen to Rachel: “Without ceasing until we arrive in Awassa?” knees to chin

Assistant to Madman: Hops out of vehicle on the outskirts of Addis and changes the license plates.

Several stops in small villages for “new paperwork”; and even more slow drive-bys with handfuls of money handed out the window to key people on the streets.

Numerous pay-offs witnessed at police enforced check points.

Arrival at a bus station 45 minutes outside of Awassa.

Everyone exits mini-bus and gets into another one.

Everyone except Rachel and Ellen.

Madman Driver: “Why do you not get out and why do you not pay?”

Rachel: “Because we are not in Awassa.”

Madman Driver: “No worries. That bus will take you to Awassa.”

More exchanges between Rachel & Madman Driver in Amharic.

Madman Driver: “Pay me what you owe and I will marry her.” pointing to me

Rachel to Ellen: “Pay him and get out.”

I gladly comply.

We squeeze into the next mini-bus and are separated. Rachel has fortunately won some sympathy and gets a “front seat”.

Man at bus station grabs my bag and ties it to the roof of the connecting mini-bus.

Man asks for money.

Rachel: “No money. We did not ask you to move our bag.”

Rachel turns to see where I am and Man at bus station sticks his hand in the window and steals Rachel’s phone out of her purse.

He is gone and so is Rachel‘s phone.

At this point, I am surprised by NOTHING. I accept the ½ inch of bench seat next to the wheel well and brace myself with my hand on the window for the remainder of the ride.

New Crazy Driver gets stopped at a police check point. Police began writing him a ticket for a problem with the license plate (shocker) and the exchange of money begins. Only this time, the cop is not accepting the bribe.

New Crazy Driver gets hauled away by the police.

Assistant to Crazy Driver hops in the driver’s seat and we speed off. I gain some leg room - the Assistant to the Crazy Driver was sitting next to me in the wheel well.

Seven hours after our journey begins we arrive in Awassa! Praise the Lord. I have a Wacky Cake to bake.

The decision was made. I was leaving. In shock I began to prepare for my departure. We had Goiti’s Birthday Party at Rachel & Argaw’s house. Rachel had made homemade ice cream for the party and it was the very first time the kids had ever had it. Can you even imagine - never tasting ice cream before in your life? Thus, we waited as long as possible, before telling the children that I was leaving. Leaving tomorrow. I had to allow them the privilege of taking pleasure in their first experience of ice cream. I was bawling and they were just sitting there; blank looks on their faces. I wondered what might be going through their little brains.

“Yea, no more radish sandwiches.”

“Abandoned again by someone who claims to love us.”

Only the Lord knows.

I felt horrible. I had so much more to do, so much more to say, so many more hugs and kisses to give. How could this be happening? It was not the way I had planned it.

I had 24 hours to pack up my apartment, turn in my keys, and say goodbye to so many dear sweet friends. Kelly & Ben threw together an impromptu going-away dinner for me, complete with few of my faves; Lem Lem’s Bretzels, Stoney Tangawizi and Kelly’s famous oatmeal raisin cookies.

The entire Ayele clan traveled with me to Addis to see me off. That is no small task.

I was honored to say the least. Fortunately for me, Argaw had some difficulty finding a private vehicle to take us, so that gave me extra time at the orphanage to say goodbye and dehydrate from all the tears. (The fewer potty stops along the road to Addis the better off you are.) When Argaw showed up at the orphanage, he made a quick entrance and said, “Come on, get in the van.” I said, “So fast? I have more kisses and hugs to give.” He smiled and said, “Oh come on Ellen, you’ll be back in January.”

They dropped me off at the airport at 11:00 pm (that is 4:00 pm Indiana time). Rachel slipped me a precious note that I will treasure forever and a necklace of Africa (Ethiopia outlined) and a cross overlay. Tears and more tears.

I flew to Istanbul - 5 ½ hour flight, endured a 7 hour layover, then onto Chicago another 11 ½ hours later. I could share all the details of my conversations with my poor next door neighbor - seat 12 B - a sweet 23 year old veteran who served in the Marine Corp in the Infantry. But it would require much more coffee and a box of tissues. But I will be so bold to ask you to pray for him. Jason is his name and he has seen way too much for his 23 short years. I gave him a book, “More Than a Carpenter” and a hug in baggage claim. And then I asked myself, “Is this why God sent me home when he did?” After all, he does have perfect timing.

Whatever the reason, I feel certain we are not at the end of the story. I am so excited to see how God uses this for his glory. So the rollercoaster continues. Better reheat the coffee. Upon my return, I had a debriefing meeting with our Missions Pastor Jeff and my nephew Josh (the new overseer of the finances for EGCH) and Jeff made the comment, “Why don‘t you just go back.” I responded, “Huh?” (that’s about as intelligent of a response as I could muster). That still did not sound intelligent : ) - oh well. He suggested that I just fly back and stay until I planned on returning with the Ayele’s on September 27th. He reminded me that because of all of you gracious donors, I had enough in my account to pay for a return airline ticket.

I would of course receive the typical 3 month tourist visa on my arrival to Ethiopia. No need for any additional paperwork or trying to buck the system by slipping out of the country overnight to Kenya. I did exactly what I intended to do, as planned with my airline ticket matching my business visa. Whoa! What is happening here? This sounded like a perfect idea. I came home and emailed Ben & Kelly in Awassa and shared the idea with them; thinking how fun it would be to just show up and surprise Rachel & Argaw and all the children.

The one thing I have failed to mention up until this point, is that giving for the EGCH ministry has been way down over the last few months. It was decided in the beginning that any money in my account that was not used for my expenses would naturally go to the EGCH and to supply the needs of the orphanage. Another whoa! How do you decide what is best for all involved? It seems that I would be selfish if I used that money to purchase a plane ticket to go back, when it could be used to support the ministry. In the same breath, I recognize that my God is big enough to supply all of the needs of his people in His perfect timing. A lack of funding is not something he is concerned about. He has it all figured out. So what to do?

I started the process of seeking discernment and confirmation. I shared my thoughts with Rachel’s parents and they encouraged me to talk to Rachel and Argaw. I thought this was good advice, because by not telling them I was strictly trying to enjoy the element of surprise. Not exactly biblical and as a matter of fact, quite self-serving. So the three of us spent a long time discussing the options on the phone last night. Their initial response was “Get on a plane and get on over here.” But after having some time to pray and seek the Lord, they thought that God had his reasons for sending me home and maybe that reason was for me to be a voice for those who have no voice here in the United States - the twenty precious children of Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home. We have decided to continue to pray and seek further prompting from the Lord. Well, actually that is what I decided because our phone card ran out of time before we made our closing statement. I trust that this week God will make it crystal clear what I should do.

Ephesians 4 kept resurfacing throughout all of this. Shaun Havelaar from Calvary Chapel Bible College Hungary taught on this text in Ethiopia a few months ago at the orphanage and then I taught the kids this memory verse: “Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient; bearing with one another in love.” Eph. 4:2

Just Friday my friend Melissa sent me a link to a message on Eph 4 through her church in Florida and I have read and reread this text again and again. Here is the resounding message: Unity in the Body of Christ. In my study notes I read this:

God has given his church an enormous responsibility - to make disciples in every nation. Matt 28: 18-20 This involves preaching, teaching, healing, nurturing, giving, administrating, building, and many other tasks. If we had to fulfill this command as individuals, we might as well give up without trying - it would be impossible. But God calls us as members of his body. Some of us can do one task, some can do another. Together we can obey God more fully than any of us could alone. It is a human tendency to overestimate what we can do by ourselves and to underestimate what we can do as a group. But as the body of Christ, we can accomplish more together than we would dream possible working by ourselves. Working together, the church can express the fullness of Christ.

Isn’t that a beautiful truth?

So as the Body of Christ I would ask that you pray for God to show me his good and perfect will and that I would recognize it, obey it and have complete peace with it.

If you were able to stay with me throughout this EXTREMELY long post - you poor souls, I praise you!

I’ll keep you posted my dear friends.

Once again I say….

Only the Lord knows…..

We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they will fall. Proverbs 16:33

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 06:19:21 +0300

I was just certain that I would be staying in Ethiopia - one way or another - for the next 2 months. However, the Lord has other plans for me and I trust his sovereignty.

So here I am, back in Indiana waiting to see what God has planned.

Still processing it all…..so many tears in such a short time. God did not give me a lot of time to say goodbye.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD.

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 22:33:16 +0300

Will I stay or will I go???

Rachel and I will travel to Addis on Thursday to request an extension on my Business Visa for 2 more months so that I can stay until the end of September and return with the Ayeles to America on September 27th. Please pray that we find favor with the Immigration Office and they extend my visa accordingly. Of course, we are trusting the Lord with the outcome.

On the bubble……

Not ready to leave this crazy place…….and my beautiful kiddos!

Pray, pray, pray…please! Ameseginalehu.

I just wanted to share with those of you who are not on Facebook a little more about our Binyam. He...

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:52:00 +0300

I just wanted to share with those of you who are not on Facebook a little more about our Binyam. He was only with us at Ebenezer Grace for two weeks, but his memory will last an eternity. Rachel and I spent a fair amount of time on the “what if’s” of his short life - but in the end we acknowledge that this was God’s plan and we have chosen not to question it but to trust in it. And to be honest, when I close my eyes and picture him in Jesus’ arms - a warm smile can’t help but steal across my face. Try it and you will see that God is good indeed.

Click here to learn more about Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home and read more about Binyam:

ebenezerchildrenshome.wordpress.com

He will lead them to streams of Living Water... Rev 7:16

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 08:08:46 +0300

Last Sunday I got to go to my first well-drilling site in Kalo Ethiopia. It was amazing. I went with my friend Steph, David & Merrie Harding and their daughter Merrie Grace. David Harding is connected to the ministry “Water is Life International” organization. The well will be 120 meters deep when completed. That’s a long way to go to hit water - but sure beats the other options.

“It is believed that only 42% of Ethiopians have access to safe drinking water. As well, water and sanitation related illnesses represent a major disease burden, contributing more than 75% of the cases registered in outpatient departments of public sector health facilities (statistics from USAID). Women and children are burdened with the responsibility of traveling vast distances to fetch water. Often, this consumes half of their day or more. It is, therefore, our goal to provide local, clean sources of water for rural communities throughout Ethiopia. We believe everyone, everywhere deserves clean water.” Quote from Selam Awassa Business Group - partnering with Water is Life International.

The people were so friendly and even invited us into their home for lunch - Misser Wat - my favorite dish. Oh how did they know? Seriously! I was so blessed to have the opportunity to see dreams coming true….

For the Lord is good, his love endures forever.

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 18:35:00 +0300

Thank you all for your prayers and compassion over the loss of Binyam. God in his infinite mercy has blessed us with the comfort of knowing that he is in the arms of Jesus!

So many of you have inquired about ways you can help support and provide for the children and workers at Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home. Rachel & Argaw have compiled a list of needs with the cost for each item to give you some ideas.

Bunk beds = $115 per set (We need 3 sets)

Mattresses = $ 30 each (We need 6)

Cribs = $ 86 each (We need 4)

Blankets = $ 14 each

Sheets = $ 10 each set

Finishing the Corner Service Room at EGCH = $ 230 (this allows space for 10 more children)

Completing the Chicken Coop = $250

Hens = $5 each (need 20)

Roosters = $6 each (need 3)

Shoes for the Guards = $15 per pair (need 2 pairs)

In addition to these needs, we would like to have sponsors for all the children and workers.

The cost of supporting Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home on a monthly basis is $30 per month. This money goes toward the cost of running the orphanage monthly and is NOT exclusively for the person you want to sponsor. However, by choosing one of the following children or mothers, you are promising to pray for them specifically. It also gives you an opportunity to communicate with them by sending letters of encouragement if you desire to do so, but that is not mandatory.

Currently the children and mothers that do not have sponsors are listed below:

Kalkidan - one year old girl at EGCH with her mother Mekdas

Mekdas - mother of Kalkidan

Meron - 10 month old girl (one of the twins) at EGCH with her mother Meseret

Mekdas - 10 month old girl (smallest of the twins) at EGCH with her mother Meseret

Meseret - mother of the twin girls

Tariku - 3 month old boy found abandoned in a hospital in Yirgalem

Ruth - 10 year old girl who is deaf and mute found in Yirgalem

Rahel - 4 month old girl found abandoned in a corn field in Hawassa

Naomi - one week old girl found abandoned in a hospital compound in Hawassa

Marishet - mother of little Binyam who went to be with Jesus on July 18

If you would like to sponsor one of the above - we will send you an initial brochure featuring the child/mother you choose and you will receive updates every 6 months on your specific child/mother. In addition, you will receive a monthly newsletter through email.

The hallway and entrance to Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home.

We are trusting that God will provide all our needs just as he has in the past.

If you would like to give towards the ministry of Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home, click here. Make sure when you fill out the form, select Hear! Ethiopia under the “Budget” category. If you would like to send a check, you can make your check payable to “Hear Ethiopia” and send it to:

Hear Ethiopia

PO Box 85050

Fort Wayne, IN 46885-0050

Thank you for your generosity and willingness to serve alongside us!

Today little Binyam is Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 21:15:00 +0300

Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe on His gentle breast,

There by His love o’ershaded,

Sweetly my soul doth rest.

Hark! ‘tis a song of heaven

Borne in the sweetest voice,

Echoed by saints in spirit,

Making my heart rejoice.

I can think of no better place I would rather he be……..

Oh so many tears….how I long for God’s promise fulfilled; “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever.” Rev 21:4

Please keep the Ebenezer family in your prayers as we mourn the loss of Binyam.

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows - this is God, whose dwelling is holy.

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 08:45:52 +0300

And Naomi is her name…..”Beautiful, pleasant and delightful.”

Yes, God has placed another one of His own in Ebenezer Grace. Little Naomi arrived yesterday. She is approximately one week old and was found abandoned in a local hospital compound here in Hawassa.

singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. Psalm 26:7

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:17:00 +0300

Praise report:

Binyam has gained ONE POUND!!!! Keep praying - we need the rest of him to catch up with the size of those eyeballs! He looked at me through those precious eyes all throughout our Sunday morning service. I am blessed.

Rahel is just like part of the gang. She is doing so well.

Ruth is smiling more and more, helping out with chores and feeling like she belongs. She loves my friend Steph (pictured below). AND Argaw got her to eat pasta yesterday for lunch!! Go Arg!

And now for the other less life-threatening answers to prayer, but life-changing nonetheless:

Butter is back
Skype is no longer illegal when doing it in the privacy of your home as long as it is a Skype to Skype connection. So you are not allowed to use Skype to call mobile numbers.
Worm holes are healing and I’m close to being confident that I am “worm free”.

Keep up the good work my faithful prayer warriors.

"Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them!

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 22:15:00 +0300

Wow…..more news to report and more prayer requests to share.

Good News - Mekdes has been released from the hospital and is at home with her mother and twin sister, Meron. God in his faithfulness has answered our prayers. Thank you, Ameseginalehu!

And now allow me to introduce you to Binyam. He arrived 2 days ago with his mother Marishet who is 18 years old. As you can see Binyam is dangerously small. Rachel weighed him today and he only weighs 3 lbs and 5 ounces!!! He did go to the clinic and the doctor said he is okay, but needs to gain weight (obviously). So please, please pray that he can begin to thrive and grow quickly. He is 27 days old and his mother said that he is smaller now than when he was first born.

And then we were blessed with Rahel just yesterday. This darling baby girl was found abandoned in a cornfield here in Awassa. Rahel is approximately 4 months old and weighs 15 lbs 6 ounces. She is healthy and happy. Praise the Lord.

So many of you have asked how you can help, so I am coming up with a list of needs for the orphanage. I will have that list compiled within the next couple of days.

I think that is enough information for one 4th of July here in Ethiopia. As you celebrate “Independence Day” please take time to remember our dependency on the One who created us.

…For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” Luke 18:16 NLT

A Fragrant Aroma

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 22:22:00 +0300

Dear Family and Friends,

As I reflect on my time here in Ethiopia over these last three months; I can not begin to thank you enough for your prayers. I am continually in awe of God’s grace and mercy and how he works things out for the good of those who love him.

Let me share my daily devotional on intercessory prayer:

The Words and Wisdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Intercessory prayer is also a daily service Christians owe to God and one another. Those who deny their neighbors prayers of intercession deny them a service Christians are called to perform. Furthermore, it is clear that intercessory prayer is not something general and vague, but something very concrete. It is interested in specific persons and specific difficulties and therefore specific requests. The more concrete my intercessory prayer becomes the more promising it is…

All this proves that intercessory prayer is a gift of God’s grace for every Christian community and for every Christian. Because God has made us such an immeasurably great offer here, we should accept it joyfully. The very time we give to intercession will turn out to be a daily source of new joy in God and in the Christian congregation.

“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.” 1 Samuel 12:23

I want you to know that I thank the Lord for all of you and I will continue to lift you up to the Lord. asking him to richly bless you for interceding on behalf of his little ones at EGCH, the Ayeles, and myself.

A few of my prayer requests:

Continue to pray for Ruth, the new girl who is deaf and mute. Her mastoid infection seems to be much better and she is smiling again, but she will only eat plain bread. She refuses all other food, and for obvious reasons this must change. Also, that we may find a most excellent way to show her the love of Christ. She struggles socially with the children and respecting others.

Pray for little Mekdes, the smallest of the twins. She is in the hospital with pneumonia. She can not afford to lose any more weight and is not strong enough to handle much of anything.

Pray for Lantu, that we can determine what medical care will best treat her fragile heart condition. Ask God to give clarity in providing a course of treatment - the type of surgery, the best surgeon, the financial provisions needed, and his perfect timing.

Pray for protection over the mango fly situation. Two of the mommas, Beti and myself have all experienced the unpleasantness of their larvae in us within the last 2 weeks. Praise the Lord no one has developed an infection yet. I still have several tiny bumps on my wrists that will not disappear, so I humbly ask that they will “get on out of there”.

Pray for wisdom on what to do about my visa. It will expire the end of July and I would really like to stay until the end of September, Lord willing.

Praise the Lord for how he has provided for the financial needs of EGCH thus far and allow us to trust Him with confidence that His future provisions will be sufficient to meet the needs of His people.

Thank you again for your sweet service to the Lord and His people here in Ethiopia.

Larvae of the Mango Fly in ME = Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:39:00 +0300

Well, you haven’t heard from me for a couple days because I have been experiencing the 5 phases of grieving over the fact that I have mango worms under my skin. What I thought were flea bites, indeed turned out to be the larvae of the Mango Fly. Of course, I couldn’t have just one or even two…I have several; at least a dozen. Evidently, when I put my gardening gloves on last week they were infested and so I have a ton of larvae ready to hatch on my wrists. I also have one on my lower back. I have been labeled as the “Disgusting Woman” by many nameless close friends. We’ve used Vicks Vapor Rub, and Vaseline to suffocate them, but not all of them are ready to hatch and wriggle to the top. Evidently, they like the “Disgusting Woman”. One such nameless, close friend (I’ll refer to her as Rahill) has been “squeezing” the blasted life out of me and those worms over these last few days. I have been dubbed as the Gold Medalist for the most worms to inhabit a person at one time. Such an honor to behold this record breaking title.

Below please find a description of my experience with the Mango Fly. I can only type this now that I have entered the “acceptance” phase. Do I even need to request prayers??…..you should have started praying once you read “larvae” and “me” in the same sentence. Lucky for you my camera is broken.

When mango worms get under your skin

Hanging your clothes outside to dry in areas of high tropical rainfall can be risky if they are not ironed properly. Mango flies or myiatic flies are common in these areas, especially during the hot and humid summers.

If clothes are hung outside, it is possible for a female fly to lay eggs on them, especially when the clothes were contaminated with urine or feces. The clothes are then worn and the eggs penetrate the skin. People will usually complain that their body is itching and within three days, painful, boil-like lesions occur. Over the next three days, pus emerges from each sore as it gets ripe. Once the sore is expressed a worm comes out of it.

The fly is found widely in large parts of northern South Africa, as well as large parts of Africa. Dogs and rodents are usually the hosts, but humans often become accidental hosts. (aka….Ellen and other Hoosiers….whose initials are TS).

A strange skin condition

The condition is known as cutaneous myiasis, a skin condition caused by Cordylobia Anthropophaga (tumbu fly, mango fly, putsi fly). According to the Natural History Museum in London, myiasis can be a debilitating and sometimes even fatal condition. It is caused by the feeding and development of fly larvae on the host’s dead or living tissues, usually at the skin surface or in body orifices.

Treatment usually consists applying the lesion with petroleum jelly or liquid paraffin to suffocate the larva. Treatment should be left on for 30 minutes to an hour and then the larva should be pushed out via finger pressure. A course of antibiotics is then followed.

Do your ironing

It is very important to iron all clothes with a hot iron as it will kill any eggs laid on them. The other possibility is not to wear them for 48 hours after they have dried, as this is longer than the lifespan of the eggs. As another preventative measure, clothes should not be left on the ground to dry. This applies to all garments including sheets, towels and bedding.

If you suspect you may have been infected by the larvae of a mango fly, it is important that you see a doctor immediately. Attempting to remove the larva yourself could cause severe pain, rupturing and inflammation. (Did you read this Rahill?)

The Girauds

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:02:00 +0300

Hey everyone! Since my camera is out of commission I thought I would post a link to a video that was put together by a very special family “The Girauds” from a Calvary Chapel near Grand Blanc, Michigan. I posted this on my Facebook Wall but also wanted to add it to my blog for the rest of you! Tony and Gina Giraud along with their three amazing children; Isaac, Ezra and Emma came to serve here in Ethiopia at EGCH for a couple of weeks this month. They brought tons of gifts—- shoes, clothes, soccer balls, footballs, candy, and all the stuff that did not fit in Pastor Jeff’s suitcases, plus so much more! They were such a blessing to all of us! And they got to hang out with me and Oswald here at the Norwegian Lutheran “Resort”.

Check it out:

http://vimeo.com/44555389

Cornrows, Fleas and a Broken Camera

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 23:01:00 +0300

Yes, I have all of the above….I think the sight of me and cornrows might have been what broke the camera.

So I woke up this morning with a rash all around my waist. I thought “Oh no! I hope I don’t have a bunch of bott flies laying eggs in my belly.” Nope, just flea bites. That’s nice.

Later this morning I went to the orphanage and had Sarah one of the daughter’s of the Mommas fix my hair. Wow! Pretty much sums it up. Boy do I have a headache. Not quite sure how I will sleep tonight between my aching scalp and the fear of fleas marching all over me.

Then I had the girls take my camera so they could get a picture of me at my finest and whoops….there went my camera crashing on the ground. The lens is unevenly jammed and no one has been able to fix it. Bummer! How will I survive?

The good news is that Ruth is feeling much better. She is the new girl that is deaf and mute. Some of you may know that she has been extremely sick the last few days with a mastoid infection, but today she is much better. Please continue to pray for her. Poor little thing.

Ended the day with an awesome Czech BBQ - good food and friends. Who could ask for more?

Skype call could land you in Ethiopian jail

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:41:00 +0300

Skype call could land you in Ethiopian jail:

The country’s government has passed a new law that makes it a crime to engage in audio or video communications using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services such as Skype, Google Talk and most other video chat platforms, according to Al Jazeera.

Dear Family & Friends,

I have decided to be a law-abiding visitor and follow this ridiculous law! No more skyping for me! Not risking it to see if they make examples out of us ferenges. I’ll keep you posted on any updates.

Maybe you should return the new computer with webcam Mom : )

Our Father's Day

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 21:10:07 +0300

They are no longer orphans - they have the perfect Father.

Did I tell you how much I love Sunday morning worship at Ebenezer Grace? : ) Let me give you a little taste….

First we have Choir “A” - the children from Ebenezer Grace.

Followed by Choir “B” - the street children from Goitum, Ashanefi and Mitiku’s house. Three college boys who have taken in twelve street children and treated them as their own! Amazing story!!

And a special treat today from Amomma (Grandma on the right) and company. These women could not stop praising the Lord! There was some tribal calls or as I say “whooping” and I was a big ol’ bawl baby - I wish you could have been there, it was amazingly beautiful.

Lord you have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that men of the earth may terrify them no more. Psalm 10:17-18

Wherever you go, I will go: wherever you live I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Ruth 1:16

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 22:04:04 +0300

Let me introduce you to Ruth Ebenezer! The newest addition to EGCH.

She was found on the streets of Yirgalem (the same village where Ben was found just a few weeks ago). She is deaf and mute and was so full of lice that they had to shave her head and destroy her clothes. She is absolutely adorable and has the sweetest smile that will melt your heart in a flash. They think that she is approximately 10 years old - but because she is unable to speak or write, it is almost next to impossible to find out her past. We are working on it and I will update you if we find some one who knows her story. She seems to like her new surroundings and the older girls have done a fantastic job of including her in all their activities.

I pushed her on the swing today and then twisted her up and spun her around. She loved it! Please pray for this precious one! The meaning of Ruth is “friend; companion”.