Adoption is not One Child's sole focus. We love adoption but our awareness trips and teams are about the MUCH larger picture - holistic care and long term solutions for orphans. It takes building wells, setting up farms and self sustaining projects, medical help, discipleship, child sponsorship, construction, food relief and much, much more! Enjoy this peek into one of our awareness trips and pray about joining us on a trip. Our trips are geared for pastors, leaders, mature youth, college students, families, orphan advocates, medical staff, teachers and individuals - we all have something in us to give.
Our next trip is scheduled for spring break: March 11-20, 2011. If you are interested as a church or youth group to do a custom trip, you can contact us about One Child putting together a trip specifically for you - any dates, any country!
Email us at info@onechildcampaign.com for more information or applications, you may even call us at 918-851-7815
Caleb and Becca David
One Child Campaign
Compassion and Justice for the Orphan
Orphan Awareness Video
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tomorrow is World AIDS Day - Press Release and Video
Watch the video here:
Support is Replacing Stigma for Many Orphans this World AIDS Day, Save the Children Says
Video Highlights New Hope for Children Affected by HIV and AIDS as U.S. Efforts to Empower African Community Groups Pay Off
Media Contact:
Tanya Weinberg, tweinberg@savechildren.org, 1-202-640-6647.o, 1-202-247-6610.c
WESTPORT, Conn. (Nov. 29, 2010) – African community groups are transforming the future for orphans and other children affected by HIV and AIDS thanks to U.S.-funded programs, Save the Children said.
“The United States is doing much more than providing lifesaving drug treatment when it comes to helping people around the world battle the AIDS crisis, and it must continue to do so,” said Charles MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children. “One of the most remarkable changes is the creation of African community networks dedicated to supporting orphans and other children affected by HIV and AIDS.”
“It’s amazing how care and support can replace stigma and isolation when local groups are empowered to mobilize around children who have been orphaned and left vulnerable by HIV and AIDS,” MacCormack said.
More than 17 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Many millions more children have reduced opportunities in life because HIV and AIDS have struck their families and communities. Most of these children are in Africa.
The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has funded programs offering care and support to more than 3.6 million orphans and vulnerable children in Africa.
Save the Children has led several of these large programs in Mozambique, Uganda, and Ethiopia and has put special emphasis on empowering local community groups to care for affected children. The result is sustainable change for children.
For World AIDS Day, Save the Children has released a new multimedia video highlighting new hope for orphans and other children affected by AIDS in Ethiopia, where 530,000 children have benefited from U.S.-funded programs.
“One of the most interesting changes involves Ethiopia neighborhood associations that originally formed to help poor families cover funeral expenses,” MacCormack said. “Today these groups have transformed to offer new hope to the living. They are helping children get an education, enough to eat, a place to live, and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed sense of community and loving support that they had lost to AIDS.”
See the video and learn how you can help support children affected by HIV and AIDS here:
www.savethechildren.org/worldAIDSday2010
Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and 120 countries around the world.
Support is Replacing Stigma for Many Orphans this World AIDS Day, Save the Children Says
Video Highlights New Hope for Children Affected by HIV and AIDS as U.S. Efforts to Empower African Community Groups Pay Off
Media Contact:
Tanya Weinberg, tweinberg@savechildren.org, 1-202-640-6647.o, 1-202-247-6610.c
WESTPORT, Conn. (Nov. 29, 2010) – African community groups are transforming the future for orphans and other children affected by HIV and AIDS thanks to U.S.-funded programs, Save the Children said.
“The United States is doing much more than providing lifesaving drug treatment when it comes to helping people around the world battle the AIDS crisis, and it must continue to do so,” said Charles MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children. “One of the most remarkable changes is the creation of African community networks dedicated to supporting orphans and other children affected by HIV and AIDS.”
“It’s amazing how care and support can replace stigma and isolation when local groups are empowered to mobilize around children who have been orphaned and left vulnerable by HIV and AIDS,” MacCormack said.
More than 17 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Many millions more children have reduced opportunities in life because HIV and AIDS have struck their families and communities. Most of these children are in Africa.
The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has funded programs offering care and support to more than 3.6 million orphans and vulnerable children in Africa.
Save the Children has led several of these large programs in Mozambique, Uganda, and Ethiopia and has put special emphasis on empowering local community groups to care for affected children. The result is sustainable change for children.
For World AIDS Day, Save the Children has released a new multimedia video highlighting new hope for orphans and other children affected by AIDS in Ethiopia, where 530,000 children have benefited from U.S.-funded programs.
“One of the most interesting changes involves Ethiopia neighborhood associations that originally formed to help poor families cover funeral expenses,” MacCormack said. “Today these groups have transformed to offer new hope to the living. They are helping children get an education, enough to eat, a place to live, and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed sense of community and loving support that they had lost to AIDS.”
See the video and learn how you can help support children affected by HIV and AIDS here:
www.savethechildren.org/worldAIDSday2010
Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and 120 countries around the world.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Eythan's Monthly Post - Kid Initiatives November 2010
Some facts I've been learning about Ethiopia. The population is 62,564,879.The population in the us is 132million. That is alot of people for such a small country! (there are 427,000 sq mi in Ethiopia). I find it really cool that the first Christians came to Ethiopia in about 30AD .There have been Christians in Ethiopia for nearly 2,000 years! Ethiopia may hold the key to a great mystery...(drum roll) The ark of the covenant! Wow can you imagine finding the Ark of the covenant! Great hero's of the Bible walked around in Ethiopia! There are 123 different languages.Main religions are Christianity and Islam. Not all kids have the opportunity to go to Ethiopia school. One child campaign is hooked up with organizations that you can sponsor a child in Ethiopia. Children's hope chest is one of them. Through sponsoring kids can have food ,cloths and school so they can be happy.It only costs about a dollar a day. There are close to 6 million orphans Ethiopia. If you are planing to adopt plan ahead because it takes about a year.
-Eythan Bush
You can email Eythan at eythan@onechildcampaign.com with ideas for him to write about from a kid's perspective, you can also email him your feedback on his posts.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER INITIATIVES: This month we are preparing for One Child to take another team to Ethiopia, some of the needs that are at the orphanages there are clothes, beds, toys, food, etc. If you, your kids or family would like to be a part of a fundraiser, toy drive or any other project to help the team give to these destitute kids - please contact us at info@onechildcampaign.com and we will be happy to show you how to get involved! The next Orphan Awareness trip to Ethiopia is scheduled for March 11-20, 2011 - we are accepting applications now!
-Eythan Bush
You can email Eythan at eythan@onechildcampaign.com with ideas for him to write about from a kid's perspective, you can also email him your feedback on his posts.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER INITIATIVES: This month we are preparing for One Child to take another team to Ethiopia, some of the needs that are at the orphanages there are clothes, beds, toys, food, etc. If you, your kids or family would like to be a part of a fundraiser, toy drive or any other project to help the team give to these destitute kids - please contact us at info@onechildcampaign.com and we will be happy to show you how to get involved! The next Orphan Awareness trip to Ethiopia is scheduled for March 11-20, 2011 - we are accepting applications now!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
How One Family is Making a Difference...a MUST READ!
I know many of you may tire from my constant harping on what was the most amazing adoption travel group of all time. When we adopted Sakari, we joined the incomparable families: the Mihnovichs, the Stums, the Singletons and the Carpenters. These families are now our families and seems that every month that goes by, we get closer though we live hundreds and hundreds of miles away from each other. Between our 5 families, now there are about 17 orphans who have been redeemed and have helped redeem us...something tells me that number may keep growing...
My blog post today is about the Singleton family and the difference they are making. Beyond their adoption of 3 kids (and more on the way) and generosity, the motivation of their hearts to make a difference for the cause of orphans in their small, rural farm community in Indiana, astounds me. With the permission of the Singletons, I'm sharing the latest chapter in their story...let it inspire you to action.
To set this story up, you must know that the Singletons have been an incredible source of encouragement to Becca and I as we launched One Child Campaign. Many times, their words and actions have moved us to humble tears - they have inspired us. Now, as Ben Singleton tackled their church's first Orphan Sunday - he took up the vision of One Child, as well as their personal vision and shared their adoption story, sought to find sponsorship for destitute children in Ethiopia and ways to help other adoptive families. Now, I will let Ben share...
I just got home from the Orphan Sunday event. Sadly, only 33 people showed up (and about half of them were kids). I was hoping for a lot more. The great thing is that I think every heart present was touched. I think 14 children were sponsored, and they gave $380 to support your needs. I think this was a tremendous response from the small number who attended. I'm praying that doors will be opened for me to share the message again, and I think they will. I'm worn out now and hungry (I was too nervous to eat supper). The best part of the whole evening was afterwards with Owen and I wanted to share it with you...
As I mentioned to you before, Leigha's little sister (Larcy) and her husband (Dan) just moved back home (only about 4 miles from us). At their new house is a pecan tree, and one of Dan's grandfathers loves pecans. Larcy had the good idea to give him some pecans for Christmas. She told Owen that she would pay him to pick up pecans so that she didn't have to fool with it. Anyway, Owen is an amazingly enterprising young man and gathered $3.37 worth of pecans before Dan figured out that Owen had negotiated an exorbitant price for the pecans with his Aunt Larcy and refused to buy any more. Anyway, after the presentation was over tonight, Owen came up and told me I had done a good job. We walked together back to the front of the sanctuary and past the basket I put out to accept donations for you guys. Owen told me that he put all his pecan money in your basket. I've never been prouder in my life!!! Hopefully I'll have more to share about tonight once I have time to reflect.
Continued…
Owen was disappointed too--he told me there weren't nearly as many people as he had been imagining. It was, however, encouraging to see so many close friends and family there. I know that they are behind what we're trying to do & that really does mean a lot to me. Oh yeah, the story about Owen I told you last night continued after I sent the last email...
Leigha put the boys to bed last night, and I went upstairs as she was finishing up to tell them goodnight. I told Owen how proud I was of him for giving everything he had--just like the old woman in the bible who, even though she only gave 2 pennies, gave the most. Leigha went back in his room after I had left, and Owen said, "Dad said I gave the most!" and his eyes started to tear up a little. Seeing how blessed he had been by giving, Leigha asked him if he knew who else was proud of him and Owen replied, "Yes, God is proud of me" and then he really started to get choked up. I know I'm a little biased here, but I wonder how many adults have never known (and sadly never will know) the profound blessing that comes from truly selfless, joyful giving. Sometimes I wonder why God gave us Owen biologically when adoption has really become the center of our lives. I suppose that God knew that at that point in my life, I wouldn't have been ready for adoption without experiencing the joy of birth first. I am certain that God knew our adopted kids would need a big brother to love them, defend them, and keep them in line. Owen has embraced adoption wholeheartedly from the very beginning. Somehow he understood that was gaining so much more with every new sibling than he could possibly be giving up. Sometimes when people ask why we started adopting, I tell them that it's because God made Owen for us and then he broke the mold!
- Ben Singleton
If this story has affected you and you feel to take action, please email us at info@onechildcampaign.com and we will give you some tools and resources to make a difference in your community for the cause of orphans. Each of us CAN do something, each of us MUST do something. You can also join us on an Orphan Awareness trip and see the difference that you can and will make - first hand. Nothing can substitute you seeing, touching, serving and holding these kids face to face. Adoption will change you even more than you could ever imagine.
My blog post today is about the Singleton family and the difference they are making. Beyond their adoption of 3 kids (and more on the way) and generosity, the motivation of their hearts to make a difference for the cause of orphans in their small, rural farm community in Indiana, astounds me. With the permission of the Singletons, I'm sharing the latest chapter in their story...let it inspire you to action.
To set this story up, you must know that the Singletons have been an incredible source of encouragement to Becca and I as we launched One Child Campaign. Many times, their words and actions have moved us to humble tears - they have inspired us. Now, as Ben Singleton tackled their church's first Orphan Sunday - he took up the vision of One Child, as well as their personal vision and shared their adoption story, sought to find sponsorship for destitute children in Ethiopia and ways to help other adoptive families. Now, I will let Ben share...
I just got home from the Orphan Sunday event. Sadly, only 33 people showed up (and about half of them were kids). I was hoping for a lot more. The great thing is that I think every heart present was touched. I think 14 children were sponsored, and they gave $380 to support your needs. I think this was a tremendous response from the small number who attended. I'm praying that doors will be opened for me to share the message again, and I think they will. I'm worn out now and hungry (I was too nervous to eat supper). The best part of the whole evening was afterwards with Owen and I wanted to share it with you...
As I mentioned to you before, Leigha's little sister (Larcy) and her husband (Dan) just moved back home (only about 4 miles from us). At their new house is a pecan tree, and one of Dan's grandfathers loves pecans. Larcy had the good idea to give him some pecans for Christmas. She told Owen that she would pay him to pick up pecans so that she didn't have to fool with it. Anyway, Owen is an amazingly enterprising young man and gathered $3.37 worth of pecans before Dan figured out that Owen had negotiated an exorbitant price for the pecans with his Aunt Larcy and refused to buy any more. Anyway, after the presentation was over tonight, Owen came up and told me I had done a good job. We walked together back to the front of the sanctuary and past the basket I put out to accept donations for you guys. Owen told me that he put all his pecan money in your basket. I've never been prouder in my life!!! Hopefully I'll have more to share about tonight once I have time to reflect.
Continued…
Owen was disappointed too--he told me there weren't nearly as many people as he had been imagining. It was, however, encouraging to see so many close friends and family there. I know that they are behind what we're trying to do & that really does mean a lot to me. Oh yeah, the story about Owen I told you last night continued after I sent the last email...
Leigha put the boys to bed last night, and I went upstairs as she was finishing up to tell them goodnight. I told Owen how proud I was of him for giving everything he had--just like the old woman in the bible who, even though she only gave 2 pennies, gave the most. Leigha went back in his room after I had left, and Owen said, "Dad said I gave the most!" and his eyes started to tear up a little. Seeing how blessed he had been by giving, Leigha asked him if he knew who else was proud of him and Owen replied, "Yes, God is proud of me" and then he really started to get choked up. I know I'm a little biased here, but I wonder how many adults have never known (and sadly never will know) the profound blessing that comes from truly selfless, joyful giving. Sometimes I wonder why God gave us Owen biologically when adoption has really become the center of our lives. I suppose that God knew that at that point in my life, I wouldn't have been ready for adoption without experiencing the joy of birth first. I am certain that God knew our adopted kids would need a big brother to love them, defend them, and keep them in line. Owen has embraced adoption wholeheartedly from the very beginning. Somehow he understood that was gaining so much more with every new sibling than he could possibly be giving up. Sometimes when people ask why we started adopting, I tell them that it's because God made Owen for us and then he broke the mold!
- Ben Singleton
If this story has affected you and you feel to take action, please email us at info@onechildcampaign.com and we will give you some tools and resources to make a difference in your community for the cause of orphans. Each of us CAN do something, each of us MUST do something. You can also join us on an Orphan Awareness trip and see the difference that you can and will make - first hand. Nothing can substitute you seeing, touching, serving and holding these kids face to face. Adoption will change you even more than you could ever imagine.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Coffee Line Now Available!
One Child Campaign announces our partnership with Ground by Cup Coffee to raise awareness and funds with our custom labeled coffee line. All coffee is 100% Arabica, fair trade, organic coffee that is not roasted until you order it. 40% of all proceeds will come back to support the vision and ministry of One Child.
Below is a link to the One Child coffee store - help us spread the word, sell coffee and change the world of orphans.
ONE CHILD COFFEE STORE - CLICK HERE AND ORDER!
http://www.groundtocupcoffee.com/online-store/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=COFFEE&Screen=PLST&Affiliate=OneChild
Quick Delivery, Flexible Scheduling!
Below is a link to the One Child coffee store - help us spread the word, sell coffee and change the world of orphans.
ONE CHILD COFFEE STORE - CLICK HERE AND ORDER!
http://www.groundtocupcoffee.com/online-store/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=COFFEE&Screen=PLST&Affiliate=OneChild
Quick Delivery, Flexible Scheduling!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
October 22, 2010 – Day 6 of Ministry in Ambo and Holeta
Jesus didn’t spend most of his time in churches. He spent the majority of His time with lepers, prostitutes and children. This is what we made our goal on this trip: to be with people that are rejected and alone.
Thankfully for our team, we had come into relationship with Covenant Church and our main contact, Pochi, took us to these places. They are doing a work in a city called Ambo, about 2 hours from the capital city, with prostitutes. In the western world, we have a negative and very condescending view on those that choose this lifestyle. The difference that we uncovered is that these women have NO other choice if they want food for their families. Through a donation from someone in the US, 13 homes were built for these families. They are looked down upon, ridiculed and isolated. These women are not just out looking for easy money or lack morality – they just have no other choice. We walked right into the alley between the rows of homes and were met with shy, wary looks. This was not a brothel, these were their homes with kids running around. As we smiled at them and showed them that we were willing to look them in the eye…the ice started to melt. Within minutes, we were invited into their 2 room homes (a minimum of 7 people lived in each home) for coffee ceremonies. Part of our team was in one home and the other half in another…they were loving and welcoming.
What I discovered in the home we were in was shocking. 2 generations lived in 2 rooms and this family seemed very educated. In fact, the girl (middle generation) that was roasting coffee beans on the coal, the girl who put down freshly cut grasses in honor of our visit, the girl who had to prostitute herself to provide for her daughter…she had a university degree in marketing! What?! I didn’t see that coming at all. The beautiful girl who was smiling and laughing with us has been labeled a prostitute. But in this part of the country, there are few jobs and definitely not any in marketing so she had to stay home and figure out some way to support her family. Unfortunately, the only option for her was prostitution. At least for now.
Covenant Church and their ministry are looking for sponsorship for these families and to raise support to build them their own self-sustaining community that would provide them the dignity they deserve. Currently, these families don’t have any access to even the simplest of sanitation - toilets. We were informed after we left, that they have taken other teams in there and they refuse to go into the homes, much less sit down with them and drink their coffee. I’m so grateful to each of our team members who did not second-guess themselves and they jumped into the lives of these families with compassion. We were humbled to be there with these amazing women and children, none of the team walked in with a sense of superiority but with an attitude of mutual respect.
Holeta:
We drove about another hour or so to the town of Holeta. This was special for me because Holeta is where 4 of the kids who are now part of our travel group family are from. Nati, Mercy, Isaiah and James Mihnovich. Many of you know this family if you’re in the Ethiopia adoption world…they are amazing and we are honored to consider them family. We went to the orphanage that they were in with Pochi and their staff. I honestly cannot say enough about the courage, integrity and faith this ministry exemplifies.
For me, it was like going home in a sense - to be in the place that these kids were so well loved and prayed for. We got to relax and spend time with the staff and each other while hearing stories about children and their adoptive families. We got to meet the Dutton family who adopted from this orphanage as well and are now advocates and missionaries in Ethiopia. We took the opportunity to present Pochi with a huge canvas that the Orphan for a Night participants painted for them on the night of September 24th . It was truly emotional and amazing to hear the gratefulness in Pochi’s voice as she thanked us all for not forgetting these children. This ministry also is not one to advertise all their needs, but we were able to help in a small way financially and have also committed to helping them in their future efforts. Their vision is huge and for us to be a small part of it will be an honor.
We had our last big meal together as a team at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, Yod Abyssinia, where they even have traditional Ethiopian dancers put on a show during the meal. The team worked hard and we played hard - so this last evening together was so much fun and we just celebrated!
The following day our team spent the day shopping, packing and discussing together all the events of this awareness trip. Each person wrote a letter to themselves, that was mailed to them to remind them over the next few weeks of all that God did in and through them. And not just the emotions they felt, but the action that they committed to take for the cause of the orphan in Ethiopia. I know many of them will join us again on future trips – but while they are now moving into action – it’s time to take several more teams to become aware and responsible for the love God calls us to live. If any of these stories and events made you think, hurt, feel uncomfortable or passionate – then you might want to consider joining us on a trip. It’s not something you have to necessarily pray about – this is what God calls all of us to do. Long Live Compassion.
October 21, 2010 - Day 5 of Ministry in Addis Ababa and Woliso
This morning, we walked from the guest home to Compassion Family International drop in center. This is a location that we have partnered with for the past year through sponsorship. One of our team members is a pastor of a church and their church sponsors a little boy named Ayansa. It was an emotional meeting and awesome for a sponsor to see first hand the difference they are making in this family’s life through sponsorship. I’m going to copy and paste Ayansa’s story as told by the directors from a home visit they recently had with his mom.
Ayansa’s mother, Worke, and father were happily married and gave birth to Ayansa. They were living in the countryside. His father was an evangelist and his mom sang in Oromo during his services. They came to Addis to live thinking that they would make a lot.
One day, his father became very sick. The hospital bills were very expensive. His mother sold everything she could, including their house to help her dying husband. After awhile, they had nothing. She and Ayansa begged on the street for food money. There were many times during this difficult trial that Worke tried to kill herself due to her immense pain and struggle. No doctor or pastor she spoke to seemed to understand her feelings of depression and suicide.
Finally, a church gave her 400 birr for transportation for all three of them to go back to the countryside, their hometown. They made it safely, and a short time later, it was here that Ayansa’s father died. Shortly after, Worke’s mother also died. They could not live with Worke’s sisters, because they were married and had their own families. Leaving all her family behind except Ayansa, Worke and Ayansa returned to Addis, the only home they felt they had.
Now in Addis, they have a house that will soon be destroyed, because it was built without government permission. Currently, they are searching for a new one. Also, Worke’s job as a cleaner ended when the company went bankrupt 2 months ago. She is also in search of work.
Ayansa can be a handful a times. It makes sense when you see his difficult past. With events being so much out of control, it is no wonder as to why he sometimes uses force with others. He is afraid to have such hard times again and even more afraid to lose his mother.
CFI has been a place of love for him. A place to set aside the world’s problems and to just enjoy life again as a child. It has been a slow process, but he is learning to open up his heart again and to love and trust others again. Almost as if overnight, he has become a very caring person, the little boy God created him to be.
It was incredible to see the Gospel in action through sponsorship. If you are interested in sponsoring a child at CFI or any other projects, please email us and we will match you with a child and you will literally make an eternal difference, not just in a child but also in his/her family and community.
After spending a couple hours at CFI, the team loaded up and headed 2 hours south to a town called Woliso. Job is the orphanage director and we met up with him for lunch to talk about their ministry and brainstorm on how we could help when we visited their home. Job is a man of few words, but a man of faith. My brother and I visited Woliso on our trip last December and were impressed at the work he was doing.
They have a church on location, a boys choir and lots of land. The team pulled together and we were able to get funds to get them bed sheets and also some extra funds so that they could purchase some chickens and build a chicken coop. This would not only provide them with a food source (protein) but they would also be able to sell eggs in the community to create some income for the orphanage. We’d like to continue going there and help create more of a farm so they can increase their influence in the community.
They have about 45 kids that live there and an additional 77 from the community that come for food when there is extra and for school supplies when funds are there. Whatever little support comes in for the kids, they believe God to stretch it and meet their needs. They did not ask us to support them, they did not talk about their lack…they just do what God has called them to do. We also were able to purchase some food supplies to last the kids a few weeks.
Our team included a couple of staff from Go International and here in Woliso, they were able to capture some incredible pictures for Orphan for a Night (www.orphanforanight.com) Some of the proceeds from Orphan for a Night (fall event and also the 2011 spring event) will go to support some of these One Child projects in Ethiopia. We are so grateful for the partnership and friendship of this ministry!
It’s hard to put into words how much was accomplished on this trip and the only way to really know is to come on a trip and see it firsthand. We ended the day with the kids by sitting together in the church made of mud, straw and dung while the boys choir led us in prayer and worship. There was hardly a dry eye in the place…we reluctantly and slowly said our goodbyes and began the drive back to Addis Ababa.
October 20, 2010 – Day 4 of Ministry in Addis Ababa
We kicked off our 4th day in Ethiopia by going to visit Aster Fesseha at Kids Care Child Welfare Association in Addis Ababa. Aster is the director of the orphanage where Sakari was brought when she was 3 months old. This is also most likely the orphanage where our next 2 kids will be coming from – we visit Kids Care every trip we take. The ministry that they are doing is incredible, not just orphanages but they are opening community centers and schools in cities and towns farther out where needs are great. I don’t have any pictures to post due to the sensitivity of this location – many kids are adopted from here and it’s important to protect the privacy of families and agencies during the adoption processes. Our team had a great time loving on the babies and older kids, we had a wonderful coffee ceremony and Aster shared with us her vision and what God has been doing through their staff.
I forgot to mention that this day, the Rogers family, some of our closest friends got to join us. A year ago, we were hanging out with them in Oregon over fall break and they were in process of adopting a little girl from Ethiopia. I was thrilled when we found out that they were going to be in Ethiopia during the exact same dates for their court date to adopt sweet Addi! Sakari just loves Kenna and Emily and got to even talk to them on the phone while we were in Ethiopia!
We had lunch on a hillside outside of Addis Ababa and after spending time together, we headed to Entoto Hills and the former Emperor’s palace and a cultural museum.
Our next stop was a tiny, forgotten community near the airport called Bole de Bulla. This community is very poor and their main source of income is collecting and selling dung for fuel. We met with a local pastor/orphanage director who is thinking outside the box. With the help of Dave McIlrath, the founder of Ethiopia Guest Home, they are creating jobs making incredible clay jewelry. Women in that area are being trained and empowered to make a living for their families. We will be selling their jewelry in the future to help support them! The church serves as a center for training, education, jobs, sponsorship and discipleship.
Monday, November 1, 2010
October 18 and 19, 2010 – Day 2 and 3 of Ministry FINDING SOLOMON/Part II
Part II – Awassa
As a pre-requisite to this post, please read a previous post:
http://theofficialonechildcampaign.blogspot.com/2010/09/tonight-im-orphan-how-one-child-changed.html
We had a wonderful evening in Awassa, conversation and dinner – then it was onto the hotel. We stayed at Hotel Pina, which is the exact same hotel we stayed in when Becca and I were there with Pastor Billy Joe and Sharon almost 5 years ago on our first trip to Ethiopia. Little did we know how much that trip would change our lives.
After a hilarious and completely freaky experience - I had a bat in my shower - another story for another time, I pulled down the mosquito net and prayed that we would find him. Solomon. I hoped he was well, I hoped he was alive.
After a great breakfast and more than 1 cup of coffee, our new friends suggested we begin our search for Solomon by asking the shoe-shine boy by the hotel. And our search was on…
The shoe-shine boy thought that the picture we showed him was familiar and he thought that he went to school nearby next to a hospital. We walked down to the hospital. We then asked a rickshaw driver if he knew where the school was and we walked further. Once at the school, the staff did not recognize him and we were sent further. We asked street kids and people in neighborhoods. We ended up at a children’s home where the staff did not want to talk to us, but we found out that he wasn’t there. One of Covenant Church’s former worship leaders had recently moved to Awassa for the ministry and she joined us on the search. We walked and walked and walked. It got hotter and hotter and hotter. Finally, we decided to head back into the city center. Did I mention that we were searching for a needle in a haystack??! We were searching for one child in a city of half a million people. A street kid that no one cared for. One child. Dear God, please let him be alive!
We walked and as we got closer to the hotel and the city center, we decided that we would leave the pictures behind with their staff and they would continue the search and upon my return, hopefully, I would get to see him again.
One of the pastors was walking with me and we passed a group of street kids washing shoes and cars. We walk past them and then with purpose, the pastor walked up to them and showed them the picture of Solomon. There was a lot of discussion and then one kid emerged and said that he knew him. The pastor did not tell him the name of the kid in the picture (keep in mind this picture is over 4 years old). The pastor wanted to make sure this kid was telling the truth and wasn’t just trying to get money out of us. The boy’s name was Emmanuel, ironic? God was with us. Emmanuel not only knew his name, but also knew exactly where Solomon lived. Solomon was alive!!!!!
Emmanuel came back with us to the hotel and we all loaded up in the van and drove until we came to a stop on a dirt road. From what we understood, Solomon was living with his mom now and might be in school as well. We sat on the dusty road for another 30 minutes after walking and searching for close to 3 hours. Zelalem (our guide from the Ethiopia Guest Home) and Emmanuel finally came back…with them, a boy in a bright yellow shirt. Solomon.
I’m still not sure what I was feeling. Shock. Awe. Gratefulness. Fear. Faith. Hope. Love. Would he recognize me? What’s his story? What’s his future? I was about to find out.
As he got closer to me and I walked out to meet him, I could see him straining to see my face. And then…his eyes lit up and a smile spread over his face. He hugged me. Tightly. I found him. God found him. God found me.
The whole Covenant staff was in just as much awe as I was at the goodness of God and the divine connections that led us all to this moment. For those who were with us that day, it will forever be one of life’s defining moments.
Picking him up turned into quite a scene and we had to get into the van and take off. We gave the boys water and I gave Solomon a photo album that he refused to let go of the entire time he was with us. We decided to take the boys out to eat if they were hungry – and as you can imagine, they were. Pochi asked Solomon what he was craving and he said, “Food”. We wanted to hear more from him about his background and see how God moved upon us to act. Solomon remembered so much about the time that we met, in fact, he remembered more than I even remembered. He explained to Pochi that at the crusade event in the field he had made eye contact with me and tried to touch my hand. Some adults and security people near him beat him and wouldn’t allow him to come to me. Apparently, he remembered that I saw that and walked up to him, took him by the hand and kept him by my side. From that moment on, no matter where we were in the city…he found us. I’d be walking down the street or in the field praying and I would suddenly feel a hand in mine.
We arrived at a restaurant and the looks we got from people as we walked in were priceless. They knew we were with street kids and curiosity was at an all time high – we were ok with it because we knew we were now part of a much larger story. Compassion.
Solomon told us that he was 10 years old, but he wasn’t really sure. Through Pochi’s questions and expertise with street kids and orphans, we were able to deduce that he had to actually be about 14 years old. We asked him about his family and why he had been living on the streets when I met him almost 5 years earlier. Here is Solomon’s story based on what we were able to find out to this point:
When Solomon was 5 or 6, his mom and dad would fight. A lot. His dad would get drunk and start to beat his mom. Solomon has an older sister and a younger brother. He would try to protect his mom and get between them when they would fight, but then his dad would turn on him and beat him mercilessly. After some time, he realized his life would be better on the streets than in his own home. He recalled his past and informed us that he vividly remembers the night he decided to leave home and live on the streets.
Life on the streets definitely took a toll on him. His arms, head and face had scars all over him. The scars on his arms were almost unbearable to look at and imagine what he went through. He shared his story as him and Emmanuel enjoyed what seemed like their first decent meal in years…
He lived on the streets for almost 7 years and when his dad moved back to live with his first wife, he felt it was safe to go home. This happened about 2 years ago. He put himself back in school and is very motivated to get an education. His mom works sometimes, but when she goes to the market to buy food she ends up spending almost all of it on a local brew and gets drunk. Sometimes, his brother and he try to find their dad to get some money for food – occasionally, the dad gives them 1 or 2 birr (less than a dime). His younger brother has quit school but Solomon refuses. His mom has promised over and over to buy him a uniform that is not ratty and way oversized, but spends the money on her brew. We asked him what his favorite subject was and he thought about it and said, “All of them, I love school”. He told us passionately how dedicated he was and that he was disciplined and he would finish school because he wants to be a doctor or a pilot. This kid has dreams. We want to be a part of it.
I gave Solomon one of our “Break My Heart” shirt and Emmanuel my Ralph Lauren hat. We paid for their meals and let Solomon know that we were going to buy him a new uniform, a change of clothes, shoes and any school supplies that he needed. Emmanuel quit school and lives on the street because his brother bullies him. Pochi talked with him and we think he is going to move back in with his family, they are believers and his dad has a decent job as a guard. We told Emmanuel that we would also cover his registration costs for school as well as his uniform if he would enroll back in school. What was incredible about the whole situation is that Covenant’s staff person who lives in Awassa now has worked previously with Compassion and is trustworthy and is going to make sure that these kids are taken care of and that the funds are spent appropriately and will give us a full report. What brought us even greater joy is that she had arranged to meet up with them and take them to church with her – discipleship has already begun. I shared with Solomon the story of One Child Campaign and how he had been the inspiration for our adoption and the ministry God has now called us to.
After lunch, we took them to a brand new resort that is about to open and street kids would never have an opportunity like it, so we took advantage of it and got to just love on them and spend quality time with both of them. Solomon is an incredible break dancer and even has participated in some competitions.
After an unforgettable day together, we took Emmanuel and dropped him off and then it was time to take Solomon home. Neither one of us wanted to say good-bye. The ride back to his home was quiet and out of the corner of my eye…I saw tears rolling down the pastor’s face. We had all experienced something holy. As I watched out my window, I saw a little girl scooping black water out of a puddle on the side of the road into a bottle…no doubt her only chance at getting a drink that day and I prayed for her. I prayed for Solomon that he would never have to drink water from a dirty puddle again. I prayed that he would come to know Jesus as His Savior. I prayed that I would never be the same and that the Holy Spirit would have free reign in my life. I prayed that I would always be quick to hear and obey.
I hugged and kissed Solomon and promised to come find him again. He wore his shirt with pride, picked up his soccer ball, his clean water and food and with dignity and purpose…got out of the van. I knew he would turn back…he turned around smiled and waved…and then walked away.
Pochi said, “This kid is genuine.” He never once asked us for anything…he just wanted to feel loved.
We sat there stunned at the goodness of God. He found Solomon – alive and now through our team’s effort and support, he has hope and a future. If all that our team sacrificed to be in Ethiopia was just for him, it was worth it. One Child Campaign’s vision became a full-fledged reality. We are living out God’s dream for us. What is God’s dream for you?
As a pre-requisite to this post, please read a previous post:
http://theofficialonechildcampaign.blogspot.com/2010/09/tonight-im-orphan-how-one-child-changed.html
We had a wonderful evening in Awassa, conversation and dinner – then it was onto the hotel. We stayed at Hotel Pina, which is the exact same hotel we stayed in when Becca and I were there with Pastor Billy Joe and Sharon almost 5 years ago on our first trip to Ethiopia. Little did we know how much that trip would change our lives.
After a hilarious and completely freaky experience - I had a bat in my shower - another story for another time, I pulled down the mosquito net and prayed that we would find him. Solomon. I hoped he was well, I hoped he was alive.
After a great breakfast and more than 1 cup of coffee, our new friends suggested we begin our search for Solomon by asking the shoe-shine boy by the hotel. And our search was on…
The shoe-shine boy thought that the picture we showed him was familiar and he thought that he went to school nearby next to a hospital. We walked down to the hospital. We then asked a rickshaw driver if he knew where the school was and we walked further. Once at the school, the staff did not recognize him and we were sent further. We asked street kids and people in neighborhoods. We ended up at a children’s home where the staff did not want to talk to us, but we found out that he wasn’t there. One of Covenant Church’s former worship leaders had recently moved to Awassa for the ministry and she joined us on the search. We walked and walked and walked. It got hotter and hotter and hotter. Finally, we decided to head back into the city center. Did I mention that we were searching for a needle in a haystack??! We were searching for one child in a city of half a million people. A street kid that no one cared for. One child. Dear God, please let him be alive!
We walked and as we got closer to the hotel and the city center, we decided that we would leave the pictures behind with their staff and they would continue the search and upon my return, hopefully, I would get to see him again.
One of the pastors was walking with me and we passed a group of street kids washing shoes and cars. We walk past them and then with purpose, the pastor walked up to them and showed them the picture of Solomon. There was a lot of discussion and then one kid emerged and said that he knew him. The pastor did not tell him the name of the kid in the picture (keep in mind this picture is over 4 years old). The pastor wanted to make sure this kid was telling the truth and wasn’t just trying to get money out of us. The boy’s name was Emmanuel, ironic? God was with us. Emmanuel not only knew his name, but also knew exactly where Solomon lived. Solomon was alive!!!!!
Emmanuel came back with us to the hotel and we all loaded up in the van and drove until we came to a stop on a dirt road. From what we understood, Solomon was living with his mom now and might be in school as well. We sat on the dusty road for another 30 minutes after walking and searching for close to 3 hours. Zelalem (our guide from the Ethiopia Guest Home) and Emmanuel finally came back…with them, a boy in a bright yellow shirt. Solomon.
I’m still not sure what I was feeling. Shock. Awe. Gratefulness. Fear. Faith. Hope. Love. Would he recognize me? What’s his story? What’s his future? I was about to find out.
As he got closer to me and I walked out to meet him, I could see him straining to see my face. And then…his eyes lit up and a smile spread over his face. He hugged me. Tightly. I found him. God found him. God found me.
The whole Covenant staff was in just as much awe as I was at the goodness of God and the divine connections that led us all to this moment. For those who were with us that day, it will forever be one of life’s defining moments.
Picking him up turned into quite a scene and we had to get into the van and take off. We gave the boys water and I gave Solomon a photo album that he refused to let go of the entire time he was with us. We decided to take the boys out to eat if they were hungry – and as you can imagine, they were. Pochi asked Solomon what he was craving and he said, “Food”. We wanted to hear more from him about his background and see how God moved upon us to act. Solomon remembered so much about the time that we met, in fact, he remembered more than I even remembered. He explained to Pochi that at the crusade event in the field he had made eye contact with me and tried to touch my hand. Some adults and security people near him beat him and wouldn’t allow him to come to me. Apparently, he remembered that I saw that and walked up to him, took him by the hand and kept him by my side. From that moment on, no matter where we were in the city…he found us. I’d be walking down the street or in the field praying and I would suddenly feel a hand in mine.
We arrived at a restaurant and the looks we got from people as we walked in were priceless. They knew we were with street kids and curiosity was at an all time high – we were ok with it because we knew we were now part of a much larger story. Compassion.
Solomon told us that he was 10 years old, but he wasn’t really sure. Through Pochi’s questions and expertise with street kids and orphans, we were able to deduce that he had to actually be about 14 years old. We asked him about his family and why he had been living on the streets when I met him almost 5 years earlier. Here is Solomon’s story based on what we were able to find out to this point:
When Solomon was 5 or 6, his mom and dad would fight. A lot. His dad would get drunk and start to beat his mom. Solomon has an older sister and a younger brother. He would try to protect his mom and get between them when they would fight, but then his dad would turn on him and beat him mercilessly. After some time, he realized his life would be better on the streets than in his own home. He recalled his past and informed us that he vividly remembers the night he decided to leave home and live on the streets.
Life on the streets definitely took a toll on him. His arms, head and face had scars all over him. The scars on his arms were almost unbearable to look at and imagine what he went through. He shared his story as him and Emmanuel enjoyed what seemed like their first decent meal in years…
He lived on the streets for almost 7 years and when his dad moved back to live with his first wife, he felt it was safe to go home. This happened about 2 years ago. He put himself back in school and is very motivated to get an education. His mom works sometimes, but when she goes to the market to buy food she ends up spending almost all of it on a local brew and gets drunk. Sometimes, his brother and he try to find their dad to get some money for food – occasionally, the dad gives them 1 or 2 birr (less than a dime). His younger brother has quit school but Solomon refuses. His mom has promised over and over to buy him a uniform that is not ratty and way oversized, but spends the money on her brew. We asked him what his favorite subject was and he thought about it and said, “All of them, I love school”. He told us passionately how dedicated he was and that he was disciplined and he would finish school because he wants to be a doctor or a pilot. This kid has dreams. We want to be a part of it.
I gave Solomon one of our “Break My Heart” shirt and Emmanuel my Ralph Lauren hat. We paid for their meals and let Solomon know that we were going to buy him a new uniform, a change of clothes, shoes and any school supplies that he needed. Emmanuel quit school and lives on the street because his brother bullies him. Pochi talked with him and we think he is going to move back in with his family, they are believers and his dad has a decent job as a guard. We told Emmanuel that we would also cover his registration costs for school as well as his uniform if he would enroll back in school. What was incredible about the whole situation is that Covenant’s staff person who lives in Awassa now has worked previously with Compassion and is trustworthy and is going to make sure that these kids are taken care of and that the funds are spent appropriately and will give us a full report. What brought us even greater joy is that she had arranged to meet up with them and take them to church with her – discipleship has already begun. I shared with Solomon the story of One Child Campaign and how he had been the inspiration for our adoption and the ministry God has now called us to.
After lunch, we took them to a brand new resort that is about to open and street kids would never have an opportunity like it, so we took advantage of it and got to just love on them and spend quality time with both of them. Solomon is an incredible break dancer and even has participated in some competitions.
After an unforgettable day together, we took Emmanuel and dropped him off and then it was time to take Solomon home. Neither one of us wanted to say good-bye. The ride back to his home was quiet and out of the corner of my eye…I saw tears rolling down the pastor’s face. We had all experienced something holy. As I watched out my window, I saw a little girl scooping black water out of a puddle on the side of the road into a bottle…no doubt her only chance at getting a drink that day and I prayed for her. I prayed for Solomon that he would never have to drink water from a dirty puddle again. I prayed that he would come to know Jesus as His Savior. I prayed that I would never be the same and that the Holy Spirit would have free reign in my life. I prayed that I would always be quick to hear and obey.
I hugged and kissed Solomon and promised to come find him again. He wore his shirt with pride, picked up his soccer ball, his clean water and food and with dignity and purpose…got out of the van. I knew he would turn back…he turned around smiled and waved…and then walked away.
Pochi said, “This kid is genuine.” He never once asked us for anything…he just wanted to feel loved.
We sat there stunned at the goodness of God. He found Solomon – alive and now through our team’s effort and support, he has hope and a future. If all that our team sacrificed to be in Ethiopia was just for him, it was worth it. One Child Campaign’s vision became a full-fledged reality. We are living out God’s dream for us. What is God’s dream for you?
October 18 and 19, 2010 – Day 2 and 3 of Ministry FINDING SOLOMON/Part I
Part I – Shone
Our team split into 2 groups for these 2 days to maximize our efforts. You can read about our Kombolcha team a few posts back. I was not able to really process much about our teams’ trip to Shone and Awassa until now…well, actually been processing this whole time and finally had the energy to sit down and write. Through some of our dearest friends, the Mihnovichs, we had the privilege to connect with orphanage director, Pochi Seifu and her brother’s church, Covenant Church. The Mihnovich family were in our travel group and are like family…many of you may have followed their latest adoption journey to adopt 4 siblings from Holeta, Ethiopia. It was a series of miracles and the connection of our team and Pochi was also another miracle.
It is so very rare that in life you meet truly uncompromising individuals. People who will not settle for anything less than God’s perfect will for them…the vision He gave them. Pochi Seifu, her family and staff are just that…pillars of faith and power. I had heard that they were amazing, but we were about to experience 2 days together that would change me.
As we left the guest home, we loaded into our van and started what would be a very long drive to Shone and then onto Awassa. If I’m being totally honest, the introductions were a little odd and I felt awkward but soon got over that as I began to ask Pochi questions about her orphanage and their vision. I very quickly realized that I was in the presence of pure and undefiled religion. It was just a little bit scary and inspirational doesn’t seem to even begin to describe their example. She began to share story after story after story that absolutely blew my mind. They hang out with the fatherless, the rejects, the diseased, the prostitutes, the absolute least of these. This ministry is way more than orphanages and churches - it’s a calling and a lifestyle of love.
After about 4 hours of driving, we were getting close to Shone – an area in which Covenant Church and their staff feel called to make an impact. As we got closer, we got directions for a “short cut” that turned into the opposite. We embraced the mistake and saw countryside that was incredible. At one point, we stopped to take pictures and saw monkeys in the wild. A couple of us chose to pursue and got a few amazing pictures.
Once we got to Shone, we learned that they have planted a church and have a pastor that oversees not only this location, but 6 others that can only be reached by motorcycle or on foot. They are looking to purchase land to establish the church and a home for needy kids. Shone is an area that is frowned upon due to it’s poverty. It was our privilege to join Pochi and the pastors as we walked the dusty streets and met some intensely poor, yet respectful kids in desperate need. Many of these kids barely had on a shirt…the poverty, dirt, runny noses and smell meant nothing to us as compassion took a hold of us all. We took pictures of kids so that we could help Covenant put together profiles and presentations to raise awareness for the need for sponsorship in this area. They have a vision even beyond the church and orphanage – they are establishing a sponsorship program in this virtually forgotten area of Ethiopia. To be a tiny part of launching and visioneering this project was humbling beyond words.
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