Africa: Part 6 "Entering Uganda"

Leaving Ethiopia was hard for me.  When I started my trip I thought my purpose was Ethiopia and I would see some cool stuff in Uganda.  It wasn't until later that the truth of my trip was revealed and Uganda was just what my family had been praying for.  You don't get to hear all about that until later on in the blog though :)

We spent a whole day traveling from Ethiopia to Uganda and settling in at our new guest house.  Everywhere you looked there were trees, plants, and flowers.  However, the air was filled with smog, humidity, and mosquitoes.  Those beautiful trees, plants, and flowers... covered about six feet high in red dust along the roads and red dust just about everywhere else.  Between the humidity and the red dust, I was not clean again until we returned home to the states.  It was at that moment I said an "I never" and God laughed and said, "haven't I taught you not to say that yet?"  I thought I would do my week in Uganda with joy and just never come back.  There I go getting ahead of myself again.

Remember that food I knew I should not eat a few days back in Korah?  Well, I had been trying to fight some symptoms for a few days but was now getting really sick.  Now I was in a new place I didn't love yet, living in the basement of the guest house because I missed room assignments, feeling exhausted both physically and emotionally, and now I was SICK.  I got a good nights sleep and hoped to feel better in the morning.

When morning came, I did not want to move from my bed.  Trying to overcome my physical weakness, I made myself get up, take a shower, and eat a little breakfast.  Missing a day was not an option for me.  A lot of people supported me to go on this trip, I have been dreaming of this trip for years, and I didn't want to miss a thing.  With that, I got on the bus and we headed to My Father's House where we were met with the most beautiful welcoming ever!  (see video)



 The children put on a singing program for us at the school and it was a fabulous time.  I was thankful to be able to sit during the program. 

 The children were so funny and thought their pictures were hysterical.  We had a lot of fun with that!

 In between the program and lunch, we had time to play with the children outside.  I gave everything I had left in my body to those children and when Julie said she was walking back to the bus to get water something in me said to walk with her.  As we were  approaching the bus I almost fainted.  I made my way onto the bus, drank some water and went to sleep on the back of the bus.  Sadly, that was where I spend the rest of the day, passed out across some seats of a hot bus.


I was sad when everyone came back to the bus to head home, but thankful to be headed back to my bed.  When we arrived at the guest house, I walked through to my room, washed my feet, took my first dose of antibiotic, literally fell onto my bed, and slept right though dinner.  I woke up around nine at night and decided to go upstairs and I'm glad I did.  I was able to just sit up there and had the pleasure of meeting Pastor Samuel and hear him talk to our group that evening.  We were joining his ministry for the next two days and he came to greet us and encourage us.  I needed those words that day more than he knew.  Of course it was right back to bed after that in hopes of more energy the next morning.

Africa: Part 5 "A Surprise Return"

I was glad to leave our sketchy hotel in Awassa, where I had seen the first cockroach in my life, to head back to our comfortable Ethiopian Guest house in Addis.  The bumpy four hour drive was well worth it and I got to see more of this beautiful country.

  To my great surprise, we had a change in our itinerary and we were headed back to KORAH today!!!!  I was a bit torn emotionally. I had already said my hard good-bye to Teshome and told him we were not coming back.  I wanted him to trust what I said, but I also wanted so badly to spend time with him again.  How would I let him know I was there?  Our vans pulled into Korah and headed to the Mission Ethiopia building my team had painted the other day.  We were there to meet the women that make the beads for this great program of provision with in Korah.  We had not been there three minutes when I looked back at the door in the gate and saw Teshome push his way through wearing the biggest smile on his face.  He ran to me grabbing on for dear life and I could feel his body shaking.  I can not imagine what was going through his mind when he heard we were back, but I guess he had forgiven me for not keeping my word this time. 

   Teshome and I walked around meeting the women and seeing their craft with our arms around each other.  He didn't want to leave my side and I watched out for him as if he were my own child and not what he actually was; a child left to roam the streets daily on his own.  I could see the glow in his eyes as I would look for him and call him to come stand with me.  Someone looking for him, wanting to be with him, enjoying his company, and thinking about him.  My heart breaks that he doesn't have that everyday.

    We stepped outside of the small building for a few minutes to play frisbee with the one I brought for him to replace the broken one they use at home to fan their coffee.  He asked me to sit down outside and then did something I may never forget in my whole life.  He took one of his only possessions, a thin cheep silver chain, off his neck and placed it around mine.  I started to protest but quickly stopped.   He wanted to show his gratitude and that was all he had to give.  In worldly standards that piece of jewelry is worth nothing, but it is now one of my most prized possessions.  Such a sweet boy!

Together, we watched a man who's fingers had been taken to almost nothing from leprosy weave beautiful mats and another man using a loom to make scarves.  The women let us help shine some beads and I asked Teshome to join us, which he seemed thrilled to be a part of the action.  As we stood in one of the doorways together watching everyone, Teshome got quiet and I could tell the next words were painful for him.  He felt I had already giving him more than anyone else and yet he knew I was still the only one that could would fill his next need.  Reluctantly he asked, "Andrea, new shoes?"  As I looked down at his feet I noticed the shoes that at first glance seemed okay were actually coming apart at the bottom and clearly too small for him.  I didn't hesitate to tell him yes... why would I say no?  It's hard here though, it's not like I could just run to the mall or order some online and have them shipped to him.  Even so, I looked him in the eye and promised to find a way to get him a pair. 

  Saying good-bye, this time for good, sent me to the van to shed tears I did not want him to see.  I'm so glad I came.  I'm so glad I saw.  I know better how to guide him.  I know how to better help him. 

  The next day I boarded a plane to Uganda with a heavy heart.  I hadn't found shoes at the airport and I didn't know what this new relationship with Teshome meant.  Was he okay in Korah?  Was I supposed to do more?  My heart said to get him out, but my mind told me to butt out.  I prayed for clarity for my next steps in this matter.  I walked down the aisle to my seat and found that I was sharing my row with a friendly looking young man.  His name was Andrew and he is from South Sudan.  As we talked, I found out he is going to college in Atlanta and this is his first time home in three years.  Curious, I asked how he found his way to Atlanta?  He opened up and told me his story.  He grew up in a loving but poor family.  It was through his sponsor family that he was able to go to school and learn to dream big.  After he finished high school, his sponsor family asked if he would like to go to college near them in the states.  He said he danced and shouted because he was so excited.  Andrew lives at the university, but spends breaks and holidays at his "family's" house.  It was then that God brought down the walls of timidness and I was ready to open my heart fully to Teshome.  We were placed together for a reason and I have to fight for him.  There is no one else dedicated to fighting just for him.  On the plane, I composed an email to P61 about my desire to move Teshome to the boarding school.  Even though the school is full right now and the decision is up to the team in Ethiopia, the ultimate decision is up to God.  I have circled this in prayer and I'm not coming out until Teshome is out of Korah!

   I searched the rest of the trip to find him shoes, but found nothing suitable to play soccer and last the rainy season.  On our last day in Uganda, I cleaned up my sneakers, stuffed four pair of socks in them, tied them neatly together and pinned a letter to the front.  It was a bold letter filled with encouragement, Goldy truth, and motherly love.  My leader was headed back to Ethiopia for a few months, so I gently packed them in her bag and cannot wait until they are on his sweet feet. 

   Teshome is a part of our family now and after this trip I truly love him with the "mom" side of my heart.  I would encourage any of you that have sponsor children to meet them.  You have no idea the impact it will have on both of you!  If you can't visit, write often.  Your words are more powerful than you know!

Africa: Part 4 "Walk to Water"

This was the day I was a little confused about before I started the trip.  It wasn't an orphanage and these kids had families that loved them.  Wasn't water a whole separate issue?  The answer is no.  You really can't experience Africa for any reason and not see their water, hear their stories, and be changed.  So many African's stories include water, it's our most basic need.  How many of you include water as a part of your story?  We just assume it will be available and clean.  This is not a give in for most of the world.

The team started out on the hour and a half drive crammed into 2 vans instead of 3 because one team member was sick and had to stay behind. We left a driver and a van behind in case she needed anything.

About an hour in we hit the village of Chuko and we were transformed onto driving fish bowls. In these remote areas they rarely see white people so this was like the circus driving through town. I didn't mind, it was kind of fun to see the looks on their faces.  As we turned down the road to get to the very remote part of Chuko, it was quickly apparent that our vans were not going to make it. Our drivers own their vans so were not interested in ruining their livelihood.  We piled into three Land Rovers and I was in the way back sitting in the side seats with four of us back there...very cozy. One of the guys from A Glimmer Of Hope was in the back with us and he thought we were a little crazy. He told us if it rained we would be stuck out there over night.  For some reason I really hoped for that. What a story that would have been.  I might be getting more adventurous in my old age.  I loved the amusement park like ride through the mud, slipping and sliding all over, and then delivering us to our destination in a way only a Land Rover could. It made me laugh to myself thinking of all the Land Rovers that drive around my neighborhood. How silly to think you need a vehicle like that in Rock Creek, Colorado! I saw that vehicle in all it's glory today and thought Neil and his dad would love this!!

We drove the Land Rovers as far as vehicles can go and then parked by the main water point and guard station waiting for its transformer. An ambassador from Glimmer lead us around the village to visit all the future water points and to see the progress of the project. It was more emotional than I thought it would be. This water project was started by one of my leaders, Julie Neal. It's called Dig Deep. This remote village is near and dear to her heart because her son was born here. When she first visited Chuko and saw their need, she wanted to help her new family in Africa. You see, not only does she know where her son if from, she knows his extended family. Grandpa met us at the main point and  greeted us and at the first water point we met Grandma and the rest of the family. Grandma gives the best hugs, but of course she does because that's what grandmas do!  We went into their hut and it was as dark as dark gets. It was not until my flash went off that I realized there was a cow next to me! It was amazing to see this beautiful story of adoption, love, giving back, and true family. This family starts their water story with the birth of their grandson (we saw right where he was born) and the journey that led the Neal family back to them. Julie told them she loved them and saw them as one family now. Grandpa replied that he knows that because she is showing them through  bringing them water (life). You see, two other people have promised water to this village and then did not deliver. Water equals life for these people. Health and life equals love between these transcontinental families. The Neal family could have adopted and never tried to follow the  information to bring them back to look into the same eyes and smile from their son on his grandmother. An extended family was waiting for them on the end of their search.  Grandparents who love this child and want to know that he is healthy and getting an education. How lucky this boy is to have two families that love him so much.

We started our walk around the six water points and I felt a little hand slip into mine. I think she had been dared by one of her friends to touch the white lady because they all giggled. She must have been the bravest one because then she lifted my hand and kissed it and they all laughed in disbelief. Thinking I could one up that, I lifted her hand and kissed it. The girls roared thinking this the funniest and craziest thing they ever saw. We were bonded together for the day now.

The road was slick because it had rained the day before and made up of what looks like red clay that I hope will never totally come off of my shoes.  I was thankful I had good shoes on. Then I looked at the children walking the whole way with us and most had no shoes at all. They walked faster and better than most of us. Some children has shoes but most didn't match. There were little ones no older than Ian and Finn that didn't even ask to be carried.  I walked with two of the most giggly girls (teasing me about blowing my hair out of my eyes) past beautiful flowers and lots of coffee plants. I never dreamed that my wish of seeing coffee plants and drinking coffee in Ethiopia would ever be so sweet. God took my dream and multiplied it by about 1000!
The huts we walked past were so different than what we had been driving past and where we had been walking the last few days.  There was such pride in their community.  This was a community of families that were all together.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, elders, respected leaders, and a real sense of togetherness.  There was such pride in their homes, lawns, animals, and crops.  It was beautiful!!

The children spoke no English and I was finding it hard to really connect other than holding hands and giggling with them. We did teach each other a few words but even that was hard with these kids. They almost never see white people and really have no need for English. As I walked I thought about what my twins at home would like to do with me that helps us bond even though we don't speak the same language. So...we sang. Well kind of. In other places the children all knew Jesus Loved Me and This Is The Day, but here they did not. So I went to the ba-ba song from Gymboree. I sang and they repeated. I started with about 6 kids and within seconds there were about 20 kids around soaking up the connection. I lost track of the rest of my team and found myself so present with these kids. We laughed and sang and smiled and were joyful. This will always be one of the most joyful moments of my life!

When we got to the next water point, I wanted to take a picture of our feet together. After that I thought how about our hands. As soon as I put our hands in a circle the children started playing a game I remember from elementary school where you keep putting hands higher and higher as fast as you can. We laughed and played and the children's faces of staring and wondering about these strange white faces melted into that universal laughter and excitement.  Holding hands and walking is great, but laughter and play is priceless.

The VO team had not been drinking water on our walk because we didn't want to offend the locals by easily pulling out our clean water bottles and drinking as we walked, but we were all about to pass out from the walk. We moved fast on this walk because we had to beat the rain that had "deciding it was time for it to come." I was so thankful to hear Courtney from A Glimmer Of Hope tell us to yes please drink up our water so we can leave behind our water bottles for them. I chugged two so I could hydrate and also leave two behind. You would have thought we were handing out Play Stations in the US the way these children would long for these bottles.

After seeing all the water points and the reservoir, it was time to go to the water source that they currently use.  We had men helping us down the steep embankment, but at the bottom we saw the women who fill these incredibly heavy water jugs and carry them up and down the slick clay path without help. I was in awe of these women. Today I learned a universal characteristic of mothers and women everywhere.  We will do whatever we need to provide from our families. Water is the first physical need of every human and these old women are still willing to meet that need the best they can. This muddy infested water flowed abundantly over the waterfall today, but they said in the non rainy season it's a mere trickle. Once the water pumps provide clean water to the sources, the walk will be much shorter, water much cleaner, and a more reliable source for these people.

Our walk continued to the center of town where the best  chairs in town were set up under the cool shade of a huge tree for the guests of honor...us. I have never felt so welcome in my life! This was such a safe place to be and a much needed emotionally different kind of day. This was a day of J-O-Y!!!
At the beginning of the reception, an older boy brought out sliced pineapple for us, so we each took a piece as the village sat in the lush green grass across the way staring at us.  Grandpa came over to me and said "eat, eat!" So I did. Then the Glimmer person said not to eat it. So I stopped. Then my leader said it was okay because it was pealed and we don't want to offend them. So I ate. Then the Glimmer person explained that yes it's pealed but we don't know the contamination that could be on the utensils used to slice it. I stopped...for good now, and said a little prayer for my tummy. The children we shared the fruit with after the speeches loved that juicy pineapple. It was SO good I really wanted it, but knowing that I had 6 hours of driving in my next 24 hours helped me to hold back from stuffing it in my face.

It was time to load up in the Land Rovers but not before I gave some candy, towels, and tennis balls to the preacher in the village to distribute. I did this to show my respect for his leadership and to not promote begging in this peaceful and polite community.  Then it was on to the coffee ceremony they had prepared for us in town. They prepared so much food for us but my stomach was feeling so good and I wanted to stay that way, so I didn't want to risk a large meal. I had some bread, a banana, and a Sprite. Outside I had an AMAZING cup of coffee made by a beautiful Ethiopian woman and realized that was exactly the "bucket list" thing I had hoped for. Better than a cafe in town, but not as special as Teshome's coffee.

 Click here is you would like to donate to this project. Every penny you donate through this organization goes directly to the project!!

Africa: Part 3 "My Day with Sisay & Hana"

   Leaving Korah was very hard to do.  I wanted to stay there the entire time with Teshome talking and teaching him, but it was time for my team to move on.  We climbed into our vans and took the three hour drive to a boarding school called Shashamene.  This school is the other part of Project 61 through which I sponsor Teshome.  A big part of this school is made up of wealthy children from Ethiopia and part of it is made up of sponsor kids from Korah.  These children were feeding, living, or trying to survive in the city dump right by Korah.  They were the most desperate and most in need of a drastic change to their life.  What a drastic change it was after spending yesterday in Korah.  From the dirt, disease, and crowded streets, to open fields filled with flowers, avocado and mango trees, paths canopied by trees dripping with beauty, life, and an absolute paradise to these children.  I only wished I could have entered the grounds with the first group to see their reaction to a new home. The fresh air felt unbelievable to my lungs which had been filled with the smog of Addis just the day before. 

   A boy named Sisay (Sea-sigh) greeted me and was ready for a great day of practicing his English and maybe getting some hugs in, too.  He gave me a tour of his school pointing out plants and teaching me words in Amarac as we went.  As I went to visit the girl's dorms, he had to wait outside.  My heart sank a bit as I took in the dorms for these Korah girls.  They were still worst than we would send our kids to camp in and the toilets were dirty squatty potties that I was not brave enough to use.  I thought this was where the rich sent their children to school?  I came to learn that the rich kids have a different dorm.  I was sad to think that even here they were separate.  They still have tattered clothing, rough shoes, and lack supplies that they need to live on their own.  The day we came, our guides brought soap for the children and they had to sign for it to make sure everyone got a bar.  I have never seen teenage boys line up for something like soap, but when that is the luxury you get in line early.  Surely the rich kids have nice clothes and shoes.  I pray these Korah kids are not teased too harshly.  Thinking back to yesterday in Korah though, this school is amazing and food is never sparse.  Big steps forward!


  As I left the girls dorm, Sisay was waiting outside for me.  He took me up to the trees where a monkey lives and I was so disappointed that he was not there today.  We then ventured over to the amplotheater where they have movie night and watch the football matches.  There we sat and watched as the guides handed out the soap.  We had a chance to sit and talk while he drew pictures in my journal.  We were friends by now and he looked out for me as if we were family.  I set down my camera for a moment to show him something and he quickly picked it up and told me to just put it in my bag so nobody takes it.  If I had my phone out for too long he would tell me to put it in my bag where nobody could see it.  These kids still had their street smarts, but in addition to that they now had to learn social skills.  They have to learn not to steal anymore.  This is not an easy habit to break so most of the new kids will steal food.  They have never lived a day of their life not having to worry about where the next meal will come from.  These aren't bad kids, they have just had to learn to survive. To them we have so much and they have a little more than nothing.  I can't even imagine.  We are too tempting for some of them, and it broke my heart to not be able to give everything on me to these kids, but the chaos that would have caused always kept me in check.

   After lunch, it was time for the girls and boys to be separated for our program.  These children already learn about the gospel, so we came with a message for them that is universal to all teenage girls... feeling beautiful.  A few teens in our group got up and gave wonderful examples of struggles they had and how they knew they were beautiful in God's eyes because they were made in His image.  Such brave girls these teens were, I admired all they were doing at their young age!  They told these Korah girls that to God they are more precious then gold. We danced and drew images of beauty to the song "Gold".  I sat with Hana during the program and she spoke very little English.  Through our drawings we were able to share more and she was one beautiful girl.

    We had gold necklaces to adorn the girls with and gold stickers, too.  I had the chance to put stickers on about seventy girl's cheeks one by one and look them straight in the eyes and call them beautiful in their own language and watch them melt into a glowing young woman.  It's moments like these on a missions trip that I feel God working through us to say the words He has meant for them out loud so they clearly hear His love.  These are the moments I love!

     When program was done, it was time for us to say our good-byes and it wasn't very hard to find Sisay because he was waiting along the path for one last hug good-bye.  I can't imagine what these children went through before they arrived here, but I hope this drastic change gives them hope for the future and a desire to help others out of the situation they came from. 

    

  Click here to donate to the great organization Project 61!

Africa: Part 2 "Teshome"

Today my heart broke in Korah!  After arriving and visiting the Alert Hospital and doing a bit of shopping there, I asked one of our guides to find our eleven-year-old sponsor child, Teshome.  My heart has been literally about to burst this whole last week just thinking and preparing for our meeting.  My group headed out to do a home visit with one of our leader's friends in the village.  When we arrived back at the Mission Ethiopia building, Teshome was there waiting for me!  It felt good to finally be able to wrap my arms around him!

     We had such a beautiful time together set away from the other children and even from my group.  We stayed in the courtyard outside the building my team was painting and got to know each other.  Teshome speaks a little English, so we had a translator sitting near by to help us get our conversation started but in no time we were able to communicate just fine on our own.  As soon as other people were not around, he was in my arms as much as possible and saying the most wonderful, "I love you, Andrea"s I have ever heard.  Words that held much more behind them than I first imagined. 

    As the day went on, we talked, I shared photos, we sang, and he taught me a little dance.  I brought with me a bible that I had his name engraved on and I gave that to him.  He held that bible as if it were gold that I had just placed in his hands.  We talked of God, he asked me to read to him and so I did, making sure to read John 3:16 and also about God giving hope and purpose for his life.  We talked of God's love and how He will never leave him.  At this point his thank you was more of a whisper... to hold back a cry.
We talked of animals, numbers, and my kids.  He asked me to kiss my whole family for him when I get home.  He told me his parent's and sibling's names and looked so happy as he talked of them.  It made me so excited to finally meet his family that I have longed to meet for about a year now.  It was only when the translator that knew Teshome came by and informed me about Teshome's mother that the facts I thought I knew started to unravel.  A year ago when we decided to sponsor, we were thrilled to be able to sponsor a child to go to school that had a family unit at home. We loved the idea of helping a family that maybe would not be able to keep their child if it weren't for the help.  We thought we were keeping a child from becoming an orphan.  It wasn't until I spoke with Teshome's uncle later that day that I learned of his mother's death six years ago, his father was in prison, and his siblings were all over and they had no idea where.  This story Teshome tells of his family is one he wishes was still true, but in reality all of that is gone.  He now lives with his aunt and uncle who are able to give him a place to stay but nothing beyond that.  I hadn't realized the major support system we were for Teshome.  My role just kicked up a notch.

   After laughing and playing all morning, Teshome lovingly and protectively lead me through the streets of Korah to his aunt and uncle's house.  I was happy to see that he lives in a safer home than most.  There are metal gates that lock and I will sleep better knowing he is protected.  It's a two room home that does have electricity, in fact they have a tv that the uncle could not take his eyes off Ethiopian Idol the whole time.  It was in this room where the uncle spilled the beans on the story Teshome had worked so hard to protect in his mind.  This young boy sat in a quiet defeat on the chair set by the back door as he listened to his uncle so easily talking of his broken family.  As I looked into his eyes, I could see that bright spark that had been present all morning was now gone.  The uncle couldn't remember when the mother had died to which the sad boy in the corner whispered, "six years ago."  I'm glad Teshome had someone to take him in and give him a bed, but my heart breaks for this beautiful, funny boy who still longs for his family.  It was at this moment I realized I am more than just a sponsor to him now.  My words shared earlier in the day were not words shared by strangers, they were words from a mother figure and hugs and kisses that I now see he was desperate for.  This was heavy for me!  I wanted so badly to run away from it all and at the same time never leave!

   The aunt made us feel at home and offered us some lunch.  Every part of my brain said NOT TO EAT THE FOOD, but in my heart I knew it would be rude to not at least try some.  So while the food was in my mouth I said a little prayer for my stomach and swallowed.  I'm not going to promise that I didn't get sick a few days later, but I will say that I am just fine now and would do it over again if I had to.  She then started a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony for us.  The process takes about an hour and starts outside with the "coffee pot" on a bed of coals.  Teshome stood forever fanning the coals with a broken frisbee, all the while looking so proud to be able to offer something back to me.  Since the uncle clearly was too involved with Ethiopian Idol for much conversation, I made my way to the back to sit with Teshome.  He was a different kid at home.  So quiet, so serious... unless no one else was looking and then we would wink and smile at each other.  It became a bit of a game even when we were back in the living room and he had to sit by the back door.  In these moments, I still felt like it was just he and I.... I wish it had been.  I could not tell if his aunt and uncle wanted us there.  The aunt seemed sweet but shy and the uncle other than thanking me for sending T to school and feeding him because he could not, was not interested in much more conversation.  As we waited for the coffee, my friends Erin and April and the translator had some fun conversation. During our wait for the coffee, I brought out gifts for the family.  I thought there would be more kids so there were many snacks, and I handed the love gift I brought for "the mom" to the aunt.  This was right because she had been raising him and made it a point to tell me that she loves him in her heart. 

    The coffee was the best I have ever had!  I couldn't tell you if it was actually the best or it just seemed that way because of the hands that had made it or the company I was keeping, but it goes down as #1 cup of coffee in my book.  The custom is to have three small cups of coffee before you can leave, but unfortunately our time was up after two cups and I had to rejoin my group.  Teshome walked me protectively and proudly through the streets back to the church were we had to say our good-byes.  In that moment I thought it would be the last I would see him on this trip and he thought the same thing.  When his friends were not looking he would give me the biggest hugs and gush I love you's, but then his buddies would come around the corner and he would play it cool... I guess being twelve is universal.

     I want so much more for this wonderful boy!  As I left Korah that day I was confused about all that I had learned and seeking answers about what I was supposed to do next for him.  Answers would start to come soon...

Africa: Part 1 "Korah"

Oh where to begin...
I won't bore you with the travel details.  Many of you have traveled over seas and I can sum it up by saying it took a long time but was not too bad.  It's hard to know where to go next on this blog with what I did, what I saw, and what I experienced.  It was literally amazing the people I met and the opportunities I had.With each blog I will try to share in depth an experience I had.  If the writing sounds more like a journal that is because most of it will come right from my journal while I was there.

     What is probably the most important question that was answered for me?  I know a lot of people go to Africa and think "why would God have people live like this?", but I was struck by a different question.  Why was I born in America with more than I ever need?  The answer is not that I am "blessed more" or "that's just chance so don't feel guilty."  The answer is so that I have the opportunity to help others that are in places where options are not even in their vocabulary.  My riches here in the US were never meant for my personal gain... they were always meant to help others.  Thankful for this wisdom I have gained first hand.

     I think I will start by introducing you to a place near and dear to my heart.  A place I hope one day to be a home away from home for me and my family.  This place is called Korah.  Korah is a leper colony on the edge of the city dump in Addis Ababba, Ethiopia.  Korah is a community that was built to be forgotten.  Decades before my feet were covered in Korah's dust, the government in Addis wanted to contain the lepers in one place to live and die together.  It's so low on societies scale that many locals in Addis don't know of it's existence.  The lepers were a throw away people and so years later the same government that collected them together in Korah then built an incredibly large trash dump right next to this invisible community.

     There must be thousands of amazing stories I have never heard that have come from Korah, but I did hear one beautiful story about a man and women placed there because of their horrific disease and how they were able to find love and have two children together.  All of this in a society that was supposed to just die.  I had the pleasure of meeting their son, Sammy.  Sammy grew up in this shacked filled town with little hope.  Twelve years ago a man, working with Young Life in Addis, happened to stumble upon Korah and met Sammy.  Through this man, Sammy came to know God in a real way and now lives his life for Him.  Sammy has built amazing opportunities to worship, educate, and work for the people in Korah.  He knows all the kids... he was one of these kids.  Today there is a school right in Korah and this is where Teshome attends, but more on him in the next blog ;)

  Thinking of Korah, I am reminded of the lyrics from the Gungor song, Beautiful Things, "He makes beautiful things, He makes beautiful things out of the dust."  There is plenty of dust in Korah and now there is beauty sprouting, too.  Out of all the spots in Africa we visited, part of my heart stayed right there in Korah.  I felt flecks of my heart shedding where ever we walked, with the women at the Alert hospital who suffer with leprosy who patiently taught me needlepoint, the beautiful fly covered children, the man with no fingers weaving beautiful mats, and especially Teshome whom God has brought into our lives with purpose and intent of which I am now sure.


   Korah: Where the trash has become treasure, the left for dead have learned to live, the untouchable are now hugged and kissed, and the "unlovable" are treated as people again and known by a loving God.


Here is a cool link to check out!  Amazing women! 
 http://www.missionethiopia.com/