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Kara and I have had quite the journey so far!
Praise the Lord the driving and airplane rides went well! I could feel your prayers because the flight and drive didn’t make me feel anywhere near as bad as I usually feel on long travels- there was such a grace over it. On our layover, we ended up in one of four huge lines to get through customs. When we got to the man at the customs desk, he informed us that it was one minute after our plane said it was boarding and we had a 15 minute jaunt to our terminal… so we ran! Our terminal was boarding to Paris and we had to find where our flight had been switched to. It had been delayed for 30 minutes and boarded shortly after we reached our gate “just in time”.
Ishtvan, a friend of COI staff who had his own taxi business, drove us from Budapest, Hungary across the border to Uzhgorod, Ukraine. We stopped by a McDonalds in Budapest (there aren’t any in Uzhgorod). It was the most modern, fancy looking McDonalds I’ve ever seen- filled with leather couches and TV’s everywhere. This wasn’t at all what I imagined, but I was told- and came to find for myself- that there is a vast contrast between Uzhgorod and Budapest.
We reached our sky-scraper of an apartment that lit up the night. It seemed charming like a serene scene in a movie. The first few minutes walking into the building felt like walking into what I imagine to be a ghetto apartment in a large city. There were no lights through the first few doorways and Kristy, our Iowan roommate, suggested we use the elevator to take our luggage up to the 3rd floor. Sure enough, the elevator was broken and there was a little red light on and what I saw around me in the light of the red light was run-down and looked in need of repair. So as we walked up the steps I saw some windows with the glass cracked and I began to wonder what I got myself into. How would the next few months look?
We reached our vault-looking apartment door and there was a welcome committee of 3 other teachers to greet us! They had put our apartment together and made supper for us. Their names are Valya (short for Valentina), Beth (from the US), and Inga. We’ve hit it off pretty well together so far! They’ve been so gracious in showing us around, giving us a taste of the culture, as well as some good tips and pointers. It looks like this semester there will only be ladies teaching, which will be interesting I’m sure.
Taking a walk around (and walking is the most common form of transportation you’d use) Uzhgorod, one may notice lots of puddles (it’s rainy season here), paths of pavement mixed in along dirt, patterned cobblestone. The main streets are paved, but with many pot holes, and there are many back alley roads. People here highly value fashion. One teacher told me a student of hers once said they would rather have fashionable clothes and skip meals than to eat well and not have fashionable garments. Many women wear stilettos through the cobblestone and dirt- how they survive like that I do not know; just wearing a pair of nice flats for a walk around the city gave me blisters!
The downtown buildings are historical and diverse in architecture. It’s a very interesting place to walk around and there is a castle near downtown. It was a bit shocking to see little children walking around unsupervised through the town. It was also quite moving for me having a beggar woman come up to us a few time in the streets asking for money. The look in her eyes gave me such a strange feeling like time slowed down for a moment. I began to ask the Lord what to do in that sort of a situation, and I am still waiting for His wisdom in such matters. I also saw a woman sitting on the main walking bridge over “The Uzh”- the river that runs through Uzhgorod. Her skin on her face was discolored in such a way that I could tell she had some type of disease. What moved me the most seeing these women was the thought that this is what they do with their lives. That was frustrating and sad. I want them to have the help that is lasting- not just money to get them by another day.
This city is beautiful in its own way, but even when the sun shines, there is still such a depressive atmosphere over the people. The people don’t seem to smile in public much or say hello.
Monday we both started teaching evening classes- we are excited and now there is much work to be done! Kara has taught before, but this was my first time.
We will give you another update on how the first week of school went soon!
Thank you all so much for your prayers, love, and support!
Until next time—dos vidonya!
The Savchenko Sisters
P.S. We are learning how to say our last name the correct way now!
May the Lord bless you and keep you, cause His face to shine on you, be gracious to you and give you His peace as you go deeper in Him!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Barb Queen of the Yard Long Bean!!!!
My next couple posts are going to feature those who were the core members of the Team that God called to Uganda/Ethiopia 2010. I am going to start with Barb. She is an Agricultural Missionary. I did not know they had those either. I assure you there are some kids at the Abba house that cannot praise God enough for Barbs "major" choice. She actually did not travel with us for the Ethiopia part of the trip. She stayed behind in Uganda. It's ok, she had a mission. During the time we spent in Uganda Barb's mission... let's start with a story. The following is an exert from "Deckers Diary" (Barbs last name) anyway her words are titles Daily Mana...
Though I went with them as a team, I staydr in Uganda while the rest went on to Ethiopia. My purpose there was to plant a garden with good vegetables to enhance their daily food. They eat a LOT of RED BEANS and "posho" (pasha) a bland corn flour mush. Posho is a word in Swahili meaning "provision". At the school, which is on the same property as the Abba House, they cook up about 25 pounds of beans every day and serve them as lunch with posho. Big sweet potatoes appear occasionally and sometimes the beans are flavored with small eggplants or with small sun-dried minnows. I am reminded of the stories of the Israelites and their "posho" of manna, and how tired they got from eating that stuff every day! It is basically the same scenario at the Abba House. They eat posho porridge for breakfast, their school provides posho and beans for lunch, and then they return to the Home for a hearty eal of beans, perhaps with minnows or eggplant, and posho. Sometimes groups of individuals will refuse to eat,the Bible says that hunger makes things taste better. I remember in Venezuela when someone commented concerning sun-dried minnows,"yeah, we boil them together with some potatoes and then, with a little hunger they can make a fine meal." The groups wait until hunger gnaws at them, usually by suppertime, to receive their portions of the "manna".
While Barb was in Uganda she broke the soil and as one pastor said " I don't understand why someone would come from so far away to dig in the dirt and plant seeds. But I give God all the glory for this person who came and worked in the soil like an African so that these children could have a better diet." If you do not know anything about Africa they call it a "warm" climate. Not because it is warm but because the people are well people oriented. In other words Barb taking the time not only to go to Africa, but that she is willing to give of her time and effort to improve the diets and overall health of the children. The seeds Barb will sow in the hearts of the Ugandan people because of the seeds God asked her to plant in the ground will light up the sky's of Uganda so to speak. Word will spread of what Bard has done. When the second water source is completed and others come from abroad to get water the love of Christ will be passed through the African grape vine and because of a few cucumbers, zucchini, beets, spinach, chard, watermelon and a white lady from Missouri who knows how many hearts will be changed for the Lord.
By the time Barb left some of the seeds she had sowed were by the grace of God were already poking their heads through the soil. We had a reunion at our home a couple weeks ago... Barb came to the house with a basket of Yard beans. they were green beans 18 inches long. We were all wowed by them. She excitedly told us these are also growing at the Abba House in Uganda. Wow one bean per plate is all that is needed with this variety. It is impossible for me to even imagine eating chicken every day,,,,,,,,every meal. Nor can I imagine never getting chicken. Or just eating cheerios EVERY DAY. We have such variety here in the US we can hardly imagine eating the same thing more than once a week. Whew imagine meatloaf every day.. not just Mondays 8) That's for the old timers.
In September Barb hopes to go back for the harvest.. to see the fruits of her Labor. To give all the praise to God not only for the new foods the kids will have, foods that allow the kids to have a bit of variety in their diets imagine how their bodies will feel with a new variety of vitamins that will flood their bodies as a result of the children eating the fresh veggies. The improved health, eyesight, energy levels. Not to mention just the thrill of watching a seed sprout, grow, blossom , and become the vegetable God intended it to be. We sure get excited at our house when we pull a tomato from the vine or when the green beans don't even make it to a pot of water. Just snap the ends and pop it in your mouth. mmmmmmmmm
Like I said , Barb is a missionary she has been asked by God to serve those in Uganda. Barb has willingly given her life to God's service. In turn she relies on his leading of others for her financial provisions. When she goes back in September she will be staying for three months. She is working on helping them create two water sources. One with solar power. These water sources will benifit many communities of people. Barbs story and the vision God has given her is longer than what I have posted here. Her three month journey will hopefully end with ample water sources, but he possibility for farming jobs for the boys that will graduate from the Abba house in two years. I am working on finding a a link so you can read her whole newsletter. It is great reading.
Please pray for Barb and the journey the Lord has called her on.
Pray she can secure the funds (God knows who he has called to give)
Pray for her safety ( there has been a bit of violence in Uganda lately)
Pray for her health ( Barb has a knee injury that the Dr has ok'd her to serve)
I believe it is a part of God's plan for Barb to continue to minister through gardening to the children of Abba House would you prayerfully consider how God would have you to help Bard in her service to those in Uganda. If he would have you to help financially go to
http://www.houseoffriends.org/ and click on donate (it's a little down on the left) there is a place to share that the donation if for Barb. Tax deductible of course.
For it was I that planted the seed in your heart, Apollis watered it, but it was God not we that made it grown. I Corinthians 3:6
Though I went with them as a team, I staydr in Uganda while the rest went on to Ethiopia. My purpose there was to plant a garden with good vegetables to enhance their daily food. They eat a LOT of RED BEANS and "posho" (pasha) a bland corn flour mush. Posho is a word in Swahili meaning "provision". At the school, which is on the same property as the Abba House, they cook up about 25 pounds of beans every day and serve them as lunch with posho. Big sweet potatoes appear occasionally and sometimes the beans are flavored with small eggplants or with small sun-dried minnows. I am reminded of the stories of the Israelites and their "posho" of manna, and how tired they got from eating that stuff every day! It is basically the same scenario at the Abba House. They eat posho porridge for breakfast, their school provides posho and beans for lunch, and then they return to the Home for a hearty eal of beans, perhaps with minnows or eggplant, and posho. Sometimes groups of individuals will refuse to eat,the Bible says that hunger makes things taste better. I remember in Venezuela when someone commented concerning sun-dried minnows,"yeah, we boil them together with some potatoes and then, with a little hunger they can make a fine meal." The groups wait until hunger gnaws at them, usually by suppertime, to receive their portions of the "manna".
While Barb was in Uganda she broke the soil and as one pastor said " I don't understand why someone would come from so far away to dig in the dirt and plant seeds. But I give God all the glory for this person who came and worked in the soil like an African so that these children could have a better diet." If you do not know anything about Africa they call it a "warm" climate. Not because it is warm but because the people are well people oriented. In other words Barb taking the time not only to go to Africa, but that she is willing to give of her time and effort to improve the diets and overall health of the children. The seeds Barb will sow in the hearts of the Ugandan people because of the seeds God asked her to plant in the ground will light up the sky's of Uganda so to speak. Word will spread of what Bard has done. When the second water source is completed and others come from abroad to get water the love of Christ will be passed through the African grape vine and because of a few cucumbers, zucchini, beets, spinach, chard, watermelon and a white lady from Missouri who knows how many hearts will be changed for the Lord.
By the time Barb left some of the seeds she had sowed were by the grace of God were already poking their heads through the soil. We had a reunion at our home a couple weeks ago... Barb came to the house with a basket of Yard beans. they were green beans 18 inches long. We were all wowed by them. She excitedly told us these are also growing at the Abba House in Uganda. Wow one bean per plate is all that is needed with this variety. It is impossible for me to even imagine eating chicken every day,,,,,,,,every meal. Nor can I imagine never getting chicken. Or just eating cheerios EVERY DAY. We have such variety here in the US we can hardly imagine eating the same thing more than once a week. Whew imagine meatloaf every day.. not just Mondays 8) That's for the old timers.
In September Barb hopes to go back for the harvest.. to see the fruits of her Labor. To give all the praise to God not only for the new foods the kids will have, foods that allow the kids to have a bit of variety in their diets imagine how their bodies will feel with a new variety of vitamins that will flood their bodies as a result of the children eating the fresh veggies. The improved health, eyesight, energy levels. Not to mention just the thrill of watching a seed sprout, grow, blossom , and become the vegetable God intended it to be. We sure get excited at our house when we pull a tomato from the vine or when the green beans don't even make it to a pot of water. Just snap the ends and pop it in your mouth. mmmmmmmmm
Like I said , Barb is a missionary she has been asked by God to serve those in Uganda. Barb has willingly given her life to God's service. In turn she relies on his leading of others for her financial provisions. When she goes back in September she will be staying for three months. She is working on helping them create two water sources. One with solar power. These water sources will benifit many communities of people. Barbs story and the vision God has given her is longer than what I have posted here. Her three month journey will hopefully end with ample water sources, but he possibility for farming jobs for the boys that will graduate from the Abba house in two years. I am working on finding a a link so you can read her whole newsletter. It is great reading.
Please pray for Barb and the journey the Lord has called her on.
Pray she can secure the funds (God knows who he has called to give)
Pray for her safety ( there has been a bit of violence in Uganda lately)
Pray for her health ( Barb has a knee injury that the Dr has ok'd her to serve)
Barb is on the left with the green shirt. Standing with some of the children who excitedly wait for harvest day!!!
I believe it is a part of God's plan for Barb to continue to minister through gardening to the children of Abba House would you prayerfully consider how God would have you to help Bard in her service to those in Uganda. If he would have you to help financially go to
http://www.houseoffriends.org/ and click on donate (it's a little down on the left) there is a place to share that the donation if for Barb. Tax deductible of course.
For it was I that planted the seed in your heart, Apollis watered it, but it was God not we that made it grown. I Corinthians 3:6
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Another day in Uganda
One of House of Friends main goals while at Abba house was first and formost dedicate the Orphanage to the Lord. This house was built in honor of David Anthony. You can read more about this on the HOF website. Look up in the upper left side of my blog their is a tab HOF. If you click on it you will be taken to House of Friends website. I welcome you to look around there is a link to the Kansas, Missouri, Iowa team Newsletter there. You can also see prayer requests and pictures of the beautiful children that call Abba House home. It was a wonderful day full of great food, the childrens choir Tabernacle of Christ Church came and sang for us. The Mayor of Entebe came as well. God blessed us with beautiful weather and an all around great day of fellowship. While the dedication ceremony was going on there was a man a pastor (I dont' remember his name) he shared testimony of how two little children David and Doris (twins) were left on his front porch. The pastor and his wife were investigated by police and accused of child trafficing. They were eventually cleared. Now David and Doris who are around three are the youngest children at Abba house. Can you even imagine so not being able to provide for your children that you would feel your only choice is to abandon them on anothers front porch. What would you do if you were the person who has walked out your front door only to find two small.,beautiful, helpless children on your stoop? Would you welcome them in? The amazing thing is in Africa this is done often. If a parent/s die. So often a realitive takes them in. We often complain in America about not having enough. Let me assure you we have a feast. Even those of us who believe we are without have so much more then they do in many place's in Africa. One of the boys at the Abba house was asked by an American what his favorite food was? He just looked at them and said I just eat posha and beans everyday. Posha is a kind of cornmeal that is boiled. Beans are well beans. Red beans. EVERYDAY. Beans and Posha everyday. We often say this at our house when someone complains about what is being served. With all the little ones we have Mom often does not get out to the store as often as she would like, we still always have so much more in the cupboards then beans and posha. It was a humbeling experiance to see how joyful everyone is/was really everywhere we went in Africa. The faces were faces of Joy... those especially that had the love of Christ knew that beans and posha was food. Food provided from the Lord. So they were thankful everyday for beans and posha. 
Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. Jeremiah 20:13
This is what God is using House of Friends for. To rescue the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. Satan is alive and well everywhere, but noticable in Africa in ways we can only imagine. That also is another post.
~N
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Roots
Hello, anybody, somebody,
Yes it has been a long time since I have visited this place. Let's just say I was growing my roots. My Mom says to admit and just say I met a boy,,,,,, she says I might get made fun of but most everyone will understand. So it's true I met a boy (he's wonderful) but that is a whole other post.
So where did I leave off? CNA class , I did finish and pass the class. What ever happened to Matt? Well only God knows. Hopefully he left there with a couple seeds that with the proper watering will grow and he can resume his relationship with Christ and be a happier man of God because of it.
In June I went on a mission trip. The mission trip I started the blog for. A trip that was initially to include Egypt, Uganda and Ethiopia. Yet because of Christian persecution became Uganda/Ethiopia. That was ok.. we can see the Pyramids another time I'm sure.
So in June we left for our three week adventure to Africa (yes I had to leave the boy) this was my first "out of country" mission trip. I have witnessed in other places, volunteered in VBS and such but get on an airplane go sooo far around the world to serve others. Yup my first time. No I was not nervous, nor was my Mom she hopped up out of bed at 4:00 a.m. just so I could say bye to the boy. Ok his name is Will. So we go say goodbye to Will then off to pick up a couple of others that were also going on the trip. There were twelve of us going in all. For five of us it was out first trip. Not to worry, we were covered in plenty of prayer, we were annointed with oil and nicknamed the five stones. So off we went the flight was uneventful. When we arrived in Addis Abba,Ethiopia there was a slight eight hour hold up. No biggie.. just a little time. We headed from Addis Abba, to Entebe, Uganda. Our new home for the week was only 20 minutes away from the airport. It was dark and late our driver skillfuly drove very quickly (these are not paved roade you know) these are some VERY bumpy roads. We were warmly greeted at Banana Villiage http://bananavillage-uganda.com/banana_village_rooms.html Then we went to sleep... in a Toukoul hut, a fake Toukoul hut.
The next morning we ate breakfast we had poridge, I ate it is all I am going to say. Then off to the Abba house. This is the orphanage House of Friends sponsers. We went from room to room in the school section seeing all the kids. Each time we entered a room they would say in unison WELCOME FOREIGNERS!! (how did they know?) It was so sweet. Then we each introduced ourselves to the children and teachers. There were 20-40- kids in a class, about 12 class's. We were able to share recess with the kids. They love to play soccer. I did not play soccer I had three little girls that noticed my camera and so we spent our time taking pictures, they love to see themselves in our digatel cameras. What joy it was to spend time with the kids. If you look closely at the picture there are three different little girls holding my hands. The one is reaching up to touch my hair. They were are so very curious to touch out hair.
Ok so restarts the growing of my roots in Africa... such a beautiful county...such joyful beautiful people.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart. 1Peter 1:22
Yes it has been a long time since I have visited this place. Let's just say I was growing my roots. My Mom says to admit and just say I met a boy,,,,,, she says I might get made fun of but most everyone will understand. So it's true I met a boy (he's wonderful) but that is a whole other post.
So where did I leave off? CNA class , I did finish and pass the class. What ever happened to Matt? Well only God knows. Hopefully he left there with a couple seeds that with the proper watering will grow and he can resume his relationship with Christ and be a happier man of God because of it.
In June I went on a mission trip. The mission trip I started the blog for. A trip that was initially to include Egypt, Uganda and Ethiopia. Yet because of Christian persecution became Uganda/Ethiopia. That was ok.. we can see the Pyramids another time I'm sure.
So in June we left for our three week adventure to Africa (yes I had to leave the boy) this was my first "out of country" mission trip. I have witnessed in other places, volunteered in VBS and such but get on an airplane go sooo far around the world to serve others. Yup my first time. No I was not nervous, nor was my Mom she hopped up out of bed at 4:00 a.m. just so I could say bye to the boy. Ok his name is Will. So we go say goodbye to Will then off to pick up a couple of others that were also going on the trip. There were twelve of us going in all. For five of us it was out first trip. Not to worry, we were covered in plenty of prayer, we were annointed with oil and nicknamed the five stones. So off we went the flight was uneventful. When we arrived in Addis Abba,Ethiopia there was a slight eight hour hold up. No biggie.. just a little time. We headed from Addis Abba, to Entebe, Uganda. Our new home for the week was only 20 minutes away from the airport. It was dark and late our driver skillfuly drove very quickly (these are not paved roade you know) these are some VERY bumpy roads. We were warmly greeted at Banana Villiage http://bananavillage-uganda.com/banana_village_rooms.html Then we went to sleep... in a Toukoul hut, a fake Toukoul hut.
The next morning we ate breakfast we had poridge, I ate it is all I am going to say. Then off to the Abba house. This is the orphanage House of Friends sponsers. We went from room to room in the school section seeing all the kids. Each time we entered a room they would say in unison WELCOME FOREIGNERS!! (how did they know?) It was so sweet. Then we each introduced ourselves to the children and teachers. There were 20-40- kids in a class, about 12 class's. We were able to share recess with the kids. They love to play soccer. I did not play soccer I had three little girls that noticed my camera and so we spent our time taking pictures, they love to see themselves in our digatel cameras. What joy it was to spend time with the kids. If you look closely at the picture there are three different little girls holding my hands. The one is reaching up to touch my hair. They were are so very curious to touch out hair.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart. 1Peter 1:22
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Still Sowing
Well, I showed up early again Tusday, The unnamed man was just packing up his books and about to leave when I got there. We greated each other and in reference to last week I asked if I could pray with him. He said he felt that prayer was a personal conversaition between a person and God and that he would not be comfortable with praying together, but he said he would really appriciate if I would pray for him. Dubfounded by his response.. all week long I had thought about how this moment would go..I would ask him if we could pray together.. he would say yes... the spirit of the Lord would become evident, he would feel the forgivness of the Lord, and his life could begin being transformed and ultimatly affect those around him for the better.
Did I remember to ask his name? Of corse not! But the Lord is good at showing me what I need to know but forget to ask. I went out to the hall to talk to my mom, who had called to see if " the man" had been there again. After telling her what had happened I headed back to the classroom when a picture on the buliten board caught my eye. It was my unnamed man, but underneath the picture was a name, Matt. I had to laugh as I thanked God for giving me his name, it was right there in front of me the whole time. I believe that when you pray you should be as specific as possible, though I also believe that the Lord understands if you can't be because we don't know everything . I would like to ask you all to please pray for Matt , that he will find God's forgiveness, and be able to forgive the church for what they did so long ago. Also I want to ask you to reach out to those you know who may be hurting or needing the church to reach out and show the love of Christ. We cannot change what Matt's church did, but we can choose to do the best we can to prevent the same thing from happening again. One day we will stand before the Lord and will be asked why we did not reach out to others.
This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
I hope that the seed that was planted will be watered and grow in the love of the Lord, and that the weed of bitterness will be choked out allowing the fruit of God to grow. We may not know what the outcome of this seed will be in this life, thankfully God does.
My job was the to plant the seed in your heart and Appolis watered it, but it was God not we that made it grow. 1Corinthians 3:6
Did I remember to ask his name? Of corse not! But the Lord is good at showing me what I need to know but forget to ask. I went out to the hall to talk to my mom, who had called to see if " the man" had been there again. After telling her what had happened I headed back to the classroom when a picture on the buliten board caught my eye. It was my unnamed man, but underneath the picture was a name, Matt. I had to laugh as I thanked God for giving me his name, it was right there in front of me the whole time. I believe that when you pray you should be as specific as possible, though I also believe that the Lord understands if you can't be because we don't know everything . I would like to ask you all to please pray for Matt , that he will find God's forgiveness, and be able to forgive the church for what they did so long ago. Also I want to ask you to reach out to those you know who may be hurting or needing the church to reach out and show the love of Christ. We cannot change what Matt's church did, but we can choose to do the best we can to prevent the same thing from happening again. One day we will stand before the Lord and will be asked why we did not reach out to others.
This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
I hope that the seed that was planted will be watered and grow in the love of the Lord, and that the weed of bitterness will be choked out allowing the fruit of God to grow. We may not know what the outcome of this seed will be in this life, thankfully God does.
My job was the to plant the seed in your heart and Appolis watered it, but it was God not we that made it grow. 1Corinthians 3:6
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Growing Roots
Before I relized that I was being led to Africa the Lord was already weaving His work in my life , and preparing me by placing people around me that could and would help me on this mission. Growing my "roots" so to speak.
Not long after we had begun the adoption process we met a couple from Ethiopia. They had recently adopted and brought home a beautiful little girl from Ehtiopia. We met with them many times, they told us about Ethiopia, made delicious Ethiopian food for us to eat, and "tried" to teach me some Amharic words.
As the news spread that we were adopting from Africa people that we already knew came to share with us they knew someone who worked or lived in Ethiopia, one such person was the Receptionist from where my siblings with Down syndrome go for therapy. She told us that her sister and brother-in-law, had been missionaries in Ethiopia for over thirty years, we quickly called them and they nicely answered dozens of questions. They even gave us some wonderful advice about religions in Ethiopia and shared with us some traditions of the country.
Then Mr.Gross, a man that works with dad who just happens to do missions. He uses his vacation to serve the Lord through missions in what third world counrty? You guessed it Ethiopia/Uganda. He told dad about a fundraiser Ethiopian dinner. So we got tickets and went.we not only met the receptionists brother-in- law. He just happened to be one of the main speakers. While in Ethiopia he had preached in a church our friends with the adopted little girl attended. a Pastor.We also had the priviledge of sitting with a wonderful couple of Ethiopian decent they are both doctors and we enjoyed visiting and worshiping with them. It was a wonderful evening.
Time went by and we traveled to Ethiopia and picked up our new family members and I fell in love with the children who where left behind. This is truly when my two worlds began to collide. Shortly after we got home my Mom got in touch with dad's co-worker to see when and/if there would be a mission trip again this year. The thought of having an oppertunity to go back was exciting. There was to be a missions meeting in October. A meeting I did not miss. At the meeting I met three others that would be going on the trip. We were told a bit about last years mission trip. One story was about a women waiting for Americans that the Lord said would come to help her build an orphanage. Another moving story was about a little boy in Uganda that had been dedicated by his mother and Witch Doctors to Satan. My heart broke as I looked at the picture of the little boy. Not to worry the team there not only led his Mother to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ, the little boy was released from the curse that had been put on him. Praise God he is free.
On the drive home from that first meeting I was overflowing with excitement, the Lord felt especially close and I couldn't wait for the next meeting(which wouldn't be until January) so that I could be better prepared to follow the Lord into the world begining with Africa....Turns out the Dr's we so enjoyed fellowshiping with. Their son will also be going on the missions trip.
If anyone serves Me, Let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. John 12:26
The Lord has a plan for each of our lives and a destination for us to reach, but we can't find it on our own, we have to Follow Him, start today...
Not long after we had begun the adoption process we met a couple from Ethiopia. They had recently adopted and brought home a beautiful little girl from Ehtiopia. We met with them many times, they told us about Ethiopia, made delicious Ethiopian food for us to eat, and "tried" to teach me some Amharic words.
As the news spread that we were adopting from Africa people that we already knew came to share with us they knew someone who worked or lived in Ethiopia, one such person was the Receptionist from where my siblings with Down syndrome go for therapy. She told us that her sister and brother-in-law, had been missionaries in Ethiopia for over thirty years, we quickly called them and they nicely answered dozens of questions. They even gave us some wonderful advice about religions in Ethiopia and shared with us some traditions of the country.
Then Mr.Gross, a man that works with dad who just happens to do missions. He uses his vacation to serve the Lord through missions in what third world counrty? You guessed it Ethiopia/Uganda. He told dad about a fundraiser Ethiopian dinner. So we got tickets and went.we not only met the receptionists brother-in- law. He just happened to be one of the main speakers. While in Ethiopia he had preached in a church our friends with the adopted little girl attended. a Pastor.We also had the priviledge of sitting with a wonderful couple of Ethiopian decent they are both doctors and we enjoyed visiting and worshiping with them. It was a wonderful evening.
Time went by and we traveled to Ethiopia and picked up our new family members and I fell in love with the children who where left behind. This is truly when my two worlds began to collide. Shortly after we got home my Mom got in touch with dad's co-worker to see when and/if there would be a mission trip again this year. The thought of having an oppertunity to go back was exciting. There was to be a missions meeting in October. A meeting I did not miss. At the meeting I met three others that would be going on the trip. We were told a bit about last years mission trip. One story was about a women waiting for Americans that the Lord said would come to help her build an orphanage. Another moving story was about a little boy in Uganda that had been dedicated by his mother and Witch Doctors to Satan. My heart broke as I looked at the picture of the little boy. Not to worry the team there not only led his Mother to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ, the little boy was released from the curse that had been put on him. Praise God he is free.
On the drive home from that first meeting I was overflowing with excitement, the Lord felt especially close and I couldn't wait for the next meeting(which wouldn't be until January) so that I could be better prepared to follow the Lord into the world begining with Africa....Turns out the Dr's we so enjoyed fellowshiping with. Their son will also be going on the missions trip.
If anyone serves Me, Let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. John 12:26
The Lord has a plan for each of our lives and a destination for us to reach, but we can't find it on our own, we have to Follow Him, start today...
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The First Seed
Last September I was blessed with the oppertunity not many have. To travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our family for the previous nine months had been waiting for the approval to pick up our newest family members. It was to be my priveledge to travel with my Dad to pick them up. That is when it started. My love for Africa. What we saw of Addis was small. Our time outside of the beautiful guesthouse we stayed at was little. Yet enough, enough to plant the first seed in my heart. Up until that time I had never felt the prompting of God in a certain direction in my life. This had always caused me a great deal of distress, you know when you hit about 16 most conversations start with "So what are you going to do with your life?" Or "Have you thought about where you will go to college?" Amazingly when you answer the question wtih "I don't know God has not told me yet. " Even Christians look at you a little puzzled.
When I got home from Ethiopia it was clear, it is God's intention for me to go back.
The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey Joshua 24:24
Truly a liberating feeling. To know a seed has been planted.
When I got home from Ethiopia it was clear, it is God's intention for me to go back.
The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey Joshua 24:24
Truly a liberating feeling. To know a seed has been planted.
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