Give Christmas Away

We are so filled with love during the Christmas season as our loved ones pour into us and us into them. Usually we return to the New Year with that wonderful warm fuzzy full feeling that we are loved, secure and that we have a family to call home. But not for everyone…. Millions of children around the world don’t even know it’s Christmas or what in the world that could mean to them. Would you give this love in your heart away in 2010 by traveling to pour it into the orphans of this world?

If so, Visiting Orphans, a mission sending agency, needs you. They have designed trips to lead teams into orphanages all over the world with just this purpose in mind. When you travel with them to Ethiopia you even get to help work at the America World transitional home. They are also offering two trips to Southern China’s Hunan Region! You could return to the region where you once adopted or hope to and invest in the children who may never have the opportunity for a family. You can also visit the wonderful ministry of Amazima on a trip to Uganda. Or visit the children in the port town of Limon, Costa Rica this March who rarely, if ever receive teams to help.

Visiting Orphans is also leading trips to Ecuador, Ghana, Rwanda, El Salvador and Honduras.
To learn more or join a Visiting Orphans trip, please click here .

If you would like to help spread the word of Visiting Orphans on your blogsite, please click here ( http://www.visitingorphans.org/uploads/visitingorphans2.swf) for their widget.

A Great Team Report from our Recent Visiting Orphans El Salvador Trip

Surfers and tourists who travel to the beautiful, remote beach town of El Sunzal, El Salvador often pass by the large metal gate of the Remar orphanage. Unbeknownst to them, hidden behind barbed wire and a foreboding entrance is the evidence of a God who heals; children who laugh, run, play and care for one another. These children have been placed in the orphanage because of abuse or abandonment. Their stories are so disturbing that at times I could not translate them to our team members. They have suffered broken bones, attacks by family members and abuse that is grueling to recount, yet their smiles are beautiful, their laughter contagious, andtheir community is indescribable. These children live in a safe world, protected from the poverty and cruelty they have suffered. They are the children of the "Ciudad de Los Ninos" orphanage and each one of them has captured my heart.

We were amazed by their countenance - they were kind, loving, affectionate and hard working. Each child diligently cleaned and did their chores daily. They never argued, fought or complained. They taught us how to worship and how to pray. We listened to toddlers' bedtime prayers (some praying for over 5 minutes) with grateful hearts and passionate prayers to the Lord they love to worship. It was absolutely precious.

One of the highlights of my trip was being called an "angel" and "answer to prayer." The orphanage director described how she often cries out to God when the kitchen is bare, the children need new shoes, and she can not afford to pay the electrical bill. Then God responds and sends "angels" to meet their needs. Our team arrived with $12,000 in cash, 8 suitcases filled with gifts, and arms ready to hold each child, listen to their stories, tickle, laugh and play. We felt honored to bring hope and encouragement from their brothers and sisters in America. We were privileged to purchase a stove, refrigerator and table for the newly built baby house (which will soon house 20 infants). We purchased more than 2,000 pounds of rice and beans, sugar, kitchen supplies, toiletries, baby food, oil, spices and toys.

One of my favorite stories was the time we spotted an orange truck in the market and began to barter for oranges. After a long, dramatic experienceof negotiating (which involved driving away and being chased down by theorange truck driver), we purchased the ENTIRE truck load (7,620 oranges) for$300. The truck followed us into the orphanage, and the staff and children were practically dancing as the truck rolled in (they can rarely afford tobuy fruit for the kids). Another night we ordered pizza for 150. Most of the children had never eaten pizza. Needless to say, it was the best pizza party ever! We had tearful good byes, but sense that we will each return one day. We also had unbelievable meetings with key government officials, including the Attorney General, who oversees adoption in El Salvador. God opened doors for us through unplanned circumstances and we were treated like dignitaries. We expressed our concerns over the plight of the orphans of their country, our personal adoption experiences, and at the request of the Attorney General herself, laid our hands on her back and prayed over her.

I truly felt like Esther in the throne room of the King. We also met with the attorney who is handling our adoption cases. We were encouraged and discouraged, amazed and exhausted, surprised and overwhelmed all at the sametime. It was an unforgettable day of "divine appointments" and we know thatGod orchestrated all of this for our future children, other waiting adoptive families and all those who defend the cause of the orphan.

I can not begin to express the gratitude I feel for your love, support andpartnership on this trip. As I mentioned time and time again at theorphanage, the true "angels" were YOU, my supporters in the United Stateswho gave so generously. On behalf of Carolina, Juan, Beatriz, Wilson,Antonio, Ana, and the precious children of the Ciudad de Los Ninosorphanage, I want to say thank you. We are already considering what theLord has in store for future trips. We know this story is to be continued...

If this story has inspired you and you would like to go and help the orphans in El Salvador like Jenni has, you can join Visiting Orphans next trip this March from the 6th to the 13th.

Where Are the Laborers?

I just realized that I never posted a blog about this awesome career change I've had. Through the sovereignty of God, I have accepted a position as Executive Director at Visiting Orphans. Visiting Orphans is a wonderful mission sending agency. We send mission teams to orphanages all over the world. We also aim to set up U.S. churches in partnerships with orphanages. I seriously think I have the best job in the world. It's so neat to look back through this blog from the first trip I led. VERY little did I know that God has a much bigger plan in store for me! I have learned that volunteering for Him can bring you GREAT opportunities in time....

However, this job also brings a heavy heart with it. I get emails daily from people trying to start orphanages are others who are already in charge of orphanages. They need help! Their emails break my heart. There is one in Ecuador where the government has cut off their funding, so their staff are quitting. The woman there doesn't know how they are going to feed the children. Then, there is a man in Haiti who takes care of three orphans now and wants to bring in more, yet doesn't have the funding.

I know my place is at the throne of God, on my knees. That is where the direction and power reside. I can't pretend I have all the right tools to make this happen. But I know that God sees the least of these and hears their cries. I pray He divinely connects me daily. With the right church, the right people and the right ways. We need more people to GO! I can't believe sometimes that at the end of the day I am still looking for individuals to just take a few precious days out of their lives to go and love on these children. That is what blows my mind.

Lord, help me get the word out about these trips. Send the right people. May Visiting Orphans get to the point that we are having to turn people away because our trips are so full. Pour out your rain Father and bring the workers. The harvest truly is plentiful but the laborers are so few!

Fire at Canaan's Children's Home

I was looking online today for the contact information for Canaan's Children Home, one of the orphanages we spent time at on our last trip to Uganda and came across this article right as it was posted.  Since I've been there I know this is not a sham.  They had a large fire in their older girls dorm. Please consider giving to help them rebuild.  We will be there for 3 days on our next VO trip in December as well...

Thank you!

http://stonypointweb.com/2009/09/09/girls-dormatory-fire-at-canaan-childrens-home/

Noah's Ark

 Our last mural was Noah's Ark on the front of the new classroom wall.  We finished it just in time for the rain, which was so funny..we were painting the last few details of Noah's Ark as the rain came gently down...listening to the thunder as it approached.  So God.  

My time this week really was heart breaking and good. I had more time to rest than normal...time to hear from God and to speak to Him.  Sickness can be a good interruption in our lives.  It makes us take inventory of our lives.  What is really important?  

But my small one day of sickness paled in comparison to the babies I met who were struggling to stay alive from severe malnutrition or fighting against sepsis as it set in. We laid hands on these babies and fought for them spiritually as much as could and we cried with them.  I still cry with them.  Their high fevers and swollen bodies.  Their lifeless questioning, pleading eyes.  The children who loved us and we left.  The therapy my heart received as I sat with children who were kissing my hands and noticing every small detail on my body, from the hair on my arms (they do not have hair on their body), to the color of the blood vessels through my skin, my painted toe nails and freckels... They tried on each piece of jewelry I had, ran their hands through my hair over and over again.  

Many times we just sat together...I was therapy to them as their hearts yearned for a mother and they were therapy to me as my mother's heart needed them.  I felt so much love from them and I pray they felt this love in return.  I was only a substitute for that one day until their true adoptive moms could be there to finally hold them forever.  

I feel revived, hurt, upset, confused, happy to be home and scared to not return.  

As I close, I realize we never painted the rainbow that went over Noah's Ark. The promise...the promise that is so important to these children - that God has heard their prayers and He has shown up and promised them a family.  That will be my goal the next time I visit...to add the rainbow and bible verses to the walls of the home. 

Thank you for your encouragement and prayers as we traveled and reveled in God's love for these children.  It was a holy and precious time.  Remember adoptive parents, it is a HOLY moment when you meet your adopted child for the first time.  You are bringing heaven to earth in that moment in a glorious example of what Christ did on the cross for us.  

I just remembered this poem called The Invitation and feel I am to share it with you:

It doesn't interest me what kind of job you've got, where you eat or where you shop or the make of car you drive

It doesn't interest me how big a house you own, what I really want to know is what makes you feel alive.

I don't want to talk about how your future is all planned out; that isn't what it's all about to me.

Tell me what you ache for,

tell me what you wait for,

tell me what you long for, 

what your holding on for, 

tell me what your dreamin, 

what will give your live real meaning, 

what you've been afraid to pray for,

 tell me what you ache for....

It doesn't interest me if your planets align, your signs are well defined and your career is right on track. 

It doesn't interest me if your faithful and your true, if you're not true to you, then where's the truth in that.

So I don't want to waste our time comparing all our stars and signs; that's not what I think makes you shine, you see.

Tell me what you ache for, 

tell me what you wait for, 

what you long for, 

what your holding on for, 

tell me what your wishin, 

if you feel like something is missing, 

that somehow you've been saved for...tell me what you ache for..

Tell me what you are dreamin, 

what will bring your life real meaning, 

what deep down your heart breaks for...tell me what you ache for....

Here are more pics from our time in Ethiopia:

What an Adventure so far!!

So far we have painted 3 out 4 murals in the America World Ethiopia Transitional Home. The one featured is in the main lobby and older babies room. Then we have them in the toddler room and baby infant room. We are getting the wood floors refinished and moving out the front wall of the classroom, giving the kids more space and light. I had the unique experience today of being admitted into an Ethiopian hospital. I was suffering from dehydration and stomach flu symptoms. I have to tell you this hospital (the Korean hospital in Addis) was faster than an American hospital and they took great care of me. SO many people in the hospitals in Addis though. They are every where...I hated thinking of the people who couldn't afford to go to the emergency room when they felt like I did. The bill for the whole day in the ER was only $30 as opposed to thousands of dollars in the U.S., yet still, so many street kids and families would never be able to afford this.

 There's a sweet lifeless little baby in the transitional home who hasn't been referred who has pneumonia. Please lift this baby up for healing. The kids are the most amazing children. There's one little 5 year old boy who just stands quietly and watches us as we paint. He loves to be held and to hold hands when I walk somewhere. I'm glad he's been referred or I'd be a goner to adopt him ASAP. I'm telling you, the babies are amazing, but those little children capture your heart. They always look so sad when we leave for the day even when I assure them that their mommies and daddies are coming very soon and they can't wait to take them home. 

We are ordering new bunk beds that are 3 beds in height so that the boys and girls have room in their bedroom and baby beds that aren't metal for the home. If you'd like to help us, you can do so here. www.orphanstickehome.org.

The Work Begins!

The prepatory work for decorating the America World Ethiopia Transitional Home has begun for the us. We (me, my sister Robin and a friend named Lacrecia) are traveling to Addis Ababa tomorrow. As you can see a primer base is being painted. They moved the babies into another room so we can paint their room with gorgeous murals that an adoptive mom out of Utah is greating for us! God has really given her creative ideas and a joy for this work. We also hope to change some of the light fixtures in the home (unless you like this disco ball light fixture! :)) and buy material to sew window treatments.

We'd still like to raise about $5K more to be able to refinish the wood floors and purchase the lighting fixtures needed. You can donate to this endeavor here. Please be sure to note that your donation is for "Decorating the Ethiopia Transtitional Home".

Also, Visiting Orhans, a mission sending agency that I now work for is sending another team to Addis in November. This team will help with any work on the Ethiopia Transitional Home that this current team is unable to complete. If you'd like to go and help, you can apply online here. Craftsmen, electricians and anyone with creative ideas is welcome!

The Nashville Orphan's Ticket Home Gala

Last Saturday was amazing. The Gala was beautiful in every way...gorgeous black and white decor with red rose bouquets atop tall clear glass vases...pictures of adopted children all over. The music was so perfect and Britt Nicole loved on our guests in every way. By the music she chose, the stories she told and the way she loved her Father.
Each guest received a airline "ticket" when they arrived that directed them to a country. They found their table by finding their country as each table was assigned a different country. Their name tags were pilot wings.
I opened up with a story about Nicolas Winton. It is the first story I can find in history that details international adoption, except it wasn't called adoption, it was called rescuing children. Nicholas saved almost 700 children from the Nazi death camps in 1939 as a 29 year old single man. I shared his story with the crowd and showed a clip of him meeting a room full of the orphans he saved as now adults. It's a very powerful story of how we can all have an inheritance like this if we help orphans.
Tom Davis shared his story of adopting his daughter from Russia and what life is like for an orphan in an orphanage and how if everyone in the church would adopt a child, there would be no more orphans!
Then, Aster, the Founder of Kids Care orphanage shared her vision for the primary school she is trying to build for the children in poverty in her community.
Dan Coley closed with an extremely touching message about having passion and being completely surrendered to God in life.
The night ended after Aster auctioned off her personal gold bracelet bringing in over $700 for it!
I will miss my time with America World and the opportunity to share about orphans and adoption in this way. I love giving worship and glory to God by setting up amazing events like these. In the end, no matter how much money we made, I KNOW it was a sweet aroma to Him and an offering that pleased His heart. May his heartbeat for the orphan now resonate in the attendees that gathered that night. Lord, do not let the enemy steal the seed that was sown this night..I pray it fell on good ground and not rocky ground. Ground that you prepared and are now watering through future messages.
Thank you for the last five years at America World. I loved the walk with you I had...traveling all over the U.S. each weekend to share your heart for the orphans with new prospective families. Meeting new children as they are recently adopted and witnessing the joy in the families. May this time in my life never be stolen and may I be a good steward of all you shared through it with me. I offer it back to you..may I be a beautiful instrument in your hand for Visiting Orphans.

Come Hear Author Tom Davis and CMA Artist Britt Nicole at Nashville's Orphan's Ticket Home Gala!

Tom Davis, Author of Fields of the Fatherless, a wonderful book about God's heart for the orphan will be speaking at our Orphan's Ticket Home Galas in Atlanta, Nashville, and Stockton, CA. You can read more about this speaking engagment and see what Tom said about America World and our Gala's here.

Our Guest Artist will be Sparrow Recording Artist, Britt Nicole!
You can register for this event here.

Men Ig(U)nited...

This year our mission team hit a big snag on their travel to Africa. We all got to the Dulles airport just fine, boarded the plane to Addis and then after sitting in the plane for five hours, unboarded and found out the flight had been completely cancelled. They put us up in a nice hotel room and we left for Addis almost 24 hours later. Needless to say we lost the first day of our mission trip and we didn’t understand why God would allow that, other than to give us a good night of sleep before heading out on this mission.

Well, it all made sense as we arrived to the Ethiopia Guest Home, where our team calls home while we are in Addis. As we pulled into the courtyard of the home, we saw this young man doubled over in pain and many of his friends and neighbors surrounding him and helping him walk. We were alarmed but proceeded to get our bags into the house, etc. As we looked around the house and chose our rooms, some of us went out onto the balcony and could see that this man was still hurting and had sat down while his friends tried to get water down his throat. So, I mentioned that the guys ought to go and help and pray for him…and off they went. Ignited to do God's will wherever it may reveal itself! These guys are so awesome! So sensitive to the Spirit and wiling to be used by Him!

Nate, Chris, Simon, Zack and Dave all gathered around this young man to see what was going on. Nate, Chris and Simon, who had joined us on last year’s trip immediately recognized him! In this huge city of Addis it was the same young man who had assisted our driver last year on our bus! Chris picked him up and carried him to our car, while Dave who is a surgeon began asking him questions about how he was suffering. Simon and the rest of the guys, Dave included, all prayed over him and sent him to the hospital with some of the Birr (money) that our group had collected in donations.

The next day we heard that he began to feel better even on the way to the hospital and that one of the staff of the Guest Home took him to lunch and he was asking her questions about the Lord!

So, God is always right on time! If we had come even one minute earlier, we may not have witnessed this scene and been called to action. We are so thankful for interruptions like these on our trips. We look for these “invitations” to get involved. It was even the first time for some of these men to pray in public and lay hands on someone. That is one of the things I love about a mission trip! It will always take us out of our comfort zones and it will cause us to live out the Gospel we all know so well.

Someone to Let Him Cry

Now that I am home I will be blogging about my past days in Africa. On the last night I asked every team member what was their most memorable moment. Here is mine:

One was when we spent the day at the Mother Theresa Orphanage in Ethiopia. This orphanage has about 400 kids with HIV. The number is staggering and a very small percentage of these children are ever adopted. It is one of the most hopeless places we visit as a mission team.

The guys played football, aka, soccer with the older boys while most of the women led the children in songs and arts and crafts. While I was working with one set of kids, Audrey cried out my name. When I turned to see what was the matter, she was trying to help a little 4 year old kid out of a ditch. He had been pushed by another child head first into this rock ditch and blood was running all down his face and onto his hand, while he cried in pain. Without thinking, I picked him up immediately and rushed him to the clinic that was on this large compound. I was with a volunteer there and she asked me if I had any open wounds. I had not even thought about that. Not once did I hesitate to not pick him up b/c he had HIV. Thankfully it never crossed my mind! However, in that moment, the danger of this virus and the threat of it scared me. I quickly realized there was no concern as I did not have an open wound, and I laid my head against his bloody head and tried calming him and comforting him. It seemed to work. Pretty soon the nurse took him and laid him on their table. He was crying as she pressed on his head. She uttered something to him in amharic and he quickly stopped crying. I was amazed as she put disinfectant on his sore and he didn't let out a peep. I myself would have been crying and carrying on. So, I asked her what she said and my heart broke with her answer. She told him, "if you keep crying, I will not help you and you will get an infection". So, no matter how hard she pressed, he did not let out a sound. You know this tiny boy wanted a Mama during this time. Someone to let him cry. Someone to kiss his wounds. Someone to reassure him he will be okay.

Most orphans NEVER have someone to pick them up when they fall, or to kiss them, or to comfort and hold them. They either go uncomforted or are hushed like this nurse did to him. I excused myself from the room as for me even, it was too painful to watch. Pretty soon, he found me in the multitude of children and grabbed my hand. He was such a quiet and shy boy that even the interpreters couldn't get him to talk, so I don't know what he thought. But he did manage to say that his head was still hurting. Then all the sudden he left with all the other children to go to lunch. He didn't look back..he just walked away. That was a sad moment for me too. I realized that they are used to visitors coming and going and never seeing them again. He didn't even bother to say good-bye. Why bother...there's no hope in it for him.

Later that night I laid awake in tears as I realized he could have had a concussion and no one looked into that chance. I was so worried. So, Simon and I prayed for him until we couldn't stay awake any longer. If you think about him, please continue to pray for him. I wish I could tell you his name. I am more than ashamed that I do not know it. He just wouldn't talk though. I completely plan to visit him in January when I return. I will let you know how that reunion goes...

Video from our time at Amazima Ministries

Pictures from Ethiopia that Speak for Themselves

Pictures from Amazima that Speak for Themselves

Amazima Ministries

Two Boys - Two Lives

Our team had a great full day which is pretty typical of most Visiting Orphans mission trips. We started at our America World Transitional Home. There were so many children and so many babies and each one of them were so wonderful. It warmed our heart so much to know that each child there had already been referred a family...until I found out - all but one child. This child, a boy about seven years old, has been on our Waiting Child List for a number of months and it doesn't make sense to me. He's smart, well behaved and very artistic. When all the children sang, "This is the Day, this is the day that the Lord has made..." he smiled the most and sang the loudest. I have to admit I was a little angry to realize that this one child, had been waiting in our transitional home for a family, while others who were younger or had siblings were being adopted out quite quickly. Will you be this family for this little boy? Oh, and he LOVES to laugh! You can see it in his eyes that he knows he does not have a family yet as he looks at you with such hope asking..."are you the one? Do you find me worthy enough to call me your son? What can I do to please you and show you that I am lovable?" I have not been married long enough to adopt, but I just don't see a reason why no one has chosen him yet...I pray you will be touched as I know he will bless you and your family immensely.

It was awesome to visit the home and meet all our staff. We have grown exponentially in our Ethiopia program and staff in Ethiopia, and it was wonderful to see and witness. We have sixty nannies on staff and four nurses ! There was not one time that a baby cried that it went un held or tended to. All of this is because of your generosity to our Orphan's Ticket Home campaign which helps fund all our needs at the transitional home. SUCH a blessing to see!!

After the transitional home, we went to play soccer with the street kids and tell them about the love of Christ. We saw two young boys fighting over the glue they were sniffing. We have chosen to visit the street kids like this on each trip I have led to Ethiopia, but this was the first time I met any boys addicted to the glue. So, with my friend, Ephraim, who has this ministry with the street boys, we took away his glue and began telling him and all the other boys and strangers there about Jesus and all he did on the cross to set us free. We then led him in prayer to receive Christ. We are not sure if it was heartfelt or not, but either way he heard the gospel and so did many others. After we shared with him though, we brought him home to the Ethiopia Guest home let him take a shower and gave him some new clothes and some food and we made sure he had plenty to take home with him. We then prayed with him again making sure he understood that Christ was the one who provided for him and He and all of us loved him. Ephraim promised to keep ministering to him and to continue to meet with him and the other street kids he mentors. Please say a prayer for him as he has a big addiction to overcome. Please say a prayer for both of these boys who God loves so much.

Tomorrow we will visit a Mother Theresa Home and the AHope HIV orphanage...It will be an even harder day for the team emotionally as both homes have sick babies and children. We want to leave a lasting hope with them though, so please pray for us.

p.s. to join our next mission trip to Ethiopia where you can visit and work with the orphans and street kids like this, please visit http://www.visitingorphans.org/.

Internet Problems

This is Mindy posting for Amanda. We are having quite a bit of difficulty getting internet access while here in Africa. We're currently in Uganda in town of Jinja, and our hotel has no access. I was able to run into town and get on a very slow connection at the internet cafe. You can check my blog for updates until Amanda's able to post. You can go here: http://MindyGoesToAfrica.blogspot.com.

Organzied Chaos

Well, if you are following my twitter posts, you know that our Ethiopian Airlines flight to Addis was cancelled after 5 hours of sitting on the runway which included a great airplane dinner and Marley and Me... We finally got into a hotel room at 5 AM this morning and have slept about 5 hours.

Ethiopian Airlines is run much like Ethiopia..go figure! Everyone is VERY trustful and laid back and communication only comes if you press them, or if you don't, whenever.... So, much of those 5 hours on the plane were with no word of what was going on. All we know is that something was mechanically wrong with the plane, so we are thankful they didn't risk the flight. Getting anywhere, all 200 or so of us left after not getting re-routing, was extremely difficult. It was like the great race. Who ever could catch a taxi first and get to the hotel to figure out the next plan won! :) Here was little ole me, having to take charge at the hotel b/c the woman behind the test did not have a clue nor did our Ethiopian Airline rep. So, I started managing and coordinating who got hotel rooms first and being that go between and demanding they call in their manager, which they finally did. I was amazed that not one other person stepped up to do this, but thank you Lord for the grace and energy and where with all to get it done and thank you Mindy for your help! it's been fun to watch how each team member falls into place and to already see the gifts in each one of them. The problem with my coordination of the rooms was that I kept giving them away to the elderly and those with children and we might have been there all night if my husband, Simon, hadn't of taken over to be sure WE got our rooms. :) I guess sometimes you can have a little too much compassion, or you can just be too much of a pushover!

It was a GREAT quick test and bonding experience for our group. I can tell God has called a great group together. Pray that there is finally SOME word today of what time our new flight may leave. Like Ethiopia, they have left us hanging with NO word as to what time that is...just that we need to keep waiting....

I'll be working on our itinerary in Ethiopia now since obviously we will be able to keep all the dates with the very delayed flight.. Please pray for that leading as well.

Treasure Hunter

2 days and counting left until we leave for Africa! This morning I was watching the Travel channel, which my TV stays on a lot...and I found myself fixated on this show about a woman who traveled up to 14K above sea level to the top of a mountain in Colorado to find rare quartz and aquamarines...It took her three days to make this journey. I love the West and especially Colorado and I have hiked a similar mountain, so I was so into this show! The woman ended up finding this huge piece of quartz worth up to $25K and it weighed near 50 lbs! She very gingerly dug it out and brushed off the dirt and carried it out. Then, as the credits rolled I realized the title of this show was "Treasure Hunter".

I knew then and there that God was reminding me of the verse in Isaiah 45, "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I wil break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know I am the Lord, the God Israel who summons you by name."

We are going on a treasure hunt. But this time to Africa. The treasure we seek are the precious hearts of the orphans. The place were God resides. They are the hidden treasures...we are traveling to them...to uncover them and delicately lift them up from their places of despair and allow the Holy Spirit to blow on them, bringing hope and new life. This is our mission...and we are so privileged to be called by God for such a search. We go forth as treasure hunters!

"Change our hearts dear Lord and open our eyes so we can see these treasures that you esteem so highly...We love you and we are here as your jars of clay. Fill us and let us pour ourselves out on this little ones..."

Shoes, Shoes and more Shoes!

I was shocked today when a 16 wheeled delivery truck pulled up to my house and said they needed to deliver some shoes. I had ordered some shoes to share with the orphans on our trip but only expected 2 or 3 boxes. The delivery man said he had 2 skids of boxes! So, thanks to God I still live in my house which has this 700 sq. foot storage unit and a driveway to it. This big truck drove into my backyard and deposited over 200 pairs of BRAND NEW shoes!

Soles 4 Souls is the agency that donated these shoes for our cause. They have helped me before, but they sent used shoes. This year they really spoiled us and will really bless children and adults in Africa! We can't wait! Now I just have to figure out how to pack them all in the 4 bags I have left over to fill!

Our 2009 Trip Itinerary

Here is our the schedule and itinerary for our trip. Thank you for praying for us!

ETHIOPIA:

June 21st: Arrive at 7 PM in Addis Ababa. Check in at the Ethiopia Guest Home
June 22nd: Travel to Gunchire, ET and help build playgrounds at Kidmia
June 23rd: America World Transitional Home
June 24th: Mother Teressa Orphanage & CFI (Compassionate Family Int) drop-in center Kechene/Lafto
June 25th: Soccer Ministry to Street Kids & AHope Orphanage
June 26th Departing from Ethiopia to travel to Uganda at 11:30 AM


UGANDA
Jinja
Friday, June 26 - Day 1
Arrive: 1:30 PM in Entebbe, UG
Airport pick-up and transport to Jinja
Visit Amazima Ministries

Saturday, June 27 - Day 2
Spend time at Amazima Ministries

June 28 - Day 3
Spend time at Canaan Children's Home

Monday, June 29 - Day 4
9 AM Meet Compassion little girls.
2:30 PM Amani Baby Cottage

Luwerro
Tues, June 30 - Day 5
Transport to Kasana/Kiwoko - New Hope Uganda
Arrive for lunch and spend afternoon with New Hope

Entebbe
Weds, July 1 - Day 6
Spend half day at Bethany in Kampala on the way to Entebbe
Group 1: Airport dropoff - Depart 5:15 PM for Addis

Entebbe
Thursday, July 2 - Day 7
Group 2: Spend day in Entebbe, schedule TBD
Airport transfer
Depart: 5:15 PM for Addis
Group 2: Spend night Airport Guest Home

Less Than 3 Weeks To Go

Today it hit me...in less than 3 weeks we will be in beautiful Africa again. Meeting some of the most wonderful children and people in the world - their humbleness, graciousness, desperateness. It changes your life. I can't wait! I think our time in Uganda will be the most impactful and I feel that God has such a purposeful plan in each member of this team for our time there.

How can the earth feel so huge and yet so small at other times? To think that Africa is on the other side of the planet and yet a day's worth of travel and we can step into other people's world and cultures. "Jesus, I don't want to remain comfortable... That is the biggest temptation for us here in America. Change our hearts Lord, do not let us return unchanged. Give us bigger visions for who we are and for what you have purposed for us. Let it be less of us and more of You in every way..."

Mission "LOVE" T-shirts for Sale

We are selling these awesome t-shirts for our 2009 Mission trip to Ethiopia and Uganda. Each shirt says "LOVE" in Luganda & Amharic, the two national languages of Uganda and Ethiopia. The women's and child's t-shirts have the design with the sign language spelling love. The men's design is the black and green one. All profits go to support orphan work as even the company who designed the t-shirts sends all their proceeds to help orphans.
The women's sizes come in S, M,L, & XL and are a feminine cut. All t-shirts are high quality cotton. The children's sizes are S,M,L and are more of a boxy cut.
The men's sizes are M, L, XL and run a little big.
They are $20 for one shirt, but this cost handles shipping as well. You can order with the "Buy Now" button to the right.

Welcome!

It has been my pleasure and honor to lead four mission trips to Africa over the last 4 years. I have another one planned for the Summer of 2009! This time to Ethiopia and Uganda. I was married last Fall to a wonderful man, Simon, who joined me on our 2008 Mission Team and now we are co-leading this year's trip. Praise God! I love Africa and my heart especially goes out to the orphans in Ethiopia since the agency I work for, America World Adoption processes adoptions from there. Please be blessed by the stories and pictures on this page and let me know if you'd like to join me for future mission trips!

Chip In to Donate to Our 2009 Mission trip

We actually have raised about $2000 as of March 30th in checks, but we still have $1000 to go! Important Note: Please remember to specify that your donation is for “Amanda & Simon Lawrence” under “add special instructions to the merchant” when Chip In directs you to pay through Paypal. Thank you! Your donation WILL BE tax deductible.

Our 2009 Visiting Orphans trip to Ethiopia and Uganda will be from June 20th to July 2nd. We will visit Amazima Ministries in Uganda. You can read more about this wonderful orphanage at http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com. We will also visit and care for the orphaned babies at Amani Baby Cottage and teach VBS to older orphans at the Canaan Children's Home. All of these orphanages are in Jinja, Uganda. We will then travel to Luweero to work with the children at New Hope.
We will then travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and work with many of the orphanages mentioned in previous posts from prior trips! Hope you can join us this year to care for the orphans!

Thank you!

Video from 2007 Mission Trip to Ethiopia!

Donate to an Orphan's Ticket Home

The Orphan Crisis

This is the most amazing video I've seen on the actual statistics of how many orphans there are in this world. Please take a moment to watch it and realize the crisis the world is in. If you are moved to help just one, please consider buying a "ticket home" for an orphan through the campaign I direct called "An Orphan's Ticket Home"

Pictures of 2008 Trip

To view all the pictures from both our trips, please click here for Ethiopia and her for Rwanda.

The Young & Hopeless

The first two days of our time in EThiopia were spent at the HIV orphanage called AHope. The first day was spent at the young orphange where the kids were below age 8 or so. The children here were like most children, except a few had sores all over the faces. We had to watch which ones we painted, whether we painted their faces or their hands because of this reason. They did seem to have a little less energy than children their own age. I believe this was for two reasons...some of them were most likely battling illnesses and also they just seemed to have such little hope in their eyes. We held puppet shows for them and they delighted in being surprised by Chris who was a wounded man in our play/puppet show. Every once in awhile Chris would yell out, "Oh, Woe is Me!" and boy, did he ham it up and it was scare the kids and they would just delight in it. They probably didn't understand one word of the show, but they got that part! We had them up and dancing and jumping rope. Of course, playing soccer...
The next day we went to the "Older" HIV orphans home. These children had even less hope in their eyes. They seemed to understand more fully their plight. We played more soccer and volley ball and loved on the older girls by painting their hands and faces and nails. There was one little girl who had a gorgeous face, but she was so thin and you could see how tired she was. As the day wore on and the team grew busy with the other kids, we forgot about her. As we were getting ready to leave we were invited to walk through and see where the children live and sleep. I invited some of the team to go with me. We walked into one room and observed all the bunk beds and were about to leave again when I finally noticed that frail little girl all balled up sleeping in one of the bottom bunks. It was obvious she was sick. So, we all laid hands on her to pray for her and she did not budge one inch or respond in any way. Nate, one of the single guys began to weep as we prayed. I truly felt the anointing of God fall on us and that little girl and do believe some healing was exchanged through that time of intercession, but we were so sad as we left as she never once responded to us. The nanny said she gets very tired early and goes to bed for the day around 5 PM.
Many of the team wrestled later that day and week with the reality that not only are these kids orphaned, but they also may not live to be an adult...

Rwanda - Light in the Darkness

Hi from Rwanda...

So sorry it has taken this long to finally update you all. As you can imagine, our schedule is fully packed and I had to opt to stay back from the mother Theresa orphanage here in Rwanda to be able to let you all know that we are doing very well.

So far we spent 3 nights in Addis and it was truly wonderful. We visited two HIV orphanages where all the children had lost their parents from AIDS and 90% of them had the virus. The name of the orphanage is AHope. The younger children can be adopted and it was so wonderful to see even those with the worst case being adopted and spared a death sentence from this virus. The older children's home though was heartbreaking.. We had some GREAT moments and time with them all playing sports and games and painting, but their energy level and light in their eyes was drastically diminished compared to other orphanages. At the end of our time there we went to see the rooms where the children slept and saw one very thin beautiful 9 year old girl curled up on her bed. She'd been there for the last 2 hours while we played outside with all the others. she would not wake up or respond to us. The caretakers said she was very sick and would tire easily and go to bed for the night very early. So, we all laid hands on her and prayed for her. She did not respond again...But, I know that God's anointing was there as I felt it...how could it not be? He loves her more than we do and is her FATHER. I did see an image that God was surrounding her as if in an incubator with a wall of protection so He coudl heal her, if not of what was temporarily ailing her, then for her ultimate healing of AIDS. I will let you know how she is doing as I hear.
Many hearts broke there in our team. By far the best part of leading a trip is watching those in our trip become wrecked for the Lord and changed forever. It is the biggest blessing and why I do what I do..yes, for the orphans, but I love to watch those who have never seen the reality of the orphan crisis be changed forever and go back and make eternal changes for them.
Rwanda has been difficult for me...We arrived yesterday and went straight to the Genocide Memorial. It was very thorough and detailed leaving no room for your imagincation in both pictures and video. So last night I woke up and grieved and still am. Mostly though b/c after learning of the genocide and the brutality of it just only 13 years ago and then meeting orphans who are now in their twenties who share their story of survival and witnessing all their family's horrible deaths, has been the part that has been hard for me. This is where I can use your prayers. I want to pull it all end and absorb and understand..I want to feel their pain, but I also need to be strong for this team, so pray for my Spirit please....
We go to 3 orphanages today and then another two while we are here. I will share more with you when we get back to Ethiopia on Monday night.
This team is wonderful and unified and the best team yet.
In His very Loving Arms..
Amanda

3 weeks & Counting..

Our team is gearing up to leave by going through different training sessions. Last night we were honored to have Pastor Carla Ives from Heart Cry International (www.heartcyinternational.org) join us on our Skype call to train us on Child Evangelism. What a GREAT teacher and her passion for children was so inspirational!
Next week we will be joined by Cissy Eldridge of Mercy Ministries who will train us further on prayer ministry and spiritual warfare. She has prayed over many women who have come through Mercy and seen great deliverances.
The last week we will be joined by Elmira Burke, a nurse and Ethiopian Adoptive mom who will train us on Blood Born Pathogens as this is mandatory for us to be able to work in the HIV orphanages we will be visiting.

Beth, Simon and I held an extremely successful Yard Sale this month in order to raise money for our trip. It was like a flea market at my house! I went up for prayer for this yard sale at my church and while praying for me, I saw an image of God turning over a bowl and shaking out the body of Christ (people) to come help and boy did they turn out! Hannah, Cheryl, Jessica (who flew in from CO!), Sarah, Jenny, Jake, Mike, Simon, Chris H., Evelyn, Chris F., David, and Tarah (who was 9 months pregnant!). We had so many donations that both my front, back yard and shed were covered with items and people who came to shop. We raised $2400! It was such hard work, but so much fun! I loved meeting all my neighbors who came out and getting involved in the community. Chris, Simon and I prayed over an older woman who had had cancer on her voice box and it had been removed. She was believing for God to restore her voice. She sobbed as we prayed for her and it impacted those that waited for us to help them as we prayed for her. (I tried to help someone before praying for her and she grabbed me and told them they could wait!!! That's how desperately she wanted prayer.) We also met a family who was fostering 2 teenage boys. Simon played some football with them and gave one of them a set of roller blades we had as well as the football they were playing with. The foster mom said that they had gone to visit one of the boy's mom and when they showed up his mom and all his siblings had moved away without even telling him. So, they were out yard sale shopping in hopes of getting his spirits back up. He was so blessed by the gifts he received spontaneously from a total stranger. To me this was a small scene of what can happen with the young orphan boys in Africa who have nothing at all. What stories people have when we take the time to get to know them! It really encouraged me to open up my home to this community more..and it is a testimony as to why I decided to live in a transitional neighborhood like this.

Thanks to all of you who donated items, came out to shop or have given money for this trip! In the next few days our team will be working on a puppet show and sign language for songs to share with the kids. They LOVE music, especially music with hand motions and other ways of communicating.

The pictures above are of our successful yard sale! Everyone has their passports ready to go on this trip, so that's a PRAISE for sure! We are reading the following books to prepare our hearts and minds, "Red Letters" by Tom Davis, "The Bait of Satan" by John Bevere, "Always Enough" by Heidi Baker, "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets and others.

Thanks for your continued prayers!

2008 Ethiopia and Rwanda Trip!

I'm excited to announce that I am again leading a trip to Ethiopia this Summer. Except this time we will take a detour to Rwanda! The dates are July 7th to July 19th. Come and go with us as we visit a hospital for those with leprosy, minister to street kids, hold orphans and basically just walk in footsteps of our Lord & Savior, allowing Him to lead and guide us wherever His people need us.
Please let me know if you'd like to join us! It's always an amazing time..and will impact you eternally!

God Doesn't Give Up!

I have such great news. Zimade is going to have the surgery and all is finally well after 2 years since we first met her! This has been such a testimony to me that God ALWAYS finishes what He starts!! Even when I had given up on Zimade, He had not!

Here is the most recent report from the missionary Plastic Surgeon I was connected with who is working with Zimade. They work with Cure International, an amazing organization healing so many children in so many nations, not just physically, but spiritually. I cannot thank you all enough for all the money and prayers you invested in this little girl. I will keep you all updated as her surgery draws near.

Amanda,

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. It's been an especially busy week (we had a large group of donors visiting--I'm sure in your position in development, you understand).

I agree w/ Blair Summit that she appears to have a venous malformation. In the US, I'd have her get an MRI. I would be surprised if there's an adequate MRI in E Africa, but I'll look in to it. The MRI would be very helpful but probably not worth sending her to the US just to get that.

She's been in AA for about a month and has had 2 injections at Yek 12 Hospital by an Eth plastic surgeon. Not surprisingly, the injxns didn't help.

I recommended surgical excision and reconstruction. As it has not changed in size for 2-3 years, I suggested this can be done at their convenience. The reconstruction will be fairly complex and will likely involve at least 2 operations, so she would need to be here for at least a few weeks.

Her mother is concerned about the school her daughter has already missed so is thinking she'd like to bring her back when she is on break (maybe around December since our hospital will not be open in time for her June break). I did offer the option of having her care at the Korean Hosp (w/ me as surgeon), but for now, she will wait for the CURE Hospital (our new one).

I also told her to contact me (Robel said he'd keep in touch) if it seemed to be getting larger as I may then recommend operating sooner.

As far as the Eth pl surgeon (Yek 12), they were going to keep the clinic appt (should've been yesterday). I certainly gave them the option to cont care with him, but I think she just wanted to let him know they'd be transferring to us. I was supposed to meet last Monday with the head plastic surgeon there (for other reasons; but I was going to discuss her as well) but it was rescheduled for Friday.

I don't know yet what the quality of the Eth plastic surgeons here are (I do know a little about their training--would not be considered adequate by US standards; but, then again, her surgeon may be particularly talented despite the lack of training). Although I would not have recommended any injections (I don't know what they used), perhaps he attempted that b/c he knew how difficult the reconstruction would be.

I sent her your love and regards and told them that the Lord, Jesus, brought us here for Zimade. They both appreciate you very much.

We do this from the overflow of grace that Christ has poured out on us; we, primarily, wish to offer that same grace to these children for true wholistic healing (their souls).

Paul

Amy's Heart

Amy works for our agency, America World Adoption as a Director of Social Services in Florida. This was her first trip to Ethiopia and she didn't expect to fall in love with one precious orphan there....Meet Aiden, Amy's heart that she left behind. Aiden had just arrived at the orphanage one day earlier than this picture. Isn't she amazing?! So many of these precious ones need you to adopt them!

Pictures from the team