My Missions Trip to Adama, Ethiopia

Hello Everyone:

Please forgive me delay in sharing and forwarding you all pics of your sweet sponsor children in Ethiopia. It is probably a combination coming back to a busy life in America but also taking time to process all that I saw. As I began to write this little update I can feel the tears forming as I remember all that I saw and experienced. Meeting and spending time with the children was absolutely pure joy for me. I could not get enough of them and wished I could have stayed longer and had the opportunity to visit each of their homes and meet their families. It was an amazing trip and I saw God at work all around us confirming to me that he cares about the lives of these little precious ones He knows by name. I felt privileged to be able to go on this trip. Thanks to many of you who allowed me to clean out, organize and purge your closets in exchange for a donation towards my missions trip. The trip itself cost about $3000 but I was able to bring an extra $2000 thanks to God's provision with my "Wear it Well" business.

As you know we collected care packages from sponsors. I had around 45 bags and was planning on a $600 additional luggage cost at the airport. Each of you had contributed money towards that luggage cost. An incredible thing happened at check in! The staff at Ethiopian Airlines waived the luggage fees which allowed me to use that extra $600 in Ethiopia. Upon arriving at Adama I learned they had started a small store. It does not resemble anything like we have here. It is a very small room with a window in it. I was expecting to see shelves stocked with items for sales but instead I saw (4) bars of soap, (5) packages of pasta etc.. They have hired some of the single Mom's of our sponsor children to work in the store and have trained them how to do this. All the profits from the store are going into individual checking accounts for each of the children. Pretty awesome! So I took the $600 and used it to stock the store which products so that each of your children would benefit!

Adama is located 1 1/2 hours outside of Addis Ababa. Adama used to be the capital of Ethiopia so it has the feel of a small city. The Carepoint is located at a small house which used to be the home of Yemserach. Yemserach is a lovely Ethiopian woman who loves and cares for all these children. I was able to see first hand the amazing work she and her family are doing! I am thankful that we have partnered with such Godly, dedicated people. The blessing of sponsorship at Adama was so evident. Although these children still have great needs in their life they are well taken care of. We visited a Carepoint that currently has no sponsorship and there was a vast difference between the two. Thank you for your continued financial support and prayers for these children.

Our time at Adama was spent loving and playing with all the kids. We did face painting, played with parachutes, made balloon animals and hats, taught them songs and most importantly shared God's love and "good news" with each of them! I had the privilege of doing several home visits of our sponsor children where I saw first hand the desperate circumstances they are living in. I was able to make donations to several of the families to help them with "income generators" such as chickens, an injeera maker, or the funds to set up a small store to sell things. We also did a walk through the neighborhood where most of these children live. They invited us into their small homes with such pride and excitement that we had taken the time to come and meet their sweet families. Many of the children are double orphaned and are living with neighbors or extended family. We also have some being raised by a struggling single parent. Being a single woman in Ethiopia is very hard. My sponsor child's mother has HIV and was doing day labor by picking up stones in construction areas. Can you imagine? I spent time distributing and giving your care packages out although because of time I was not able to hand all of them out individually. I also spent time with the social worker, Bazile. He knows each of the 200 children by name and is intimate with their family circumstances. I spent much time trying to find out what children had the greatest needs. Below I have shared the information on these children with you.

Peter Kidd will be leaving at the end of this month as he and 5 other men are going over on a missions trip. He will be visiting Adama and he can take donations if you want to help your specific family or donate to the store! It is best to hand carry the cash as wiring money is costly. You can be assured that your donation will be put to the best use. Each donation is documented with a receipt. Look Development keeps meticulous records and everything that is donated is documented for the government who keeps a close eye on all their work. If you live close to me and want to give m the money I am happy to get it to Pete as I am sending some for my sponsor child.

I could go on and on and share so much more but I know that I will lose most of you if I do. Please don't forget about these children. They need your prayers and support! You are making a difference one life at a time and I was their first hand to see it and confirm it! Love, Blessings, and many thanks!

RUN 4 KIDS - 5K

Wow, times flies when you are doing something you love! So many new things to share about our ministry in Ethiopia. Back in May we had a fundrasier and sponsorship drive at our house. We were able to get almost all 88 children sponsored and raised enough money to build a playground at Adama. Attached are pictures of the playset that was constructed in December. We have also been planning a fundraiser 5K race called "Run 4 Kids" which will take place on Saturday, 3/26/2011 in Lansdowne Va. Beth & Jeff Thomas are a family in our neighborhood who have a heart to make a difference. They sponsor a child in Adama and came to us and said "We want to do more!" They offered to plan a 5K race and so the planning began. We have been busy getting corporate spononors, marketing and Beth & Jeff have handled all the logistics of putting on a race. With the help of Children's Hopechest we were able to put together a marketing video which allows people to meet the children of Adama. I have been able to show it at churches, schools, on Facebook and to our many networks of family and friends who are helping us make a difference in the lives of children. I sent the video to some friends who adopted a child from "Adama" and I wanted share with you her words after seeing the video.

I wanted to share with you the IMPACT this had on Bella Tezeta our daughter who herself was a sponsor child at Look Development Adama. She was captivated by this video. She watched if at least five times, saying the names of a few children she knows and Yemeserach. (She lived with Yemeserach in her home)

Bella Tezeta was SO moved by this. She said "thank you Jesus, yes- Holy Spirit help your children, please Jesus" as she watched it again and again. It was like she was praying over it.

Then she looked at me and said "mommy this is so, so good for these children, I am so happy right now." Bella then got a pen and paper and wrote out EVERY word of your text in the video and then carried it up to her bed and put it on her shelf by her bed and said "mommy I need to always remember these words."

I wanted you to know that the a child from this very place has treasured your video and it brought HOPE to her heart for children and people she loves.... Thank you for sharing this with our family. It has meant so much to Bella Tezata to us all- it a beautiful testimony to God. I pray is accomplishes that which you set out for it to do.

It had a great impact on this family!

The video let her know that there are people caring about her friends at Adama! The race is this Saturday and we hope to have 250-300 runners and raise $10,000! If you have not registered please go to www.run4kids.5k.com and register! If you want to see the video go to http://gallery.me.com/hopechest#100463

Our Ethiopian missions trip is an official "Cornerstone Chapel" trip. We are so excited! The trip is open now and will take place over the dates of 8/4-13/2011. We have an informational meeting that will be held at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg. If you are interested in coming please email me.

Loving The Least Of These: Oceans of Justice

Please take the time to read the following post by a friend. It describes an encounter she had in Ethiopia that challenged her on many levels. It is powerful!

Loving The Least Of These: Oceans of Justice: "My last post was about our stories. Today marks the one year anniversary of one of the most important stories I've ever had the opportunity..."

I wanted to write and share a post with all of you from Andrea while she was in Ethiopia. You may remember from a previous post I talked about two little girls who had lost both of their parents to AIDS and were living all alone in their little hut. They had come to our orphanage Adama the day that Pete & Andrea were visiting "Adama." One of the little girls they found out was in fact their sponsor child. Below is the post Andrea wrote about their visit to these little girls home and what they learned about their situation.

Our first day at our sponsor community called Look Development was amazing. We spent the time handing out care packages from all the families back home who treasure these kids. We, of course could not wait to meet our sponsor children in person. As Isabelle's firend walked through the door, her older sister was holding her hand. This was our introduction to Selem (10) and her sister Abeba (13). As we said hello and began giving Selam her candy and clothes and goodies, we learned what she needed was bigger than anything we could have put in that zip lock bag. They had just lost their only living parent to AIDS, and were living all alone! The 13 year old sister was taking care of them. The look of pain and fear and despair on their faces was indescribable. We knew we would be back in a week, and asked Look Development to help us help them. We left in tears that day hugging the girls and telling them we would see them in 7 days. They asked us to visit their house when we returned.

We learned later in the week that their house was in shambles and was not safe. They had no mattress, no blankets and no food. The window and door to their hut was broken, we agreed to pay for all these things and would deliver them when we returned. Prayers and prayers were lifted up for them and for our hearts to be prepared for what we would see. Nothing could have prepared us, and only Jesus, holding all our hands and holding me up could have gotten us through our next meeting.

At Look, we were shown all the supplies that had been purchaased for Selma and Abeba, but there was a problem, anything that had been given to them was stolen. We could not even bring them the basic things they needed, because what they needed was even more basic! PROTECTION.

We left to go see them and where they lived. We drove and drove, down long muddy rodes, until we were told we had to start walking. We walked down a thick path that led to their hut. They came running out and I saw smiles from both of them for the first time. You could see they could not believe we had come. Walking up to their house was sureal, part of my mind begged to not have to enter the door, to run away and to never look back. My flesh screamed..... my spirit walked me throug their door reassuring me that this was part of our purpose and God was with us.

We stepped into a dark square of a mud hut. All that we could see was an old wire bed frame, covered in clothing.......the clothing of their deceased father and mother. This is what they slept on. Did it bring them comfort? Could they still smell their parents when they selpt? On the wall, was a poster of Jesus, and there was a Mesobi (for eating and coking) in the corner. Also a very dirty yellow jug for water.....where did they even get water.....how far did they need to walk.....was it even clean? My mind was racing as the sweat began to drip down my forhead, and I watched a huge spider crawling inches from my face. I glanced at my 2 oldest, for a brief moment wandering if they were o.k......they were, but the looks on their faces I will never forget, as a work was being done right in front of my eyes.

Our representatives from Look were talking with Abeba and asking them how they were. I went weak as they described the nightly scene of drunk men coming to their house and banging on the window to get in. I pictured these 2 beautiful girls huddled together fearing that these men would break in and steal the only things they had, or even worse, steal from their innocent bodies. We told them we would pay for them to move into a new place closer to the Look Development office so they could be safe. They did not want to give up their house, it is the only memory and only thing left from their mother and father. They feared the gov't. would take it away from them. We told them we would fix their window and door and gate, so they would be more protected......I could see Abeba's face changing, she was mustering up courage, she was so sweet and so quiet, but her face told me something was coming........I knew in my heart what is was, and I was paralyzed. She looked at us and asked to be adopted. They want a FAMILY and to bbe ptrotected and loved. Pete and I barely caught each others eyes, as we had no idea how to respond. Both of us wanted to grab them and run and bring them home and never look back. Pete only said it was a very difficult and long process, and we would do what we could to help them.

We stood outside their house and hugged and prayed over them. I held each of them tight until they cried. They needed a mother's love and protection and the feel of safet, if only for a moment. I kissed them all over their faces and told them I loved them and we would see them again, and help them in the meantime. Isabelle and Johnny begged to give them all the food we had in the van, so we asked them to walk back with us. We walked down that path to the van, praying the whole way. I didn't know until later that night after looking at the pictures that we were all holding hands. Isabelle and Johnny love these girls too, and their hearts were broken and changed that day too.

As we said goodbye and drove away, I prayed to God to show me waht to do. It was no accident that we were led here, that we were to see these girls and to learn their story. As I licked my lips I could taste Selam and Abeba. Anyone who has visited orphans knows that salty, dirty smell that the kids have. You look past it, because you care more about giving them love than the dirt or smell they carry. For the first time that taste was so sweet and I didn't want it to go away.

My prayer, is that these girsl will be protected, that YOU will be touched by this story, moved to action of some sort, that SOMEONE may see their daughters in these two girls. Last night God told me to write this story and to share it, I pray that I was sent to these two for one of you.

Thank you for reading, looking into the dark and hard places that Jesus sees and begs us to walk with him. I thank you for passing this along to anyone and everyone, and for any step you take to help us help these girls.

I am uploading an album called" Selam and Abeba", please look at their faces and pray for them, and pass this along.

I spoke with Andrea today trying to catch up a little on the happenings. I have been in California caring for Stefan's very sick mother and Andrea came home from Ethiopia and ended up in the hospital with vertigo and has spent the last week recovering. The most amazing news is that after she posted the story above on "Facebook" a family contacted her and felt that God was calling them to adopt these little girls. The process has already started!

Waiting Children

My heart is heavy tonight as I just finished looking at a waiting children's list from Ethiopia. My dear friend Kelly Putty was just in Ethiopia on a Missions trip. She has a heart to help children find forever families. We met in Ethiopia while both our families were there adopting our sons that just happened to be in the same orphanage. We both knew we were being called to make a difference and not forget the great need in Ethiopia. As part of her trip she makes it a priority to work with agencies on the ground in Ethiopia that have waiting children. This means they are paperwork ready and just waiting for a forever family She takes pictures of these children and shares a little about their story in hopes that God will nudge someone to step out in faith and change this child future. I know from first hand experience that God does whisper into your heart the word "adoption." He did to me and it scared me to death. Was I really hearing Him or was it my own emotions just wanting to help? Sometimes we look at the these children from afar. We tell ourselves that the problem is too big.. What can we do? I am learning that God calls us to make a difference one life at a time! To that life it is everything! Don't ignore God's gentle nudge.. sometimes it starts with just entertaining the idea of stepping out to do something radical. Radical obedience brings Radical blessing! If you are interested in in adopting a child from Ethiopia email me at mmandanis@comcast.net and I will send you the link to look at the beautiful pictures of these precious children who are waiting on a family. The children are with "Celebrate Children" which is an agency that is licensed to do adoptions from Ethiopia. I am happy to put you in touch with Sue Healdburg who is the owner and has more information on these children.

Andrea & Pete Kidd are coming home...

Andrea email with great news! They have passed court in Ethiopia and will be brining their new son Endale home on 8/22. They will arrive at Dulles Airport but I don't have any of their particulars. I will be traveling on Wed for a family vacation to California and won't be home until 8/31. The pictures above are some that Andrea sent. The little boy in the orange jacket is the Thomas family's sponsor child and the little boy seen kissing his care package is the Reilly's sponosr child. Andrea reported that Pete has been working on a video for all of you of the children and each one receiving their care package.

Also thought it would be nice for us to provide a couple of weeks of meals for Andrea & Pete Kidd. If you have interest in making a meal you can go to this link: http://www.mealbaby.com/viewregistry/235900

Just sign up for the date you want. All the information is provided!

Please pray for their safe travels and readjustment to live back in the USA!

A FEW MORE PICTURES..

A few more pictures. They are Tesfahun (McGowan Family), and Edelewezk (Cokefair Family) and a few others which I am not sure of.