We wanted to make a difference
We were handed a brochure… her name was Fire and it was our
first experience with sponsorship. Over the years we anticipated her pictures
and loved watching her grow. We faithfully sponsored her until God called us to
our own ministry 16 years later.
Ironically, after going on our first vision trip to a town
called Hosanna
Ethiopia, we realized that our sponsored girl was in a neighboring
town. We were able to visit her and her family. Fire was now 21 years old and
graduating. It was our last year of sponsoring her and a new start to that
something bigger
we had prayed about so many years ago.
We now are Sponsorship Coordinators to 300 children in our first Care Point, and in the process of starting a second site with another 200 children in the same town.
I love that God set this up 18 years ago preparing us for
Ethiopia, and that He chose Fire for us to watch grow ~ so that something bigger
could grow in our hearts at the same time.
I can’t help but know that God heard our prayer as a couple, and this is the “something bigger” – His answer to our prayers. He made all of this happen for Him, His glory and His Kingdom. I want our story to be inspiring to others as they speak and live out the truths in their own hearts. May you know and realize those are God's whispers to you; that you have a purpose bigger than you.
You can change a life…
The first days we laid eyes on these babes were very eye-opening
for us. The stark realization of the great need was overwhelming. They were quiet and hopeless, sick and skinny. Eyes full of
goop, and torn dirty clothing. Flies were living off of the dirt and open
wounds on their precious faces.
That was 2 years ago before Children's HopeChest partnered with
us to start a Sponsorship Program.
Dirshaye ~
2 years ago... and today. A beautiful story in the making!
Families have stepped up to make a difference in the lives of
these children. To love, pray for and call their own. It's a beautiful model
that we are privileged to walk along side. Families partnering with these
children. Writing letters, sending care packages, and even coming to visit
their child.
After just 2 years the children are vibrant, full of life,
healthy and most of all they feel loved, wanted and cared for.
They are all going to school, getting fed regularly and
receiving the necessary medical attention they need. School supplies, back
packs and uniforms make these kids feel proud and full of hope. They gather
regularly in their classrooms and in the courtyard and celebrate festivities,
experience baptisms, and learn about Jesus who made all of this happen.
HopeChest and our sponsorship program have helped create a Care
Point, start a church, and build water points for accessible clean water to the
children as well as the whole community. As you can see, sponsorship not only
helps the child you are sponsoring, it helps their family and the whole community.
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| Our Sponsored Children - graciously welcoming the Impact Team when we visited them in November 2013 |
Team
trips
Every year I lead a team of volunteers to Ethiopia to work with
our Care Point of 300 children and soon our second Care Point. We are excited
and ready to serve over 500 children!
These trips provide Impact Team members
with a life-changing experience…. we get to go be Jesus to these children. And
the children get to see how real our love is – they experience and know that we
enjoy seeing them as much as they do us. Many sponsoring families participate
and see their children. It's an incredible experience when a sponsor family
unites and meets each other for the first time!
During our trips we get to encourage and mentor the care givers,
hug and whisper "I love you" to the children, do skits, share prayer
tunnels and pass out care packages. We hug, love, pray, sing, dance and play.
The best part is that they know we'll be back, we are here and they are not
forgotten. They are learning to trust us!!! This is huge, because with this
trust in us they are learning to trust in the one who loves them the most ~
Jesus.
This is a far bigger picture than just sponsoring a child, it is
creating a model of love the whole community is watching, experiencing, and
gets be a part of. It is keeping our girls off the streets and teaching boys to
be hard-working and responsible.
Our sponsored children will grow up to become
the future leaders of Hosanna, Ethiopia. They will see themselves as capable of
doing something bigger than themselves. Because of Christ that is in
them ~ because God's answers to our prayers far exceed what we could ever ask
or imagine.
So we pass it on….
Will you?
~ Marybeth
We are in need of Sponsors for 27 more Children! Please consider being the change these kids need.
To Sponsor a Child go to:
