Celebration of Christmas and the building of the Water Project!!

 Here is a note I just received from the Care Point leader Abinet Kassa. 

Hello families, how are you? I hope you are doing well and good.  I have been very busy with the Christmas and water project. The water points are being built and this is very exciting. This will give access to fresh clean water to the children whenever they need it. 

The first water point is right outside the Care Point. This will be available to the whole community as well and provides them with water and the hope and knowledge that they are welcome to our church and know where to come if needed.

  It is all because of your love and support. These are very special times. All the children have came to the Care Point and celebrated together. 

Christmas is celebrated in Ethiopia on January 7th. It is called Ganna. People do not give or receive gifts for Ganna. It's more a time for going to church, eating lots and playing games.  

The Children all just got done celebrating their festivities for Christmas and this is an update on their celebration. 

These are a few of the things we did together for Christmas or "Ganna Celebration". 

    1. Worshiping God and singing in the different languages, in Amaric in Hadiyegna, wolahitagna.

    2. We got into our Bible study in groups. We also gave them questions about baby Jesus and the meaning of Christmas. 

    3. Teaching them dramas about the Birth of Jesus.

    4. The Children's Choir sang and presented their own songs.

    5. Food celebration for all children with food drink, and snacks. 

    6. Teff,  food and oil were given to them to bring home. This is given to them so they can prepare food in their homes for Christmas time with their family. 

They were very happy they all say thank and bless you and your families. 

Thank you and many blessings to all of the families who love and support us,

Pastor Abinet Kassa

New Years Post

It's been almost a month now that I have been back. It is always interesting to go to Ethiopia every November and come home for the rush of the Holidays. It's like a new world every time I come back. I find myself sitting back at Christmas concerts and watching people shop while my world seems to  stand still in a peaceful state and in a different awe and wonder.

 I am always learning to balance this all, a fast growing ministry that is so close and dear to my heart with having a busy family of 7. I think I feel fortunate to be able to keep the unimportant things at a halt and still usher in the Joy of what Life/Christmas is.... simple... Jesus. Because after walking in the goodness and fulfillment of His promises, perspectives are just different. Seeing the lives of those who live in a constant state of need, keeps life real for me. We have no idea. It keeps me desiring what is real and not looking at life through the eyes of others but through His eyes.

I have to be honest here. Living life and raising kids in America for me if far harder then it would be for me to on the field. Going back and forth and having my heart torn every time. It makes me feel displaced here or there.

This all comes with a holding back for me, my heart sits at bay and I have the familiar ache that if I let it, it will go array very quickly.

Now that Christmas is over and I was able to spend the much needed time with my family. I am now diving back into the fast moving hand of Gods work in Ethiopia. This is where my heart can't hold back much longer.

Now for the next 9 months instead of holding ones face in my hands, I sit behind a computer and communicate to those I love and adore from across the globe.  Instead of sitting and listening to the children sing and dance I wait eagerly for an e-mail to update me or a picture to appease my longing. Instead of waking up eagerly expecting what God will do in an unplanned day, I rush off to the next scheduled activity or drive my sweet kids to theirs.

Its all just a different pace, and one is no more beautiful then the other. God is in it all. Yet, the simplicity and the the ability to be unhindered by the world is just that... two worlds away. I miss that. Terribly.

I am not sure why I write this, yet I feel it is just needed as we continue to walk this walk the Lord has us on. We need your prayers as we are clearly entering a new phase of our Ministry.

This trip has become a stepping stone into a new level of where God is taking us. We sense that it is just the beginning for us. We have desired greatly to go down as a family for an extended period of time, yet we are waiting for doors to open up with Randy's job to do so.

I am so grateful for all that happened on this last trip as we are feeling very established in our Ministry in many areas.  God have your way in us in this New Year!

Overview of our trip in next post... to come soon!