Update on The Twins

(Sarah and the twin girls last year)

You may remember the twin, baby girls we met last year in Addis. They had been abandoned and left to die in a field.  Rescued by a local orphanage which we support, I had the awesome opportunity to hold the little girls when they were a few weeks old.  This week, I got to return to the orphanage and check up on baby Ruth and baby Sarah, now almost a year old.  It was humbling to realize that God is using me and you to literally save lives—just like these little girls.

How can I thank you enough for helping? How can I praise God enough for sending us to Ethiopia to rescue these babies?  I believe God has HUGE things in store for us to do…to rescue babies like these around the world. Stay tuned because I know you will want to be part of this great work…

 

(Sarah and the twins this week)

Please visit savingmoses.org to help with this critical campaign.
Thank you

 

our mission still matters…

Sarah and young Cambodian girl

Thanks for your support! 2009 is off to an amazing start. God has been giving us glimpses of upcoming opportunities and fresh vision to take worldchild to a new place of impact and outreach. I believe the future has tremendous possibility–and NOTHING is impossible with God. Even when faced with tough economic times, our vision is still strong–and our mission still matters!

Our commitment to reach out with God’s love, power, and Word has not waivered. Our call to care for orphans in Africa, to send food, water, and clothing to children around the world is just as strong as it was four years ago when we began worldchild. We have seen God open supernatural doors of ministry and provide connections with people, churches, and pastors that have taken us to places we could not have even imagined. It’s as if God keeps nudging us to take another step and go a little farther—for Him.

We sincerely appreciate your faithful support. It’s what allows us to keep moving forward in the vision He has given us to make a real and lasting impact in places like Iraq, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Israel. Let me assure you the seeds you are planting today in the lives of children and young people around the world will reap a great harvest…for eternity.

Thank you for staying kingdom-focused even in these tough times.

 

Ethiopia…by Isabell Bowling

Isabell & Banch

I went to see king Menelik’s pic & crown in the museum.  It was very awesome.  I also got to see the oldest, most complete human skeleton in the world, named “skeleton Lucy”.  I hope you will help us raise money for water wells that we want to help drill. In Ethiopia, I experienced Jesus alot! I disovered it was a very poor country because of the people didn’t seem to have very much & the some of the kids didn’t have parents.  My favorite thing about Ethiopia was getting to help other kids!

 

 

 

Together we can stop death for a day…or a lifetime!

Stop Death for a Day for thousands of children!

One of the most moving days was the day we felt led by God to drive into the countryside to learn how the people of Ethiopia are really living. We drove for two hours when we found some children carrying water jugs. We stopped the van and followed them, wanting to see for ourselves what the water and sanitary conditions were. We met a girl about 8 years old who walked over a mile a day to gather water from the river for her family. The full jug would weigh about 50-60 pounds when filled! But that isn’t the worst part…the so-called “clean” water came from a hole dug just two-feet from the river so that it looked clear. In the river, there were oxen, sheep, and goats drinking, swimming, bathing, and defecating IN the water. Invasive parasites have infested most of the children of Ethiopia and 10,000 are dying each day as a result.

My heart just cried out to God as I though of our cushy conditions back home and how we take clean drinking water for granted. God brought this home as I went into our bathroom and happened to notice the water in our toilet. I thought: our toilet water is cleaner than the water these children drink. I have a real problem with that! I feel God calling us to do more for Ethiopia…

 

Today, we have the opportunity to rescue 10,000 children in Ethiopia!

Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something like this??  We can drill wells IN Ethiopia that will provide them with clean, disease free water for a LIFETIME. With the help of our friends, sponsors and partners, we can literally Stop Death for a Day for thousands of children. We have provided a lot of things for people in need, but a lifetime of water is possible the greatest gift ever. Pray about being part of this significant outreach…and do all you can to help us drill these lifesaving wells.

 

 

 

The Ethiopia video is here!

Here is the Ethiopia Trek video update! It is available on GodTube and YouTube as well, so feel free to post and share…thanks!

 

worldchild “adopts” Ethiopian orphanage

“God put Ethiopia on my heart many years ago but after our recent worldchild trek, the beautiful people there completely captured my heart.  The unspeakable conditions they endure—unclean drinking water, starvation, disease—it all broke my heart.  worldchild can make a difference there…”  -Sarah

Bridge to Israel in Ethiopia Orphanage is committed to bringing help, hope and blessings to many hopeless and impoverished children in Ethiopia where poverty, malnutrition, and HIV/AIDs are common.  They provide help to the most vulnerable members of society—the children—and strive to raise them up to become healthy, responsible and productive citizens. 

Sarah and her worldchild team spent 8 days at the orphanage while on their trek to Ethiopia in July. They got to spend precious quality time with the 120 children the orphanage cares for.  To learn more about Bridge to Israel and the great work they do for the children of this region of Ethiopia, click here!  Our sponsors are the reason we can help Bridges to Israel and other orphanages across Africa.  Join us in saving children through this outreach and the many orphanages we support across Africa and around the world.

 

Backpacks filled with HOPE

Sarah handing out backpacks

Here in America, stores are flooded with aisles and aisles of back-to-school supplies. Pens, pencils, binders, laptop cases, notebooks with speakers and plug-ins for mP3 players, locker mirrors—even back-to-school Kleenex in a convenient 3-pack.  We spend hundreds of dollars to prepare our kids for school, to help them get a good education.

Yet, in Ethiopia, it only takes a few dollars to give children a chance at a future.  A plain backpack with a few basic supplies is the difference between whether a child stays in school and gets an education…or is forced to leave school and denied an education. Children in Ethiopia do not have the privilege of staying in school if they don’t have a pen to use.

 

One of the highlights of the Ethiopia Trek was the distribution of 1500 backpacks filled with school supplies.  They weren’t decked out with the latest fad or cartoon character; they didn’t light-up or play music.  They did however contain the essentials that will give children in Ethiopia an opportunity…for an education, for a future.  Inside those backpacks was their hope for survival.

Their list was simple:

·         School paper & pens

·         Toothpaste and a toothbrush

·         A small bottle of shampoo and a bar of soap.

Even the basic hygiene items can make the difference between life and death to a child in Ethiopia. This simple act of kindness was our way of sharing the love of Jesus through real, human contact in a tangible way. More than just art and hygiene supplies—these items will allow the children to stay in school! Each backpack was an investment in their future…and in the future of Ethiopia.

 

worldchild/onegreenbracelet was able to personally distribute 1500 backpacks to three different schools. We may never know the total impact we had, but 1500 children are smiling now because of your generosity!  Thank you for sending worldchild to reach Ethiopia and make a difference in these children’s lives.

 

back in Addis

Hola!  We’re back in Addis & happy with life. 

Yesterday, we travelled in the morning & then got situated in our living accommodations & had a service at Pastor Eyob’s church in the evening, so it was a nice, full day.  The service went well – I ministered on following Jesus’ voice as our shepherd & not the stranger’s voice.  God also gave me several verses to minister to specific individuals in the service, so it was fun to flow in this gift.  Everyone was very happy to sleep last night & most slept extremely well.

This morning, we’ve had the great opportunity to do a vbs at Pastor Eyob’s church for street kids, orphans & HIV / aids kids.  It has gone really well & at present, we’re providing lunch for them.  We probably had around 500 kids, so its been lots of fun!

Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to do some street outreaches & evangelism, so we’re really praying about that & looking forward to it!

Pls pray:

1 – ongoing favor & open doors to minister:  Addis has about 5mill people & so there are plenty of people, its just finding the right contexts in which to share Jesus.

2 – health & strength:  we want to have the strength to continue being effective in sharing Jesus

3 – finish strong:  since we’re leaving Sat night, we want to maximize our time over the next few days to be as effective for Jesus as possible

THANKS LOADS FOR PRAYING!!!

Really appreciate all the support, comments, prayer, etc!!!

 

friday in Gondar

Hello, all you LOVELY people!!!  Feel love from all of us here to you. 

We had an absolutely terrific night last night!  The theater was packed & it was a wonderful time!  We had some great worship in amharic, along with Tim & Shelley Jones leading the song “open the eyes of our heart Lord”. Our Global Expeditions team did a great skit to set up the sermon & Nick from GE & myself preached a message on seeing as Jesus sees.  At the end, we gave people the opportunity to receive Jesus & had well over 30 people respond, including a muslim gentleman.  After this, our team had the privilege of praying for the sick (after they had some training from Dr Ken).  It was truly an awesome evening!

Today, has been really busy!  This morning we broke into 2 groups:  our VBS group (Isabell stayed to help with the kids) & our tree planting group to help w reforestation.  I got to help out w this a little bit & met a 15 year old girl who has 8 bros & sis.  One of her sisters wasn’t able to finish 4th grade because she didn’t have enough paper & a pencil.  That was pretty rough for me.

After this, I had the privilege of interviewing the director for the orphanage where we’re staying & had an amazing time.  He explained all of the various things they have going on here & its incredible!  I was also able to visit twin girl babies who had been left on a trash heap who are now living in the orphanage.  I can’t tell you how this impacted me.  Maybe we can post a picture later.  This rocked me.

While we were touring the campus, some friends from mom was here 25 years ago popped up.  I had the privilege of eating lunch with them – Gedarif & Ethiopia.  Very lovely women.  We also had the honor to be part of the staff chapel for the orphanage (they have more than 70 employees). 

Tonight, we’re off to have some teaching w Dr Ken about healing the sick.  I’m excited for him to share this teaching w the Ethiopians, as I think this can have a revolutionary impact in this community!  Tomorrow, we have 2 services & it looks like Dr Ken & some workers will have the opportunity to visit a village of Ethiopian Jews – so that will be quite cool!!!

Thanks LOADS for praying!!!  We feel it & I know all the prayer is making a huge difference!

Prayer points:

1 – Great healings for this weekend (services at 10a & 4p on both Sat & Sun)

2 – favor & peace with the city

3 – health & unity for the team as we work together

4 – pls pray that I sleep through the night (I’ve been having a rough time w this)

THANKS again and again for reading & praying!!!!  God is doing some great things here!

 

These are the faces—the people—behind the Ethiopia Trek

In Ethiopia, Sarah and her team are reaching out with the hands of Jesus, touching, talking, loving individuals who are in desperate need of a little hope! They are in need of food, water, and medical help, yes. But they are most in need of hope.

These are the faces—the people—behind the Ethiopia Trek. To remind us to pray, for the team and the powerful outreach going on right now in Ethiopia, AND for the people God is reaching out to while they are there.

• Please feel free to print one and put it on your fridge, mirror, bulletin board…to REMIND you to PRAY.
• Set them as your DESKTOP WALLPAPER for the same reason. (Simply click on the picture you want to open. Then rightclick on the picture you want and choose “Set as Background”.)
• SHARE THEM with your friends via email or your blog.

As Sarah and her team are on the ground in Ethiopia being the hands and feet of Jesus, let’s hold them up in prayer back here at home!