Ethiopia Day Seven

A day of admiring God’s beautiful creation! We left this morning to travel about three hours north to Hope Ethiopia. If you could have seen the beautiful countryside of mountains in the background, and wide-open fields. The three-hour trip seemed manageable because of the beautiful views!

A man from Canada founded Hope Ethiopia. He purchased land about 60 miles out on a dirt road, and started a reforestation program to help sustain the people in the community. There were many orphans in the community, but these orphans live amongst the community people. I have never seen so many flies in one area. They were all over the children. This was, yet again, another poor community. The children were need of shoes and clothing. We played with the children, but so many of the children didn’t know what to think of us. According to the director, they have had fourteen different groups come to the area, but none of them have come specifically to be with the children. No wonder they didn’t know what to think! Thirty Caucasian people show up and start throwing candy at them, trying to play games and crafts, and hugging them! Poor kids J

After enjoying the kids for a while, we went back down the road a few miles to the Hope Ethiopia office. This is where we lined up, and started bringing children through the gates to clothe them.  It was rewarding to see a child walk in with literally no shoes, and the rattiest clothes just to see them walk around completely clothed with new shoes, pants, undies, and sweatshirt. Not to mention, seeing some pretty big smiles! J This is also where we handed out the book bags people purchased from the Ordinary Hero website.  Unfortunately, we were unable to clothe the whole community, and it is sad to drive away knowing there were so many people still standing there with nothing. Especially, when people sit there and follow the directions just as you asked. It breaks your heart. But, we must focus on the people we WERE able to help.

The highlight of the day is driving down the road and just throwing out candy, toys, clothes, raincoats, and shoes to people as we pass. To see these smiles break out on their face, just fills you with a sense of joy. We just made that person’s day. We possibly made that person’s year. We possibly made that person’s life. I pray that they were able to see the love of Jesus just shining through us as we did it. The girls in our van had planned to give out our sneakers today. It was so fun to drive down the road, see a lady walking down the road without shoes, stopping, and handing her a pair of sneakers. What a joy! Also, I had some raincoats left from my brother and sister-in-law. I saw two little boys working out in a field, and asked our driver to stop so I could give them some raincoats. The boys just stood there and didn’t know what to do. So, our driver got out and actually helped them put their coats on. You should have seen the smiles! J Makes me want to cry to think about those little boys going home and showing their family their brand new, shiny coats! J

Tomorrow we had planned to go back to Korah. However, we got a call tonight that we would be unable to do that. Literally, we were sitting in the room, and planning our day tomorrow when we got the phone call. It’s unbelievable to see how we have made plans this entire trip, just to have God change them. We have seen so much deceit and selfish ambition among people during this trip, and it seems that the Lord is revealing that. He knows we have pure intention, and He is helping us to bless exactly the people He wants us to bless. SO!!! Tomorrow, we have planned to just go bless people. We have money we want to give, clothes we want to share, and the Word of God to bring forth. We plan to let GOD lead us. We pray that the Lord will continue to guide us to the people. 

The biggest blessing seems to come when you have not planned it. Driving down the road, seeing someone you can bless, and then acting on it. This is God’s hands and feet.

Isaiah 58:7-9 “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break froth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; and then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.”