Ever come across a ministry and think, "Oooo, I really like the name of that!"? I  heard about Love, Inc. years ago....but, only recently, found out what the INC part stands for: IN the NAME of CHRIST. I think that  perfectly sums up how we should do ALL that we do: WITH love IN His name.

This ministry embraces a healthy biblical model:
"Love INC of Lake County mobilizes local churches to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ.
Love INC's network of volunteers from churches are helping disadvantaged individuals to rebuild their lives and create new relationships all in the Name of Christ."

How do they do this? Here are some of their avenues of community outreach, in their own words! (Click on the blue titles to link to their page!)

The Clearinghouse / Help Center Volunteers answer the phones in our Waukegan office and are the voice of Christ to the general public and to those in need. Their kind words help alleviate a desperate situation. God uses the Help Center to graciously bring resources together to connect verified clients to the support they need.

Clothing Ministry Volunteers are vital for organizing donations and ministering to those in need. Our clients use Love INC dollars to “purchase” clothing at mobile “stores” hosted in local churches.

Financial Counseling Volunteers encourage people to learn basic skills in budgeting, banking and advocating for themselves.

Furniture Services Volunteers donate a few hours each week or month to transport furniture from those with goods to donate to our verified clients in need. We provide basic furniture, with a focus on supplying something to “Eat On, Sit On, and Sleep On.”

Hope Builders Volunteers provide household repairs and yard work for those unable to do them on their own. Our Hope Builders volunteers take on remodeling projects and small building projects. They combine their labor with homeowner-purchased materials to transform an oppressing situation into pride of ownership.

Household Starter Kits Volunteers organize and pack donated household items into “Starter Kits” and deliver them to verified clients moving into their own homes. Kits include new or gently used dishes, glasses, pots & pans, basic kitchen utensils and bath & kitchen towels.

Transportation Services Our partner car repair shops provide safety-related repairs to ensure reliable transportation for a person to get to work, school or appointments. Other volunteers may provide rides to church, a doctor’s appointment, grocery store or other necessary destinations.

Future Ministries We are always growing! New ministries develop with the changing needs of our community.

Jerry & Christy Shannon were first drawn to Ethiopia through their desire to adopt internationally. Little did they know the plans God REALLY had for them!

Once their hearts were captured by this African country and the beautiful people there, they were destined to return. With a pastoral background, the natural path seemed to be church planting - but - they flexed and followed God's lead as he drew them to partner with the existing local churches to minister to orphans and widows in practical and spiritual ways. Out of this willingness to listen to God, Embracing Hope Ethiopia was born. They now have 50 staff and 178 Moms/Guardians of 196 children. - AND - Jerry is currently serving as senior pastor at the Evangelical International Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he shepherds an even larger - global - flock!

We love this family. They are SO real and welcoming. The name of the ministry they run is so fitting....because they not only embrace the people they serve...they embrace those who share the same passion TO serve! I cannot begin to tell you the amount of information and encouragement both Jerry and Christy have given us as we try to be best prepared to move to Ethiopia. In fact, when I was in Ethiopia this past spring with Tatum and Brogan, we went to church on the first Sunday where we quickly spotted Christy...with a beautiful lil brown child strapped to her body. She came over, warmly greeted us and chatted for a bit. When we walked away, Tatum (14 at the time) said, "She is so nice. It's like you just KNOW her...like a close neighbor or even a family member." Teenagers are pretty honest...and, that is INDEED a true statement.

Check out Embracing Hope Ethiopia and see all God HAS done and IS doing. He has blessed their efforts and recently expanded their reach to serve even more families in the community. It's fun to wait and see what is next!
www.embracinghopeethiopia.com.

My mom worked for years in the front office of the local high school. Her desk was strategically located right outside the Vice Principal's office where "certain" kids ominously waited to find out their disciplinary "consequences.". What I remember most is how much my mom loved on those "bad" kids. She insisted, "There are NO bad kids...just kids from really hard places." Maybe that planted the original seed in my heart for the older kids, the oh-so-not-even-TRYING-to-be-perfect kids. The kids in my life now who are not afraid to tell me they've screwed up. The kids who excitedly tell me they've been clean for 4 months. The kids who are so easy for me to love. The kids who flatter me, but really break my heart, when they say, "I wish you were my mom," because I know the painful reasons WHY.
Corey Burba, founder of Romanian Orphan Ministries, loves the "big"kids. He can relate. He's been in those hard places...and he wants them to know a better life...full of hope!

Everything about this ministry and these humble, once-broken vessels that God is using in loving ways is inspiring. What do they do?

"Orphan youth are turned out onto the streets with few life skills. Joblessness, homelessness, drug abuse, prostitution, jail, and becoming victims of human trafficking are just a few of the results.
Romanian Orphan Ministries assists these youths in the transition from institutionalized life to becoming a productive member of society.  Our strategy is holistic, encompassing spiritual, social, physical, and educational facets.
Our mission statement is, 'Bringing the forgotten orphan children in Romania to faith in Christ, discipling them, and equipping them to be productive citizens and Christians.' So, we have three main goals: to evangelize, to disciple, and to equip."

I could go on and on...but...you will find SO much more on their website: www.romanianorphanministries.com/
And, YES, you can blame me for your new, unquenchable desire to hop on the next plane to visit the beauty that is Romania...and the lovely people there! JOIN US in praying for them today.

I cannot think about this child (on the left) without crying. This post will be short...

Please pray with us today for sweet Dominick who is now 6 years old.
We met him when he was only 18 months old. He came in and out of our lives and our home many times over the years. We never refused him - even after the pain of having to say "Good-bye" way too many times and even when his behavior became more and more challenging as a result of being bounced around too much.
In my opinion, the systems put in place to protect him and the people with the power to make healthy decisions for him, utterly failed him. My eyes were painfully opened to the depth of the corruption and brokenness in our own backyard.
I still don't know why God chose to allow things to happen the way they continually have in his young life. BUT, I have to remember and believe with all my heart that God loves him more than I ever could and my job is to pray for him...for the rest of my life. I will always love Dominick...no less than all my other children.
It has almost been a year since I took this last picture of Dom with Hezzie. It was the day they had to say good-bye....again. It still hurts. BUT, I went to every court date, I fought for him in every possible way and I was willing to take him whenever, no matter what...every.single.time. I know I did all I humanly could....the rest....I leave at the feet of Jesus.
God bless you & keep you...close and safe, sweet Dominick!

Project Cuddle is the result of one woman’s crusade to help prevent infants from being abandoned. Debbe Magnusen fostered over 30 drug-exposed babies, while raising two biological children. Eventually five of those beautiful little ones were adopted and became part of the Magnusen Family.

The Project Cuddle crisis line was started in the living room of Debbe’s home, with the hope of ending baby abandonment. Within 12 hours of opening the 24 hour crisis-line, Project Cuddle got its first crisis call. A frightened woman, who had hidden her pregnancy from everyone she knew. She was due to deliver at any minute and planned to put the newborn in the park. There was no time to waste! Debbe had only days to orchestrate a safe and legal alternative to abandonment. Project Cuddle was able to retain an attorney, a family yearning to rescue and adopt the baby, as well as an obstetrician, hospital and counselor. Debbe Magnusen coached this woman through the delivery of a beautiful baby girl. After the baby was delivered into the arms of the adoptive parents, the birth mother said to Debbe: “I feel like I’ve done something I can be proud of for the first time.” The woman did not break the law, the baby was safe and a rescue couple was overjoyed at having a new daughter in their lives.

Statistics indicate that 57 children are abandoned everyday Tragically, babies are being abandoned across the nation on a daily basis. Since its inception, Project Cuddle has saved over 735 babies across the country and into Canada from the fate of being abandoned, or worse.

Project Cuddle is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity providing safe and legal alternatives to baby abandonment. What a beautiful example of a mom with a loving heart wanting to DO MORE!

We were personally introduced to this ministry by the Gingerich family, shown below. This young couple chose to become first time parents by participating in Project Cuddle. They went on to have two biological children and adopt another child through a private adoption. God grows families in the most wonderful ways!

These are my friends, Russ and Lisa Qualls. Pete and I had the privilege of meeting them while they were on their journey to adopt from Ethiopia...and hen again IN Ethiopia! They are incredibly NICE people - the kind you truly believe do not even have a single mean thought?!?

In Lisa's own words from her blog, www.onethankfulmom.com :

"I'm the mother of twelve by birth and adoption. Thirty years ago I married my true love. Once lost and now found, I've been brought to my knees by grace. I am passionately devoted to healing my children who came to me with broken hearts. Join me on the journey.
I am One Thankful Mom."

And here is their BEAUTIFUL family...

Lisa's ministry is quite simply sharing her life, being loving and authentic while she consistently encourages other parents on this crazy journey we call parenthood. She starting blogging in 2006 and here is a taste of the blessings, her Top Twelve Favorite Blog Posts:

1. Meditations on a Messy Life
This post poured out of me one afternoon when I was struggling – it must have struck a chord because it is my most popular post.


2. This Could Have Been My Life
No more regrets.


3. You Broke My Heart
A poignant and convicting “mommy moment” with Eby.


4. Not That Special
I’ll never take her place.


5. My Learning Curve: Restorative Sabbatical
A four-part series on how Russ regained his hope and courage in our life as adoptive parents.


6. My Learning Curve: When the Truth Brings Sorrow
Grief is a big part of Honeybee’s journey since her adoption at almost ten years old.


7. Walking Humbly
Humility is not for sissies.


8. My Learning Curve: Wearing Love
Helping Eby feel close to Mom and Dad.


9. Their Pain, Not Mine
Recognizing my children’s suffering in the process of adoption


10. The Marathon of Therapeutic Parenting
This is definitely not a sprint — we’re in it for the long haul.


11. Before I Knew She was Mine
Reflections on God’s plan to add Honeybee to our family.


12. My Learning Curve: Burned Out Yet?
Seven ways to avoiding burn out as parents.

I PROMISE YOU...this woman is the real deal! No matter how your path crosses hers, you WILL be blessed.

Several of the missionaries who serve with Strong Hearts Ethiopia are CMF Missionaries. It is wonderful to see how they build each other up and support each other on the field so they can remain healthy and effective.
Below are some of the countries where CMF missionaries serve around the world.
CMF's stated goal is to: Create Dynamic Christ-Centered Communities that Transform the World.
www.cmfi.org
PLEASE join with us to pray today for ALL the CMF missionaries...and those who serve with Strong Hearts most specifically. (Because we have seen the fruits of their labor firsthand!)

Our 15 year old visited the International Evangelical Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia just once and saw it as a weekly OASIS! What an amazing church. As you can see in the photo above, it is truly international.

We are not {yet} living and serving in Ethiopia, but I can just imagine that time spent in fellowship and renewal - being fed - at this church at least once a week, is a welcome rest to those who are serving and wrestling with life that is hard...for them and those they minister to throughout the week. We have visited on several occasions. It is relaxing...warm and welcoming...and maybe just a little foretaste of heaven?!

Jerry Shannon is the pastor at this church and we LOVE the Shannon family. Please pray with us TODAY for all those who attend, those who faithfully serve and ESPECIALLY those who volunteer at the International Evangelical Church in Addis Ababa. This church family is quite literally a blessing that reaches around the world! www.iecaddis.org.

Today we will be praying for the Teachers & Students at Bingham Academy. www.binghamacademy.net

Founded in 1946, Bingham Academy is an international Christian K-12 school located in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Their vision is to provide quality, accredited Christian education within a multicultural community, developing students of integrity who can change the world for God’s glory.
We have friends who teach at the school and other friends who send their kids there. We have visited the campus on several occasions and we plan to be a part of their invaluable Homeschool Co-op program.
All expatriate staff at Bingham Academy are volunteers who are affiliated with a mission organization. The faculty currently represents the United States, Australia, England, Northern Ireland, Ethiopia, South Korea, Norway, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, and Scotland! Staff raise financial support to meet their living expenses--Bingham Academy does not pay a salary to expatriate teachers. The staff body is made up of singles, married couples and families.
Bingham Academy was originally established to meet the educational needs of missionary children and the majority of the students continue to be children of missionaries or Christians serving the people of Ethiopia. The remainder of the students come from the wider expatriate community in Addis Ababa. According to government regulations they can only accept enrollments from students who hold a foreign passport.
WOW! What a diverse group!

We had the pleasure of connecting with Scott and Jamie Laslo and their delightful daughter, Vivian, the precious family who started Pearl Ministries (www.pearlministries.org).
(Okay, seriously...when you TOTALLY fall in love with little Vivian, you can blame me. She is irresistible! But, as the daughter of a fantastic Vivian, I might be a bit biased.)

Ornaments 4 Orphans was born out of Pearl Ministries and their creative avenue to love and support the people of Uganda and beyond. It's FUN and BEAUTIFUL and provides an easy way for everyone of us to play a small part.

Check it out! www.ornaments4orphans.org Pssssst! The prices are great!

We will be putting up a tree here at our house and inviting people in! In addition, our daughter, Ali, is hoping to set up a tree at her office. (Still waiting to hear if we can have one at church!) Scroll down to see some photos of just a few of the GORGEOUS handmade items you can purchase. We have several of these items at our house and we have given them as gifts to people who love the ornaments so much they keep them up YEAR 'ROUND!

SO...what "GOOD" does all this do? In their own words:

"It is estimated that there are over 150 million orphans worldwide. These children are at risk for trafficking, exploitation, abuse, starvation and psychological disorders. In addition to these orphans, millions of children are in danger of abandonment, disease, malnutrition and lack of education due to extreme poverty. Ornaments4Orphans exists to bless these children by connecting their needs with our Christmas traditions. Ornaments4Orphans sells beautiful, fair trade items handcrafted in impoverished communities, then uses the proceeds to enrich the lives of orphans and vulnerable children.

Ornaments4Orphans also strives to combat the global orphan crisis through orphan prevention. Local artisans employed by Ornaments4Orphans experience a reliable income which enables them to provide for their families. They are able to make rent, put food on their tables, pay their children’s school fees, and purchase medications and other necessities which improve their overall standard of living.

As O4O ornaments hang on your Christmas tree you enjoy the creative beauty of global artisans while blessing others!"

Just yesterday, one of my kids (who will remain nameless) referred to Andrea Gaines as my ONE friend. Not one OF my friends...but my ONE friend. Another precious child corrected her and said, "More like Mom's best friend!" Like hearts can connect you to people you have never met in person in such a powerful way. I was finally blessed with the opportunity to meet my dear friend from Virginia Beach....IN ETHIOPIA! It was short and sweet, since I had just landed - was jet-lagged - and she was feverishly packing and tying up loose ends for her small group of weary travelers. BUT...a huge blessing, nonetheless. It was as if we already knew each other like next door neighbors. Maybe because we share an intense love...

After several trips to Ethiopia - to adopt and lead short term missions trips - Andrea had left way too much of her heart in that country to NOT "do more." She started Habesha Momma Art to connect with communities, inspiring hope and contributing to the health, education, vocation and spiritual care of individuals to achieve lasting change. What exactly does that mean? Empowering artists in developing countries by connecting with successful artisans who are willing to share their proceeds with Habesha Momma Art. But...it goes WAY beyond art. (You will have to check out all the exciting details on their website www.habeshamomma.com and Facebook page www.facebook.com/HabeshaMomma)

Their latest project: They are working to open a primary school for 100 children in a small town outside of Addis. This area is in dire need of a school, and through a generous partner, they already have the grounds, including a building!!! They will be focusing on raising the start-up funds needed to adapt the current facilities to accommodate school rooms; supply the needed furnishings and classroom supplies; and hire indigenous staff members to operate the facility, which is targeted to open September 2015.

PLEASE PRAY for Andrea as she leaves in ONE WEEK to spend time in Ethiopia doing a LOT of work on the ground fact-finding and sorting through an absolute sea of details. (I am green with envy...just have to admit!)

Click on www.habeshamomma.com to learn more about what they are doing and projects planned for the future. You can even SHOP for some very cool items on their page...or link to Partner Artisans. Below are some photos to give you a peek at what they have to offer...and the sweet faces they serve.

Teen Mother Choices International is near and dear to our hearts. It grew out of the personal story of a close friend of ours at our home church. Christians often protest abortion and criticize the desperate women who choose that pain-filled path. Thankfully, God put a deep compassion in Christa March's heart for these suffering young women - not to JUDGE them, but to HELP them...to offer them a Godly, positive choice...and continued support.

THEIR PASSION: Teen Mother Choices International trains churches and other organizations to effectively demonstrate the love of Jesus, breaking the poverty cycle one teen mother at a time.

We LOVE their humble attitude to train others to reach out...and God has blessed this vision and used it to spread TMC all around the world! Using the lessons learned from 25 years of direct ministry to teen mothers, Teen Mother Choices International trains teams to be the solution to making a difference in the lives of teen mothers in their own communities.

We have gained SO much insight and wisdom from this godly woman. Her support and encouragement have kept us on this path to minister to vulnerable children in Ethiopia - especially when doubts creep in. Her unwavering commitment to boldly speak the truth with much love and grace continues to be a blessed example to so many.

(Now, if I could only channel some of her energized PASSION my way! Thank you for being an unashamed dynamo for Jesus, Christa!)

If you don't read anything else on the TMCI website, make a point to read the powerful testimonies: http://www.tmcint.org/#success

We all know teenagers can be hard to love. They even act like they don't want to BE loved.
Have you ever met anyone who takes JOY in loving on them?
In spending a LOT of time with them?
Someone who deeply and unconditionally cares about them?
Do you know anyone who enthusiastically loves the tattooed kids, dressed in dark clothing with headphones in, who spend countless hours on skateboards?

I HAVE!

Meet Zac & Lauren Whitfield. They are the missionaries we personally choose to support because we LOVE what they are doing, we totally believe in their heartfelt desire to reach out to these kids in our own communities...and we realize how hard it is to serve as full time missionaries in your own home country.
They mean it when they tell these kids to COME AS YOU ARE. They are showing them the grace-filled love of Christ. They are welcoming them into their lives and into their homes where these kids are firsthand witnesses to how marriage and parenting work when God is at the center of it all. There is nothing more REAL than that!

The Whitfields run Foundation Skate Ministry here in Lake County, IL. Foundation Skate Ministry has a twofold purpose:

• The effective proclamation of the gospel of Christ to the lost skate culture in Lake County, making disciples and,
• The development of those disciples’ character into the character of Christ himself “teaching them to do all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).
  

They effectively proclaim the gospel at weekly Bible study, which takes place at their house, at a local skate park or their INDOOR skate park inside their home church building. They develop disciples into the character of Christ through smaller discipleship groups that meet weekly, as well.

FSM takes these kids onto the mission field when they venture out into the various skate communities here in the US and stand up for Christ. Recent trips have included a flight to Oregon and a roadtrip to Colorado, along with excursions into the city of Chicago. Clearly, God is using Zac and Lauren to open up a world of positive opportunities and eternal hope for these otherwise "lost boys."

Check out their website at www.foundationskateministry.org
or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FSMSK8

In my opinion, Connected in Hope Foundation is one of the most responsible and conscientious humanitarian organizations currently operating in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I love their humble approach. Global networking and a commitment to professionalism delivered in love, creates a successful working model with a family feel.

When the mother/daughter team who started CHF traveled to Ethiopia, they saw small women burdened under huge loads of heavy sticks. They were scurrying down the mountain to sell these bundles in the city, resulting in a meager wage of less than $1.00 a day. The story of how this organization is just amazing. Every time I talk to them, there is yet another project in the works to bless these families.
Please take a minute to check out their website. They sell beautiful hand woven scarves....you will one in every color! www.connectedinhope.org

We stepped in to serve with Safe Families in 2008. It has been an interesting ride. We have met several children, bio families, workers and other host families. It is not always easy and it is sometimes messy - but, all in all - it IS worth it. We have learned to simply be faithful while trusting the ultimate outcome to God.
Right now, we are caring for an infant we affectionately call, "Baby Tony." (A nickname from his mom's best friend.) He is THE EASIEST baby I have ever met....AND he's beyond cute. Please pray for him, his mom, his two older brothers (10 & 3)...and his dad who is still involved. Most of all, we want them to know Jesus.

A little history & info on Safe Families (from their website www.safe-families.org):
Since 2005, Safe Families for Children has offered sanctuary to thousands of children, minimizing the risk for abuse or neglect and giving parents the time and tools they need to help their families thrive. The ultimate goal is to strengthen and support parents so they can become Safe Families for their own children.

Safe Families for Children strives to meet three objectives:

1. Child Welfare Deflection: Safe Families provides a safe alternative to child welfare custody, thus significantly reducing the number of children entering the child welfare system.
2. Child Abuse Prevention: Providing an overwhelmed and resource limited parent with a safe, temporary place for their child without threat of losing custody. By offering support, the goal is to avert potential abuse/neglect episodes.
3. Family Support and Stabilization: Many parents struggle because of limited social support and unavailable extended family. Many Safe Families Volunteers become the extended family that a parent never had.

Hallmarks of a Safe Family Model:

• Biological Parents maintain full custody
• Volunteer families are extensively screened and supported
• Six-week average length of stay (ranging from two days to a year)
• Average age of child in SFFC care is 4.5
• Close working relationships between Safe Families, the local church, and the referring organization
• Commitment to reunite the family as soon as possible

Consider getting involved! YOU will be blessed...in ways that cannot be measured.

I found out about this delightful family and their ministry while I was IN Ethiopia...

"Mom, do you know Tymm? You MUST know Tymm. I love that guy!" My translator, guide and newly "adopted" 23 year old son was insisting I knew his friend. Nope. But I soon would.

Here's a lil background straight from their website www.brightontheirworld.org/about :

"Nope - we didn't spell Brighton wrong. Check out the story below -
it's the story of Brighton Asher's 76 days of life and the whole reason this organization exists!

Brighton Asher came into his parents lives on Monday November 26, 2007 at 11:31 AM. He came in through an email in their inbox and in retrospect - that one email forever changed the direction of their lives. It was their referral email - in the adoption world a "referral" is when you first receive information on your son or daughter.

They were pumped.

It was the week of Thanksgiving and they had plenty to be thankful for. They spent the next few weeks of the holiday season celebrating with family, getting their house ready and just generally being excited. Clothes were bought. Toys were organized. Gifts were received. And a lot of prayers were prayed.

Shortly after the new year, his parents got news from their agency that Brighton had been pretty sick and had been rushed to the hospital. He was fighting pneumonia and diarrhea and a bunch of other symptoms. But he was doing better and had been released from the hospital and was back at the orphanage. Everybody that they knew was praying. It was all they could do.

A few days later - on January 9th, 2008 - around 1:15 PM, Brighton's dad got the phone call that changed everything for them. Brighton had gone home to be with his heavenly father. He had to call Brighton's mom at work and tell her that their son had passed away.

On that day, God permanently broke their hearts for what breaks His.

After two years of being silent, still and listening to God - Brighton's parents started this non-profit. Brighton Their World exists to be an orphan advocacy organization - dedicated to telling people about the crisis that exists and focusing on being the hands and feet for the voiceless and fatherless of the world.

Will you join us as we try to Brighton Their World?"

Please join us in praying for Tymm & Laura Hoffman, their PRECIOUS kids and the ministry God started through them to blesses SO MANY more kids - a ministry that serves as an avenue for others to easily get involved, too! Check it out. www.brightontheirworld.org

It was over a year ago that we ventured to the Milwaukee airport EARLY, early, early one summer morning to help this beautiful family drag a couple dozen plastic bins and about as many duffle bags and backpacks into the terminal. They were "giving up" everything they knew and owned to GO...and serve. This is no small task for a family of EIGHT! They are part of the Strong Hearts Ethiopia team, running the Family Care Center with the generous support of their home "sending" church in Mequon, WI.

Mark & Bridget Sullivan are "behind-the-scenes" people with servant hearts. You won't see a lot of fancy photos of them. They simple serve diligently and their WHOLE family gets involved. Tatum and Brogan and I visited them this past spring and I was struck by how much they have embraced the culture. They fit seamlessly into their neighborhood. I am also encouraged by how they continue to take the challenges of living in Ethiopia in stride...day after day.

As if raising six kids were not enough to keep two people busy, Bridget does more than my mind can grasp to serve the children and their families - AND the staff - at the day care and preschool. Meanwhile, Mark commutes to Bingham Academy where he is using his technical expertise to upgrade their computer systems. Imagine doing THAT in a country where not only the internet is sketchy...but, electricity, as well!

The Sullivans have been a blessing to our family and we hope and pray we will be living and serving alongside them SOON as part of the Strong Hearts Ethiopia team. Please join us in praying they will ALL remain strong & healthy...and that they will be BLESSED as they are used to BLESS others!

http://strongheartsethiopia.org/programs/family-care-center/

Gotta admit....THIS is a personal favorite! When I met the director back in 2011, his strong belief that people need to be changed from the INSIDE OUT in order to be truly changed, that really resonated with my heart. In fact, I was wearing a necklace  that said JUST THAT: "Inside Out." (Made by my dear friend, Ruthmari Andersen, a talented local jewelry maker.)

Over time, a wonderful friendship grew between our family, Strong Hearts Ethiopia and the director, Getinet Teferi. After establishing this bond and making more than one trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to pray and get a "feel" for what God might be doing in our hearts, Getinet felt led to invite us to actually SERVE FULL TIME (as in MISSIONARIES?!?!?!) within the Strong Hearts family. We felt both honored AND rather inadequate! But Moses and Gideon would probably agree with the statement that: God does not call the equipped...He equips the called!

What we DO know is that God has placed a love in our hearts for the people of Ethiopia - especially the vulnerable children - that just won't go away...despite time and various crazy trials. SO! We will continue to move forward and anticipate the day when we can step into the Strong Hearts Ethiopia ministry to be used by God to reach out to precious children living on the streets....and, at times, their extended families, too! This particular outreach has been on the heart of the servants who make up Strong Hearts for years now while they have been VERY busy with the following programs within their community:


1. Child Sponsorship
2. Education
3. Hospice
4. Microfinance
5. Family Care Center
   
   You can read MORE about each of these wonderful programs at www.strongheartsethiopia.org
   
   {*Can't wait to GET there!!! And you can SEE why....be.still.my.heart! The joy is tangible.}
   
   

It's not every day that you get to experience PURE JOY and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. That is precisely what we found when Tatum, Brogan and I visited EthioSkate in the Shiromeda neighborhood in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital city this past spring. Brogan made friends immediately and Tatum didn't want to leave. I was in AWE! It was love the way you imagine Jesus showed it while here on earth. So real...so pure...so all about others...bringing out the very best in each of them. We found their place when we spotted the gate that boldly says: THE JESUS PEOPLE!

I could attempt to tell you all about it - but - this interview with founder, Israel Dejene, pretty much says it all:

Israel Dejene Male is the founder of Love in Action – Ethioskate, a community organization for youth that he runs with his siblings (especially his sisters Muluken and Elsa). Israel is a talented Ethiopian musician who visited Sweden to perform, where he picked up a skateboard after having followed the sport for years. He returned to his childhood neighborhood Shiromeda, in the foothills of the Entoto mountains on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, and the instant popularity of the couple of boards he brought back turned into a full-blown organization providing about 30 local children (up to 60 when there are enough boards) with motivation to dream and access to Addis Ababa’s only skate ramp. The organization consists of skateboarding sessions, skateboarding trips for youth who rarely get to leave the city, service for the community, local skate performances, goal and dream building sessions after every session, and visits from motivational guests such as doctors, musicians, and more who grew up in the neighborhood.

We sat down with Israel for a Q&A on a Sunday afternoon at his home and the base of Love in Action – Ethioskate, and then got the chance to watch the crew skate.

Can you explain how this all started?

This all started seven years ago, the first time I started skateboarding in Sweden. When I came back to Ethiopia I brought one skateboard and I started skateboarding around the neighborhood and different parts of the neighborhood, and that became a means of communicating with kids on the street to make like a community. After I brought back the skateboard, I gave it to the kids and I started with that. That one skateboard. It’s been four years.

How do you teach the kids? what kind of tricks can they do?

I show them what I know and bring some DVDs. They do the ollie and the shove-it, they try kickflips. They do the ramp. The ollie is their favorite, but also playing on the ramp.

What other things do you do as a group with the kids?

Skateboarding is bringing us together and then after the skate session we have different activities. We have this thing called “Skate and Dream Big.” That means we bring the kids and help them be able to see what they want to be. They stand on the stage and do whatever they like, what they want to be. A poet will say a poem.

Besides that, we have this experience-sharing program which is like people that have grown up with the same lifestyle and they made it in their life, we invite them here. and we basically sit like kids here on the floor and they share their life story. We had one musician, an amazing dancer, a soccer player, we had one doctor who was an orphan and who has been on the street.

What is it about skateboarding?

Skateboarding is a really cool instrument that actually brings the kids together. It has got this power that makes people like a family. Once you start skating and being in the skate community, you become like a family to each other, you help out each other. It has this really strong thing that bonds people together. I’ve seen this here among the kids, when they do new tricks they are happy to show other kids.

Is the community supportive of Ethioskate?

At the beginning, because it’s a new thing and all the kids are from, like, the street and known for different bad behaviors, they didn’t know. But we have different activities — after the skate session we started community service helping the elderly mothers and cleaning the area and helping around the community. So the community started to see like, “OK these guys are doing something positive, something good. The kids are having an amazing change in their behavior.” So they started to be supportive and they started to come and ask me different questions, and right now they are very supportive. Sometimes, like when we have special sessions skateboarding, they will be around like an audience helping — if there is a car coming, they will stop the cars. They are happy right now, we are making a difference as well.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Actually, to get an acceptance with the community was the biggest challenge. We were skating on the asphalt road here and they didn’t know what it is. Even the police didn’t know what it is at the beginning when we were just a few kids. I just wanted to help them, and we started skating outside, and others would say like, ‘Oh no you cannot skate here, you are destroying the asphalt road,” because they weren’t sure if it was going to erode the asphalt road. But after a while, just seeing the kids, that started to change the way of thinking of the people.

What’s a good moment that you can think of that made you see this was very rewarding?

The first time, I don’t want to mention the name of the kids, but he used to be like a very known stealer. and after spending so much time with them, they started to tell me they were really hurt, how they feel, how people don’t pay them attention. I remember once I gave them a key to my room and I went to another meeting downtown. By the time I came back here … my room is really messy, and they cleaned everything. They put every valuable thing I have in order and everything. When I came back I couldn’t believe it, I started crying. I just trusted them and they became trustworthy. Everybody is the same, you know? They just need someone to trust them and give them respect. That was an amazing moment.

What are some goals you have for the future? I want to have different programs like different classrooms, a proper place for the kids to stay and for the art shows and music rooms and for different creative rooms for the kids where they can develop their skills besides skateboarding at the same spot. Skateboarding is going to be always the core. And we are building a park.

Do you think outside of Ethiopia or Africa, that people have a misconception about anything?

There are so many. Just seeing these kids, there are so many talents and so many things and sometimes the world doesn’t see this side of the country. There is a positive side of it, where there are people who are actually making a difference and amazing talented kids and like, people in Ethiopia are not always in hunger, you know? I went to the music school to do a workshop about Ethiopian music. and they say, “Wow you are not skinny!” They only saw on the media in the ’80s during the famine and everything. But there is positive change here. There are people making a positive impact among the community and amazing talent among the kids.

If you could have a sitdown dinner with anybody alive or dead, who would it be?

With my family and my skate kids.

(*Just for the record, his family is VERY involved in this ministry...in fact, his parents - married over 50 years - regularly feed the dozens of kids who flock to EthioSkate...where they are fed physically, intellectually and spiritually! It was a HUGE blessing to see them watch the kids skate and perform...with uncontainable smiles of joy on their faces. Now THAT is what life is all about!)

And...FYI (because I think this is rather "cool") Israel is personal friends with the famous Tony Hawk!

Website with interview shown above: http://www.oliberte.com/pages/israel-ethioskate/
"Website" for EthioSkate: http://ethioskate.tumblr.com/
(Just a Tumblr site because these people are pretty humble...nothing flashy.)

Three of my kids are signed up to do this. SO excited to learn along with them!

Okay...no...not a bear hunt. BUT - an adventure, nonetheless!
Here is the calendar for the rest of this month of September.
Please consider committing to PRAY with us as we introduce your to people and ministries we LOVE.
Each day we will include a blog post about who we are praying for...with pictures!
(And contact information so you can learn even MORE!)

THE ADVENTURE STARTS: TOMORROW! SEPTEMBER 6, 2014 - DON'T MISS OUT!

If only I could just curl up and read...for a day or two or three or...seven!  A whole week?! Hmmm....
I love the rain and I love to read and they go OH-SO-PERFECTLY together.
They just need to GET together more often...especially since I have a great front porch and a fantastic {free} chair inside to curl up in...the FREE chair that Pete insists I 'paid' too much for. *Funny guy.* They all now love my old chair, for the record.
Anyway...
Here is what I am reading and I cannot get enough of either:

 A wreck-you-for-the-ordinary book...

And a plan to Blog thru the Bible...in MUCH more than one year...at Good Morning Girls - the bible study portion of Women Living Well. We are starting with brave, brave Esther. Rather appropriate in this day and age of uncertainty.

Since we have made it past Labor Day, I will shamelessly pray for more frequent rainy days...because I truly believe:

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