Reckless Abandon

Time to dust off this blog cause we're headed back!!

2011-12-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

That's right! February 16-25, 2012 a team of 12 are headed back to Addis Ababa to serve among the people we love so deeply!

More info to come on how YOU can be apart!

Reckless Abandon 2011!!

2010-03-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

The dates have been released! Details to follow! January 23-January 30 with travel on either end of those dates. We'll have more information available soon!

Unravelling The Details.....

2010-02-22T05:48:00.000-08:00

This has been posted on our family blog - I'm copying here both for records purposes and for those who are following this blog but are not on our family blog. THANK YOU for all of your prayer, support, and love that even made this trip possible. To God be the Glory!!

It feels like I'm on rewind when it comes to processing everything we've seen and done in Addis. Its hard to work through so much of it and then coming to a place of wondering where we go from here. Whats the best thing we can do? How can we help the most? How to we adequately put into words what we participated in? How do we properly present to our friends and family the great need yet do it with dignity?

I'm still struggling in that place.

The picture below warms my heart. Sammy is a man of God who became a Christian through YoungLife, he is ministering in Korah (in the leper colony area) where he lives as well as the trash dump which is where he lived for 8 years and also where he met Jesus. His best friend still lives in the dump.

We met so many people who essentially need very little to change their lives in a drastic way. Knowing that $600 a year will dramatically change the life of a child living in the dump. They will go from playing, eating, sleeping, LIVING in the DUMP to having a bed, clothes, food, and an education for just $600 a year. Thats $50 a month. We Americans spend that much on Starbucks a month if not more

I've struggled with how to write all of this out. How do I write about human beings living in the dump. Human life equated with trash? How do you even begin to write about that? It haunts me daily thinking about the faces we saw. How could anyone be okay with this? Our landfills here in the US are more like a beautiful park in comparison to the trash dump in Addis Ababa. You would have to see it to believe it. No amount of pictures or video will even touch on the reality these precious people live. The stories of desperation yet for most a hope in Jesus Christ. A faith unwavering despite their circumstances. Humbling.

We are working on a few things so we can share this burden, to help give LIFE to the children living in these deplorable conditions, to make it easier to help the people living in the pictures above. Its taking some time but there are plans in the works to make a long term difference. Stay tuned. We'll have something together SOON.

In the meantime I challenge anyone reading this blog to not only pray for the people living in the dump in Addis, the people living in Korah but foraging for food daily in the dump, the children who only know these living conditions. While your praying I would also ask that you consider making a difference by showing action and financially supporting this cause once we work out those details. I know there are always other things we can spend our money on, believe me I count myself and my family in on this challenge. We consider it an honor and a privilege to have served among these people yet we came home with an even bigger burden to put into action what we say we believe.

I've quoted it before. Isaiah 1:17-20 - learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

( These two pictured above were at lunch with their mother, she was frail and probably hadn't eaten a decent meal in months in not longer. She fed her babies and only after us urging her to eat and that there was plenty did she take any for herself.)

That passage a little hard to swallow? Imagine eating your next meal straight from the garbage can located at your nearest convenience store. We were blessed to be able to take 120 men, women, and children to lunch. Probably one of the few REAL meals this little guy has ever eaten. Watching them, listening to their testamonies and loving on them blessed our team far more then we did for them by filling their tummies.

If Isaiah was a little tough how about we look in Luke 14:26 - If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life he cannot be my disciple. What exactly does that mean? Does that mean we need to hate our kids? I think the idea here is that we MUST love God more then we do anyone or anything else, even our own selves, we must be willing to give up EVERYTHING to follow Him.

HE asks us to care for the orphan and widow HE commands us to love one another HE says if our faith is merely words that its as good as dead. I take that pretty seriously. I like James 1:27 out of The Message, it says it so plainly I'll quote it here: Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. Pretty much a put your money where your mouth is kind of verse. All of James 2 is a great read on this very topic. I'll quote only a small portion about faith and deeds - James 2:18 says: But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. Prove it by our actions in other words. Finally in verse 26 of the same chapter is says this: As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. DEAD. Faith in ACTION is required. We do it out of the overflow of the love our Father has lavished on us. Nothing more. Nothing less. All glory to HIM and HIM alone.

The faith of this man pictured with us above challenged our group, humbled us, made us weep, and encouraged us to our very core. We love you Sammy!! Thank you for loving on the least of these in Addis. What will you do to make a difference?

The two videos below are the closest we can get to sharing what we experienced in Ethiopia without you walking there with us.

Wrecked.

2010-02-09T17:57:00.000-08:00

I posted this on our family blog - as I process through this journey I'll post here for those who read this and for the people following our teams trip to Ethiopia. If anyone else from the team has anything to post please do! Thank you all for your prayers and support!! Davids working on a video - we'll post it after he's finished!

Never before has this process felt so painful. I remember being in Ethiopia and sharing with the team that I felt I'd have an easier time working through what I'd seen simply because "I've been there before". So. Not. The. Case. Its worse. I feel the burden so much deeper. I feel the cutting away of my calloused heart so much more. My gut is in turmoil much of the time. I can't keep silent any longer. I feel like screaming from the rooftops about the babies we saw, the starving children also without adequate clothing or shoes, the families foraging for food in the dump, the severe need for us Christians to take ACTION. To put our money where our mouth is to put our faith into ACTION. I'm struggling. I'm looking at my own self and my own desires and trying to work through what God wants from me. How can I properly tell the story of so many of my now family in Ethiopia that is struggling so much. How can I do them justice by sharing their pain with each of you. What can WE do together to make a difference in their lives? Its a process. David and I don't have the answers. We have some ideas but we're still working through all of those details.

I had a friend write me earlier this week with the question of why I said we were "wrecked" if truly we were being "fixed" in our heart of hearts. If God was doing a work in our hearts and breaking us even further for the things that break His heart aren't we really gaining vs. losing as the term "wrecked" implies. It got me thinking. While I agree with the gain part of seeing people like Jesus sees them I feel as if there is a certain "wrecking" that must happen in order to get to that point. In my own heart I have wrestled with how I can make a difference, I've had to be refined and the calloused parts of my heart worn down to see what Jesus sees when he looks into the eyes of the orphan and widow. To fight for justice, to fight for the oppressed. I think this is the case for all of us. I watched it happen to our entire team as each day they were a little more burdened, a little more broken, a LOT more wrecked for the things that break our Saviors heart. I guess you could call it a bit of a Holy Wrecking! A welcomed wrecking, a needed wrecking on a heart that so desperately needs Jesus and HIS love, without Him I am nothing.

In Isaiah 1:17 it says learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. This is an ACTION verse. I love that the ESV version says "correct oppression". That means we have to DO something. We are called to show our faith in deeds, faith without deeds is dead. While verse 17 is great, if we read further on we are challenged even further. Verses 18-20 say this:

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

I was so convicted about the last part of verse 20, not only are we to defend the cause of the orphan and widow but God is so serious, if we are obedient to His call the reward is GREAT even in our sacrifice for the cause of others but the threat of death is also there should we rebel against his command! I'm thinking that's pretty serious, how about you?

Here are a few more pictures from our trip.

Loving on the kids at CFI - Kechene

This picture sparks so much inside of me, watching my husband act out being a father to the fatherless makes me fall in love with him all over again. Melts me.

Our brother Sammy, an amazing man of God, forever woven into our family.

Our sweet girls from Tamoca, they came back every afternoon looking for us, the relationship we forged with the shop owner through them was amazing.

Our new friend, an amazing christian, so neat to talk about the orphan crisis, adoption, and working in his country.

Bethezda orphanage, AMAZING director who loves the Lord and the children she serves!
talking about the supplies we brought and explaining how to properly utilize them.
The story behind this smile is amazing. God saw fit to allow her to be taken off the street, it was an honor to be the ones to work out those details. Glory to HIS name.
Nichol and one of the sweet babies she fell in love with.
Aren't these little choir kids precious? They sang to our King and melted our hearts. So sweet!

Can't forget Kaldi's! YUMMY Macchiatos!

Ethiopia Day 5

2010-01-28T20:34:00.001-08:00

What an incredible day. The Lord has truly met us here. We finished our part of the project at Bright Hope. When we left today the foundation was getting ready to be poured. Its amazing how much Ethiopians can get done in a day especially when its all done by hand. AMAZING!

In our morning team prayer time Alicia had asked the Lord to do above and beyond what we could even imagine. Today as we were finishing up our project Alicia asked if we could talk to the workers and share Christ with them. ABSOLUTELY!! She sat down and began giving them the gospel through Sammy. It was incredible to watch and seeing the faces of the guys as the gospel was articulated and the orthodox belief had holes in it they realized their desperate need for Jesus and gave their lives to Christ. We were able to get them hooked up with Sammy who will follow up with them and disciple them. Only God. It doesn't get much better then that.

We also saw the well that had recently been put in, we will be posting pictures of the kids drinking the water as soon as we can. Its amazing to watch children that haven't had water, they were so excited. It was amazing to see.

In the afternoon we took Hindafta to be evaluated for placement in transitional housing. It is so neat to watch the Lord work in all the details, Hindafta will be safe, she is SO happy and watching her transformation in her eyes has been incredible. Michelle my friend.....you have blessed us beyond words allowing us to be the ones to walk this out. God is GOOD!

Dinner with Tsegaye was amazing, closing out our day at Kaldi's was perfect. We're all great, pray for healing, David and I are a bit green. Cipro is our friend! Love to you all, thank you for praying!!!

Ethiopia Days 3 and 4

2010-01-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

Tuesday was an extremely full day. We started out heading to Bright Hope School where we learned we’d be clearing the land and digging the foundation for a chicken house, not framing a chicken house. Gods in charge and we were just blessed to swing a pick axe, shovel dirt, or machete trees with the amazing people of Ethiopia. We were dirty, gross, and exhausted but our hearts were full. On our way out we went with Sammy to Korah which is one of the poorest areas in Addis. The living conditions were horrifying at best. Each of us have a passion for Sammy, his vision and the children he serves. We have so much to share about Sammy and his ministry, our hearts are overflowing. Later we visited the Thomas Center where our friends kids are, the pastor who runs a couple of ministries here was also here when I came last year. It was awesome to see him again and hear his heart for the orphan. This is also where our friend’s three kids are and we were able to spend some precious time with them and take pictures while they got their backs adjusted by our chiropractor friend. It was a great time spent with all of the children there.

We then headed to Bole Ba Bola another extremely impoverished area where they do not even have running water. We attended their church service and were so incredibly blessed by each of them. This trip impacted our team on so many levels. The joy of the Lord these people have is amazing. Even though they have nothing they love Jesus with all their hearts. One thing David pointed out was that some things are the same no matter where you go. This was no different. The ladies stand around chatting, the kids run around playing, just beautiful.

It was a long long day but the Lord met us and we were thrilled to have done what we did.

Day 4

Today was yet another beautiful day in Ethiopia. The sun was shining and we’re all sporting a great tan!  We had a rough start in the morning due to a driver issue but we finally headed out to Bright Hope School to continue digging the trench for the foundation of the chicken house. This was so much work!! It was solid rock! Watching Nathan throw the pick was impressive! That boy amazes me! To top it off he wasn’t even feeling good! God gave him enough strength to carry out today’s task and it was beautiful.

We spent the afternoon resting a bit, some of us had massages and back adjustments from our in house Chiropractor. Some of us went to Tamoca to meet the girls we’ve met previously but they didn’t show up. Later the coffee shop owner called but it was too late to head back we were all bummed but thrilled to have built this relationship with the Tamoca owner. We’ll probably try again tomorrow night or Friday. Be praying for these precious girls. We don’t know what God is doing but He’s started something and we’ll just have to see where He leads. Later in the evening we were able to get one of the street kids over to the guest house, the girls bathed her, dressed her, and we’re working on getting her a foster family so she can be nurtured and grow up in a safe environment. She has some special needs but watching the transformation this evening was incredible. God is SO SO good!

Thank you all for praying!! The team is doing FANTASTIC! Nathan has a bit of a stomach ache, please pray that’s all it is and nothing more comes of it. The rest of the team is in good health and we are so thankful!!

To God be ALL the glory!!

Ethiopia Days 1 and2

2010-01-27T04:49:00.000-08:00

Ethiopia Days 1 and 2.

I didn’t get time to blog yesterday so today you’ll get a double dose. 

Sunday morning we went to Beza International Church – it was our first
time there but I had heard so many wondeful things about the church
David and I decided to give it a try. It was AMAZING. We were
challenged to live a life of praise in ALL things, incredible time and
we all came away with a desire to go yet deeper with our Jesus.

We went to NY Pizza for lunch with Tamara who works with the HIV +
compound in Entoto. Later we headed up the mountain to share in the
lives of those living with the virus. I was amazed as each of them
opened their home to us, some made coffee for us, gave us something to
eat when they really couldn’t afford to do either. To hear their
hearts and understand what its like to live with HIV in Africa is
heartbreaking. To hear words like segregated and outcast it puts a
whole new light on just what this means for these women and their
families. The shame, the pain, and the knowledge that one day this
will take their life. To listen as they shared how they acquired the
virus, the hopes and dreams they have for their children and the
unknown. Humbling.

In the evening we had our first team debrief which was amazing.
Listening to what the Lord is doing in each persons heart is precious
to watch. God has truly knit our team together in a way only He
could. I know several of you have been praying for unity, not that we
didn’t have unity but a unity only God could do. He’s done it, the
unique dynamic we have is truly amazing. God is so so good.

Monday morning we got up early for devotions, David challenged us to
get our hands dirty, to love on, to touch, and let the Spirit move in
un as we see these kids. Often not clean, having rashes, among them
all, David read about Jesus and how he went to the areas of town where
the poorest of the poor are, the places people would NEVER go. Thats
how we need be, Jesus to those who otherwise are ignored. We started
a little tradition of prayer in the courtyard before we leave. Today
Peter joined us from CFI – it was so great to hear more of his heart
and talk with him about his ministry here in Ethiopia. We went for a
visit to Peters project with CFI. I love this ministry so much.
Peter has an incredible heart and his ministry shows it. When we
pulled in the kids were shouting “Peter, Peter, Peter” – it shows the
deep love the kids have for him and his love for them is so obvious.
Peter was so thankful for all of the donations we were able to bring
from the generous families who gave. THANK YOU for making a
difference! It’s humbling to be one of the ones that get to
participate in all this. We sang songs, played games, and made
bookmarks and bracelets with the kids. They loved it! Later in the
afternoon we went to the other center Peter has in Kechene, there are
over 100 kids at that center there who receive breakfast, lunch, and
an education through Peters work in the community. They were all over
us, many of us could hardly move through the sea of sweet little faces
reaching their hands up for any form of human touch. They are loved
but they don’t have much one on one attention. They fight over who
will hold them or carry them, whose hand they will hold and they beg
to have their picture taken. It’s overwhelming and wonderful all at
once. Being Jesus to these sweet kids is such a blessing. The one
thing that stood out to me was a little girl who had fallen down and
was crying, David leaned down and asked if she was okay. Once she
looked at him she threw her arms around his neck as he scooped her up.
An amazing picture of being a father to the fatherless. I melted.

After Kechene we headed over to our agencies transition home, there
are so many kids waiting for their forever families. I love going
back there, I remember the day we picked Silas up so so clearly. It
was awesome for Rachel to see where her sweet babe will come from. As
always amazing to see Almaz and Tsegaye as well as Mame the nanny and
Smegn the cook.

Tonight Rachel, Alicia, and the kids had Ethiopian food for the first
time. It was a photographed moment, they all loved it!

A late night debrief at Tamoca was in order after our long day! We go
through and talk about our day and how were affected by the events of
the day. It’s a great way to process things and it really helps the
kids. Coffee was great, company awesome! We had the opportunity to
love on some street kids. Nichol was having a hard time drinking her
coffee and watching these two girls standing at the door waiting for
us to buy a stick of gum. After a few I asked David if we could
invite them for coffee, he agreed and told Nichol to go buy them
coffee and that they can come sit with us. The grin on her face made
me realize just how hard she’s taking all of this. Her little heart
is being wrecked for Jesus and we just need prayer that we would see
that and cultivate it to His honor and glory. Being there with those
girls was a definite highlight from my day. Hannah and Nichol were
Jesus with skin on and it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about
those two powerhouses encouraging others in loving well. These kids
are all amazing and watching them with these sweet kids is incredible.

Amsterdam

2010-01-23T00:30:00.001-08:00

We're in Amsterdam. A lovely man gave me his leftover time so I could get on the internet for less then the cost of my first born. Its been an amazing trip so far and we're not even in Addis!

The biggest thing was in Tampa we had too many bags and didn't realize it until the morning we left. With all the donations and really needing every bag we prayed fervently and trusted the Lord with the details. ALL of our bags were checked FREE. A sweet Ethiopian checked us in and he was thrilled with what we were doing and loved that he could help. To God be the glory!

More soon!!

In Preparation.

2010-01-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

As the team prepares to leave for Africa in just TWELVE short days our pastor played one of my favorite videos ever. I'm leveled each and every time I watch it. Sara Groves sings so perfectly what God has done in my heart using Africa as His tool to remind me to love deeper. To love better. To give more. To be HIS hands and feet. While I'm anxious to go back to Ethiopia, I'm praying for an even bigger wrecking in my heart. A wrecking to be more like Christ. To give MORE. To sacrifice. My prayer is that my life would be a living sacrifice for my King of Kings.

I leave you with this video from Sara and below that is a list of donation needs for the ministries we'll be working with in Ethiopia. If you'd rather donate financially we will be shopping here in the states just before we leave to take the needed items over. If locals have a connection with a business that may want to donate any of these items please let me know. We can provide tax deductible receipts for them if necessary.

CFI (Compassion Family International www.cyministry.org) Needs in Order of Importance:

For children:

1. children's clothes/shoes (for ages 4-12 at CFI, for the outside kids-10 are in Junior High and 12 are high school)

2. parent and guardian clothes/shoes (especially underwear for women)

3. lotion

4. bar soap

For staff:

1. lotion

2. soap

3. tennis shoes

FOR ORPHANAGES:

Health/Medicine:

BandAids

Antibacterial ointment

Childrens Tylenol

Childrens Motrin

Gauze pads

Antifungal cream - used to treat ring worm (Tinactin, Micatin, Lotrimin-AF, or Lamisil)

Kaopectate

Clothing/Shoes:

Pants

Shirts - no tank tops

Dresses - modest

Underwear

Socks

Shoes

Crocs

Baby Needs:

Cloth Diapers

Rubber Pants or Diaper Covers

Diaper Pins

Baby Toys

Baby Blankets

Onesies

Outfits

Formula

Desitin

A&D Ointment

Sleepers

Crib Sheets

Waterproof Pads

Children/Toys/School:

Pens

Pencils

Paper

Lined Paper

Notebooks

Rulers

Stickers - the kids LOVE these

Foam stickies - we'll use these for interactive projects with the kids

Pipe Cleaners

Little googly eyes

Puff balls for projects

Glue

Card Stock

Sidewalk Chaulk

Balls

Soccer Balls

Beach balls

Basket Balls

Inflating pumps/needles

Hacky Sacks

Other Things:

Dum Dums - perfect for handing out

Granola Bars

Stickers - to take with us for street kids/interaction

Gum - the kids LOVE gum

Little toys/bouncy balls for interaction on the streets

Small blow up balls

HUGE parachute for playing with the kids in the orphanage

Support Reckless Abandon Ethiopia - Buy A Shirt!

2009-12-30T08:53:00.001-08:00

As we close in on our fundraising for our trip back to Ethiopia this January we've been blessed with some incredible people who have come along side us to support us through prayer, finances, and emotionally. People that love us, love Ethiopia, love orphans, and love Jesus. Some of these people are complete strangers. I'm amazed at how blog land and facebook brings people together and even more amazed to be apart of the body of Christ as we come together to support each other as we all seek out one goal of loving others well and being the hands and feet of Christ in our daily lives both here and across the globe.

Over the last few weeks I've had the privilege of getting to know Kari Gibson a bit more through email and on the phone. Kari and her husband are in the early stages of their second adoption from Ethiopia. We've talked about the Lord, learned a bit more about one another's hearts and shared some sweet stories about what God is doing in our lives. Kari and her husband also designed an amazing shirt. I love this shirt. My picky pants husband LOVES this shirt. We ordered ours immediately. I gushed about the shirt to Kari which led to further discussions which led to Kari allowing us to purchase a bunch of shirts not only for everyone going to Ethiopia with us but also to sell as a fundraiser for that trip. Isn't that amazing?!?! I remember her saying "we're all in this together" and thinking WOW. You have an amazing shirt and your willing to let me buy in bulk as a fundraiser. What a gift.

Due to our trip coming up rather quickly and us still needing some funding we are doing a limited edition pre-order shirt sale for the shirts pictured below. Need a great gift idea? You can purchase your shirt on my side bar, we will only be selling the shirts through January 6th. We'll have the shirts within a week or so of that and we'll get them mailed out before we leave so long as USPS cooperates with us. Hurry and order yours! You won't regret it. Promise. We love ours, the quality is great and the message is perfect.

ALL proceeds will go towards our trip costs, in the event that we have an excess we will be donating all of that to one of the projects we'll be working with in Ethiopia.

Without further ado, The shirts.

The men's shirt is an olive green, black writing with "Simply Love" in red on the front. A great basic T with great color and quality printing fits true to size. My husband wears a large normally and he wears a large in this shirt as well. My son is 11 and the size small fits him with plenty of room.

Men's - Front

Men's Back

The Women’s T is black with white and teal writing, super cute! The fit is longer with not a whole lot of stretch but enough to be cute. My 12 year old daughter is wearing a small with room while I chose a medium for length and a bit looser fit. I can wear a small but it is fitted. The medium is less fitted and has more length on me.

Women's Front

Women's Back

David modeling his shirt on Christmas. :)

Email me with any questions and THANK YOU for your support! erica.shubin@gmail.com

Humbled.

2009-12-18T07:21:00.001-08:00

Today I stand in awe of the generosity of friends, family, and perfect strangers. Yesterday during our 24 hour Facebook-a-thon to raise money for our mission trip there was over $1400 raised! Glory to God!! We had set a goal we felt was attainable in 24 hours ($1200) instead of posting the whole amount we needed. Thanks to many of you that goal was reached and then some! We're still fundraising and we'll still leave our donate button up, anything over and above what we need to get us there will be used 100% at the projects we are working on. Yesterdays totals is enough to buy a plane ticket! God is SO SO good!

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Thank you for being apart of this trip, thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ and blessing us in this way. We're honored to be called to carry out this mission. Without you it wouldn't happen. THANK YOU!

2009-12-17T05:56:00.000-08:00

We have seen the Lord work in HUGE ways to work out all the details of this trip. There are a few things we are needing and are actively working on what the Lord has asked of us. That brings us to this point.

We need your prayers.

We'll be working with several different projects while we're in Addis Ababa. Including building a chicken house at Bright Hope School.

We're taking a group of about 10 people (Lord willing their funds come in) most of whom have never been out of the country. This includes our oldest child who is very excited about this opportunity.

Please pray for our team. Pray for unity. Pray for health and safe travel. Pray that the Lord provides for each persons specific financial needs.

Pray for our church. We are apart of a new church plant http://lifebridgechurchpinellas.com/ and part of this trip will be to identify opportunities where we as a church can have long term involvement. Our pastor and his family are also adopting from Ethiopia. His wife Rachel and their two kids are planning to go on this trip as well.

As a family we have hosted back to back garage sales with the help of precious friends, we've received many items to sell, random refund checks, some of you have helped by purchasing coffee, and others have given intentional financial gifts. To each of you that have supported us through giving of your time and resources THANK YOU!!! We are well on our way but we're still short a few thousand dollars.

We need you to spread the word.

This is where you can help. I was looking at my friends list and realized if each person gave $5 we'd raise over $2,000! Our goal is $1200 in 24 hours. Its been done before, my sweet friend Natalie T is where I saw it first as they raised money for their home study. We're going to have a Reckless Abandon 2010 facebook-a-thon!

Here's how it works:

Thursday December 17,2009 from 12:00am-11:59pm we're asking that you donate your facebook status (or write a blog post) to our cause. I'll have a paypal button up on our mission trip blog as well as this blog, all you have to do is copy and paste the info below. In other words spread the word and let the Lord work as He will in the hearts of His people.

Reckless Abandon Ethiopia - to give of oneself unrestrained without caution for the cause of another. Will you send us to Ethiopia to help build a chicken house? To sing and play with sweet orphan babes? To play soccer with the street kids? To be Jesus with skin on to those we meet? To show love in a tangible way. If everyone on my friends list donated $5 we'd be fully funded. Will you consider donating? Every dollar helps. http://recklessabandon2010.blogspot.com - Thank you!

Thank you for helping spread the word!! Stay tuned, if this isn't your thing but you want to donate items for us to take to Ethiopia?!?! That's coming up next! Merry Merry CHRISTmas to each and every one of you!

World Aids Day

2009-12-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Today is World Aids Day. I know many of us don't really even know what that means. For us last year was our first year of really being involved in this movement. We bought T-shirts and the whole nine yards. I think after being in Africa and seeing the absolutely horrific effects of this disease it changes how you view AIDS and HIV. AIDS and HIV is not just a disease that affects a particular group of people. HIV is treatable. Many people in Africa have NO WAY of getting this treatment. We can help. We can help by supporting the (RED) campaign. We can help by raising awareness. Today is a day to SHARE. To SPREAD the word about the devastation of AIDS and let others know how THEY can be involved.

Here is a little video put out by the (RED) campaign on how medicine made a difference in the lives of these children.

Please be in prayer for those suffering from HIV and AIDS in Africa. Be in prayer on how God might use YOU to spread the word and make a difference. We are focusing intently on fundraising for our trip to Ethiopia in January and as others are joining to minister along side us we are humbled to see God provide for EVERY need as we go along. Kicking it into high gear for fundraising we are humbled that God has called us to go back to Ethiopia yet again. I truly feel that I gain more then I ever give when I'm there. Those of you praying about going on the trip - we are praying with you and for you even now. Watching the Lord put our "team" together is incredible. I leave you with this AMAZING video. I do need Africa more then Africa needs me.

Bright Hope School

2009-09-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of the project we'll be partnering with. We should know sometime late October what our exact project will be. We will either be building a kitchen or a chicken coop. Builders, handymen, those willing to just get involved, this will be amazing! What better way to build relationships! We are so excited to see who God will bring together for this amazing team!

Not sure if you can go but you want to help someone else go? Want to support what God is doing in Ethiopia? Stay tuned! Details will be up shortly!

Update

2009-09-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone, Sorry it has taken me so long to update you. Much has happened in the past two months; let’s get straight to the point.

Blog:

We have a website or blog site up and ready to go, the address is: http://recklessabandon2010.blogspot.com/ - On this site you will find a down loadable letter that you can copy and make your own to send out for fund raising purposes. We encourage you to do this sooner then later in order to let people know your plans and to start praying for you as well as the rest of the people going on this trip. Feel free to use it as is or change things around to fit your specific needs or to put your church information in there if they want to help you out in this way. We will continue updating you through email as well as updating the website. If there are any prayer requests or things you’d like to see on the blog let us know and we will get it out there. Once we get closer to the trip and those who are going are nailed down we will add “authors” to give others the chance to post to the blog about what the Lord is doing in their lives and we’ll use it as a way to update from Ethiopia as well.

T-Shirts:

We are wrapping up the design phase of a T-shirt to sell as a fundraiser for the projects we will be helping with on this trip. You will be able to buy shirts for gifts, or tell others about them. We will be including a shirt in the cost of the trip so each person on the team will have one.

Projects:

Bright Hope School - http://orphan.childrenshope.net/fileadmin/media/pdf/Bright_Hope-_update-_1.pdf and a video clip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no6LnNWj_cQ Children’s Hope International is very involved with the Bright Hope School project; a couple of churches in Montana are working on much of the fundraising and have done some incredible things already. There is still a great need there and we are praying about how the Lord might use us. We’ve been in contact with CHI and they will know more of exactly what project we’ll be helping with after a work team returns home in October. Whatever it is we are excited to be apart! We have a few other projects that we’ve been given the go ahead on but these will depend on the time needed at Bright hope. Saturday afternoon will be spent with “Soccer Ephrem” for sure. He disciple’s street kids by playing soccer with them and building a relationship with these sweet kids.

Fund Raising:

We will be fund raising for the Bright Hope School project, if you have any ideas or would like to do some fund raising of your own in the area you live please let us know! If your church would like to be involved we have a few opportunities for that to happen. We are getting some ornaments that we will be selling around the holidays that we are working in conjunction with CHI on. They are all different prices and correlate with a particular part of the project at Bright Hope. More to come on this!

Cost:

Erica also has narrowed down the price of the in country portion of the trip to $400 per person. This will cover the in country transportation, (we’ll be organizing airport pick up for everyone as well) three meals a day, bottled water, and snacks, (we’ll be bringing some things from the states to make eating on the go a bit easier as well as eating out three - four times on the trip) accommodations, and a T-shirt. We will need to have a deposit of $200 that is due by Dec. 1 just to get an initial count of who is going and the remaining balance of $200 by Jan 1. This is a nonrefundable deposit, however if something comes up and you have to back out at the last minute we can discuss a refund at that time, this is to secure a spot for those who are serious in going. The deposit will enable us to secure transportation, food, and accommodations in country.

We have a couple of travel agents lined up, you don’t have to use them, but after hours of researching flights, costs, and the best routes these guys are on it! They are comparable in price depending on which flights you choose. Right now the tickets are running between $1400 and $1600 per person. We have some on hold for the three of us running just under $1400 each.

Travel Agent Contact Information:

Annie Bueller – Golden Rule Travel - annie@goldrule.net (Annie booked our adoption travel and she currently has tickets on hold for us for this trip)

Mike Snyder – MKI Travel - mike@mkigrouptravel.com (Mike booked Erica’s ticket for her trip to Ethiopia earlier this year)

We wouldn’t recommend booking a ticket just yet, holding is a great option and we’ve found that prices drop as the time gets closer. This past January Erica landed a ticket for right at $1000 about three weeks before she left and it was a great flight!

If you have any questions or need clarification on anything please don’t hesitate to email!

Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.

Zechariah 2:11

In His Service,

Dave

Preparing Your Heart

2009-07-26T06:38:00.001-07:00

Thank you Josh for sharing this with us.

The First Email - Reckless Abandon Ethiopia

2009-07-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

This email is going out to anyone who has expressed an interested in going on a mission trip to Ethiopia with Erica and I. At this point we are just trying to find out who is still interested in going.

The estimated cost is going to be around $2000-$2500 this will include your airline ticket, food, room/board, and ground transportation; you will be responsible to schedule your own flight since everyone is coming from all over the country. Erica will be more then happy to help you in scheduling your flight as well as provide travel agent information. The tentative dates are Jan 23rd - 31st. The cost above is greatly based on the amount of the flight, we are hoping to get a group rate but that will depend on how many people we have. We’ve started a blog to keep all of the information in one spot, it hasn’t gone live yet but the URL is http://recklessabandon2010. blogspot.com - we will be covering fundraising information as well as providing a support letter any of you are welcome to use/customize and send out. We will have a small deposit due mid December to hold your spot and solidify the plans in Ethiopia. This trip is geared for adults and mature teens. We leave it to parental discretion on what age is appropriate. We are dealing with extreme poverty, uncomfortable conditions, possible food aversions, and lack of sleep.

We don’t have a schedule at this moment, there are several contacts we have made in Ethiopia but we are still working out the details. The purpose of this trip is to truly be the hands and feet of Christ. We will have more details on our exact points of ministry as the time gets closer. There are opportunities to go into some of the more remote areas, possibly doing a mini-VBS, building shelters, ministering to the AIDS victims, and the lepers living outside the city. Orphanages, prostitute rehabilitation homes, and the fistula hospital are just a few that we are praying about. Ultimately we want what God has planned for us.

Then he said, "Son of man, get all these words that I'm giving you inside you. Listen to them obediently. Make them your own. And now go. Go to the exiles, your people, and speak. Tell them, 'This is the Message of God, the Master.' Speak your piece, whether they listen or not." Ezekiel 3:10

To those of you that aren’t sure if you’re supposed to go on this trip I ask that you pray for God to start preparing your heart and seek His will. For those who feel that God has called you to be apart of this adventure, God is already preparing your heart and those you will be in contact with, which ever it is know that he is sovereign and all we have to do is obey. I challenge you with a couple of verses as you seek His face.

And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17

I look forward to hearing from all of you.

God Bless,
Dave Shubin

Ethiopia Day 1

2009-03-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

This is probably the easiest way to document the trip for all of you who supported and prayed for us. I'm finally in a place that I can share freely about the trip, the people, and the work the Lord did on my heart. This trip was tough. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I knew it would be but I knew it would be even harder integrating back into my "comfortable" life here in the states. It was ugly. Ask my poor husband and children.

For now, I'll do my best to take you back to Ethiopia with me. From my perspective. I'm sure Rachael and Sarah felt things similarly but different.

The flight from Phoenix to London where we met up with Sarah was flawless. London to Addis Sarah and I were bumped to business class and we asked if Rachael could join us which worked out beautifully. We all slept. It was great!

1:00AM Sunday morning we arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Made it through getting our visa and off to get our luggage and have it searched. Being questioned about my cameras and all the donations we brought and why we brought them we were finally through. Exhausted and anxious to get to the guest house we looked for someone holding a sign with our names. No one was there.

Foreign country, two friends who'd never been beyond Mexico, alone. I told Sarah and Rachael to stay with the luggage and I was going to try and figure this out. The looks on their faces told me they were sure I was crazy. I walked up to someone with a cell phone and asked if I could use it. I now had a new best friend. He was from AGCI and he made sure I was able to get a hold of someone even talking to them for me. We had been forgotten but someone was coming. Another gal also on the mission arrived and she too was forgotten. We waited. Sweet Hanna and Zeyid came to our rescue! Let the adventure begin!

Out in the pouring rain we had the task of finding a taxi because the drivers who were supposed to get us were home in their beds. Everyone wanted to drive us. Everyone was surrounding us. Everyone wanted to help. Everyone wanted birr. It was still pouring down rain. Cameras, laptops, soaked. Finally Hanna made a decision and our driver was chosen. Sarah, Rachael, and I left with Hanna in her little car while Zeyid and the other Sarah went with our luggage in the van.

Hanna said she hadn't driven at night much. I wondered if she had EVER driven at night as she narrowly missed the median, couldn't get out of the airport parking lot, and struggled to see through the window. Bless her for coming to get us at this ungodly hour. I sat in front to try and be of some help, I thought Sarah and Rachael were going to claw off the seat backs. As the car careened around corners, never slowing, rain pouring, and only the dim light of one headlight I could hear the screams in the girls' heads behind me. I offered to help with the lights making it slightly better. At one point Hanna laughed and said I knew more about her country then she did. I so did not. I simply knew how to get out of the airport parking lot.

After our roller coaster car ride we arrived. In one piece and the girls had been fully immersed in driving school. Ethiopian style.

Our soaked luggage arrived and we discovered our room wasn't ready. We opted to share a room, Sarah and I crashed in the same bed and Rachael opted for a bed on the floor. We were only sleeping for a few hours anyways. It was nearly 4am and we were going to be up at 6:30. The traditional chanting had already started and I was hoping it would lull us to sleep. It worked.

The alarm went off, I was excited for Sarah and Rachael to get their first glimpse of Ethiopia by day. It was rainy and a little foggy. The smell so familiar, it felt like a part of my heart was "home". I longed for my husband to be with me. I dreamed of the day we are able to bring our whole little family over so they can see first hand the country we all love so much. For Silas to visit his birth country once again, to see his friends who helped him through some of the toughest transitions of his little life. It was a bit overwhelming.

Back to reality. We needed to get ready for our first full day in Ethiopia, Ephrim was arriving in less then two hours. We organized our packs, straightened our hair, applied some makeup, and met our new friends who would be on our little trek for the next two days. We were ready to roll! Breakfast and sir Ephrim arrived at about the same time. It was surreal to see him again.

Gathering our stuff, our new friends and we headed out to the church David and I had attended just one year before. A fairly westernized Evangelical international church. There was a baptism this particular Sunday and we learned while sitting in the service that our driver (not to be mistaken with our friend and guide Ephrim) was a Muslim and was asking a bunch of questions about the service. It was incredible to see Ephrim witnessing to him and sharing the love of Christ. What better time then during a baptism. The Lord met us there, our souls were filled and we were ready to pour out the love of Jesus to those we'd meet.

After church we headed for a visit with Giday and Hope For Abandoned Children. Not knowing completely what to expect we committed the day to the Lord and His perfect plan. As we arrived at the quaint orphanage the children surrounded us and begged for attention. We spent time with the kids, held the babies, loved on the toddlers, and held bottles for sweet babes. The kids desperately wanted some attention and ate up anything we would give. Another adoptive family had given the orphanage a slide and merry go round. So sweet. The kids loved being pushed around giggling as we went faster and faster. They blessed me so much just watching them take in every little bit, so thankful, so loving. My heart yearned to take them all home and love on them forever.

We took Giday shopping for supplies, food, and other needs that the orphanage had. This shopping trip was sponsored by ChangeForEthiopia! Such an honor to carry out this mission for them. On our way we saw many lonely faces, kids begging for anything we'd give them. Michelle knelt down with one little boy and cut out snowflakes with him, it was priceless. Time spent was more then anything monetary we could do. Relationships are what was important, even if only a brief encounter.

We passed out granola bars and lollipops. I caught myself staring, caught in the moment of reality that this could be me. Any one of us. They were no different then me. I would do anything for my babies even if that meant begging at every car window for something to eat. I was humbled yet again. As we shopped for Giday her gratitude over things I daily take for granted made me realize how much we have and how much MORE we should give. Watching her carefully choose only the items she felt they truly needed despite my offer to purchase whatever she wanted. Humbled to the core. Blessed beyond measure to be called to minister in this way at that very moment.

Later that afternoon we went to visit some of the street kids near the post office and traditional shops. Two fold purpose. Support the Ethiopian economy and the small shoe shine boys who so faithfully work to support themselves or their families. I had some sweet boys wanting to shine my shoes. Such an incredible experience. They took such care in making sure every spot was shiny and new. I was reminded of Gods refining fire making us more like Him, scrubbing the old out and letting the new shine through. If only we let him. He's not going to leave us where we are, He wants us to be more and more like him. Less of us, more of Him. That is my prayer.

The day was finished with hanging out with our new friends, room mates and much needed sleep to be ready for day two.

Mission Ethiopia 2009

2009-02-09T20:21:00.000-08:00

My sweet husband made a video montage of our trip to Ethiopia. He took the pictures off my computer without me knowing and created this beautiful video as a surprise while he was out of town. Love it. It so beautifully captures Ethiopia, the people, and how blessed we were to be there. Enjoy!

The Process.

2009-02-04T20:51:00.000-08:00

I haven't checked this blog since we've been home. Reading Sarah and Rachael's posts tonight I realized just how much I'm still processing. I remember when we came home with Silas last year I could hardly speak of the trip without bursting into tears. I remember the silence David and I shared over what we had just experienced. I feel much of that again. Just in a little different way. I remember Sarah not understanding why I struggled so hard yet how she respected my guarded heart and waited patiently for me to be able to share. Now seeing her struggle with the same things its like a kindred spirit. Sarah, Rachael, and I share something that's difficult to articulate. Once we've processed our own thoughts and feelings with what we've experienced, discovered how to best share what the Lord has laid on our hearts it will come.

Eager to share what we've learned just struggling to let it all sink in and fully understand what we've just lived these past ten days. God is faithful, our only goal is to bring glory and honor to our King. May we all be vessels fit for His service. We were asked "what now"? In time that will be revealed, its still sinking in. More of Him, less of me.

The biggest thing that is impressed upon my heart more then what we "did" in Ethiopia is what Ethiopia did for me. The Ethiopian community is a perfect example of contentment.

I want to be completely content. Infinitely happy despite my circumstances, thankful for the little things, and joyful beyond measure. I want to give liberally and love selflessly. Forever etched in my mind is when I told one of our translators that I really liked his necklace. It was suubi beads and they were bright yellow, beautiful. He said "you do? Really?" I give it to you. I refused but his willingness to give me something he probably really like himself spoke volumes to me. I want that kind of selflessness.

The Ethiopian people will forever be apart of me. Our son is a constant reminder of that. I shared with David that a little more of my heart is deposited there just as it was last year. He gets that and I love that about him. He gets my wild and crazy heart, he gets my passions, I am so thankful for a patient husband who hasn't pushed me although I know he wants every detail. Even though he didn't travel with us, he was there in spirit. We both can't wait to return.

Here are a few pictures from the first two days we were there. I managed to shoot over 500 pictures of my own and about that many were given to me by two others. Many more to come. These are but a few.

Roasting coffee beans for a coffee ceremony. We were the guests of honor. Its such an overwhelming feeling to know something is being prepared because you are there. Humbling.

The first orphanage we visited - Also where our first coffee ceremony was.

The streets of Addis Ababa.

Sweet shoe shiners. Love these boys.

Ephrim and Co.- our AMAZING driver/translator! He took such great care of us. Thank you Ephrim!

The trip is over, but the journey has just begun

2009-02-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

Rachael's post could not have said alot of my feelings any better. The trip has happened, but God is still at work. We had some truly amazing adventures happen while we were in Addis. There are not enough words to describe everything we saw and experienced, and the burden that was even more apparent once we got there. Visiting each of the orphanages and drop in centers became easier on the outside, because we knew what to expect, but only made our hearts ache even more after each one. The kids are all so excited to see us as soon as we walk in, and are always so polite reaching out there hands saying "Salem" (hello). Its hard to leave, and not take any of them with you. My mind is still processing everything we saw and experienced, so for now, I will leave you with that, and some pictures. Please pray for us, as we listen to what God is putting on our hearts for "What's next?"

... And Back

2009-02-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

As we pulled into Chicago, a sadness hit. Not only were Erica and I seperating from Sarah, but I realized, as Sarah so eloquently put it, "We're back in the States." And that was rather evident from the familiar restaurants and the SuperBowl on big screens around O'Hare. Reality soon took over. And, as we finished our last and shortest leg, my mind reeled. We were back. Back to the comfort of our own beds. Back to the security of our own language. Back to the freedom to not be attached to a wallet on a neck strap. All this familiar is a great relief. But it is accompanied by a great burden.
This blog could easily be titled, "A Trip to Addis" and then stop after the last post. But it is fittingly called "To Addis and Back". The trip may be over, but the journey has just begun. Now we are back among you, friends, family, readers. Now we have the daunting task before us of explaining (or attempting to explain) the experience of Addis. The smells, sights, sounds and textures of a world you have never experienced. And the people. The emotions. All these untangible things that built up in us over our week-long venture for which there are no words. To these things we now try to put words.
The question posed to us on this trip was, "What next?" I think that for now, that is simply to share. To let you know the great need that has fallen on the people of Ethiopia, and to invite you to join us on our journey to see where we fit in to God's plan for them. It is exciting, and scary. It may not be fun, and it definately won't be easy. The experience may leave you seeing yourself and others in a whole new light. But it is worth it. It is definately worth it.

So continue to pray for us as we seek God's will in our return to America and the every day adventure, now that we have been to Addis and Back.

Heading Home

2009-01-31T13:45:00.000-08:00

Its after midnight here and our van comes in just a couple of hours to take us to the airport. We're going to sleep a bit and then head out. This trip has been amazing. The Lord met us here. Our hearts are full of the joy of the Lord yet burdened to do still more.

There is so much to take in and the theme of this trip has been to leave with the answer to the question "what now"? Each of us have a clearer picture of what that is and we're excited to share them here individually when we get home. Blogging by email with difficulty posting pictures can get frustrating. Once we get settled and love on our families a bit we'll all be posting. :)

We've seen sadness and despair yet among all of that we've seen so much hope. To watch the street children eagerly wanting to learn about Christ, to build relationships with them, and just to love on them has blessed me more then I feel I've done for any one of them. This country has something I pray I bring back with me. True Happiness despite the circumstances. I do need Africa more then Africa needs me. I believe that more and more.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Rachael, Sarah and I are all well - continue to pray we remain that way for our 30 hour journey home.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

--
Erica
"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely."

An update from Sarah!

2009-01-30T11:30:00.000-08:00

Alright! So for the first time I'm atempting to blog. So far this
trip has been truly amazing! A lot of awesome visits with different
orphanges, and drop-in centers, all with the same result of having a
challenging time leaving the kids. One of the coolest things is
watching how excited these kids get when we pull into the compounds.
Its like Christmas for them, when we pull out our outdoor activities,
crafts and kid worship songs. I have so many storys and pictures, and
can't wait to share with everyone. Tomorrow is our last full day
here, and we have a full day planned. Please pray for us, and our
opportunites to share Chirst with the people on the street, and the
kids in the centers. God is doing amazing things through some amazing
people that we have met here in Ethiopia. Please keep them in your
prayers, as they continue to do God's work here.
--
Sarah <><
To the world you may be one person,
but to one person you may be the world.

Pictures....

2009-01-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

It looks like we can only send them one at a time. When we get back it'll be a picture overload. :)

Dav 4

2009-01-28T12:27:00.000-08:00

Good Evening! (Morning for all of you) :)

Today was pretty busy. We left this morning to head out to a family rehabilitation center. We were all excited about this project as well as the drive out of the city. It was beautiful! Only problem, we had two flat tires so it was lunch in a field instead. It was too late to continue on since we had meeting with the minister of labor and affairs in the afternoon. We headed back through the country side to get ready for the meeting. Later we headed to the Buckner baby home and held all the babies and played with the toddlers. They had some super sweet older boys! Please pray these sweet children find their forever families soon.

Off to dinner at Zebra Grill - which actually had some delicious non-Ethiopian dishes. Then a pow wow at Kaldi's Coffee to end the night.

Rachael is feeling better, she stayed in all day and got some much needed rest. She's hoping she continues to gain strength so she can join us tomorrow. Please continue to pray for her health and the rest of us.

--
Erica
"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely."

Day 2 and 3

2009-01-27T21:20:00.000-08:00

Greetings!!!

We've been so busy and the internet so sketchy that its hard to post and even harder to post pictures. If I can't get any to load right now I'll work on it tonight. We visited an orphanage and I'm hoping to get some video up, one of the guys here video'd and has a link he said I could post. I'll try tonight. Its so incredible to hang out with these sweet kids, to hold the babies and to just play with the bigger kids. They love everything! They are so sweet, they'll hug and kiss us and tell us they love us. Its been heartbreaking to see the deep desire they have for a family. We've all said we'd love to take them home!

Yesterday we went to the AIDS compound. That was probably the toughest thing we've done. Sarah, Rachel and I were part of a small group that filled a 5x8 room of a man dying of AIDS. Tears filled his eyes as we prayed for him. I'm sure he was embarrassed but he still let us pray with him. He is a believer and we know we'll see him again. The whole compound was HIV + men, women, and children. They stay up on the mountain and are looked at as outcasts. We gave them clothes, food, and shoes. They're greatfulness was unbelievable. I was able to pray for the group at the end which was amazing. It was such an honor to be allowed to pray for them. God has been faithful and we are so blessed to be here.

Please pray for Rachael - she's been throwing up since late last night and its not getting better. Pray for healing for her body and that she doesn't get dehydrated.

Thank you all for your prayers!!

Erica

For Sarah and Rachael too.

Picture Test!

2009-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

Today we went on a coffee stop. YUMMY Macchiatos.

--
Erica
"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely."

Picture Test!

2009-01-26T13:26:00.000-08:00

Hopefully this works.

--
Erica
"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely."

We're Here!!

2009-01-26T06:47:00.000-08:00

Well we've been here. This is just the first chance we've had to get on the internet.

Ethiopia is of course beautiful. The people are amazing and the exposure to the reality of the poverty here is life changing. Watching Sarah and Rachael as they experience this for the first time is amazing. I feel so honored to be here with them. The group of people we are with is INCREDIBLE! Truly God ordained.

Sunday we went to church at the International Evangelical church and then made our way to Hope For Abandon Children. We met Giday and saw the needs of her orphanage. We are working with ChangeForEthiopia to get them supplies and improve the living conditions there. Giday was so grateful for everything. We were able to take her shopping and buy the things she needed for the very basic needs of the children. They are hoping to add on to the orphanage so they can have a kitchen. What they have now is similar to what we in the states would call a shed. Watching her as she talked about the children she loves as own, despite them having nothing they had a coffee ceremony for us, we were the honored guests. I know I came away more blessed then when I arrived.

We went to House of Hope today where Silas lived for seven months. We loved on the children and met up with the staff that took care of our son. It was so surreal and bittersweet to make that road again. The staff kissed the pictures of Silas and asked all about him. We loved being there. The babies are all beautiful. The older children sang us songs and loved on us. Truly amazing. We all made Injera and they humored us and said we did well when we know we didn't do near as well as they do!

Afterwards we went to a drop in center. Heartbreaking. The area is so poor. The poorest we'd seen. One thing we know is universal is children. They all play the same. They love having their pictures taken and they all hug and kiss you. We've loved being able to give them attention. Again, watching the people running these ministries challenges me. Seeing how little they have yet how MUCH they do. All giving praise and honor to our AWESOME God.

We met the Thiele kids. I love these kids. Sarah, Rachael, and I feel so honored to have been able to do this for Andrea and Bryan. All I can say guys, you are SO SO blessed.

We've visited orphanages, a drop in center, played ball with street kids, handed out granola bars and birr to the people we met. Truly amazing to see the gratitude. One little boy wanted to polish our shoes. I am now the proud owner of the shiniest black shoes you've ever seen. Watching him work so hard, so thoroughly, and lovingly on my shoes said so much to my heart. Being able to hug him and hand him 5 birr made his day, these small things have made such a huge impression on my heart.

Tonight we're going for a traditional Ethiopian meal at Entonto. YUMMY!

Tomorrow we head to the AIDS hospital and another drop in center. Pray for the people we encounter and pray that we will remain healthy. God is SO SO good.

We are all so very thankful for your prayers and support. Start praying about coming here on a trip next year! Its life changing!!!

To God be ALL the Glory Honor and Praise!

I'm going to try and post pictures.....we'll see if it works.

We're About To Head Out!

2009-01-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

This song perfectly sums up our feelings as we look ahead to this trip.

Tomorrow morning we leave. We hope to keep this updated either via email or my sweet husband will update it for us. :) Thanks babe!

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24

And OUR King reigns supreme! We worship Him and Him alone! We covet your prayers!