For the past two years, I've wanted to go back to Ethiopia. The first year was more of a "gee, it sure would be great to go back to Ethiopia". This past year has been a nose-to-the-grindstone, let's do something to make this dream come true. So, over the past year, I had a small space in a studio at the Starline Gallery where I sold photos and frames and magnets at the "Fourth Fridays" event each month. Little by little, the funds have come together. Today, I'm a little over a month away from stepping foot once again in this beautiful country.
I has been fun looking back to see how all of this has come together. It started with a conversation with one of the dads we traveled to Ethiopia with three years ago. He lent me a book to read "No Greater Love", by Levi Benkert. A book about a man's journey to Ethiopia to help organize a rescue orphanage for children destined to be murdered as part of tribal superstitions. It was moving and inspiring. A few days later, I contacted Levi about my plans to travel to Ethiopia. He referred me to Jerry, a gentleman who runs an organization that does work with poor children and families in Addis Ababa. Jerry accepted my request to come and told me of another orphanage, Ebenezer Grace Children's Home, six hours south, in the city of Awassa. So, for the past six months I have been communicating with the director of the orphanage there about my plans.
In the beginning, I was planning on dividing my time between the two orphanages. But the more I thought about it, I decided to give all of my time to Ebenezer Grace Children's Home. I made this decision because I wanted to form deeper relationships with the children and workers there. If I had to split my time between two orphanages, I would have to leave for the next orphanage right at the time I would be starting to develop friendships at the first one. Also, since Ebenezer Grace was perhaps the one needing more help, I decided to make that my destination.
HERE is a link to their website. They have been growing rapidly and at last count serve and care for 33 children. When you read the stories of the children they serve and how far these children have come, you begin to understand what a special place this is. Because of Ebenezer Grace Children's Home, these children have a future, they have hope, they have a family.
About a month ago, I booked my ticket. My trip will run May 3rd through May 17th. I got all my immunizations a couple weeks ago, so now all that's left to do is to work on getting diapers and shoes to the orphanage. Thanks to very generous friends, we will be sending approximately 40 pairs of new shoes there and hopefully around 60 pounds of cloth diapers as well.
In addition to a digital camera, I will be bringing Polaroid cameras as well, so I can give these children and families lasting memories they can cherish their whole lives. For many of them, this may be the first time they've held a picture of themselves in their hands. I also hope to bring back enough imagery to create a coffee table book, where the proceeds from each sale would go to Ebenezer Grace Children's Home.
That's my goal. But I have a loose grip on my plans. This is a third-world country. I understand that things can change, bad things can happen. And should circumstances change, I will adapt and adjust and "roll" with it. It's all in God's hands. So I take comfort in that. Good or bad, I do know this--it's going to be amazing...
I has been fun looking back to see how all of this has come together. It started with a conversation with one of the dads we traveled to Ethiopia with three years ago. He lent me a book to read "No Greater Love", by Levi Benkert. A book about a man's journey to Ethiopia to help organize a rescue orphanage for children destined to be murdered as part of tribal superstitions. It was moving and inspiring. A few days later, I contacted Levi about my plans to travel to Ethiopia. He referred me to Jerry, a gentleman who runs an organization that does work with poor children and families in Addis Ababa. Jerry accepted my request to come and told me of another orphanage, Ebenezer Grace Children's Home, six hours south, in the city of Awassa. So, for the past six months I have been communicating with the director of the orphanage there about my plans.
In the beginning, I was planning on dividing my time between the two orphanages. But the more I thought about it, I decided to give all of my time to Ebenezer Grace Children's Home. I made this decision because I wanted to form deeper relationships with the children and workers there. If I had to split my time between two orphanages, I would have to leave for the next orphanage right at the time I would be starting to develop friendships at the first one. Also, since Ebenezer Grace was perhaps the one needing more help, I decided to make that my destination.
HERE is a link to their website. They have been growing rapidly and at last count serve and care for 33 children. When you read the stories of the children they serve and how far these children have come, you begin to understand what a special place this is. Because of Ebenezer Grace Children's Home, these children have a future, they have hope, they have a family.
About a month ago, I booked my ticket. My trip will run May 3rd through May 17th. I got all my immunizations a couple weeks ago, so now all that's left to do is to work on getting diapers and shoes to the orphanage. Thanks to very generous friends, we will be sending approximately 40 pairs of new shoes there and hopefully around 60 pounds of cloth diapers as well.
In addition to a digital camera, I will be bringing Polaroid cameras as well, so I can give these children and families lasting memories they can cherish their whole lives. For many of them, this may be the first time they've held a picture of themselves in their hands. I also hope to bring back enough imagery to create a coffee table book, where the proceeds from each sale would go to Ebenezer Grace Children's Home.
That's my goal. But I have a loose grip on my plans. This is a third-world country. I understand that things can change, bad things can happen. And should circumstances change, I will adapt and adjust and "roll" with it. It's all in God's hands. So I take comfort in that. Good or bad, I do know this--it's going to be amazing...
