Dear Friends,
In 8 short weeks (March 28-Apirl 4), I will be traveling with an amazing group of women to volunteer in orphanages in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This will be my second trip to this beautiful yet devastated country, and once again I am asking in advance if you could help in the following areas:
First and foremost, we need your prayers. I will be leading a group of 9 women who have never been to Ethiopia before, and for many this is their first international missions trip. I specifically ask for prayer for peace, travel favor and mercies, health, and strength to minister to the women and children we will encounter. Pray God will work through us to do what He needs us to accomplish while we are there. We want to honor Him by being the hands and feet of Jesus…this obviously cannot happen without prayers from all of you.
Financial support. We are collecting supplies and personal hygiene items to transport to Ethiopia. Since there is no shipping/mailing system, it is necessary for us to physically take them with us on the plane. It costs approximately $135/tote to do this. Currently we are expecting to take anywhere from 15-20 totes full of necessary items for the children, if not more. The money we had left over last year (around $600) we donated to Opportunity House (the special needs orphanage). This was enough to cover their budget for the rest of the year! It was amazing to see their joy and relief of this burden lifted.
Infant formula: any kind, including Soy. This year, due to the ravaging famine throughout the country, the Layla House Orphanage is bursting with babies. Last year, there were no more than 10; this year, there are more than 60 in their care. Some of the babies are arriving very small and undernourished, requiring specialized care. There is also a shortage of formula available in the country at the current time. Babies are requiring 8 bottles a day and their supplies are next to nothing.
If you can help with any of the mentioned items, please let me know! I can come pick up items, or feel free to drop them by my house. If you would like to donate money, you may make the check to: Brookdale Church-Ethiopia Fund and send directly to the church: 203 South 31st Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501.
Please let me know if you have any questions! You may reach me at mja@stjoelive.com .
Joey
P.S. You might wonder what my dear friend Jennifer is up to: she will be picking up her three new daughters in Ethiopia in just a few short weeks and will obviously be very busy!! She will be working in advance for us while she is there and will be our prayer warrior here at home when we go. Please pray for their new additions and their expanding family!!