To the students in Mrs. Roster's class at Savannah Middle School!

Hi Savannah Middle School!!

I just wanted to tell you all THANK YOU for the care packages you so carefully picked out and packed for the kids at Layla House. I wish you could have been there to see how excited they were to hear from you! If you can only imagine the excitement you get on Christmas morning when you open your stocking...that's how they were when I handed out your care packages. We went on a Sunday afternoon to make sure the kids weren't in school so we could deliver them personally.

They LOVED the shirts and immediately put them on...they went one-by-one through everything you packed. Here are some pictures! They won't forget you--in fact, I have a few thank you letters we helped the kids write to let you know how thankful they were.

You certainly made a difference! Way to go Savages!!

Thursday- Trees of Glory

From Grace Dahlgren: Our 2012 group on top of the hill looking over Trees of Glory. Beautiful view. Beautiful people. The presence of God is truly all around!

Taylor Buford at Trees of Glory

Joey

Tyler Davison helping with craft

Kelsey Lane helping children with craft

Amy Crawford and Lanette Bocquin with children

Marshmallows!

Fantastic Day at Trees of Glory!!! We are headed back to the city where we will update the blog with more detail. Please pray for the six in our group who continue to struggle with sickness. Tomorrow is our last day before we begin the journey home. Thank you!!

Wednesday: Young Life Ethiopia

Wednesday:

Before we came on this trip, I prayed for divine moments....the kind that only God can plan. I also prayed that God would speak to me in a personal way. I so much just love to see God at work on mission trips and I also know that I very much needed to hear God’s voice. Today my prayers were answered in every way. I got to see God at work and God spoke to me exactly where I needed Him too.

Today we met Mogus who is the regional director for Young Life Ethiopia. Mogus is in charge of several ministries and clubs here across Ethiopia and also trains young life leaders from around the continent of Africa including leaders from Somalia which is a dangerous place for Christians. In meeting Mogus and hearing about the goals and vision of Young Life Ethiopia, he radiated with Jesus and passion for young people. I felt like we shared the same heart.

As he shared about the challenges of his ministry, I related. Youth ministry is a hard mission field to work in. Mogus shared that what keeps him going in Ethiopia is the kids that he loves and then he pointed to a picture on the wall that had 200+ students pictured. At that point I began to fall apart emotionally. That was God reminding me why I continue to do youth ministry at Southside Youth Outreach in St. Joseph, MO. The kids in our ministry mean so much to me and I am even missing them while I am here in Ethiopia. :)

Sometimes I get discouraged, much like Mogus, but through all the challenges and in the low times of ministry it is those individual students that have stolen my heart that keep me going in this work. My heart was encouraged by Mogus and what God is doing here in Africa through the Young Life organization. Their ministry here to teenagers is booming and growing as thousands meet in Young Life Clubs throughout the city each week. Before we left the Young Life headquarters Joey had me lead prayer for Mogus and his ministry here. I cried most of the way through the prayer as I prayed and thought about how important it is to reach this generation for the Lord....here in Africa as well as back home in the states.

On a brighter note.....Tim Chester, Sarah Gregory, Connie Thornton, Kelsey Lane, and I went to one of the Young life outreach clubs today with Mogus and Hanna (a Young Life leader). During this time other members of our mission team were at a Campaigner Club which is more discipleship focused for those who had already decided to become a Christian. Hanna’s Young Life Club was an amazing experience and much like the “rallies” and club meetings we do back home at Southside Youth Outreach. There was an ice breaker game, music, up front games and a message. Tim Chester even took a pie in the face during one of the games. Ha Ha! It was obvious that the 40 or so students there were having a blast and they listened intently as the leader gave a message from God’s Word. This is impressive considering that most of these students were not Christians.

The leader of the club asked me if I would share my testimony there. I was honored and excited to brag on Jesus and tell them about what God has done in my life. I told them how I wasn’t raised in church and how alcoholism in my family had affected my childhood and the direction I headed as an older teenager. I also shared how my brother led me (and our family) to the Lord when I was 23. I told them that I would have given ANYTHING to have a youth leader like Mogus or Hanna in my life when I was a teen. I challenged the students to consider what God has for them and to consider making the choice to follow Jesus that I made when I was 23. Afterwards four of the students that I met there at the club asked for my email and facebook info so that we can keep in touch.

So thankful to see God show up yet again today and to get to be a small part of what He is doing here in Africa. It has been an amazing week full of lots of divine moments like these. Thank you God! I have loved serving with the Brookdale/SJCS team. It is so cool to see God at work in each of the team members in different ways. Please keep the prayers coming as we head out to Trees of Glory school tomorrow. Thank you for listening to my ramblings!

To God be the glory!!!!!

Jodi Brager

Young Life entrance

Moges Berassa and Jodi Brager

Young Life Club Room

Young Life campaigner Bible study

Pictures from Tuesday

Hannah Strasser

Jodi Brager

Saying prayers

SHOES!!!

Amy Crawford reading sponsor letters

My new shoes

Marshmallow craft (and snack time!)

Tuesday

(Tim Chester)

Well today was awesome! We went to Kind Hearts school again where we started with telling a story and then doing an activity. The activity was making lambs with marshmallows and pretzels; seeing the kids eat marshmallows was just hilarious. It was probably the first time they had ever had anything like it, and they were just giggling and laughing forever while at the same time stuffing their faces, and trying to share with us. I’m amazed at how little they have but they are the most generous people ever; I waited with a first-grader in the lunch line and when he got his lunch he tried to give me the first huge spoonful of rice he had.

Leaving Kind Hearts was the hardest though, I met little girl named Bantu and she followed me everywhere and was the sweetest person ever. Before I left I think she came up to me and hugged and kissed me goodbye at least 7 times. Everyone here is extremely loving and it's just great! For dinner we went to Makush Art Gallery which is a nice Italian/kind of American restaurant. I had a Philly cheese steak sandwich (i was not expecting to eat that kind of food in Ethiopia) but it was great!

(Joey)

We squeezed every moment out of our last day at Kind Hearts and even then could have spent just a few more moments with the kids. After singing, dancing, the lesson/craft from the SJCS teachers and a quick lunch we were ready to hand out the new shoes! The brand new leather shoes spilled out onto the tables awaiting their new owners. The children were first lined up that received a sponsor package from their parents, and if you’ve ever witnessed your own children running down the stairs on Christmas morning, then you can begin to imagine the anticipation the children were experiencing as they waited their turn to open their package with a team member and translator. They oo’d and ah’d over pencils, new underwear, socks, stickers, suckers and more. Each letter was read to the child and many pointed with excited eyes at those sponsors who have visited before! They would point to the picture then back at themselves...”They know me!” one child said.

My personal favorite moment of the day was spent with Hyder (my sponsor child). He was very reluctant last year to spend time with me (no jokes here please!!) and warily said goodbye. This year, he hugged me when he saw me, and throughout the day would catch my eye and smile. When we received his package, he sat on my lap as we went through his package. (I do believe his favorite was the MIZZOU shirt...Go Tigers...) At the end, he hugged me and let me kiss him, then whispered “I love you”. It was a tiny little raspy whisper that melted my heart and the tears began to pour down my face. I’ve loved him for a lot longer than he’s loved me and finally he is reciprocating! I can only liken it to the way God longs for us to KNOW him...to LOVE him...then when we do...WOW!

Each child received a new pair of shoes and their smiles and giggles were contagious. Most children have shoes, although many have more “holes than soles.” Their feet get injured on the dusty, rough terrain and they do not complain and often go barefoot. It was our honor at St. Joseph Christian to raise funds to purchase shoes for each child. They were measured before-hand so the shoes would fit perfectly. They ran as they left the table and held their dirty, dusty shoes in their other hands. We remarked that many of them strutted away from the table with new confidence. What a pleasure to give them such a special gift!

I’m so amazed at how our SJCS students have absolutely thrown themselves into this trip and don’t waste a moment with these kids. They are jungle gyms, climbing toys, hug machines, dance instructors, cuddle pals and playmates. I’ve been so impressed at how they have shown their love in a million little ways. As we pulled away one student openly wept with love for these kids. What an amazing experience.

Tomorrow we will experience Young Life Ethiopia for the first time! Please pray as we have had some team members experience altitude sickness and headaches. Overall we have been fortunate with our health and energy level-we certainly don’t want to waste any moment of our time here being sick!

Thank you Jesus for Africa and it’s children. Their lessons to us are...innumerable!

Tuesday: Care packages and shoe day at Kind Hearts school

SJC kids in "Africa tree" at Kind Hearts school

School at Kind Hearts

Wow, what a day! Every Kind Hearts child now has a new pair of shoes and most children received a package from their sponsor! In the morning the children learned the story of the loaves and fishes with a craft lesson from the SJCS teachers.

My personal highlight of the day was an "I love you" from Hyder, my sponsored child. That alone was worth traveling around the world to hear!

Taylor Buford

Mrs. Dahlgren helping a child put on new shoes!

Ali Freudenthal opening sponsor care packages with a child.

Tyler Davison helping students with a marshmallow craft.

Sarah Gregory helping with an activity.

Images from Layla House Sunda: Tim, Connie and Lanette holding babies!

Monday update

(Impressions from SJCS students)

• Kids began the day by singing us songs in Amharic and English. Their accents on the English songs were ADORABLE
• The kids attempted to pronounce our names
• Loved the fact that the kids fought over who got to hold your hand
• We loved teaching them English words and hearing them repeat them
• Dying of anticipation while introducing us
• Scenery is gorgeous
• We got to see the well, and the pipeline in progress
• We went and saw the rivers, still kool-aid purple and caramel brown (at its finest, it smelled like baby poop!)

(Joey)
After a LONG year waiting to see the clean water well (100 meters deep!) we finally were able to see this long awaited project finished! Near the well, three workers were manually digging a large trench to hold the pipeline which will take the water to the Kind Hearts site. In 80 degree heat for eight hours they broke through rock and dirt to clear the way for the trench. Tough work, but what fantastic yields their toil will bring!

The kids were very well behaved and tolerated our attempts at Ethiopian dancing and songs. There are never enough hands to hold theirs, or enough people to throw kids in the air, sing songs with or do (my personal favorite) hand clapping games.

While we were playing with the kids, our SJCS teacher crew (Lanette Bocquin, Connie Thornton, Kelsey Lane & Grace Dahlgren) was able to spend some quality mentoring time with the staff at Kind Hearts. They discussed goals, education, classroom skills and much more. What a great opportunity to mesh two cultures and discuss their passions for education.

Even in the midst of great poverty, it is obvious there is a lot of love here between the teachers and kids. They love to be noticed and spend time with anyone who will catch their eye.

Tomorrow we hand out a new pair of shoes to each child, hand our sponsor packets and spend as much time as we can with the kids doing what they love to do-playing.

Kind Hearts Day- Update

Kind Hearts Well!

Kids at Kind Hearts school

Joey's sponsored child- Hyder

Amy Crawford

Kind Hearts day! A quick update: We saw the well- amazing....SJCS Teachers had a meeting with Kind Hearts staff about teaching ideas/crafts/lessons...Sang songs, danced and were treated to an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. 150 kids went home with new sunglasses... and we made many new friends.

We also taught kids the story of the lost sheep and taught them that Jesus will always come for us and find us. I can't wait to share more with you when we get back to the Guest House, and I can type a full entry. Until then have a great day. We treasure your prayers!!

Sunday: Tyler Davison reflection

Wow, what an amazing first day! The roller coaster of emotions combined with the complete culture shock has stretched me already, and it’s only been one day!

Beginning the day with church at Beza International was beyond description. Witnessing true worship in a community of believers allowed me to experience the presence of God in such a personal way. People who have been through hell were lifting their hands and dancing around, giving every ounce of their energy and attention to the One in their life who could provide what they needed- peace and providence. God picked me up, shook me, and set me back down as if He was saying “This is what I want from you! Get the picture???” And I definitely burnt some calories there... Never in my life have I sweated that much from a church service!

Then came the visit to Layla House, my absolute favorite part of the day. I got to spend a couple hours doing one of the things I love most, holding and playing with kids! These kids were ADORABLE! Just like any kid out there, they loved to grab onto your finger, play peek-a-boo, laugh at your silly faces and make a few funny faces back at you, and pretend to be a rocket ship as you tossed them into the air. I had tickle wars with the older ones (very difficult when you’re single-handed up against 6 agile little Ethiopian children!) and taught them how to do the chicken dance. We laughed and laughed for what seemed like hours.

But the tears (yes, I’m man enough to admit it) didn’t come and reality didn’t set in until we said good-bye. You see, these kids were just like any other kid I’ve played with, babysat, taught, or watched over in the nursery at my church in that all they wanted was to be given attention and be loved. But unlike all the kids that I’ve loved on and given attention to, these kids didn’t have anyone to go home to that would continue to give them love and attention. This was it for them... My heart was changed today as I was filled with compassion for the lonely and broken, and a passion to give my everything to God for Him to use as He sees fit.

I can’t wait to see how God will mold me and the rest of the group this week, and I’m so excited to be His hands and feet. Praise the Lord!

From Tyler Davison!

Sunday afternoon: Layla House

Joey Austin

Taylor Buford

SJC students at Layla House with children. We had a wonderful
day at Layla House playing with the kiddos. We handed out care packages from Savannah Middle School. The children were thrilled! It has been a great day.

Sarah Moutray

Lanette Bocquin helping children write thank you notes.

Dakota Schildknecht

Ali Freudenthal

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Selam!

Greetings from hot and sunny Africa. After more than 30 hours of travel, our weary bodies were finally able to rest last night in our lovely Guest Home, the Genesis Home at the Ethiopia Guest House.

We spent the first hour crowded around my cell phone hungry for any news of the St. Joseph Christian Lions game and had great sorrow for the girls on their loss (WAY TO FIGHT girls!) and great happiness when the guys were able to advance. It’s been fun to share in the high schooler’s excitement for their team, even if we are halfway around the world!

This morning we were able to sleep in, eat breakfast then head to Beza International Church. The international church has such an amazing atmosphere with many nations represented and praising God all under one roof! Our soccer ministry with the street kids got cancelled so we decided to head to the Layla House (a transitional home through Adoption Advocates International). We’ll update later about that experience!

Tonight we’re headed (after Layla House) to the Garden of Eden Restaurant and then Fantu (supermarket) where the kids can get some food supplies. Our prayers would be for those who don’t feel great (dealing with altitude sickness) to overcome the nausea and lightheadedness.

Thanks for supporting us and praying for us as we head to Kind Hearts tomorrow to view our clean water well and put shoes on some tootsies that badly need them!

Sunday morning: Worship at Beza International Church!