Update From Ambo, Ethiopia

We arrived safe and sound in Ambo, Ethiopia and things are going well. It has been quite rainy here, but it has not stopped us, just slowed down the process. Please pray for dry weather so we can finish what we came to do! The shower house was not as far along as Ron had hoped, so you can pray that we are able to do more than we thought we were going to have to do before next Thursday.

This is a great team! Everyone has stayed positive and very supportive of one another even through difficulties and disappointments. We started Vacation Bible School today! We are having three days on baptism and come Saturday we will be baptizing seven children or more here at the orphanage.

We will be using the well water! Little did we realize just how many ways God would use that water system we installed for His glory! Thanks for all your prayers! They carry us through.

One Day Before Departure

Getting ready to travel to Ethiopia doesn't seem to get much easier. After a handful of trips, I would have thought that it would be simple. No such luck. I have all the tools packed in one bag. (52 pounds...do you think the airline will notice?) I have Luke all packed. (12-year olds can wear anything right?) Now I just have to take care of me and my clothes. (I just can't seem to get 5 days out of one pair of work pants like Ron.) At least I have a beautiful Friday to finish packing.

As I started the day, (sitting in the hot tub with fresh coffee - ahhh...) the stars were still out. I have never been able to get out at night in Ambo to see the stars. Maybe I will this trip. Ethiopia is so near the equator (5 degrees north) I wonder what I'll recognize? Soaking there, thinking about the trip and day ahead, I did think to ask
"God, is there anything I'm forgetting?"

I'll let you know if I get an answer.

Steve

Two more days to go and we head out to Addis. Both Ron and Ryan got back all excited about their adventure to check out possible churches we might be able to help in Ethiopia...beyond successful...other than they are not doing too well today due to food and water issues.

Those who have been here know what that means, those who haven't can take a guess. Please pray for their digestive systems to come to normal. Lots of work to be done and we need everyone healthy! New Hope Center has a new director on campus. Her name is Chaltu and she speaks good English...so we have become fast friends. She is a great help.

We are midway through our time with the kids. Ron, Ryan, and Dawit went with Pastor Kenaa to check out some possible churches that we might be able to help them with in the future, God willing. The rest of us will continue to the work at the Orphanage. Yesterday I had Bible study with the kids and it was fun...at stretch since Dawit was not there to interpret...but we managed and it was wonderful. The men are working very hard with the Ethiopians to get the pluming to a place where we can pour flooring. We need your prayers for this to happen. We are finding that many hands make the work light and the heart merry!

Dona Kabeary

First Day in Ethiopia

Our first day of work out at New Hope was very productive. We joined the Ethiopians and they were happy to have us join in and be a part of their team in building the bath house. The best way to get the children involved is to bring out my camera and here are some of the results! Many hands not only lighten the load...but make the work merrier! The team is doing well and we give thanks for all of you who are praying for us! No way to do this apart from the prayers of the saints and the power of God!

Team Leaves Today

A group of seven are going to Ethiopia to lay the groundwork for a new bathhouse for the Ethiopian orphanage - New Hope.