Sweet Little Boy

I wanted to share with you the pictures I received from Ethiopia of the little two year old boy that Joy met at the beginning of the month.

His name is Shifera and he has myelomeningocele - a form of spina bifida. His little backbone and spinal canal did not close before he was born. He is suffering from all the complications of this disease and is also challenged cognitively.

Little Shifera has a very loving father who has had sole care of his little boy since his wife died of breast cancer a year ago. This father is a strong Christian man who is struggling to provide and care for his son. He tries to balance making a living and meeting the physical needs of his little boy.

YWAM hopes to find one or two families who will sponsor this man and his son. He needs to hire a caregiver and get him to physical therapy and medical appointments.

Please pray for Shifera and his father!

Helping the poor and needy

Joy Casey, director of Adoption Ministry, is in the Gimbie area of Ethiopia where she is working at our newest Widows and Orphans Home. Monica, a missionary mom who is living near the orphanage, assists YWAM in many ways and has cared for many of the babies now available for adoption. Monica sent us the following glimpse into her daily life.

As I watched the chaplain and a young woman with a baby walk to our house, I knew that there was a problem. Is there something that draws them to me, these women with unwanted pregnancies, widows or those trapped in poverty? I answered my door, knowing an issue bigger than what I could resolve was just on the other side.

Her story was sad - seventeen with two babies, one a little over a year old, this new one in her arms only 3 weeks old. From her tattered clothes, I knew money was a problem. She said that her work over a bar would not allow for the baby, so he had to go. In her desperation, she had brought this child back to the hospital where he had been born, hoping that someone could help her. She hadn’t heard about me, she was just seeking help from a Christian hospital. Since the orphanage is up and running, I walked with her to the Women’s Affairs office, to get their permission to get the orphanage involved.

All this happened on Monday, so by today (Wednesday), I was feeling like I had done my job getting the ball rolling to help her. But today, I got another knock at the door. This time it was from the official who runs the orphanage. He had brought this same young woman with the baby back to my house for me to get her HIV tested and then have me take the baby to the orphanage. I agreed to help, figuring that this would not take but maybe an hour (most of that time would be spent on the 1 ½ mile walk to and from the orphanage). Unfortunately, though, this did not end up being an easy task.

At the ART clinic, I found out that this 17 year old, who should have most of her life ahead of her, was indeed HIV+. Now we needed to test the baby, but the type of HIV test available at our hospital is not accurate until the baby is 18 months old and the PCR test available in Addis is not accurate until the baby is 6 weeks old. So what can this stressed out GIRL do for at least 3 more weeks? She can’t handle having to live on the streets with 2 children, but what are her alternatives?

I have been told that the HIV virus can be transmitted by breast milk, but I have also heard the contrary. So after talking to the nurse at the clinic, we both felt that with the baby’s best interest in mind, we should start him on formula until the PCR test could be completed. Luckily, I am well stocked with formula because of some wonderful people in the States, so giving up a precious large can of formula was not as devastating as before. Two bottles and a scrubby for cleaning them was also distributed to her, along with instructions on cleaning and preparation. This little baby boy was literally in sewn together rags, so four outfits and a couple blankets were given (these were just received by our friend Corie last week, providentially).

As this young woman left our home, my mind kept wondering what the outcome is for this little family. If the little boy doesn’t have HIV, I think his chances to be adopted are great but what if he isn’t that lucky? What if he, too, has the dreaded virus? Will no one accept him? Will he turn out like one of our street kids, who have been orphaned by HIV?

My eyes welled up with tears for the future for him, his sibling and his mother. How did I find myself in a better place than them? My mother is well, married and still kicking after 72 years (her birthday was just a week ago). This little baby did nothing to deserve the life he was handed.

Now most would say, "We can’t help everyone" or "You did the best you could." But as I looked at his perfect little body, I wanted to scream, “This is UNFAIR!!” My parents always told me life wasn’t fair, but today I saw the proof.

So I have two choices: to forget the situation or get involved. Plain and simple, I am at a fork in the road and I can choose to ignore him and his family’s needs or try to lighten their load.

My oldest daughter quizzed me the other day and asked, “Mom, what was the sin that made God destroy Sodom?” I said confidently, “Their sexual sins.” She told me to look up a scripture - Ezekiel 16:49. “Now, this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

Wow, I don’t know about you, but I am not wanting fire to come down from heaven because I knew that I should help but I was too arrogant, overfed (Thanksgiving is tomorrow, so that hit home) or unconcerned. So pray for me, that I will help this family in the way that Christ would have helped them. Pray that I do nothing more or less than I would want done to help my own family.

Sunday in Ethiopia

The day yesterday was one of those exquisite days. The sun overshadowed the full moon as the day dawned and we headed out of Adama to T'ede in a Land Cruiser loaded with flour. T'ede is off the main road and the Cruiser followed a "kind of" path past Acacia trees, goats and donkeys and a few stray children until we got to the big haystack. We stopped and two people hefted the four huge bags of flour to the side of the road and we trekked to Pastor Zerahun's house where we fetched the donkeys to cart the flour back for us. The sponsored children and widows were scheduled to come to the church at 11:30. Meanwhile we loaded back up in the Land Cruiser and headed out for another village, Karro.

It is hot, but there is a nice breeze as we bounce along a kind of road. For about a half hour we go over rock piles and ruts and I think I got a small insight to how it might have been for the pioneer wagontrains as they rolled west over uneven terrain! We went about as fast as a wagontrain, too! I loved it! The vistas were breathtaking. We were headed to call on several families who were the recipients of bio sand filters (see our gift catalog on our website!). The people in Karro have a very difficult time with water. There is no water nearby and they spend a good share of every day walking long distances to dig trenches to find water, loading up their plastic water jugs and then walking back home. It's a good thing the families have lots of kids because they send their children out for water in shifts in order to supply the house with enough water for the day. The only problem is, the water is very, very dirty and the villagers suffer with giardia and typhoid, among other problems because of the water.

The first home we entered proudly displayed their BSF (bio sand filter) and poured some precious water in it .... and it came out clear and clean! I drank a glass of it and hoped I wouldn't keel over with agonizing stomach pains ... but I didn't! Good water! They are so grateful for this miracle. We visited two more homes where the owners gratefully displayed their gift of life. One woman said the new water cured her constant headaches!

After having such a good time with these wonderful village people, we went back to T'ede where the widows and children gathered in the tiny church. The widows brought their bags which were loaded with flour and each received some money from the feeding program we have there. For these families, the flour and birr (Ethiopian money) tips them from too little to eat to enough to eat. All of the sponsored children were there with their mothers (most of whom were recipients of the flour) and they shyly took the gifts that their sponsors sent them and then pretty soon I saw lollipops sticking out of most of their mouths and big chocolate eyes sparkling with the novelty of candy. They sat patiently until their mothers had their flour and then, tightly clutching their bags, followed them home. I am always amazed at how well-behaved the children are. I took a walk through the village afterwards and enjoyed the "Saloms" and other greetings from the friendly villagers. Some of the children, of course, were quite in awe of my white face and I knew not to approach the very littlest children because they would cry.

I am loving the weather here in Adama..... sunshine and very, very warm. I really do love it here. Today we broke ground for the new W&OH. I will send you some pictures of that, too. A very different construction scene that you would see in America!!

Tomorrow we head back to Addis early as we have a lot of shopping for the orphanages to do. Many things we cannot get in Adama. The nursery here at Tezera's needs fans. It is very stuffy in there and no way to allow airflow ... but you cannot get fans in Adama. Isn't that funny? It is hot here most of the time. We were able to buy four baby scales and that was quite the production! First Tezera had to write a letter outlining the need and then it had to be approved by the pharmacy and then we had to take the approval (with the pharmacist who is a Christian brother) to the supplier who had to draw up papers in duplicate and everything had to be stamped and then they don't have them and so they are on order in Addis and hopefully we can pick up tomorrow!! Whew!

Wednesday we leave for the West and our first stop will be Nekemte. Abebe says we probably can use the internet there but not Gimbie. I have learned soooooooo much about the governmental setup and control of things and how things have to be done. It is very much about relationships. We will be flooded with children, that I can promise you!

Love you ....
Joy

From Joy

Joy Casey, Director of Adoption Ministry of YWAM Ethiopia, is in Ethiopia right now visiting one of our orphanages in Adama.

When I open the door to the Widows and Orphans Home, I am hit with little bodies and receive big hugs and kisses from many children. How can I be so blessed? As Tezera, the orphanage director says, I am very rich. The beautiful faces, the dirty knees, the sparkling eyes and the eager voices make it a grand day to be alive. I am never happier than being with the children.

After walking several steps with both arms full of beautiful children, the old widows greet me with, "Dehna Aderu!" and several kisses. Their dear faces have become so precious to me. Four of them used to be almost blind, but a kind donor paid for them to have cataract surgery and now ... they can see!

The families who are going to adopt several of the children sent gifts for me to give to them. How excited everyone is! They look at the pictures and listen as their letter is interpreted and then we have such fun putting on the new clothes and perhaps playing with a new toy. The ones that do not yet have a family, I always bring a bag of something fun to do and to eat for them. Two brothers, ages 7 and 8, were hoping I would bring them some pants and I managed to scrounge up something for them that wasn't too, too short.

Let me tell you about three children who have been in our Widows and Orphan Home for going on three months now. They are complete orphans and were brought by their grandfather for he and his wife simply did not have enough to eat. The children were stick thin. Now, after good food and loads of hugs, they are energetic and their bones are not sticking out quite so prominantly. I have fallen in love with all three of them. Big sister is around 12-years-old and she does laundry, holds babies and helps the cook. She seems to enjoy being busy with domestic things, although she can also join in a game the children have made up with bottle caps. The boys are sweet and are constantly at my side. They are learning English words almost daily. Older sister is more reserved and won't try a word until she knows it is right, but she is learning, too. One of the little boys loves music. Kelly, the YWAM missionary working at the orphanage, bought a keyboard and I think his life will be forever changed! He is so excited and hopeful that Kelly will let him learn music. He is always singing and drumming on things and playing a pretend guitar. It is such fun to see their little personalities break forth. Oh, I could go on and on .....

I also had the privilege of introducing a little girl to her family today. Last time I was in Ethiopia this 9-year-old girl cried and cried because she so badly wanted her own mommy and daddy -and I cried right along with her. Then we prayed. Today when I met her, I asked her if she remembered what she prayed for. "Yes, I prayed for my own family." What joy to tell her that God answered her prayer and to show her pictures of the incredible family that is to adopt her. It doesn't get much better than that, unless it is the day when the family will come to get her and take her home.

Like I said, I am very, very rich. Each tiny baby, each grubby little hand in mine and each sweet kiss will be the memories that will cheer me on a hard day. They are what will keep me pressing forward in this oftentimes frustrating work. They are also my reward. "Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be here now, this day, to bring a hope and future for the sweet souls entrusted into my care."

More Little Ones!

Joy is in Adama (or Nazaret) now, visiting our Widows and Orphans Home where we have a new nursery and several new arrivals! We also have new children coming in Addis Ababa - a sibling group of three and three others, including a two year old. We are so excited because we know of the overwhelming numbers of orphaned children there are in all of Ethiopia and we are getting more families who want to adopt. What a great privilege and huge responsibility it is to find loving homes for these precious ones!

While Joy is in Adama, she will be meeting the newest children, getting pictures and biographical information. Joy writes, "Today I bought a changing table/washtub (you lift up the changing table and there is a tub underneath). I used to have a play one like that for my dolls when I was little! We are getting a new nursery set up at the Widows and Orphans Home and the government told us to have at least 8 cribs."

There are three siblings (7, 8 and 11) who were recently brought to the Widows and Orphans Home - very thin, with thread-bare clothes - who are wonderful children and who desperately need a family. There is a beautiful 9 year old girl living with her aunt who is unable to provide for her. Adoption Ministry has been paying tuition so she can attend school, where she is doing extremely well. Joy visited her at school and was so impressed with her progress. "She is a beautiful girl with no learning problems and she won't have attachment issues - we really need to find her a home!"

On December 8th, Joy and Abebe will travel to Gimbie. We most likely won't hear from her for a week or so, as there aren't many internet connections available. The plan is to spend 4 days in Gimbie at our newest Widows and Orphans Home, 1 day in Dembidollo and 2 days in Nekemte. Please continue to pray for Joy and Abebe - there is much to be accomplished! And pray for the children in Ethiopia.

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me." Mark 9:37

No news from Joy today but...

here are a few links you might enjoy...

Celebrating Christmas with Newly Adopted Children

Ethiopia Decals: Show your heart for Ethiopia, adoption and orphan advocacy

Adoption is Huge Loss and Huge Gain

O Praise Him! Welcoming a Little One Home from Ethiopia

Wonderful News from Joy

Here is the latest email from Joy - Day 2 in Ethiopia:


Salom! It has been a long day and I admit I am tired. It is a good tired, though. Hugging some of the most delightful children on the planet is invigorating and knowing that many of them are close to meeting the family who will love them forever is satisfying in a deep, emotional way that I can't put into words.

So much happens in the course of a day that, looking back on it, I am amazed at what God allowed to happen! I met a little 2-year-old boy today who has myelomeningiocele and has all the complications associated with the most severe form of spina bifida. He is also cognitively challenged. But! He has a very loving father who is a strong Christian. His wife died of breast cancer one year ago and he is left to care for his son. It is obvious he is the best dad ever to this little boy, but it is also obvious that he cannot manage the care for him due to finances and time. It is a heartbreaking situation and I ached for this father. I hope I can find one or two sponsors for this little boy so he can get the physical therapy he needs and his father can hire some help. At the end of our time together, he asked me to pray for him and the words just tumbled out of me and I knew God was there and heard every petition and caught every tear. To me .... it seems such an impossible situation. For God .... He will redeem. I even prayed for a wife for this man! Yikes! (picture to come soon!)

Did you know that we are starting construction on a new Widows and Orphans Home in Nazaret (Adama)? I met with the architect today (now that is a whole other story about how God put him in this project!!) and he shared more about the building and timelines and cost projections, etc.. Afterward, he asked if I would pray for him - what an honor to bring this godly man before the throne of God!

Speaking of the W&OH, we have had three new children brought in .... a 3-month-old boy, a 1-month-old boy and a 2-year-old (not sure if a boy or girl). They were brought just today. Our YWAM team in Addis is working on getting six children paper ready ranging from ages 9 months to six years, and two more children have been brought to our orphanage in Gimbie but I don't know a thing about them yet. We are busy and indications from the government officials are that we better gear up for more! I ask God only for the assignments He knows we can handle and have families for ..... so .....

Caio for now,
Joy