Team Bonding

With a little over two months to go, we are working on team bonding and personal reflection in preparation for Project Presence (wow, that was a lot of Ps!) And we couldn't be more excited!  With the help of modern technology (i.e. yahoo chat and groups), we are managing to build connections and excitement within the team for September's trip.  In fact, we can't think about it enough.


You know that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling you get when something really scary and/or exciting is about to take place?  Yep.  Got 'em.  And it's the best feeling in the world.  Right now we're working out the details, talking about debriefing, meeting with our video dude, dividing up donations, fundraising (e.g. doing a garage sale in 100+ Midwestern heat!), and, generally, just getting excited to go.  We wish you could come, too!  What's that?  You want to?  Maybe it's not too late.  Or, if it is (no promises), this is DEFINITELY (probably) going to be an annual thing, so start looking ahead to next year.  We'll be sure to tell you all about it.


In the meantime, we'll keep you posted on our progress and make you wish, wish, WISH you were coming, too!  (Can you tell we're a wee bit excited?!?)


To close, we wanted to share with you a snapshot (or four) of Binyam's stay in the United States.  In case you didn't know, our main Ethiopian contact, Binyam, was able to come visit for a few days in May, and it was amazing.  We talked, prayed, visioned, shared, laughed, ate, and tried to cram absolutely too much in (in total American style) since he was only here 4 days!  Thank you, Binyam, for all you do to make this dream a reality.  We are SO BLESSED and THANKFUL by and for you!!

Here we go again!

We celebrated!

 We stood silently in AWE. 

We giggled, laughed,  prayed and gave thanks to our All Mighty God,

 and cried at the fact that because of our awesome God,

 the Spirit moving in YOUR hearts and the hard work of Awake and Alive 

it only took 9 months and we were able to reach our (what felt like unattainable) goal!

So what does this mean? 

Because of you and your faithfulness to be broken and Awakened to what breaks the heart of Jesus, Awake and Alive will provide 30 of Ethiopia's most vulnerable children with an education. 

But it is much more then an education. It is the hope for a Brighter Future. 

It is protection form the dangers of street life. 

It is 2 meals a day. 

It is an oasis from the stresses of slum life.  

It is a chance to end the cycle of poverty. 

It is the chance to learn about our Lord and Savior.

What you all have done for these children is unmeasurable. 

It is with a truly Awakened heart that I say,

Thank you! 

I see each one of my children in the eyes of the children in Kechene. God has given that, hard to fathom, vision to me. And so I am set on fire to do whatever it takes to help as many children as possible. 

You see, if it TRULY was my child living in these conditions I would stop at nothing to change it! 

So when I say, "Thank You" it is with SO MUCH MEANING.

Thank you for making this vision a reality!

But as you will notice we are now focusing on fundraising for year #2! 

We are EXCITED to see what ways you all come up with to help!

"God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible--what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves."  -A.W. Tozer