Because of YOU, we're thankful!

So, we've been talking (Jolene and Danielle, that is), and we realized something. We've been SO focused on our goal of raising enough money to start this school, that we haven't stopped enough to say thank you. This epiphany shocked and horrified us. We NEVER wanted that! We're the first to say we have so much to be thankful for...and then we didn't live that gratitude by expressing it to those of you who have done so much to help. So, in the vein of better late than never, please accept our most heartfelt gratitude for this past year:

THANK YOU to anyone who came to an event that helped raise money for the Bright Future Academy.

THANK YOU to those of you who have offered us an encouraging word....or lots of 'em!

THANK YOU to anyone who has prayed for us, Awake and Alive, our families, or the people of Kechene.

THANK YOU to those who have offered their services in any way.

THANK YOU for the much-needed advice in all things non-profit.

THANK YOU to those who sent money in any increment at all.

THANK YOU to those of you who have successful blogs and allowed us to be guest bloggers.

THANK YOU to those who have liked us on facebook.

THANK YOU to those who have encouraged others to like us on facebook.

THANK YOU to those who have watched our videos.

THANK YOU to those who are thinking and praying about going on our mission trip.

THANK YOU to those who have done fundraising for us.

THANK YOU to those who have bought our t-shirts and wear them as conversation starters

(or just wear them because they're pretty stinkin' cool!)

THANK YOU to those who have watched our children so that we can get stuff done

(including our amazing, stupendous, marvelous husbands)

THANK YOU for believing in us and that He who started a good work, has even more in store!!!

You fill our hearts with gratitude as we sit and reflect on all that has transpired this year and all who have come alongside us to make this dream in our hearts a reality. When we count our blessings, You are them.

School Updates

We were able to Skype with our in country contact this last week.
He told us that we will know the children by name in July!
This of course made my heart burst with excitement,
as we will then have specific children to begin praying for
BY NAME!
I love it!
We also now know that we will be renting a 3 room building in Kechene for the children. Ethiopian law requires us to have one room for the children's class,
one room for an office, and one room for storage.
The building will be structurally sound for the children but our in country contact would love if our team would take some time to paint and decorate the classrooms for the children!
He had mentioned something about a mural and painting the English Alphabet and numbers on the walls. I (Jolene) am not talented in that way, what so ever, so hopefully one of you who are feeling pulled to come with us is.
There is also an opportunity for us to put on a bible school for the children
and share the love of Jesus with them through
songs, crafts and stories!

While we are there we will be spending a lot of time with the children and families that the school will be benefiting. This time will be spent getting to know each one of the children in the school so that we can set up a sponsorship program for them, in hopes that we can get each child in the school sponsored so that we can send MORE children to school next year! This is vital for the continuation of growth in the school.

Will you please continue to pray for Danielle and I, the staff that will be hired and the children that will be attending the Bright Future Academy! Thank You!

I love this quote. Because, you know what? It's so true. Does it mean that if we give all we have to the materially poor that we won't become materially poor? No, that's not what it means at all. To me, it means that generosity produces more riches than we could ever imagine. And that's how I want to live my life. Hands open--to God and to others. When we hoard at any level, it doesn't make us more alive or free, but more uncaring, more unfeeling, and more afraid.

A Glimpse

Here is another unedited clip of Kechene. This is a video of a man working HARD in is home to provide for his family! When we visited his house he didn't stop working. I was in awe of his drive to work! This man was the provider for his house hold and he knew what he had to do! And that was and is to work hard to provide for his family! This was a rare glimpse of a man in Kechene who is standing strong for his family and working hard for his family.

During our trip in September 2012 we will be spending time with many of the families, just like this family, who will be touched by our school. What a privilege it will be to build relationships and friendships with these courageous people!

Please give what ever YOU CAN to help us start Bright Future Academy in Kechene, Ethiopia! Many young children's lives will forever be changed because of your gift!

Mission Trip

This is an unedited, snap shot of life in Kechene. You did hear me correctly when I said in the video that 5 people live in that little tiny home. They only have 2 beds. The place is filthy. Two of the 3 children have to work to help provide food. Their mother was gone all day working. Leaving the oldest daughter, 13, to care for her younger sick brother. Their kitchen is directly out side of the front door. The little boy is sick with Typhoid. They do not have access to clean water. In our standards they have nothing...

yet they are smiling.

They are smiling because of the love of Jesus.
The great people we are partnering with to start our school are the same people who have shown love to the community already! By showing them love: giving them medicine, education, and sharing the Gospel, the love of Jesus Christ,
they have HOPE!

If, while watching this video you could see yourself in those homes loving and advocating for the people of Kechene would you please prayerfully consider coming with us this fall. If traveling to Kechene is not an option for you would you please support us in prayers! Please keep Awake and Alive and our team in your prayers. And if you feel lead to give financially to our project, starting a school for the young street children, please click the link below.
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THE NEED

It’s impossible for us to look at these young children and not think of our own little ones. It is very real to us. Let it be very real to you as well. And–PLEASE!–go beyond just wishing it was different and DO something about it!!! Help send 90 of the most vulnerable children to school, slotted to begin September 2012. It IS possible.

Kechene is a district within Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, of 46,000 people. It has the highest HIV prevalence in the city, with almost 16% of its residents estimated to be suffering from the disease. Because of the AIDS crisis and the devastating impact of poverty and unclean water, the district is filled with widows and their children, or worse, orphan-led households. Many within the district eke out a living by rising at 4 am to get firewood back to the city’s morning market for sale by 7 am. It is not an easy life. They labor, often for up to seventeen hours a day and have very little to show for it.

Many of those opting for this lifestyle are the widowed women who go to collect sticks, while their young children are left at home.

With so little money, and such enormous challenges, the children often have no option but to go out into the world and earn a living, too, to contribute to the family. The work available is physically demanding on these tiny laborers; it is not uncommon to see a boy of around 5 carrying his brother on his back as he goes about his work – selling Kolo (roasted barley). Tiny boys drift about hustling for work shining shoes: this earns about half an American cent a shoe shine.

“The children here have no childhood, and very little idea of play, or fun. They are only concerned about making a little money to eat, so you see them, from a tiny age, bent double carrying wood, or sat working with a weaver all day, which earns them just 1 birr a day, about 12 US cents.”*

BUT THERE IS HOPE.

While reading this may seem totally overwhelming–mind-numbing even–there is something that we can do! Awake and Alive is planning to start a school for the youngest of these children in Kechene ages 4-8 who are the most vulnerable. While Bright Future focuses on children age 9 and above, Awake and Alive’s goal will be to help those younger–the ones who are left at home while their moms are out working. This school will not only provide these precious children with 2 full meals a day and shelter, it will also provide them with an education–a luxury most children in this area cannot afford. Yet, without an education they have very little hope of rising above their current circumstances.

With your help, Awake and Alive can change that.

$1,000 will sponsor a teacher for an entire year. This teacher will change the course of so many young children's lives! With sponsoring a teacher you will not only give the children hope for a Brighter Future but will be giving a teacher the ability to have hope in their community and the ability to be the change for so many orphaned children.

$500 will sponsor a child to attend the Bright Future Academy. This will remove one orphaned child from hard labor and the streets of Kechene. It will provide uniforms, books, 2 meals a day(something these children are not use to), protection, and hope for a Brighter Future for an entire school year.

Of course ANY amount you can give will make a huge impact on the lives of these little children.

“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” Ephesians 3:20

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW

The Begining of A&A

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Once there were two women who didn’t know each other. They were passionate and wanted to be purposeful in their desire to make a difference in the world, but they weren’t sure how. It felt too big with too many choices. So they read and studied and searched online and immersed themselves in the process of learning. This went on for some time. During this time the two women met and were drawn to each other not only because of this desire to make a difference but largely because of their connection to the country of Ethiopia and the gift of adoption. You see, their hearts both longed for children from this beautiful country. After much time passed, their Ethiopian princesses came home forever and became fast friends.

Trials came and humility grew. The search for meaning and the desire to follow Jesus continued. Finally, the time came. No more studying. It was time for action. But, what? How? When? This quote brought a good reminder: “Take one step at a time and wait for God to show you the next step.” Step: The seed for a ministry working with Africans was planted. Step: Meetings with husbands took place as did prayer…and the seed was watered. Step: More meetings with Ethiopians took place and the seed sprouted. Visioning, planning, processing and the excitement became overwhelming. The need was great, and God put in each of our hearts the desire and passion and resources for Awake and Alive to be born. Each new step has brought with it joy, peace, and purpose. While we are still in the baby stages of an organization that will one day, hopefully, touch hundreds of lives (or more?!?), it was birthed long, long ago in the hearts and minds of two women created by God for this unique purpose. God is good and his love endures forever!