Amazing changes in kids!

I wanted to share my team leader's blog with you. This is Karen Wistrom's entry from tonight and so when I read it, I was reminded so quickly what she saw compared to those of us who were not with her the first time she met most of these kids. She was able to see such change from such devastation and lack of hope. I am only posting the last part of her blog tonight, but you can read the rest if you'd like from her blog site to the right of this message in my favorites (Karen's blog). Quite the visual for what sponsorship does!!!

There was something very different about the kids this year, compared to my visit last year. It was very obvious that the kids were healthier and more energetic. Nutritious food had filled in the hollow spots in their bodies and provided energy to play and run, and learn in school. Food and clean water had allowed their immune systems to better fight against illnesses and sickness. But there was more ... and it took me a day or two before I fully realized what it was.

It was HOPE. Laughter filled the schoolyard. The little boys had swagger and the little girls had confidence. The children were gushing with affection. Hugs and kisses were distributed freely. Confidence and self-esteem enabled them to look directly into our eyes, with big smiles and big hearts, ready to receive our love and affection. So this is what HOPE looks like!! Feeding a hungry child fills the stomach, but love and prayer fills the heart. And these kids have hope overflowing in their hearts.

If you are interested in sponsorsing one of the new children at Kind Hearts or Trees of Glory, please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com. We have 60 new children and only about 10 of the kids are still in need of a sponsor family!

I'd like to show you what HOPE looks like ... These are some of the HOPE-FILLED kids that attend Trees of Glory care-point ...

This is Dereje's original sponsor photo (above).
Below - this is Dereje in November as he received his package from his sponsor family!

This is Konjit's original sponsor photo (above).
Below - This is Konjit showing us a photo of her sponsor family!

This is Cheru's original sponsor photo (above).

Below - We watched this stoic and serious young man,
become giddy with joy as he laid eyes on his sponsor family.

This is Ashene's original sponsor photo (above).

Below- We all watched with tears when Ashene met his sponsor father face-to-face!

This is Adanu's original sponsor photo (above).

Below - This is Adanu as she received gifts from the sponsor family
that she know loves her and prays for her!

This is Chala's original sponsor photo (above).

Below - Chala is able to attend the care-point because of his sponsor family!

This is Kube's original sponsor photo (above).

Below - Kube hugs the gifts she received from her sponsor family!

This is Dege's original sponsor photo (above).

Below - Dege is all smiles as he sees photos of his sponsor family!

This is Birtukan's original sponsor photo (above).

Below - Birtukan tells me about her sponsor family and show me their photos!

This is Meseret's original sponsor photo (above).

Below - Meseret with quiet confidence as she looks at photos from her sponsor family.

This is Birtukan's original sponsor photo (above).

Below - This giggly, exuberant little girl was overjoyed at the
gifts and photos from her sponsor family!

Here is a photo of our amazing travel team who made an incredible investment to travel to Ethiopia to demonstrate love and family to our precious kids at Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory!!! This is the team that made sure that each and every child felt loved and special!!