Letters from Ethiopia...

The children sent letters to their sponsors from Kechene to America and they arrived last week! What a joy it has been, this past week, to hear about the letters received by the sponsors of these precious children in Addis Ababa!

I have heard story after story about how much the children who are receiving the gift of sponsorship have BLESSED the sponsors! It is so amazing to see God's hand in on this whole thing. It has been truly wonderful to see the gift these children at Kechene so far away have given to the sponsors from all over the country; Wisconsin, Texas, Minnesota, California, Michigan, and Virginia. When reaching out to help the kids at Kechene Care Point, it has been the sponsors who have felt the overwhelming joy of giving up a little something for a child they are sponsoring so far away. I have heard so many times how it was an instant love when they saw their child's profile picture and now they are praying for them, sending them words of encouragement, and sponsoring them with their money and support. I am so moved every time we sign someone up.

The other side of this great news is that there are still around 11 children who have not been sponsored yet. They are watching the others as they get letters and opening up pictures of their families from afar. When I asked our Ethiopian friend who grew up an orphan in an orphanage if these children know that they are not sponsored yet, she said that they just don't get the letters and it is sad when others get them and they don't. I have a feeling of urgency to get these last children sponsored. If you know of anyone who wants to sponsor and have just not done it yet, please encourage them to contact me so we can get the last 11 signed up. When we have all 56 children sponsored, they will ALL know someone loves them from afar! What a happy day that will be!!

I also learned recently, that not only are we supporting these 56 children, but there are another 76 children who are too old for the school, but while attending the government school, are getting services from Kechene. It is the ONLY place they may be receiving food, medical care, and other basic needs. The TUITION fee goal we are working towards will help to assist these extra 76 children who won't ever be sponsored, but will continue to seek the support the Kechene can give. They may be relying on this care point for their basic needs that the government school can not supply.

I was humbled by this news to think that there are another 76 children that have been saved from malnourishment, from loneliness, from not knowing God's word, and from the love and support of the teachers there at Kechene. What a blessing this care point is to so many children in this very poor neighborhood. Thank you again, sponsors, for taking care of not only 56 children, but 132 children! Praise God!

Again, my contact information is gretabcg@hotmail.com Please let others know about the impact that sponsorship has on the children of this very destitute area. I have learned so much recently about this not only from going to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and meeting these children, but also from our relationship with an orphan from Ethiopia who has grown up in a sponsorship program. It really works; for the child and the sponsor!