Newsletter from Children's Hopechest Feb. 2012

I was so pleased to read about Kechene School/Drop off care point today! Everyone received this newsletter as a sponsor and is informed as to the growth we are making at the center. What wonderful work they do at Children's Hopechest Ethiopia! Thanks Team!!

- Greta

Kechene School Dec 2011 COUNTRY DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Dear Partners, On behalf of Children’s HopeChest Ethiopia, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of Children’s HopeChest partners and supporters. It is my honor to thank all of you for your generous donations, support, and commitment. Since the time the organization began to implement its objectives in transforming many lives in Ethiopia, Children’s HopeChest Ethiopia has been constantly working in the Survive, Thrive, and Succeed of its mission. I am glad to let you know that it is through the generous support of individuals and organizations like you that we have been able to address the lives of numerous children and their communities in Ethiopia. Your generous donations have meet several needs, such as, education fees, school materials, uniforms, medical care, supplementary food, clothing, discipleship programs and much more. However, this is not the end of our vision. In the coming years we plan to reach self sustainably at every location, and fully transform the children who are currently sponsored. In addition to this, we are committed to expand our ministry by partnering with more organizations, in order that we are able to reach more and more children. Because of thoughtful supporters and donors like you, we are continually inspired and are certain that we will achieve all our goals. I, once again, thank you for the strong commitment that you have shown in our cause, and hope that this alliance continues further. Sincerely, Tesfatsion Tsegaye SPECIAL UPDATE OF THIS QUARTER During this last quarter there were some events that were undertaken: The New Year celebration, the new school year, and Christmas. The Ethiopian New Year celebration was celebrated on September 11, 2011. The children celebrated this holiday with joy by having special meal. A few days later, the children formally began the new academic year. It was obvious that the children were eager to see their classmates and teachers. They were also eager to learn more and plan to score high grades in their studies. On January 7th, the Ethiopian Christmas was celebrated. The CarePoint leaders tried their best to make the holy day more special and purposeful. It’s not only a matter of celebration, but also it is all about the life changing birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The CarePoint staff taught the children the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of Jesus, the Christ. DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM In our new life through Jesus Christ, we can always say, “I am in Christ, the only one who died on the cross, who has forgiven me my sins, and who redeems me with his blood.” Through this lesson, the children learned that Jesus Christ gave them life and watches over them. During this last quarter, the discipleship lesson theme was titled, “God’s plan and His purpose.” We discussed the story of Noah, Abraham, and Moses. In the progress of time, generations multiply on the face of the earth, the world’s population increases and the world’s wickedness greatly increases as well. (Gen.6:5) God prepared to destroy mankind through a flood. But one man and his family received God’s Commendation, while the rest of humanity faced God’s Condemnation. Noah obediently undertook nearly a century long, ship building project in preparation for saving his believing family. As the floodwaters rose, Noah’s family rode high in God’s loving protection. The very life of Noah and the lives of his family were completely bound up by the promises of God. God called Abraham to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldeans to travel to a distant but unspecified land. By responding in faith, Abraham obeyed with nothing to cling to but the promises of God promises of a great name, a great nation, and a great blessing for all mankind. Abraham obeyed God’s command through his faith; even though he did not know his destination. “Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited to him as righteousness.” (Gen.15:6) The infant Moses was providentially spared and raised in the very palace of the one who sought his death! At the age of forty, Moses sought deliverance for his people, but in the wrong way (murder) and spent the next four decades of his life in exile, tending sheep in the Median wilderness. Moses was miserable and with good reason. He had been the one man in all of Egypt who had the opportunity to bring relief to his people. He had position, training, natural ability, and the desire to help. However, he killed a man and forfeited all these advantages he had hoped to use. Moses’ life needed reconstruction, to be sure. But when the rebuilding process was complete, he was a monument to God’s grace. Today, in order to receive God’s blessing, we must obey His commandments. MEAL PROVISION The children at Kechene IEICA express their gratitude for all of the benefits received from the school/drop-in center. All of the children have a thankful heart with one voice. The children are receiving lunch every day during the weekdays. Due to the deep poverty of their guardians and parents who cannot afford much, these meals are the only opportunity for them to receive a variety of food. The parents and guardians are also grateful for the achievable service given to these destitute children. Because of the daily meal provision, the children’s mental and emotional strength has improved. TEAM VISIT AND CARE PACKAGE GIFTS The children jumped with joy when they received their care packages from their sponsor families. All of the children received care packages. They were delivered by Mrs. Karen Wistrom and her team in November 2011, on behalf of the community leader (Greta Byers) of the CarePoint. It was special time for all of the children. Receiving gifts from their sponsors caused great joy for the children! MEDICAL CHECK-UPS All of the children received basic medical check-ups by a medical team, who traveled from Colorado in early December, 2011. It is incredibly important that the children receive updated health statuses during the year. Some of the children were given antibiotics and other forms of medical treatment as well. CHILDREN’S CORNER Every child connected to Kechene IEICA has the same background; they are destitute and vulnerable. They all received the opportunity to attend school through the support given by their sponsors. Their families were unable to send these children to school, because they could not afford school uniforms, school supplies, and school fees. At this time the children are very thankful for all the benefits they are receiving from the school. Many of the children continue to become active students. They would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Children’s HopeChest and to the sponsor families for this remarkable life changing service. CAREPOINT LEADER’S MESSAGE In the Bible, God promises to the fatherless, “A father of fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity.”(Ps.68:5-6) When I think about these children, this scripture comes to mind. On behalf of Kechene IEICA School/Drop-in Center, I want to extend my gratitude to you. This is the achievable, life-touching service that you have been giving for the benefit of these vulnerable children. We are thankful for Children’s HopeChest, the sponsor families, and community leaders. Thank you for the great contributions that you have made to purchase medical supplies and Bibles for the children. We are eternally thankful for all of the concerns that you have shown for these children. We were blessed by the team visits in this quarter. The love that you have for these needy children is beyond what we imagined. We believe that together we can make a difference! God bless you all! Nikodimus Buche PRAYER REQUESTS Pray that all of the children grow deeply in love with Jesus Christ Pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the children

A special visit to Kechene this January!

Missy and her husband, Paul, sponsor Selam, a little girl at Kechene. Missy just returned from Ethiopia after their family's adoption process. While in Addis Ababa, Missy was able to visit our care point and not only see all the children, but meet her little Selam.

I'll let her video tell the story...

www.roepnack.blogspot.com

Random moments at Kechene on Package delivery day!

These pictures capture the true sense of what is going on at the care point, Kechene. A year ago, the school was about to close its doors, but there was faith of a mustard seed that God would provide.

The school always had a spirit that all of us who visited on that day in Nov. 2010 remember very vividly. The staff's energy was contagious! The children were happy! The school had a vision, yet hope was disappearing.

After a year of finding sponsors and adding 74 more children to the list of children dropping in every day, the school is different. There is HOPE that accompanies the faith and the energy! The children have families who have been supporting them by sending letters and encouragement. They received their care packages with pictures of families that love them and share their lives with them from so far away.

There is a HOPE that is growing every day! To this day, there are only 2 more children left to be sponsored! Every day, there have been more and more children sponsored, children finding HOPE with their families from afar!

God Bless these kids! They are the HOPE and FAITH that we must have in our Heavenly Father who cares for each of us through others. For these kids, sponsors and their care point are the love of Christ showing up for them!

Children getting their care packages

Price of one t-shirt- $8.00

Price of one toothbrush- $3.00

Price of one pair of underwear- $3.00

Price of one picture- $.25

Price of a pair of barrettes- $3.00

Price of a matchbox car-$2.95

Price of sponsorship / month- $34.00

Price of watching Kechene children open their care packages from their sponsors- PRICELESS!

The stories behind the Sponsor...

We are fortunate enough to have lots of helpers throughout the country who shared the same passion and desire to help the kids of Kechene with getting sponsors! We have a leader in the southeast part of the country, one in Florida, one in West Central Wisconsin, and one in our area. Just recently, our leader in North Carolina contacted me with a new idea to get 10 for 10. This would be great. It would be kind of like her getting another leader to get 10 more sponsored. I was excited about this, but more excited to hear that she and her husband were going to be praying over her 8 more to get sponsored.

The day after she and her husband prayed over her profiles, they had phone calls and emails wanting to sponsor! I shared this story with another leader here in Wisconsin. She was touched by the story and prayed over her profiles she had. She still had 8 left to get sponsored. I got an email from her this morning that the next day she got emails wanting more information for sponsorship! She now has 3-4 more sponsored and more interested!

This is the story I hear over and over with this project. The great thing is that this is only one desire we have asked for. How many prayers are God answering daily that we don't even see yet? God is so good! He wants His Kingdom to be blessed and to see that through all of us. He wants US to be the ones to show His love and His kindness. It doesn't have to be through sponsorship or even something overseas. What can we do this time of the year that shows His love in ways He wants us to show it? I guess that is only known when we ASK!

Praise God for all that He has done!!