Thinking about Biz

Kind Hearts School

I just had to share my thoughts tonight about our little sponsor daughter, Bizuayehu. She was so sweet and I miss her so much. I was asked to describe meeting her, so this is the best way I can describe our time together...

It was a sleepless night after a long flight, but I had been anticipating meeting our sponsor child ever since we started sponsoring her a year ago. Now, Monday morning, we were heading to Kind Hearts to meet all the children and bringing them school supplies, soccer balls, beads to make together, and cameras to take all their precious pictures. As we lined up watching them sing and watching them stand in their lines in front of their school, I quickly scanned the faces looking for our little girl. She had stole my heart over my computer so many months ago, so many worlds away, and here we were this close!

As soon as the teachers released the children to greet us, I started getting hugs from all directions. We were strangers, yet the kids just swarmed us for instant love and attention. It wasn't long before we weren't feeling like strangers anymore. One of the interpreters passed by so I asked him if he could find Bizuayehu Worku for me. I told him I was her sponsor and I would love to meet her. Within just a few seconds, Biz came over shyly looking around Alex up at me. As soon as I made eye contact with Biz, she seemed to recognize me like a child recognizes her mother behind a costume. She ran up to me and flung her arms around my neck.

It was as if we had been reunited without ever having really met. I had sent pictures and I had her picture from her profile, but this was more like she just knew who I was! What a moment that was! I started to tear up and swing her as I held her. She looked at me sadly, but I quickly told her through Alex that they were tears of joy and I was very happy to be with her. She rarely left my side all day except to eat and play with some other children when I had to work with other groups.

The next day, we came to pass out care packages and take their pictures with their packages from their sponsors. As we entered through the gate at Kind Hearts in the vans, I scanned through the crowd of children waiting for us and then following us. I spotted her as she was scanning the van for me. It was so precious to see that connection and know she was looking for me. I was able to hand out Biz's care package myself and have the whole explanation of our photos and gifts to her interpreted by Messiker.

Again, I teared up as I read through our photo album and introduced our children and my husband who pray for her and think about her every day. I gave her a Dodgeville T-shirt and she put it on right away so I could get her picture. She thanked me over and over, yet it is Biz who has given us so much. She has given us a chance to love a daughter from afar and help her in her own school and village.

We had to say good-bye on Friday, but not without giving her one more little package. I had noticed earlier in the week that her little jelly shoes were torn and tattered. I had some shoes I had transported from Dodgeville from a friend of mine. They would be a little big, but I decided to give them to Biz anyway, along with a little dress as well. When I gave them to her, she seemed overwhelmed as if they weren't for her. I assured her they were for her and she just clenched then to her chest. She gave me a hug and ran outside to show her friends her new shoes and dress. The girls took the dress and danced with it and then also took the shoes. I had to intervene to get the shoes back and had Biz put them all in her bag to take home. After that, we all prayed together and promised we would not forget them at Kind Hearts. I gave Biz a hug and told her I loved her. We ended up finding each other a couple more times for hugs, then it was "good-bye."

I will never forget that week I got to give a little bit... to get so much back... from a little girl in Ethiopia.

Subtle reminders

As I comfortably sip my coffee this morning in my warm kitchen with family still asleep in their warm, comfortable beds, I pick up the laundry and notice a gum wrapper fall out of the dryer. Immediately, my memories are triggered to Sunday at the market place. While doing our shopping, the street boys were selling gum for 10 burr (that's about 50 cents) so they can gather enough money for something to eat that day. I bought a pack of gum from Ababbu, a street kid Karen had recognized from last year. He was in the same place, doing the same thing. He had a huge smile on his face as Karen called his name and recognized him from their last visit a year ago. Hugs were exchanged and smiles on more street kids were seen! How amazing to see the joy on these kids even when dealing to just survive.

This is one of the street boys who came over to us for hugs and a chance to sell his gum to us. My tears are held back for now, but it's these little reminders that I want to remember and keep fresh in my heart for a long time.

The faces of hope

I just have to share some of the faces at Kechene Orphanage. This is the orphanage/school that has been waiting for 2 long years for sponsorship. As we came up the drive of the orphanage, it occurred to me that they are here in the city, yet so a part from any assistance. The environment in which they are located is more at risk and needy than the actual orphanage.

Just outside the gates of the school, we spotted a older woman weaving a basket made of straw. The stench was horrific. As I looked closer, I realized she was patting manure of some kind to make the straw stick to the next straw. It was such an image to have that really gives this area the background for what kind of situation these kids are in. When we left the orphanage, children of the neighborhood tried to just get a piece of what we might have; candy, a granola bar, water, anything. Someone had some food and divvied it up for the 3-4 children at the window.

The children at the orphanage were not like the beggers outside. They were considerate, kind, and patient. They were genuinely happy and just a sense of joy. When watching the teacher interact with the kids, I was totally impressed by his love for the kids and the passion he had for them! He was "on fire" for them and loved his job!

Right now, there is no sponsorship. The school has been getting some projects from a donation here and there, but the money for food is running out. I had the amazing and humbling task of telling them we were there to help and we would be getting sponsorship for those kids. It will pay for food, the teacher's salaries, and the spiritual guidance they need. The teacher took my hand and with tear filled eyes looked at me and said, "We have been praying for this!" The cook, and director's wife, gave me the biggest hug and said thank you as well. What an amazing group of people!

I am so looking forward to working with this group and getting you all familiar with the school and children! Here are some of their faces.

Here is what we did together before taking pictures of them. I first taught them what my words meant and what the sign language was for "Jesus Loves Me." Then, the children sang with me. Half way through, they all laughed because they all knew it from their teacher! What an experience it was to sing with them what I wanted to tell them first hand!

Home!

Wow, is it good to be home! I can't tell you how much the word home has changed! I have just been in awe of how much we have; ice, clean water, warm and cozy rooms, food in the fridge, the sweet smells, and just everything! I am especially in awe of all the friends and family who have supported me and especially Matt during such a life changing week for our family.

I finally got to read all these posts that my dear husband has been keeping up with. I am only beginning to really understand what a week he had and how much he has changed. God is so good. I did not anticipate anything like this. We decided to take the risks of a mission trip like this without thinking of other outcomes. My husband's heart was not one of the outcomes that I thought about. Wow, was I wrong. I am truly blessed beyond belief!

The things we all saw in Ethiopia and experienced can't be put into words at this point. I have too many things that will have to be processed as I work through the emotions and guilt I feel about not having done this before. What an experience.

The biggest emotional tug for me was meeting and spending time with our sponsor daughter, Biz. She is a sweet, compassionate little 5 year old. I was able to give lots of hugs, receive lots of hugs, tell her I loved her and pray for her and shower her with gifts and pictures. It was an amazing time! Now, I must just accept that we can love her from here and shower her with love and prayers from a world away even though I feel as though she is our daughter. Sponsorship is so special that way; adoption from afar, I guess.

The End Is Near...Time for a New Beginning

I was so fortunate to be able to receive emails from Greta and...we were able to chat for a while on facebook. And a skype date tonight. Thank you, Lord. Talking with her is so uplifting. And I'm going to brag on my wife here, but that's just the way she is. She has that gift of being pure in heart, genuinely concerned about others, and making you feel better about yourself after having been around her. What a special, special gift she is!

Here's one of the tones I've been picking up from her (and others on the team by reading their facebook postings) the last few days - how so very grateful these POOR people are for the smallest of gifts. And the gifts they like the best, not that they don't genuinely love receiving food, clothing, and supplies, are the gift of people who show them God's love for them. How very humbling. To be thankful to God for every gift, large and small, we receive from Him. We all need to learn from those precious kids and people in Ethiopia and then spread that love of God and one another to people who don't know Him, to those who do but are suffering all around the world, and to each other each and every day.

From talking to friends and family this past week, I have been sensing that God is on the move and moving hearts. When I told Greta this in an email, she wrote back and said she cried when she read those words. Because she said there is so much to do when she gets back. Although this trip is coming to an end, the work is not over, it's just beginning.

The Kechene orphanage we'll be working to find sponsors (people to provide $34 per month to provide basic needs and to provide love and prayer and a relationship for an orphaned child) for is in such a terrible state. Greta's heart is broken for them.

There's so much they need and we (meaning the U.S. culture/society in general) have so much. They have the love of God and love for their fellow humans but no resources. We have many resources, yet we lack the love we need to give to the "least of these" and to each other. Please don't be offended and think I'm speaking piously or about any specific people, as I am guilty of falling short of God's desire for us loving people as well. But I want to get as close as humanly possible for God's plan/way for us as I can. And I know there are so many of you reading these words that do as well. (Note: If anything in here is wrong or offends someone, know that that is not my intent, nor should Greta be held responsible for my lacking in this area. She would be so much better than me at saying what needs to be said, but you're stuck with me until she's back.)

That's the exciting part...with so many of you being moved by the kids in Kechene, Greta and I are so excited to see what can be done for them. Your donations have covered their food and caretakers for 2-3 months. With all of your help spreading the word about their incredible needs, We'll be able to get them all sponsored quickly and start addressing their dire needs in the orphanage. That is so exciting and inspiring!

Greta is so excited about getting back and sharing with all of you the stories and pictures from this week. And she's so excited about getting to work on the Kechene sponsorships. She said there's so much we can and have to do once she's back.

When she's back. Those words are priceless to me. It's now less than 48 hrs until we pick her up at the airport. I have missed her so much this week. And selfishly, I really didn't want to let her leave us for this time, but I'm glad I did because it meant so much to her and it has shown me that I can love, respect, admire, serve, appreciate, and honor my wife so much better than I was or thought could be done. It's funny how God's plans are always so much better than ours.

Well, that's most likely all you'll have to read from the lovesick husband. Please visit this blog often in the future when Greta is back at the helm.

Great News!

Greta informed us today of the use of the money she received from so many of you for the kids on this trip. The Kechene orphanage with 55 kids and some caretakers is at their wit's end because they have no funding. Even though the kids are dirty and their clothes are tattered and food is inconsistent, she commented how happy they were to see them and loved they are by the caretakers. She said their love for God was radiant. How humbling it must've been to see those with so little so in love with God. Then there's us here in the U.S. with so much yet so...

She said they told her God gives them such strength and people like the team. She was so touched. So here it is again, we, with all the gifts we have been given, are God's plan A for helping these people and kids out of their devastation. Greta is so moved by all of your generosity.

The teachers/caretakers, if they want any compensation, have to raid the meager food fund for the kids. They have been praying for a miracle...and all of you are it! With the money you sent with Greta, Kechene will be able to be funded for 2-3 months! Food, basic medical care, and some pay for the caretakers there so they aren't forced to leave. The people and kids there are overwhelmed by all of your love and generosity.

Greta also informed the director that we will be coordinating the lining up of sponsorships when she gets back. She told him this and gave him a Bible and he teared up with emotion. She got to meet all of the kids and take their pictures and gather information on them and the needs of the orphanage. She said they all referred to her as "Miss Greta." My heart melted at the vision in my mind of her walking around there, being your eyes, hands, feet, and hearts distributing the love of Christ to "the least of these." She commented that it was humbling to share your generosity in this capacity. Way to go!

She also shared about the devastation she saw at another orphanage located many miles from Addis. The kids' stomachs were swollen from malnutrition and worms, they had wounds and sores. Fortunately, they have recently started to get some sponsorships and things will improve for them in the future. Tomorrow the team will visit there again and prepare a meal for all of them and purchase some food and more medical supplies for them. Keep these kids in your prayers.

So much more has been going on as well. I just can't remember all she tells me and she says there's so much more to tell about. Communication has been difficult with the power outages and their schedules and the fact that my only real connection has been email. She'll have stories and pictures when she gets back for all of you.

Well, that's about it for now.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE step up your praying for Greta's (and all of their) safety, health, and safe return. I cannot tell you how much it means to me to know of all of the people that are praying for her. She means the world to me and I want so much to have her back in my arms. When I get to feeling lost and so sad and tear up the MANY times I do each day because she is not here by my side - I actually have a towel on the seat in my truck that has been used all week to wipe the tears off my cheeks and to dry my eyes before I have to get out at a farm - I think of this: Being in the airport on Monday and seeing her come into view. If you are at the airport on Monday and see a large man sprinting down the hall, get out of the way because it'll be me having just spotted Greta and I will blast over/through you if you're in my way of getting to her. I picture hugging and holding her. There will be tears then, too, but they'll be tears of joy, love, and the completion of me because I have my wife, the love of my life, back in my arms.

God's blessings to all of you.

More from Ethiopia

Matt here again. It's 4:30pm here on Thursday, November the 18th. I have the great honor of picking Greta up at the airport at 3:40 pm on Monday. That's 342,600 seconds from now. I liked putting it in seconds because the number gets smaller faster than counting minutes or hours. Did you know that there are 86,400 seconds in a 24 hr time period (boy, I really hope I did the math correctly on this one!)? I do now. And I plan on using every single one of them each 24hrs cherishing the gift of my wife. I know I'll probably stumble, we all do. But, I want to love her so completely so that those incidences occur less often and less often. And when I do make a mistake, I want to catch myself so fast and apologize immediately. Because we as husbands are commanded by God to love our wives as Christ loved the church and be willing to sacrifice everything for them. And when we love God, we can get the supernatural power to love our wives like that. Why settle for good when we can have great? Hopefully by now, you can tell I love Greta with all of my heart.

So, now on to the reason you checked this blog in the first place. Thursday, the team went to the Fistula Hospital. If you don't know what this is, I highly suggest you check Greta's link to a Nova show on it (on this blog page or her facebook). They handed out scarves made by you here along with soaps, lotions, and chapstick. They got to hand them to the girls/women and speak to them thru an interpreter. The women were deeply touched. Greta and the wonderful team she's with got to tell them how much they admire them and their courage and how beautiful they are. They just glowed with their smiling faces. These women got to be given a little dignity and feel loved and worthwhile because of the love of you here that sewed, gave, and prayed. Lots of pictures will come later!

Kechene orphanage was also visited. The children had nothing, were ragged, disheveled, yet so well loved by the great teachers. 55 of them are needing sponsors. Greta said it was great to meet them and tell them there are people in Wisconsin that love them and care about them (ie, future sponsors!). Lots of picture to come from here too.

Finally, Dale, a man on the team from Wyoming, gave Greta a Brewers cap for me to "give" to Biz, our sponsor daughter at Kind Hearts. He saw me wearing mine last night on Skype with Greta. He wanted me to know that Biz just needs a Brewer hat from me. It's funny he should do that, because if you know me at all, you know I have a thing (Greta thinks it's an illness) for hats. The stories she has about the incredible people on her team is amazing. And they all deflect praise on them, realizing that there are so many people involved with this mission, they just happen to be the part that's there on the ground. Greta and I are so thankful for all of your support to make this happen.

Well, keep being prayer warriors for Greta and the team. Pray for their safety, health, mission, the people of Ethiopia, and their safe return. Knowing you are praying for my wife, her work, and her safe return is a source of strength for me. Because as proud of her as I am for doing this, I miss her even more.

Until later...