We've been in Ethiopia for five and a half days now and I've gotten to the point where I'm just exhausted, physically and mentally. Although I absolutely adore working with the children and spending time at the school, my heart has broken too many times over the condition of these children's lives. We've done several home visits now and before each one I always have to take a deep breath and ask God to give me strength to go in. I know I can't be sobbing while we're being welcomed into someone's home. Our new friend Dinka (he's 17) is such a blessing...he is so kind and gentle and just loves the Lord. But seeing his small, one room home that he shares with his mother and brother was almost too much. The three of them share a "bed" on the cement floor...although I wouldn't even call it a bed. It's a couple of thick blankets stacked on top of each other. There is a small bench and table where they eat together, and the house is separated into two rooms with a large curtain. The amazing thing is that this small, bare home is considered very good by Ethiopian standards. As we continued talking to Dinka and his beautiful mother, we found out that they are three months behind on their rent and could be kicked out at any time. Dinka goes to to school during the day, therefore he can't keep a steady job. To support his family he does odd jobs around the church after school to earn a little bit of money, but it's not even close to being enough to meet the rent requirement each month. Situations like this make me feel utterly and completely helpless. 

I've been praying all day, just surrendering the things I've seen to the One who sees it all. I want so badly to clothe, feed and house all of the desperate people I've met, but I know in my own strength I cannot do that. It's is such an awful feeling knowing that I have to leave these children's homes without being able to do more than give the girls gift bags with hair things in them and small pieces of candy for the boys. But I've learned very quickly in these past few days that just giving the kids hugs and kisses means so much to them. I usually get mobbed by about twenty small kids at VBS all pulling my head down so I can give them a kiss and they can give me one back. You won't ever find me denying a kiss from one of them! 

They have all stolen my heart, but none as much as my sponsored girl Lydia. I love her so much I cannot even describe it. The first day I met her, I also met her father. He told me through translation, "Lydia is now your daughter because you love her and support her. Please bring her home with you in America so that she can have a better life than she does right now. There must be room in your suitcase for your new daughter!" As he told me this, completely serious, I was speechless. This father loves his daughter so much that he would sacrifice never seeing her again so that she could have a better life in America. I got tears in my eyes and told him that if I could bring home my new daughter I would. Since that moment, (it sounds silly to say) but I honestly feel like Lydia is my daughter. I've never experienced this kind of love for anyone before. I find myself constantly watching her, wanting to protect her throughout the day and make sure that she is well fed, and has good water to drink. Every morning before VBS starts I pull her aside, give her tons of kisses and tell her I love her. I also bring her a water bottle full of good clean water for her to drink and a snack for later in the day. She is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and I want her by my side always! Her kisses mean so much to me and I love hearing her say "Lydia, Audrey, I love you" in her broken English. She is the most precious part of my life right now. Thank you Jesus for such a beautiful, smart, funny, joyful, kind and thoughtful "daughter"!

We only have two more days of VBS left, but more prayer requests than ever. Please be praying that the children will be attentive during Bible lessons, and truly hearing the words that are being translates. Praise God that His word does not return void!  Please pray that the team would be wise in the way we spend the money we have to help specific families and meet the needs that God wants us to. It's so hard to determine which people need help more than others, we need God's wisdom through the decision making. Please pray for the GGI board meeting that is happening tonight. Dale, Roy and Sandy (board members) tried to have the board meeting last Monday, but it completely fell through since three of the Ethiopian board members failed to attend although they promised they would be there. There is a lot of frustration in this area, because without the cooperation of the Ethiopian GGI board members, the sponsorship program could cease to exist. It is absolutely necessary that they make the meeting tonight and are willing to continue working on the board to make sure that the children are blessed through the sponsorships. Thank the Lord for faithful people like Alimayu, Pastor 'Mmanuel and Kanini. These men have faithfully been taking us through the city each day as well as translating during VBS. They are absolutely wonderful and such a blessing! Please pray for good rest for the team and for renewing of spirits in the Lord and His word. We return to the hotel absolutely exhausted each night because of the amount of energy it takes to do VBS, as well as how mentally draining it is to do home visits. 

We love you all very much and I have been so encouraged by my beautoful friends and family these past few days. How wonderful it is to be fully supported by the ones we love most! Thank you, or "Amisagunalo"  in Amharic :) Praise the Lord for what He is doing in Ethiopia!

Serving an Awesome God...

~ Audrey and the GGI team 

                                                       Dinka and his mother

                                                           Their bed