Housing and Donations Collection

I never thought that I'd be living in such a place in Africa! Our team is going to be staying in the guest house pictured above. It's used to house families who adopting children from Addis. It was started by a man named Dave and his wife. You should definately check out their websites:
http://ethiopiaguesthome.com/index.php?id=5
http://daveandrae.blogspot.com/
Such a cool organization and idea. If you are traveling to Africa to adopt a child, imagine what a blessing a safe and lovely guest home would be.

Right now I'm trying to get all my donations and personal clothing and supplies in order. It's quite a task. I feel so incredibly blessed though. After sending out the email to my friends and family I have recieved responses from over a dozen people who want to help. I have two digital cameras being donated as well - maybe three if my parents allow me to use their camera and doante my own. My prayer is that I end up with too many donations! I just found out that some of us can bring an extra suitcase on the trip through British Airways (since it's a missionary trip). Hopefully I get enough to fill that extra suitcase. I have a professor who is collecting donations at her office, a church who is collecting physical and monetary donations, and too many other people to name.

I've been so busy lately with my new internship that the trip has not been my focus lately. It took me a long time to get around to asking for donations. And now I'm trying to get all my clothing and medication and things in order. But, I have two weeks. And God is good. He's making this happen. I get a little teary-eyed when I think about leaving. I'm trying to prepare for the heartbreak...the heartbreak of meeting these children, who I can feel a love for already, and seeing their endurance and hearing their stories. I hope my heart is open enough to soak all that in and give love back in return. I'm so excited to bring the kids all these fun things. It's seem so small...a coloring book or stickers. But to these children, it's a miracle that an odd pale girl from way across the ocean knows of their heartache and cares enough to bring presents.

More updates to come soon. Until next time...