My Hero Zeritu

Hero : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability.

Meet Zeritu. Zeritu is an orphan living in Zeway. Her father died when she was young and she does not know where her mom lives. After Zeritu’s mom left her, she found the only other relative she knows, her aunt, and lived with her for a period of time. Like most parents in Zeway, Zeritu’s aunt could not afford to send Zeritu to school and instead made Zeritu work as a day laborer. Zeritu wanted to go to school and make a better future for herself. Since her aunt would not let her, Zeritu ventured out on her own.

By God’s grace Zeritu met an FH social worker in June of last year. As an orphan Zeritu was able to participate in the Child Headed Household (CHH) program. Zeritu now lives in a small one -room house that is rented for her by the CHH program. The house is owned by the mother of one of the FH social workers who lives next door to Zeritu and watches out for her as if she were one of her own children. Thanks to the food, shelter and funding provided by the CHH program, Zeritu was able to enroll in school. Zeritu is currently in 10th grade and her favorite subjects are physics and mathematics. In addition to her schooling, Zeritu also has had the opportunity through the CHH program to receive training in food preparation as a possible career.

Zeritu told us about her dreams for the future. In Zeritu’s words, “I need to be an engineer. Second, and most important, once capable, I want to support other children who face the challenges I have faced.” She went on to tell us, “I need my dream to become my reality. Please pray for this.” As I sat on a low stool just above the dirt floor in the corner of Zeritu’s home, in the midst of her humble surroundings and big dreams, the term hero came to mind. At that moment Zeritu became a hero to me. Zeritu ended her time with us by saying, “I am happy you are here to visit me. I thank you on behalf of all children who have lost their parents. Your support is awesome.” Zeritu, it is you who are awesome, and heroic.

Will

Old Wineskins

I feel it. The pull of the world. Back to the comfortable life I knew before. Before going to Zeway. I keep telling everyone that asks about our trip that it was life-changing, but what has changed and what should I be doing differently? I feel stuck between two worlds, struggling with how to fit new wine into old wineskins. Scott and I are right back to our busy, over-committed schedules. The kind that numb us over time. But our hearts are longing for Zeway. Strangely missing and yearning to be with children we really hardly know, spending only moments with them. How is it possible that our hearts could be so knitted together in such a short time? But they are. As if they were our own children. Sadly, though, as each day goes by it becomes easier to separate these two worlds. Still questioning our comfort, yet all the while enjoying it. So we cling to our memories. We cling to opportunities to talk about our time there with others, look at pictures of those beautiful faces we fell in love with, and spend time with others who have been and seen. How can we fight our comfort and keep these worlds connected? Keep our hearts from healing and forgetting? All I know to do is pray. Will you pray with me? For these children and those that look after them. For more people to know about them. For wounded hearts and for new wineskins.

-Heather Thacker

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

Being warmly welcomed into someone's home is a blessing. When that warmth is accompanied by the smell of incense, a bouquet of flowers and the floor covered in beautiful green fronds it takes it to a whole other level. That was the welcome that those of us who were able to visit Chaltu and Alemetu received.

Of all the home visits that I was able to be a part of, there a few that are my favorites and meeting these two young ladies rises to the top of even that short list. Their story is unique and it tugs on my heart. I love to see the hurting have their needs met. I so long for the day when all the wrongs of the world are made right. In the meantime, this story brings hope and whispers of the day when every tear will be wiped away.

You see, individually both of these early teen girls had become orphans. They tried to survive on their own in different ways. Chaltu has no relatives. After she lost her parents, she would sustain herself through her efforts. She tried to be a house maid but this didn't work out. Next, she did odd jobs in exchange for food and lodging. At times she would have to move from place to place every one to two nights.

Alemtu also lost her parents. She tried to live with her uncle but he wouldn't even let her go to school. Instead he forced her to work. This was even more difficult for her because she is disabled. When she was young, Alemtu fell out of a chair and never received the proper treatment for her injury. She now walks with a severe limp and uses a cane.

Their stories intersected after they each heard of the Food for the Hungry (FH)/Bridges of Grace program. The focus on child headed households was exactly what they needed. They didn't even know each other but FH placed them in a humble room together. The leadership was wise in providing this for Alemtu because having Chaltu there to help her has been a blessing to each of them. I asked them if they had become friends and the words of the interpreter were not even necessary. They both smiled from ear to ear and the answer was clearly yes.

As the visit neared a close, they asked us to pray for them. There is a legend in their region that if your mother and father pray for you, then you will be successful. They told us that Dawn and Kathy were like their mother and that Will and I were like their father. We looked past the superstition and both Kathy and Will prayed for these two young believers. We know that their true Father is providing for them and we are just blessed to have a front row seat to take in the beauty. Please join us in praying for them too.

Greg

Beautiful Tihune

I met Tihune for the first time last July when we visited Zeway. She showed up for the jewelry making training. She was by far one of the quickest learners and made some beautiful bracelets. Tihune was incredibly quiet. She rarely looked up from her beads and never smiled. It was apparent that this beautiful young girl carried a tremendous burden. Often, when I would see her looking at me, when I returned eye contact, she would look away. It was also obvious that she was new to this group of girls because her interaction was minimal.

I asked the social workers about her but nobody knew her story. She was brand new to the CHH program and they had little information about her. I tried to encourage her and love on her as much as I could in that day and a half that we spent together. But still, there was no joy in this young girls eyes.

When we did the art day, 3 siblings showed up....Kalkedan, Abraham & Liyot. There were delightfully cute and we soaked them up. We found out that they were Tihunes younger siblings. Knowing that Tihune was CHH (Child head of household) it quickly became apparent that she was the "mama" to these young children. Some of her burden was explained. But it would take 9 months to know the rest of the story.

When I knew I would be returning again and doing the jewelry training, I hoped I would see her. And I did. When we pulled up to the FH building, there she was. Standing with all the other girls we've grown to know and love...Melekete, Eden, Melesech, Belatu and more. AND SHE WAS SMILING! I was stunned. When I went around and greeted all the girls, she didn't hesitate to hug me. She kissed my face. I just looked at her and exclaimed "Tihune, you are smiling!" and she just giggled.

We had the opportunity to visit Tihune in her home on this trip. And our eyes were opened. As we arrived, we were greeted by her, her siblings Kalkedan, Abraham & Liyot and a 3 year old ball of energy & giggles named Radiette. She was excited to have us and we felt blessed to visit her. I asked her "Tihune...what has happened in your life since I saw you last?" The first words out of her mouth were "the first and most important thing is that I have come to know the Lord". I just cried. I was overwhelmed. The transformation in this girl was astounding.

But then I asked another question and I was not prepared for the response. I asked her "what has been your biggest challenge in taking care of the children". And she broke into tears. Her pain was still very fresh and raw. She shared with us that after her parents died, they were living with her older brother. He would drink alcohol and beat them all. She made the decision to leave their family home with all the children and was on her own with them. That is when FH found out about her....and when I met her last year. On top of all of this, her older sister died and Tihune (at the age of 17) is also caring for her niece, Radiette.

When we visited her, the Social worker informed us that the brother has left the village and his wherabouts are unknown. They quickly moved Tihune and the children to the home she grew up in and will know provide legal support and protection to make sure they can stay there...and that they remain safe from the brother.
When it came time to pray, I asked Tihune to come sit by me. When she sat down, she snuggled right into me. It felt like when my own daughter snuggles into my lap when she wants to be comforted. We wrapped our arms around each other and we sat there....cheek to cheek...in a loving embrace as Kathy prayed.

When are visit was over, it was clear that trust had been established. That is one of the many beautiful things about this partnership. These children are learning to trust again. They are learning that there are adults in their life that are loving them and praying for them. And most importantly, they are learning about Jesus and His love for them. The FH staff, the people from Grace who visit, the people who consistently pray, the families that make the photo pages and so much more are all acting as the hands, feet and heart of Jesus!
I saw Tihune one last time on Saturday. When we said goodbye there were simply not enough hugs and kisses. I pray that one day I will be able to return and visit her again. If not, I will rest in the knowledge that she is in very good hands. The best hands. The hands of our awesome God and His plan for her is perfect.

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2

What I Saw, Heard and Felt When I Met Hiko

I met Hiko in June of 2009. It was my last visit of the trip we took to explore the possibilities of a Partnership between Grace, Food for the Hungry and the Zeway churches. Here is what I saw, heard and felt about that visit with Hiko in June 2009:

I saw a small, thin girl being coaxed down from a tree she was hiding in
I saw a small crowd of people gather around us as she came down from the tree.
I saw a small, thin girl being guided by the social worker to sit by me on a small bench.
I saw this girl cower and lean completely away from me.
I saw small fleas between layers of her clothing.

I heard questions from the social worker directed toward this girl.
I heard the social worker tell me her name was Hiko.
I heard that she was moved to this neighborhood after the social workers found her sleeping on her father's grave.
I heard that she did not have a place to live, but begged for meals and shelter daily.
I heard an old woman snarl something at this girl that I did not understand but knew it was not kind.
I heard nothing from Hiko. She said nothing.

I felt despair and hopelessness for this child.
I felt anger toward the people who treated her poorly.
I felt sadness that she did not speak or even seem to hear what anyone was saying.
I wept when I leaned in to hug her goodbye and she fell into me and knocked me on my knees and sat there on my lap.

The team left her thinking she would not survive.

She was added to the Orphan-Headed Household Partnership as soon as it was developed.

And then in March 2011, I met Hiko again.

I saw a beautiful girl walk up to me.
I saw that she had clean clothes, braided hair, a light in her eyes.
I saw that she was at school with a big smile on her face.

I heard that she had a home
I heard that she was doing well at school
I heard that she was attending a church
I heard that she remembered our first meeting.

I felt overjoyed.
I felt like praising God for his mighty works in lives
I cried tears of joy as I went to my knees to look into Hiko's eyes.

Hiko did survive. She is going to school. She has food and shelter. She is learning about God's future and hope for her life.

I Saw What I Saw

I always listen for songs that relate to life. While I was raking leaves in the backyard today, I was listening to Sara Grove’s album “Tell Me What You Know” from a number of years back. The entire album expressed so much of what I have felt since visitng Ethiopia. I did a little digging tonight and discovered Sara wrote most of this album as a reflection on the time she spent in Rwanda. Another interesting bit to the story is that she was working alongside Food for the Hungry. The song “I Saw What I Saw” has stuck with me. Lyrics are below. Additionally, I have put together some of my favorite pics from our trip accompanied by the song. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro5tGAUfqGo

I Saw What I Saw – Sara Groves

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it / I heard what I heard and i can't go back / I know what I know and I can't deny it / something on the road, cut me to the soul / your pain has changed me / your dream inspires / your face a memory / your hope a fire / your courage asks me what I'm afraid of and what I know of love / we've done what we've done and we can't erase it / we are what we are and it's more than enough / we have what we have but it's no substitution / something on the road, cut me to the soul / I say what I say with no hesitation / I have what I have but I'm giving it up / I do what I do with deep conviction / something on the road, cut me to the soul chorus / your courage asks me what I’m afraid of / your courage asks me what I am made of / your courage asks me what I’m afraid of / and what I know of love / and what I know of god

You are not Forgotten

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." ~ Acts 1:8

Reading that verse in the past, I quickly summed it up saying, "Oh yeah God will take the Gospel to all corners of the earth." I was thinking in a very general sense of the Gospel being preached everywhere to everyone. But did you know there are very specific verses prophesizing the spread of the Gospel to Ethiopia? This gets me very excited! It reveals God's heart for the people of this country.

The first is in Psalm 68:31, "Envoys will come from Egypt. Cush will submit herself to God." Cush refers to the upper Nile region where Ethiopia is now located.

The other is Isaiah 56:4-5: "To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant - to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off."

The first recorded occurrance of the Gospel being taken to Ethiopia happens in Acts Chapter 8 when Phillip encounters an Ethiopia eunuch traveling home from Jerusalem who wants to be baptized. A eunuch is a high ranking Ethiopian government official. This official had been to Jerusalem to worship and was studying the prophecy of Isaiah. It makes me wonder if he was reading the passage above where God promises the people "an everlasting name that will not be cut off."

When the rich pass away they can extend the memory of themselves - the very proof of their existence. Libraries, museums and park benches are named after them and on their behalf. When the poor pass away, they pass away and are forgotten. But God does not forget them. When I look into the eyes of these children I want them to be remembered. I want them to know the One who is seeking them. I want them to claim their memorial and their name "better than sons and daughters." A name that will never be cut off. 

(A special thanks to Cami Carter who provided me these prophesies when we were studying this Acts passage during Bible Study.)

Meet Will . . .

There is always that one team member that is fun, easy-going, even-keeled, and never gets sick. Watch this video introducing that team member for us. We love you, Will!

The little ones...

The team has been sharing their hearts regarding our recent trip to Zeway and as I have gone back and read them, I feel like I'm transported back every time. I love reading how other people felt and what happened within their hearts.

I've been thinking about the hearts here in Austin. Specifically, the hearts of the children of Grace.

I returned home from Africa to this beautiful drawing made by my daughter Mandy. On my birthday card she wrote "Mama, I love you more than you love Africa". When we said nighttime prayers with my 4 year old Loralee and after we said "Amen" she said "and Jesus, please take care of the orphans".

I have heard story upon story since returning from parents about their children wanting to help these orphans. I've had parents give me money that their little ones have saved and wanted to give to the orphans. Children have pictures on their bedside of the orphans. Families have their refrigerators covered with pictures of these orphans. The list goes on and on.

In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Move forward just a few chapters to Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' God is stirring in the hearts of the children here and they are living out God's word!

It's a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Coming soon...

I had the great privilege of joining the trip this March as the videographer. We took 12GB of pictures and over 180GB of video in our 6 days there. My desire was to capture the stories of the children so that our Austin partners would be able to connect with them in a deeper way. Here is a taste of what we captured in the form of a movie trailer. Thanks to Apple iMovie for the template that makes it easy to show off the kids and the team.