11-21 June 2009 trip

This is the first day that I have had much time to do any blogging on the trip that Zee and I were able to make to Ethiopia. We started out landing in Addis Ababa on Saturday the 13th of June, staying at a place that Steve recommended. I just remember falling into bed that night after some really good Ethiopian food (Zee enjoyed the injura), but not really appreciating the fact that we had water and electricity.



The next day, we flew to Mekelle to make contact with the people that Ike's has been supporting there working with orphans. We were truly surprised by the climate there and the fact that it was unseasonably dry in that region of Ethiopia, thus electricity only every other day. Of course water only every other day. We prayed for rain there every day. We also are praying that God's kingdom reign there and that His Spirit would indeed "rain" on believers of Jesus Christ in that dry land.



I was a truly blessed as I looked around Ike's House and talked with the young men that God has placed there. They all have such ambition for the future. I heard their hearts as they spoke about becoming Pastors, Doctors, Journalists, Engineers and Sports Professionals. I believed God's word when he says that "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people." Psalm 113. This is my prayer for these guys in Ike's House.



Incredible to see the work that God is doing amongst all the orphans of Mekelle through Getachew and others at O.R.E. We would encourage anyone to support O.R.E. through Ike's or Fields of Promise or directly.



Zee and I were able to visit some very special people in Addis Ababa and in the countryside as well. We had a chance to visit a small orphanage affiliated with YWAM in Addis which has 12 boys and 13 girls. Logistically, these children need to be in separate compounds, but for now they are receiving care both spiritual and physical in one compound by the grace of God through the leaders there. We are praying about how God would have Ike's respond to this need.



We were also able to look at a bio-sand water filter project near the Zi-Way lake south of Addis Ababa. Since this would be a possible cottage industry for kids in the homes that we support and in addition would be directly beneficial for widows and orphans by providing clean water in their homes Ike's is leaning toward supporting this project.



It is great to be back home, the trip to Ethiopia was way too short, but Lord willing, Tess and I will be able to go back and visit in January of 2010.

ike's house Mekelle

1Hi, I'm home having buna ( coffee) with my guys.  I'm so glad to be home, but it was an amazing trip.  The highlight of the trip was meeting the kids in Mekele.  It was really hard to see all these beautiful children who don't have families.  However, the ones who live in the cell homes are in a great environment where they are loved and cared for.  My mind is full of so many images that are so different from the USA.  We went out into the countryside and I saw camel caravans, children herding goats, and went to a village market full of exotic spices, grains and produce.  I kept saying " I feel like I'm in Africa!"  I loved getting out of the city.  I've already received an e-mail from one of the guys at Ike's House.  He called me his American Mom!!  God is good,  love, Tess

ike's house Mekelle

Ike's house Mekelle

Spoke with Tess this morning, actually it was after lunch in Mekelle. They were preparing to leave Mekelle to go to Addis Ababa and Debre Zeit today.  Tess had been meeting lots of the Operation Rescue workers and of course numerous very cute kids in the older boys home and of course the little kids also. 

Ike's house Mekelle

An update on Tess, Pam and Valerie who are in Mekelle as I write this. They have met the boys in Ike's house and have visited all of the homes under Operation Rescue to see how we can help there. They were especially blessed by the little kids bringing flowers to them on a regular basis. The staff with ORE is kind, helpful, smart and loving.  Tess, Pam and Valerie had dinner with the boys from Ike's house in a local restaurant which was " wonderful" according to Tess. They are having a great time and sensing God working with them, through them and around them in powerful ways. They teenagers at Ike's house are looking forward to meeting "the guys" in June this year when we go there.

Ike's house Mekelle

Ike's house Mekelle

Just spoke with Tess last night about 5 P.M. which was 1 A.M. Addis Ababa time. They had arrived fairly rested having been able to stretch out on the airline seats near them and sleep for a few hours. Some luggage missing but Tess sounded energized. I know she is looking forward to visiting Ike's house in Mekelle, meeting the boys and their caretaker.

Ike's house Mekelle

Tess is getting ready to leave for Ethiopia, she has done all she can to make sure that she is as safe as possible from a health perspective. She is looking forward to meeting the children there in Ethiopia that we have been helping to transition into adulthood. We hope to learn as much as we are able about each of the boys in order to help them discover their God-given talents and abilities.

Ike's house Mekelle

I'm (Tess) going to Ethiopia March 28 through April 10th with Pam Zicker of Fields of Promise. I'm going to meet the boys in Ike's House, and meet the ORE workers in Mekelle. I hope to make some connections for renting a house for teenage girls in Addis Ababa. I'm excited and nervous about traveling so far without Mark. Having said that, I believe with all my heart that I'm supposed to go. I would appreciate your prayers!

Ike's house Mekelle

We had a great time in Lawrence with the Zickers. Tess has made her airline reservations to go to Ethiopia this spring and is looking forward to traveling there with Pam to check on Ike's house in Mekelle. We are looking forward to meeting the boys that are being supported by Ike's. I am looking forward to traveling with Steve to Ethiopia in June along with Zee and maybe some tech guys. I just keep coming up with career ideas for the boys in Ike's house.

Ike's house Mekelle

We are heading to Lawrence, Kansas tomorrow morning to meet with Pam and Steve Zicker who are heading up Fields of Promise and have been so instrumental in ministering to kids without homes in Mekelle, Ethiopia. Pam and Steve introduced us to themselves and their ministry this past Christmas when we met them in Joplin with their children. We will be lining up times and details about travel to Ethiopia this spring and summer. We are very much looking forward to travelling to Ethiopia to visit the older teen boy's home (Ike's) in Mekelle. Also we are looking forward to helping an NGO in Addis Ababa establish a girls home.

Ike's house Mekelle

We are currently involved with setting up Ike's house in the Mekelle region of Ethiopia which is designed to help boys who are in the midst of transitioning to being productive members in their countries.  Our aim is to help these young men become leaders in their country. We are working with Fields of Promise to help educate, train and support 15 boys ages 14 to 18 until they are self sufficient. We are very excited about this our first project for Ike's. We look forward to travelling to Ethiopia in the next year to visit the site in Mekelle.