Thoughts on Ethiopia

Our trip to Ethiopia flew by. I knew it would; it always does. It seems like we just get there, and I start to get a few phrases down, then it's time to come home. Don't get me wrong; I was ready to be with my kids. I missed them so much! But I left a piece of myself there, for sure. A huge piece of my heart is in Ethiopia forever. I love that country and the people there so much!

My mind is still processing all that we saw and heard and experienced. I'm pressing into God and His word to hear exactly what it is He wants me to bring away from our time in Ethiopia. I know this is just the beginning. I don't know what it will look like, but I'm okay with that. I'm learning that I don't have to know everything.

We traveled as a part of One Child Campaign, a group that we believe in wholeheartedly and are honored to be a part of. This trip primarily focused on clean water which is my heart. If you've read anything from me in the blog world or Facebook, you know that we also were able to have a videographer to capture the images, sights and sounds of those projects for use by Edge Outreach in the future. Jeff and I also had a chance to share our story of why we are so passionate about clean water. I knew it would be emotional, but I wasn't prepared for how some of this would take me off guard. Jon Morton, the videographer (amazing stuff!) interviewed Jeff and I together and separately. During my time, he asked me the question "what is it like as a mother to be able to give this gift of clean water to other mothers?" Truth be told, I expected the question. I actually had an answer in my mind that was rather eloquent, if I do say so myself.  But standing there in Ethiopia, having held the hands of my friends there who are mothers, touching the faces of those precious children who are sick with parasites, I found myself at a loss for words initially. But oh, when I started talking, the floodgates opened within my heart.  I knew why God had asked me to go. He's given me a Holy passion for this work. It all just clicked together within me.

When Bryan was a baby, it never occured to me that I might have to worry about being able to provide everything needed to raise him safely. I didn't know what it was like to worry about his environment. I knew that the things he needed to grow healthy and safely were right here within our grasp. But during the adoption process with Ellie, my eyes were opened to the fact that this is not the case for many mothers around the world. I disctinctly recall the day that her picture came across our computer screen, and it showed just how sick she was. We've used the picture to show the effects of bad water on a child's health a lot recently, but when I first saw the image, I just broke down. I had a different reality now; I was the mother who wasn't sure that her child would survive. I remember praying that God would let her be safe until she could get home nad have access to medication and clean water and plenty of food. I remember feeling so helpless because she was in Ethiopia and I was thousands of miles away.  I now see that the mothers I love so much in Ethiopia have this feeling every day. They want their children to be healthy. They are heartbroken in knowing that they don't have what is needed to give them health. They feel helpless because they can't give their babies what is needed.

This is not acceptable. Every mother deserves to know that she has access to what is needed to raise her children up in health and safety. Every mother.

My friend, B- so much like me! I'm so proud to call her friend.

As we installed the systems in Ethiopia last week, that thought resonated within me. As I listened to Muluu speak of how she and her children no longer have stomach aches when they drink the water that is from the system we installed last July, I knew that I was doing exactly what God is calling me to do; to bring hope in the form of clean water to others that are really just like me.

This work is far from done. We need more help, more money, more volunteers, more passionate people to get involved. Jeff and I are committed for the long haul. Will you join us? I'll be posting more in the coming days about the specific sites where we put water purification this trip. For $2000, we can completely set up a system in Ethiopia. This includes the purifier, all supplies needed (pvc, plumbing parts, platform, tanks, battery, charger,etc), and set up of the system. Can you give towards the next install? Perhaps your small group, office, bunco group, poker friends, baseball team, bowling league, Sunday school class, Zumba group, etc could sponsor a system. Perhaps you can go with us and catch the vision firsthand. There's something that we all can do to help. I simply cannot wait to see what lies ahead.

sweet Tigist has clean water to drink now!

heartbreak

Sometimes there just aren't the right words to say. You know that sick feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you know you should say something uplifting or encouraging, but all that will come out are sobs? Today was that day for me.

Today I sat in a service that celebrated the life of the sweet 2 1/2 year old daughter of my friends. To say that it was heart-wreching just doesn't do it justice. I saw my friend greeting friends and family, and I was amazed at her quiet strength. I saw her loving on her four other children, and I was overwhelmed by her courage and grace. I watched her sit with her husband and smile while a video played out their daughter's  life in pictures, and I was completely held captive by the peace that enveloped them.

This is how it's supposed to be, I'm sure. My friends showed me today how to grieve with the Hope of Jesus. They were living proof that God is real, and He is great and mighty. I was honored to witness this today, exemplified in the hardest of times.

I cried for the life of their daughter, taken so soon on earth. But I celebrated her complete healing, knowing that she is dancing with her Savior today, fully whole and at home.

I'm reminded again of why scripture says it's better for us to attend a funeral than a party. It makes us think, doesn't it? It makes us take a minute and realize what's really important in life. It makes us take a close look at our own life and ask the hard questions like "Is this what I want people to remember of me?" I've done that today. I've also held my children a little closer, told them how glad I am that they are mine and they are here. I've looked in my husband's eyes and rejoiced over this life we have together.

I'm comforted by knowing that the Lord is holding my friend and her family tonight, comforting them with His singing and His love. Praise be to God.

 The LORD your God is with you,
   he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
   he will quiet you with his love,
   he will rejoice over you with singing

Zephaniah 3:17

exciting stuff... and how you can help!

Hey folks! What an exciting week it's been here! We are just 6 weeks away from our next trip to Ethiopia, and we are so excited about what is happening.

This week we were able to meet with the folks at Edge Outreach in Louisville KY to be retrained on the water purification stuff. They have an incredible new system that is smaller, simpler, more cost efficient (aka, cheaper!). We were so excited that Caleb David from One Child Campaign could join us to learn all about Edge and so that we could talk about how this partnership could grow and impact more people in Ethiopia.

I love visionary people. There's such excitement in sitting with a group of people who are ready to act, not just talk. And that's what we met on Monday in Louisville. WOW! Here's the skinny on what's happening:

We have an incredible opportunity to take with us a professional videographer to Ethiopia who will get raw footage of us installing water purification systems, interviews with the Ethiopians on how this is affecting them, etc etc. This footage will then be used by Edge Outreach to increase awareness for the need for clean water in Ethiopia. This is a win/win, y'all!!

I'm not in the professional videography field, but I know it's not cheap. However, this guy has agreed to come for peanuts and the cost of his travel! Seriously, for about $3000, we can do this and make an incredible impact on getting clean water to Ethiopia.

So...it boils down to this. We need 300 people to give $10. Come on, that's 2 drinks at Starbucks for the gift of clean water. I'm counting on my adoption community friends here because I know y'all "get" this. I've seen what can happen when this group of people get behind something. This is huge people.

WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE FOR GOOD IN ETHIOPIA!

We are beginning to plan for a time to bring Ethiopian adoptive families together to educate, plan and celebrate what is happening. Look for that in the coming months.

This is our passion. Seeing the difference in Ellie's life before and after clean water changed us.(pics below are before clean water and then 18 months home. Stunning difference!!) We know too much to just stand back and do nothing. Please join us.

You can give at http://onechildcampaign.showitsite.com/ Please note: Ethiopia water. You can give there by check or credit card. Everything we raise above what we need for the videographer will go directly to the water projects themselves, so the more we raise, the better.

Thank you for partnering with us again. We can't wait to show you what your giving has done.

Confessions of a Working Mom...

This morning, as I was walking out the door for work, my sweet daughter looked into my eyes and said, "I really really really wish you were coming to my picnic today at school". She didn't say it to make me feel guilty; she said it because she really really really wishes I could be there. She wants my presence.

Wednesdays are my day off. Yesterday, while home I spent my time "catching up" on grading all of Bryan's home school work. We had breakfast together and talked, and he said, "I like when you're here". I'm pretty sure he likes it because I cook for him, but I appreciated the words nonetheless.

These days I'm torn. I'm torn between kids that I love dearly and want to spend all the time with I can while they're still in our home and a job that I take pride in. Actually, it's more than that. This job really doesn't feel like a job to me most days (except on the days when it's only 8:30AM and I've already been cussed twice!). It feels like I'm doing something worthwhile most of the time, like I'm making a difference in the lives of others. And I tell myself that it's okay if I miss out on a few things for my kids because I'm needed here too.

But lately, I find myself questioning, "Am I just fooling myself? Am I making excuses so that I can continue to work and have this paycheck? Is it worth this paycheck?" We have our house on the market, and we've discussed my quitting and staying home when it sells, but then the thought of Bryan going to college in just a year and a half makes me question if quitting a good job right now is all that great of an idea.

What I know is this. I'm tired. I work part-time in the office and full time at home, and I'm tired. I feel spent. Between work, being a mom, driving lessons for Bryan, gymnastics for Ellie, teaching on Thursday nights, mentoring, church, cooking dinner, grading homeschool, etc etc, I've lost a bit of me in there it seems. I find myself feeling more and more like I'm doing a lot of things halfway and nothing really well. And if you know me, you know that I don't like doing anything halfway.

I don't know the answer here. I've prayed.. a lot. I haven't heard anything. Maybe it's because I'm not listening well. Maybe it's because He hasn't answered yet. Either way, I'm still here, still spent.

But I know this. My God is enough. My God is faithful. My God is a better parent than I am. And He loves me just as I am. Even in my not-so-proud mom moments of missing out on the things I really want to be at. Did I mention I am missing Ellie's preschool graduation because it's when our Ethiopia trip is scheduled??? Even when I completely lose it and yell or pout. Even when I just get grumpy and want to cry. Even when I give my kids cereal for dinner because the thought of cooking another meal right then makes me want to explode.

He is enough. Thanks be to God.

Ethiopia 2012

One of the greatest blessings of my life has been God allowing me to be a part of something that is so much bigger than myself. When we brought Ellie home from Ethiopia, we were face to face with the reality of the damage that unclean water can do to a body and a life. We knew that we couldn't just give her meds and forget it had ever happened. We knew God was calling us to do more. Through a great friend (thank you Mitch Holbrook), we were introduced to Edge Outreach in Louisville KY, a group of people with a vision to see everyone in the world with clean water. We got in touch, were trained, and then waited. We knew how to make clean water, but we didn't know how to get it into Ethiopia.

I don't believe in coincidence. So, it was by DIVINE intervention that I happened to be googling "mission work in Ethiopia" and came across One Child Campaign. I read their blog with tears in my eyes. These people were the hands and feet of Jesus in a land that we love so much. I contacted them and learned they had a vision to put clean water in Ethiopia, and we had the means to do so.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Last summer, most of you will recall that we were blessed to travel back to Ethiopia to place our very first water purification system in Korah. To say that it was a blessing just doesn't cut it.

God blew my mind.

Now, we are here on the cusp of traveling again. If someone had told me a few years back that we would be traveling to Ethiopia for the 3rd time now, I'd have laughed. But my heart is so full of excitement and joy. I love these people. I love being there with them, hugging their necks and holding their hands and just knowing that God made me for this work. It's humbling, and it's life-shattering. I come home completely broken and transformed and yearning for more of Him, more of His presence. And it sticks. Like I said, it's just amazing...

We will be going May 17-27, and at this time the plans are already set for one water system to be installed. We are VERY close to having things set for two systems. I can't even begin to think of how many people that is who will be drinking in clean water for the first time ever! Someone asked me recently "Why are you doing water stuff? I thought you were going to tell them about God.". My response is that "I have no business telling someone about Jesus if I can't (or won't) be the hands and feet of Him". Giving clean water meets a physical need, and when we do that, we begin to gain the right to be heard. But what I love about the work of One Child Campaign is that it's not about us at all. We are going and giving tools to the local church to meet the needs of their communities. When that happens, the people in the communities come to the church to get their physical needs met, and they hear Truth. It's beautiful!

I could talk for hours about this (seriously, I could. Do you have time? Call me!) But here's the thing... it's expensive to go to Ethiopia. So, we are doing some good, old-fashioned fund raising. We are selling t-shirts to tell the story of why we are going, and in the process, hopefully bringing in some money to help us get there.

We would GREATLY appreciate you buying one of these shirts. They're pretty sweet looking too! (thank so much Devon and the Surge team!!)
Cost is $25 for each shirt. Payment is due at time of order. We will collect orders through February, then order and ship them out to ya! When you buy this, you too are being the hands and feet of Jesus because we couldn't do this without the support (prayerful and financial!) of so many of you. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much!!

Checks can be made to Jeff or Holly Prosser and sent to us directly at 1809 Jacks Creek Road, Richmond KY 40475

please let us know in the comments if you are sending an order so we can be on the lookout for it!

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good,
in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Titus 3:14

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
(Beautiful Things, Gungor)

If I had to put the year 2011 in a song, this would be it. This year has brought joy immeasurable and so much pain that I felt I couldn't take a breath. And in the midst, there was God.

Faithful.

Holy.

True.

Mine.

In this year, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about spiritual warfare. But I also learned and experienced more than I ever fathomed the Presence of Jesus, my comforter. Here I am, on the cusp of a new year, and I feel a bit like Mary, holding these things in my heart and pondering the goodness of God. But I'd be remiss if I didn't testify to the faithfulness of my Savior.

In this year, a battle raged for our son. Satan thought he had won, and if truth be told, there were moments that I believed it too. It was a hard time, for lack of a better description. I cried until the tears would come no more. I hurt. I felt like my heart had been ripped from within me. The bleakest days of my life were during that time. Jeff and I spent a week at home, mourning the decisions that Bryan had made that caused him to be placed outside of this home. And in that moment of him leaving here, the lies came flying into my mind: "You weren't good enough, or he wouldn't be struggling like this". I wanted to believe it. To blame myself seemed better than admitting that my son had made decisions that went against everything this family believes in. But that's not the end of the story.

I can't tell you how beautiful redemption is when you witness it in your child. Jeff and I often say how incredible it is to have our son back. It's not been easy, but he's home and he smiles again. God is speaking to him, and he is learning to listen again. God is daily redeeming him and using his story. You see, what was meant to harm him, God intended for good, and we see the good coming from that time. We've hugged more, laughed more, cried more, prayed more in the past few months than I can ever remember. It's beautiful, and I feel more proud of him than I can describe here.

A few weeks ago, our sweet Ellie asked Jesus to come into her heart. We've witnessed her redemption too. It's been three years this week since we said "yes" to adopting her, and the transformation in her life is unbelievable. She has literally come to life before our very eyes, and we are so thankful for her!


I have no idea what 2012 has in store. I'm sure there will be days of incredible joy, and I'm sure there will be days where my heart will feel torn apart. If I've learned anything in this year, it's that my feelings cannot be trusted. They change like the wind. But God- oh my, He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He hands out HOPE in abundance, and my cup surely is overflowing with it. I can't wait to see what 2012 holds- all of it. For nothing comes to me that He is unaware or unprepared for.

How about you? What did God teach you this year?

Ethiopia Water thoughts...

I'm tempted to apologize for not posting sooner about the water project in Ethiopia this summer with One Child Campaign. However, I have spent the past couple of months thinking, praying, meditating, pondering in my heart all of the individual moments of our time there. I needed that time. God needed me to have that time. Now I'm ready to tell, so I pray you're ready to read. More than that, I pray you are changed as I try to put in words what we experienced.

Korah is a community on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. It's a community of unwanted outcasts of society. It's a community built on a trash dump. It's a community of dirt, filth, smells, hunger, disease. It's a community of some of the most beautiful people I've ever had the privilege of knowing. It's a community of HOPE.


When we arrived in Korah, I was immediately overcome with love for these people. They had nothing of material value, yet it was so obvious that they were wealthy, rich in love. I was able to listen to their stories- stories of leprosy, HIV, death, desperation, hopelessness, fear. And I heard over and over again, "But then you came to us. God sent you to us, and now we have great hope because of Jesus".

We were able to spend time with the ladies of Mission Ethiopia, hearing the stories of these beautiful ladies and how God has redeemed their lives. One by one, they told us how "before I had this work (with Mission Ethiopia), I did not have time to do what I love most which is praise God". I was humbled by those words. They have haunted me every day since then.


One of the first things we did in Korah was to test their water to see what impurities were there. It was positive for fecal matter. Really, is there anything else to say? These beautiful faces, forced to drink water infested with human waste in order to survive. I will never forget the moment that I showed the Pastor there what our test had proven. With tears in his eyes, he looked over at his beautiful little girl and said "She has been drinking that?".

Oh, but the story does not end there, my friends!


It was our honor to give this small section of Korah a water purifier. In just a few hours' time, we taught them how to work the system and chlorinate water to get rid of the impurities they were currently drinking. They were eager and fast learners, drinking in all of our explanations, ready to demonstrate what they had learned. And in just a few hours, we were standing there witnessing our new friends taking their very first drink ever of clean, pure water. The Pastor looked at me, with tears flowing down his face and said "She doesn't drink that anymore". This is church, folks!


We placed this purifier at the local church. You see, Korah doesn't need to think that some white people with money from America came in to give something to them. What they need is to see the local church providing their needs. After all, that's what the local church is really about, isn't it? Once they are meeting the physical need of clean water to the people of Korah, they can then teach them about the LIVING WATER. beautiful.

My heart is still soaring from that day. Even now, we are preparing and raising funds for the next water project in Ethiopia. You see, although what we were able to experience this summer was great, the need is still greater. Others need clean water too. They need food, clothing, sustainable income, medicine, love, compassion, hope. Our eyes are indeed open, and we cannot quit now. We want to now work to empower other local churches with the ability to meet the needs of their communities as well.

By the standards of this world, these folks are poor. But by God's standards, they are rich indeed. I've never seen a rich man smile as brightly as these children. I've never seen eyes that sparkled quite so brightly as the eyes of the lady telling of how she was now free to praise her Savior all day as she worked to provide for her family. I've never before seen anyone Smile from ear to ear as he talked of being imprisoned for sharing the Gospel, then tell me that "it's my honor to suffer for Jesus". But I did there. And it has changed me.

I'm changed to the very core of my being.



And I beg God to never EVER allow me to go back to the person I was before.

So, all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord- who is the Spirit- makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18