I believe the times we grow closer to God are when we are faced with trials and have no other alternative but to fully rely on Him. No doubt He allows situations to come into our lives for reasons that we often don’t understand. “He-She” a hermaphrodite baby caused my husband Jim & I to rely on God like never before.
I will never forget the day I was hailed down by a young mother longing for advice. Her anxious voice cried out for help. Not certain as to what sex her 10-month-old child was, she sought me for advice. I hesitated and longed to find an excuse to avoid this situation. With only 7 days left in Ethiopia, my eyes had seen enough.
Not able to escape the clutches of the panic stricken mom, I examined the wee one. I lifted up the tattered tunic that laid limply on the little one’s torso to discover that the male genitals were intact. Yet, I questioned. Upon closer examination, I did take note of how there seem to be an absence of the male organ within the folds of skin.
I was convinced my calling was to share the gospel but I knew I was not to shun this little one. A visit to a doctor deemed necessary.
After being examined, it was confirmed this wee baby was indeed owner of both female and male sex organs. He-She was in need of surgery.
Because of the culture, the Doctor decided that this baby would have a better chance if it were to become a he. With 7 days left in Ethiopia, we now faced a major time crunch and a financial problem.
The operation would cost $1,500 US. Both Jim & I knew we were not able to meet this cost. After much deliberation and discussion, the hospital and doctor agreed to donate their services leaving us with a bill of $500.00 US to pay.
Knowing we didn’t have the finances, we began to pray. The thought did come to my mind. What if we were to contact people back home to help out, but as one would know, God made it very clear that we were to place our trust in Him. A miracle was needed.
Days 1,2,3,4,5 and no finances. Not sure what God was trying to prove, we continued to pray. If HE-She was going to experience a life change, then God needed to bless us.
Day 6 came with the blessing. Not aware of the crisis at hand, an American couple provided the money. God answered! A miracle!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Mighty Man of God
I am awestruck by the people God places in our lives. Isn’t it amazing how He intrinsically weaves together a tapestry of different colors, culture and language for His purpose? It is through experiences like these that we were blessed to meet a “Mighty Man of God”.
We were first introduced on a hiking adventure that quickly disintegrated when we became lost on a mountain. Nightfall slyly approached, causing panic to set in amongst the hikers. No one that I can think of desired to be the lion’s next feast.
As we ran on snake paths to escape darkness, we were stricken by thirst. With only one bottle of Fanta Orange/ person, it was a given that a drop must not be wasted. The lack of a bottle opener could have caused a major obstacle. Without hesitation, Getinet placed his razor sharp crocodile teeth on the bottle cap causing it to loosen. Damage to the bottle or its contents were nil and as a result, Getinet was promptly given the name Dundee. Crocodile Dundee!
Dundee’s heart longed to know and please God. It caused him to care deeply about people, his country’s people. Whether it was through serving nationals or foreigners like myself, fulfilling the will of God was and continues to be his only motive. With God’s help and direction, Dundee freely ministered to the desirables and the undesirables.
What was meant to be six months of discipling on the streets has turned into nearly six years. Strong Hearts Ethiopia has been birthed giving way to ministering and educating children who suffer from the effects of leprosy. Women’s programs, home churches, health clinics, working with street children are but a few of the blessings that flows out from Strong Hearts under the direction of the Holy Spirit and Dundee.
God is indeed at work! His labor of love and commitment was and continues to be evident in the heart of this “Mighty Man of God”, Dundee.
Please check out this website www.strongheartsethiopia.com
We were first introduced on a hiking adventure that quickly disintegrated when we became lost on a mountain. Nightfall slyly approached, causing panic to set in amongst the hikers. No one that I can think of desired to be the lion’s next feast.
As we ran on snake paths to escape darkness, we were stricken by thirst. With only one bottle of Fanta Orange/ person, it was a given that a drop must not be wasted. The lack of a bottle opener could have caused a major obstacle. Without hesitation, Getinet placed his razor sharp crocodile teeth on the bottle cap causing it to loosen. Damage to the bottle or its contents were nil and as a result, Getinet was promptly given the name Dundee. Crocodile Dundee!
Dundee’s heart longed to know and please God. It caused him to care deeply about people, his country’s people. Whether it was through serving nationals or foreigners like myself, fulfilling the will of God was and continues to be his only motive. With God’s help and direction, Dundee freely ministered to the desirables and the undesirables.
What was meant to be six months of discipling on the streets has turned into nearly six years. Strong Hearts Ethiopia has been birthed giving way to ministering and educating children who suffer from the effects of leprosy. Women’s programs, home churches, health clinics, working with street children are but a few of the blessings that flows out from Strong Hearts under the direction of the Holy Spirit and Dundee.
God is indeed at work! His labor of love and commitment was and continues to be evident in the heart of this “Mighty Man of God”, Dundee.
Please check out this website www.strongheartsethiopia.com
Saturday, October 2, 2010
"Two Holes on One"
I have been looking so forward to writing this story as the memories I hold are as vivid as the day I met the man, “Two Holes on One”. Meeting him was a defining moment that changed my life drastically. It allowed me to work and minister to a people I never thought possible. I believe God purposed that moment.
Kate my surrogate daughter, Dundee my son/interpreter and I came upon this ram-shackled mud house where poverty and filth knew no limits. A tiny tin gate separated us from another world. An army made up of thousands of flies guarded the premise so that one wouldn’t want to enter. Yet there was something inside of me beckoning me to go in. It had to be God.
I distinctly remember the stifling smells. The sight of wee children scantly clothed and a mother coaxing me to go inside continue to be etched in my memory. Not sure of her motive, we took her up on her invitation.
Upon entrance to her home, a combination of no light and heavy smoke from the open fire caused a temporary blindness. Darkness gave way to an eerie feeling of abandonment, be it they or we.
As we settled in, a wooden plank became our seat. Our sight, now restored, took into account our new surroundings. It was not much different from other homes except for the curtain. It separated us from the unknown.
No time wasted, the maitre-d swung open the curtain and presented to us her husband. Affected by leprosy, husband did not resemble common man. He was without any resemblance of a nose and could claim only part of an ear. All he owned were “two holes on one” minute shriveled face.
Immediately God drew me to him. Without realizing, my arms enveloped this wee man. At once, tears began to stream down his face. I am not sure as to why, but my guess would be from the lack of touch he had experienced since showing signs of leprosy. It was here that God touched not only he, but God touched me.
As we walked home, fear began to grip my heart. Fear of becoming a leper myself or passing it on to my children / husband engulfed me. Ignorance on my part, yes, but that is how I felt.
Upon entering home, I found refuge in our bedroom. I immediately sought God and asked for His peace. For some reason I found myself reading Mark 1:40-42. The words jumped out at me. The scripture talked about how Jesus touched the leper and healed him. I experienced a freedom like never before. I now was released with the help of His spirit within me to do the same.
My restless soul was at peace. Without question, Jesus taught me how our arms, our hands, our feet and our lives are to be but an extension of Him. They, like He, had a purpose. That is, to reach out and touch those just like “Two Holes on One”.
Kate my surrogate daughter, Dundee my son/interpreter and I came upon this ram-shackled mud house where poverty and filth knew no limits. A tiny tin gate separated us from another world. An army made up of thousands of flies guarded the premise so that one wouldn’t want to enter. Yet there was something inside of me beckoning me to go in. It had to be God.
I distinctly remember the stifling smells. The sight of wee children scantly clothed and a mother coaxing me to go inside continue to be etched in my memory. Not sure of her motive, we took her up on her invitation.
Upon entrance to her home, a combination of no light and heavy smoke from the open fire caused a temporary blindness. Darkness gave way to an eerie feeling of abandonment, be it they or we.
As we settled in, a wooden plank became our seat. Our sight, now restored, took into account our new surroundings. It was not much different from other homes except for the curtain. It separated us from the unknown.
No time wasted, the maitre-d swung open the curtain and presented to us her husband. Affected by leprosy, husband did not resemble common man. He was without any resemblance of a nose and could claim only part of an ear. All he owned were “two holes on one” minute shriveled face.
Immediately God drew me to him. Without realizing, my arms enveloped this wee man. At once, tears began to stream down his face. I am not sure as to why, but my guess would be from the lack of touch he had experienced since showing signs of leprosy. It was here that God touched not only he, but God touched me.
As we walked home, fear began to grip my heart. Fear of becoming a leper myself or passing it on to my children / husband engulfed me. Ignorance on my part, yes, but that is how I felt.
Upon entering home, I found refuge in our bedroom. I immediately sought God and asked for His peace. For some reason I found myself reading Mark 1:40-42. The words jumped out at me. The scripture talked about how Jesus touched the leper and healed him. I experienced a freedom like never before. I now was released with the help of His spirit within me to do the same.
My restless soul was at peace. Without question, Jesus taught me how our arms, our hands, our feet and our lives are to be but an extension of Him. They, like He, had a purpose. That is, to reach out and touch those just like “Two Holes on One”.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Gift Like No Other
Esau was a gift like no other. A gift for the women of the “Tins & Trash” area. He offered them hope and freedom like never before. Esau,the servant would carry not only their trash but also others, thus generating cash for his rightful owners.
Patricia, our youngest of 8, along with Demis our guard, walked 5.5 hours through the littered streets of Addis to deliver the “Gift”. Esau was now theirs with no strings attached.
The next day with great anticipation, I journeyed to their home to find Esau and the women. What I found was a people who tried to avoid me. A people who spent their energies diverting my attention away from themselves to other things. I found myself not welcomed. Feelings of bewilderment took hold of me and for some reason I knew by their character something was terribly wrong.
I came to find out that day Esau was sold for quick money. Money that lasted only for a day. Never did they give it thought that through Esau, their lives would be changed forever.
I can’t begin to tell you the pain I felt when I saw my gift abandoned. A gift I was sure God inspired. A gift that would break them from the bondage and curse of poverty that gripped them. And yet, they were willing to sell out for but a fleeting moment.
I often wonder if this is how God feels. He gave us “A Gift Like No Other”. His Son. How many times have we sold out but for a fleeting moment? Like us, do you think God hurts?
Patricia, our youngest of 8, along with Demis our guard, walked 5.5 hours through the littered streets of Addis to deliver the “Gift”. Esau was now theirs with no strings attached.
The next day with great anticipation, I journeyed to their home to find Esau and the women. What I found was a people who tried to avoid me. A people who spent their energies diverting my attention away from themselves to other things. I found myself not welcomed. Feelings of bewilderment took hold of me and for some reason I knew by their character something was terribly wrong.
I came to find out that day Esau was sold for quick money. Money that lasted only for a day. Never did they give it thought that through Esau, their lives would be changed forever.
I can’t begin to tell you the pain I felt when I saw my gift abandoned. A gift I was sure God inspired. A gift that would break them from the bondage and curse of poverty that gripped them. And yet, they were willing to sell out for but a fleeting moment.
I often wonder if this is how God feels. He gave us “A Gift Like No Other”. His Son. How many times have we sold out but for a fleeting moment? Like us, do you think God hurts?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
There is a Cost
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “You can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy” was very true in our son, Matthew’s case. Here was a young man of 15 years, uprooted from his community to an area that didn’t even resemble what he was use to. Loneliness and feelings of abandonment engulfed him causing Matthew to learn the lesson “There is a Cost”.
At the local dump where my life was being blessed by the “tins & trash” another scenario was developing. Another lesson that I would painfully learn, but not yet. I noticed how the women, old and young alike, pregnant and crippled would struggle to carry their day’s findings to a scale where one wasn’t sure whether it could be trusted or not. The sight of mothers with babies strapped to their backs, infants carried in their gestation period and small children adhered to their sides was a familiar scene. One I shall never forget.
As mind-boggling as it was, I knew I could ask God for guidance. Guidance as to how we as a family could be of help. It was then on my walk home from the dump that He showed up. In a herd of donkeys, God gave me the idea how we could bless.
A donkey, which Matthew named “Esau”, bought from a local herder would become the ladies gift but not until the “country boy” would claim ownership. Esau allowed Matthew to connect with his homeland. The bonds he treasured with his Uncle Lester’s animals were ignited in the presence of this donkey. The pain of not being home diminished.
Washing, clipping, combing, feeding and riding filled Matthew’s day even though he knew it would not last. Matthew knew the time would come when he would have to give his donkey up in order that someone else may be blessed. He realized “there was a cost” in loving this animal but the rewards that awaited him were worth it all.
We too can say the same. “There is a Cost” to following Christ but the reward is real and truly immeasurable!
At the local dump where my life was being blessed by the “tins & trash” another scenario was developing. Another lesson that I would painfully learn, but not yet. I noticed how the women, old and young alike, pregnant and crippled would struggle to carry their day’s findings to a scale where one wasn’t sure whether it could be trusted or not. The sight of mothers with babies strapped to their backs, infants carried in their gestation period and small children adhered to their sides was a familiar scene. One I shall never forget.
As mind-boggling as it was, I knew I could ask God for guidance. Guidance as to how we as a family could be of help. It was then on my walk home from the dump that He showed up. In a herd of donkeys, God gave me the idea how we could bless.
A donkey, which Matthew named “Esau”, bought from a local herder would become the ladies gift but not until the “country boy” would claim ownership. Esau allowed Matthew to connect with his homeland. The bonds he treasured with his Uncle Lester’s animals were ignited in the presence of this donkey. The pain of not being home diminished.
Washing, clipping, combing, feeding and riding filled Matthew’s day even though he knew it would not last. Matthew knew the time would come when he would have to give his donkey up in order that someone else may be blessed. He realized “there was a cost” in loving this animal but the rewards that awaited him were worth it all.
We too can say the same. “There is a Cost” to following Christ but the reward is real and truly immeasurable!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tins & Trash
In retrospect, I see how God used the “Lady Under the Bridge” to take me to a place where I never planned to go. I discovered a hidden society in which people like her, worked, lived, socialized and played. “Tins and Trash” were their way of life.
It was an unforgiving place where a putrid stench of raw garbage from 6 million people mixed with an already heavily laden diesel smoked air. The dump served as home and workplace to a people who, exhibited signs of leprosy. It was a place where God showed up to a people that others had forgotten or ignored.
To describe the scene of these dear people huddled together, listening intently to stories of Jesus is difficult to describe. Here, were a people found. A new life was theirs. A life that would bring them hope and a love that was unconditional. Only God could offer such. The people that received were changed and remain changed to this day.
It was an unforgiving place where a putrid stench of raw garbage from 6 million people mixed with an already heavily laden diesel smoked air. The dump served as home and workplace to a people who, exhibited signs of leprosy. It was a place where God showed up to a people that others had forgotten or ignored.
To describe the scene of these dear people huddled together, listening intently to stories of Jesus is difficult to describe. Here, were a people found. A new life was theirs. A life that would bring them hope and a love that was unconditional. Only God could offer such. The people that received were changed and remain changed to this day.
The Lady Under the Bridge
I praise God for whom He allows me to come in contact with. Each day took me by a landmark (bridge) where I would catch a taxi. It was at this place where I became acquainted with “The Lady Under the Bridge”.
I never did find out her name. Through her I began to understand love. She was missing all of her teeth except for 2; part of her nose was missing due to leprosy, her hands, something I shall never forget, were calloused likely from picking tin and most fingers did not reach beyond the first knuckle. Her feet were swollen and I doubt even if given the opportunity, she would not be able to wear shoes. Her bed was made out of scraps of cardboard and plastic and her food supply was minimal. What she was able to muster up were bits of injera and meat on which flies already had their first feast. Her washroom was literally inches away from where she slept, causing her living quarters to have an unforgettable stench. Her lips mumbled a language that was even foreign to the people of Addis but this did not become a barrier to our friendship. One thing that blessed me more than anything was her radiant smile that seemed to stretch from ear to ear.
As I would walk by her, my eyes could not ignore what they saw nor could my heart resist from invading her space. God enabled me to love unconditionally. Something inside me caused my arms to stretch out and draw her close. Her heart beat next to mine. The joy and love I felt was overwhelming! I now understood love. God’s love.
He began a work in me that brought me to a people who like her suffered not only physical challenges but were the social outcasts. I would soon enter a new territory with conditions never imagined.
I never did find out her name. Through her I began to understand love. She was missing all of her teeth except for 2; part of her nose was missing due to leprosy, her hands, something I shall never forget, were calloused likely from picking tin and most fingers did not reach beyond the first knuckle. Her feet were swollen and I doubt even if given the opportunity, she would not be able to wear shoes. Her bed was made out of scraps of cardboard and plastic and her food supply was minimal. What she was able to muster up were bits of injera and meat on which flies already had their first feast. Her washroom was literally inches away from where she slept, causing her living quarters to have an unforgettable stench. Her lips mumbled a language that was even foreign to the people of Addis but this did not become a barrier to our friendship. One thing that blessed me more than anything was her radiant smile that seemed to stretch from ear to ear.
As I would walk by her, my eyes could not ignore what they saw nor could my heart resist from invading her space. God enabled me to love unconditionally. Something inside me caused my arms to stretch out and draw her close. Her heart beat next to mine. The joy and love I felt was overwhelming! I now understood love. God’s love.
He began a work in me that brought me to a people who like her suffered not only physical challenges but were the social outcasts. I would soon enter a new territory with conditions never imagined.
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