163 Million Tiles (guest blogger)

Recently I had the privilege of visiting Lifesong's schools in Zambia and Ethiopia with an amazing group of people... all of us different, from different areas, with different histories, coming together for the sake of orphans in Africa.  We had some amazing talks, laughed a LOT, bonded over interesting foods and a nerve-racking boat ride to see hippos (below), and met some beautiful children!

Today, one of my fellow travelers, Aaron Klein (in the white shirt on the right), has agreed to share his perspective of our trip.  But before we go to that I want to share a little about him.  Aaron is a loving husband, adoptive daddy of two, (it never took much for Aaron to pull out pics of his kiddos... this is one proud papa), business leader, tech expert, education reformer, and orphan advocate. (aka. busy guy!)  With his quick humor and contagious laugh, he was a great addition to our trip!

So, without further ado...

In Monreale, Italy sits a cathedral, decorated with a 100-million-glass-and-stone tesserae mosaic encompassing over 80,000 square feet of wall space. The beauty and intricate detail of a work of art on that large a scale is almost impossible to comprehend. How did they do it?

I had the great privilege of joining Lifesong for Orphans on a vision trip through Zambia and Ethiopia a couple of weeks ago. To say that this trip lit my heart on fire again for the children I met there would be the understatement of the year. It has been said that “I need Africa more than Africa needs me,” and that is true. But I think that it also can be said “Africa has changed me far more than I have changed Africa.”

I know I speak for the rest when I say that it was the individual moments of this trip that took our breaths away. From my teammate Kendall Hewitt describing Lifesong Zambia headmaster John Mumba as “half Cuba Gooding, Jr. and half Nelson Mandela”…to sitting on the grass at Adami Tulu School in Ethiopia, engulfed by 75 kids and chanting the ABCs with them…our journey through these incredible countries was exhilarating, heartbreaking, compelling, challenging and life-changing.

It was moments like those that made me step back and think for a minute about the statistics around adoption and orphan care. 163 million orphans around the world. About 16 million of them have lost both parents. And I began to wonder: how can we really make a difference?

Then it occurred to me that the 80,000 square feet of intricate art forming the Monreale mosaic murals came about because of two things: a multitude of workers, and each one being focused on just one tile at a time.

I’m sure some of those workers were a little overwhelmed at the prospect of designing 100 million tiles when they started the work. Perhaps the size of the task seemed to grow as they worked, and they felt like it would never be completed. Yet they did it, and it’s a masterpiece for the world to see.

In the much the same way, I believe we will solve the global orphan crisis in my lifetime.

It was clear to me as I watched these children be fed, taught, encouraged and loved by Lifesong’s incredible staff: these children are going to grow up changed people, ready to break the cycle of poverty, build strong families of their own, and serve as the future leaders of their countries.

Now we just need to focus on expanding these efforts to touch more lives. And more. And more. And more. Until all 163 million stories are even more beautiful than a mosaic in a church in Italy.

I’m immensely grateful to Lifesong for Orphans, because they’re creating opportunities for us to fulfill this calling, one child at a time. Will you join us?

Thanks, Aaron, it was awesome getting to hang with you in Africa!  Check out Aaron's blog here.

A Note of Encouragement

Back in July, 14 year-old Addisyn wrote on her mom's blog.  She challenged parents to teach there kids to think about others as they shopped for school supplies.  She challenged them to give to Lifesong Ehtiopia's preschool so children there could have books and uniforms:

My challenge for you is to talk to your child. Tell them. Teach them. They won't know unless you do- I didn't. Teach them something far more important than what they will learn the entire year at school. Challenge them to go without one of those items thrown into your cart and instead send that money to Lifesong for Orphans and for Adami Tulu preschool. Show them how to think of others. Help them develop a heart for giving. Show them how to think outside of their own wants. Teach them to make their lives count. Develop in them an awareness for others. Teach them how to care.

One family took her up on her challenged and their daughter, Kensley, was excited to reach out to other children across the world.  Check out what she sent to Ethiopia with her money:

Kensley, we love your heart!  Thank you, Kenny and Donna, for teaching your children to care for the fatherless!

What's the last $7 you spent?

Meet Teku

Teku is 8 years-old, though due to malnutrition he seems much younger.  Rickets has caused his legs to bow inward making it almost impossible to walk.  

Recently our Lifesong Ethiopia directors, Gary and Peggy Ifft, took Teku to Cure Hospital in Addis Ababa to have surgery on his legs, so he can walk normally.  After his first surgery, Teku's father wasn't able to afford crutches for him, so Gary and Peggy spent the $7 US for them.

Seven dollars!  And you can see by the joy in his eyes, how this small contribution made a BIG difference for Teku.

What about you?  We don't always have to give big, but we are ALWAYS called to give.  What are some ways you can make a big difference by giving in small ways?  I'd love to hear your ideas! 

Changed

Recently, 14 year-old Addisyn had the chance to travel to Ethiopia to pick up her newly adopted sister, Havyn. This amazing opportunity left her with a new found vision and desire to serve in a way few teenagers understand.

My favorite part of being in Ethiopia was getting to spend the day with missionaries Gary and Peggy Ifft. Gary took us to Adami Tulu Preschool in Ziway, Ethiopia and I am pretty sure I left a piece of my heart there. 

I knew that I couldn't return home and go on with my life the way it had been. I couldn't open my closet door and see 12 pairs of shoes in there without thinking about those left behind with none. I couldn't go into the mall with friends and spend $15 on yet another t-shirt knowing that $15 would have fed 5 children at the preschool for a month. I couldn't just be a regular American teenage girl anymore- I was different.  And different, I am realizing, is a good thing.

If you would like to read more check out her family's blog here!

Thank you, Addisyn, for your servant heart and passion for a work that is at the very heart of our Father in Heaven!

Laughter & Smiles

We go all-out to give our kiddos the very best we possibly can.  In Ethiopia, this looks much different than it does for you and me in the US!

Lifesong for Orphans is supporting 3 schools in the Ziway, Ethiopia area. We are currently repairing one of the schools and are in the process of building another, but are hopeful to use all three this fall.

Let’s turn this bare piece of land at the Ziway Lifesong School …

  

...Into a place of laughter and smiles!

We are excited and hopeful for the schools in Ethiopia as we look to fill the rooms with desks, school supplies, blackboards, playground equipment, libary books etc.  We invite you to join us in ministering to the youth of Ethiopia.  For the children, for their country, but most of all for the glory of Father who is the God and Father of all.

View all current projects. View all Lifesong Ethiopia videos.