John 3:16

Dear Friends and Family,

This is a story of a homeless boy and OH, how I wish I could be like the caring woman in this story to all of the homeless children here in Ethiopia.

When I see these children I think, some mother birthed this child and for some reason he is now detached from her and is missing out on being nurtured and loved. In some of their faces I see fear. I would like to follow her example and take them under my wings. However, I'd become like the "Pied Piper" and have hundreds following me home, then hanging around like stray kittens for more food every time they feel their stomachs hunger pains.

The best I can do for now is to give them bread and birr (the Ethiopian currency) for those who are so eager to do small jobs for me like showing me where to find carrots in the dense outdoor market area or carry my packages.

Last Saturday I was in the market alone (a first) and had no trouble. More than 2,000 people spread out over the hillside and I was the only white face there. Many children followed me and several well-meaning adults picked up sticks to scare them away. However, I told the adults, in Amharic, "Thank you for trying to help, but never mind, it is O.K." They looked surprised. Many of the children have seen me before and are respectful and not asking for money. We walk together, repeating names of things we see in Amharic and English, while one boy was careful to keep track of my purchases.

As I build relationships with these children I can speak of Jesus to let them know that He is their shepherd and that if they follow Him all of their needs will be met. I can't get to all of them but started several weeks ago to have dialog with the Academic Dean of the college about having the needs of the crippled children met. We have met with an agency in Addis Ababa to request wheel chairs for them (there are 45 in Hosanna) and I want to take the younger ones into the kindergarten we have started here on the campus. It is only a start.

So, from my perspective, this story Taylor Maxwell forwarded to me was a blessing and inspiration. I can only hope to be more like the woman in this story as she follows Jesus' example when He said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
I hope it will bless you, as well.

April 5, 2008

Hi All,

The past two weeks have been a blessing and a challenge. I have learned so many new perspectives of living with "Trust in God" during this time of recovery from the bacterial infection and the crushed ankle. The best treatment has been "Getting Into the Word," I do believe God is allowing the ankle injury to take longer to heal in order to teach me to be more patient and less annoyed. Honestly, I have far to go; as there are many things here that are annoying; however wonderful the people are and even though I am aware of so much good.

I struggled with my weaknesses yesterday during a class exam. In this culture, to cheat or steal to help others is considered O.K. Yet, I want soooo much for the weaker students to be pulled up by challenging them to do their own thinking and to learn English better.

Then, when I went to prepare for the exam there was not enough paper. So instead, I tried to use the largest font but the students in the back of the class could not see it and a student had to copy it onto the board and I read some. The students really complained. We will retest with printed exams on Monday and the blessing is that I know, from the results of yesterday's test, which students to tutor over the weekend.

When I keep my foot elevated it gets better and is painless when I try walking, again, until I realize the swelling returned and find that I cannot walk without pain the next morning. So, the cycle begins again. Also, having to be actively engaged in teaching two classes, daily, challenges me to feel that my responsibility to the students is more important than taking a break for the healing---even though I sit with the injured foot on another chair while a students writes on the board for me.

It was good to have frequent email contact during my break time but now it has been more than a week since I have checked my email. However, the birthday cards keep coming. I don't know who put others up to this but I have even gotten cards from people I do not know. It has been fun and enjoyable to open these beautiful expressions of love and art and especially helpful at this time. Just checked my email and there are more BD greetings, thank you!

I would appreciate prayers for the healing of my foot and the side effects of the large amount of antibiotics in my system. Praise God for the disappearance of the infections on my head!

Love you, Dee