Hello again!! I'm blogging as we are skyping with our Sunday morning service, so hopefully I can focus enough to type clearly!! =) We are SO excited to be able to "see" our Cedar Ridge church family via the internet!! It has been yet another amazing day here in Addis!! What a privilege it is to be a part of the capital "C" Church!!! We attended church in the Merkato area this morning at Sebatenga Emanuel United Church. We were able to worship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in Ethiopia. Clearly, we had no idea what they were saying, but we knew it was praising our Lord and Savior!! Today happened to be family Sunday, and they called forward all of the little children to pray over them. Sound familiar?? =) We also took communion together with the church - such a BLESSING!!! We all smiled when the pastor got up to preach, and our LIA staffer and friend, Develle, turned around and told us that he was preaching out of Exodus chapter 8!! Isn't that crazy?! God is so cool! What are the chances that the message here would be out of the same book of the Bible that Cedar Ridge has been studying for the past few weeks?! Love it!! It is so amazing to get a picture of the global church, and to know that we are a part of it. We are part of something that is SO much bigger than just Cedar Ridge Christian Church. It is so awesome to be a part of the big "C" church family. Our Ethiopian brothers and sisters in Christ are so beautiful - we can't wait for you all to meet them someday!!
Here are a couple of video clips from the Merkato area.... It will give you a little glimpse of the joy and the heartache we are experiencing. It was a joy to be able to share with YOU all in worship today too, all the way from Africa.....
Much love,
The Africa Team
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Quick update from "Eden".
Hello again! We are in Nazaret, about 160 kilometers south of Addis, and we stopped at a nice hotel for dinner. There was a computer in the lobby, so thought we'd give you a quick update while we wait for our food. We have had a really nice and relaxing day. It was much needed after the past few days on the streets of Addis. What a refreshing break to get out to the countryside and see more of Africa and its people!! We visited a hot spring area, hiked to a waterfall, then visited a local church and orphanage. The scenery is beyond words!!
The church visit was amazing. We met the pastor, and then were able to sit in on a portion of the youth group service that was going on. We heard more about the church's ministry and community outreach. They continually reach out to the community to assist and serve the poor and sick, and care for the orphans. It is an incredible picture of what the church is designed to look like. We are learning so much. The Cedar Ridge youth leaders on our team, Dustin and Hannah Padget, spoke to the youth briefly, and then we shared in a time of worship. We sang a song for them, and then they sang and danced for us. Amber recorded their worship so that you will be able to see it first hand. It was unbelievable!! We were reminded that one day every tribe, tongue and nation will worship Him for eternity together in heaven. This was a small glimpse of what that will be like. Can't wait to go experience that again tomorrow morning at the Merkato Church!! So much joyful praise and worship - clapping, dancing....awesome!!!
Then we made an impromptu visit to a local orphanage. It was divinely arranged, I'm certain. The organization is called Kingdom Vision, and is a Christian orphanage. The way these kids are being cared for physically, emotionally AND spiritually is wonderful. Our heart still went out to these children, as they clearly need permanent homes. However, it drove home the desperate situation of the street children we have been serving who do not have warm beds, three meals a day, loving parents (sometimes), and a spiritual foundation. The need is so great. I wish you could have seen the smiles and hope on the faces of these precious children. We were unable to take photos since we do not have an established relationship with the orphanage, but we were thankful for the visit nonetheless.
We are off to enjoy our dinner, and then make the two hour drive back to Addis (we have emphasized to the bus drive that he drive extra cautiously since it is dark and we can't see the goats/horses/cows in the road =)). Looking forward to our day of worship with our Ethiopian brothers and sisters tomorrow morning, and seeing more of Addis tomorrow afternoon.
Much love from Africa,
The Africa Team
The church visit was amazing. We met the pastor, and then were able to sit in on a portion of the youth group service that was going on. We heard more about the church's ministry and community outreach. They continually reach out to the community to assist and serve the poor and sick, and care for the orphans. It is an incredible picture of what the church is designed to look like. We are learning so much. The Cedar Ridge youth leaders on our team, Dustin and Hannah Padget, spoke to the youth briefly, and then we shared in a time of worship. We sang a song for them, and then they sang and danced for us. Amber recorded their worship so that you will be able to see it first hand. It was unbelievable!! We were reminded that one day every tribe, tongue and nation will worship Him for eternity together in heaven. This was a small glimpse of what that will be like. Can't wait to go experience that again tomorrow morning at the Merkato Church!! So much joyful praise and worship - clapping, dancing....awesome!!!
Then we made an impromptu visit to a local orphanage. It was divinely arranged, I'm certain. The organization is called Kingdom Vision, and is a Christian orphanage. The way these kids are being cared for physically, emotionally AND spiritually is wonderful. Our heart still went out to these children, as they clearly need permanent homes. However, it drove home the desperate situation of the street children we have been serving who do not have warm beds, three meals a day, loving parents (sometimes), and a spiritual foundation. The need is so great. I wish you could have seen the smiles and hope on the faces of these precious children. We were unable to take photos since we do not have an established relationship with the orphanage, but we were thankful for the visit nonetheless.
We are off to enjoy our dinner, and then make the two hour drive back to Addis (we have emphasized to the bus drive that he drive extra cautiously since it is dark and we can't see the goats/horses/cows in the road =)). Looking forward to our day of worship with our Ethiopian brothers and sisters tomorrow morning, and seeing more of Addis tomorrow afternoon.
Much love from Africa,
The Africa Team
Friday, October 9, 2009
Light.
"Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in." - John 8:12
Light versus darkness seemed to be the running theme of the day today. We woke up to no power (which happens frequently in this area due to rolling power outages) and dark, rainy skies. It didn't seem to slow us down too much. We had a yummy oatmeal breakfast before heading over to LIA to pick up Develle (our LIA staffer that has been traveling with us), and then on over to Merkato. What a touching morning....we spent a couple of hours helping with the quarterly Merkato Street Project distribution. It was so humbling to see all of these people (representing 150 families) gathered to collect their supplies (and extra gifts from the church family at Cedar Ridge Christian Church). We were able to speak a word of encouragement (via a translator) to the entire group. Several of us took turns speaking and sharing our hearts. Then the giveaways began. It was a very orderly system. Mostly women and children came to collect their items, and they stood in pouring rain for an hour or more to receive it. Although it was very soggy outside (and has been the past couple of days), it did not seem to dampen the spirits of this joyful people. Smiles and gratitude abounded (there were a lot!). It was incredible to see the excitement and thankfulness for one spiral notebook, six pencils, a travel tube of toothpaste, and a bar of soap. Life is so different here....
The afternoon was spent split into two groups traveling to at-risk family homes and to the hard-core boys' homes. I was with the group that visited the hard-core boys' homes. We were able to visit 5, and the experience was incredible. Frankly, we were all kind of hitting a wall today....tired, emotionally drained, worn out. But spending a couple of hours with these boys seems to have re-energized our group. The third home we visited was the home where Abera lives (with three other boys). When the translator was telling us this boy's name, he happened to share the translation/meaning of his name (which he had not done with any of the other boys). I smiled when I learned his name means "to turn the light on". No coincidence. And this special boy is turning the light on indeed. He spent several minutes telling us (amidst his humble surroundings) how "my desire is not to be wealthy, but to do the will of God". He firmly believes that his purpose on this earth is to be God's servant amidst the poor. At the end of our time together, he asked if we would pray for him - that God would strengthen him and empower him to do His will. Of course, we said we'd love to pray for him, and he quickly bent down to his knees....then all the way down with his face on the floor. I cannot tell you how powerful it was to lay hands on this young servant of God (who has endured more in his 19 years than most of us will in our lifetimes) and pray for him in his humble home. I am certain that God will use Him as a tool to light the path for many.
We have so many photos to share (and video!), but the internet access makes it really difficult to upload. Be prepared for photo overload when we return home! Tomorrow we are headed to the countryside to enjoy a change of scenery, and see more of this beautiful country. Holly has likened it to Eden. Sounds pretty amazing to me! We will be visiting a church and a few other cultural spots. It is about a two hour drive, and we will be back by evening.
We love you and we love sharing our journey with you. We carry your hearts for this country and these people with us as well. A special shout out to Erin Wooodward - you are SO with us in spirit on this journey. We have decided that God must have needed you covering us in prayer from home because we know what a mighty prayer warrior you are. Your prayers are impacting this team and the people we encounter. Erin, you WILL meet Getty one day. You are two peas in the same pod, only an ocean away!
Probably no updates tomorrow, as we will be traveling. Hope to update again on Sunday.
Much love....
The Africa Team
Light versus darkness seemed to be the running theme of the day today. We woke up to no power (which happens frequently in this area due to rolling power outages) and dark, rainy skies. It didn't seem to slow us down too much. We had a yummy oatmeal breakfast before heading over to LIA to pick up Develle (our LIA staffer that has been traveling with us), and then on over to Merkato. What a touching morning....we spent a couple of hours helping with the quarterly Merkato Street Project distribution. It was so humbling to see all of these people (representing 150 families) gathered to collect their supplies (and extra gifts from the church family at Cedar Ridge Christian Church). We were able to speak a word of encouragement (via a translator) to the entire group. Several of us took turns speaking and sharing our hearts. Then the giveaways began. It was a very orderly system. Mostly women and children came to collect their items, and they stood in pouring rain for an hour or more to receive it. Although it was very soggy outside (and has been the past couple of days), it did not seem to dampen the spirits of this joyful people. Smiles and gratitude abounded (there were a lot!). It was incredible to see the excitement and thankfulness for one spiral notebook, six pencils, a travel tube of toothpaste, and a bar of soap. Life is so different here....
The afternoon was spent split into two groups traveling to at-risk family homes and to the hard-core boys' homes. I was with the group that visited the hard-core boys' homes. We were able to visit 5, and the experience was incredible. Frankly, we were all kind of hitting a wall today....tired, emotionally drained, worn out. But spending a couple of hours with these boys seems to have re-energized our group. The third home we visited was the home where Abera lives (with three other boys). When the translator was telling us this boy's name, he happened to share the translation/meaning of his name (which he had not done with any of the other boys). I smiled when I learned his name means "to turn the light on". No coincidence. And this special boy is turning the light on indeed. He spent several minutes telling us (amidst his humble surroundings) how "my desire is not to be wealthy, but to do the will of God". He firmly believes that his purpose on this earth is to be God's servant amidst the poor. At the end of our time together, he asked if we would pray for him - that God would strengthen him and empower him to do His will. Of course, we said we'd love to pray for him, and he quickly bent down to his knees....then all the way down with his face on the floor. I cannot tell you how powerful it was to lay hands on this young servant of God (who has endured more in his 19 years than most of us will in our lifetimes) and pray for him in his humble home. I am certain that God will use Him as a tool to light the path for many.
We have so many photos to share (and video!), but the internet access makes it really difficult to upload. Be prepared for photo overload when we return home! Tomorrow we are headed to the countryside to enjoy a change of scenery, and see more of this beautiful country. Holly has likened it to Eden. Sounds pretty amazing to me! We will be visiting a church and a few other cultural spots. It is about a two hour drive, and we will be back by evening.
We love you and we love sharing our journey with you. We carry your hearts for this country and these people with us as well. A special shout out to Erin Wooodward - you are SO with us in spirit on this journey. We have decided that God must have needed you covering us in prayer from home because we know what a mighty prayer warrior you are. Your prayers are impacting this team and the people we encounter. Erin, you WILL meet Getty one day. You are two peas in the same pod, only an ocean away!
Probably no updates tomorrow, as we will be traveling. Hope to update again on Sunday.
Much love....
The Africa Team
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Merkato Street Kids.
Greetings again!! We made an unexpected stop at the Sheraton in Addis on our way home from the Merkato Street Kids Project (more on that in a moment), and were able to access the internet via their business center. Let me just say, it is almost obscene to be here in this lavish five-star hotel after spending the day in some of the roughest slums in Addis. However, we are grateful for the internet connection, nice toilet facilities, and coffee!! =)
God granted us another amazing day in Addis. We had a delicious pancake breakfast with fresh fruit at the house this morning before heading out to the Merkato Street Kid Project compound, in the heart of the Merkato slum. We were privileged to meet the staff, hear their vision and goals, and then meet the "hard core" boys (boys that are a part of the program that have come off of the streets). What an incredible blessing to hear their stories first hand!!! There are 50 "hard core" boys ministered to by the LIA Merkato Street Kid project, and we were able to meet about 15. These boys have such unbelievable stories....loss of both parents, sleeping on the streets from age NINE with no family and no one to care for them, heartbreaking stories of theft in order to survive, hunger, drug abuse....and on and on. BUT...the amazing thing is that God is working in the lives of these boys. They are clearly changed just in the short time they have been in the program. To see the hope, joy and courage in their eyes in the face of their adversity was so inspiring. We spent a long time encouraging one another via a translator. It is a clearly a two way street....They think we have come to bless them (and we have), but indeed WE are the ones who are being blessed beyond measure. We were sure to share with the boys that we represent only a portion of the people back home who love and pray for them. They were so grateful to know of your support back home as well.
After lunch at the guest house (yes...amazing yet again), we headed back to the Merkato area, and split into two groups to do home visits of some of the project's beneficiaries. Stepping foot inside of these homes and hearing their stories was such a blessing. Such courage and hope. The children flock to us in the streets. They are so full of love, hugs, smiles, and laughter. By the time we left the streets, we had a large entourage of children laughing and following behind us. They are beautiful.
We are headed back to the guest house for dinner, then a debrief time. Tomorrow we will be helping with a mass giveaway at the Merkato Street Kid Project. They will be giving quarterly supplies to their project beneficiary families. They only do this quarterly, so we are excited to get to be a part (divine timing!). Tomorrow afternoon we will be doing more home visits, as well as visiting the peer homes (group homes assigned by the LIA Merkato project) of the hard core boys. This hardly seems the correct words to describe them. Their cores have definitely been soften by the love of Jesus Christ. They were a joy to be around.
We are all getting adjusted to the altitude (we are higher in elevation that Denver...Denver is at about 5000 feet, and Addis is around 8000 feet elevation). Everyone is feeling well, and is in good spirits. It is completely overwhelming to think of all we have seen and experienced in only two days here. The Lord is multiplying our time, it seems.
We miss you dearly, but know that God has you in His hands as He does us as well. Thank you for your continued prayers and for your encouraging comments. They are printed off and shared at our group debriefing in the evening. It means so much.
With full hearts from Africa...
The Africa Team
(by Allyson)
God granted us another amazing day in Addis. We had a delicious pancake breakfast with fresh fruit at the house this morning before heading out to the Merkato Street Kid Project compound, in the heart of the Merkato slum. We were privileged to meet the staff, hear their vision and goals, and then meet the "hard core" boys (boys that are a part of the program that have come off of the streets). What an incredible blessing to hear their stories first hand!!! There are 50 "hard core" boys ministered to by the LIA Merkato Street Kid project, and we were able to meet about 15. These boys have such unbelievable stories....loss of both parents, sleeping on the streets from age NINE with no family and no one to care for them, heartbreaking stories of theft in order to survive, hunger, drug abuse....and on and on. BUT...the amazing thing is that God is working in the lives of these boys. They are clearly changed just in the short time they have been in the program. To see the hope, joy and courage in their eyes in the face of their adversity was so inspiring. We spent a long time encouraging one another via a translator. It is a clearly a two way street....They think we have come to bless them (and we have), but indeed WE are the ones who are being blessed beyond measure. We were sure to share with the boys that we represent only a portion of the people back home who love and pray for them. They were so grateful to know of your support back home as well.
After lunch at the guest house (yes...amazing yet again), we headed back to the Merkato area, and split into two groups to do home visits of some of the project's beneficiaries. Stepping foot inside of these homes and hearing their stories was such a blessing. Such courage and hope. The children flock to us in the streets. They are so full of love, hugs, smiles, and laughter. By the time we left the streets, we had a large entourage of children laughing and following behind us. They are beautiful.
We are headed back to the guest house for dinner, then a debrief time. Tomorrow we will be helping with a mass giveaway at the Merkato Street Kid Project. They will be giving quarterly supplies to their project beneficiary families. They only do this quarterly, so we are excited to get to be a part (divine timing!). Tomorrow afternoon we will be doing more home visits, as well as visiting the peer homes (group homes assigned by the LIA Merkato project) of the hard core boys. This hardly seems the correct words to describe them. Their cores have definitely been soften by the love of Jesus Christ. They were a joy to be around.
We are all getting adjusted to the altitude (we are higher in elevation that Denver...Denver is at about 5000 feet, and Addis is around 8000 feet elevation). Everyone is feeling well, and is in good spirits. It is completely overwhelming to think of all we have seen and experienced in only two days here. The Lord is multiplying our time, it seems.
We miss you dearly, but know that God has you in His hands as He does us as well. Thank you for your continued prayers and for your encouraging comments. They are printed off and shared at our group debriefing in the evening. It means so much.
With full hearts from Africa...
The Africa Team
(by Allyson)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Salam from Africa!!
Hello dear friends and family!! We arrived safely and very smoothly into Addis last night around 8:45 p.m. Everyone was able to get their visa stamp without much waiting, and our luggage was already on the belt when we arrived. We were able to get all of our bags (including all of the donations, supplies, etc) through customs without having any bags taken. Our Life In Abundance friends were waiting for us with big smiles, and helped us load up and drive us to the guest house. Our accomdations are wonderful. When we arrived at the guest house, Getty had prepared an amazing chicken/vegetable stew that was hot and ready. We were all exhausted, and glad to stretch our legs, have home cooked food, and a comfy place to lay our heads!
We began our day today with a delicious breakfast by Getty at the guest house, then headed over to the LIA Ethiopia office to meet Dr. Yared (the country director) and other LIA staff. He shared first hand about the God-sized things that are going on through LIA here in Ethiopia, and beyond. It was helpful to hear and learn directly from someone on the front lines.
Following our de-brief with Dr. Yared, we enjoyed a caramel macchiato (the trick is to add LOTS of sugar!) and a little time to visit. Following our pick-me-up, we had about an hour long walk through Addis back to the guest house. The sights, sounds, and smells are incredible. Some heart-warming....some heart-wrenching. There is so much vivid color and beauty contrasted against deep poverty.
After yet another amaaazing lunch at the guest house, coutesy of Getty, we headed out to visit two local churchs and learn about the work they are doing. Both churchs are successfully implementing the Community Health Evangelism, and wholistic model that LIA promotes. The work they are doing is so inspiring. This is truly the church functioning as it was designed to. Both churches operate schools on the premises, so we were able to meet the precious children that are being taught there. We were able to share school supplies (donated by YOU!) with the children, listen to them sing, share hugs, and words of encouragment. It is hard to describe in a brief blog post. Hopefully the pictures will be able to communicate more of our experience (we are unable to post photos this evening....the internet connection is very ssssllloooowwww). We then were privileged to pray for the pastors of these churches, and the work that is going on there. One thing is certain: God's work is alive and active amidst the poverty. He is moving here. Changing lives. Bringing hope.
We were then able to visit a couple of homes, and here the stories of the women who lived there. Their stories of faith and hope are inspiring. Their faces, voices and homes will be forever burned in our hearts. We also were able to pray for these people, in their homes. Powerful.
Here is a brief rundown of what we will be doing in the next week...I share this not only so you know what we are doing, but also so you can pray specifically for our activities each day.
Thursday: Visit Merkato Street Children project and Peer house visits.
Friday: Home visit to families of at risk children. Work project activities like painting and home repair.
Saturday: Visit Nathreth/Sodore
Sunday: Back to Addis and Worship at Emmanuael Faith Baptist Church/rest.
Monday: Prayer time with staff. Home visit to families of at risk children.
Tuesday: Interview with some hard core children and families.
Wednesday: Medical screening for women and children at Merkato Project. Youth ministry (hard core and at risk children).
Thursday: Shopping, packing, and leaving Addis to head HOME!
We will try to update again soon...Thank you for your continued prayers and love. We feel them.
Peace....
The Africa Team
(by Allyson)
We began our day today with a delicious breakfast by Getty at the guest house, then headed over to the LIA Ethiopia office to meet Dr. Yared (the country director) and other LIA staff. He shared first hand about the God-sized things that are going on through LIA here in Ethiopia, and beyond. It was helpful to hear and learn directly from someone on the front lines.
Following our de-brief with Dr. Yared, we enjoyed a caramel macchiato (the trick is to add LOTS of sugar!) and a little time to visit. Following our pick-me-up, we had about an hour long walk through Addis back to the guest house. The sights, sounds, and smells are incredible. Some heart-warming....some heart-wrenching. There is so much vivid color and beauty contrasted against deep poverty.
After yet another amaaazing lunch at the guest house, coutesy of Getty, we headed out to visit two local churchs and learn about the work they are doing. Both churchs are successfully implementing the Community Health Evangelism, and wholistic model that LIA promotes. The work they are doing is so inspiring. This is truly the church functioning as it was designed to. Both churches operate schools on the premises, so we were able to meet the precious children that are being taught there. We were able to share school supplies (donated by YOU!) with the children, listen to them sing, share hugs, and words of encouragment. It is hard to describe in a brief blog post. Hopefully the pictures will be able to communicate more of our experience (we are unable to post photos this evening....the internet connection is very ssssllloooowwww). We then were privileged to pray for the pastors of these churches, and the work that is going on there. One thing is certain: God's work is alive and active amidst the poverty. He is moving here. Changing lives. Bringing hope.
We were then able to visit a couple of homes, and here the stories of the women who lived there. Their stories of faith and hope are inspiring. Their faces, voices and homes will be forever burned in our hearts. We also were able to pray for these people, in their homes. Powerful.
Here is a brief rundown of what we will be doing in the next week...I share this not only so you know what we are doing, but also so you can pray specifically for our activities each day.
Thursday: Visit Merkato Street Children project and Peer house visits.
Friday: Home visit to families of at risk children. Work project activities like painting and home repair.
Saturday: Visit Nathreth/Sodore
Sunday: Back to Addis and Worship at Emmanuael Faith Baptist Church/rest.
Monday: Prayer time with staff. Home visit to families of at risk children.
Tuesday: Interview with some hard core children and families.
Wednesday: Medical screening for women and children at Merkato Project. Youth ministry (hard core and at risk children).
Thursday: Shopping, packing, and leaving Addis to head HOME!
We will try to update again soon...Thank you for your continued prayers and love. We feel them.
Peace....
The Africa Team
(by Allyson)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
half way there!!
Quick update....we've arrived safely and smoothly into Amsterdam!! Praise God for great travel thus far!! We are waiting to board our plane to Addis (with a brief stop in Sudan - we do not get off the plane in Sudan). If all goes according to plan, we should be arriving in Addis around 1:00 p.m. Central Standard time (which will be 8:45 p.m. where we are in Addis)!!
Holly shared an amazing word with us when we arrived in Amsterdam. She was impressed on the flight here that some of us were already deeply missing our families. God laid this scripture on her heart....
Mark 10:29-30
"Jesus said 'I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life'".
The words God laid on her heart to share with us...."Because you have showed your trust in me by laying what you love most in my hands I'm taking you to a new place, a deeper walk, a new adventure. I have them, and I have you. I give you my peace now. Go in my name, with my boldness. Fear not. I have called you. I've equipped you. You are my followers, my ambassadors."
Isn't that awesome?!!! We love you all, and are eager to see what God has in store for us and for you through this incredible journey!! More to come soon!!!
Holly shared an amazing word with us when we arrived in Amsterdam. She was impressed on the flight here that some of us were already deeply missing our families. God laid this scripture on her heart....
Mark 10:29-30
"Jesus said 'I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life'".
The words God laid on her heart to share with us...."Because you have showed your trust in me by laying what you love most in my hands I'm taking you to a new place, a deeper walk, a new adventure. I have them, and I have you. I give you my peace now. Go in my name, with my boldness. Fear not. I have called you. I've equipped you. You are my followers, my ambassadors."
Isn't that awesome?!!! We love you all, and are eager to see what God has in store for us and for you through this incredible journey!! More to come soon!!!
Friday, October 2, 2009
LIA "summary"
I am privileged-beyond-words to serve on the USA board of directors of a really innovative, unusual, and inspiring African organization, Life in Abundance International, www.liaint.org . LIA serves the poorest of the poor in Eastern Africa, now operating in seven countries. The organization is founded and led by a Kenyan doctor, Dr. Florence Muindi. LIA is distinctly founded by Africans, envisioned by Africans, led by Africans and staffed by Africans – all graciously serving under the ultimate and literal day-to-day leadership of one Palestinian Carpenter and Rabbi who lived about 2000 years ago! The top LIA leaders in each country are, generally speaking, physicians who are native-to and residing-in that country. The USA organization is organized for the purpose of raising funds to support LIA work.
What is unique about LIA is that it does very little direct work with individuals. It doesn’t do its work by establishing or operating a new aid station, medical center, or mission complex. Instead, it works directly with and through small churches that already exist in the slums and the poorest African communities to “empower” and train those churches to, in turn, “empower” and train the “poorest of the poor” individuals in those communities to pull themselves up “by their own bootstraps” and become healthy, self-reliant, productive, self-supporting and contributing members of the community; and bring “wholistic transformation” (intentionally misspelled to emphasized the ideas of “whole person and whole community -- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wholeness) to the individual and the community. The motto of the organization is “Serving to Empower.”
To make a very long explanation as short as possible (and, of course, to completely oversimplify), LIA helps existing churches work with their immediately surrounding communities to identify and attack the most pressing and apparent need or needs in that community. These churches, which are themselves comprised of the poor, most often saw themselves – prior to involvement with LIA – as incapable and “too poor” to do anything about their community situation, and they subsist in a mode of awaiting someone else from the outside to come in and fix the problems of their communities. Often, the root problem for lot of African suffering is HIV/AIDS infection and a deeply-rooted stigma that goes with it. When the father learns of having HIV/AIDS, he often splits in shame, leaving the mother as the only means of support for herself and the children. She, in turn, continues to decline into poorer and poorer health and well-being, ultimately becoming completely unable to offer support to herself or her family. The result: orphaned and vulnerable children (referred to in relief-agency circles as “OVC”), often street kids.
In a typical LIA project, LIA will place a professional project manager alongside a local church for 3 years to facilitate, train and empower the local church (referred to in the world of relief agencies as an existing “community-based organization”) to do, for example, the following: 1) Administer AIDS drugs and teach mothers where and how to get medical treatment (that is available – the US provides the AIDS drugs to Africa, thanks to a Bush Administration initiative). 2) Within is fairly short time, the mother is up and physically able to function; and then the effort turns to teaching micro-enterprise to her and making a micro-loan to get her going with a self-reliant business (with some assistance for food as she gets the micro-enterprise off the ground. A micro enterprise may be a simple as a loan to obtain a large bag of grain that can be broken down into individual retail-size containers and re-sold on a retail door-to-door route; or a loan that buys a oven/griddle upon which a mother can begin to prepare the local bread (injera) for sale to her neighbors. 3) There is an element of the project that is like a micro-credit union where the beneficiaries contribute part of their earnings to create a self-sustaining cycle of micro-lending funds.
As I said, this is a gross oversimplification, but you can get the basic ideas: Africans solving African problems (and not depending upon the westerners to come in and “fix” or “westernize” Africa); Africans serving and empowering other Africans, self-reliance, sustainability, and true community “wholistic” transformation.
Our trip will be to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Our team will be working with the street children project in the Mercado district. Most of these kids are teens who have been living on the streets for more than 8 years with NO means of support; no family, no school, no shelter nor place to lay down except a sidewalk. Because they have been on the streets for so long they are referred to as “hard core.” As a result, these “hard core” street kids have been written off by the govt as being beyond help or hope. Similarly, there is literally no other international aid or relief agency who is working on behalf of the “hard core” street kids. LIA is literally trying to establish a small-scale, pilot model of “wholistic transformation” in these kids that can be held up to other “deep pockets” relief agencies to say “these kids can indeed be helped and transformed; they are not beyond hope.”
You can find out more about LIA, if you are interested, at www.Liaint.org If you are REALLY interested, there are three informational banquets being held over the next couple of weeks (Phoenix, Chicago, Louisville) where Dr. Muindi will be speaking and a documentary is being premiered that tells the story of the Mercado Street kids project and other work of LIA. She is one of the new generation of African leaders and one of the most inspirational speakers you will ever hear. Details are available at the website or I’d be more than happy to connect you with the right folks to get you to one of those banquets.
If you are interested in the specific details of our team and our trip, one of our team members has set up a blog: www.moved.africaedition.blogspot.com
Thanks for your interest. If you’ve read this far, you must either be very interested or you are very, very polite! I look forward to sharing some stories of our experiences when we return.
Best,
Doug Hansen
What is unique about LIA is that it does very little direct work with individuals. It doesn’t do its work by establishing or operating a new aid station, medical center, or mission complex. Instead, it works directly with and through small churches that already exist in the slums and the poorest African communities to “empower” and train those churches to, in turn, “empower” and train the “poorest of the poor” individuals in those communities to pull themselves up “by their own bootstraps” and become healthy, self-reliant, productive, self-supporting and contributing members of the community; and bring “wholistic transformation” (intentionally misspelled to emphasized the ideas of “whole person and whole community -- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wholeness) to the individual and the community. The motto of the organization is “Serving to Empower.”
To make a very long explanation as short as possible (and, of course, to completely oversimplify), LIA helps existing churches work with their immediately surrounding communities to identify and attack the most pressing and apparent need or needs in that community. These churches, which are themselves comprised of the poor, most often saw themselves – prior to involvement with LIA – as incapable and “too poor” to do anything about their community situation, and they subsist in a mode of awaiting someone else from the outside to come in and fix the problems of their communities. Often, the root problem for lot of African suffering is HIV/AIDS infection and a deeply-rooted stigma that goes with it. When the father learns of having HIV/AIDS, he often splits in shame, leaving the mother as the only means of support for herself and the children. She, in turn, continues to decline into poorer and poorer health and well-being, ultimately becoming completely unable to offer support to herself or her family. The result: orphaned and vulnerable children (referred to in relief-agency circles as “OVC”), often street kids.
In a typical LIA project, LIA will place a professional project manager alongside a local church for 3 years to facilitate, train and empower the local church (referred to in the world of relief agencies as an existing “community-based organization”) to do, for example, the following: 1) Administer AIDS drugs and teach mothers where and how to get medical treatment (that is available – the US provides the AIDS drugs to Africa, thanks to a Bush Administration initiative). 2) Within is fairly short time, the mother is up and physically able to function; and then the effort turns to teaching micro-enterprise to her and making a micro-loan to get her going with a self-reliant business (with some assistance for food as she gets the micro-enterprise off the ground. A micro enterprise may be a simple as a loan to obtain a large bag of grain that can be broken down into individual retail-size containers and re-sold on a retail door-to-door route; or a loan that buys a oven/griddle upon which a mother can begin to prepare the local bread (injera) for sale to her neighbors. 3) There is an element of the project that is like a micro-credit union where the beneficiaries contribute part of their earnings to create a self-sustaining cycle of micro-lending funds.
As I said, this is a gross oversimplification, but you can get the basic ideas: Africans solving African problems (and not depending upon the westerners to come in and “fix” or “westernize” Africa); Africans serving and empowering other Africans, self-reliance, sustainability, and true community “wholistic” transformation.
Our trip will be to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Our team will be working with the street children project in the Mercado district. Most of these kids are teens who have been living on the streets for more than 8 years with NO means of support; no family, no school, no shelter nor place to lay down except a sidewalk. Because they have been on the streets for so long they are referred to as “hard core.” As a result, these “hard core” street kids have been written off by the govt as being beyond help or hope. Similarly, there is literally no other international aid or relief agency who is working on behalf of the “hard core” street kids. LIA is literally trying to establish a small-scale, pilot model of “wholistic transformation” in these kids that can be held up to other “deep pockets” relief agencies to say “these kids can indeed be helped and transformed; they are not beyond hope.”
You can find out more about LIA, if you are interested, at www.Liaint.org
If you are interested in the specific details of our team and our trip, one of our team members has set up a blog: www.moved.africaedition.blogspot.com
Thanks for your interest. If you’ve read this far, you must either be very interested or you are very, very polite! I look forward to sharing some stories of our experiences when we return.
Best,
Doug Hansen
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