Back to Soddo!

SEPTEMBER 2009

Warm greetings in the Precious Name of the Father! We returned from our annual US-visit 2 weeks ago and are now waiting on the MMI EYE TEAM to arrive! This will be our 3^rd year of hosting a dedicated group of Opthalmologists and Helpers to come to Soddo Christian Hospital where they will perform Cataract Surgeries for 2 weeks. We will report to you after their visit of how it went.

THANK YOU: To everyone who welcomed us with such open and loving arms and hearts! We constantly stand in awe of the Father’s grace as we are reminded of this powerful network of love which we have in the USA from family, friends and those we like to refer to as out WEBSITE FRIENDS! We have had a full schedule and did not get to spend the time with some which we desired to, but then again, it was wonderful to just exchange hugs – we still ‘feed’ off of those today and will continue for a while……!

OBSERVATION: We had a strong awareness of the Lord’s placing a network of His people in position for a greater purpose! So many people whom we listened to, shared how the Lord has opened up opportunities to them which they never considered in the past, that there is a stronger draw towards the THINGS OF THE KINGDOM which matters! We saw a sifting, a setting apart of dedicated hearts and hands of those who desire so much more in the Father’s World! We returned with such encouragement to know that we can be a small part of this new force of grace!

HOME: We returned to a happy Selah & Maria - a wonderful housesitter who took care of both – as well as a little newborn from a nearby village! We started preparing for the visiting EYE TEAM immediately – to the children’s joy, who have been enjoying lighter school days – this will continue for another 2 weeks……!

ORPHANAGES: We are fighting a computer virus which infiltrated every device in all three orphanages and have been trying everything to clear it, but so far uncessfull, which means that my administration work load suddenly increased for the purpose of communication. Just after our arrival, we rescued a 20-day old boy who deteriorated fast within the first week and we had to admit him to the hospital where a stomach blockage was diagnosed and he had to have surgery yesterday – after a week long OR-preparation, because we was so weak! Now, we are breathing with great ease, since his procedure went so well and he is recovering beautifully!

MITTIN: I am waiting on my friend, Henok to make his re-entry after a visit to the USA, so that we can finalize legalities to get the FOOD PRODUCTION CENTER off the ground. In the meantime, we are producing, selling and working on making this venture are self sufficient as possible! Our heart is to break ground before the end of this year, so the water has to change into wine before that happens, but with the Lord, anything is possible!

LIFE: Back in the poverty and desperation of a nation and its children, takes a moment’s adjustment, so we have by now learned to breathe with ease until the rhythm sets in! The Lord’s grace and mercy is evident in every day and we continue to rejoice in all that He expose us to so that we can see Him more clearly! There are talks of yet another famine in the southern regions due to late rains – of course we are concerned, but it is also evident that the Lord is taking care of some of the needs, because we get to bless some very poor families who do not have anything to clothe their children with, or send them to bed with full tummies! Do you remember the container which was sent to us in June of this year, well, the content from this container has been such a blessing already and we cannot even see the ‘dent’ in the items which we have been able to share! The Lord keeps on refilling it!!!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

- A successful MMI-EYE TEAM visit with many people being able to afford the surgery and eye care which the team desire to bless the nation with!

- A harmonious interaction with MMI and its direction of where to go from here after the EYE CLINIC has been established now and the next step, would be to get Government Agreement of Accreddidation for Training which Harry has been busy with for 3 enthusiastic young Ethiopians. The possibilities of building an EYE Hospital also needs to be clarified.

- The Lost Children of Ethiopia: We need wisdom on how to take care of more than the 500 families who receive care from CCCE and CWA in country. Of course it feels as though it is just not enough, since we have daily requests from the poorest of the poor! Heart breaking!

- We have had consistent warfare regarding the Orphans and Half-Orphans Adoption Program. Please just stand with us that the Father’s Heart and His Will shall allow the truth to manifest on behalf of the children of this nation!

- PERSONAL: For the Lord’s continued impartation of discernment in our daily decisions to the many demands before us! For His protection and safety of our marriage, children and family!

THANK YOU for you ungoing love and support! We stand in awe of His goodness in a world desperate for His return!

With love,

Harry, Steph, Karmyn and Benjamin