Friday, January 22, 2010

IT IS SO GOOD TO BE ALIVE!

I believe it was Mark Twain who once said "The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated."

What happened yesterday made me really appreciate my life and encouraged me not to give up. We all have so much to live for and so much for which to be thankful. Sometimes in the midst of our troubles we often forget that what we do as fathers has an impact that can last not only for a lifetime but for generations to come. Once you read this you can view the video and this will all make sense.

First of all, let me explain that although I live in North Carolina, my job requires that I spend a great deal of time on the West Coast and so I spend a lot of time on airplanes. Anyway, I was not having a good day at work. My sales have been down and I have been struggling to keep focused and really having a difficult time not feeling sorry for myself.

Eileen called me and put Kezzie on the phone. She was crying hysterically. She was yelling that "Papa died!" She was so convinced of this that Keren began screaming bloody murder that her Papa had died on the plane.

"Tell Kezzie you're alive please" Eileen told me..She was doing her best to calm the two girls but they were inconsolable. Ellie, hearing the commotion from her bedroom, came running in with a phone to prove I was still alive and with camera in hand, managed to capture most of it on video.

"Hi Kezzie, Papa is fine.....I did not die, did you have a bad dream? "

She was doing so much screaming that I had a hard time getting through to her. I was laughing and I kept assuring her that I was very much alive. I thought she may have awakened from her nap after dreaming that I had died, but that was not the case at all. What had happened was Eileen was reading a story to the girls in their bedroom as they were getting ready to go down for a nap. As they were wrapping up story time, the boys came in and she told them that Dr. Sevilla's Papa died and he was on an airplane on his way to the Phillipines. Well, that was all Kezzie needed to hear. She heard Papa died on an airplane and she LOST IT. She began yelling and screaming it to Keren who instantaneously joined in the hysteria. It was so funny that the boys were rolling on the floor.

"Papa, you died? on a airplane?" she asked.

"No, Kezzie, I did not go on an airplane. I am in my office, and I didn't die."

Wasn't it amazing that Kezzie and Rennie showed so much emotion? Eileen could not figure out how these little girls concluded in their little heads that their Papa had died, or what dying was for that matter. Jimmy reminded her that they had already experienced death when Grampa died a year ago this month. They miss him and realize he is never coming back. Never underestimate the comprehension of a two-year old.

I never thought that my passing would elicit that kind of reaction. I just never give my death much thought. I think about loved ones dying and how sad it is, but I just don't think about my own death too much. I guess because I know that since I gave my life to Jesus Christ I know where I am going to spend eternity.

But this caused me to remember that everything I do has an impact. I have people counting on me. Little children are looking to me for answers to life's questions. I can't die yet. I have too much left to do. It caused me to look away from myself and to throw those thoughts of self-pity in the trash can. It's not about you, this life. You are here to serve others. You are here to serve God. You are here to point these little children to Jesus and to pass that baton of faith to them so that when they have their own children they can do the same.

When I got home I gave my girls a big hug and kiss. They were really happy to see me. The fact that I did not die was now something to laugh about. And I remembered what precious gifts they are to me.

No, I did not die yesterday. God has that time appointed for me already and He has not shared that with me yet. But I got a glimpse of what my little girls will do when that day comes. And it makes me smile.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A Message from Biruk, a Kolfe Boy!

Here is a comment from one of our precious boys to his Kolfe Mama!


So excited about this! ..I received this note from Biruk yesterday:

"Mom Thursday is our Christmas. Some one that comes from USA to adopt his child bought for us two cows so; we will get meal for Christmas. We have also banana, orange and soft drinks that Gladney bought for all the boys. It seems we will get a lot of fun than the previous Christmas."

What better way to celebrate Christmas than by ministering to His sweet children! ...I can see my sweet son's smile from here!


"Eileen, you and Solomon have been an answered prayer to me! I love this ministry and being connected to Biruk has been one of the greatest joys in my life! I can't thank you enough for following His leading on this. I feel so very blessed to be a Kolfe Mama!"

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Christmas in Ethiopia

This Thursday is Christmas at the Kolfe orphanage. I just wanted to let you know Solomon is going to buy lots of fruit for the all of the boys as a gift from our ministry. There are 139 boys there now. Those of you who have donated, thank you! They only get fruit if someone buys it, which is usually on Christmas. When I was there in September,we bought bananas and oranges, we filled the trunk and back seat full and they were so happy. It was like candy to them. I also sent them several large bags of Kit Kat bars and Peanut Butter cups. These have become a favorite and personal gift from our family for 2 years now. The boys are looking forward to eating the yummy chocolates. The George family has arrived safely in Ethiopia and will be delivering it to them. Please feel free to send Solomon and the boys a Merry Christmas wish on his facebook account, Solomon Mestas. It will make them all so happy! Thank you!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Luke 8:21 Ministries

We have started a new ministry for the purpose of doing God's work in orphan care as HE has been so clearly calling us to obey. We have installed Paypal on this blog , per request of many, to accomodate fundraising for this ministry. We are currently fundraising for expenses to bring Solomon to the USA as an international exchange student.

We are also asking for more "Kolfe MAMA's", real families to get involved with a Kolfe boy. We have been emailing and skyping with the boys and they are all asking me to find them a family like Solomon has.

Through our journey this past two years, the Lord has shown us what an impact we can have by just stepping into their lives via email and starting a personal relationship with an orphan. The boys have told me they have hope for a future now. There is someone who know's them, prays for them and helps them to SEE GOD!!

So far, we have 5 families that have now "unofficially adopted" a boy via an email relationship. These boys and families are being blessed beyond their imagination. To know there is someone in the world who knows your name, who prays for you and cares about you is life transforming.
January 7th is their Christmas. Would you consider giving a boy a family for Christmas?

I am hoping to make a trip back to Kolfe sometime in April or May. This would be an awesome opportunity for the new Kolfe Mama's, and/or families to join me and visit in person with them. I am hoping to spend a week with the boys and have a going away party for Solomon with them. They are all very precious to us and the LORD JESUS.

Please feel free to contact us for more information if you are interested. The boys are all praying for a family.... of course I would ask that you consider officially adopting a Kolfe boy or sibling group. But for those who are not able to, why not "unofficially" adopt a son via a personal email relationship?

Please contact me eileenmestas@gmail.com for more info!!

Happy New Year to All!