As a gift for my birthday, my daughter Melissa prepared this slide show for me.
These photos depict my visits to Kolfe along with Solomon's new home with the Tesfaye family. More slide shows to follow, so stay tuned.
While you are at it, check out Cousin Georgie's blog and slide show of our trip to Ethiopia.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
MIRACULOUSLY BACK TO KOLFE
We got up early, went to our usual breakfast cafe and then it was time to go back to Kolfe. I could not believe I was actually driving back to KOLFE, the place I have been praying for and longing to return to for the past year and a half. It was unbelievable. I was actually crying all the way there because I was overcome with awe knowing the LORD HIMSELF had brought me to this place for HIS purpose and HE obviously has another plan for me to be back. I never dreamed I would be back so soon. My heart was racing and wondering if the boys would remember me. I was wondering what the place would be like, did they get any work done since our last visit?
This was also moving day for our son Solomon. This has been his home since he was 10 years old. He spent the last nine years of his life here and this is his family, these boys are all he had until November 2007. They have lots of memories; lots of tears and laughs were shared together and Solomon says they all know his heart and dreams.
This was a huge day in both of our lives. We literally held hands all the way there. I could only imagine how difficult this day was for him. I know both of us were wishing he was packing to come back to America with me but the LORD has other plans. We don't know them all yet, but HE has given us this day, and today we were moving him into the home of Misganaw Tesfaye and his wonderful family.
Suddenly, there it was, we turned the corner and the Kolfe Boys orphanage was before my eyes. The big gate opened and we drove in. The boys started to run toward us and greet us just like before. Only this time, Solomon got out of the car with me and they greeted him as well. He had been staying with me at the Cherokee house for several days. It took a few minutes, but then the boys started to ask me if I remembered them.
"Hey Mom, do you remember me? I was talking to you last time."
"Hey Mom,"EYE LEAN on the LORD" you told us!"
I was overjoyed and said,
"Do you remember when I was here that God told me to hug and kiss all of you?"
"YES", they responded, and many of them began to laugh.
"Well, Mama is back for more hugs and kisses, come over here and give me some".
Many of them started to surround me and get and give lots of hugs and kisses again. It was such a joy to hold them in my arms again. Several of the boys showed me photos of them I had sent back from my last trip. One of the special young men I remembered, Genanew, had entered the gate and came over to see why the crowd was gathering. When I saw him I said,
"Genanew, how are you? I have been praying for you".
He looked at me and said he wasn't sure he remembered who I was. I said,
"That's OK, I know a lot of people have been coming to visit in the last year. I remember you very well and I have prayed for you."
He smiled and just looked at me for a while. Then he ran off and suddenly came back with a photo in his hand saying,
"Is this when you came?"
He handed me the photo I had sent him of when he was holding Josiah Abel.
"YES I said, he is my son and we took that photo of you last time we were here."
His face lit up and he smiled his beautiful smile saying,
"Now I remember you!"
He stayed by my side for most of the day as we went on another tour of Kolfe.
What a joy and delight to SEE AMAZING CHANGES!!PRAISE THE LORD FOR GLADNEY. THEY HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL STEWARDS AND A BLESSING TO THE KOLFE ORPHANAGE. The boys started to show and tell me all about the new kitchen, the finished library, the new blankets, mattresses, and not one broken window anymore. Most everything had been freshly painted. There were gardens and flowers planted between the building where there had been rock piles before. The grounds were more level and safer to walk now. The boys started to say,
"Thank you Mom for all you do to help us here. We know you do much and pray for us. We know you help Ryan Brown and Gladney. Please say thank you to all the people who helped you Mom."
Tesfaye, another special young man from last time, came to greet me and I asked if he remembered me? He said yes. I looked him right in the eyes and told him,
"Tesfaye, God has used you in a mighty way to help all of these things happen at Kolfe. Do you remember our conversation last time?"
He said,
"Yes I do."
He was the young man who told me,
"Many people come to visit us lately but no one helps us. Our government has no money. They have not maintained our compound for more than 30 years. They have forgotten about us, can you please help us?"
I showed him the exact spot we were standing when he told me these things. I pointed right at it and told the boys,
"THIS IS WHERE MY LIFE CHANGED FOREVER! I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU BOYS AND I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. I HAVE PRAYED FOR GOD TO HELP YOU LIKE YOU ASKED."
Of course, I started to cry and just stood there looking at them. They all started to say;
"Don't cry Mom, it's OK! Don't worry, God is here taking care of us! Don't worry Mom, don't be sad."
Here I was in the middle of these amazing young men in tears and they were comforting me and encouraging me not to worry! Many of them kept saying thank you for everything you do Mom. I kept responding that
"IT WAS GOD WHO DID EVERYTHING THROUGH RYAN BROWN AT GLADNEY AND THEN HE USED OUR BLOG AND SPEAKING MINISTRY TO HELP RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS THAT HAS BEEN BRINGING MANY PEOPLE TO VISIT."
I asked them if they remembered what I had told them two years ago. I was so surprised to hear them shouting out,
"You told us to Love God, and you said you tell God's people about us and they come to visit, You said you give us Mama Hug and Kiss from GOD. You have husband and Ellie with you, how are they?"
It was very clear that they did indeed remember. I asked how many people had come to visit since I left. They responded;
"Too many to count!"
I then went to the office to finally meet the director Johannes. I had never met him because he was in a meeting on my last visit. I politely knocked on the door and he told me to come in. He looked very busy behind his desk full of paperwork. I said:
"Hello, I am Solomon's Mom, Eileen. I don't know if you know me but I have been praying for Kolfe and love this place and the boys so much."
He surprised me when he stood up, walked from behind his desk and reached out to hug me. He is a big man and his countenance suddenly changed as he walked toward me. He began to hug me and say,
"It is so nice to finally meet you. Thank you for all you have done for Solomon and the boys here at Kolfe. You are a woman of GOD, Bless you."
As I hugged him back and he pulled away, I saw tears rolling down his cheeks. I told him it was all God's doing, He brought me here to give these boys a Mama's Love and to be about HIS business. He has a very gentle an soft voice and he wiped his tears and started to share with me.
"You are very special. You know the people of this community hate Kolfe. They throw rocks at the compound. They yell out bad names to the boys, and throw rocks at them, even at me when I come to work. They don't want us here. They think all the boys are bad. Other people who came to work here left very quickly. I believe God has me here for a reason. He brought me here 6 years ago and I only make 2000 birr. I could get another job tomorrow making 5000 birr but I can't leave. Every time I try, God tells me HE wants me here. If I leave, who will take care of these boys? I try to teach them to be good and to Love God. They are good boys and they need an education. I write many letters to people asking for help, but no one helps us. I ask the private schools for scholarships but only one answered. This is the school where I sent Solomon. But they called one day and said they had no money and he needed to pay to stay there or else he has to leave. I know you started to pay for his school and I thank you. I thank God he started sending people like you and Ryan Brown to help us. Our government has no money and we need help. The boys, they need people to love them and help them. I believe this is my ministry to serve God here".
Mr. Johannes and I spent about an hour talking and crying together in his office. It was a very special bonding time for us. This is a very special man, a man of GOD!
What a glorious day this was, it was sunny, warm and beautiful smiling faces were surrounding me. I intentionally touched everyone of the boys, hugging and kissing all day long. We intended to stay about an hour but stayed 5 hours. I told the boys we needed to go because it was getting dark and they asked when we were coming back. We made plans to come back Monday. Habtamu was not home and I had to return especially to see him. He was at the library studying as usual.
There were also 19 new boys that had just arrived this week from Kebebetsahay orphanage. I even recognized some of them from when we visited there with Ryan last time. They range in age from 7-10 years. Many of them were sad and nervous looking because Kolfe was a new place for them. They didn't know me, but it wasn't long before most of them were being hugged and kissed. I saw many of their faces change into bright smiles. One little boy asked if I could please bring them Colgate and a toothbrush when I come back. Another little boy asked for a back pack to carry to his new school. My heart was broken again, as I met the next generation of Kolfe boys. This was the age when my Solomon came to Kolfe and I couldn't help but think he was scared and sad just like these boys. He was all alone in this new place and had no idea what was in store for him. I felt like this was God showing me the work HE has for me to do now. These new boys need a family before they turn 19 years old. Help me LORD!! Help me find them a family!!! HELP ME to NEVER FORGET THEM AND TO BE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS FOR THEM! MY HEART JUST ACHED FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOYS!
It was time for Solomon to pack up his belongings. He had a small trunk at the side of his bed with everything he owned locked up in it. He filled his back pack with the things he wanted and then told the boys they could take what was left. Within 2 minutes, they all had something in their arms running to put into their trunks. They even took his blanket and mattress. The top bunk was completely empty, like no one lived there any more. They all address their bunks as their houses. Solomon's house was vacant! He looked around the room, the boys surrounding him as we walked out of the building and we stepped out into the journey of Solomon's new life. The boys followed us out to the gate and stood waving and smiling as we drove away. Many of them yelling,
"Come back please, come back tomorrow"!
(photos will soon follow) Stay tuned more to come......
This was also moving day for our son Solomon. This has been his home since he was 10 years old. He spent the last nine years of his life here and this is his family, these boys are all he had until November 2007. They have lots of memories; lots of tears and laughs were shared together and Solomon says they all know his heart and dreams.
This was a huge day in both of our lives. We literally held hands all the way there. I could only imagine how difficult this day was for him. I know both of us were wishing he was packing to come back to America with me but the LORD has other plans. We don't know them all yet, but HE has given us this day, and today we were moving him into the home of Misganaw Tesfaye and his wonderful family.
Suddenly, there it was, we turned the corner and the Kolfe Boys orphanage was before my eyes. The big gate opened and we drove in. The boys started to run toward us and greet us just like before. Only this time, Solomon got out of the car with me and they greeted him as well. He had been staying with me at the Cherokee house for several days. It took a few minutes, but then the boys started to ask me if I remembered them.
"Hey Mom, do you remember me? I was talking to you last time."
"Hey Mom,"EYE LEAN on the LORD" you told us!"
I was overjoyed and said,
"Do you remember when I was here that God told me to hug and kiss all of you?"
"YES", they responded, and many of them began to laugh.
"Well, Mama is back for more hugs and kisses, come over here and give me some".
Many of them started to surround me and get and give lots of hugs and kisses again. It was such a joy to hold them in my arms again. Several of the boys showed me photos of them I had sent back from my last trip. One of the special young men I remembered, Genanew, had entered the gate and came over to see why the crowd was gathering. When I saw him I said,
"Genanew, how are you? I have been praying for you".
He looked at me and said he wasn't sure he remembered who I was. I said,
"That's OK, I know a lot of people have been coming to visit in the last year. I remember you very well and I have prayed for you."
He smiled and just looked at me for a while. Then he ran off and suddenly came back with a photo in his hand saying,
"Is this when you came?"
He handed me the photo I had sent him of when he was holding Josiah Abel.
"YES I said, he is my son and we took that photo of you last time we were here."
His face lit up and he smiled his beautiful smile saying,
"Now I remember you!"
He stayed by my side for most of the day as we went on another tour of Kolfe.
What a joy and delight to SEE AMAZING CHANGES!!PRAISE THE LORD FOR GLADNEY. THEY HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL STEWARDS AND A BLESSING TO THE KOLFE ORPHANAGE. The boys started to show and tell me all about the new kitchen, the finished library, the new blankets, mattresses, and not one broken window anymore. Most everything had been freshly painted. There were gardens and flowers planted between the building where there had been rock piles before. The grounds were more level and safer to walk now. The boys started to say,
"Thank you Mom for all you do to help us here. We know you do much and pray for us. We know you help Ryan Brown and Gladney. Please say thank you to all the people who helped you Mom."
Tesfaye, another special young man from last time, came to greet me and I asked if he remembered me? He said yes. I looked him right in the eyes and told him,
"Tesfaye, God has used you in a mighty way to help all of these things happen at Kolfe. Do you remember our conversation last time?"
He said,
"Yes I do."
He was the young man who told me,
"Many people come to visit us lately but no one helps us. Our government has no money. They have not maintained our compound for more than 30 years. They have forgotten about us, can you please help us?"
I showed him the exact spot we were standing when he told me these things. I pointed right at it and told the boys,
"THIS IS WHERE MY LIFE CHANGED FOREVER! I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU BOYS AND I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. I HAVE PRAYED FOR GOD TO HELP YOU LIKE YOU ASKED."
Of course, I started to cry and just stood there looking at them. They all started to say;
"Don't cry Mom, it's OK! Don't worry, God is here taking care of us! Don't worry Mom, don't be sad."
Here I was in the middle of these amazing young men in tears and they were comforting me and encouraging me not to worry! Many of them kept saying thank you for everything you do Mom. I kept responding that
"IT WAS GOD WHO DID EVERYTHING THROUGH RYAN BROWN AT GLADNEY AND THEN HE USED OUR BLOG AND SPEAKING MINISTRY TO HELP RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS THAT HAS BEEN BRINGING MANY PEOPLE TO VISIT."
I asked them if they remembered what I had told them two years ago. I was so surprised to hear them shouting out,
"You told us to Love God, and you said you tell God's people about us and they come to visit, You said you give us Mama Hug and Kiss from GOD. You have husband and Ellie with you, how are they?"
It was very clear that they did indeed remember. I asked how many people had come to visit since I left. They responded;
"Too many to count!"
I then went to the office to finally meet the director Johannes. I had never met him because he was in a meeting on my last visit. I politely knocked on the door and he told me to come in. He looked very busy behind his desk full of paperwork. I said:
"Hello, I am Solomon's Mom, Eileen. I don't know if you know me but I have been praying for Kolfe and love this place and the boys so much."
He surprised me when he stood up, walked from behind his desk and reached out to hug me. He is a big man and his countenance suddenly changed as he walked toward me. He began to hug me and say,
"It is so nice to finally meet you. Thank you for all you have done for Solomon and the boys here at Kolfe. You are a woman of GOD, Bless you."
As I hugged him back and he pulled away, I saw tears rolling down his cheeks. I told him it was all God's doing, He brought me here to give these boys a Mama's Love and to be about HIS business. He has a very gentle an soft voice and he wiped his tears and started to share with me.
"You are very special. You know the people of this community hate Kolfe. They throw rocks at the compound. They yell out bad names to the boys, and throw rocks at them, even at me when I come to work. They don't want us here. They think all the boys are bad. Other people who came to work here left very quickly. I believe God has me here for a reason. He brought me here 6 years ago and I only make 2000 birr. I could get another job tomorrow making 5000 birr but I can't leave. Every time I try, God tells me HE wants me here. If I leave, who will take care of these boys? I try to teach them to be good and to Love God. They are good boys and they need an education. I write many letters to people asking for help, but no one helps us. I ask the private schools for scholarships but only one answered. This is the school where I sent Solomon. But they called one day and said they had no money and he needed to pay to stay there or else he has to leave. I know you started to pay for his school and I thank you. I thank God he started sending people like you and Ryan Brown to help us. Our government has no money and we need help. The boys, they need people to love them and help them. I believe this is my ministry to serve God here".
Mr. Johannes and I spent about an hour talking and crying together in his office. It was a very special bonding time for us. This is a very special man, a man of GOD!
What a glorious day this was, it was sunny, warm and beautiful smiling faces were surrounding me. I intentionally touched everyone of the boys, hugging and kissing all day long. We intended to stay about an hour but stayed 5 hours. I told the boys we needed to go because it was getting dark and they asked when we were coming back. We made plans to come back Monday. Habtamu was not home and I had to return especially to see him. He was at the library studying as usual.
There were also 19 new boys that had just arrived this week from Kebebetsahay orphanage. I even recognized some of them from when we visited there with Ryan last time. They range in age from 7-10 years. Many of them were sad and nervous looking because Kolfe was a new place for them. They didn't know me, but it wasn't long before most of them were being hugged and kissed. I saw many of their faces change into bright smiles. One little boy asked if I could please bring them Colgate and a toothbrush when I come back. Another little boy asked for a back pack to carry to his new school. My heart was broken again, as I met the next generation of Kolfe boys. This was the age when my Solomon came to Kolfe and I couldn't help but think he was scared and sad just like these boys. He was all alone in this new place and had no idea what was in store for him. I felt like this was God showing me the work HE has for me to do now. These new boys need a family before they turn 19 years old. Help me LORD!! Help me find them a family!!! HELP ME to NEVER FORGET THEM AND TO BE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS FOR THEM! MY HEART JUST ACHED FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOYS!
It was time for Solomon to pack up his belongings. He had a small trunk at the side of his bed with everything he owned locked up in it. He filled his back pack with the things he wanted and then told the boys they could take what was left. Within 2 minutes, they all had something in their arms running to put into their trunks. They even took his blanket and mattress. The top bunk was completely empty, like no one lived there any more. They all address their bunks as their houses. Solomon's house was vacant! He looked around the room, the boys surrounding him as we walked out of the building and we stepped out into the journey of Solomon's new life. The boys followed us out to the gate and stood waving and smiling as we drove away. Many of them yelling,
"Come back please, come back tomorrow"!
(photos will soon follow) Stay tuned more to come......
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Day Two In Ethiopia
We called Gladney to arrange for our scheduled driver, Taffi was ready and waiting for us at 9:00 a.m. It was so wonderful to see him again. He was our driver in Nov 07 and we actually cried as we said goodbye at the airport. We were both in awe that the Lord had brought us back together so soon and so unexpectedly. It was a very warm and happy reunion as you will see when I get the video uploaded!
So off to our favorite breakfast spot "La Parisienne" for waffles and cappuccino. This is also known as Taffi's office. Solomon, Georgie, Misganaw, Me and Taffi, all had a delicious breakfast and then we all shared our testimony with Taffi of how we all came to be at this table. He was in tears and awe of all the miracles God had performed that orchestrated this day. He also shared his testimony and events of the last two years that had grown his faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. In fact, he also got a miracle, his green card was approved that very week and he will now be able to come to the USA on a regular basis. He has family here but he will keep his business and life going in Ethiopia. He has worked for Gladney for four years now and he has seen many miracles. He is passionate about orphan care and wants to continue to work with this ministry.
We spent four hours bonding, sharing testimony, crying, and laughing. It was the foundation established that made the rest of our journey so amazing. We were a foursome now. He then took us shopping for some things, we made reservations for a graduation celebration at Kuriftu Resort for later in the week and then to dinner. This was the night Solomon ate ice cream for the first time in his life. He loved the strawberry flavor the best.
Taffi is the man to know. He knows many people and pretty much can get us what ever we need. He is a very valuable resource. He is a new brother in the lives of Solomon and Misganaw and has promised to look out for them for me. Nothing like building the family network!!!
Also, Belay is trying to contact our birth mother for another visit with her. I have lots of photos and hugs and kisses to share with her. Their contact info for her was no longer valid so it may not be possible to see her again. I prayed so hard that we would see each other again. The LORD is going to have to give us another miracle!! PLEASE LORD!!!
This was a day of adjusting to the time and just laying some groundwork and planning the rest of our journey. Oh, and Georgie is back on track...ready to get to work and be about HIS business. It made a big difference to have Taffi and his car!! More to come...
Ellie is out of town this weekend, Myrtle Beach sunning and resting from her duty while I was in Ethiopia, so my photos will be posted when she gets home. Also working on getting the video copied to disk so we can post. We have some great stuff.
P.S. Thank you for the emails...keep them coming...I'm building my address book again! Blessings to you all!
So off to our favorite breakfast spot "La Parisienne" for waffles and cappuccino. This is also known as Taffi's office. Solomon, Georgie, Misganaw, Me and Taffi, all had a delicious breakfast and then we all shared our testimony with Taffi of how we all came to be at this table. He was in tears and awe of all the miracles God had performed that orchestrated this day. He also shared his testimony and events of the last two years that had grown his faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. In fact, he also got a miracle, his green card was approved that very week and he will now be able to come to the USA on a regular basis. He has family here but he will keep his business and life going in Ethiopia. He has worked for Gladney for four years now and he has seen many miracles. He is passionate about orphan care and wants to continue to work with this ministry.
We spent four hours bonding, sharing testimony, crying, and laughing. It was the foundation established that made the rest of our journey so amazing. We were a foursome now. He then took us shopping for some things, we made reservations for a graduation celebration at Kuriftu Resort for later in the week and then to dinner. This was the night Solomon ate ice cream for the first time in his life. He loved the strawberry flavor the best.
Taffi is the man to know. He knows many people and pretty much can get us what ever we need. He is a very valuable resource. He is a new brother in the lives of Solomon and Misganaw and has promised to look out for them for me. Nothing like building the family network!!!
Also, Belay is trying to contact our birth mother for another visit with her. I have lots of photos and hugs and kisses to share with her. Their contact info for her was no longer valid so it may not be possible to see her again. I prayed so hard that we would see each other again. The LORD is going to have to give us another miracle!! PLEASE LORD!!!
This was a day of adjusting to the time and just laying some groundwork and planning the rest of our journey. Oh, and Georgie is back on track...ready to get to work and be about HIS business. It made a big difference to have Taffi and his car!! More to come...
Ellie is out of town this weekend, Myrtle Beach sunning and resting from her duty while I was in Ethiopia, so my photos will be posted when she gets home. Also working on getting the video copied to disk so we can post. We have some great stuff.
P.S. Thank you for the emails...keep them coming...I'm building my address book again! Blessings to you all!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
MY NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
I have been having major problems with my computer and email since I got home. Even my keyboard died!! I think I have lost all of my contact's in my address book too?? This is not good, there are so many of you I need to communicate with. It's like a spiritual attack...Satan does not want me to post about the miracles and ministry the Lord has and is doing. I now have a new email address so please do not send emails to my old one. PLEASE SEND ME A QUICK EMAIL SO I HAVE YOUR ADDRESS AGAIN!! Thank you for all of your support and requests for sponsoring a Kolfe boy. I am working on the logistics of everything so please do stay tuned...I will be posting more testimony and photos too. Just not enough hours in the day to do it all!!
eileenmestas@gmail.com
eileenmestas@gmail.com
Friday, September 11, 2009
ON THE BRINK OF TEARS TODAY!
I am feeling very overwhelmed since arriving home and I am really asking God to show me WHAT HE IS WANTING FROM ME?? I feel like another curtain has been pulled back and I can SEE things that are breaking God's heart and mine. There is so much ministry that needs to be done in Ethiopia. My heart is very heavy because I personally know of special needs for the Kolfe boys and Solomon, Misganaw and his family. I know I CANNOT DO THESE THINGS by myself. I am praying for wisdom and discernment. I cannot just get back to life as I knew it before this last trip. I know God is preparing me for something and I am at the threshold of the next chapter of this book HE IS WRITING.
I have to start school with the kids and today is our first day to co-op. I woke up feeling like I need to sit at the throne of God and ask for HIS portion to fill me today. I am on the verge of tears so I sat this morning and asked him to SPEAK TO ME! This is what HE showed me within minutes of sitting at HIS FEET! My GOD IS SOOOO GOOD TO ME!!!
"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, YOU are my SERVANT, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you , Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with MY righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:9-10
"Now it shall come to pass," if you diligently obey the VOICE of the LORD YOUR GOD to observe carefully all HIS commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your GOD will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the VOICE of the LORD YOUR GOD" Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Are you SEEKING TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD SPEAK TO YOU??? I want to encourage you to SEEK HIM AND SEARCH FOR HIM WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART. HE is faithful and desires his saints to be about HIS business.
I AM IN AWE AND WAITING TO HEAR WHAT I AM TO DO NOW??
I am now ready to start my day and WAIT for HIS instructions.
I have to start school with the kids and today is our first day to co-op. I woke up feeling like I need to sit at the throne of God and ask for HIS portion to fill me today. I am on the verge of tears so I sat this morning and asked him to SPEAK TO ME! This is what HE showed me within minutes of sitting at HIS FEET! My GOD IS SOOOO GOOD TO ME!!!
"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, YOU are my SERVANT, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you , Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with MY righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:9-10
"Now it shall come to pass," if you diligently obey the VOICE of the LORD YOUR GOD to observe carefully all HIS commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your GOD will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the VOICE of the LORD YOUR GOD" Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Are you SEEKING TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD SPEAK TO YOU??? I want to encourage you to SEEK HIM AND SEARCH FOR HIM WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART. HE is faithful and desires his saints to be about HIS business.
I AM IN AWE AND WAITING TO HEAR WHAT I AM TO DO NOW??
I am now ready to start my day and WAIT for HIS instructions.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Journey Begins in Ethiopia, Monday, August 24, 2009
It was a long 18 hour flight and we spent a lot of time talking and praying about why the LORD had us both on this journey. There were approximately 10 American families on the plane going to adopt from Ethiopia. We spent some time talking with everyone and sharing stories and photos as we waited in Dulles. Cousin Georgie and I both knew that the LORD had orchestrated everything for us to be on that plane and we both felt like we were about to embark on a life-changing journey. We were both at peace but yet we knew we were entering into a journey that we had absolutely no control over.
We arrived at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It took us approximately another 3 hours to get through customs and the Visa line and then there we were standing within eyesight of Solomon and Misganaw, his dad, Brianna from Cherokee and Peter from Children's HopeChest. We were all waving and running toward each other until at last Solomon and I were embracing each other. It was so surreal and felt so amazing to be back in Ethiopia and looking into Solomon's face again. I still can't find the right words to describe what it felt like but the words standing on holy ground kept coming to mind. I know with everything in my being that the LORD GOD has so intentionally and miraculously ordained this relationship and this journey. This is so not about me but about HIS WILL, HIS PLAN and HIS PURPOSE.
We then sat at a table in the airport for about an hour talking and showing photos from home while we waited for one of the passengers who was also going to be staying at the Cherokee House with us. It turned out to be Ginia Hairston with Children's HopeChest who was delayed due to her luggage still being somewhere between Colorado and D.C. After she filed her claim, we all gathered in the van and headed to our new home away from home. As soon as we all got settled in the van I said: "Well here we all are like one big happy family!" To which Misganaw's dad responded: "Yes, one big happy family created by GOD!" I knew at that moment that we were not the only ones who SAW GOD IN THIS JOURNEY!!!
We got to Cherokee house, settled in and went to bed since it was now very late. The morning came oh-so-soon and before we knew it we were planning our day! We called for my driver through Gladney but Belay did not answer his phone. So we opted to use the Cherokee house driver for the day, a very sweet man named Habtamu who drives a very tiny old blue taxi. Georgie, Solomon and I hopped in and headed out to breakfast at Kaldi's, which is like a Starbucks cafe. After breakfast, we decided to just let him drive us around Addis Ababa and give us the tour. Georgie was very quiet and I was wondering what was going on. It was not like him to be so quiet. As we were driving around I noticed at one point he was looking like he was very sleepy. He was recording video and taking photos but he was looking out of it. I finally asked if he was doing alright when he turned to me with a pukey look on his face and said,"I feel like I am sucking on the exhaust pipe of that car in front of us! I didn't know I was coming to die here!!!"" I immediately burst out laughing and could not catch my breath for a few minutes. He really looked poochie and I said; "Are you sleepy or are you dying of carbon monoxide poisoning?" He turned to look at me again and he really did not look good. So we asked the driver to take us back to the house. When we got home, Georgie said the fumes were coming from the car we were driving in as well as outside and he really felt sick. He wanted to go lie down for a while and recoup from our scenic drive, HA HA!
I honestly thought I was losing him the first day. He said he had traveled 6 continents and never had seen anything like this. It was disturbing to see the “fourth” world conditions of this country and also so surreal to see the wide variation of time periods going on at the same time. There are Shepherd's with sheep and donkeys in the streets, people dressed like bible times and modern day clothing all walking beside each other, and then there were many beggars, sick and crippled children and adults begging at the car and lying on the sidewalks, medians and everywhere. There is absolutely no organization to the driving rules, no designated lanes and everyone drives crazy. People just run right in front of the cars and literally walk in the middle of the traffic at all times. It is a miracle that you don't see bodies flying through the air constantly. I was a nervous wreck every time I saw the little kids and mothers with babies walking among the chaos of traffic. There is nothing to compare it to and it takes some getting used to. They are all perfectly comfortable with it but we as foreigners were a bit stressed.
So Georgie went to sleep and Solomon and I spent the next four hours of the afternoon all alone in the living room sharing our testimonies with each other about everything the Lord had done in our lives for the last year and a half. It was amazing to hear the two stories from two countries and to SEE how the LORD had woven a tapestry for us to be together on that couch. We both cried, laughed and bonded through the miracles we had witnessed and experienced. We recognized if not for the miraculous invention of email, we would not be together today. It was through this technology that we established our long distance relationship and communications. We traced all of our steps back to the very first day of our meeting when Ryan Brown of Gladney insisted that we visit the Kolfe Boys orphanage. This was the day I got very frustrated and prayed the Lord would give us a flat tire or something to avoid visiting Kolfe. It is so humbling to realize that I NEVER KNOW WHAT GREAT PLANS THE LORD HAS FOR ME and I am so grateful that HE ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT IS BEST!!!!
Everyone started to arrive back home and we soon were at the table eating home-made Pizza and getting to know each other. We all shared our stories of why and how we were all at the Cherokee house. JT and Brianna are employees of Cherokee; Brittney and Scott are volunteers, Peter and Ginia are with Children's HopeChest and then there was Solomon the orphan boy, Misganaw the exchange student, Tattoo Man DJ Manager Georgie and Home-school MOM ME! What a weird tapestry has been woven huh?? Everyone was absolutely amazed at our testimony as each of us shared how we came to be at this table. There were tears as well as lots of laughs.
Ginia even mentioned that she had seen us on the plane and kept staring because we looked like such an odd couple. She thought we didn't look like husband and wife but then we were so affectionate and seemed so close. We were talking and laughing a lot and then I was sleeping on his shoulder too!! What could they be going to ET for she thought? I mentioned that I had tried to talk to her on the plane but she seemed kind of snobby. She laughed and said she was just having a hard time trying to figure us out. We quickly became very good friends however, and realized that we also were experiencing a divine appointment. She was there to visit the orphanages that are being sponsored by Children's HopeChest, one of which is the Kolfe Boys orphanage. What are the odds that she would be there for her very first visit with Kolfe's Mama as her roommate?? Only God could orchestrate things like this! We now have a bond not only as sisters in Christ but as roommates and witnesses to the miraculous works of the LORD and the Kolfe orphanage.
Ginia at Kolfe
We arrived at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It took us approximately another 3 hours to get through customs and the Visa line and then there we were standing within eyesight of Solomon and Misganaw, his dad, Brianna from Cherokee and Peter from Children's HopeChest. We were all waving and running toward each other until at last Solomon and I were embracing each other. It was so surreal and felt so amazing to be back in Ethiopia and looking into Solomon's face again. I still can't find the right words to describe what it felt like but the words standing on holy ground kept coming to mind. I know with everything in my being that the LORD GOD has so intentionally and miraculously ordained this relationship and this journey. This is so not about me but about HIS WILL, HIS PLAN and HIS PURPOSE.
We then sat at a table in the airport for about an hour talking and showing photos from home while we waited for one of the passengers who was also going to be staying at the Cherokee House with us. It turned out to be Ginia Hairston with Children's HopeChest who was delayed due to her luggage still being somewhere between Colorado and D.C. After she filed her claim, we all gathered in the van and headed to our new home away from home. As soon as we all got settled in the van I said: "Well here we all are like one big happy family!" To which Misganaw's dad responded: "Yes, one big happy family created by GOD!" I knew at that moment that we were not the only ones who SAW GOD IN THIS JOURNEY!!!
We got to Cherokee house, settled in and went to bed since it was now very late. The morning came oh-so-soon and before we knew it we were planning our day! We called for my driver through Gladney but Belay did not answer his phone. So we opted to use the Cherokee house driver for the day, a very sweet man named Habtamu who drives a very tiny old blue taxi. Georgie, Solomon and I hopped in and headed out to breakfast at Kaldi's, which is like a Starbucks cafe. After breakfast, we decided to just let him drive us around Addis Ababa and give us the tour. Georgie was very quiet and I was wondering what was going on. It was not like him to be so quiet. As we were driving around I noticed at one point he was looking like he was very sleepy. He was recording video and taking photos but he was looking out of it. I finally asked if he was doing alright when he turned to me with a pukey look on his face and said,"I feel like I am sucking on the exhaust pipe of that car in front of us! I didn't know I was coming to die here!!!"" I immediately burst out laughing and could not catch my breath for a few minutes. He really looked poochie and I said; "Are you sleepy or are you dying of carbon monoxide poisoning?" He turned to look at me again and he really did not look good. So we asked the driver to take us back to the house. When we got home, Georgie said the fumes were coming from the car we were driving in as well as outside and he really felt sick. He wanted to go lie down for a while and recoup from our scenic drive, HA HA!
I honestly thought I was losing him the first day. He said he had traveled 6 continents and never had seen anything like this. It was disturbing to see the “fourth” world conditions of this country and also so surreal to see the wide variation of time periods going on at the same time. There are Shepherd's with sheep and donkeys in the streets, people dressed like bible times and modern day clothing all walking beside each other, and then there were many beggars, sick and crippled children and adults begging at the car and lying on the sidewalks, medians and everywhere. There is absolutely no organization to the driving rules, no designated lanes and everyone drives crazy. People just run right in front of the cars and literally walk in the middle of the traffic at all times. It is a miracle that you don't see bodies flying through the air constantly. I was a nervous wreck every time I saw the little kids and mothers with babies walking among the chaos of traffic. There is nothing to compare it to and it takes some getting used to. They are all perfectly comfortable with it but we as foreigners were a bit stressed.
So Georgie went to sleep and Solomon and I spent the next four hours of the afternoon all alone in the living room sharing our testimonies with each other about everything the Lord had done in our lives for the last year and a half. It was amazing to hear the two stories from two countries and to SEE how the LORD had woven a tapestry for us to be together on that couch. We both cried, laughed and bonded through the miracles we had witnessed and experienced. We recognized if not for the miraculous invention of email, we would not be together today. It was through this technology that we established our long distance relationship and communications. We traced all of our steps back to the very first day of our meeting when Ryan Brown of Gladney insisted that we visit the Kolfe Boys orphanage. This was the day I got very frustrated and prayed the Lord would give us a flat tire or something to avoid visiting Kolfe. It is so humbling to realize that I NEVER KNOW WHAT GREAT PLANS THE LORD HAS FOR ME and I am so grateful that HE ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT IS BEST!!!!
Everyone started to arrive back home and we soon were at the table eating home-made Pizza and getting to know each other. We all shared our stories of why and how we were all at the Cherokee house. JT and Brianna are employees of Cherokee; Brittney and Scott are volunteers, Peter and Ginia are with Children's HopeChest and then there was Solomon the orphan boy, Misganaw the exchange student, Tattoo Man DJ Manager Georgie and Home-school MOM ME! What a weird tapestry has been woven huh?? Everyone was absolutely amazed at our testimony as each of us shared how we came to be at this table. There were tears as well as lots of laughs.
Ginia even mentioned that she had seen us on the plane and kept staring because we looked like such an odd couple. She thought we didn't look like husband and wife but then we were so affectionate and seemed so close. We were talking and laughing a lot and then I was sleeping on his shoulder too!! What could they be going to ET for she thought? I mentioned that I had tried to talk to her on the plane but she seemed kind of snobby. She laughed and said she was just having a hard time trying to figure us out. We quickly became very good friends however, and realized that we also were experiencing a divine appointment. She was there to visit the orphanages that are being sponsored by Children's HopeChest, one of which is the Kolfe Boys orphanage. What are the odds that she would be there for her very first visit with Kolfe's Mama as her roommate?? Only God could orchestrate things like this! We now have a bond not only as sisters in Christ but as roommates and witnesses to the miraculous works of the LORD and the Kolfe orphanage.
Ginia at Kolfe
Sunday, September 6, 2009
I AM HOME BUT MY HEART IS BROKEN!
I arrived safely home yesterday and now I am dealing with a whole new situation in my life. I feel like my heart has been broken into two pieces and I left half of my heart in Ethiopia. I have never experienced anything like this before. I am grieving but at the same time I am so grateful that the LORD decided to bring Solomon into my life. I don't understand it all, it is so complicated and so full of miraculous events. Why do I have to live without him here in my home?? Why do I love him so much?? We had an absolutely amazing 2 weeks together. We bonded better than I could have ever imagined. We laughed a lot, talked and shared a lot, experienced a lot of first events together like a mother and son would, and then we cried a lot. It was soooo hard to leave him at the airport. He was crying so hard for the last two days that everyone was comforting him. Our driver even stopped the car at one point and went into a store to buy tissues for his tears and running nose. It was just uncontrollable. We were hugging and holding hands the entire time I was there. He loved to touch my hair and we would just stare at each other a lot in awe that it was really true that we were finally together. It was like having a new baby boy in so many ways but yet we had so much fun as we shared so many conversations and experiences. I have so much to share and lots of photos. I will be posting over the next few days. I have to process so much and I am very tired. So, please stay tuned and get ready to SEE GOD!!! Blessings to all of you who have been writing comments and praying. I can't wait for you all to hear the details!!! WE are embarking on a new journey, a new book....written by the creator of the heavens and earth and the lover of the orphans in the world!! It is such an honor and privilege to be a part of HIS STORY....AND THE LIFE OF SOLOMON BEKELE MESTAS....
Just a note: Jerry posted about Solomon winning the Valedictorian award at his graduation. An important fact that was left out was that Solomon was failing all of his classes until almost two years ago. He shared with us that he was very depressed and hopeless. He had no ambition to study...or anything. He was having one of his very worst days the day I first stepped foot at the Kolfe orphanage when he heard the boys talking about a lady that was outside visiting. He got up off of his bed to go see what was happening and that day changed his life forever! He shared that until he got HIS FAMILY...HE HAD NO HOPE...NO REASON TO PURSUE ANYTHING. HE WAS SHOCKED THAT HE WON THIS AWARD... HE received two honors..top student of the Marketing Division which was his major and then the highest GPA for the entire school of more than 400 students. He was almost kicked out of this school a few months ago because they reneged on his scholarship due to lack of funds. We sent him some money just in time to pay his tuition. Then he began to study really hard and apply himself. He also missed the last exam due to food poisoning that put him in the hospital. All the other students took that exam except him. So, with all of this said...HE STILL WON THE VALEDICTORIAN AWARD FOR HIGHEST GPA OF THE SCHOOL!! Even the director of Kolfe and the other boys who know Solomon for almost 10 years were absolutely shocked that he won!! They all asked how he did it?? He responded: "I just started to study really hard because I wanted MOM to be proud of me!!!"
Solomon Accepting His Award
Solomon Georgie and Misganaw
According to Solomon, if not for having a family, a mom and dad that were rooting for him and supporting him, his life would have taken a major turn for the worst. Through this experience the LORD is revealing to me and you just how important it is to be there for these orphans even if we can't adopt them physically in our homes. IF we had not stepped out in faith and become a part of SOLOMON's life, what would his story be today??? According to him, HE WOULD HAVE NEVER FINISHED SCHOOL NEVER MIND WITH HONORS!!! I pray this inspires you to SEEK GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR ROLE IN CARING FOR THE ORPHANS IN OUR WORLD.
I have a list of boys from Kolfe that have personally asked me to get them a family that will love them and be a part of their lives like Solomon has. I will be posting more...but please pray now to see how the LORD wants you to respond. I have been given another new mission... to be a MOM TO ALL THE BOYS AT KOLFE and to find them all a family!! I have much work to do...I will never be the same again!!! Please stay tuned...the best is yet to come!!
There are many of them who can be adopted and I will be happy to talk with you about it. Just email me: emestas@nc.rr.com!! TO GOD BE ALL GLORY HONOR AND PRAISE!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Coming Home
I spoke to Eileen a little while ago on Skype. BTW, If you are not familiar with Skype, you have to know that this is the best way to call Ethiopia. Not only can you make free video calls from computer to computer on Skype, but if you buy Skype credit, you can call any number in the world practically for so cheap. I paid 36 cents a minute to call Eileen on the cell phone she was using. For her to make calls on that cell phone anywhere (including the USA) she had to buy a SIM card that was good for a certain amount of Birr. Local calls used up so much Birr and of course, international calls used more Birr. Needless to say, she was always running out of Birr. The good news is that even without Birr, she could receive calls and so I could call that cell phone and it did not cost her anything, and it only cost me 36 cents a minute. I wish I had known this when she first got there, but better late than never. www.skype.com
Today Eileen paid one last visit to Kolfe before she left for the airport. Yes, she is on her way home today and should be arriving at Dulles airport tomorrow morning. Of course she will have to go through Customs and all that stuff so her connecting flight will not get her to RDU airport until tomorrow afternoon at around 2 pm. It will sure be good to have her back home.
It was hard for her to leave Solomon and very difficult to say goodbye to the boys at Kolfe. She has a special place in her heart for them which has been there ever since she first stepped foot onto that place almost 2 years ago.
ONE LAST MIRACLE
This trip was filled with some amazing and miraculous events, much of it recorded on the 13 hours of video which Georgie took. But today, during the final of about 4 visits to Kolfe on this trip, two of the Kolfe Boys accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Orphans No More! They are Sons of the King!
Today Eileen paid one last visit to Kolfe before she left for the airport. Yes, she is on her way home today and should be arriving at Dulles airport tomorrow morning. Of course she will have to go through Customs and all that stuff so her connecting flight will not get her to RDU airport until tomorrow afternoon at around 2 pm. It will sure be good to have her back home.
It was hard for her to leave Solomon and very difficult to say goodbye to the boys at Kolfe. She has a special place in her heart for them which has been there ever since she first stepped foot onto that place almost 2 years ago.
ONE LAST MIRACLE
This trip was filled with some amazing and miraculous events, much of it recorded on the 13 hours of video which Georgie took. But today, during the final of about 4 visits to Kolfe on this trip, two of the Kolfe Boys accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Orphans No More! They are Sons of the King!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)