PLANNING!!!

Excitement is brewing in our home as we are making plans to return to Ethiopia. It looks like it will be in either May or June. We are going to be going with the Pastor's wife of the church in Addis (or we may follow her if schedules don't coincide). We are planning to meet her, Becky Threatt, in Richmond, VA in February. We can hardly wait. As we communicate via e-mail, it feels as if we have always known her and her husband, Gary and that our hearts are so united in ministry. They were missionaries in the Menz area of Ethiopia in the 1990s and worked with another veterinarian at that time. So, it looks like there is a perfect spot for Doc to put his skills to work. And, Becky has been directing her energies to helping the women and trying to develop a trade that can be marketed, which goes along with my heart as well.

In hopes to do as much as possible, we have started a fund to raise money for "Doc's Well of Hope" in order to be able to drill a deep water well in that area as well (or wherever it is deemed necessary). So, as a major step of faith, we are organizing a 5K walk/run on April 30, 2011 in Mansfield to raise money and awareness.

So, family and friends alike, Save the Date  April 30, 2011 in Mansfield. It will be a wonderful day for Ethiopia and for Doc (SURPRISE 70th birthday celebration in the afternoon).  More details to follow.

As I read my precious daughter-in-law's blog and hear her heart for Ethiopia and the needs of widows and orphans, I want to just copy and paste her blogs. Please check out her blog at http://thisisagreatadventure.blogspot.com/  You will be blessed and challenged.

Closing for now, but I will update soon. Please keep praying for us and SAVE THE DATE:  April 30, 2011.

UPDATE

I realize I've been very lax in writing here, but that is because Doc and I are still seeking God's direction for the moment. We are so anxious to get back to Ethiopia, but also desire to be good stewards of our finances so that we can do the MOST for God in Ethiopia.

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with ALL of our family (except Nana who is in Florida) and shared many ideas of what we are thinking of doing.

We also had the wonderful opportunity of hosting a family who has been best friends and true Christian warriors with us over the years, John and Carol Kenzy and 3 of their 4 lovely daughters and their families. 40 people all together in our home for a lasagna dinner and lots of children. It was AWESOME!!

We shared our thoughts with them and came out of that evening with even more ideas on our ministry concerning Ethiopia and James 1:27. How to care for the orphans and the widows.

Having Markos here in our presence was a vivid reminder of just how real the need is.

We feel strongly that we would adopt siblings should God direct (we thought He was over Christmas as a family of 4 was brought to our atention; thankfully, they found a family and are now being adopted all together). We also are considering if we could spearhead some type of family-living orphanage here for several orphans.

Doc and I both feel such a strong urgency to help as many as possible, thus our research in how to build a well in a village. We believe that to provide water for a village is so life-changing, that it might keep more families together and provide them the opportunity to do other things if they don't have to walk miles for their water.

So, we seek your prayers as we pray for direction so that we can get about His work NOW!!!

I will continue to update as we are updated by our Source of Wisdom, our heavenly Father.