This is God's show

Recent photo since we left

When Club Anbesa started it was a mom (myself) and a 4 year old son.

We went to the streets of Menharia, Hawassa (Southern Ethiopia) with no clue, but a clear direction from God.

After some days we decided to buy a ball for the street boys to kick around. It went pretty well, but we honestly could not tell at first who were the street boys, and who were the boys who had families, homes, education.

This was why it was so important to start the way we did- just getting to know the people. Seeing things from their view, understanding the culture difference and not making assumptions based on what I thought I knew.

It took 3 months before I got uniforms for the kids or really understood what we were doing.

In those months though we did something which made all the difference. We really got to know the boys, who they were, what they hoped for, what they really needed opposed to what other people wanted to give them, and the best ways to make real lasting changes in their lives- more than just give them stuff for their immediate survival.

But this was the catch- I didn't really do anything. I showed up. (I should say we showed up; my son was everywhere I went.)

God moved. God brought the boys. God worked in their lives. God provided funds when we needed. And I have faith he will continue to do that.

Now that we are back in the states (Zeru turned 5 while we were there) it is just the beginning. We still are sending money for the rent for the boys, we are trying to get money for them to go to school, and today we are sending money for business start ups for some of them. We also need to get new uniforms for the boys.

Where will the money come from? (I don't have it)
Will the boys lose hope with us not there to love on them?
Will there continue to be progress?

Sometimes I worry, I get sad, I get scared. But then I remember that we did nothing to get the boys on their way- that was Jesus work. So I have to trust that whatever comes after today will also be God's responsibility- not mine.

This is God's show.