Monday, March 2, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
February 12, 2009
I am so excited, thankful and overwhelmed to be writing this letter. As you know, I had the amazing opportunity to spend two weeks last summer in Ethiopia with the Mocha Club. God used those two weeks in my life to break, change, grow, challenge and restore me in ways that I never could imagine. After returning, there has not been a day that has passed when I haven’t thought about my time in Ethiopia. Every day I see the faces and hear the voices of the children I met. Every day I think of the orphans who do not know what it is like to be held while being fed a bottle. Every day I remember the mother and child bathing themselves in a mud puddle on the side of the road. Every day I hear the voice of the teenage boy who pleaded with me to pray for him and to never forget him. Every day I think of the women who told me I was a blessing from God. Every day I think of the children who had never used crayons before. Every day I remember the way I tried to teach children who spoke no English how to play Red Rover. Every day I remember the way children fought over who would hold my hand. Every day I remember the little girl who put her jacket over my head to shield me from the sun. Every day I think of the unexplainable joy I saw in their faces. Everyday my heart aches over the pain and suffering of the people in Africa. Every day I pray for protection, healing and salvation for the people there. Every day I dream of the day I will be able to return. God has given me a love and burden for His people in Ethiopia that is far beyond intrigue or pity.
God allowed me to see glimpses of His plan while in Ethiopia. One day a boy came to me with confusion in his eyes and began asking me questions. After asking me if I was from America he looked me in the eyes and asked me why I was there and what I wanted from him. Stunned by the rawness of his question I responded “I want nothing. Jesus loves me and I wanted to come here and tell you that Jesus loves you too.” There was no debate over creation. No questions of why he lives in a land with so much pain, poverty and death. There was no discussion over theology. In that moment when I looked that boy in the eyes all I could tell him was that Jesus loved him and that was enough.
After months of many open and closed doors, conversations, tears and prayers I believe that God is telling me to return to Ethiopia. For the first time the Mocha Club is taking a team to Ethiopia that will stay for an entire month. God has worked out many details in my life to enable me to join the team that will be in Ethiopia July 10 - August 8. I am excited about the opportunity to return to the same places and hopefully see many of the children I met last summer. We will be spending our time at many of the same places: orphanages, a transitional home for adopted children and a “day camp” for orphaned children. Also, as a result of last summer the Mocha Club has been given the opportunity to begin a ministry to street boys. These boys have ended up on the streets as a result of AIDS, poverty or simply because their life at home was far worse than life on the street. I have seen firsthand how so little can be so much in this country. Ethiopia is in great need of not only necessities like water, food, and education but also encouragement, an extra hand to hold a bottle, love and simply your presence. Africa, like many places, is filled with people who are hurting, sick, poor and corrupt. However, the saving grace and hope of Jesus Christ is powerful, real and is changing lives.
I have been extremely blessed by the love, encouragement and support of so many. I am so thankful that you have not only supported me over the years but that you are committed to the eternal advancement of God’s Kingdom. I was overwhelmed with the finical support as well as donations that I received last year. It was an amazing gift and honor to serve God’s people in Ethiopia on your behalf.
I am humbly coming to you again to ask for your financial support as well as your prayers. I must raise $4,150 by May 1. Checks can be made out to Africa Leadership and are tax-deductible. Donations can also be made on-line at www.africanleadership.org (click on make a donation, enter amount in “other” and in the note box type “Mocha Club Mission Trip - Elizabeth Ford”). Please pray for me. Pray that the Lord will see fit to bring others to experience His saving Grace.
My hope is that you will be able to experience God’s power, love and grace through this trip as well. I want to try and communicate with you the ways that God is working during my time in Ethiopia. Therefore, I have started a blog http://meford.blogspot.com/ so that you may follow along in this journey with me. Thank you again for all of your love, prayers and support that you have blessed me with over the years.
963 Missions
Attn: Mocha Club
10440 N. Central Expwy Ste. 122
Dallas, TX 75231
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Letter from Ethiopia
The boy that I met while in Ambo has sent me a couple of letters since I have been home. This letter makes me cry everytime I read it. It has finally hit me the the people in Ethiopia especially this boy long for nothing more than to be loved. He says over and over that he is so thankful for me and everything I have done for him. However, in my mind I did nothing for him. I talked to him a few times, loved him and gave him a hat. But in his eyes I loved him (which I still do), listened to him, gave him hope and encouraged him in his love for Christ. For me he gave me so much more. This is the same boy that is written about in the previous post.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
So my effort to start a blog and write about my trip to Ethiopia has failed. However, I am going to press on and not give up. Yes, I have been publically rebuked for having a blog and not writing on it consistently. While others would rebuke me if they even knew I tried to start a blog. So, either way here I go...
This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Ethiopia and serve with an amazing group of people. I have been asked by Mocha Club to explain why I believe "I need Africa more than Africa needs me".
The Mocha Club is designed to allow everyone (even poor state employees like myself) to make a difference in Africa. It is a simple $7 a month (cost of two mochas) and you can choose which project you would like to support.
One boy about 12 came up to me at the end when we were sharing the Gospel with me and he asked me where I was from.When I told him America he asked me what we wanted from them. I told him I didn't want anything from him - I just wantedto hang out with him. I told him that I love Jesus and I wanted to come and tell him that Jesus loved him too. He told me that he loves Jesus and was so happy that we were there. He asked me over and over to please pray for him and the peopleof Ethiopia. He told me that when he gets old he wants to be the Prime Minister of Ethiopia bec there is no equality ofpeople and he wants to change that. We left and went back to where the morning church was - about 3 miles down theroad. About an hour later I see this boy walk up - he walked in the pouring rain to find me. He brought me a picture of him to have. What an amazing testimony of this boys love and longing to be loved
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Follow Up Support Letter
March 18, 2008
I wanted update everyone on my support raising. Thank you all for your prayers and donations. Asking for money is a very humbling experience for me. As I have said before, this trip would not be possible without your support. I am so thankful to have each of you in my life.
I thought I might share more details of my trip. I will be leaving around July 15 and will be in Ethiopia for 10 days. The exact dates are not yet finalized in an effort to maximize our time on the ground in Africa. The team I will be traveling with consists of about 10 people - mostly from the South (some with very strong accents which will be interesting!). The entire team will meet in Dallas, TX for a day of training before traveling to Ethiopia together. I am thankful that we will be traveling as a team as that will hopefully cause less confusion upon landing.
While in Ethiopia, we will be dividing our time between various local ministries. The majority of our time will be spent in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Upon arrival we will be volunteering at Hannah’s Orphanage which houses orphans from infants to adolescents. We will then be spending the next few days volunteering with a program that serves as a day care/after school program for children who have been orphaned but are now living with various family members. Finally, we will travel outside the city to Ambo. This city is home to an organization that houses children who are in the process of being adopted. Most of these children have been orphaned by AIDS, while others have fallen victim to war, famine and poverty. I can’t imagine the amount of pain, confusion and hopelessness that these children feel even at such a young age. I feel honored to enter into these small children’s lives. I am very excited for the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet in Ethiopia even if only for a short time.
As of today, I have raised just under 50% of my funds. I still must raise approximately $1,600. Thank you all to those who have graciously given support for my travel. Please pray that God will continue to meet the deadlines of support raising. I also ask that you will pray for me as I prepare for this trip physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Please pray for my team that we will become unified by getting to know a little about each other over the next few months. Pray that I will be able to see God’s powerful presence in a land of darkness. I pray that I will experience a view of God that I never knew existed.
Thank you all for being a partner in the Gospel. I think Caedmon’s Call says it best “He doesn’t need me but He lets me put my hands in. So we can see His love is bigger than you and me.” I look forward to sharing stories of God’s work, mercy and love with you when I return.
By His Grace,
Elizabeth
I wanted update everyone on my support raising. Thank you all for your prayers and donations. Asking for money is a very humbling experience for me. As I have said before, this trip would not be possible without your support. I am so thankful to have each of you in my life.
I thought I might share more details of my trip. I will be leaving around July 15 and will be in Ethiopia for 10 days. The exact dates are not yet finalized in an effort to maximize our time on the ground in Africa. The team I will be traveling with consists of about 10 people - mostly from the South (some with very strong accents which will be interesting!). The entire team will meet in Dallas, TX for a day of training before traveling to Ethiopia together. I am thankful that we will be traveling as a team as that will hopefully cause less confusion upon landing.
While in Ethiopia, we will be dividing our time between various local ministries. The majority of our time will be spent in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Upon arrival we will be volunteering at Hannah’s Orphanage which houses orphans from infants to adolescents. We will then be spending the next few days volunteering with a program that serves as a day care/after school program for children who have been orphaned but are now living with various family members. Finally, we will travel outside the city to Ambo. This city is home to an organization that houses children who are in the process of being adopted. Most of these children have been orphaned by AIDS, while others have fallen victim to war, famine and poverty. I can’t imagine the amount of pain, confusion and hopelessness that these children feel even at such a young age. I feel honored to enter into these small children’s lives. I am very excited for the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet in Ethiopia even if only for a short time.
As of today, I have raised just under 50% of my funds. I still must raise approximately $1,600. Thank you all to those who have graciously given support for my travel. Please pray that God will continue to meet the deadlines of support raising. I also ask that you will pray for me as I prepare for this trip physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Please pray for my team that we will become unified by getting to know a little about each other over the next few months. Pray that I will be able to see God’s powerful presence in a land of darkness. I pray that I will experience a view of God that I never knew existed.
Thank you all for being a partner in the Gospel. I think Caedmon’s Call says it best “He doesn’t need me but He lets me put my hands in. So we can see His love is bigger than you and me.” I look forward to sharing stories of God’s work, mercy and love with you when I return.
By His Grace,
Elizabeth
Africa?
March 10, 2008
I am writing to share with you another opportunity that God has given me. Over the years God has placed Africa heavily upon my heart. After many years a perfect opportunity has come. This summer I will be traveling to Ethiopia, Africa with a ministry called the Mocha Club. The Mocha Club is a ministry that supports various ministries in Africa such as pastor training and funding orphanages. I will be traveling and working with a group of individuals from all over the United States. We will be spending the entire trip (11 days) helping at Hannah’s Orphanage which is located in the capital city of Addis Ababa. You can find more information about the Mocha Club at http://www.mochaclub.org/.
As you may know I had the opportunity to be a part of various mission trips while in college. God used that time in my life to teach me and grow me closer to Him in ways that I never would have imagined. I am so thankful for the supportive family and friends like you that have helped financially to enable me to participate in these trips. So, I am coming to you again asking for your help. The cost of the trip is $3,200 which is due in full by May 15. Donations are tax-deductible and checks should be made out to African Leadership and mailed to: 963 Missions, 10440 N. Central Expwy., Suite 122, Dallas, TX 75231. Any donation is greatly appreciated!
More importantly than your financial support I ask that you support me by praying for me. It may sound cliché but it is true. A trip like this while extremely exciting will bring its share of difficulty physically, emotionally and spiritually. Please pray that the Lord will use His messy and broken daughter (me) in a way that will bring Him glory. I cannot thank you enough for your love, support and prayers.
I am writing to share with you another opportunity that God has given me. Over the years God has placed Africa heavily upon my heart. After many years a perfect opportunity has come. This summer I will be traveling to Ethiopia, Africa with a ministry called the Mocha Club. The Mocha Club is a ministry that supports various ministries in Africa such as pastor training and funding orphanages. I will be traveling and working with a group of individuals from all over the United States. We will be spending the entire trip (11 days) helping at Hannah’s Orphanage which is located in the capital city of Addis Ababa. You can find more information about the Mocha Club at http://www.mochaclub.org/.
As you may know I had the opportunity to be a part of various mission trips while in college. God used that time in my life to teach me and grow me closer to Him in ways that I never would have imagined. I am so thankful for the supportive family and friends like you that have helped financially to enable me to participate in these trips. So, I am coming to you again asking for your help. The cost of the trip is $3,200 which is due in full by May 15. Donations are tax-deductible and checks should be made out to African Leadership and mailed to: 963 Missions, 10440 N. Central Expwy., Suite 122, Dallas, TX 75231. Any donation is greatly appreciated!
More importantly than your financial support I ask that you support me by praying for me. It may sound cliché but it is true. A trip like this while extremely exciting will bring its share of difficulty physically, emotionally and spiritually. Please pray that the Lord will use His messy and broken daughter (me) in a way that will bring Him glory. I cannot thank you enough for your love, support and prayers.
Am I THAT person?
OK, yes I am that person. I have started a blog. Yes, I have been known to say that there are only three kinds of people that it is acceptable to have a blog. One, if you have children and family or friends that live out of town. Two, you are in a foreign country. Three, you are a ministry, business, etc. and use a blog as place to update people. Well, I do not fall into any of these types of people. Go ahead judge me, I judge myself. It would have been smart to blog while I was in Ethiopia however, Internet is extremely frustrating there. So I will now use this blog to write stories from my time while in Ethiopia. Hopefully, this blog will also be used to update others when I am in another country. For right now I just want to write these stories so that I will never forget them. So this blog is more for me than for anyone else.
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