I can’t believe what God has done with the Missions Trip Project!! He is tugging and stirring hearts to travel to Ethiopia and minister to his precious children. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your WILDEST dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Eph. 3:20)
Here’s what blogger, Lori shared-
My 20 yo purchased her t-shirt today! Our neighbors are going to think we bought stock in something by the name of SIMPLY LOVE…but, that’s fine with me! I love how you said early on that God knows who is going and how this amazing opportunity is going to impact their lives…and the lives of others. Let’s daydream about the lifelong RIPPLE EFFECT that your step of faith is putting into motion!!!
One of the special things we will do on the Ethiopia Missions Trip in February 2011 is visit Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa. We are praying for our return trip a real ministry opportunity to share God’s love when our team spends time with the women healing at Fistula Hospital. In July, we received special permission to take photos inside the Hospital showing the beauty of Fistula. This was a rare chance to do something like this- photography is not allowed. (Thank you Feven) We asked team member, Carrie Chlebanowski to tackle the job- she took beautiful photos of the precious women!!
What I loved so much about visiting Fistula Hospital was the beauty of the women, literally from all over Africa. It’s hard to describe a place so full of hope. You could see the hope pouring from their smiles. We met a precious woman, about 18 years old, who had lived in a small room like a prisoner. Her family abandoned her and she lost all ability to walk or function normally… she was physically deformed. Her back was so bent, I thought she was very old. The staff told us that she was their miracle girl!! She was in therapy when we met her, she gave everything she had to walk across the floor with the help of special equipment. We cheered and clapped when she made it to the end of the bars. Hope. Healing. Love. Fistula Hospital.
A documentary film was made of Fistula Hospital and it follows the life of five women in Ethiopia who take the long difficult walk to beautiful. It’s stunning, and heart breaking, and full of hope, and new beginnings. I highly encourage you to take the time to watch the film. [watch the film here]
Trailer- A Walk To Beautiful
My BF Juju traveled to Ethiopia a few months before I was there in July and visited Fistula Hospital. It was so exciting that one of my favorite bloggy photographers, Kristin J was also able to take photos and made this incredible slideshow. She invited me to share it with you. Click here to view. Kristin also now offers Adoption Photography Packages to travel with families to document their adoption!
I want to know what you think about the hospital and the treatment of women in Africa with Fistula. Leave me your thoughts in the comments.
October 26th, 2010 at 3:44 AM
I watched this movie yesterday and it was amazing. It is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. The birth of my 1st child was nothing short of dangerous for both of us and I am so grateful for the medical care that I received that saved my babies life and healed my body after his delivery. Every woman should have access to that kind of help! The people at Fistula Hospital are restoring lives! So powerful!
October 26th, 2010 at 8:34 AM
I have been so inspired and encouraged by your site. I don't know if I previously mentioned it, but my husband and I have recently read the book Radical and through that book, listening to several sermons series, and through God's amazing grace, our eyes have been opened and our hearts broken for the orphans. We are currently looking into foster care but praying that adoption is in the future for our family.
Through your site and a couple others God is growing in me a passion for the children and people of Africa. It's amazing. I read through and can't stop the tears. Even some of that ugly crying.:) As I've said, I feel certain a trip to Africa will happen, even if I don't win it!
My husband is not a blog reading type of guy. So I've been praying, "Lord, I don't know how, but somehow reach his heart and turn it towards Africa." I didn't know how it was going to happen, but then God… in His ever surprising ways… stepped in. Last night we watched an old movie, The God's Must Be Crazy. Slapstick humor and a little weird. Afterward my thoughts were "that was a waste of time" but this morning my husband shocked me. He told me that aside from the slapstick humor part, when they showed the tribes people it was the first time he's realized that the people of Africa are people just like us. With children, families, love, humor. He said he's always thought of them as more of the headhunting, spears and war type. Then he started talking about African adoption! I almost fell out of my seat. I just assumed God would need to use a thought-provoking, emotional website or something. Instead He reached my husband through a ridiculous 80's movie! Isn't that amazing! I don't even know you and my first thought was "I need to share this with Kari." lol
He is in a job right now that does not even begin to give us the income to qualify for adoption. He is thankful to have it but we are praying that God would find a way to increase our income. We know that God isn't going to do all this work in our hearts and then leave us hanging.
I just had to share this with you. You have been instrumental in bringing awareness and excitement to me about Ethiopia and Africa in general. God bless you!
October 26th, 2010 at 11:16 AM
I love your site and have been so inspired! My husband and I are currently in the process of adoptiong from Ethiopia…in fact we just bought a "pick your counrty kit" today! Does that qualify for an entry in the mission trip giveaway? I would love the opportunity to see our sweet child's home and learn more about her culture while sevring Ethiopia! What could be better?!?
October 26th, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Wow, I just watched a Walk To Beautiful and I am blown away by what I just saw. The helpless looks and sadness in these womens eyes that were transformed to such joy from being healed was an amazing sight to witness. I also just finished the book Radical as mentioned by a Shannon P and my husband and I have felt the calling to missions. We have been to the Dominican Republic and have a strong connection there and after watching this and so much more about Ethiopia as of late I can not help but think is the Lord leading us there. We are open to where to the Lord sends us and His perfect timing will lead us where we are needed. I have been so inspired by reading your blog….thank you!
October 26th, 2010 at 6:50 PM
I was so moved as I watched walk to beautiful a few days ago. later I bought a t-shirt entering the Mission Trip giveaway, only learning you would be visiting there afterwards!!! I took it as a sign! I hope I win! I want to go!
October 26th, 2010 at 7:57 PM
I will go. Whether or not I win (after I bought a T-shirt or two) I WILL go. I don't know when it will be, but I want to say "thank you" for making me think. I watched the film this evening. I am still in tears. All the things that I thought seemed so important simply do not. I wonder what the effect would be if I actually WENT to Ethiopia. I am sure it is unfathomable to me at this moment.
October 27th, 2010 at 5:06 AM
Wow, what a moving movie! These women ARE beautiful. What a privilege it would be to visit there and get to love on the women…many who are so so young. Thank you for sharing this movie. I'm so grateful I stumbled upon your blog.
October 27th, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Yes Kari…my heart is pounding and my palms are sweating!! I just bought my shirt and the excitement of what could be fills my heart. I know that even if the excitement is not for me, it will be for someone who wants & needs this trip so so much. I love how you said that God already knows who the winner is…that is so beautiful!! I have desperately wanted to go to Ethiopia for over a year, but we have been scraping every cent we can find to begin our Ethiopian adoption in a few short months. Oh how I would love to go and serve and learn about the country that my future child is from. You are changing the world Kari! Thank you for this opportunity! God Bless.
February 14th, 2011 at 4:59 PM
If you would like to purchase a copy of 'A Walk to Beautiful' visit http://www.walktobeautiful.com/
Thank you!