I have written in previous blogs about Bring Love In, the ministry we are partnering with here in Ethiopia. Levi and Jessie Benkert moved to Ethiopia 3 years ago and have been working hard to get this project up and off the ground. Here is an excerpt from their website that gives you an overview of what they do.

Bring Love In is a community (not just an organization) that exists to show the love of God by giving families to children who have none. We are based out of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where we couple orphans who are given to us by local authorities, and widows from within local Christian church communities, to create new forever families here in Ethiopia. The “we” that we speak of us not just a group of us over here in Ethiopia, but rather you as well! This work is the collaboration of people around the world who believe in using the resources they have been given to help those in need.

Levi and Jessie raise their own support, both for their family and for their ministry. A few months ago they decided to open Selah Guest House as a way of supporting themselves. The goal is to provide a sustainable income so they can spend more of their time in their ministry and less of their time raising money. This guest house is where we are staying. We are the first family to have the privilege of living here.

While the Benkerts have done a wonderful job of providing the basic necessities for Selah Guest House, there are many things that are still needed before they will be ready to open it permanently. Scott and I are making it our goal to finish furnishing this home before we leave. What a blessing it would be to this family and to Bring Love In! But, we can not do it ourselves. We would like to ask you to partner with us. Would you be willing to help? There are several ways that you can get involved.

This is a list of what we need…..

2 couches @ $300 each

6 bedside tables @ $20 each

24 sets of twin sheets @ $30 each

6 sets of queen sheets @ $40 each

Water tank $300

6 outdoor lawn chairs @ $20 each

Printer $200

TV $300

DVD player $100

3 re-chargeable battery powered lanterns $30-$50 each

Now, obviously, we can’t purchase all of these things in the States and have them shipped over. We are going to spend much of our time in the upcoming weeks searching Addis for these items. Those items that we can’t find here, we will arrange to have brought over with adoptive families who are traveling soon. If you would like to help us purchase any of these items, you can make a donation through the PayPal link on our blog.

Another way we are raising money for this venture is by selling bracelets. These bracelets are made here locally by a ministry called Entoto Beth. It is a group of about 100 HIV+ women who without this ministry would have no hope. No hope of income. No hope of health. No hope of life. Instead, they live here in Addis and spend their days making jewelry which they sell to support themselves. All of the jewelry is made from either coffee beans or re-purposed bullets that they melt down and form into beads.

 

 

By purchasing one of these bracelets, you are helping to support 2 ministries. Part of the purchase price goes to support the Entoto Women, the other part will go to furnish the Selah Guest House. If you would like to buy a bracelet, please click on the Donate link. Each bracelet is $20. In the comments section, please tell me which style (bracelet #1 or bracelet #2) and how many bracelets you would like. When we come home, our bags will be filled with the jewelery that you have purchased to help fund these important ministries.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the privilege of being here in Ethiopia, of serving these people, of being God’s hands and feet. Acts 17:24 says, “The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t……need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself.” I realize more than ever that God doesn’t NEED me. But He ALLOWS me to be a part of His work. And for this I am grateful. Won’t you let God allow you to join us?

Blessings!

Natalie

Bracelet Styles

#1 – The Cuff$20.00 USD #2 – 5 Strands$20.00 USD