Hope for Korah

Inspired by Avareigh an 8 year old girl, who wanted to make a difference in Korah the Brother & Sister Friend Program - Globally Connecting God’s Young People has become a big hit!  Through this program young people are matched with a prayer partner/pen-pal of a similar age and gender from the other side of the globe.  During my last few trips to Korah, I have had the privilege of delivering this mail back and forth.  It has been touching to see how so many are taking this seriously and praying daily for their Brother or Sister Friend on the other side of the world. Avareigh is praying too and she is hoping that these friendships will make a difference in the lives of young people both in Korah and in North America.  At this time we have over 100 Korah young people who have filled out cards, sharing about themselves and hoping to be matched with a Brother or Sister Friend in Canada or the U.S.  Watch this short video to learn more about the progr...

Over the last 21 months I have seen many Korah connections and relationships develop - not only personally, but between many people; some who have stepped foot into Korah and others who have not.  One of the joys of my last trip was to be the ‘special delivery’ person for over 130 people!   Isn’t that amazing? Over 130 people, of all ages, were sent personal greetings or gifts by name in my 4 over-stuffed hockey bags!   I can’t help but marvel at this and wonder “How in the world did this happen?”  Just two years ago, most of us (if not all of us)  had never heard of Korah, let alone thought about having a personal relationship with someone who lived in an urban slum, situated on the edge of a garbage dump in Africa.  “How could it be? We live thousands of miles away, in a completely different world and now - we not only know of Korah, but many of us call these people Friend, Family – Brother and Sister?” It is incredible really… and I ...

My bags are packed and today I am off  to celebrate Ethiopian Christmas (Jan.7th) a few days late, with all of our Hope for Korah Sponsored families and many others whom we love in Korah.  So many relationships are developing as I have hockey bags full of cards, notes and gifts from so many people of all ages from so many places, connecting and caring for the people in Korah. This will be a full trip as there are many families to visit in their new homes, in addition to the new kindergarten class we have begun with Great Hope Charities at the Children's Shelter, the Berta Breakfast Program, the newly hired after-school tutor and the list goes on... we will see how it all unfolds as TIA - This is Africa!  And I am excited and grateful to be heading back. In the past I have found it challenging to post blogs from Ethiopia, but I am still hoping that I may be able to post some.  However the majority of my communication will be on our 'Hope for Korah' Facebo...

Gioia with Dekenesh, Jegioh & Byush One of my favorite things to do when I’m in Korah, is to spend time with the ladies who work behind the scenes at the Children’s Shelter, cooking for the many children and elderly lepers who come to eat there.                     These women have so much spunk and they are a lot of fun! We have shared much laughter, as we try to communicate with lots of hand gestures and a few broken English and Amharic words – big smiles and warm hugs Whenever I am in the vicinity, they often motion for me to come into their kitchen area to sit with them.  They love to teach me about their language and culture and I love learning.  One of our memorable times together is when they taught me how to make injera. 

To read this post in context and to understand the full impact  of this spontaneous mud-filled match, I would suggest you first read  Part 1: For the Love of Soccer – “I am important and I belong!” After walking 30 - 45 min in the hot sun, over 200 children showed up in a makeshift soccer field to attend a soccer camp led by Dustin, Nick, Anina and the Great Hope Charities leaders. Many children stood for hours waiting,  watching and hoping to play. W ith so many children ,  not everyone was given the opportunity.  It was a bittersweet day for all of us - be sure to read Part One and then enjoy Part Two below... The heart-rending sight of watching these children turn around and begin the long trek back to the slum and heart of Korah, without having had a chance to play soccer or receive a jersey was fresh in our minds.  The following afternoon some of us were standing around in an empty and muddy cou rtyard across the street from ...

                                                      Ask most children in Korah what they like to play or what their favourite sport is and nine times out of ten the answer will be “soccer!” So back home in Canada, when our local Abbotsford Soccer Association generously donated soccer jerseys, shorts, socks and balls for our upcoming trip to Korah, Ethiopia we were pretty sure it would be a big hit. When the day arrived we had no idea that around 200 kids would show up and fortunately we were prepared – well, almost….

Here is a Photo Booklet made especially for Marta's Sponsor - THANK YOU! What a difference they are making in her life... Be sure to watch it in FULL Screen & click to enlarge photos! Photo album personalized with Smilebox