Christmas Present

Walter brought us a Christmas Present, even on Christmas Eve, and even right to the house.........

Thanks for thinking of us Walt! 

Yuletide

For the first time, my family and I experienced the Yuletide Celebration with  the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. We turned that Sunday into a day long Holiday celebration - we started at church, stopped for pies at Cracker Barrell, enjoyed the smells and tastes of Long's donuts, dropped donations off at Riley, listened to Tuba Christmas at Circle Center Mall, had dinner at Weber Grill, got to pet a reindeer, and ended at the Hilbert Circle Theatre for the amazing Yuletide!

In its 28th year on the Hilbert Circle Theatre stage, Duke Energy Yuletide Celebration is still considered Indiana's greatest holiday tradition. Five-time Grammy Award-winner and Indiana favorite Sandi Patty returned to take the stage with Jack Everly, the ISO, and a cast of Broadway's best singers and dancers. 

The von Trapp Family Singers, the great-grandchildren of Captain von Trapp - Sound of Music, were special guests! 

Not Just A Rock

We made it home - safe and sound! Thanks for all the prayers sent our way! 

What an amazing trip. There are so many words that come to mind when I'm asked, "How was your trip?"

- awesome

- humbling

- heartbreaking

- emotional

- a blessing

- adventurous

- memorable

- life changing

Stepping out of my normal comfort zone at work, home, and normal daily life, and walking into the poverty stricken villages of Ethiopia and Uganda opened my eyes to a world in need of love, faith, and God. I was overwhelmed with the need in both of these countries, but was overcome with love for the African men, women, and children and their quiet, kind, and generous spirit.  This trip allowed me to focus on others without the distractions of American life, and gave me the chance to serve God with the blessings He provided. This trip reiterated James 1:27 - Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

It was easy to see the differences in both the world I live in and the world I was visiting.  One visible difference: the soil. The soil, rocks, dust, bricks..... are red. My shoes will forever hold a piece of Uganda with them - red dirt stain!

I began to pick up rocks. 

Small rocks.

Red rocks. 

Rocks from our daily path to see the kids.

Rocks from a neighbor's rock pile who was eager to share.

Rocks to symbolize my time in Africa.

Rocks to remind me to pray. 

To pray for those that touched my heart. 

To pray for the homeless, the orphans, the hungry, the disabled, the lost, the widowed, the ones who are shunned........to pray for ALL of them and their country. 

  I would like to thank everyone who helped make this trip possible. I can not tell you how much it means to me and to those whose lives were touched! Thanks to all of you, and thanks to those who have following the blog and prayed along the way! I ended up gathering quite a few "prayer" rocks, and I would love to share them! If you would like one, please let me know!!

Psalms18:2 

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

Final flight

What a wonderful 2 weeks it has been: memories made and hearts changed! 

We just safely touched down in Indianapolis after about 35 hours of travel time. All I can think of now is this song:

Back home again in Indiana oh it seems Back home again in Indiana oh it seems that I can see

That gleaming candlelight still burning bright
Through the sycamores for me
That new mown hay sends all it's fragrance
From the fields I used to roam
Oh I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash
Then I long for my Indiana home

Back home again in Indiana oh it seems that I can see
That gleaming candlelight still flickering bright
Through the sycamores for me
Lotsa mown hay sends all it's fragrance
From the fields I used to roam
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash
And I long for my Indiana home

 I can see
That gleaming candlelight still burning bright
Through the sycamores for me
That new mown hay sends all it's fragrance
From the fields I used to roam
Oh I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash
Then I long for my Indiana home

Back home again in Indiana oh it seems that I can see
That gleaming candlelight still flickering bright
Through the sycamores for me
Lotsa mown hay sends all it's fragrance
From the fields I used to roam
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash
And I long for my Indiana home

What Can Brown Do For You?

I found an Ethiopian UPS truck on our last day.

Today I start the journey home to my UPS man!! 

Alert Hospital

ALERT is a medical facility on the edge of Addis Ababa, specializing in Hansen’s disease, also known as “leprosy”. It was originally the All Africa Leprosy Rehabilitation and Training Center (hence the acronym), but the official name is now expanded to include tuberculosis: All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training Center.

Men and women affected by tuberculosis raise money by sewing, making rugs, weaving, looming, and embroidery. We were able to watch them make their products which was so so amazing. What special people they are! We also were able to purchase some of their merchandise that they have made. What a great last trip before we head to the airport! 

It was such an honor to sit by this lady after she asked me if I wanted to try of myself! 

She will probably have to redo this once I leave!!

Such intricate work! 

 This man is making rugs. It was amazing to watch him! 

One Stich at a Time

This one is for you Louise!!!

While walking the streets of Ethiopia, we would occasionally come across men and women sewing. I loved watching them! Shoes or no shoes, they make their living sewing. 

Early Monday morning, Anna and I walked to a fabric store that we had passed a few days earlier. When we got there, we saw that it was closed, but the two older men were inside sewing. They saw us outside the window and allowed us in. It was beautiful inside with all of their different colors and types of fabric. Anna picked out what she wanted, and the guys had to get the lady from the back of the store since they did not speak English. We had a wonderful time visiting with them!!