INSTEAD OF...
Many people this year are looking for a way to make their Christmas giving more meaningful.  We've all probably sensed the emptiness that comes when our giving centers around the often fruitless search for the 'perfect gift' - and sometimes we find ourselves buying things that our loved ones neither want or need just so that we can put something under the tree.  Instead, what if you put some of your financial resources toward making a lasting difference in the lives of desperately needy orphans and widows in Ethiopia?  You will be honoring Christ's birth by looking after orphans and widows in their distress - which is the expression of true faith! (James 1:27)  

You can donate on behalf of your friends (we hope family members are friends, too!) and if you will send us their address, we will drop them a handwritten card telling them what you have done and where the money will be used.

We assure you that 100% of your gift will be used exclusively for our orphan and widow care.  You can click here to make a direct contribution or you can send a donation to: 

Adoption Ministry of YWAM - Ethiopia
PO Box 512
Puyallup, WA  98371

We wish you all a Christmas full of His Presence!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

We have been getting calls from individuals and churches expressing interest in supporting and serving with the orphanages, school and feeding program YWAM has undertaken in Ethiopia.  It never ceases to amaze us how generous the Christian church is in America!  People want to give of their time serving the poor; some dedicate their entire lives to one or two children through adoption; others give of their resources to make all of it happen!  We can't forget to mention the YWAM missionaries stateside who volunteer their time to ensure it all runs smoothly.  Without the dynamic staff of Adoption Ministry... well, nothing would get done! 

Mark Wolbert has joined our staff as our Missions Director.  Mark started out with YWAM as a young man, then served as a pastor for many years.  He is now envisioning and facilitating all missions efforts in Ethiopia, as well as pastoring the staff on the ground there.  This past October, Mark spent quality time with YWAM's Children's Home Director, Abdissa... just being a dad, listening and encouraging him.  Mark also 'babysat' Abdissa's 25 children so that he could attend a wedding in another town and take a much-needed break.  Mark is currently raising support for his new position.  Please contact him at wolberts5@comcast.net if you would like to be a part of his support team!

I traveled to Ethiopia this past October with a single objective in mind - to create avenues of ministry for upcoming mission teams and continue to build our relational connections with several existing YWAM ministries.  The information I gleaned from this scouting trip is being turned into various mission trip options for churches and groups to choose from.  I spent the majority of my time listening to the directors of the orphanages share with me about their vision and various needs.  Excitement began to build thinking of the possibilities for service to the marginalized orphans and widows struggling in Ethiopia.

Here is our Missions Focus for 2009:

1. H.A.N.D.S. Helping A Neighbor Do Stuff
   Practical helps with plumbing, painting, electrical and carpentry.
2. Child Evangelism
   Tent rallies for children in several locations
3. Women to Women
   Women ministering to widows and mentoring teen girls
4. Men's Extreme Team
   Travel to a remote village to perform repairs, deliver school supplies, tutor children in English and do evangelism at a village school

I'm including a photo of "me and the boys" from Ethiopia.  Take a good look at the boy in the hat - his name is BERHANU.  He is HIV positive.  When I left him last July, I wept openly because I was certain it would be the last time I would see him alive. (How's that for a missionary’s super faith?)  Look at Berhanu now! He is gaining weight, he is laughing and smiling, and he is interacting with the other children at the orphanage, something he could not do last summer. The dramatic turnaround for this little boy came after a doctor, who was part of last July’s mission team, suggested he be started on an anti-retroviral regimen.

I relive the moment I came through the compound gate three months later when Berhanu RAN to me to be picked up and hugged.  He remembered me! Although we couldn't communicate through talking, the language of love is universal.  Berhanu knows I love him.  I am also his special prayer buddy and I daily pray for him and the orphanage and staff that are caring for him.  All our team did was show up and care. What a difference! 

If you or your church are interested in joining us for one of these mission trips, please call Mark at (253) 224-8257.

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We want this blog to be a place for you to interact with us, to read interesting posts and see pictures from our trips to Ethiopia, to have questions raised and answered about adopting from Ethiopia and especially for you to feel like an 'insider' of this ministry!  Stop by, browse around and leave a comment!  It's called 
 That We Might Be Adopted...from Ethiopia
and we hope you like it!  You can find it at: