Ethiopia Update-Mark Purcell-

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012

What an update! :)

The group has been doing awesome!! It's hard to believe that the week is almost over and they'll be back in a matter of double-digit hours!

I've been asked to share Stephanie's touching view of the day's events! So here it is:

As this week has progressed, what has been burned into my heart are images, visual snapshots, pictures of my teammates:
Carrie sitting with a beautiful young woman at Bright Hope School, looking at her school notebook, complimenting her work, laughing together, both of them totally engaged, eyes dancing, smiling and talking.
Zoe playing clapping games with young boys at Onesimus and holding that precious little girl until she fell asleep.
Tim pulling fighting boys apart with firm but gentle hands, the perfect picture of fatherly discipline as it should be.
Dick giving up a whole day of his mission trip to sit at the guest house and supervise the Ethiopian electrician so that we could all be safe and have power and hot water.
Carlos standing in a tree at CFI, acting out the story of Zaccheus for the children.
Kidist holding hands and playing with other little Ethiopian girls her age, so very much alike and yet so very different.
Terri stirring the cooking pot at CFI’s family day, helping the staff and mothers cook the food for our luncheon today.
Dean spending so much time with Carlos, playing cards, talking, watching him play computer games, consoling him after the fire, selflessly engaging a 9 year boy, just because he’s kind and good.
Neil loving on and being loved by every single kid we come into contact with, acting goofy, making them laugh, playing, teasing.
Mark taking the time to shake the hand of every single mother/guardian at CFI this morning and watching their faces open up and smile and some of them duck their heads shyly, as he paid them respect and attention.
Erica jumping out of our group picture (more than once) to hug and say good-bye to yet another CFI child who is precious to her.
Michelle in intense discussions with Peter and Elizabeth, Ephrim, Derejet, Nega, Jonathan and Jess, and others about the present and the future of the ministries Hope for His Children supports in this place because her heart is on fire for the women and children here.
Cindy flawlessly coordinating more donations than a whole team of people can keep track of, along with all the suitcases and duffel bags that carried those donations here.
Michelle R. paying tribute to her husband’s sweet service on this trip and talking about how proud their girls would be of their dad, tears flowing.
Kathy B. passing out hugs which bring people to tears because in her arms you are safe and at peace and loved, at least for that moment.
Dave staying up way too late to prepare a Bible story for the kids at CFI, just in case the person on tap to give it doesn’t make it there on time.
Deacon so eager to be a team leader to the kids at CFI, excited to participate and be a part of the team and serve.
Kathy L. offering that calm wisdom that blesses me so often.
I confess I felt a little guilty about that.  The trip, after all, is about sharing the love of Jesus.  We are here to serve in His name and bring Him glory.  I shouldn’t be so focused on my teammates, right?  And then I realized:  these snapshots are so intensely sweet for me because my teammates are reflecting the very face of Jesus.  They are the perfect image of Him as they love, serve, laugh, share, and listen.  I love them so very much, because they are so very much like Him.  Those images are so pressed upon my heart because my heart recognizes His Spirit within them.  It is about them, because they are about Him.
Thank You, Lord, for this team.  They are precious to me, and I know they are precious to You.  Bless them, please.  Show Yourself gloriously through them in these last two days.  





Michell Randolph also wanted me to let you know how touched she was by seeing Stephanie minister to the children of CFI and their guardians. Michell said that Stephanie's words were incredibly clear and beautiful as she shared the gospel with those who have never heard it! I witnessed Stephanie's sweet, sweet heart last year on the trip, and to say that she has been gifted with a heart for communicating God's word is quite an understatement. Although she left herself out of her blog post, she deserves recognition!! 


I can't wait to keep hearing updates from the team and I'm sure you all feel the same! They'll be back before you know it! 

Thursday 19,'12

Haiti mission group is now in Florida completing the objectives set before us with the LORDS' help. With a few hours sleep we will be on the plane to Atlanta and then to Evansville. We have many accounts to give and ask you to continue to pray for the LORDS' hand to be on us as we travel along with all those in Haiti and Ethiopia. More to post later. Emil

Finally...Another Post from Africa

the Changed 2012-Ethiopia Team has not updated the blog until this morning.  This posting was written by Carrie, one of the ladies on the team...

Good things about today 

We went back to CFI today to be greeted by all of the kids swarming our van, they could not hug us, kiss us or jump on us fast enough, they were so cute! 

 

I was able to go with one other team member to a "home visit", we had an interpreter with us, unfortunately for the team, only 6 of us are able to go to these, but it was amazing - this woman with her 7 yr. old son, who is part of CFI live in about an 8x10 metal home, one little light bulb hanging from the ceiling (i was checking out the electrical)  anyway, the amazing part was the fact she was so proud and so happy that she has a home and is able to make an income by doing some sewing for people in the community - I have pictures, but I am not sure they can do it justice, so humbling.

 

Also, I along with Michelle,Erica, and Kathy B were able to visit Hannah's Hope which is the orphanage that Derek came from.  A beautiful woman runs the orphanage, we got to see the babies, BUT they were sleeping so we couldn't hold them, I was sad about that.

 

We then went to Onesimus, which is a center for street kids, today was the first day for a new group of boys, it was hard for all of us to imagine these children going back on the streets to no home and no family when we left, but for them it is a reality, I don't think any boy was older than maybe 14 or 15.  We had a game of basketball going with them and enjoyed playing outside, these children have nothing, just the clothes on their back.  The men that run the center are amazing and do a very hard job each day, they were such an encouragment to us all.

 

Finally, for the evening we went to an "American" type restuarant and i got to have chips and salsa and Hawaiin pizza (yipee!!) and for the first time since we got here I was full!!! It was so good

 

The team is great, working really well together!!

We are now getting  ready for bed...we had a bit of excitement a few minutes ago, had a little electrical fire, but no harm, however, we are turning off all the electrical for the 2nd and 3rd floor...no hot water, no lights, no shower for tonight   NOW..we are feeling like we are in AFRICA but No worries...we are great!"

Wednesday Jan 18,"12

Breakfast of pancakes this morning after Dallas brought the devotion using scripture to focus us on the necessity of the Holy Spirit preparing our hearts and those we talk with. We drove beyond the air port to evangelize in the community of Board Mer-de-Limonade. Brett with Wadner, Amos, Junnial, Regonald, and Metson (Emmanuel Felix) accompanied us as interpreters as we asked heads of house holds of their relationship with JESUS. This town is believed to be where Christopher Columbus Beached the Santa Maria and lumber was used to build a fort called the Nativite. We took pictures of the remaining structure a stone room. As we shared what JESUS can do saving us out of sin six decisions were made for Christ. Lunch was served at 2 pm. After lunch three starfish school children sponcered by our church family. Power just failed. Emil

Tuesday Jan 17, ''12

Larry asked Emil to bring todays'' devotion and the text was Galations. Ronnie changed 3 tanks of 100 # propane to keep the hot water heaters functioning at the missionary homes where we sleep. Everyone assisted in cleaning house twelve for a missionary coming to the campus Thursday. The goat fence is now complete and secure. Dallas and Ronnie mixed cement with sand and gravel to secure the field drain pvc for Kates'' septic tank. We left as a group for the seminary at 11:30 am and arrived at noon. Brett began the tour of the seminary while Matt finished his class that ran over its scheduled time. Matt greeted us and took us immediately to the cafeteria for lunch. After lunch Matt brought us to the chapel to discuss the seminary operation and theology issues taught to the students. We drove next to the Saccenville church where Janniel has pastored and now is helping Dave Graffenberger with ECC every community for Christ. Saccenville church has a community garden we observed. Back at campus before supper we participated in both consecutively Janes" and Kates" english speaking classes with good team and student interaction. Erica gave the missionary testimony tonight. The well drilling team at the end of each evening has been sitting in the corner weeping."Their suggested entry for tonight. Continue to pray for all our  church"s representatives serving away from the home church body. Tomorrow we evangelize in a rural community passing out 4VEH radios. Emil

Monday Haiti Jan 16,'12

Todays' activities scattered us and regrouped the team at afternoons end at Kates' house. All three ladies Karen, Debbie and Tara spent the day at Cowman school assisting with teaching the children and their activities. Tara has demonstrated beautician skill amoung  the OMS missionaries ladies cutting hair etc. They also participated in Kates' class of Haitians' assisting them learning English. Larry Becker and Ronnie completed repairs at Cowman International School on the water fountain delivering water and the leaking water faucet. Every one on the team assisted Brett in the assembly of the lot fence of bamboo for the new purchase of a goat herd of 3, two nannys, one thought to be gestating, and billy. Bryan, Patrick, and Trevor restored Ericas' function of the hot water heater, washing machine and commode. Larry Dodd received the assignment to mow additional areas on the OMS campus. The tag team of Dallas, Gary, Jordan and Emil positioned the transportation vehicle used so we do not walk every where and renewed the effective application of the breaking system. Jack, Gary, Dallas, Jordan, Trevor and Patrick spent much of the day installing a line for the field drain at Kates' house. Her faucets, hot water heater and propane gas leak were addressed. Julian Ellefson of the Minn. water well drilling team provided our devotian this morning. Dave Graffenberg OMS missionary and former field director gave his testimony this evening.  Emil

Changed 2012-Ethiopia/Mark Purcell--Day 2

This posting was written by Steph Valdez.  This is her third trip to Ethiopia.  On her first trip she and her husband adopted a baby girl.  Last year she traveled with Elizabeth and I.  Here is her account of Day 2.

First Day of Service

The first time I came to Ethiopia I fell madly in love - with my new baby girl and with this beautiful country and its people. The second time I came to Ethiopia, I was desperately heartbroken - by the tragedy of starving children, by the heartbreak of mothers who can't provide, by the vastness of the suffering. On this, my third trip to Ethiopia, I was confronted by reality. The beauty is still here, the dignity and joy are still present in the people, the passion and fire of their faith is pulsing, but the hunger, the loss, the pain, and the hopelessness slap you in the face.

This morning, our whole group arrived at CFI at 9:00. We conducted Bible school for the kids, and a few of us participated in a women's fellowship with the mothers/guardians of CFI's children. This women's fellowship was a new addition from last year, and boy, was it popular!! CFI cares for 70 children. We expected up to 25 women in our fellowship and were surprised when 32 showed up and a few more wandered in as the morning progressed. We had taken plain, white scarves and dye for the women to design and make their own beautiful scarves. How fun it was to see them catch on to the process so quickly, make it their own, take charge, and create their own patterns and colors regardless of what the "typical" process was! And all this despite a language barrier! When we first started, I found myself without a particular assignment in the process, so I went around the room and tried to learn everyone's name and asked about their children. We laughed alot, because after about 5 of them, I couldn't remember who was who or how to pronounce any of them except "Olive"!! It touched me deeply to hear their stories - a mother who "disappeared" leaving her child to be raised by her sister, a grandmother whose daughter died, leaving her to raise a grandchild. I was proudly shown beautiful twins, dressed identically, and was introduced to another Kidist, who immediately jumped into my arms and hugged me for at least 3 solid minutes. What a joy to serve these amazing women, women who lead desperately hard lives, but whose joy is real and whose children are every bit as precious and wonderful as our own.

This afternoon we went to Kechene, the poorest area of Addis. (And that's saying something.) An amazing man named Nicodemus, in his old age, began (with his wife) caring for recently orphaned children in his neighborhood in Kechene a few years ago. He now runs a drop-in center for impoverished and orphaned children in Kechene that serves 130 children 7 days a week. The children are fed, clothed, and educated as best they can be given the resources available - an absolute miracle. The main classroom is a cinderblock room with one window. There are 24 benches, eight to a row in three rows, and the children sit three to a bench. There is no electricity, and the only light comes from the one window or the one piece of vinyl that replaces a single sheet of tin in the roof. I visited this same center last year on this trip and thoroughly enjoyed watching the children and their energetic, totally funny teacher sing songs and do silly motions for us. They were amazing. The room was depressing. Walking back in that room today slayed me. It was all the same - the same dark, dank classroom; the same desperate, desperate need; the same pain in tiny little faces; the same worn, ragged clothes. It was almost more than I could bear. As soon as the kids finished singing and we left the classroom to go outside and play, a little girl grabbed my hand and was my buddy the whole day. All I had to offer today was a hand to hold, a smile, a game. Important and yet woefully inadequate. Her name was Delita, and she was an absolute delight. I imagine her life is far from delightful.

Our kids continue to be amazing. They played with the kids at CFI and at Kechene. They did not cling. They weren't afraid. In fact, I had to go looking for them to see what they were up to and have the enjoyment of watching them participate. They love the whole team, and how blessed we are to see the adults on this team engaging them in conversation, playing cards with them, making sure they have hand saniziter, including them. After many long days and short nights already, they had baths and went to bed early tonight. I pray they rest well.

We are so blessed. As Michelle, our leader, has said many times, it is a privilege to be here doing this work. It is amazing to be doing it together as a family. It is important to know that children and mothers live this way. And it is imperative that we follow the direction of our Lord and do something about it. As our family verse for this trip says: Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27.

Changed 2012-Ethiopia/Mark Purcell--Day 1

First day...

We woke up to the sounds of cars, buses, prayers on the loudspeakers and dogs barking.  The street outside our guesthouse is quite busy!  After breakfast (scrambled eggs and banana bread, and -- of course -- coffee!)
We attended Beza International Church (the same church we went to last year).  Church began with several  very exhuberant worship songs.  The pastor shared that it was "Vision Sunday" for their church and today the leadership would be sharing their plans for a new building.  More than talking about the building, however, they shared their vision for the "movement" of the church in Ethiopia.  Beza is determined to see righteousness reign not just in their church, their city or the country of Ethiopia....they truly are on fire to see Jesus Christ exhalted on the entire continent of Africa!  Although there was no "sermon," the determination of these Christian brothers and sisters to see people redeemed was very inspirational!  At the front of the church, they had flags for many different countries (about 30).  At that end of the service, they asked for people from other nations who were in the congregation go to the front to stand by the flag of their country.  We were amazed to see the number of nations represented! The pastor prayed that we would go forward from there to advance the gospel.
After church, we returned to the guest house for lunch.  We met up with a team of 8 members from Illimois/Missouri/California.  We will partner with them later in the week to work together at CFI. During this time, Peter and Eliza Abera, CFI's director's and our in-country 'hosts' shared thier testimony and CFI's mission. Everyone was eager to learn more about the main ministy we would be serving at this week!
After lunch we decided to tackle the huge task of sorting out all of the donated items!  Imagine 28 suitcases and totes that are all stuffed FULL with 50 pounds each of all sorts of donations.  In order to maximize our space/weigh, the donated items were all mixed in together.  We sorted everything out and began the process of seperating items by where we will be taking them.  Hopefully this will save us time later in the week.
We are settling in now for what will (hopefully) be a good night's rest!
On the schedule for tomorrow:  Compassion Family International in the morning (we will do a VBS with the kids, and a fellowship/craft time with the women.  We will also be fitting the children for their new shoes!
We appreciate your prayers!!

Sunday Jan 15, 2012 Activities

This Sunday morning began as each of our mission trips in that Larry Dodd with assistance from team members and Don and his wife Debbie prepared breakfast. This frees the three ladies daily preparing our meals to have one day weekly for time to worship particularly since they happen to be born again believers attending the nearest Emmaus Fellowship of churches congregation. Gary Watson delivered for our benefit the devotion reminding us of what our LORD has done for us and encouraged us to live submitted to JESUS who saves us. Driving to church just planted one year ago at Terrier Rouge we passed the air port driving in a north easterly direction. The road had been recently repaved with asphalt. A new Haitian university is being built in this area and the Korean’s are beginning a large textile mfg. plant at Caracol. We stopped in down town Cap Haitian to pick up pastor Jude’s son while he and his wife rode their motor cycle to the church. Pastor Jude is preaching two times on Sunday first in Cap and then in Terrier Rogue. Pastor is bi-vocational serving as policeman during the week. His sermon focused on grace GOD gives each of us and used 1 Kings 21-22 as text. Lunch in Cap at hotel Rio Christophe tasted good. Arrived at OMS campus by 3:30 pm then assembled at Bundy's for fellowship and great food. The missionaries, our team and the water well drilling team from Minn. experienced good fellowship. Happy birthday from the team and specifically Trevor to Trevor’s dad. Emil

Saturday,s activities

Larry Dodd gave our devotion and read scripture from James referencing our faith with out works is dead and not active faith at all. We are not saved by works but a real faith will demonstrate works out of  our faith in JESUS who is saving us. After breakfast of oatmeal and toast every one loaded into the back of the one ton truck serving as our transportation. Brett and his family with Don drove us to Comier on the water with a white sandy beach allowing us having been here as many as three times not seeing a beautiful location as this to experience the topography no one expects seeing the poverty and deprovation every where we look. Our team currently shows more pigmentation than we arrived with on tuesday. Tomorrow Sunday we will travel with Brett in a north easterly direction beyond the Cap Haitian airport where we arived each time our church's team has been here the last three years. Today we have experienced the road improvement occuring significantly since the earth quake. It is reported  a large Korean factory is to be built and is influencing the road improvment and new longer runway for larger planes. Looking foreward to church participation tomorrow.  Please continue to pray for all of the activities the LORD has for your church's representatives here and Ethiopia. Emil

Changed 2012-Ethiopia/Mark Purcell

LANDED!!!The whole team has arrived in Addis Ababa safe and sound!! Everyone is resting up to get ready for church tomorrow and the big week ahead! Quick update, we will try to have more soon!

Haiti friday activities

This is the third time to make this entry nearly  complete and wiped it out accidentally by some erronious key stroke. Karen gave our devotion. ate breakfast. Attend a starfish kids school. Present creation account. passout to children Christmas bags with items. Salvation doll used to present salvation message. Invitation given and 62 of the over 200 children came forward to pray for salvation in JESUS name. Tour new starfish school in Plaine de Nord. Got stuck in middle of road, finally got unstuck. Ate lunch and traveled half way to Citidell to tour an orphanage. This is very abrievated merely to get it posted before I loose this post as well. Emil

Haiti thursday activities on friday

batteries in electrical inverter in missionaray's house powering a couple of lights when power shuts off at OMS campus  generator house at 9pm daily to conserve fuel costs. Replace light fixtures in house Luke Renner occupied at time of earthquake. Tara, Karen and Debbie created gift bags for Jesus party at first starfish kids school named for founder of starfish ministry. Divided FBC items for clinic, pastors families, schools, starfish and Cowman. Create flannel grams for starfish school Jesus party and Angie's womens group. Larry Dodd spent day running O-turn mower on OMS campus where we spend our inactive time. Larry Becker and Ronnie addressed plumbing issued at a Cowmen teachers house. They assisted in creating the rebar and pvc pipe system at the clinic. Tree limbs were trimed threatening power line to night light by Jordan, Gary, Dallas and Emil. Jordan and Emil removed a stump in site for Brett's new garden, and removed designated banana plants before tilling with tractor mounted tiller. By 5pm Brett with help of Brieanna, Jake, Elaina and Christina planted squash, potato eyes, lettuce, and green beans Haiti wonder not kentucky wonder. Tomorrow will be tomatoes and broccoli etc. Tara is anticipating Allisa is having a safe return trip to college. Dallas gave wed. devotion and Emil gave thur.'s.   Emil

wednesdays activites

First day began at 6am, devotions before breakfast at 7 and activities at 8. Activities were all productive and safely concluded by 4. We met at the Bundys" for missionary weekly prayer meeting before supper. Supper was BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes with dinner rolls. Gary and Dallas spent the day at the clinic sorting, organizing, and cleaning an area for renovation and washing down a storage room. Being in the clinic Dallas received a nurses" attention for a superficial skin scrape not  even needing any covering tonight. An advantage of being at the clinic. Ronnie and Larry Becker investigated plumbing at Cowman school. They then designed and cut rods for curtain rods dividing clinic space for exam rooms. Jack and Jordan built shelving to assist the utilization of the administration building. Patrick and Trevor spent the day in the admin build ran wiring for the starfish inverters and conduit for security system. Tara, Debbie and Karen spent  the day at Cowman school one on one with students and helping teach. Bryan, Larry Dodd and Emil" spent the day making the JD 757 Z track o-turn mower operational. Engine out and back in after Heili coil repair to head. Pressure washer made functional by replacing some o-rings. Every one is safe after a day packed with activity. Gov"t canceled schools tomorrow for Nat"l day of rememberance. We  even remember our leaving 5 day"s before quake. Emil

destination Cap Haitian achieved

The plane arrived at the airport around 11:00 a.m. Approximately 2 hours later we departed with everyone present and all luggage in hand.  Our path of travel to our accomadations avoided  the down  town route and took us on a reciently improved rural road. Lunch at the holiday house consisted of avacoto, pizza roll up, and fruit punch. We toured the 30 acre compound including the clinic buildings. Items and projects willl be discussed tonight to be tackled and achieved. Resting a few minuites before supper and fellowship with a missionary family at  the meal time setting. Activities begin tomorrow with purpose. Emil

first leg of journey to Haiti

Our group assembled by 6:00 am on monday January 9, 2012 on the church parking lot with 14 members fully equipped for missions activity. Pastor Andy prayed with us before we left the parking lot asking our LORD to provide all along the way and keep us in HIS hand as we are able to minister. Every one brought the necessary items for entry and exit from Haiti. Our bus needed a rest before exiting marion county. THANK YOU exceedingly to every one assisting us with wheel transportation from Salem to Evansville. First Christian Church provided  a van and ESI a van and pickup. Brian McIntoch urged Dave Jarret to bring us the bus and Louis Williams retrieved him. Kerry Smith and David Hutchinson quickly placed the van and pickup in our hands. Hand held technology available and the LORD'S provision made this delay but a minor delay. Arrived safely on time in Atlanta and West Palm Beach. Motel provided good rest after evening meal. Everyone is looking forward to serving our LORD as the days unfold. This entry is possible from terminal for MFI in Ft. Peirce. Leaving for OMS now to arrive by 2: pm.   Emil

orientation for haiti departure

Larry Dodd instructed us this morning on areas of concern to maximize our travel and time spent ministering while in Haiti. We should now be able to pack and travel efficiently bringing the essentials with us minimizing any omissions. We are in various  stages of packing to be ready for departure. Please continue to pray for our church representatives ministering to those in need.  Emil

Mark Purcell traveling to Ethiopia

Mark Purcell will be leaving from Indianapolis on Friday, January 13, and will be traveling to Addis Ababa , Ethiopia, Africa.  The 10 day mission trip was organized by Dr. Michelle Timmons of Indianapolis and founder of a not for profit organization called Hope for His Children.  Hope for His Children exist to "show the love of Jesus Christ to orphaned, abandoned and impoverished children of the world".

While in Ethiopia the team will partner with Peter Abera who has  organized and started a drop-in school for street children called Compassion Family International School.  During the 10-day trip the team will be conducting Vacation Bible School and simply sharing the love and hope of  Jesus Christ.

The afternoons will be spent traveling  to other drop-in schools and orphanages through out the capital city.

The team will be traveling with tubs full of supplies to share with the impoverished children.

Members of First Baptist had to opportunity to "Cover a child in Ethiopia with the love of Jesus" by giving money towards hand tied fleece blankets which had been embroidered with the message "Jesus Loves You".  Mark had hoped to be able to provide 50 of the 75 blankets needed.  On the first Sunday that the blankets were available, church members overwhelmingly supported the project and purchased all 75 blankets for the children in Ethiopia...Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Please remember Mark and the Changed 2012-Ethiopia team as they travel January 13 - 22.  Also remember to pray for the children that they will be ministering to in Addus.  Please pray that each child will feel covered in the love of Christ.