A Special way to Celebrate your Child's Birthday

Years ago, before we even had children, my husband Craig and I had decided to be different than the typical Americans. We wanted to build houses in Mexico on Spring Break and to spend our Saturday mornings at the food bank. We wanted to spend our money on things that mattered...not just new cars, more toys, or a larger house. Our goal was to be servants and God's hands and feet on the Earth. To live out the Great Commission in our daily lives.

This included how we decided to grow our family. Instead of a traditional pregnancy, we opted for adoption. We adopted our daughter Zamara from Ethiopia August 2008. At that time, she was just over 5 months old. Over the last 2 and 1/2 years we have racked our brain on ways to serve even while she was young. We wanted to teach Zamara that life was about giving of ourselves on behalf of Christ. She was a Salvation Army Bell ringer (with mom's help!) this last Christmas. This summer Zamara will go on her first mission trip to the San Carlos Indian Reservation where we will build a house for a family in need. We are always looking for unique ways to serve. As we were planning her birthday last year, we came up with a rather clever idea that any family can do...Instead of birthday presents we collected donations!

We are blessed and have a house full of toys and clothes-Zamara does not need anything else. Last year for her birthday we collected clothing, medicine, toys, and cash donations for Zamara's orphanage in Ethiopia (Kids Care). We were able to send two giant boxes full of items to Ethiopia! It was amazing to see people respond generously to such a request.

This year we wanted to keep the theme of serving Zamara's home country. We collected both cash and baby formula for Into The Streets of Ethiopia. We happily collected 14 large cans of formula and over $300 in cash donations! We had a great birthday and were able to share information about many of the issues of poverty going on in Ethiopia and around the world.

We want to send out the challenge to families all over the U.S. to do the same at their child's next birthday.

Craig, Laura, and Zamara Ducommun

If you would like to learn more about the Ducommon family, you can go HERE.

Thank you Craig and Laura for your support of Into the Streets of Ethiopia.

Shop with Into the Streets

Into the Streets of Ethiopia has some fabulous items for sale!

30% of each sale benefits Into the Streets of Ethiopia

Go HERE to purchase!

Thanks JunkPosse for supporting us!

100 % of each sale benefits Into the Streets of Ethiopia

Go HERE to find shirt sizes and to purchase!
{click on orange Donate Now button}

Instrumental Worship CD
100% of each sale benefits Into the Streets of Ethiopia

Go HERE to learn more and to purchase!
{click on the blue Donate Now button}

We have shirts!

Have you ever grumbled the words, “I’m starving!” while pulling your car thru a drive-thru and ordering a nutritionally-challenged meal that costs triple the daily income of most of the world’s citizens?

I have.

Of course, I didn’t really mean those words and yes; I know that starvation is a real issue.  I have seen it with my eyes, and held the children in my arms.  But, I forget.  Into the Streets of Ethiopia is working to help the forgotten children of Ethiopia.  Buy a shirt, and provide food and formula to those who are truly starving.

Men's Design (on left):

Brand: Tultex Unisex Tee
4.5 oz. 100% ring spun cotton 30/1's fine knit jersey, tubular fit construction, ribbed crew taped neck and shoulders with double needle sleeves and bottom hem.  Tear-Away tag.  Chocolate brown.  This is not a slim 4.5 oz. 100% ring spun cotton 30/1's fine knit jersey, tubular fit.  This style is super soft, very roomy and comfortable.   Available in Medium, Large, XLarge, 2XL and 3XL.

Women's Design (on right):

Brand: Tultex Juniors SLIM FIT Tee & Tultex Unisex Tee

4.5 oz. 100% ring spun cotton 30/1's fine knit jersey, fashion fit, side seamed, self fabric collar, double needle hemmed sleeves and bottom.  Tear-Away tag.  Chocolate Brown.  Available in Medium, Large and XLarge.  *Into the Streets recommends you order one size UP from your regular size for the SLIM FIT shirt.*  This style is super soft, stretchy and very comfortable. For those that do not like the SLIM FIT tee, you may order the women's design in the Tultex Unisex Tee.  Available in Slim Medium, Large and XLarge; Unisex Large and XLarge.

All shirts are $30 plus FREE SHIPPING! Please indicate style and size when ordering.

Our original Into the Streets of Ethiopia art was created by Otherworld Outfitters LLC

All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2010

Junk Posse Africa Love Swirl Necklace & WINNER ANNOUNCED!!!

***  Winner ***  

Melissa @ http://thelemanskis.blogspot.com.  Please send me your email address---portilla@intothestreetsofethiopia.com.  Junk Posse has been notified!  Congrats!!!

Into the Streets of Ethiopia and Tracy at Junk Posse have teamed up for another awesome giveaway!

The winner of this giveaway will receive the BRAND NEW "Love Swirls in Africa Necklace" inspired and created to aide orphans in Ethiopia.

This necklace is an amazing reminder of the orphans in Africa & how they are loved by so many. If you ever have the opportunity to work with or visit the orphans in Africa,
you will never be able to forget them. They will be imprinted on your heart forever.
I design each Africa pendant by hand and detail each with beautiful swirls on the front, I have added a sterling silver heart & swarovski crystal gem wrapped in sterling silver wire. On the back I hand stamp the word "Love"
over & over again. I have paired the pendant with a nice
20" sterling rolo chain & clasp.
Note: I can also add another color crystal instead of the clear.

Here is how you can earn a chance to own this lovely piece:
{Winner will be announced Oct. 1}

GIVE financially to Into the Streets of Ethiopia! It is easy and your giving is tax-deductible.  Can you spare $12 for a can of formula? Formula is life! Babies in Africa need you, NOW!

Would you Talk to your church, your pastor, your small group, your friends and family about Into the Streets of Ethiopia and our mission? Would you spread the message of hope? We have promotional material that is ready to be shipped to you. We are also available to come to your church and share our hearts and ministry.

Grab our button, put it on your blog! Leave a comment telling me your blog address.

Post about this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter or your blog (how about all 3?) and then leave a comment telling if you gave for formula, who you talked to about Into the Streets of Ethiopia and where you reposted about this necklace giveaway and the mission of Into the Streets of Ethiopia. You can earn several chances to own this incredible piece!

If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

Mother Teresa

Please help Into the Streets of Ethiopia as we continue to send a love message to the beautiful children of Ethiopia!

Brand New CD Release TODAY!

***RELEASED TODAY***

Sample Songs:

Into the Streets of Ethiopia is honored to be be at the receiving end of such an incredible, heartfelt project.  Hannah Yau, friend and supporter of Into the Streets of Ethiopia, shares some background to the leading of this cd:

     "We are a small group from Woodsedge Community Church. The mission statements of our church is something as relevant to today as it was 2,000 years ago: Love Jesus. Journey Together. Bring Hope to the World.

     Loving Jesus is always something internal. Each person has to desire and that change in ourselves. Journeying together - well that's why small groups exist! Bring Hope to the World...now that's a harder one to do! This involves stepping out of our comfort zones and learning to put others first.

     The challenge has for our small group always had a hard time trying to find TIME to serve together. We had been studying Margins and learning how to better prioritize what's important in life, and with that, came better family times, better personal relationships with God, and of course, a better bonding with the other families.

     Early summer 2010, I felt God tugging me to be involved in a CD recording. This was a little out of my league. I am a performer, and I had no idea where to begin the journey. So I prayed about it. Needless to say, God met me in every single step of the process. Find a guitar player? Well, I knew just who. And before I could even ask about a recording studio, it was presented to me. Need a graphics person? There she is. Oh - and a CD production company? Here are two to choose from. Need friends to help move the piano? God had it down.

     God orchestrated the entire project. And our small group was able to be a part of it in so many levels. We have grown closer. We have journeyed the process together. And we pray that it would be a blessing to you as you share in moments that remind us: God is Hope."

We would like to thank Dr. Philbert & Hannah Yau for being obedient in your service to the Lord.   In addition, to those at Woodsedge Church who dedicated their time, talent and efforts to this project--Thank you!  It is an honor to "serve the least of these" together!

Click BELOW to purchase your CD!!  
         ***FREE SHIPPING***
                        $15.00

Exciting Events Coming UP!

What a honor and joy for Into the Streets of Ethiopia to be a part of some fabulous up-coming events. We would love to meet you and share our vision concerning the orphans and widows we serve in Ethiopia.  Stop by and see us at one of the following:

• Together For Adoption--October 21-22, 2011 (Phoenix, AZ)
• Chosen: Marathon for Adoption--October 29, 2011 (Gruene, TX)
• WoodsEdge Community Church--(Christmas Market)--October 29, 2011 (The Woodlands, TX)
• Created for Care Retreat--January 27-29th, 2012 (Atlanta, GA)
• The Woodlands Marathon--March 3, 2012 (The Woodlands, TX)
• Created for Care Retreat--March 23-25th, 2012 (Atlanta, GA)

Do you have a place of worship or a conference/retreat that Into the Streets of Ethiopia could be a part of?  Would you help us bring awareness to the orphan crisis in Ethiopia?  If so, please contact us at Portilla@IntotheStreetsofEthiopia.com.  Together, we can make a difference!