Reunion!

One year ago, in a far away land,  I had the honor of meeting a special little boy. My mother and I were prepared to meet and love on lots of children as we visited our partner, Adoption Ministry of YWAM-Ethiopia.  We spent several days in Adama, Ethiopia at the Widow and Orphan home.  As I held his tiny body, I knew in my spirit that he was special! As soon I returned home from Ethiopia, I shared his photos and his story with my family.  Over the last year, this little boy has been talked about many times over dinner with my children. We prayed for him to gain strength and weight, to be safe until joined with his forever family.

Through a series of God-appointed events, I was introduced (several months before he came home) to his soon-to-be adoptive mommy. I shared my memories and she shared her hopes for this wanted child.  I have watched this family walk a journey similar to our own adoption story and am thrilled to report that Ty is finally home!

This last weekend, Tulio and I traveled to Phoenix to attend the Together for Adoption conference.  Among many great moments of representing Into the Streets of Ethiopia, reuniting with Ty was the highlight for me! What a true picture of grace and redemption! 

Your donations do count!  You are helping save lives! Just as my friend Ty benefited from infant baby formula, there are many more waiting to receive the gift of powdered gold!  Would you consider being a life changer?  $13 (the cost of one can of Walmart infant Formula) can be the difference between life and death.  

Check out our wish list at Walmart. 

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

Into the Streets of Ethiopia needs YOU!  4 times a year, by faith we support Adoption Ministry of YWAM-Ethiopia with a check of $3800-$4300 to purchase a 3 month supply of formula (to feed all the babies at 4 Widow and Orphan Homes--see map below).  Formula is purchased in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, packed and loaded into a van and delivered to each home. We have completed two formula trips since June. ***Enfamil and Walmart (Parent's Choice) formula is always appreciated and welcomed via donation to Into the Streets of Ethiopia or to YWAM-Ethiopia.  We send as many loads of collected formula with traveling adoptive families or mission trip volunteers. *** We have learned---you can never have enough baby formula in Ethiopia.

YWAM Mercy Development Feeding Center

Into the Streets of Ethiopia would like to introduce you to some new friends!

Into the Streets of Ethiopia began a partnership with YWAM Mercy Development in February 2011.  Through the generosity of faithful Into the Streets supporters, we have successfully funded 100 % of the Mercy Development Feeding Center Project {a community-based outreach to the streets of Addis Ababa} for the last 8 months. This project is designed to benefit street children between the ages of 6-15.  Objectives of this project include (but are not limited to):

• The identifying of 20 vulnerable children (who do not receive support elsewhere) that would greatly benefit from the support of this program.
• Provide spiritual training.
• Provide a balanced, nutritious meal at lunch 5 times per week.
• Clothing {school uniforms and shoes} in addition to school fees and equipment needed.
• Emergency medical care.
• Holiday gifts.

***We are happy to report that 17 of the 20 students passed their latest exams with flying colors!  It's amazing how a brain can function properly with a full tummy!***

If you would like more information about this project or you would be interested in helping Into the Streets of Ethiopia fund the 2011-12 year, please contact us at PORTILLA@INTOTHESTREETSOFETHIOPIA.COM.

Students in Georgia making a *HUGE* difference for orphans in Ethiopia

“A little goes a long way! Help buy formula for orphans in Ethiopia!”

Hebron Christian Academy’s Missions Club made posters with these logos and carried them to carpool every Tuesday and Thursday for 6 weeks along with change buckets to collect money for Into the Streets of Ethiopia. They also put collection buckets in each homeroom, and had a competition to see which class could fill their bucket the most. After collecting, the hard part began: rolling all of the change! Each week the group met for 45 minutes to roll quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. 6 weeks later, all the coins were rolled, and the students eagerly awaited the total. They were ecstatic to find out they had been able to raise $1128.50!

Here are some quotes from the students {that participated}:

“The hope of being able to affect the lives of others provides incredible joy to people.” –Cole Redman (on what he learned from the campaign)

“It made my fingers smell gross like copper, but it was worth it.” –Elise Murray (on rolling coins)

“I learned a lot about how big a problem not having formula is for orphans and how much a little money could do to help.” –Tiffany Bagley (on what she learned)

“Early morning carpool is kind of difficult with sleepy parents ignoring us, but just do some jumping and attract attention, and there ya go!” –Amanda Fischels (on what it was like to stand out and collect change early in the morning)

“I hope the loose change provides hope for the kids and provides for them so that they know there’s people that care.” –Brooke Felt (on what she hoped the loose change would accomplish)

“To me, it’s completely unfair that some children don’t get opportunities to grow and develop like others only because they lack resources. Collecting change for formula gave me a say in it.” –Anonymous

Thank You Hebron Christian Academy!  You guys ROCK!!