A Necessary Evil

Fundraising... Oh... how I wish that word didn't exist! Yet, I count it a blessing that it does. Can you imagine how many ministries would just be dead without it? And how many could never be born without fundraising? The best ministries like "Make a Wish" and "Compassion International" all need money to do what they do. And when the economy get hard, raising much needed money becomes a grueling task.

Carpenter's Kingdom is no different. We have a project, a plan, a mission given to us by our Lord Jesus and in order to begin it, we need about $9000. This is not money for plane tickets, nor money for salaries, or to file for non-profit status. No, this is money we need to buy a car.

A CAR??? Why in the world would we need to buy a car? Well, the answer is simple. So we can do much less fundraising! You see, this car will be a taxi in Addis Ababa. This taxi will specialize in driving from the city to the country towns and back again. This is where the highest fare and the least risk can be had. Our in country ministry partner, Beki, is planning to pay for half of the car, and we are responsible for earning the remaining portion.

So... fundraising it is... knowing that the key to less fundraising is making the ones we agree to do a success. So there are three on the calendar right now.

We are hosting a garage sale on Oct 16th in the Arrowhead area of Glendale, AZ. We are currently accepting donations to be sold. We are selling the Entertainment coupon books for $30 each and asking for additional volunteers to make an effort to join with us and sell 10 books each. We also are sending away for celebrity autographs that we will be auctioning on Ebay for funds over the next several months as they come in. All great ideas, but only as great as the people that help to make them a success. Will you join with us? Do you know 10 people at work, church, or family that could buy an Entertainment book? Do you have stuff piling in your garage that you could donate to a garage sale? Will you repost our needs on your Facebook account to see who you know that could really help out??

We appreciate your consideration and can not wait to see what God will do with the funds He provides for this great ministry!

Proverbs 24:12

Proverbs 24:12 Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act.

You see, I had expected to go to Ethiopia the first time for an adventure in which I fed a few people in need, loved a few children without parents, and helped a friend bring home her long awaited child. I had expected to be on an adventure that would teach me, grow me, and be written off as another cool trip. But that is not what happened. Not even close.

God opened my eyes to a world of need like nothing I had ever seen before. People using the streets as bathrooms because of no other option. Sick children, hundreds of children "working" to try and feed themselves. Children without smiles, homes, education, food... Adults without jobs, with little hope, maimed from war or disease, crippled and wrapped in rubber from an old tire to keep from tearing their skin as they drug their bodies in the streets. Smells of despair. Smells of extreme need... I had seen a world that I had been unable to imagine. But I saw even more...

I saw people with kind hearts, generous spirits, and a hope for something more. I saw children able to smile because they, if only for a day, felt like someone cared enough to take the time to be with them, to love them. I saw children worshipping and praising our Lord Jesus because of just a few days with me to spend time with them, to give them a few pieces of fresh fruit and a frosted cake of which most had never experienced. I saw hope in the faces of the people. I came home forever changed.

"We can not pretend we don't know..." the Bible is right. There are times that my heart has been so broken over the people I have fallen in love with in Ethiopia that I had wished I did not ever know. The burden is heavy to bear. To know that American sponsorship dollars have fallen off and kids I personally know and love have been cut back to bread and tea for 2 meals... it honestly is too much to handle. To know that the cost of living their is steadily increasing as unemployment and drought plague the people, brings me to tears. (These are the people willing to die rather than to eat a steal and eat a lose chicken that doesn't belong to them.) Though the burden is so heavy, I am so thankful for the truth I know. They say "knowledge equals power". And though I do not feel at all powerful, but actually quite small, I know that power to strike change because of this knowledge, is within me. The difference between those people and my family is simply the country we were born in. It is not our heart, our efforts, our hopes, or desires. It is plainly a matter of where we were born. How fortunate for me that I was born in America. But it also has become a big responsibility for me.

I am privileged. I know how unprivileged others are and I ache for their relief. God has placed a burden so big, that I am now held responsible to act on this burden. I feel completely and totally called to the cause. God knows all the answers on how and when. I am faithfully stepping out to allow Him to work. Things are not going as quickly as I had hoped. Things are not falling together as easily now as they were in the first. But I feel no less called to the cause. The people need some basics to get going and given those, they are intelligent and capable people that desire to achieve more for themselves, their families, and their nation. The street children need help to get a proper education, food, and a place to call home. The people don't desire hand outs, they desire solutions.

You Deserve It!!!

There was a time I would use the expression , "Good for you. You deserve it!" as a part of my every day language. It was usually received with a smile and "thank you" as the person would expound upon their "good thing" to come. It wasn't until one day when a friend of mine from church told me that her and her family were going to Hawaii for a long over due family vacation that I actually was called out on the comment. I have been thankful ever since and as I have grown as a person, I have come to delete the expression from my speech. Let me explain.

You see, this woman telling me of the trip to Hawaii is an incredible mother to special needs children. She is a busy woman involved in ministry, keeping her home, home schooling, mothering, etc and on top of all she does in life, she got very ill with a brain condition. She had a couple surgeries to provide relief and in her state of recovery, was looking forward to the trip. She deserved this trip, right?! "Enjoy yourself. You deserve it!" was my response and quick as lightening, her response back was, " I don't deserve any of it. I am just blessed to be able to go."

It took me back. No one had called themselves undeserving before and basically, that was what she had done.

I went home and remarked to my hubby how it still had me taken aback and how I found myself understanding where she was coming from, and even agreeing. What do we deserve in life? And what do those of lesser means deserve in their life, then?

You see, life isn't fair! I know all of us have known this personal truth to one extent or another for years, but let's reiterate the fact. LIFE ISN'T FAIR! And this woman, or I, or you, are no more deserving of trips, medical treatment, a vehicle, a big house, or and education than any other person. We all fall short in places in our lives. We all disappoint ourselves, each other, our God... we all make mistakes. And we all have a glimpse of goodness and love within us (after all, we are made in His image).

I know men that work 50 hours a week sweating in the hot sun for a living to care for their wife and children. They get paid very, very little and barely make the bills. That family will never experience the joys of a trip to Florida or drive a luxury car. That family will not be able to pay for their children's college education or their daughter's wedding. And yet they are likely more deserving of a family vacation that my husband and I are, if you base it on hours worked, blood, sweat and tears. They would "deserve" it, and my family would not.

Then on the other end are families that perhaps have come into great fortune and have no respect for it. They spend it on big trucks, gold jewelry, the best clothes, and traveling afar with no regard for even getting their bills paid on time- after all, they can afford the late fees and who needs a credit score when you can just pay cash? Most of us would say they don't deserve to travel or have those things.

So who deserves what? Obviously we don't get based on what we deserve. Because if we did, my mother would never have gotten cancer. She didn't deserve it. My daughter would never have had so much pain and loss in her past. She doesn't deserve it. My dear people of Ethiopia would not suffer in poverty because believe me, the only difference between them and you is the country you were born in. They don't deserve it. It is so easy for us to say " I/We/They don't deserve it" when it comes to the bad... But we feel justified to say that we "do deserve" all things good. I have been challenged to look at the community, country, and world and ask myself, "What do I really deserve?" and, "Is there another that really deserves it so much more?" And then lastly, " What am I gonna do about it?"

This is not to say that we can't have good things, and those that save for things shouldn't obtain the things they prepare for. None of that is what is being said. It is just simply a realization that I have had that you don't really "get what you deserve". And how can we balance compassion for those without as we continue to justify and pursue "more" in our own lives?

And lastly, since this is a blog about missions in Ethiopia, have you ever wondered if you were you but you were born in Ethiopia, how would your life be? Would you have even lived to the magic age of survival, which is 5? If you did, would you have had opportunity to get an education? And then what? What would you feel you deserved if you lived there?

Overcoming Abuse, Abandonment and Poverty Have Prepared Me to Help Others

The Blackford family is a large family that has attended Northwest Community Church for years. Most everyone knows at least one Blackford, and usually more. But we knew none.

Nearly a couple of years ago, my daughter made friends with a young lady named Rebekah. She was sweet. (She still is!) We got to know her by having her over to hang out with Celia. They got pretty close because they shared classes on Wed nights and service on Sundays.

Little did we know, that Rebekah had an older brother that was OUR age! His name was Chris and he was married to Nicole. They were the proud parents of 2 kids. And we found ourselves invited to a growth group that was at their home. We enjoyed their company and one thing led to another. One Thursday night, they joined us on a kid free evening to Applebee's. We discovered a common love for the movies, God, our kids, our church... AND REBEKAH! A place was carved in our hearts for Chris and Nicole ever after.

Time is scarce, though it shouldn't be. And time with Chris and Nicole is hard to come by... but we treasure them and enjoy them. I have had great conversations with Nicole and when asked by Jason whom I felt God put on my heart to invite to be a board member, Nicole immediately came to mind. Nicole is so encouraging, full of scripture and truth, and truly lives a life aimed at glorifying our Lord.

So without further adu, please meet Nicole. Below is her bio in her words. She has an amazing testimony and truth and it is conveyed so well. Thank you for your openness and candor. We are so excited that you have agreed to join in leading Carpenter's Kingdom!!!

Nicole Blackford has been married to Chris Blackford for six years and they have a two year old daughter named Jasmin and a five year old son named Elijah. They are both natives to Arizona in the USA. Nicole works as an American Sign Language Interpreter for the nearby public schools. This profession suits her as she is a soft spoken person with the gift of mercy and enjoys helping other people overcome their struggles. Through Christ, she has overcome struggles of her own including abuse, abandonment, and poverty. These trials have paved the way for her to help others with similar struggles.

Please join me in welcoming Nicole! Nicole, feel free to say hello as well!

Water is Well??

I can't expect anyone to get excited about a ministry until they fully understand the problems that the ministry aims to combat. After all, if we were to be putting a community center with free water, showers, and a soccer field into North Scottsdale, I don't think anyone would be over eager to support the cause. It is the needs of the community that will drive the direction of the ministry. Obviously, every aspect of the ministry is to share the love of Jesus Christ. But what tangible means are going to be used to do this?

I hope you have watched the video. I can tell you from my experience, the video does not even begin to the do the problem justice. I stayed in a guest house that was close to the small river which winds through the city. We had clean water at the guest house, but not drinkable. And a block from the guest house was this river. You could tell you were approaching it because there was a stench that could not be mistaken. You see, right next to and all around the guest house were slum shacks, homeless people, and small homes. None of which had any water or sanitation facilities. And then there was a stair case that parted between them down to the river. There were ditches on either side of the stairs and flat bricks that lined the edge of the stairs. People would urinate and defecate while standing on these bricks and then it would run down the hill into the river. The smell was enough to knock a person over. And the stair case went on for at least 100 steps.

The river was small. It wouldn't be called a river in Arizona. It would be a small creek. It was not even close to transparent. It was dark brown. Trash of every kind lined the banks. Remember, there are no trash cans or public waste facilities for the average person. Also, most people can not buy much that comes in packaging so it isn't anything like what it would be like without our trash services in America. None the less, trash lines the water. The original post on this blog, with the woman and children on the bridge, they were above this creek. The little girl that was so sick with a form of dysentery... it is likely from that water.

You see, the capital city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has an estimated population of over 3 million people. There are over 13,000 people to one square mile. Only 31% of these people have access to an improved water supply and only 11% have access to sanitation services (toilets and showers). So if only roughly 300,000 of these people have a toilet, where do the rest of them go? Yes. 2,700,000 people are going to the bathroom in the streets, ditches, and the river. And if roughly 1 million have access to pumped water, then were do the other 2 million get their water? THE RIVER!

In Addis, you will find children and adults alike carrying these yellow buckets. They are often tied to one's back. They are carrying a water supply to their "home". Many people, when they can afford it, will purchase a cleaner water supply. But as you can imagine, many more can not even come close to affording it. Diarrheal and water-related diseases are among the principle causes of death in young children in Ethiopia.

Carpenter's Kingdom has water at the top of the priority list. In building a community center, we will be able to provide clean drinking water for people that otherwise would not have it. We can provide septic system based sanitation services, and clean showers. By providing clean drinking water and bathing water for the community, Carpenter's Kingdom will be able to prevent over 75% of the most common diseases afflicting the people in Addis Ababa. WOW! Isn't that staggering?

A well is top priority for Carpenter's Kingdom. Contact has been made with another non-profit organization called Water for Our World. They are considering partnering with the expense of the well and awaiting more information following Jason and my's trip to Ethiopia this winter. We will be nailing down firm numbers based on the land we are allocated.

Please consider joining us in prayer and financial support. Carpenter's Kingdom can not happen without the support of many people. Supporting Carpenter's Kingdom will fill people with clean water and provide opportunities for the indigenous to hear about Jesus Christ. We thank you in advance for your consideration.

British Boy's Perspective

I found this video on YouTube and just loved it. It shows such a true picture of what Addis Ababa is like. It is narrated by a young British boy and I enjoyed his perspective. It spares our eyes any of the harsh realities but does give some true statistics... which I will elaborate on more in the coming posts.

A Sick, But True Confession

Many of you know that my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer last November and moved in with us. It was said at the time, that if she did her part of just getting better, we would take a celebratory trip to California as a family of 9. We would spend time at Disneyland, Sea World, and the beach. And my mom held up her end... so we did it.

The first hotel we stayed at, like all of them, were the cheapest we could find. We would need 2 rooms for the number of people we had traveling and I have to tell you (a sick, but true confession), that one thing I was super excited about before even leaving, was collecting the daily shampoos, lotions, and soaps IN 2 ROOMS! I had set out my big bottle of shampoo and conditioner to take so that I could just keep the free-bee travel sized ones and bring them back for the people in Africa.

So we get to our first room- and I realize that I left the big shampoo and conditioner at home. My mom assures me that it is OK, but I honestly, was quite disappointed. You see, for our free tickets to Disneyland, we did "Care kits for Haiti" right after the big earth quake. I shopped for travel shampoo, lotion, and soap and found that $1 was the price for the shampoo and lotion, and $.33 for the soap. This is expensive. I had even priced filling empty bottles and that was no cheaper. I had to get big shampoo and soap, and fast! Before we used up the priceless travel ones!

Meanwhile, Mom went to the front desk and explained that we had 6 girls in 2 rooms and that 2 small bottles of shampoo accross all of us was simply not going to get us where we needed to be. They unloaded handfuls of shampoo on my mom!

More motivated than ever at the thought of getting to take those shampoo to Africa instead of using it, J and I drove out to find a grocery store. I bought my big bottles and smiled the whole way home, knowing that the handfuls of shampoo just given to us would one day make it to the people in Ethiopia! AWESOME!

So, for the 7 nights and 6 days, I was able to save about 20 bottles of each hygiene product, and not quite as much soap! Not bad for a weeks work! If we think of that in dollars and cents, it is about $43 worth of travel sized goods!

Please consider saving your travel sized toiletries for the people of Ethiopia. We are leaving Dec 28th and will be taking out donated supplies with us at that time.

Also, be sure to check out our Carpenter's Kingdom Face Book page. There is a link on the right side of this blog so you can "like" the page and get updates. Also, please "suggest to friends" the page so we can get the word out on this amazing cause!

P.S. It is so good to be home!