So many of you have been asking our dates for the trip and until now I haven't had an answer for you. So without further ado.... we are leaving July 22 and will return August 3! Sorry I haven't been able to give a definite date until now but I found out as soon as I could. I need to reach a goal of about $2900 by May 1 so we can purchase our tickets. I'm about $1200 short so if you are able please donate whatever you can to help me reach that goal! :)
God bless and have a wonderful week.
1 Timothy 4:1-12
Monday, April 7, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Yay!
We are SO excited to welcome Kaity to our team going to Ethiopia this year!! We are now up to 6 teachers! Such a blessing to get to reach a bigger group of kids this summer. If you have a Facebook please send her an encouraging message and keep her in your prayers as well. We will be meeting with Tyrone and Alma tomorrow night and will explain the trip in more detail with her and let them all get to know each other a bit. Super excited!! :) Please remember to keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as well as those we will come in contact with all throughout our trip. God Bless!
Philippians 4:4
Philippians 4:4
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Not much news
There's not a lot to tell today. Due to spring break I won't get to meet up with Joanie until sometime in April to work on the t-shirts. I am in the process of writing a donation letter discussing our trip last year and what we plan to do this year. I am posting it here and will send out physical copies during the next couple of weeks. Hopefully I will have some real news in April. I am trying to set up a meeting to share our story from last year after worship services next month. Joanie is helping me with that and maybe get definite dates here pretty soon. That's about all there is to tell for this month.
Here is a copy of the letter that will be sent out.
Here is a copy of the letter that will be sent out.
Dear friends and family,
Last year I was blessed with the opportunity to go to
Gambella, Ethiopia to host the first ever Vacation Bible School. We primarily
worked with South Sudanese refugees,
however Ethiopian children came as well. The topic was creation because the children
were not taught the bible and we felt in order to build, we needed to start at
the beginning. There were four of us ladies: Joanie, Rusty, Alma, and myself who taught grades 1st - 4th
. We had about 100 children signed up, however, we had about 100 extra children
come each day asking to be let in. We allowed a few extra children, however,
due to lack of supplies and teachers we were not able to include all the
children. Amazingly, all the kids would stay and listen and participate from
outside the classrooms. They too learned the lessons and songs and some
children would stay after the VBS and ask questions about what we taught. We
had men from the preaching school who interpreted for us. These men were taught
by the missionary who invited us, Tyrone Myhnier. We worked closely with these
men and developed friendships that still last today. The church had no children
when we came and now has about 50, who
come regularly. In addition to that,
more adults have come and there have been many baptisms. We went, not just to teach the
children, but to reach out to their parents as well (Matthew 21.15-16). The Lord blessed the
work more than we could even imagine. This year, we are again blessed with the
opportunity to return to Gambella and host another VBS. We have another volunteer, Bryce, to go and teach
with us. We hope to get a couple more teachers so we can have enough classrooms
for all the kids interested in attending. The topic will range multiple Bible
stories: David and Goliath, Daniel and the Lion’s Den, Noah and the Ark,
Abraham and Isaac, Hannah, and Joseph and his Coat of Colors. The VBS will be
one week and then work with
the congregation there to help it strengthen and grow. The trip costs $4,000
total, however, I am in need of $3,000 since I have already received $1,000. I have a blog at www.heart4ethiopia2013.blogspot.com
where you can go to stay up- to- date on our progress. If you would like to
make a donation, you can go to my blog
and donate via PayPal or debit/credit card. You can also donate via check and send it to my home address. This is a work that
has greatly impacted my life and helped me grow in faith and knowledge as a Christian.
These people starve for knowledge about God and His Word. I have developed a
love for these people and these wonderful children. I pray it is again God's will to use me to further His kingdom. But in
order to do this work I need your help. Any monetary donations, prayers, or
encouraging words are greatly needed and deeply appreciated.
In Christ,
Karisa Holland
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Met Today
Well, we all met today. Bryce has officially signed on with us. Hopefully he can survive lol
We discussed the different crafts and solidified what we needed, what we have, and how to make them. We made a list of songs we want to maybe use when we do our lessons. We may have to change using Daniel for The Fiery Furnace....but don't know yet we need to work out some kinks first. We figured out some more applications but still have one or two left I think to figure out. We also discussed fund raising ideas for the new building that is really needed. Also, we updated each other on what we knew was going on with our dear brothers over there in Africa. It was a mixture of sad and happy news. We are ready for Tyrone to get back so we can get some of the travel details figured out more and to learn of how all of those we aren't in contact with are doing. Of course more than anything we want to hear about the kids!
Right now things are getting pretty heated in Ethiopia and surrounding regions. Muslim Somalian terrorists are planning attacks on Westernized areas. Please pray for the safety of everyone over there and that peace is soon reigning again so that we can do a VBS again this year. As of right now we can't go but we just trust in God to let things work out to where we can. We want so dearly for these wonderful kids to continue to learn and to help spread the gospel to the locals. Please pray that God allows a way for this work to continue... but of course all is in His timing and not ours. Also, please pray for Tyrone and for his travels to be safe with no trouble.
We got some details for our tshirts this year figured out. We just need to find a place that has what we want for a good price. I'll be going to Joann's for the shirts. I also will be going to thrift stores to find books that we can leave to help start a church library. They all want so badly to learn anything they can, we think this might be a good way to help out our brothers and sisters there, but also to maybe encourage people to get interest in the Church. Hopefully this can all get done so we can get as many checks off our list as possible. There is still SO much to do and we are so desperate for people to commit to teaching.
If you are interested but are worried about being able to teach please take note....we will have a set curriculum, with stories printed out with a picture. So all you would have to do at minimum is read the stories and pass out the crafts and explain what to do. If you want to venture further that is YOUR decision. Last year, being inexperienced and with no confidence, that's what I did. Further in the week I ventured out a bit and added some extra fun information (like that Adam and Eve probably looked more like them than me). If your interested please let me know. We don't need a commitment right this moment but we need to know if we atleast have some interest.
btw our topic...TRUST AND OBEY
Psalm 62: 1-2
We discussed the different crafts and solidified what we needed, what we have, and how to make them. We made a list of songs we want to maybe use when we do our lessons. We may have to change using Daniel for The Fiery Furnace....but don't know yet we need to work out some kinks first. We figured out some more applications but still have one or two left I think to figure out. We also discussed fund raising ideas for the new building that is really needed. Also, we updated each other on what we knew was going on with our dear brothers over there in Africa. It was a mixture of sad and happy news. We are ready for Tyrone to get back so we can get some of the travel details figured out more and to learn of how all of those we aren't in contact with are doing. Of course more than anything we want to hear about the kids!
Right now things are getting pretty heated in Ethiopia and surrounding regions. Muslim Somalian terrorists are planning attacks on Westernized areas. Please pray for the safety of everyone over there and that peace is soon reigning again so that we can do a VBS again this year. As of right now we can't go but we just trust in God to let things work out to where we can. We want so dearly for these wonderful kids to continue to learn and to help spread the gospel to the locals. Please pray that God allows a way for this work to continue... but of course all is in His timing and not ours. Also, please pray for Tyrone and for his travels to be safe with no trouble.
We got some details for our tshirts this year figured out. We just need to find a place that has what we want for a good price. I'll be going to Joann's for the shirts. I also will be going to thrift stores to find books that we can leave to help start a church library. They all want so badly to learn anything they can, we think this might be a good way to help out our brothers and sisters there, but also to maybe encourage people to get interest in the Church. Hopefully this can all get done so we can get as many checks off our list as possible. There is still SO much to do and we are so desperate for people to commit to teaching.
If you are interested but are worried about being able to teach please take note....we will have a set curriculum, with stories printed out with a picture. So all you would have to do at minimum is read the stories and pass out the crafts and explain what to do. If you want to venture further that is YOUR decision. Last year, being inexperienced and with no confidence, that's what I did. Further in the week I ventured out a bit and added some extra fun information (like that Adam and Eve probably looked more like them than me). If your interested please let me know. We don't need a commitment right this moment but we need to know if we atleast have some interest.
btw our topic...TRUST AND OBEY
Psalm 62: 1-2
Monday, January 27, 2014
Just a little thing
There are somedays when I really miss Ethiopia. Where it's almost like being homesick. I have that feeling today. Because of that I figured I'd just give a small little update. We decided on our stories this year. They are David and Goliath, Noah's ark, Daniel and the Lion's den, Abraham and Isaac, Hannah, and Joseph and the coat of colors. We already have some really exciting ideas for crafts for most of these; as well as a few applications. I need to get on Pinterest and get a couple more ideas but I think we are off to a really great start on all this. We have a few people interested in going but we definately need more! That's the area we are really struggling with right now. We just pray we can find a few more volunteers. If you're even just slightly interested talk to any of us. We really want to get people to go this year. The money is actually easier than expected to come up with and Woodland Oaks is willing to help out. It's such an incredible experience and worth more than anything to get to teach those kids about God and His glory. We were so blessed with how things worked out last year, and we know God will continue to bless this work this year as well.
BTW...If you'd like to read my journal from my trip last year, let me know. It doesn't have all our experiences as it was impossible to write them all down, but it will tell some stories I didn't tell and I think expresses just how amazing the VBS was. I only have two people who have said they're interested so PLEASE "order" one so this story can continue. They're totally free and less than 20 pages of reading. So get one!! :)
2 Thessalonians 3:1-4
BTW...If you'd like to read my journal from my trip last year, let me know. It doesn't have all our experiences as it was impossible to write them all down, but it will tell some stories I didn't tell and I think expresses just how amazing the VBS was. I only have two people who have said they're interested so PLEASE "order" one so this story can continue. They're totally free and less than 20 pages of reading. So get one!! :)
2 Thessalonians 3:1-4
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Ready, Set.......GO!
Hey y'all! Well with the start of the new year I am officially all about our VBS in Ethiopia (but let's be honest that's nearly all I can think or talk about anyway).
The four of us teachers and Tyrone met up with some people at Grangerland Church of Christ to discuss them coming to help us next year. We got some definate interest so we are hoping to encourage that and continue to find others interested in coming. So if you are...please talk to us. It's not a commitment yet it's just giving you some information so you can discuss it with your family and see if it's a good fit for you. So get ahold of me, Joanie, Rusty, Alma, or Tyrone and let us know any reservations you have, or any questions.
So now on with some fun stuff!! We have narrowed down some stories we want to do, but no final decisions have been made. We hope to make those Sunday when we meet. The stories we have are Noah and the flood, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the burning bush/plages, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lion's den, Hannah, and Rehab the Harlot. Since we have 7 stories and 5 days we have to cut a couple and maybe see if Chan will teach one of the stories we want covered the first Sunday we are there. We also have to see how we want to do Moses since that's a lot of ground to cover. Obviously some discussion is needed on this. The past couple of days I've been working on ideas for crafts. I think I found/thought of some pretty good stuff that I think will be easy/light supplies, that we can carry in bulk, and will be fun for the kids to make. Just gotta show the ladies and see what they think or came up with.
I am really really excited to get things going this year. I have been chomping at the bit since I got back to share my story and try to get more to come with us.
I have opened up a paypal account if you'd like to donate that way. I will also accept cash or checks.
God Bless!
Matt 28:19-20
The four of us teachers and Tyrone met up with some people at Grangerland Church of Christ to discuss them coming to help us next year. We got some definate interest so we are hoping to encourage that and continue to find others interested in coming. So if you are...please talk to us. It's not a commitment yet it's just giving you some information so you can discuss it with your family and see if it's a good fit for you. So get ahold of me, Joanie, Rusty, Alma, or Tyrone and let us know any reservations you have, or any questions.
So now on with some fun stuff!! We have narrowed down some stories we want to do, but no final decisions have been made. We hope to make those Sunday when we meet. The stories we have are Noah and the flood, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the burning bush/plages, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lion's den, Hannah, and Rehab the Harlot. Since we have 7 stories and 5 days we have to cut a couple and maybe see if Chan will teach one of the stories we want covered the first Sunday we are there. We also have to see how we want to do Moses since that's a lot of ground to cover. Obviously some discussion is needed on this. The past couple of days I've been working on ideas for crafts. I think I found/thought of some pretty good stuff that I think will be easy/light supplies, that we can carry in bulk, and will be fun for the kids to make. Just gotta show the ladies and see what they think or came up with.
I am really really excited to get things going this year. I have been chomping at the bit since I got back to share my story and try to get more to come with us.
I have opened up a paypal account if you'd like to donate that way. I will also accept cash or checks.
God Bless!
Matt 28:19-20
Thursday, December 19, 2013
It's About That Time Again!
WHOOP!!! We are getting prepared for the trip this coming summer and I figured it might be time to start updating everyone on the progress. So far we have decided on the topic...(but I'm gonna keep it a secret for now) and have an idea of the date. Still working on that one. We plan to have a dinner sometime for all interested in coming with us to teach/aid with VBS. So if you are interested let me or Joanie know and we will get you all the info you need. This is NOT a commitment...just if you are INTERESTED. So even if you decide it's not for you..no worries. If you are interested in donating to help this mission just let me know and I can give you more information and share some of the amazing things experienced this last summer. The plan is to start accepting donations won't be until after the new year. I wrote a journal of the trip so if you're interested in reading that I am trying to get a copy typed up hopefully very very soon. OH! if you didn't know already pics of the trip are up on facebook. If you don't have a facebook but would like to view them I'll try to find an alternative way to get them to you. Any questions please ask. Of corse we ask that you please pray for this mission and that we spread the True Gospel to all who will listen.
God Bless.
Romans 5:8
God Bless.
Romans 5:8
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