Furlough Update

One month from today we will be boarding a plane to head back to Ethiopia. Crazy to think that our furlough has come and is almost gone. Right now we are in San Antonio enjoying the city. But, man, it's hot here! We've had a blast going to the petting zoo, swimming, touring the River Walk and even a minor league baseball game. We have also enjoyed time with our friends Jason and Laura Smith who pastor Stone Bridge Baptist Church. Tomorrow afternoon we will begin the 23 hour drive back to Raleigh so please pray for our trip if you think about it. We will be in Raleigh for about nine days and then back to Illinois before returning to Ethiopia. BTW, this weekend is the one year birthday of Bethel Baptist Church, the church plant in Addis Ababa. It is crazy that it has been one year! We are grateful for the many lessons learned and for the opportunity to go through this experience with our teammates Eric and Amanda. We hope and pray you all have a wonderful Memorial Day enjoying time with family and reflecting on those who have given their lives so we can enjoy ours. 

*UPDATE on Luggage Sponsors:

To date we are excited to have 3 of our suitcases sponsored!  Thank you to the Hargraves family (Raleigh, NC), the Ward family (Springfield, MO) and the Rhodes family (Winter Haven, FL) for your sponsorship!  If you would like to sponsor a suitcase to help us get ministry supplies back to Ethiopia, click here for more information.

Packed & Almost Ready to Go...

Pretty cute, huh? Pretty soon Jackson and his suitcase will be packing up for our June 26th flight back to Ethiopia. Since we have started furlough we have been able to purchase a variety of materials for the ministry in Ethiopia. All kinds of items ranging from Bibles to craft supplies, church resources to a pop up tent that someone from our home church graciously purchased. Saying all this, we need help!

Let me explain it this way: Did you know that in 2009 airlines collected $13.5 billion in baggage fees?. That, my friends, is a whole lot of money, and on June 26th my family will be contributing a great deal to the total for 2012.  Basically we are going to be that family with 16 suitcases in the airport that everyone gets aggravated with when standing in line behind us.  Pretty exciting stuff, wouldn't you say?

Here is how it goes. For our three tickets we get six free bags (big smile) and after that it is $200 a bag (insert big frown here). So on June 26th, we will be collecting a whole lot of points on our American Express as we check our "excess" bags. Well, you may be asking, "what's your point, Craig?"


Well, here is what we are asking: We would ask that you would prayerfully consider as a individual or family or church to sponsor one of our bags to help us get everything over. By an individual, family or church making a one-time sponsorship of $200, an astronomical sum for us becomes a much more attainable goal. If you would like to donate you will find a link through PayPal at the end of this post. If you aren't able to contribute, no worries. Though, we'd ask that pray for us as we return...and for the guy behind us at the airport.

So, June 26th it is. And at the end of the year when Lufthansa looks at the graph for the year-in-review baggage revenue, they are going to see a little spike on June 26th. 

Yep, Lufthansa Airlines, you're welcome.

a trip that will change your life...

There is very little doubt when one walks down the street of Addis Ababa Ethiopia that the lack of healthcare can be overwhelming. Children everywhere who are facing a life of difficulty because they don't have the medical attention they need. It is tragic, one of the sad reminders of the sinful and fallen world we live in. For Team Ethiopia, God has given us the opportunity to make a difference. We live there, we get to see the people and what they face and we get to be apart of a local clinic that is making a difference in the peoples lives. We have watched what God can do through people who just want to help not only physically, but more importantly, spiritually. Now here comes the big part...We want you to experience it. Yes, that is correct, we are challenging you to step out of your comfort zone and come to Ethiopia in May 2013 for a trip that is going to change your life...for the good. Team Ethiopia is partnering with a local clinic to host a medical missions trip May 9-18, 2013,  and we want YOU to be involved. From medical clinics to teaching, from sight seeing to experiencing everything that makes Ethiopia unique, I can promise that you won't be disappointed. If you are in the medical field and want to make a difference please contact us immediately. Even if you are not in the medical field but feel that you can help please let us know. It is going to be an absolute life changing journey into the love of Christ and showing that love to the people of Ethiopia. I hope and pray you will take this opportunity. Come prepared...leave changed. 

Are you willing to change lives in Ethiopia?