Another Trip to Ethiopia!

Matt and the team of 8 from Eau Claire, WI are well on their way to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!! They are all excited to meet the new group of women going through the training process of becoming hair stylists as well as learning who it means to be in Christ. They will also be spending time with the after school kids and also visiting a government run orphanage.

Included in that group is Eyes That See's very first intern Ashely Watt. She will be working for Eyes That See for 6 weeks! We will be hearing from her about her journey during that 6 weeks.

Please keep this group in your prayers for:

• Safety and good health
• Seeing what God wants to show them while on this trip
• Giving them strength and energy to do His work

Thank you! Keep checking back for updates from the trip!

Kammerer Middle School

Kammerer Middle School in Louisville, Kentucky has an after school group called Cubs Care Club. These students meet each week to learn and discuss ways that they can make a difference for children just like them in other parts of the world.

They held a donation drive for Eyes That See. They collected school supplies, sports equipment, and shoes for the children in our after school program.
Matt was able to take these supplies with him when he travel a couple of months ago.


It's great seeing middle school students really "get" that they can make a difference for someone half way across the world!

For Valleybrookers......

This is a special message for Valleybrookers.....

Thanks for all of the support over the past few months. We have a team leaving in a week for Ethiopia and we would love to have you be a part of this trip as well. We have a unique opportunity for you. The first 30 people to bring in a new or slightly used backpack, will be given an "Eyes That See" t shirt. We don't need fancy backpacks, just the old school backpacks that we have all used. Bring your backpacks to Valleybrook this weekend only (May 21/22) and we will trade it for a shirt!
Thanks for everything!"

Re-arranging...

So our staff did a little re-arranging on site to better utilize the space. It looks great and there is plenty of room to grow!

The new office

The basketball hoop bought by the Rowe family!

The new office

The new hair training room

The new kitchen

Through Jackson's Eyes...

Jackson is 7 years old and spent the first 5 years of his life in Ethiopia. He's lived an entire lifetime in those 5 years and God is doing a mighty work on his heart. Below are some questions I asked him and the answers he gave me, in his own words.....


How do you feel about people helping children in Ethiopia?

First of all it feels good when you get clothes when you don't have clothes. It feels good to your heart. It makes God really really happy because when you are helping kids it makes you feel good and it makes God feel good. It makes your heart happy.

Do you remember at time when you didn't have all the things you needed? Yes

What did that feel like?

Before I was living in the orphanage (KVI) I felt really really sad. I was kinda poor because I didn't have lots of food or lots of clothes. I had to wear clothes for like 5 days in a row.

When you lived in the orphanage, did you ever hear about people praying for you in the United States? How did that make you feel?

Yes. Happy cause when they said people were praying for me I noticed that I felt happy cause people were caring about me and praying for me.

What kind of work has God been doing in your heart to give you Eyes That See?

If you share with somebody, somebody will share back. You can trust God no matter what 'cause if He promised you something He will never forgot and you can trust Him with all your heart, mind, with all your soul, and strength.

Through Connie's Eyes.....

Have you ever supported a cause that you weren't sure where the money was going? Well, no need to anymore!

I support "Eyes That See" for many reasons. I know where the money is going and I know that it is supporting beautiful people in Ethiopia.
I have never been to Ethiopia physically although I feel as tho I have. I have received many gifts that were hand crafted by Ethiopians and also have tasted the food that is eaten there.

My most precious gifts from Ethiopia are my 3 grandsons who are now a part of a forever beautiful family. The love that I have received from these boys is overwhelming. They love me unconditionally just as God does. I am blessed.
I have been asked if I can love them like my other grandchildren and my response to that is ...absolutely....they are definitely my grandsons and they are easy to love.
Eyes That See is a mission of love and obedience and my prayer is: that people in the US will open their eyes and see that we are all children of God. We just live in different parts of the world. Many parts of the world God has called us to be his hands and feet to honor Him. This is the mission of" Eyes That See."

Something to ponder: All our souls are the same color.

Northstar Middle School

Today Christy Reppe is stepping up to the plate once again for Eyes That See. She is speaking to a group of 7th graders from Northstar Middle School in Wisconsin. Christy will be sharing about life in Ethiopia and ways these students can make a difference in the lives of children halfway across the world!

Christy with some of the students in Ethiopia

We appreciate you taking the time to do this for the 3rd year in a row Christy!!

Here is what their teacher at Northstar had to say:
7th graders at Northstar Middle School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, want to help Eyes That See in conjunction with a project for their Social Studies class. They are learning about building Hope in people dealing with poverty and homelessness. Reaching out to the women and children through Eyes That See is a great opportunity for the 7th grade students to enrich their own lives as they serve others, while they help make a difference for those in Ethiopia! - Paula Tracy
Here are some quotes from the students about why they took part in supporting Eyes That See:

“Here in America we have so much. Why not share with the kids in Africa?” ~Alyssa

“When I hear that Eyes That See was working with Ethiopia, I remembered my teacher Mr. Brown’s son Elijah. He was an orphan in Ethiopia that Mr. Brown adopted. It made me want to help and give to the other kids in Ethiopia.” ~Sebastian

“I wanted to help. We have so much and they don’t.” ~Cory

“So I could help other kids that are less fortunate than we are.” ~Zac

“People take pleasure out of many things. But I take pleasure out of helping other people.” ~Adrian

They made books to share about their lives with the Ethiopian students

The Summit

For the next couple of days you will find Matt and I at the Christian Alliance For Orphans Summit VII. This is a great place to connect with other like minded people. We went to it a couple years ago when it was in Dallas, TX. This year it just so happens to be taking part at our church, Southeast Christian right here in Louisville. We are looking forward to catching up with some old friends and meeting some new ones, hearing good speakers and breakouts.

Our Second Class

Our second class of hairdressing students has just finished the theory part of their schooling.  They are about to practice putting this education into action.  They are each meeting with the counselor as well and we are seeing great results from this.

I love the timing of these women beginning to apply what they know.  I feel like it is much the same for some of us.  We have known that we want to see this world change, want to help people, and even known how.  This past month so many of us have practiced caring for others outside of our homes and are now seeing dramatic changes in our lives.  Whether you are making cupcakes for Uganda, caring for your coworker differently, investing in one of the women in this new class, or eagerly waiting for what you are passionate about, we want to encourage you to put your passions into practice.

Endris told us that a bunch of pictures would be coming soon, so keep checking back with us.  Enjoy your day and thanks for being a part of Eyes That See.

Month of Change Finale

Thanks to all of you for being a part of the "Month of Change." It was so encouraging seeing how many of you got involved in this project and spread the word about what is happening through Eyes That See. As we close up I want to share with you a note that I got from an awesome family back in Eau Claire. The Ellis' family joined us this month and sent this note last week.


"We have really enjoyed this "month of change" emptying our change jar a few times has been so exciting! What a great way to get our children involved. This has sparked them to have a cupcake sale for orphans in Uganda, so exciting!!"

I love that we get to be a part of the story of this family and even help kids in Uganda through cupcakes. Here's another picture from the sale.

Thanks for mailing what you have collected. We will total the checks together and let you know the amount that came from this in the next week.