Month of Change- Day 12

Over the past few months we have been asked many times how it is that this work is done in Ethiopia while we live in Louisville.  The answer is that we work with some phenomenal people.  We have so many good staff people, but I want to take a moment to highlight two of them.

Matt talking with Endris (middle) and Yonas.

Endris is the Project Manager for LIA.  The work that has been done with the women and children at Project 1 has been done under his leadership.  He does a wonderful job of caring for the people within his project and investing in not just their physical needs, but their emotional and spiritual needs as well.  We have known Endris for the past several years and we are honored to be partnered on this project.  Also, just yesterday Endris' wife delivered a healthy little baby!  What a gift.

Yonas is the Ethiopian Director for Eyes That See.  He has a bachelor's degree from Addis Ababa University and is currently working on his master's in counseling.  Yonas has been a faithful friend for years and, along with his precious wife and son, is a great addition to our team.  Yonas will continue to keep our licensing up to date, host teams that visit, communicate with the different project sites and represent Eyes That See to anyone who needs our presence.

Please be praying for these men over the next few months as these projects continue to grow under their leadership.  We are so glad to be working with them and the many other staff members as well.  We hope each of you has the pleasure of meeting them someday.

Month of Change- Day 10

We are already ten days into the month and some of you have let us know how much you have already raised.  Thank you so much and please continue.  We want to have a total from everyone by Thursday so we can let everyone know our total on Friday, our midpoint of the month.

Many people have wondered what we are going to do now that the first group of women have graduated.  We are excited to announce that this week the second group will begin going through the same hair school.

Endris with our second class.

Our first group of graduates will be opening their salons and now these students will learn how to cut hair, but also how to leave their old lives behind.  They will be mentored by our graduates and will continue to go through counseling.  We are praying that we will see the same type of life change in these women as we have seen before.  

Thanks for investing in each of these lives.  It is because of donors like you that we are able to invest in the lives of these women and their children.  We will let you know individual stories in the coming weeks.

Month of Change-Day 8

One of the most striking things from the past trip was seeing the change in Yonathan.  When I first met him, he was going to stop going to school since there was no money available for him.  He had a bit of the typical middle school rebellion in him and he was going to take on the world on his own.  He would smile, but the smile quickly left for a hardened look.  It was just Yonathan against the world.  He was going to be the man of the house.  He was going to be the provider at 13.

first photo of Yonathan

Thankfully his teachers stepped in.  They said his mind would drift from school to his mother, and they could only imagine how great of a student he could be if he was ever able to concentrate.  We were given the opportunity to step in and help.  He goes to LIA nearly everyday now.  Yonathan is excelling in school and able to speak confidently in Amharic or English.  In fact, the principal of his school said that he has become the top student in the entire school.

When I saw Yonathan he had a ring on his finger.  I asked if he was married and he just smiled and hid.  When I asked where he got the ring he told me it was his mother's.  Sure, there was pain in his eyes, but there was hope as well.  The pressure of carrying her and his brother was off of his shoulders.  It still wasn't far from his mind, but it wasn't his to carry alone.

Yonathan (in the middle) with his friends.

During "Month of Change" you are helping children like Yonathan.  Thank you for investing in him.

From Ezra's Eyes....

The following post is from our 12 year old son, Ezra. He is sharing a unique prospective on what Eyes That See means to him. Ezra spent 10 years living in Ethiopia. If he doesn't go on to play pro soccer, he will probably kick us out of our job in a few years when he takes over Eyes That See.

If you asked me the way I look at Eyes that See, this is how I would answer. I can put myself in the kid's spot, and I would wonder what am I gonna eat TODAY, what time do I wash my uniform, and when do I do my chores. Those are very challenging things for kids my age. Here in the US most kids don't have to worry about that because their mom or dad do that for them.

Kids in Ethiopia that get help from Eyes that See are relieved from that worry because they have somebody to help them. They don't have to worry about uniform, school supplies etc...

That is the blessing that Eyes that See has been for those kids. I can't explain in words the different feeling I had. You have to be your own parent and take care of yourself. You eat by yourself, wash clothes by hand, and still keep up with school. You don't want to fail and be in that grade for a long time. You have all of that going on in your brain. It was really hard for me and I even had a grandma taking care of me.

Parents are different, and not having that was just different. When someone does that for you the kids get excited. I would have been really excited to come to Eyes that See to come and eat and stuff. When you run out of pencils at school you know you could get another. When you need a backpack or anything, someone is there. It is also a big blessing that parents who are living don't have to worry about the needs of the kids. They want to care, but they have to work extra hard for food and stuff. It is a really hard time for the parents going through so much stuff. It is usually a mom and she often will share about life with the kids. That is hard because you can't do anything about it, but you worry about it. Sometimes you have those worries that you can't do anything about and you just get stressed out. Other times you get really sad because your mom has to work a really long time and you can't help.

For some of these kids, when they find out their moms have to sell their bodies at night, well that is a hard thing to think about. It would be really sad to have your mom not be able to get a job because of lack of education. I'm glad that Eyes That See helps with the lack of education. They give education so that the mom can get a job that she doesn't have to hide from her kids.

I know it would be hard, but try to spend the next 24 hours trying to put yourself in that position. Then you can probably understand things better.

-Ezra Ness

Month of Change- Day 4

Calcium.  I can honestly say that I have never thought about the need for calcium.  I remember drinking milk and thinking that I would grow tall like Michael Jordan because of it, but I had never seen the result of living without calcium until the last few years.

Two weeks ago while we were in Ethiopia we got to see Natnael again.  I had met him in September.  When we first met I was told that he had special needs.  I knew that he was a bright boy, but looked pretty weak.  I also knew that culturally you don't ask what his needs are, so I just prayed for his health.

In December Endris, the LIA director in Ethiopia, began using money that was wired to buy Natnael milk.  When he asked me permission I didn't fully understand.  Of course he could buy milk for Natnael, I thought.  I had no clue that this might save his life.

Natnael's grandma watched over this milk.  They would bring it to her house, and though the whole family suffers from lack of calcium, she made sure that only Natnael drank it.  This milk was for him to get strong, and they would hope help would come for them as well.

On our last day we went to Natnael's house. It was about the size of our bathroom.  In this house his mother, grandma, aunt and uncle lived.  They welcomed us in and thanked us for caring for him.  Days earlier they were given calcium pills that my friend Andy had brought them.  Natnael's family brought the pills to the doctor and he had told them how this would change their lives.  When we told Natnael's family that they could all take the medicine, tears filled their eyes.  They were so grateful and began dreaming of what life would be like with healthy bodies.

As we walked out of their home I couldn't help but put my arm around Natnael.  Through him I was able to meet a beautiful family and see even more clearly how blessed I am to be able to know them.  I watched him walk quickly back to school.  He was getting stronger and healthier just like his grandma had said.  All because of calcium.

As you give towards Eyes That See this month you are making a difference in people like Natnael.  Thank you.

Day 2 of Month of Change!

It's off to a good start! Thanks for sending in the pictures. We love being a part of this with you. Friends, family, and co-workers can still join in. It's not too late!! Also, if you have emailed us about being a site (remember this can be your kitchen counter) then you will be receiving some cards in the mail to hand out to people explaining what Month of Change is all about.

Thanks again for seeing our friends in Ethiopia!

The Reppe boys with their Month of Change bowl!

This guy scares me a little so I will make sure to give him my change!

This week we will update you on Yonathan's school work, the health of Natnael's family, the next steps for our recent graduates and more. Thanks for all of your help. Spread the word at church this weekend and we'll be updating you everyday!

Month of Change Begins!

Hello everyone.  The "Month of Change" begins today.  We are very excited about how many of you are taking part in this event with us.  From Kammerer Middle School, to families around the country, and even the Boys Scouts here in Louisville.  Thanks for all of your participation.  Each day I will send out an update on the month and the projects that we are working on.  These will be posted here, and if you would like them in email form, just email me at matt@eyesthatsee.org

Grace and the "Month of Change" jar

Marquis family showing support

The fireflies at Rachel's Place

Everyone who is hosting drop off sites, please make sure we have your addresses as we will make certain you have the flyers to go with your drop off jars.  Watch for stories on this blog or in your inbox!