Summer 2011

	A Message from In-Country Director

 I am glad to give an overview of this quarter’s newsletter. Throughout last quarter, God’s provision and support was there throughout each and every activity. The Bible says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1.

 We are so thankful for God’s leadership, help, and direction during the last quarter. It is God’s amazing grace that brought all the outcomes we now celebrate. I would like to thank the almighty God for giving us strength, wisdom, peace, and stability so that we are able to minister to so many children and communities in Ethiopia.

 I am also grateful to HopeChest ET staff for the unreserved effort they gave last quarter. Without a committed and hardworking staff, it is difficult to make things happen as planned. I am very proud of the team spirit and commitment they have. Thank you HopeChest US staff for the leadership you have shown. We are glad to be working together in this life-changing ministry.

 Children’s HopeChest (CHC) has been doing tremendous activities in Ethiopia. In our program model, “Survive, Thrive and Succeed,” we have been providing support for children at different CarePoints/orphanages, and for the community at large. In our “Survive” phase, a great number of children receive medical treatment and health checkups. We have distributed food for the children at each CarePoint, and have also drilled wells for some of our partner CarePoints. Under the “Thrive” phase, children at each CarePoint have been attending school and taking various classes to develop their skills. Under the “Succeed” Phase, we work towards sustainability and empowerment in the community and in the family.

 At CHC ET, there are two major funding approaches: Sponsorship and Capital Projects. We receive and directly wire Sponsorship funds to every CHC CarePoint each month. Capital project funds are utilized for the construction of large projects such as, school construction, wells, and the building of bridges.

 CHC ET staff has hosted a number of US teams nearly every month. We have been blessed by these teams visiting our partner CarePoints throughout the last quarter. Due to their visits, sponsors and sponsored children have had the opportunity to spend time together as a family. We are so thankful for our sponsors and donors; due to their continued support, children and their families have benefited greatly and their lives continue to change.

Mr. Tesfatsion Tsegaye

	A Message from Two of Our New Staff Members

Helina Damitew

 My name is Helina Damtew. I am a born again Christian, and a second year student at the Ethiopian Full Gospel College. Before I joined CHC, I taught high school. I joined Children’s HopeChest two months ago, and am working as a Trip Coordinator.

 I am very happy being a part of the CHC ministry, because I love assisting children as well as the community. This is also the intention of our heavenly God. Throughout scripture He commands us to care for the orphaned and vulnerable. As believers, we must follow the footsteps of Jesus.

 I want to thank all of our sponsors, sponsoring communities, and Children’s HopeChest staff for your enormous contribution to the great number of deprived children in Ethiopia. Together we can make a difference with the help of His grace.     

 God bless!

Yifrut Abebe

 I was born in a Christian family which gave me the opportunity to learn the Word of God in Sunday school. I do not know exactly when I received Jesus as my personal savior, however at the age of fourteen, I fully understood the meaning of Christianity and as a follower of Christ I became baptized.  My life was then changed completely and I decided to follow Him.  Since that day I have served in the church, ministering and worshiping the Almighty God.

 I have worked the last six years for different organizations in different positions, and have now joined CHC Ethiopia as the Capital Project Specialist. In the future I plan to work on different programs in order to build the capacity of our partners.

 I wish God’s blessing for all of you!

	Discipleship Lessons

 It is easy to see the reason for the challenges we face after they have passed.  However, if we can imagine at the beginning or even in the mist of our challenges that God has a plan, we will accept them as a gift.  Peter can tell us how difficult it is walking on the storms of life, especially in God’s vineyard, as we harvest souls for Christ.  

But by the grace of God we’re here!

 Teaching children is the greatest tool to shape them, and to make them the best version of themselves. But it requires commitment and dedication.  A combination of the right lessons, media communication, and teaching methods are needed to achieve God’s plan for them, and to lead them on the right track. Discipleship teaching is one of the best tools established by Children’s HopeChest, used to empower children to become the Godly men and women of tomorrow in the Kingdom of God. 

 We had a wonderful time sharing with the children on how God is in love with us. Based on Ephesians 2: 4-5, “But because of His great love for us , God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.” Jesus’ death on the cross is the reason we are alive; not by power, might, knowledge, money, or wealth…but by His grace.

 We strongly believe that being with the children renders longevity and value to their lives. We, the CHC staff, have been visiting the children twice a month (as long as we are not hosting US teams–during team trips we visit the children once a month).

 During the discipleship lessons we take time out to sing different Amharic and English songs. Moreover, when the children are taught a lesson through a story, they are encouraged to express what they have learned from the story. If they are taught a discipleship lesson through a lecture, they are asked to reflect upon their understanding of the topic, and are given related questions that prove whether or not they fully understand it.

God Bless You All,

Alemayehu Gebremichael

	Special Update

 During the months of July and August the children were on school break. All the kids enjoyed the school break. The children spent their free time playing football, reading stories, visiting places, and watching movies.  During the school break, children were able to write letters to their beloved sponsoring families. In addition, the children at Onesimus celebrated their final school day with the school community colorfully.

 The Ethiopian New Year began on September 12th (Gregorian Calendar(GC), and the children prepared themselves for the new school year. By the way, we Ethiopians have our own calendar, and there are 13 months; we also get sunshine the whole year!

	Thank You

The children express their gratitude as follows:

 “Thank you sponsor families, community leaders, and Children’s HopeChest for all of your support in providing meals, health care, shelter, mental and social support, as well as assisting in education. Without these great contributions, we would be forced to stay hopeless and vulnerable. As you know, most of us lead a life of misfortune, but because of God and you, our lives have been transformed.”

 In general, they are grateful for all of the support they have received.  All express these feelings of gratitude, and extend their thankfulness to their sponsor families, community leaders, and to Children’s HopeChest. They wish every one of you a long life, peace, and good health!

	A Message from the CarePoint Leader

 Thank you very much for everything you did for this organization. Indeed, you are a blessing to us! We are assisting approximately 200 children because of the support we get from you. It is true, that God will not forget what you do for poor, orphaned, and street children. I, the director of OCDA have no words to express my gratitude!

 May God bless you!

Nega Meaza, Director of OCDA

	Children at Onesimus

Dear Sir/Madam,

 Thank you very much for helping me! My name is Sara Jemal, I am in the third grade and have a mother and father. We live in a plastic house on the street. Onesimus has been helping me for the last three years. Indeed, I have no words to express my thanks. I was told that CHC has been helping us through OCDA. Even though I am living in a plastic house, I am happy because I am able to get food, go to school, receive school materials and clothing, and family support.

 Again THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Sara Jemal (ET2106108)

Dear Sir/Madam,

 My name is Surafel Bedilu. I have do not have a mother or a father. I used to live on the street, but Onesimus helped me by bringing me to my grandma and grandfather’s home to live. I registered at my school this week, and received all of my school materials and clothing from Onesimus. The organization is very close to my school. I eat my lunches at Onesimus. I am happy to stay at the organization and continue my education. Thank you again and again for helping me and my family.

 Thank you,

Surafel Bedilu (ET2106089)

	Prayer Requests

• Pray for the leaders/caregivers to work in a manner that continues to benefit the children, because they are working with street kids
• Pray for the children’s education, as well as their spiritual and emotional development
• Pray for transformation in the street children’s behavior