MY BOY

I had to share with you all someone that has change my life completely. It's my son Birhane Kero:) I first met Birhane in the Post office area. The day before I started teaching classes, I went to gather up the boys I would be teaching. I had notice Birhane right away out of the group because he was loudest and caused trouble. I remember telling Leti "He is going to be my trouble maker.", not knowing what God had in store for me. In time I found out that Birhane was one of my nicest kids. Birhane starting walking me home at night to make sure I was safe. I blogged about this story before, but I had only been with the boys for two days and we went to the zoo and on our way back to YFC and man had harassed me and Birhane was the first person to start beating on this man. Birhane and I became close friends.God was showing me one of the reasons he brought me here. 
One week before Birhane's birthday he would remind everyday that it was going to be his birthday. I would always ask him what he wanted for his birthday and he would say, " All I want for my birthday is you, Mom." Mom!! He was calling me mom. This is when I realized how much this child really cared for me. I had became hope and love to him in his life:) For Birhane's Birthday I decided to buy a cake and bring it to the YFC (Youth for Christ Center) and it ended up being a surprise party. We had decorations, cake, cookies, popcorn and soda. It was great!! He never in his life had a birthday party and he all his friends were there. It was a very great day for him. I believe this day I adopted Birhane in my heart as my son. I always wanted to be there to protect him, to make him happy , show him unconditional love and hope. I remember watching Birhane cutting his cake and saying to God "Whatever it takes I will always take care of him."

I have to say this has been the most challenging thing. I have know idea how to be a mom and especially to a 15 year old street kid. Birhane has never had any kind of discipline before in his life. He has made his own choices most of his life. My son has shown me where him an his mom slept on the streets for many years begging. He has shown me his home. His home so dark and small. a leaky roof, a twin size bed where 3 people sleep. Birhane's birth mom works so hard. She works sun up to sun down washing clothes 7 day a week. Most of the time she doesn't come home for days. Birhane's mother makes 200 birr a month (14 dollars) and rent is 300 birr (20 dollars) Birhane's mother works so hard but can't even make rent or buy food. So its Birhane's responsiblity to pay rent and buy food at home. What a huge weight to carry for a young child. I cant image what my son has seen and has gone through in his short life. I ask God everyday am I the right person for this job. He reminds me that he know what is best for his children and tells me " I know that you can love him and give him hope for a better future." " I have great plans for him." "I need you to teach him about me and the love I have for him."
I have done everything in my power to show him Gods CRAZY love that he has for him. Now, this leads me to my next story. After being there for two months Birhane become distant and really being disobidenant towards me, He would walk with me home. He started lying and telling people lies about me. It really hurt me. I was so confused I began to distant myself from him for a time. After a couple of weeks I finally got a translator to help really talk to Birhane and find out what was going on. So, after talking for awhile it came down to that Birhane was scared. He said that he loves me so much that he just doesnt know how to love. Thats when I realized, these kids dont know love. They have experinced everything BUT love. How do you love someone when you have never been shown real love. How do you explain Jesus's love when they haven't felt a CRAZY kind of love. A love thats never failing, unconditonal and full of hope. I told Birhane I am here to show you the love of Christ. I told him it was a new beginning for us. He put out his had and said " what is your name?" and I said "My name is Rebecca." "What is your name?" He said " Hi, I'm your son." Everytime I tell this story I always cry. This a calling for me and everyone in the world is to show love. My mission and ministry is to love and to love CRAZY!!  
Birhane and I have had many great adventures. It was the hardest thing to do to leave him. I remember 2 days before I left we were sitting in a taxi waiting and we werent saying much to each other,but I looked over at him and and there where tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and said "Mom, where will I eat when you are gone?" As I could feel my heart breaking into thousands of peices I said " I dont know, honey." My sons fears where coming back. A life not knowing where your next meal is coming from, not knowing if his mom would come home, would he be beaten by the police again for no reason. Leaving the airport was hard! We just cried in each others arms. I told him that God has a plan and I must go for awhile. I wish I could of told him a date I was coming back but I couldnt give him any hope of my return but to fully rely on God to bring me back:) I call him once a week and he asks everytime " When are you coming Mom?" It was cute the other day he said " Mom, you and me in heaven together forever."
I am so very blessed by Birhane in my life. I am so excited the adventures that God is going to show me in motherhood. There is so much to learn but I so glad to share this with my Savior. He will give me the strength and wisdom.

I was thinking about another blog to share with you and I just have to share with you some of the greatest people I met in Ethiopia...

First is my dear sweet friend Leti. It brings me to tears how much I love her. Leti is a 27 year old who works with Youth for Christ. Leti is full of life. She is always the first person to find the fun in everything. Leti is one of the hardest worker I know. She is full of wisdom and grace. I met Leti at YFC because that is the center we borrowed so I could teach English and bible study to the children. Leti was my angel. In all my craziest of trying to teach an organize the boys. She was always there for me. When I came to Ethiopia I was so scared and never felt so alone. She was the first person to invite me to come and have fun. When I didn't know how to use the Taxi system she was their to pick me up. She was always a constant reminder that I was doing great things for the boys. I love Leti and so blessed that God put her in my life. I am so honored to call her my sister. I miss getting to see her everyday. I miss getting to stay at her house and the giant sleepovers we had.

Another person is Brook. Brook also works for YFC. Brook lives in India during the school year and come to Ethiopia in the summer. All I have to say is God Bless Brook for putting up with me and the boys. I cried many tears and he was always their for me. He always reminded me to put myself back into the holy spirit. He helped me alot with disciplining the boys and translating. Brook has become my brother and I am so very thankful of him. Brook always has a smile on his face. He is so full of joy and happiness. Brook is a great man of God and truly loves the Lord. I I miss getting to see him everyday and his hugs.

I thank you to the both of them with putting up with my anger, confusion, hurt and happiness. God knew what he was doing placing you both into my lives. I am so honored to call you both my brother and sister in Christ and life long friends.



To Zufi, Heny, Abraham, YFC volunteers and Egzariha I love you all too:) Thank you for all your love and helping me do what God has called me to do. You are all Angels!!!!

Give me eyes to see...

Ok, Ok ... I am bad at this blogging thing but today in prayer God really convited me that I should be telling his stories to others. I am not a very good writer but when God tells you to do something you better do it:)

So I am here to write about Ethiopia. I cant begin to tell you in words how much my heart aches for this country. A year and half ago I had never even heard of this country to everyday fighting to be right there serving God and getting to see his face in all of those children. This summer I met street kids that have for ever changed my life and heart. These kids are amazing. I love them like they were my own. They are always in my dreams. God has given me such a burden for the children on the streets of Ethiopia:) God has shown me not only to teach them about God himself but to show them a crazy love. A love that shows Christ love for them. How can we ever teach a child by telling them "Jesus loves them" and then never show it. These kids do not know what love is. The have never been shown nothing but abandonment, abuse, stravation and sickness. How can a child ever know God if they have never felt love. My dream is to love these children like they have never been loved before and that they will know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.   

Someone that God has laid on my heart to tell you about is Brhanu. Brhanu is the kindest, smartest and a born leader:) Brhanu was always bored in my class because he always understood everything. He always helped me with translating. He actaully was helping me with translating long time before I even knew he was repeating what I was saying to the other boys. Brhanu always puts a smile on face. Brhanu has taught me a alot about strength and hope. Brhanu showed up everyday to class and on time. He never gave me any trouble. One day I ask him if I could meet his parents. He was scared at first for me to come to his home because he didnt want me to see where he lived or even how he lived. But he said yes. Brhanu lives near a church. His house is made out of mud and tin. The monment I walked in you could smell the mildew and dampness. It was dark. They had two full size beds. Their ceiling was caving in. Brhanu told me that his house floods everyday. I met his mother who is blind. Both of his parents are blind. He has 6 other brothers that live in house. All there clothes were dirty and torn. The children where so happy to see us. They wanted to touch our skin and our hair. We decided to sit down so we could talk. We told Brhanu his mother that we where there to help him get a sponsor for school. She began talking so fast and the translator said that she begging you to get her a sponsor for her eyes. She kept putting my hands on her eyes, begging. Please if you could give me eyes to see even if it just one, I just want to see my children. I began to cry harder then I have ever cried before. This mother has never even see her children, how the house looked or even what the world looked like. I realized that Brhanu was head of household then. What a burden to carry at 13 years old. Two take care of two blind parents and 6 little brothers.  I then asked him why he was coming to my class everyday when he could be working. He said that he hopes for a better life. What strength he has and HOPE. I was so very blessed by him and what God showed me. I know that God has great plans for him. I cant wait to see him again. God is at work and I love to see him glorified in all of this:)