Opportunities to Help

Dear Friends and Family,

We apologize for not posting an update or prayer email in quite a long
time! We've written a few posts but due to internet access have not
been able to upload them to the web. So we'll play catch up with some
posts later. We decided to put the most important post/prayer email
up first.

Our most recent post is something very dear and close to our hearts
for many reasons. Primarily three reasons… Adoption, Ethiopia and
Close Friends. We have some close friends, Doug and Danielle Banker
from Colorado Springs, who are in the process of adopting siblings
from Ethiopia! They have completed all their paperwork and homestudy
and are now in the waiting process. Like I said this is very close to
our hearts.

First, because of Adoption. As many of you know I was adopted along
with my younger brother, Gideon. We think it is wonderful that Doug
and Danielle are willing to bring not just one child but TWO into
their home. They are truly providing life to these children. These
children will have opportunities that they would never have. And more
importantly they will experience love and belonging. Adopting is one
of the most selfless things that a family can do. My whole life is a
testimony to the change and impact that can happen when parents decide
to adopt!

Second, Ethiopia. We've now been in Ethiopia for over 4 months. We
love the country, culture and especially the people. We plan to share
with you more and more as time goes, but the poverty is reality for
millions of people in this country. They need our help. They need
your help. Doug and Danielle are responding to this need; they are
tremendously changing the lives of two children.
Third, they are our close friends. We've known Doug and Danielle
since 2004, when they participated in a young married bible study we
helped lead. Doug and Danielle have been impactful in our lives in
many ways. They have been examples to us by living their faith with
width (knowledge) but more importantly depth (living). Specifically
they are inspirational in their marriage, finances and community
building. Personally, they have provided us with true accountability
and fellowship. We could write more and more about them, but the most
important thing we can say is that they WILL be amazing godly parents.
We've already seen them in many ways trust God through their adoption
journey up until now.

You might be asking why we're telling you all this? Before we left
the US, many of you knew that we were not fundraising while we served
in Africa. But many of you did ask us to let you know about any
financial needs or opportunities where you could help Ethiopia. So,
here is the first opportunity for those who are interested and able.
We know the timing isn't best, with the financial crisis and with
Christmas, this might not the ideal time to ask. Nonetheless, what
better time to give a gift that really does GIVE LIFE, than Christmas.
Our prayers and dreams are that those in our "community of support"
would bless Doug and Danielle as they step out in faith and trust God
to provide for them and their soon to be children. We'd encourage you
to send ANYTHING to show that you too believe in what they're doing.
Maybe that is only $5 right now or maybe for some of you it is $1000.
Whatever amount it is…I know that the encouragement and the support is
more important than the dollar amount to them. I'm sure if there are
other resources or ways that you can help (outside of monetary),
they'd love to talk with you. You'll find this address on our blog.
We want to thank you for reading and if you are able… giving! Most
importantly, please pray for Doug and Danielle. They'll have many
special memories as well as many challenges ahead! We'll be providing
updates about Doug and Danielle as time goes on!

Many Blessings,
Anne & Keegan