Friends of Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Friends of Orphans and Vulnerable Children
What could be better than an Ethiopian welcome, FOVC style?

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Let the count down begin!

Yippee, things are happening fast around here. We are in the process of finalizing our travel plans. The details are more complicated than any normal person would care to know, but here is the overview:

  • Leave for Rome on Saturday, July 12

  • Go to Addis Ababa on Sunday, July 20

  • Return home to Colorado on Sunday, July 27

(I think we "get" Amelia when we arrive in Addis on July 20!)

Some adopting families are working with a charity in Addis Ababa called Children's Heaven (http://www.childrensheaven.org/). I cannot ask or encourage you enough--please, please visit this website! The woman who heads up this ministry is named Hanna Fanta. She has agreed to meet us and take us to the BIG market in Addis Ababa. (What a treat, to be able to go there with someone who knows her way around!)

Some Colorado families who have adopted from Ethiopia are organizing a benefit for Children's Heaven. So in addition to shopping for gifts and mementos at the market, we'll choose items that will be auctioned at the benefit this fall.

We will also be able to spend time at the home for girls that Children's Heaven operates while we are in Addis. There are forty-one orphaned girls, ages nine to seventeen, in Hanna's care. If you are able to send donations for these girls, here is the list of items they most need that I received from Hanna:

Used lap tops
English and Math Tutorial CDs/Books
Piano/Guitar Tutorial CDs/Books
School bags
Movies (dvd--educational / Christian / family-friendly)
English Songs (Christian preferred)
Games
Posters (Christian preferred)
Tops
Socks
Underwears

Again, please look around at http://www.childrensheaven.org/ to see the incredible and life-saving work Children's Heaven does for girls who would otherwise have no hope.

The orphanages we will visit are called Sele Enat and Hope for the Abandoned. The items most urgently needed there are:

rubber pants (worn with cloth diapers)
over-the-counter medicines of all kinds
baby wipes

Finally, here's a bit of fun:

We found some sassy brown-skinned dolls today. They were inexpensive, and hopefully Allison and Abby will meet some little girls who might like them.


There is so much to do before we leave in just 16 days! If you would like to send any of the items that are needed for the children we will meet, please let us know. We would be honored to carry them over.

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:2-3

5 comments:

Lisa said...

Lory,
Hanna Fanta has left some things here when she visited (with her friends) and asked if we could get them to her. Do you have room for some to take to her if I don't? She asked me as a favor, but I don't know how much she has yet. I think they are things for her girls to make jewelry & stuff. Let me know ...
Lisa

Lory Howlett said...

I "hope" we can fit small stuff. If you can confirm how much and how big, we'll hope to squeeze it in. Sound good? Lory

Derek and Betsy said...

It is finally happening. Has everything sunk in yet? We will have some items ready for you next weekend. I can't wait to meet Amelia.

DW

Lory Howlett said...

No, it hasn't sunk in. We are praying God will prepare us in every way, and we will see Him everywhere in our trip..... Lory

Unknown said...

Yeah! You guys are going to be so blessed. I hope nobody caught the flu from yours truly and that you are becoming more and more excited about your new sister/daughter. I've been dying to know about Amelia and the Change 4 Change campaign as I lay in bed recooperating. I've tried to call too, but I'm sure you are very busy preparing. That's when I remembered THE HOWLETT BLOG! Love the pictures and info. Know that we are praying for you guys as you travel. We can't wait to meet Amelia. See you at the end of July.