Ethiopian Christmas. Ganna

Hi all, I just wanted to pass this SUPER GREAT opportunity on to you
all. Something I have been waiting for. I think we will go!
Jill

Dear Jill and Dave
Thank you for your email. Yes the event (Ethiopian Christmas celebration) is January 8, From 3-6:30 P.M.
The event is free and we will serve home made Ethiopian food, games
and music for the kids and story telling. The church Address is 15150
E. Evans Ave. Aurora CO. 80014. Soon we will post a detailed info on
our website www.ethiodenver.com This is Rekik's number (7204952943)she
is one of the event coordinators. Give her a call if you have
question.

Thanks
Ermias

Christmas begins on January 7th Genna, the birth of Christ and ends with the Timkat procession and celebration, the wise men visiting Jesus. It is widely believed that one of the wise men was Ethiopian.
Here are some great sites for learning more!
this is the best one Blessing the Children
Christmas Joy
World of Christmas
How to have an Ethiopian Christmas
Celebrating and Ethiopian Christmas
Christmas traditions around the world
Abesha board discussion

Alexander doll still at Walmart

The Madame Alexander doll I posted about before is once again at Walmart for Christmas. The dolls are redesigned and looking fabulous. They have accessories and clothing as well. This African American doll has curly hair! Get her while she lasts!

Ethiopian Guest House and what they do to help Ethiopia

I recently saw this video about the Ethiopia Guest House and what they do to give back to Ethiopia. If we were going back.......... and we hope to visit again one day, this would be a great place to stay. This is a place worth checking out. See the video at the top video section of the blog. See their web page here. Ethiopian Guest Home.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I just wanted to let you know that our 2010 Christmas letter is ready for reading. I know, too modern for some. But, really this is way more economical and much less time consuming. So, send me yours electronically too! I care about you, not how you send it. :) Have a blessed Christmas full of peace and joy and hope.
Jill

A different kind of Christmas Gift

Looking for something different?
There are many ideas out there.

You have probably heard of giving a goat for Christmas.
Here are some of those programs:

• http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ 
• http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/pages/give-a-gift-change-a-life?open?open&campaign=10152555&cmp=KNC-10152555&gccode=goat
• http://www.oxfam.org.uk/
• http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.2529663/?msource=kw1069&utm_source=MSN&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=give%2Ba%2Bduck&utm_campaign=Holiday
• Also see the Compassion link below.

What about giving water for Christmas?
You can do that through

• SIM                      SIM also has other projects you can donate to in specific countries. 
• Compassion International                Compassion also has other projects you can donate too, food programs, sponsor a child, give a pig, etc.  

• A Spring of Hope raising money for clean water in Africa.

• Water for Christmas (also have t shirts on their site and a link to more items on Junk Posse

 Sponsor a Child
 There are tons of ministries and projects through whom you can sponsor a child. Check out the charities links and labels on this blog to learn more. Or look at the right side bar, Everyone Can Make a Difference.

More gift ideas

Hey, more gift ideas here. I was looking for a certain t-shirt, which I did not find yet.... but did come across some other shirts and items that would be great gifts that have meaning!

• Check out Hands for Africa they have shirts and jewelry.

• Compassion clothing has a cool Africa shirt and other meaningful statement shirts.

• Hope 4 Africa on line store

• Every Child Ministries has this t shirt for sale on Squiddo through Cafe Press. You have to scroll down to find the shirts if you are interested. 

• Hope for Africa and several other Africa design shirts are available at this site.  Zazzle

• Compassion International funds many humanitarian projects throughout Africa and the world. They sell CauseWear to promote the ministries and projects and to raise money for the efforts. See CauseWear by Compassion International. Click any of the items on the left side bar to see more products.

• A Spring of Hope raising money for clean water in Africa.

• Adoption support t shirts on JunkPosse  

•  A dolls heart sells handmade dolls from around the world. They are your typical cloth dolls and on their heart they have embroidered their country flag and name from what I understand.  The site donates all proceeded to various orphan care ministries around the world. They rotate featuring those they sponsor on the site. Go check it out.
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NEW Ethiopian doll at Target

There is a new doll being sold at Target, Toys R Us and on Amazon. Rahel from Ethiopia!!!!!! What a smart doll maker to come up with this. Ethiopia is the number one country for international adoptions and with the adoptions comes the parents to market to . Well, I would buy one! She is part of a collection of dolls from around the world. They also include Asia and Hispanic dolls among others. $24
Interactive site for these dolls 
See her here. Rahel.

World Aids Day 2010

Today there is a focus on how AIDS has effected the world, what can be done to help and how severe is the situation. Many of us who have adopted children from Africa have had to face the AIDS epidemic first hand. Some of our kids are AIDS orphans, some are HIV +. Anti viral drugs are available and help those who can access them lead a relatively normal life. Education and awareness help prevent the spread. In Africa it is largely a heterosexual disease, directly effecting the nuclear family.

Here are two great resources that talk about the issues and what is being done.
SIM Hope for AIDS
SIM newsletter 
Tom Davis' Red Letters blog World AIDS day
Compassion International Many lies one truth
World Aids Day site . Want to learn more?

Go check it out. If you are moved to DO something, each of these has options for you.

Today I thank God my sons are alive and healthy. I think of their birth parents who died of AIDS. I pray for those who still have their birth parents and pray for wisdom in life choices for the men and women, protection for the women and children who don't get a choice.