The following information can be found At Elshadaicd.org

Elshadai Child Development Organization (ECDO) is a licensed indigenous non-profit organization in Ethiopia supporting dozens of needy children.  Our mission is to free children from poverty and to empower them in the name of Jesus by supporting their physical, academic and spiritual development.  Many of the children who come to us lack adequate nutrition and access to health care so when they are registered in our program we make sure that they have access to our daily feeding program and that treatable illness are addressed.

After these basic physical needs are met, we believe their greatest need is the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we hold a weekly Bible teaching after school where sponsored children can come and learn about the Bible and most importantly, about their Savior, Jesus Christ.  They participate in Bible readings, story telling, crafts, dramas, singing and praying.

Our hope is that they come to understand their value and purpose from a biblical perspective.  Sponsor children also receive a quality education.  We believe that this is a key component in freeing these children from poverty.  In Ethiopia, children whose parents cannot afford to send them to private schools often do not have opportunities to further their education after high school and are, therefore, trapped in generational poverty.  However, with the education they receive through ECDO, these children will be equipped to pass national exams after high school so that they can continue on to higher education.  This will enable them to find jobs that will allow them to be self-sufficient and one day, maybe sponsor a child in need!  Though the implementation of both relief and developmental efforts, we have seen incredible improvements in each child's physical health, spiritual development and academic success.

Many children in the Akaki-Kaliti sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia lack proper nutrition and health care and do not have the opportunity to attend school.  By being a child sponsor, you are giving one child the opportunity to receive food, health care, the message of Jesus, an education and the chance at a brighter future.
These children are not able to attend school before entering into the sponsorship program.  Over the past few years, we have seen amazing progress in the children’s health, academic success, and spirit after finding relief through this sponsorship program.  Thanks so much for offering the gift of hope to yet one more child!

                                                                                                    Lisa, communications director


Join us in the fight against poverty!  There are 15 children still waiting with great hope for a family to sponsor them. (refer back to the previous post for pictures of the children along with their profile)

Please pass this information on to anyone you know.  Feel free to link the blog address to your facebook page.  followinggodsvision.blogspot.com

Check them out on facebook, Elshadai Child Development Organization, and see what a difference your support will make.  Their cheerful smiling faces radiate JOY and HOPE.  These children know God is providing a FUTURE for them because of you.

Thank you for your help!!  email me if you have any questions or if you're interested in sponsoring one of the children.  onefamilyonemission@gmail.com

 

“Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act.”

                                                                                                                    Proverbs 24:12

Most used word in the Fischer home: Ethiopia
 

Life before Mussie:
 

“American Dream!” Yup, that's right, up until this point we've been living the American Dream! Married! Work hard!! Successful business owner! Stay home mom! 4 healthy children! Dogs, chickens! Beautiful house in the country! Cottage on a lake! Prayer life pretty good, praying for who knows what, maybe more easy livin'! What more could you ask for? Maybe one more child from a country far, far away. A country that we never talked about and the only thing we knew about it was the pictures of starving children we would sometimes see on TV.
 

But God had other plans for us. Plans that would lead us to Africa on a journey to adopt Mussie and WHAM! out of no where God got a hold of my heart, twisted and turned and forever changed me! And on that journey two years ago, God planted in my heart a deep love for Ethiopia! That's all it took. Ruined! For His Glory! Forever!! Prayers changed. Thoughts changed. Passions changed. Life changed.
 

Once home it was hard for me to go back to my life as I knew it. My eyes were opened. I couldn't pretend I didn't know. I felt responsible to act. Over the last little while, I really can't pinpoint a specific time, I have had a strong desire to build a school in rural Ethiopia and start a sponsorship program. I am still praying for a clear picture and lots of details because someone I know (who shall remain nameless) loves clear pictures and lots of details! But God doesn't always give clear pictures. We don't always know His specific plan, but there is one. The righteous shall live by faith, not by knowing what God's plan is. All he's asking for is obedience, to be glorified in all things, and to love Him with all our hearts, mind, and strength. We have absolutely no idea what's next for us. And that's right where he wants us. Completely and utterly dependent on Him! I'll trade living the American Dream for living recklessly for Christ any day!!

“But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Since returning home from Ethiopia I'm finding myself a little restless. I'm feeling a little impatient – sometimes it's so hard to wait! Especially in a season of unknowns! So while I'm in the what's next stage, I've been praying for God to keep me connected to Ethiopia and to use my time while I am here, at home for something bigger. And He did!
 

First I need to backtrack a little bit...while in Ethiopia we met a woman named Lisa, who we were introduced to by her husband Atkelt...do you remember him...he works for Compassion International...he was our host for the two days we spent getting to know our sponsor children...Lisa, along with an Ethiopian woman started a sponsorship program – Elshadai Child Development Organization – for a community of children living just outside of the city, Addis Ababa...the children are bussed to a school in the city where they are receiving an education, a nutritious meal throughout the school day, and a weekly bible lesson...we picked her up at a restaurant near her home and off we went to the school to meet the children, who are currently sponsored, and attend their bible class...Lisa is one of teachers...

 

Lisa and Atkelt 

we visited with them at their home the last day we were in Addis

they invited us over for dinner

 

the school where the Elshadai students attend

 

 

the children began piling in to this classroom after their school day to

attend their weekly bible lesson

 

we were greeted with a warm welcome of hand shakes, hugs, and beautiful smiles

 

it was great to be able to spend time with the children as they listened, learned, worshipped

and sang praises to God

 

 

Mischa is passing out candy to all of the children after their class

 

So back to my days of praying and waiting... I received an email from Lisa the other day with photos of 19 children waiting for sponsorship. I am filled with joy and thankfulness that God has provided this opportunity for me to use my blog and speak on behalf of all the little ones over in Ethiopia, specifically at Elshadai Child Development. Sponsorship programs work!! We saw for ourselves firsthand as we visited with our own sponsor children and the children Lisa works with everyday. These children are thriving, hopeful, and full of life.  

 

How about you? Would you like to be part of changing a young child's life? Sponsorship is an amazing way to help a child by providing them with some of life's basic needs such as nutritious food, water, medical needs, mentor ship, and Christian discipleship. More importantly, through your sponsorship, children will have the opportunity to receive an education, which is key to freeing themselves from the vicious cycle of poverty. Your love and support make it possible for the children to grow spiritually, physically, emotionally, and educationally.

Since returning home from Ethiopia I have been eager to help out in any way. I am honored that Lisa has asked me to join her in getting the children at Elshadai sponsored. I am asking you to prayerfully consider supporting one child through Elshadai Child Development Organization. ECDO is looking for monthly sponsors who will commit to $40 per month per child. There is no greater gift than the gift of hope – hope for a future, hope for happier days. Everyone at the Fischer house is dreaming big for the kids at Elshadai and we hope you will too! Together we can change the world one child at a time.
 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Take a look at the kids!  Email me onefamilyonemission@gmail.com. if you would like to sponsor one of the children below.  I will forward your information on to Lisa, who will contact you soon!
 

Tsehay Abebe 

SPONSORED!

Grade 2

Birthday December 23, 2004

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Her mother is deceased and she lives with her grandmother.

Her father lives outside the city.

 

Adugna Sori

SPONSORED!

Grade 4

Birthday May 26, 1999

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

His father is a daily laborer and his mother is a housewife.



 

Alem Girma

SPONSORED!!

Grade 1

Birthday February 19, 2004

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Her parents are separated and she lives with her mother. 

Her father is a daily worker outside of the city.

 

 

 Haymanot Membere

Child ID# ECDO.00064

Grade 7

Birthday January 10, 1999

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

She lives with both parents.  Her father is ill

and her mother is a housewife.

 

Samuel Zergaw

Child ID# ECDO.00065

Grade 7

Birthday December 5, 1998

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

He lives with both parents but his father is

injured and unable to work



 

Wondimagegn Merga

Child ID# ECDO.00066

Grade 4

Birthday December 19, 2003

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

He lives with both parents.  His father is a daily laborer

and his mother is ill.



 

 Tigist Tilahun

Child ID# ECDO.00067

Grade 6

Birthday September 13, 1998

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

She lives with both parents and her father is

a daily laborer.

 

Eyob Legese

Child ID# ECDO.00068

Grade 5

November 10, 1997

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

He lives with his mother who is a daily laborer.

His father is deceased.

 

 

 Solomon Taye

Child ID# ECDO.00069

Grade 7

Birthday July 9, 2000

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

He lives with his mother who is not working. 

His father is deceased.

 

Henok Alemayehu -- SPONSORED!!

It means so much for a child to know that he has been chosen!

A sponsor to call his very own, my mom and dad!

What a cutie!!

 

Kalkidan Daniel

Child ID# ECDO.00071

Grade 6

Birthday February 16, 1999

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

She lives with her mother who is a daily laborer.

Her father is deceased.

 

Zinash Wabitew

SPONSORED!!

Grade 4

Birthday May 24, 2000

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

She lives with a guardian who is an assistant teacher.

Her mother lives outside the city.

 

Tamrat Ordoffa

Child ID# ECDO.00073

Grade 5

Birthday December 23, 1998

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

His father is a janitor and his mother is a housewife.

Eyob Abraham

Child ID# ECDO.00078

Grade 3

Birthday March 11, 2004

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

He lives with both parents.  His father is injured

and limited in his ability to work.  His mother is a daily laborer.

Hiwot Beyene

Child ID# ECDO.00079

Grade 7

Birthday November 3, 1999

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Her father is unable to find work and her mother is a housewife.

Mintesinot Abebaw

Child ID# ECDO.00080

Grade 4

Birthday September 9,2006

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

He lives with his mother who is a daily laborer.

His father is deceased.

Dawit Gesese

SPONSORED!!

Grade KG-3

Birthday May 26, 2006

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

He lives with his mother who is a homemaker and

his father is deceased.

Eyob Kasim

SPONSORED!!

Grade 1

Birthday July 24, 2005

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

He lives with a guardian and knows nothing about his parents.



 

Elias Desalegn

SPONSORED!!

Grade KG-3

Birthday February 19, 2006

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

His father is a driving trainer and his mother is a housewife.

 

 

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?  Can faith save you?  If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them,  "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?  So faith by itself, if it has not works, is dead.     
                                                                                                                       James 2:14-17