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| Hello Family and Friends! We have a tad bit of updated news for you concerning Argaw's trip to the Hamer region. We hope it encourages you, but also urges you to pray as this ministry, we are seeing, is more needed than ever! First of all, we thank you for your prayers for Argaw on his trip down. He left Awassa on Friday morning very early. His first stop was Arba Minch. He stayed the night there. Then, the next day, he went to Jinka and stayed the night there. He has yet to get a hold of our contact that works for Unicef in the Hamer region, and this has caused a bit of a concern. We were hoping that once he got into Jinka, he would be able to get a hold of him and get a vehicle to come and pick him up. However, since he hasn't gotten a hold of him so far, that didn't happen. However, I talked with Argaw on the phone this morning and he was on his way to the Hamer region!!! He said that an angel came by in a vehicle and picked him and the friend he is with up and is taking them down there. So, that's a big praise! It's also another confirmation that this is what we are supposed to be doing at this time! Secondly, Argaw was able to get a hold of the regional governmental personnel he had connected with before making this trip a few weeks ago. The man told him that sadly enough, nine of those women have already given birth to the babies and have abandoned them all. Also, he told Argaw that one of the mothers had died giving birth to her child. This was a very sobering thing to hear, and I didn't realize how much I would lament over these babies that I've never even met. However, I feel as though they were "our" babies in a sense, so it's a hard pill to swallow right now. However, we know the Lord has a plan in all of this. When Argaw gets down to the Hamer region (he may be down there already), he will hopefully find out about how many more pregnant women there are, and he will also find out about how many abandoned children who have been saved from death are needing a more permanent home. Please pray for the Lord's will to take place in all these children's lives, whether they are born or unborn right now. Also, please continue to pray for Argaw's safety, as well as his friend's who graciously went with him at the last minute. The boys and I are doing well. We miss "daddy", but we know God has him in His loving care, and we are very anxious to have him back with us within the week, Lord-willing. Again, thank you so much for your prayers and support. We will continue to update as we can. May the Lord bless and encourage you today! In Christ Alone, Rachel (for all the Ayeles) | | |
| Hello everyone! We have some updated news and prayer requests regarding our new ministry with the Hamer children. Argaw received a phone call from Belay, the Unicef worker and our contact for this tribe in the south, and Belay has told the city/regional officials about us and what we’d like to do for the babies and children who are being abandoned. They are very excited and have told Belay that they would like Argaw to go down to the Hamer region this coming Friday (10/16)! The phone call Argaw and I (Rachel) had last night regarding this issue was short and I didn’t get all the details. He’s in Addis right now trying to apply for my residency permit. Anyways, I don’t know much about his conversation with Belay, whether he knows how many babies there are right now ready to take or how many mothers are pregnant. However, if Argaw ends up going Friday, we should have a more detailed update very soon!! The trip to the Hamer region is a very long, hard trip. Also, there aren’t very many places that are suitable to bring a pregnant American lady and two toddlers down. Therefore, Argaw will go with hopefully another guy. We are praying right now that the Lord would provide a vehicle to make the trip down. Argaw said that the trip could be a 3-day journey itself! Then, he’ll probably stay there for 2-3 days, and then make the 3-day journey back to Awassa. It is possible to take public transportation down for most of the trip, I believe, but to go to the Hamer region specifically, Argaw will need to find some other type of transportation. It would be best if he could find a vehicle that would take him the entire way. This would shorten the trip by a couple days, probably, and it would be more comforting for me, as I will probably be concerned about his safety! However, either way, I believe it will probably be a pretty penny in order to accommodate the traveling and staying down there. Please pray that the Lord would provide. Prayer Requests: - For the Lord to provide transportation for Argaw to make it down to the Hamer region
- For the Lord to give wisdom and guidance to Argaw as he discusses with the officials down there about our ministry we would like to do for these babies and children
- For safe travels for Argaw from Addis tomorrow and for him if he ends up leaving again on Friday
- For Rachel and the kids as they have already been by themselves since yesterday (Tuesday) when Argaw went to Addis, and they’ll be alone again for quite some time while Argaw goes down to the Hamer region
- For the Lord’s will to be done concerning the babies and children we will bring into our home
- For a way for us to minister to the Hamer tribe more directly in the future
Thank you all so very much for your prayers. We truly appreciate them. We know the Lord is using each prayer to glorify Himself. We also know that each need will be met as they come up. God bless you!!! Rachel Ayele | | |
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August-September 2009Job 1:21 “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord"   Left: Our new house and the site for Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home. The infants and their caregivers will be housed in this house along with the Ayele family. Right: The service rooms in the back. These rooms will be for the older children (toddlers) and their caregivers. MANY CHILDREN + NEW HOUSE = CHILDREN’S HOME“I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:26). That is definitely what we’ve felt like is happening to us right now. The Lord has given us showers of blessing during these past two months. He not only has given us the opportunity to finally start our orphanage ministry here in Ethiopia, but He has provided the finances to be able to rent a bigger house so that we can house all the children, and be able to furnish the house with beds, cribs and everything we’ll need for at least ten children and four caregivers. We’ve been so very blessed!!! We have moved into the new house and are now preparing it for the children and caregivers as we wait to hear word about when we’ll be able to bring some of the precious little ones home. We are also continuing our search for the caregivers at this time. It is quite difficult to find the type of people we are looking for to help in the children’s home. We are wanting Christian single women or Christian married couples who do not have children of their own, who are honest, trustworthy, and have a love for children. Obviously native people would be the ideal workers, as they can speak the language and know the culture, but we are willing to take any foreigners as well...anyone interested??? We know the Lord will provide for all areas of need for us, as He’s the One who started this project and He will be the One to finish it. We just spoke with the man we are in contact with who is helping us in getting these Hamer children, and he will be heading down to that region hopefully tomorrow. He said he would tell the government officials and everyone else down there about us and what we want to do to help these children and then contact Argaw and let him know when is best for him to go down for himself. Also, he will be able to tell us in more detail about the women who are pregnant and the children who have been saved already who are in need of homes. 
Our Precious Niece, Evelyn Grace Whittecar Rachel’s sister, Samantha, delivered this muchloved child on her due date, September 11, 2009. Less than 24 hours later, Evie was taken back home to be with Jesus. In fact, as she was leaving this world, her earthly daddy, Peter, held her in his arms and graciously handed her back to her Heavenly Daddy. We have never known anything as beautiful as the glorification the Lord has been given through this entire experience. Peter and Samantha are followers of Christ, and they have clung tightly to Him during this time. The prayers that were offered up on behalf of Evie when she was struggling to survive gave hope and peace to all of her family members. And the prayers that are offered up on her family’s behalf now have been overwhelmingly encouraging and much needed. We would like to say thank you to all of you who have been keeping us all, and especially Peter and Sam, in your prayers. We have never seen such an impact from such a short little life than we have now. God is so good to glorify Himself in all situations and to work all things “together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). The Lord has made Peter and Sam’s testimony such an encouragement to all who know them, and even to those who don’t! Just a little note, we have decided to name the children’s home, Ebenezer Grace Children’s Home. Ebenezer is the name of our nongovernmental organization and we took it from the Bible in 1 Samuel 7. Samuel named a stone Ebenezer saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12). Ebenezer means “stone of help”. We know that God has been our Help and has been the One to bring us “thus far”. The second name, Grace, we’ve decided on recently in memory of our dear little niece. Her birth and death were right in the midst of this new beginning for the children’s home. The name Grace had so much meaning for Evelyn’s little life, and we would like to carry on the name, as God’s grace will be evident in each little life He saves and we bring in to be a part of our family.   A Free Office Space God has been gracious enough to give our nongovernmental organization (NGO) a free office space here in Awassa. This was one of the criteria to be able to run our association and keep our license, which would have expired December 2010. However, now with an office space, we can keep our license. Also, we will be able to control the “business” aspect of all of our ministries from this office, instead of trying to run an orphanage, raise a family and manage the “business” side of things from one home! We are very blessed by this office space. Through God’s sovereignty, Argaw knows people within this area who had an office available. And, through His grace, the governmental personnel Argaw knows allowed us to use it for free for the time being! Through the Lord’s provisions, it is now furnished with two desks, two chairs and a nice bookshelf to keep all the documents. 
Bible Study Still Going Strong Although it may seem like all these happenings may drown out our other major ministries like raising our children and holding our Bible studies, we feel the Lord has blessed us even more with these! We have told you about our friend, Hagos, who is Orthodox. Although he still chooses to be called an Orthodox and even goes to the holidays and everything held by the Orthodox church, he fully believes in the Bible and the work that Christ did on the cross for our sins. He understands that Christ rose from the dead and is alive today! Not only that, but he’s been sharing with his friends about his newfound faith, as well. In fact, one of his Muslim friends, Mifta, has been attending our Bible studies now for about a month and he thoroughly enjoys what the Bible has to say!!! So, the fruit of the Bible study is growing more and more. We are so excited about this.   
Adonijah Elias Mommy Holding Genesis Our Children... Our boys are growing so fast, and so is our little girl in the womb!!! For those of you who didn’t know, we are having a girl! Adonijah is 2 years and 8 months old. Elias is 1 year and 5 months old. And, Genesis is now 7 months old in the womb. We have been doing family worship time for as long as Adonijah’s been able to sit still to listen to Bible stories. This has been such a blessed time for our family. Adonijah already knows so many Bible stories and people of the Bible. He’s so intelligent! If you ask Elias where Jesus is, he puts his little arm straight up in the sky. He doesn’t talk yet, but he’s getting there! And, what can we say about Genesis...she’s a mover and a shaker! From what I (Rachel) remember from my pregnancies with the boys, they were not nearly as active as she is! So, I’m sure with multiple babies in the house and Genesis’ personality the Lord’s already given to her as an active child, we’ll never be bored here in Ethiopia! Praises: • For God’s mighty hand starting our orphanage ministry • For the provisions He’s already blessed the ministry with • For the free office space • For the growth of our Bible study and the fact that Christ is working among us to bring others into His kingdom • For Rachel’s sister and brother-in-law’s testimony that they are still praising Jesus even through a difficult time • For our family being healthy and growing spiritually together Prayer Requests: • For wisdom as we enter into an inexperienced world of orphanage work • For God’s hand to guide us in our ministry • For monthly provisions for each child we take in and each worker we hire • For continued growth of our Bible studies and our family worship times • For Peter and Samantha, to continue to glorify Christ in their lives Thank You: We know that so many of you have lifted our family up in prayer during this last month especially...thank you! We have felt your prayers. We also know that many of you have either given financially and/or of your time in prayer for the children’s home and we are forever grateful! May God bless you!!! In Christ Alone, Argaw, Rachel, Adonijah, Elias and Genesis Ayele | | |
| Dear friends and family, I'm so very sorry for not updating this site for about a year! I never meant to leave Xanga in the dust, but somehow it happened. The last two posts (besides this one) are the most recent happenings here in Ethiopia. It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since I wrote the last one, and already some things have changed, like costs and such. However, it still gives a general idea of the needs. And, actually, we have raised enough money to rent the big house that will hold our family and the ministry all in one! So, praise the Lord!!! I will, from now on, be posting all of our newsletters onto this site once again, as I know there are still a few people who look at it from time to time to see what we're up to. Again, please forgive me for being neglegent to Xanga. It was meer forgetfulness on my part. We hope the Lord blesses you as you read our updates. In Christ Alone, The Ayeles | | |
| Dear Family and Friends, First of all, we would like to thank you for the many responses we received from the last letter we sent out. We appreciate all the encouragement you gave us by committing to prayer over this issue. We also thank those of you who have already given financially for the ministry we are about to embark on. We believe the Lord has confirmed the fact that we are to do something, and that starting Ebenezer Children ʼsHome is what we are to do. So, again, thank you for the prayers and support we ʼvereceived thus far for this particular situation. Secondly, because of the responses to the letter, and the fact that most of them included questions as to how much this might cost to start this project and to sustain it, we are writing this second letter to inform you of the financial need in more detail. We don ʼt know EVERYTHING about what it will cost as of right now; however, we havesearched out and tried our best to get the most current information so that we can inform you all of the needs. So, consider this letter as more of an estimated cost range for this orphanage project for now. Although we mentioned how we found the perfect house to rent for the beginning stages of this ministry, we have since found an even better place! The last house was 2 houses away, so it would be very convenient for us to be a part of the ministry as much as we can. Between the house we ʼre living in now and the house we would be rentingfor the ministry, we would be paying $11,040/year. However, the house we just found a few days ago is very large and is located on a big piece of property. This new option would be able to house our family, as well as at least 10 babies and at least 4 caregivers. It has 2 more rooms than the other house, so again, we would be more than able to house all of us. If we go this route, we will be saving $2400/year just by living together in one rented house. The cost of this house is $8640/year. Also, this new house comes equipped with built-in cabinets or closets in each room that is inside, so there would be no need to buy dressers and such. Along with that, our family has many of the things that we would need to buy if we rented a separate house, and we are more than willing to share with the ministry. We figured out that we possibly would be saving $1500 on furnishings alone just by living together. So, for furnishing the house, we would need $2500. Also, by living together, we would have the highest form of accountability possible! We could keep a very close eye on both caregivers and children, and we would always be available for help. We have prayed about this house since we found it, and unless the Lord shows us differently as we continue praying, we believe this would be the ideal place for the ministry. Altogether for rent and to furnish the house, we would need $11,140. We have already been given $6,000 for this ministry, which means we still need $5,140. We are more than half way!!! Many of you have also asked how much it would cost to take care of a child per month and how much it would cost to pay a caregiver. We do not have exact figures, so again, bear with us. Argaw says that to feed one child, $50/month is needed. On top of that, we would need clothes, health care and miscellaneous coverages. For now, we will just tell you that we think $100/month would be enough to support one child. This may be way over what it is in reality, but we just thought we ʼd be safe. We would also need topay the four caregivers, two guards, and one cook. The caregivers, we think deserve the most pay, as they will be the ones waking up in the night to feed the babies and such. We think that $80/month per caregiver is sufficient for their pay. The guards would get $40/month each. The cook would receive $65/month. These salary figures are based on what we believe our need will be in the beginning stages of this ministry. We are estimating that we will have 10 children to begin with. We realize that our ministry will more than likely grow, so we will fill you in on the increased needs as they come about. We will also need to feed our workers. The cost for 6 workers to eat for one month is about $145. Therefore, monthly costs that we can foresee right now would be around $1510. Because we will have so many children and so many workers in this ministry, we have come to realize the necessity it will be for us to have a vehicle. The house is a little further from the center of town than where we live right now, and it is harder to find transportation around the new area. Plus, to hull around possibly multiple children at one time, we feel it would be much safer to have a vehicle instead of taking the local rickshaws (or bajajes) that carelessly weave in and out of traffic. The vehicle would come in handy not only to take the children to their doctor ʼs appointments and to takecare of the daily business of the ministry, but we think it would also come in good use for getting children from the Hamer tribe to Awassa as well. Therefore, we would like to ask you to pray that the Lord would provide for a much-needed vehicle at this time. The cost of a new Land Cruiser is $50,000, which is much cheaper than what we expected it to be. We hope these estimated costs have helped you all to see our immediate needs for this ministry. If anyone has any suggestions, please let us know! We are new at this and are receiving help gratefully from people here in Ethiopia. However, it ʼs such a bigtask and we need all the help we can get as far as thinking of other costs that we may have overlooked. Please feel free to suggest something we may have missed. Also, thank you once again for your willingness to help out and your interest in knowing whether it be for prayer purposes or to donate. We appreciate you all so very much. May the Lord richly bless you as you grow in Him. In Christ Alone, The Ayeles | | |
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