This is a compilation of Sid's daily posts from our December/January trip to Rwanda & Ethiopia. All of them from his heart, all of them filled with hope. I pray that you just for a moment feel even a little of what God has done in our hearts. Enjoy the trip!
As we get ready to take off to Africa my heart is full! Full of joy, love ,peace. I Am overwhelmed by Gods love today and so thankful for the opportunity to co-lead this team. Thankful for 5 of my kiddos to be along with us spreading Gods word. Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support us may God heap bountiful blessings upon you !
Blessings.....The Harper's
Day 1 update:
Today in Kigali, Rwanda we went to the genocide memorial museum. This place is very moving... Horrible atrocities for sure! The people of Rwanda have the most amazing sweet spirit about them.
Went to the Best Family this afternoon and had a dance party and celebrated life with many orphans. A great time was had by all...Jojo and Tate were the first two the kids grabbed as they ran to meet our bus (yes I mean ran) it was a beautiful sight as we pulled though the gates. Thank you Lord for a wonderful day. Tomorrow we worship African style and visit street kids !
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| Genocide Museum |
Day 2 in Rwanda:
Wow what a day...we began at our guides Peter and Jane's home church. Let me tell you that worship was amazing!!! We sang and danced and praised God for all he's is doing. Me, Wendy and Jojo had the privilege of leading a worship song...what a thrill it was to stand on a porch in Africa with my son and wife and praise our King. After lunch there we visited a new ministry called Catch-up..a haven for street kids (orphans) that is doing great things with these young souls. We played soccer, painted nails, colored and just got plain silly and laughed a lot. It was truly a blessed time for all. Serving with your kids on the mission field is an experience no one should miss.. Blessings to all!!
Day 3 in Rwanda:
Today we visited a very poor orphanage. These kids do not get a lot of attention..there were a lot that were very reserved and that would not look you in the eye. It was hard not to just cry. We played music and sang many songs..I am so thankful that God gave me the gift of music it is truly a universal language. Two highlights of my day..1)seeing an 5-18 yr old boy with CP light up with a huge smile when he beat the back of my guitar like a drum.
2)hearing all my teammates on the bus ministering to each other. Hardest thing today was not being able to bring a smile to a young ones face. I sat and held this one very tightly for about 20 minutes and said through an interpreter how much he was loved. I saw God today.
2)hearing all my teammates on the bus ministering to each other. Hardest thing today was not being able to bring a smile to a young ones face. I sat and held this one very tightly for about 20 minutes and said through an interpreter how much he was loved. I saw God today.
Day 4 Rwanda:
Today was a hard day but worth every minute. We visited a huge (500+ kids) orphanage. Having the kids come up and remember your name give you the biggest hug ever was an amazing feeling. I was just about tackled by my friend and had 3-4 of the biggest hugs (by him) EVER!! Cool moment was when I walked into the special needs room and the first thing the teacher told me is that she still has the ball I left for them last year....I figure it would be gone a soon as I left. High point today was making music with my blind friend whose voice is heavenly.This is a special place and always knocks you off of your feet...I was upset we had to leave so soon but thankful for he precious moments that God gave us with our friends today. Treasure each moment friends love BIG!!
Day 5 update:
Today was a travel day. We hit the market for some fun shopping....had lunch and then sadly said goodbye to Rwanda.
I had a very spiritual plane ride...as I listened to the grace chapel worship CD I felt the Holy Spirit wash over me as I prayed for our team and the next few days in Ethiopia. I feel that God is gonna show us great things here! Thank you all for continuing to pray for us. High point of the day was talking to my 2 boys at home Charlie and Levi and singing happy birthday to Levi 6 yrs old ..so proud of him and the progress he has made in two short years as a Harper...thank you Lord for the blessing of kids.
ETHIOPIA HERE WE COME....
Day 6 update:
Bought sheep for kids at a village outside of Addis were outcast lepers live. They get meat 1-2 times a year folks. Project 61 has and is doing great things here with the residents and the kiddos. So much progress since we were here last year. The new clinic is beautiful...the home for the elders is way cool and the new feeding center is off tha hook! Highlights of the day were seeing my kids come alive playing with the locals..they loved and served as Jesus...so proud of them. Also in the elder home there was a leper who could not walk or see laying in his bed and he sang me a praise song and worshiped our God...cool,cool,cool.. Honestly I don't think I could do that in the same conditions...broke. my. heart.
This team continues to blow me away with the compassion for all....there are a lot of young (20-30) folks on our team. It warms my heart to see these folks love and serve with reckless abandon. Thank you Jesus for letting me be on this team. Blessings y'all
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| The Goat BEFORE Pic |
Day 7 Update:
Today we visited an amazing ministry Embracing Hope...they are a holistic ministry that provides daycare to single moms and widows that are striving to better life for themselves and their kids. It is run by an all Ethiopian staff and board...very organized and well run.....we were very impressed.
We spent time with some of the kiddos during music time singing and dancing..sweet time.
Next we went back to the village of Korah to serve lunch to the school kids in the feeding program...they were grateful for the meat. We had a bit to worship and share a skit with them before they had to go back to school....always fun and energetic. We then heard testimonies from a few ladies that make jewelry for Mission Ethiopia...truly changed lives..blessed us greatly to hear how God has moved in their life. Next we split into 4 groups and went to homes in Korah. This is a moving experience to say the least..a true Ethiopian coffee ceremony. To see happiness and the love of God in someone we consider to have so little really puts life into perspective. High points today:
1) Great spiritual and physical growth in the family we sponsor in Korah. They were full of life and the spirit of God was evident...
2) Being asked if I was a clown back home...made my day!!
Thank you Lord for a great day and for all you are doing in Korah...continue to bless this place.
Today we visited an amazing ministry Embracing Hope...they are a holistic ministry that provides daycare to single moms and widows that are striving to better life for themselves and their kids. It is run by an all Ethiopian staff and board...very organized and well run.....we were very impressed.
We spent time with some of the kiddos during music time singing and dancing..sweet time.
Next we went back to the village of Korah to serve lunch to the school kids in the feeding program...they were grateful for the meat. We had a bit to worship and share a skit with them before they had to go back to school....always fun and energetic. We then heard testimonies from a few ladies that make jewelry for Mission Ethiopia...truly changed lives..blessed us greatly to hear how God has moved in their life. Next we split into 4 groups and went to homes in Korah. This is a moving experience to say the least..a true Ethiopian coffee ceremony. To see happiness and the love of God in someone we consider to have so little really puts life into perspective. High points today:
1) Great spiritual and physical growth in the family we sponsor in Korah. They were full of life and the spirit of God was evident...
2) Being asked if I was a clown back home...made my day!!
Thank you Lord for a great day and for all you are doing in Korah...continue to bless this place.
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| The Goat AFTER Pic;) |
Day 8 Update:
As we traveled 1.5 hrs north of Addis we saw a new side of Ethiopia..it was a beautiful mountain drive..thought I was in Colorado! As we topped the pass at 9288 ft singing "Forever Reign" with my family the chorus "oh I'm running to your arms..the riches of your love will always be enough"
became real and The Holy Spirit filled our bus to overflowing.
My family is way cool!!!
We visited another awesome ministry today "Hope for the Hopeless" in its 20th year of serving orphans and families we aware very impressed with them.The model they use works and glorifies God and is run and largely supported by Ethiopians.
We no more than stepped off the bus when we saw Jojo (10 yr old son) sprinting to the soccer fields with "goals made out of sticks" and organizing teams...this boy has totally come alive. I have seen Gods love pouring out of my kids the last ten days...I feel like I am in Heaven. The kids at H4H were full of love and compassion..we were blessed beyond measure. I believe our team lived out John 13:34-35 today.
As we traveled 1.5 hrs north of Addis we saw a new side of Ethiopia..it was a beautiful mountain drive..thought I was in Colorado! As we topped the pass at 9288 ft singing "Forever Reign" with my family the chorus "oh I'm running to your arms..the riches of your love will always be enough"
became real and The Holy Spirit filled our bus to overflowing.
My family is way cool!!!
We visited another awesome ministry today "Hope for the Hopeless" in its 20th year of serving orphans and families we aware very impressed with them.The model they use works and glorifies God and is run and largely supported by Ethiopians.
We no more than stepped off the bus when we saw Jojo (10 yr old son) sprinting to the soccer fields with "goals made out of sticks" and organizing teams...this boy has totally come alive. I have seen Gods love pouring out of my kids the last ten days...I feel like I am in Heaven. The kids at H4H were full of love and compassion..we were blessed beyond measure. I believe our team lived out John 13:34-35 today.
Day 9 Update:
Today we did Church baby! Beza Intl. Church here in Addis...what a great worship service with many nationalities...Heaven.
After lunch we visited the community of Bole. We were blessed to hear a very inspiring message about the ultimate purpose of Christmas (Jan. 7 in Eth.).
He was on FIRE baby. We spent time playing and visiting with the kids ....an EPIC game of Sweet Sally Walker broke out....love the freestyle dancing y'all!
EVERYONE DANCED...PASTORS ,WORSHIP LEADERS AND ALL.
First time to take a team to this community....lots of needs...love and compassion being the biggest.
Highlights for today...leading worship at church with my family..Jojo singing out fron. so cool.
Kids at Bole saying "you big and strong" and kissing my biceps when I showed them. Great and blessed day. Thank you Jesus for giving us your eyes today.
Day 10 update:
Or last Day in Ethiopia we visited Kidane Mehret orphanage. A Catholic orphanage that has been run by the same nun for 35+ years. Sister L. runs a tight ship, clean, organized and respectful kids. This place is truly blessed...I get such a great feeling here. I met 2 angels today (15 & 16 yr. old girls) and they stole my heart. We sat and held hands for over an hour...hardly any words were exchanged but the love was felt by all. We sang a few songs to the special needs kids as they were being fed lunch..smiles all around. Highlights were my 2 angels pointing to their selves and then making a flying away gesture as I sang "Silver Wings" that really got me today. Another was when my daughters Sydnie & Baylie brought out 5 yr. old K ( boy with Down's syndrome)...just about the cutest thing you ever saw... They played with him the whole time we were there and begged us to bring him home. He definitely has the Harper personality..Full of Life!! Thank you Lord for divine appointments today...continue to take us where you want us and guide our every step.
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| Lacey |
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| Sydnie |
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| Jonathan |
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| Baylie |
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| Tate |
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. ~Isaiah 1:17
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