SETTING NEW GOALS

I am listening to a guitar strum melody, Spanish Escape. The summer heat outside has not cooled down enough this evening, here in Spokane. I’m writing in a cool room as the air conditioner blows the chilled air. My thoughts are like high mountains, full of imagination and thoughts of possibilities. I ponder my future and what God has in store, trusting Him completely.

I have learned, apart from reading, through experience, that trusting God and doing His will simply as He says, is the most fulfilling and exciting thing. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8

How easy it is to fall into the trap of looking at the world through the eyes of popular opinion, culture, tradition, expectations, and especially fear. But when you look at it through the Word of God, you see a glimmer of light, because it is the truth. When you trust in God and take that step of faith then you taste the living water.

Here are a few photo shots of the recent visit to Sodo...

It was one of the most humbling experiences to provide a raincoat to a widow that is blind. She accepted the gifts given to her with tears and thanked the Lord for answered prayers.

 Once she put the raincoat on, this widow's joy was not contained. She danced and sang and thanked God.

These raincoats will allow these women to stay dry during the rain season. 

Gezahegn Gamo, Accountant, and I worked at the hotel restaurant while the laptop batteries lasted, the electricity was out during that time. We did have plenty of day light coming from the large windows.

 Sharon Daly, President of Mossy Foot Project, and I setup our laptops on the third floor of the hotel, where we can catch the wifi.

Here we are meeting with the administrative staff. God's hand is seen in the work that is done at Mossy Foot Project.

Sharon is holding a pair of children's shoes. These shoes where distributed to children who have a family member with mossy foot disease. Donated by Sketchers through Samaritans Feet.

Most children waited patiently. Their names where called, the shoe size chosen, than they received their shoes.

I would like to thank those of you who supporting me with prayer and financial help. I appreciate it more than you know and see it as a gift from God. Your contribution has brought a fruit of what you see in the photos above. Thank you! Amesegenalo!

Prior goals have been accomplished. Now is the time to set new ones: to give the opportunity for every child and adult to wear shoes. This is so important. Approximately one million people in Ethiopia have mossy foot disease, including children! Treatment and recovery from this type of disease can take as long as a year or longer. Prevention is so simple: wearing shoes. We can bring in thousands of shoes to Africa every year, this would be wonderful. It would not solve the problem. We can catch a fish and give it to someone or we can teach that person to fish, and they will obtain the privilege to an abundance of fish. In the same way, we can bring shoes to the poor, or we can teach them to make shoes. This is the goal. First, raise a great awareness of the importance of protecting one’s feet and wearing shoes. Second, provide an opportunity to make quality and affordable shoes. Quality does not mean plastic and cheap. Quality is comfortable, protective, durable, practical, and lasting.

These goals may seem like mountains to me, but they can be moved because there are no limits with God. I will be going back to Sodo this November to continue to help the barefoot people of Ethiopia. Please continue to pray that God would open doors where needed, and shut them, where needed. That He would give our team wisdom and knowledge; protection and health; resources; and that He would send our way the people that would be skilled shoemakers and other supportive staff.

If God has put on your heart to continue to support this endeavor, please send a donation, see instructions below. Your financial support is making a big difference in the lives of many people. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Please pray for Sharon Daly and Mara Klassen as they will be traveling to Sodo in October. Pray for their safety, health and that God would be with them at all times. I feel extremely privileged to be working with these ladies. 

Click Here to donate online.

Or send a check by mail to:

Vera Chosenko

PO Box 171

Spokane Valley, WA 99037

To make your donation tax deductible, write the check out to Light of the Gospel and write my name in the memo. Same address as above. If you are a business I will post your business name on my blog along with a link to your website and your contribution will be deductible.