Monday, January 25, 2010

Counting the days...

8.5 days till take off.
I'm not ever going to try to plan a youth retreat and an ethiopian adoption/mission trip at the same time. 

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Travel date confirmed -HERE WE GO!

We bought flight tix today...
(I have a good friend who flies F-15E's, I wish he could take us)

To bring you all up to speed, here's some of the things going on the background -
Over the last two days, I’ve had some additional communication with SIM Ethiopia, AHOPE, and Food for the Hungry - which has helped to put some remaining details in order for the Vision and Serving portion of our trip as well.


The team is made up of:
Roger Martin - Sr Pastor of our church (http://www.cthope.com/)
Roger has an awesome heart for people, and has led his own family so well.  Roger knows himself well, and communicates truth well through his authentic living.  I look forward to see what God will do in Rog through this trip, and how it will affect our Church as a whole.

Rachel Martin, Roger's college age daughter who is looking forward to investigating Africa as a possible long term personal mission as well.  Rachel is so talented in so many ways... She will be a huge help with Kenni, and helping all of us see things on this trip that we may never take in without her keen eye to see God's fingerprints in even the most unlikely places.  Rachel is so sincere and has a gift with young children - anywhere she is showing unconditonal love.  Some have even shared that they wonder if Rachel will even come back to the US.  If she does, I don't think it will be long before she returns.  ... On a bit of a selfish note - I am stoked to see how she captures the "normal" (and the most unique) elements of this trip with her camera for life-long memories. 
Trent Donohue - Awesome Husband to wife Dawn, and Dad to their three kids.  (Trent and Dawn don't know exactly what may transpire in the lives of their family through this trip, but they're filled with anticipation!)  Trent is a great thinker and detailed planner, he will be a valuable asset to this team in many ways to help us assess our opportunities in Ethipia.

Josh Shook - a 20-something with a great heart, and lots ahead of him.  Josh has SO much to offer.  His dilligence, commitment in his walk with Jesus and humble spirit is a perfect fit with his servant-leader gifts.  He's got a sensitive and dedicated heart to move with God's nudges.  It will be interesting to see the God's next steps for Josh through this adventure.

Kendalyn Zipf - 8year old... going on 17 I think.  Kenni is our first-born.  Her incessant reading, academic mind, passion to serve and leadership-framework is a force to be reconed with even now.  Amy and I began to discuss investing into Kenni in this way months ago- and we have become even more convinced that taking this challenging yet intentional step with her will have an invaluable impact on her life.  This time with her will be a life-memory for both of us.  We also forsee the great potential in the connection she will have with Ashebir when we meet him for the first time - it could be one of the most impressional experiences of all of especially their lives and has the power to be very influential in the transisition our family will experience in the months ahead. 

...and Me.  I wish Amy could be with us.  She has blessed my life so incredibly, and not only would I love her to be with me when we meet Ashebir for the first time, there is no other individual I'd rather share this entire endevor with.  God has used Amy to change my life, and I love her more everyday for it.  So, if it's BASE jumping, attacking Waimea,  or Walking for clean water... there's no one else I'd rather be with.

After we arrive and get settled in at the SIM Guesthouse, we'll have the privilege to bring medicines and supplies we've obtained from Cross Link International to bring to AHOPE for Children in Addis.
Check out CrossLink's work around the world - they do great work.  (http://www.crosslinkinternational.net/).


Now, we just prepare for Take Off.

I'm sure Josh would appreciate a big welcoming party on Friday Feb. 12th when he gets back to Hartford as well.

If you want to come meet us at the Airport on Feb. 19th in Providence it would be great to see you.  Besides, It would be good to have the extra help to bring home all our stuff.
We'll attempt to keep this blog updated through our time in Ethiopia, but the internet connection is sporadic at best there. 



Lastly, here's our Rough Itinerary …


(2/3) DEPART HARTFORD - Wed Feb 3 @1:50p

(2/4) Arrive in Addis- Thurs evening Feb. 4 and stay at the SIM Guesthouse
(2/4) Friday – Morning - Bingham Academy visit till about noon (approx)
Afternoon – AHOPE Visit to bring donated Medical Supplies and spend time with children and AHOPE Staff.

(2/5) Saturday AM– Pack up at SIM, meet up with FH Staff for our adventure to Ziway! (We may not be able to visit CURE until we return to Addis the following week.)

We would remain with FH Staff until our Return to Addis on Thurs evening 2/11.

(2/11) Thurs evening – arrive at CHSFS Guesthouse and spend the following several days finalizing Ashebir’s Adoption (the 300.00 cash USD would be due to CHSFS then)

(2/12) Friday - Meet Ashebir in the AM!
JOSH will be arriving back in Hartford Friday morning since he is not able to stay for the second week.

(2/13-2/17) Sat-Mon - Time with Ashebir, interact and time with the other adoption families from the group, short trips around Addis – Shopping and Museum visit, etc.

(2/16) Tue – US Embassy Visit to get Asheibir’s Visa and Passport

(2/17) Wed - time with Adoption families, around Addis... and debrief with Families to transistion home.

(2/18) Thurs eve Depart Addis for HOME.

(2/19) Fri Arrive home to PROVIDENCE (via Dulles)

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

moving around in the starting block...

We're preparing to launch...but...
Unfortunately we still do not have the CONFIRMED word yet on Ashebir’s Medical paperwork that is being processed by the US Embassy in Addis. I hope that CHSFS will have that information soon, but as diligent as they are, we are all at the mercy of the government processes at this point. This information is the LAST piece we need to finalize a travel date. As of now, we are moving ahead as if we are departing on Feb 3 and returning Feb. 19. (I will ask our agency tomorrow if they have a date by which they would decide to postpone this until March.)

Over the last two days, I’ve had some additional communication with SIM Ethiopia, AHOPE, and Food for the Hungry - which has helped to put some remaining details in order.

I will address the details below, but please take immediate action on the following items. The most time critical items are our application and participation fees to FH for the first part of our trip.

1. Print and Complete the Application Then, fax OR scan and email to Kristin Brooks by Friday Jan. 15

2. The Disclosure of Risk must be Notarized (pg 5 of the Application)

a. Kristen Brooks: kbrooks@fh.org or FAX to her at 480-889-5401


3. 175.00 - Send this participation/Ethiopian Staff fee for our Trip with Food for the Hungry by Monday Jan 18 or before.

a. 390.00 is needed to be sent by Wed Jan 20th in a separate payment to cover food water lodging and transportation ($78.00/day).

4. Print the directions to and purchase International Health Insurance.
5. Current Passport with 6 mos prior to expiration date.

6. Immunizations Current?

Additional Costs to be expected:

The first week:

$100.00 – for SIM Guesthouse Fees on Thurs/Friday Nights and Meals. This is a LIBERAL estimate. I have not received a response yet on our Rate at this SIM Guesthouse, but if you plan on $100.00 for our time there you’ll be over prepared. This will need to be in CASH and they do accept US Currency.

$50.00 – For a hippo expedition boat ride and a half day trip to a beach park with wildlife.

(I will double check to see if this is to be paid there or before we leave.)

Once we pay FH - everything is all inclusive except snacks or souvenirs.

The second week:

$300.00 (CASH USD) to CHSFS for the week – All meals and transportation are included. This is to be paid in cash upon arrival at CHSFS Guesthouse on Thurs night Feb. 11th (Josh will not need to pay this since he is departing for the US that night.)



Recommended SPENDING MONEY (just personal thoughts here) – Last time we brought $200.00 extra per person and we were fine.

As soon as Kristin gets that info and money from us, she will send the FH TShirts and Training Manuals.

Additional Info:

Attachments: Info Sheet about Ziway Jido, Ethiopia, Application, US Embassy Reg Info, International Health Insurance info.

Medical Donations for AHOPE

Earlier this week, I contacted Melinda at Crosslink International. Cross Link specializes in low-cost (and some donated) Medicines and Medical Supplies for organizations like AHOPE and other Medical Mission organizations all over the world!

Based on my latest conversations with Roger and AHOPE, we are going to use the 1300.00 we have allocated for AHOPE to purchase as much as we can of the most significant prescription medicines. Crosslink has that info, and are working on assembling the Meds now.

It has been recommended by CURE Int’l. staff that we get a REFERENCE LETTER from Crosslink and AHOPE to Travel with Medicines.


Dress Code: Regarding dress, we ask for modesty and that you wear closed toed shoes at all times while out in the community. Pants and t-shirts are fine for everyone, long capris ok for girls. For church, it is nice if the girls wear a long skirt and if the guys wear a collared shirt.

List of Amenities

Batteries, Laptop?, AC Adapters for Africa, Personal OTC Meds, Water purifier?, TO BE continued…


Rough Itinerary – Slight change from the last proposal…

(2/3) DEPART THE USA - Wed Feb 3

(2/4) Arrive in Addis- Thurs evening Feb. 4 and stay at the SIM Guesthouse (I am awaiting confirmation correspondence SIM.)

(2/4) Friday – Morning - Bingham Academy visit till about noon (approx) -- (I am awaiting confirmation correspondence from Bingham.)

Afternoon – AHOPE Visit to bring donated Medical Supplies and spend time with children and AHOPE Staff.

(2/5) Saturday AM– Pack up at SIM, meet up with FH Staff for our great adventure to Ziway! (We may not be able to visit CURE or AHOPE again until we return to Addis the following week.)

We would remain with FH Staff until our Return to Addis on Thurs evening 2/11.

(2/11) Thurs evening – arrive at CHSFS Guesthouse and spend the following several days finalizing Ashebir’s Adoption (the 300.00 cash USD would be due to CHSFS then)

(2/12) Friday - Meet Ashebir in the AM!

(2/13-2/17) Sat-Wed - Time with Ashebir, interact and time with the other adoption families from the group, short trips around Addis – Shopping and Museum visit, etc.

(2/16) Tue – US Embassy Visit to get Asheibir’s Visa and Passport

(2/ 18) Thurs eve Depart Addis for USA.

(2/19) Arrive home.


Confirmed travelers so far are:

Trent Donohue, Roger Martin, Rachel Martin, Josh Shook, Pete Zipf, Kendalyn Zipf


Lastly, we should all meet sometime soon to work out the last details and questions and pray together. Maybe at the Zipf house on Friday night January 22nd unless someone has a better idea??

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

getting much closer...

I got word today from our agency that the likely-hood of our travel time will be planned as we thought around the Feb. 16th Embassy appt date.

But since that is the second leg of our journey, we would be arriving in Ethiopia several days before that. (From my conversation today with CHSFS, there is a SLIGHT possibility that it could be delayed until the first week of March, but it is not likely at this point.) We are ONLY waiting on Ashebir’s medical exam paperwork. Once that comes through hopefully in the next couple weeks or so, we’ll have the confirmed travel dates.

As for now, we’ll plan on the Feb time frame and adjust accordingly. Assuming it is, we have to be at the CHSFS Guesthouse in Addis on Thurs evening Feb 11th(local time), to finalize Ashebir’s adoption from then till Feb. 18th. I will find out the exact time we have to be there.

I’ve put together a tentative itinerary below – EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT BUYING TIX, until I hear from CHSFS about Ashebir’s Medical exam. (*Hear that everybody? ;) ) But, again assuming this plan… We would depart the US Wed Feb 3… then the following is the tentative schedule could look like this:


(2/3) DEPART THE USA - Wed Feb 3

(2/4) Arrive in Addis- Thurs evening Feb. 4 and stay at the SIM Guesthouse (I am awaiting confirmation correspondence SIM.)

(2/4) Friday – Morning - Bingham Academy visit till about noon (approx) -- (I am awaiting confirmation correspondence from Bingham.)

Afternoon – AHOPE Visit to bring donated Medical Supplies and spend time with children and AHOPE Staff.

(2/5) Saturday – Pack up at SIM, possibly another AHOPE visit or more likely, visit the CURE International Hospital for a tour of their ministry site (very close-I think- to where the new US Embassy is currently located.) (I am awaiting confirmation correspondence from CURE.)

(2/5) Saturday afternoon/evening – Meet up with FH Staff for our great adventure to Ziway or Belo??

We would remain with FH Staff until our Return to Addis at the latest on Thurs evening 2/11.



(2/11) Thurs evening – arrive at CHSFS Guesthouse and spend the following several days finalizing Ashebir’s Adoption

(2/12) Friday - Meet Ashebir in the AM

(2/13-2/17) Sat-Wed - Time with Ashebir, interact and time with the other adoption families from the group, short trips around Addis – Shopping and Museum visit, etc.

(2/16) Tue – US Embassy Visit to get Asheibir’s Visa and Passport

(2/18 or 19) Thurs eve/Friday Morning (Depending on the Airline)– Depart Addis for USA.

(2/19 or 2/20) Arrive home.





Confirmed travelers so far are:

Trent Donohue –
Roger Martin –

Rachel Martin –

Josh Shook –

Pete Zipf –
Kendalyn Zipf (Kenni) –


Ok, I need to get some rest… been a long day. I expect another full day tomorrow,