Bows & Bows & Bows {thank you!}

I’m so thrilled to share with you the first of my five special blessings from my Visiting Orphan’s mission trip.  Join me each day this week on My Crazy Adoption Blog for photos and highlights from my trip to Ethiopia!

I had the honor of crowning over 1,500 Princesses and Prince’s heads in Ethiopia.  They came in every size, shape, age, and gender.  I truly felt like I was living a fairy tale story.  I packed every single bow that I received in the mail and stuffed them in a 50 pound duffle bag.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity.  The bows, headbands, silk wraps, and flowers you made were so spectacular.  I had no idea God would use your handmade crafts in such a mighty way.

My first bow delivery was in a remote, rural village called Holeta.  The orphanage is directed by an amazing woman named Pochi.  Everyone on the team jumped in to help crown princesses, but soon we realized the boys had a gleam in their eyes.  They wanted the beautiful head toppers, too.  There were 8 beautiful mothers working at the orphanage making clay beads for necklaces… we had so much fun crowning them, too!

My favorite crowning day was in Dahley, a rural village about an hour outside the city of Addis Ababa.  The children were ecstatic about the bows.  The priceless mission of the headbands was the opportunity to give the blessing to the fatherless.  There are five steps to giving the blessing: meaningful touch, spoken words of love, expressing high value, picturing a special future, and active commitment.  We were ministering to children that were so poor and needy physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but crowning their heads and kissing their cheeks gave the gift of the blessing.  Our gift in return was their radiant smiles.  We may never know how God directly used your headbands to bless each person, young and old who received a bow, but I know in my heart we spread some crazy love all over Ethiopia.

How can I express my thankfulness to all my bloggy readers who took the time to make a little miracle come true in every single bow, wrap, and headband. I love you! Please feel free to share my post and photography, especially if you recognize YOUR bow.  If you are interested in going on a mission trip with Visiting Orphans please check out their website for an adventure that will change your life.

Leave me a comment and share how the bows have blessed you, too.