Is the US of A ready for Ephraim?

I haven't even seen Ephraim yet and we have had to rescue him from himself. If Danny and I hadn't he would be living at Dulles airport until we could unravel his ticketing mess. Remind you of a movie? He reminds me of Peter from the scriptures in so many ways. I love Peter! Too long of a story to tell, but the skinny on it is he ended up double booked (he booked his own ticket on impulsive decision) on flights from Dulles, with different dates heading to two different locations in the US and one almost got cancelled today....the one he was using to come to Charlotte with today. Danny with help from another ministry partner was able to get everything worked out. Funny thing is I'm sure Ephraim doesn't have a clue anything was wrong as he waited 10 hours at Dulles (despite the fact that flights come to Charlotte from Dulles almost hourly) for his United flight to Charlotte today. He is too too much. Is America ready for Ephraim? Ready or not here he comes. PS Picture of him and I above is his version of balancing a knife on the spoon he has in his mouth...he is trying to mimic the real magican we had earlier in the evening in our talent show who actually did spin a knife on a spoon held in his mouth BUT without help! I just laugh thinking about him!

Post a Comment of Welcome to Berhanu and or Ephraim

This comment below (go to 1 comment which is listed underneath the last post and click on it to read the post) came from one of our long time ministry partners and dear friends of ours. She had trouble posting it so I did it for her. Then it made me think.....hey....what a GREAT IDEA! Have you ever prayed for Berhanu? Given to our ministry? Been to Ethiopia with Sports Friends? What a great encouragement it might be to send a greeting to Berhanu and Ephraim who are wonderful brothers in Christ. They have been obedient and faithful servants of our Lord and Savior. Encouragement is powerful. Let's flood them with short greetings of welcome ok? If you can't post on line then send it to my e-mail and I'll post it for you. Thanks friends! And a special thanks to Sylane (I left her ministry information in her post because she has an amazing testimony and ministry to woman....maybe you could contact her about either or both? A powerful powerful ministry testimony of how she was transformed by grace) for her thoughtful and creative idea.

WELCOME TO THE USA EPHRAIM AND BERHANU!

Isn't Ephraim just a hoot! Here he is holding in his breath for the picture. What a riot! Well he has just landed at Dulles airport and his feet are now on US soil......HE IS ONE HAPPY CAMPER! Unfortunately due to ticketing in Ethiopia he and Berhanu won't be arriving in Charlotte till 6:39pm tonight. We plan on taking them to Chick Fila at the Arboretum after we locate their small bags and make the short drive there from the airport. Maybe you just can't wait to see Berhanu and Ephraim and want to welcome them to our city. You can do so by meeting us at the airport (United flight 7189) around 6ish or at the Chick Fila around 7:30 (they clear customs in DC). We will just be there for no more than an hour. If you have been to Ethiopia with Sports Friends or have real interest in doing so in the future you will love joining us at Church at Charlotte next Sunday. On October 18th at 6:30pm at Church of Charlotte (2500 Carmel Rd., Charlotte, 28226) there will be a Sports Friends ministry update that will focus on Ethiopia. One of the guys will be sharing their testimony, lots of camp stories from Ephraim or SFE ministry update from Berhanu I'm sure. Moreover, a short global Sports Friends update will be given which includes our African Expansion plans...exciting times! The schedule for these guys is beyond packed for the next 37 days (not all in Charlotte) which includes medical exams, out of town visits, SF training curriculum conference, meetings with donors, speaking engagements, country review, meeting with Liberty University officials & first ever tour participants, and even doing fun things like going to a Panthers game (hmmm...is that fun these days?), a UNC Chapel Hill Women's soccer game (hosted by the Dorrances themselves), and a day at Disney World (can you even imagine Ephraim there?....no worries...we are getting his heart checked BEFORE we go!). Please join us in praying that this time will be productive and fun for these two incredible Ethiopian servants of God. brian ps I will be posting updates of their trip regularly so sign up to be a follower of this blog...might even do some twittering and most definitely will do some facebooking (all information will be on this blog along with regular prayer updates). If you want all the latest on the Ethiopian boys visit to the USA stay connected to this blog throughout their stay (Oct.12th - Nov. 18th). Thank You Davidson Family and Sports Friends Partners.

Channel 9 News feature and Hope on Oprah

Click on the link below if you would like to see our families recent interview on local news about Hope for AIDS in Ethiopia.

http://www.wsoctv.com/family/index.html

And if you remember our summer daughter Hope Tekeurst you might enjoy viewing Oprah from Friday, Oct. 2nd. Her and her family we

re featured yesterday and what Oprah calls one of her favorite stories in 24 years of doing the show. We were so proud of her! Well done Hope and the Tekeurst Family!

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090409-tows-charlotte-liberia-adoption

All the SPECIAL Friends who participated (some willingly others not so!)in Chris 49th!

A great time was had by all on Sept. 22nd, the date of Chris 49th birthday. Doesn't she still look GREAT? I had lobsters brought in from Cape Cod, still alive, for the special occasion with "chowda", corn on the cob, fresh shrimp and more. Thanks to my sister Carol and brother in law Bill for helping to make this incredible celebration possible for Chris.   

This coming Monday morning at 9:30am at our house channel 9 news from here in Charlotte will be coming to our house to interview Chris and Johanna about kids with AIDS in Africa. The question they will be asking us is "why should people here in Charlotte care about those with AIDS in Africa?"  Rather than having talking heads in an interview you will see mostly pictures of Chris and Johanna loving on kids who have AIDS. You will hear our response to this question posed to us by channel 9 in the background.  Feel free to give us your thought's on what should be included in our response to this question. Also, on Oct. 5th there will be a special Hope for AIDS speaker from Africa at SIM USA. For more details call SIM USA at 704.588.4300 If you live in Charlotte your support for this event would be greatly appreciated. ***PLEASE pray for Chris and Johanna on Monday morning at 9:30. They are both very nervous but see this as an opportunity to not only promote the Oct. 5th event but to challenge fellow Charlotteans to get involved with making a difference in Africa by assisting kids who are fighting AIDS by no choice of their own. Thank you. brian for the Davidson family.

Ephraim is coming to the US of A!

This week we learned that Ephraim was granted his visa from the US Embassy in Ethiopia. Honestly, I thought there was no more that a 10% chance of this happening for numerous reasons. We rejoice that he will have the opportunity to take part in our training times, strategic mtgs and partnership development gatherings from mid October to the first week of November.  He is OVERJOYED with the fact that he will be coming to the US for the very first time. Along with the mtgs we have some very fun times planned for him. For those of you who know him you know he loves to laugh and have fun. Well let me tell you a little secret.....shhhhhh......Ephraim is going to Disney World! He has no idea! One problem and that is his heart...seriously.  So pray that we can get him a proper medical check up and that his heart will be just fine for life and Disney World. Also, pray for his wife Yenu, as well as his two sons Brook and Eyob, while he is away. Ephraim is a SOLD OUT sports minister for the cause of Christ in Ethiopia. He is our top church centered sports ministry trainer in Africa. Let's pray that his time here is not only productive ministry training wise but is rejuventating for his heart and spirit.