Mrs. Black with Azanou in his village in Ethiopia

So we’re going to have a party on Monday. I haven’t got all the details ironed out yet, but somehow we will have food, music and decorations. Maybe we’ll plan some games, too (Pin the Jumper on the Muffin? Nah. ) I will be online as much as possible that day, posting throughout the day and updating you about how our fund for Azanou is growing.

The contributions are already coming in! I will put a tally in the sidebar tomorrow so you can see where we are. This is how it works: if you want to contribute, email me at carmon(at)softanswer(dot)com to let me know, so that I can add your gift to the tally. All donations will remain anonymous. Every penny will go for Azanou’s care. The gifts can be sent to:

Dave and Becky Lynn Black
Bradford Hall
2691 White House Road
Nelson, VA 24580

Make your checks payable to David Black, with a note that says, “For Azanou.”

I am going to have some presents for you, too. Everyone who contributes to Azanou’s fund will have their name put in a drawing for three prizes. First prize is a $50 coupon to Bookcloseouts. Second prize is a $25 gift certificate to my online bookstore (which I know I need to update!). Third prize is a copy of The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love, written by my friend Rebekah Wilson. We use a very scientific method for our drawings: the names are written on paper, folded and put in a hat, and drawn out by a Friedrich child.

Now I want to share with you a sweet letter written to BeckyLynn by Azanou, translated for him by a friend. As she said, it takes some imagination to decipher, but you will get the gist:

Dear Mrs Bkack,

How are you? and how are things in vergina usa?

Here things are not so good not so bad especially life is a bit difficult for me as I am suffering from eye sight problem so that I can’t manage my self easily hence half of my life is good and half of it is bad any way many thnks to God who gave me you sharing my difficulties.

I have received two of your letters thorough Dr. Nufeligne and through the post office thank you very much for every thing you are doing for me, in the second letter I found two eye glasses, an canrdy and a picture you had with kids in the fellasha village I kept the glassed in a safe place as you have advised me to take care of them. My friend when I am living with helped me in translating your letters to write this short line for you.

He is called Beyene Assefa the shop which I showed you when you took tours in the village is belongs to him. He some times work toys and some times a tourist guide in the town when He is not around in the village I help him in selling the things in his Gift shop as you have seen me that day. The letters you wrote me were very existing and you comfort full for me. I have never seen a person as kind as didn’t realize that you would remember me in that way because I make many people when they come to here and tell me as they would help me but when they each home they never remember me . you are a special creature God and you are following the foot of Jesus. He is very kind and help people with his kind ness you told me many things about jesus. Thank you very much I decided to have a corneal sevrgery and wouldn’t be out of your idea about it i have accepted your blessed notttiion. At my heart and felt a great happiness when you say I and my housban are helping your in any ways. I have no power to do things for you but what I always pray to God in to pay you the favor on be half of you. There force when ever you finished arranging the things please announce me either Dr. Nuriligar the e-mail of Beyene Assefa He would help me in bring to Addis Ababa and nursing me at the time of surgery. But I have no family in Addis Abeba whom I am staying for a surgery finished may be in the hotel any way I will write you about this by the next time.

Sincerely yours
Azanaw Aebeb

I’m getting excited! Pray for that other half of my brain to show up please. Today we had a wonderful geography lesson about Ethiopia and its history and topography. My children are going to write letters to Azanou tomorrow.