Well, it finally came.  It actually came very quickly.  This is my passport – don’t worry, you won’t be subjected to the inside photo that I got on a whim at Kinkos on a off hair & clothing day.  I had it rushed & it just came this afternoon.  Now it will quickly be sent away to the Ethiopian Embassy in DC to apply for my visa.  In case you’re wondering why I am getting my passport & why I’m traveling to Ethiopia, let me explain quickly….

In March I’ll be traveling with Doctors Giving Back to Assosa, Ethiopia for 2 weeks.  Actually, I said it a lot more eloquently in my fundraising letter, so I’ll just paste that here:

From March 4 through 18 I will be traveling to Assosa, Ethiopia with Doctors Giving Back (www.doctorsgivingback.org).  I came about this opportunity in an odd way, or really, in a “God way.”  Who would think that a wife, & stay-at-home mom of two would even think of traveling half-way around the world without her family?!?!  Well, that’s just what I’m doing.  My friend, Jessica, who works with DGB, came to Maryland in October for a wedding & left with me on board as a teammate in her annual trek to Ethiopia.  She had convinced me that I could, even as a wife & mother, be used by God in Ethiopia.  So, I’m taking a huge leap of faith & going way out of my comfort zone to assist Doctors Giving Back in less than 3 months!

What is Doctors Giving Back?  It is a medical relief organization dedicated to education & empowerment through medical and health programs in the developing world.  Their mission is to conduct health outreach programs in impoverished African countries by providing medical care, support, supplies, education and other resources for the people living in these countries.  This year, 2010, DGB has expanded into two teams – a medical team & a construction team.  The medical team will be busy hosting various clinics, and education & sanitation projects.  The construction team will focus on the hospital renovation & land rebuilding.  I encourage you to visit the Doctors Giving Back blog for a short video showing exactly what they do & who they are helping – your time won’t be wasted!  (http://doctorsgivingback.wordpress.com/)

The reason I’m telling you all this is 1) yes, to ask for your hard earned money, but 2) more importantly to ask for your prayers.  I need to raise about $3,000 for this trip.  And on top of that, I need God’s grace & peace to go with me and to be with my family while I’m away.  Here are a few things you could be praying for:
Funds
My husband & daughters while I’m away
That I would be able to use God’s gift of photography in my life for DGB & the people of Ethiopia – one of my roles in this trip will be to document & tell the story of what Doctors Giving Back does through my camera lens
Travel
Health – spiritual & physical
Peace

There are two ways you can give to my trip to Ethiopia:  Mail checks to me or give online through this site.  Please make checks payable to Doctors Giving Back on my behalf & send to:
Doctors Giving Back
7172 Regional St. #155
Dublin, CA 94568
memo line:  Mandy Sroka

Thank you again for taking the time to read this letter & prayerfully consider how you can support this endeavor.  And be sure to look forward to a second letter when I return – I can’t wait to tell you all about my trip!

I feel so blessed to have already received donations towards my trip from some dear family & friends.  If you feel led to donate, & even more importantly to pray, please visit my fundraising page & let me know.  Thank you again!

Well my lovely friends, I’ll be shoving off on Monday to the great state of New Jersey to attend Victory Jam 2009 at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference on Long Beach Island.  Victory Jam, or VJam as us repeat offenders call it, is a gathering of about 300 middle school children, counselors, one poor nurse, camp staff, and families at the beach to have fun, hear God’s Word, and build relationships.  My husband has been going since 2000 (I think) as the head Audio Video technician and this will be my 5th year attending with him.  (Year #5 was interrupted due to the fact I was pregnant with my second child and forbidden from traveling all the way to NJ so close to my due date.)  So, if in your daily thoughts, you would just remember us, the many, many children and people behind the scene who make this thing work, we would greatly appreciate it.  We jokingly call this our “vacation” because it’s really our trip to the beach where we see Josh, but don’t have much time with him, and where he exists on Vitamin Water & 5-Hour Energy drinks, but has the time of his life.  Please pray for the hearts and lives of these dear children that they would feel loved and cared for at such a tender age in their lives.  And pray for ME!  I’m going to be a part-time single parent with two children at the beach, and as you might remember, I don’t like sand!  Thanks so much you all, and we’ll miss you!  I won’t have my beloved camera with me because it’s at the “doctor.”  But  will have my iPhone and my Flip Mino, so look for updates on my facebook page!  Here’s a few photos from last year….I’m off to fold some laundry and watch The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Water balloon volley ball

Lucas (a counselor) encouraging his team

Harvey Cedars at dusk

The Sroka gang last year

One of the many messy games – chocolate covered bagel on a string

Cheeseballs attached with peanut butter

Some more peanut butter

Bethany – our church’s fearless leader

The human chain – last leg of the relay race

Jimmy the banana man

Josh and I had the chance to go see Maeby again last night and she is doing so much better!  She’s out of her astronaut hood, breathing room air, and her Breaths per Minute are at a calm rate now.  Which meant she was able to try eating from a bottle last night!  According to her mommy, she sucked it down quick!  And I just saw today on her dad’s Facebook that they have removed all feeding tubes and extra IV’s from her!  Yeah!  They are still waiting for results from a blood test that showed something growning in her blood, so continue to keep that in your prayers.  Also, continue to pray for Bert & Laura as they were discharged yesterday from GBMC and now have to spend nights at home with out their darling little one.  You can keep up to date on all their happenings at the Rode Family Blog.  Here are some quick photos we got last night!  Enjoy!