Friday, April 24, 2015

A Night in Ethiopia

For the last 25 months, we have dreamed of having a BIG fundraiser!! We've had several smaller fundraisers.. which have been BEYOND a blessing.. but with the fees associated with adoption, there is no way we can financially fund our whole adoption (more on this in a minute). SO... We are hosting "A NIGHT IN ETHIOPIA" dinner, silent auction AND more on June 1 at the Barn at Snider Farms just outside of Jackson, TN. (Tickets Here!!)

Since there's probably a lot of questions, I'll try to clear up as many as I can! 

What should I expect the night of June 1? 
We will have a traditional Ethiopian dinner complete with traditional decorations and of course, COFFEE!! There will also be Ethiopian coffee, Ethiopian jewelry and scarves, kids books, LOVEethiopia Comfort Colors shirts, Noonday, and more for sale with proceeds going towards our adoption! 

Where do I purchase tickets?
http://powelladoption.ticketleap.com/a-night-in-ethiopia/ is the site we have chosen! Get your tickets early!! 

Can I bring my kids? 
Sure! You are welcome to bring kids! There are tickets available for kids at a discounted rate! Or.. get a sitter and enjoy a child free Ethiopian dinner! 

Where is the event? 
The Barn at Snider Farms is one of the most beautiful venues in the South! Karl and Angela Snider have a beautiful story with this Barn, but I'll tell you this... the night would be worth it to come hang out at this perfect place without the traditional ET dinner! So come join us! (Google Map Location)

Why are you having a BIG fundraiser? 
Due to many variables, we don't know an exact figure on our adoption. However, we have a good idea (barring any major unforseen obstacles) of the amount we need to save/raise. So.. as much as I hate sharing (and facing) the figures, I'll try my best to explain. First, what have we already spent on our adoption? We have spent around $16,250 on application fees, program fees, international fees, government fingerprinting, county certifications, state authentications, translation fees, home study review fees and our home study. While that number is SO overwhelming to look at, it is a testimony to how God has blessed this journey! I would have never imagined that God would provided exactly what we need to meet every single fee. God has truly used His people to bring our baby home!! 

So.. what's next? What else could we possibly need to pay for?! (No worries, I ask these questions often myself!!) When we accept a referral, we will owe a $4,240 referral fee. After that, there will be various fees including monthly foster home fees (starting once our child leaves the orphanage), medical fees, updating documents, updating home study, finder fees, and the big one...travel...for two trips for two people! So.. we probably still have a little more to pay than we have already paid. The range from people who have recently adopted is from $29K-$44K. So.. we are choosing to trust God that He will provide!! 

What if I want to donate to the silent auction? 
If you have a talent, a skill, or anything else you would like to donate, please feel free to e-mail me at tiffanipowell7@yahoo.com!! 

What time should I be there? 
"A Night in Ethiopia" begins at 6 p.m.


So... Now that I hope all I have answered all the questions, we really hope you will join us!! God has already been working BIG time and has His hand all in this event!! I wish I had the time to tell you all the God stories that have already happened!! He is such a gracious God! 

If I'm being honest, Satan has been attacking me BIG time regarding this fundraiser! Smaller fundraisers are awesome. But if they flop, they flop. I'm having to rely on the Lord to make this one happen! And it is HARD! Satan tells me that I've only lived in our city for a little over a year and this is crazy. Satan tells me no one will come. Satan tells me that we will never be able to fund this adoption. 

God tells me to walk by faith and not by sight. God tells me that He will use this work for GOOD if I stay faithful, being called according to His purpose. God tells me to quit relying on myself and to lean in to HIS promises!! 

I can't wait to see what God has planned for "A Night in Ethiopia" and how it blesses a lifetime with our child!! 


We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9