Last summer before six year old Anton traveled with us to Ethiopia {see here for post}, we talked a lot with him about how the trip would put him outside his comfort zone.

We warned there would be times that he’d feel uncomfortable with his surroundings and with the food.

We stressed heavily that it was going to be an adventure and it was important for him to embrace the culture that 4 of his siblings have come from.

He was sometimes tentative about things, but he always tried it…and now his worldview {and palate} have expanded leaps and bounds.

When we asked, "Anton, what's your favorite part about the trip?" He'd say, "Everything!"

I pressed, "but if you had to pick one thing..."

"Mom, I can't pick! EVERYTHING!!! I love Ethiopia!"

"Ok then what part did you not like so much?"

"Mom," a touch annoyed at this point, "Seriously. I loved it all." Conversation over.

I had joined my dad with a medical relief team which traveled to Guatemala when I was in fourth grade. It completely changed my world-view, and consequently my life.

This trip has done the same thing for Anton.

His eyes were opened to the realization of how most of the world lives. And God is beginning to do big things in his heart through it.

Never think your child is too young to make a difference.

Let them dream, and support those dreams.

Though it was hard taking time away from Abreham and Elsabet {they had to stay behind because the adoption wasn't yet complete}, we wanted to show Anton the beauty of the countryside...more than simply the metropolitan feel of Ethiopia's capitol.

The beautiful town of Lalibella now holds a tight grasp on our hearts and is where Anton may have heard the voice of God upon his heart for the first time.

As our driver took us on the long, bumpy, dirt road from the airport toward our hotel, Anton witnessed women and small children on a Water Walk.

He had heard Ezekiel talk of it from time to time, yet seeing firsthand the heavy load these thin ladies had upon their backs, he felt the impact of it.

The huge-ness of their task and situation.

We didn't realize how much so until a week after returning to the States.

That grey summer morning, Anton urged his five-year-old brother over to their toy bins and began to explain that if they sold some of their toys, they could give their money to build a well for a village in Africa.

I saw them knelt together on the carpet, placing different toys in separate piles and came to ask what they were doing.

Anton relayed to me what he had explained to Laith and reminded me about the women we had seen, struggling with the weight upon their backs so their household would have water for the day.

He'd seen the filth of the water they carried and how it likely made them sick, and his young mind understood the simple act of how building a well would change their lives.

He and Laith held up their treasures, and asked if I could set up a garage sale for them that afternoon.

Because it was a grey and drizzly day, and I knew no one would stop for a mid-week garage sale with only single table and about 20 toys, I told my big-hearted boys that we could set up a Facebook sale instead.

They found paper and markers and grouping their toys together with the price, I snapped a few photos. When they were satisfied with how it all looked, we posted them online, along with an explanation of what the boys were trying to do.

All their toys sold in about 40 minutes, parents Paypal-ing us the {small yet still exciting} funds. The boys were ecstatic, thrilled they were making a difference in someone else's lives.

Moms and dads began to email Ben and I, saying their children wanted to do the same thing and could they send us their used toys and we sell them, using the money toward the well, also.

Wow. We couldn't believe the response we were receiving from Anton's little idea.

Knowing any day we would get "The Call" and I would head back to bring home Abreham and Elsabet, we didn't feel we could take on multiple online garage sales for all these toys offered.

Instead, we urged the families to do themselves what we had done, using the money for whatever is on their children's hearts, or sending it to us to help build the well in Ethiopia.

The concept of other children getting involved thrilled our first grader and he announced, "I want this for my job." Ben peppered him with questions, seeking what exactly he meant.

As we delved deeper into Anton's heart, Ben and I realized this was something that could make an impact.

By children understanding that they could better the lives of someone all the way across the world, with their selflessness and generosity, they could grow up understanding the concept even deeper and really cause a chain reaction.

If you can change the children, you can change the world.

We're now in the process of setting up a charity, named by our son. He has named it, "Anton's Hope." ...and I'm so excited to see where God takes it.

Anton's Hope is that the children around the world can join together to give hope.

...see how your children too, can be part of changing the world.

(like the Anton's Hope Facebook Page to keep up with the building of this exciting charity and it's grand revel soon!)

current status:

We are presently building the website, forming the board of directors, and filing for 501-c3 status. Stay tuned!

{never} think your child is too young to make a difference.