Year end

This is Kasey Gilliss, Director of 8:7 Africa, and on behalf of my wife and I and our Board of Directors, I want to thank all of you who have committed to supporting 8:7 Africa and our cause in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia through prayer and financial support. We envision many great things happening in 2014 but to make that happen we need to request your help supporting our cause. Our objective is to raise awareness about the increasing poverty levels in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and join with local leaders to lift up the poor, vulnerable women, and children while promoting compassion, community and sustainable development. Your tax deductible year end donation will make it possible for 8:7 Africa to work alongside these amazing people and show Gods love and grace for them and the hope for a better tomorrow.

If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please make an online donation at https://87ministries.givingfire.com/. You may also mail a donation to the address listed below.

8:7 Africa
Kasey & Kristen Gilliss
715 N Mandan St.
Bismarck, ND 58501

Thank you for taking the time to read about our Year End Fund Drive. We appreciate you considering a donation. If you would like more information go to www.87Africa.org

Blinking Carry-on Luggage

Good Morning!! As we look ahead to 2014 there is much excitement in the Gilliss house...Their "all I want for Christmas" wish was a carry on suitcase and a first aid kit for Kate! I guess we're all set to go!! Luckily, Target had 5 different suitcases that were calling their names! So, if you happen to pass the Gilliss family in the airport, don't be surprised if you see 5 kids pulling carry on bags that light up one way or another. What a sight that will be!!!

We want to thank each and every one of you for your support throughout the holiday season. It was AMAZING!! While both funds still have some need, our one-time needs fund is doing great!! Our monthly commitment needs fund is where we need to focus on, as well as continuing with our one-time. If you feel led to support 8:7 Africa and our family, visit www.87Africa.org and click on Secure Giving tab to find out more.

Cooking With The Family...

Tonight my girls helped me make 2 Ethiopian dishes. Love that the girls love helping in the kitchen....it sure smelled a lot like Ethiopia tonight!! I have to say that this is the 4th time doing Doro Wat and it was by far the best this time and the Yataklete Kilkil is a first for us but it was really good dish. Love cooking Ethiopian food with the family. Everyone gets involved and it takes about an 1 1/2 hrs so you get fun time with the kids instead of iPods!!! 

Yataklete Kilkil
Measurements and Ingredients (serving for 4-6) 

A vegetarian dish from Ethiopia—There are various versions. Here is one we made tonight.
4-6 servings
Potatoes-peeled and cut into chunks 6
Carrots-peeled and cut--4
Green beans, cut in half—1/2 pound
Onion, chopped—2
Garlic minced—2 cloves
Gingerroot, peeled & minced—1 Tablespoon
Chili pepper, minced—2-3 (I use this)
Oil, butter, or niter kibbeh –3 tablespoons (I used niter kibbeh)
cardamom—1/2 tsp
salt and pepper to taste( i like salt:) )

1. Place potatoes, carrots, and green beans in a large saucepan, cover them with water and add 2 tsp salt. Bring to boil over medium heat, then simmer until veggies are done. Drain, reserve water, and set aside. (about 20-30)

2. Place the onion, garlic, ginger, and chile pepper in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.

3. Heat oil, butter or niter kibbeh in a large saucepan over med. heat. Add the onion puree and saute until the moisture evaporates and onions lose their rawness (6-8 minutes). Don’t let onions brown. best with niter kibbeh(like clarified butter with spice like fennel, cardamon, cinnamon, nutmeg)

4. Add cooked veggies, cardamom, salt, pepper, and about 1/2 cup of reserved water. Stir well and simmer on low heat for 15-30 minutes. (mine didn’t take that long) I also added more of the niter kibbeh.

Serve hot or at room temp.

And

Doro Wot (Red Chicken Stew): One of the most popular dish of Ethiopia.

                              

Measurements and Ingredients (serving for 10)

5-8 pounds of chicken drumsticks and thighs skinned and cleaned
8 large onions fine chopped
2 cup of vegetable oil
5 teaspoons minced or powder garlic
2 teaspoons minced or powder ginger
1/2 cup of authentic Ethiopian Berbere(more to make spicier)
1/4 cup of Paprika for redness
2 teaspoon Korerima
2 teaspoon Wot Kimem (Mekelesha)
2 teaspoon salt (as needed)
1-3 cup of water

Preparation Method:
In large pot, simmer onion, garlic and ginger with vegetable oil till lightly brown. (about 20-30min)

Add Berbere and Paprika, continue to simmer for about 15-20 minutes at low heat stirring occasionally by adding a touch of water as needed to avoid sticking.

Add chicken and simmer until chicken is done while adding the remaining water as needed. Finish of simmering by add salt, Koreria, Wot kimem (Mekelesha). (I use boneless breast and put slits in them for juice to get in and Boneless thighs for dark meat) about another 30 minutes.

Serve hot with Injera (Ethiopian flat bread made of teff) or We served over organic short grain brown rice since we don't keep injera around all the time.

The Move to Ethiopia!! Update

Hey there friends & family!!! So hard to believe that Christmas is only a week away!! Daily, we are reminded that the only way we are able to say "yes" to this journey ahead, is knowing that God has called us to this! We are so thankful for you, the support that we have been shown through prayer, financial gifts & the well wishes that have been sent our way..Isn't it something how God uses each of us in different & mighty ways all for His glory?! I just love witnessing the unique ways that God is working through His people..

Just wanted to give you a little rundown on the $$ side of things, after all, we know we can't do this without supporters like you!! We've had many one-time generous donations, which are absolutely vital in getting us there & starting up!! As important as the one-time donations are, we need to continue raising our monthly support also..we've had a few people commit to a $ amount once we are in Addis, which is so very helpful & awesome!!! If you or someone you know would like to commit to supporting us once we are living there, you can definitely let us know, as it is very helpful to us, as we keep a spreadsheet for budgeting purposes...

Love & be loved, Kristen & crew

You can visit www.87Africa.org and click on Secure Giving to find out more!

Funding Update!

This chart shows our monthly giving goals that our family needs before we can move to Ethiopia to begin our ministry. The red X represents sponsors already committed. We need your help! We are asking you to stand with us, to give a voice to the voiceless, transform lives by love, and raise up local leaders in their community. We are looking forward to partnering with you as we serve in Ethiopia.

Kasey

Visit www.87Africa.org and go to SECURE GIVING in menu bar.

MONTHLY GIVING PLAN:

Big Big Thanks!!

Have to take second to thank all of you who helped complete the Matching Gift. As of today the $2500 gift is matched. That makes your gifts total $5,000!!! What a blessing all you are that joined our ministry. You know who you are but I WILL get to individually as well, so if you haven't got one yet, be expecting a hug. Another lesson to me that God will provide. 

www.87Africa.org

8:7 Africa - Gilliss Family

www.87africa.org

The Plan

Yes, we are still in the middle of the 50-50-50 Challenge where we need 50 people in 50 days to commit to $50 a month. But I also wanted to share the giving plan that we have on our website so that you can see the other needs. This is the plan we have laid out, however you can enter any amount you feel comfortable with. Thank you so much to those of you who have already contributed through one-time needs our monthly commitment. and those ore you who have reached out to pray our family and ministry. We know we can not do this without you. Please share about our ministry with others on your Facebook or blog, that is also another way you can help our ministry.

MONTHLY GIVING PLAN:

5 @ $200 monthly = $ 1,000 (currently have 1)
8 @ $150 monthly = $ 1,200
10 @ $100 monthly = $ 1,000
20 @ $50 monthly = $ 1,000 (currently have 3)
30 @ $25 monthly = $ 750

Go to http://www.87africa.org/#!secure-giving/c1ghi to see more and contribute.

Update!!!

We have been so blessed by the generosity of others as we get 8:7 Africa ministry up and running.  We know that we can not do it without help and every time we start having doubts or feeling discouraged, something amazing happens.  Reminding us that God has this and that we are not alone in this. In the last 2 days people have donated around $4,000...  Isn't that truly amazed during this holiday season!! Some saying they want to be a part of 8:7 Africa through financial gifts and others through words of encouragement, cheering us on when it seems so daunting.

One of question we have gotten is, How do you know it is the right decision to move? I look at like this, we are called to help the poor and needy, the orphan and widow and that may look different for everyone. But for us, it is a need that God has put on our hearts and we walk forward in this decision with much excitement & anticipation (a few nerves in there too!!). We trust that God has us in the palm of His hands & know that His plans are far greater than ours. 

 Isaiah 30:21 - And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. 



We love this verse because it reminds us that we are on God's path and gives us comfort as we move our family overseas.

If you want to see more go to www.87Africa.org

Yordonose & Besa! Can't wait to see these sweet little faces again!!

Match the Gift!!

AWESOME opportunity to double the impact of any gift given by the end of this year! A generous donor has set up a $2,500 matching gift program. We would so appreciate any help in maximizing this opportunity!! If you are feeling led to be the matching donor...WOW!!! If you'd be willing, please share this with your family & friends via Facebook/blog!! Any donations to 8:7 Africa will be matched up to $2,500 until Dec. 31st, 2013!!! What a blessing to our family and our ministry!

Go to www.87Africa.org to get involved.