I Need Africa

For several months now I have been struggling with how to convey all that we experienced while in Ethiopia. This was not our first time traveling abroad or even to a country overwhelmed with poverty and injustice. Our hearts have yearned to share all that we saw, both in pain and in joy, but the words are hard to find...very hard to find... to paint you the wonderful picture of all that we experienced.

And it is not just the difficulty of finding the right words. We, I especially, can hardly let our minds begin to replay all that we journeyed through while in Ethiopia without being moved to tears that bring up even more overwhelming emotions.

So we are searching.... for the right words...how to correctly convey our emotional and amazing experience....and how to best advocate for these people that so quickly stole our hearts.

I don't know how we came across this video, but it brought tears to our eyes and we felt that this says so much of what we have been feeling in a much more beautiful way than we ever could.

The video is created by an organization called Mocha Club. I encourage you check out their website.

Aching Heart

Tonight I was up late working on my final research paper for a class while also trying to move through how awful I felt from being sick with a cup of tea.

I took a quick break from writing my paper and went to check our agency website. Periodically I look at the waiting child list out of curiosity and to put some faces to my prayers.

My heart sank as I stared at the photo of a little boy we had met while in Ethiopia. This particular little boy was in the same room as the little man and within the first minutes of playing with the children had gained a very special place in my heart. And now here he is waiting for a family to give him the loving home that he and his birth parents long for him to have.

My heart aches for him.

This little guy has a beautiful smile and a laugh that shakes his whole belly while filling the room with joy. I smile now just thinking of him laughing.....

I specifically remember asking Micah while in Ethiopia if all of the children in the care center are waiting to travel home - he said yes - and maybe he was right....

This little boy's profile description matches so much of our little man's story.

That is part of what brings an overwhelming sense of sadness up for me.

I think about those first twenty minutes after our referral phone call and questioning whether or not I could raise a toddler. Whether or not it would be what I had been waiting all this time for. Could I handle the challenges? Was this the right child for our family?

I wish I could say that I knew without a doubt, but I didn't - we didn't. We had to pray about it - and calm ourselves down emotionally. But I can tell you now that it was the right child for our family - WITHOUT A DOUBT. As a matter of a fact it is hard to ever imagine why we were questioning.

But as I checked the website tonight - looking at this little boy's photo - my thoughts immediately questioned if this is what would have happened to our little man if we said no. I want so badly to be there to love on the kiddos and hear his laugh again. I want him to know that he will be provided a family - and that there is nothing he has done wrong or has wrong with him that has caused this wait.

It also reminded me that our family can not be done with the fight for orphans around the world. There is still so much more that needs to be done and so many more that need to be made aware.

So tonight, with tears in my eyes and a heart full of sadness I begin to pray for this friend of little M. placing him in the hands of the Father.....

Inspiration from Malawi

I came across this story and thought it was inspirational.

I would love to see some of our students striving this hard.....

Orphan Sunday

Today is Orphan Sunday.

A day to defend the fatherless (Isaiah 1:17).

I wish all churches would take the time to acknowledge this day-to fight for this like they spend countless hours fighting for other causes....

We are a people called to defend the fatherless…to care for the child that has no family…to visit orphans in their distress.

Here are just a few ways you can get involved this Orphan Sunday. For more ideas and information check out the website: www.orphansunday.org

• Teach a class on "God's Heart for the Orphan."

• Encourage your pastor to preach on a Biblical theme related to orphans

• Partner with the Faces of the Forgotten Google Earth project to highlight visuals of orphan needs worldwide to your community or church family.

• Host a prayer gathering at your home or church

• Host a "Movie Night" on Friday, Saturday or Sunday at your house with a film including orphan-related themes. Plan questions beforehand to stimulate post-movie discussion.

• Partner with local artists for a concert or other performance that raises funds and/or awareness for orphan issues.

• Show a short video during your Sunday morning service.

• Host a campus gathering or lecture on orphan issues at your college.

• Give up one meal on Sunday; devote the time to praying for orphans and the money saved to help orphans.

Adoption Month

The month of November is National Adoption Awareness Month. This provides the opportunity for celebration, education and advocating for the many children still awaiting homes.

It seems to coincide appropriately with the month in which we also give thanksgiving for the many wonderful things we have in our lives.

Adoptive Families has created a calendar with ideas to help celebrate on a daily basis. Check it out here.

Happy Adoption Month!

A Journey from Eritrea

While driving around town to accomplish some errands I heard this story on NPR's All Things Considered. It reminded me of the various situations people are encountering while I remain comfortable in my own shoes partaking in many indulgences along the way, while all the while they are on a quest for hope.

Ethiopian News

Ethiopian Journey and Aid for 6 Million
Both of these articles appeared in the news today.

Ethiopia continues to be on our minds and in our hearts for so many reasons....