So often when I talk to people about our adoption or my involvement with Children's HopeChest in Ethiopia, they say how great it would be to go there. Well.......now is your chance!
I will be leading a team to Ethiopia in June 2012! We will be staying a little over a week. While we are there, we will be visiting Kebron as well as another care point or two. We will also have a little time to explore and take in some of the Ethiopian culture!
I would love for you to join me! I still have space on the team for YOU!! As a sponsor of one of the children, this is an amazing opportunity to meet your sponsored child. Nothing compares to how special it is to get to meet the child that you have been praying for, writing to and thinking about for so long. Even if you aren't a sponsor, you have the opportunity to go and make a difference in the life of a child. You can share the love of Jesus with children who may not have a parent to tell them how much they are loved or to just hold them.
If you think you might want to go with me, just send me a note. I'll be happy to send you more details!!
Today is national Orphan Sunday. A day when we, as a country, reflect on the plight of the orphan. Obviously, this day is very significant to me. Not only do I have a heart for the orphans worldwide, particularly in Ethiopia, but my own daughters were once orphans.
I honestly can't imagine our lives without them. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been without our share of struggles and tears (often mine!) but when is acting on faith ever easy? God doesn't call us to live a comfortable life, He calls us to follow Him. His word tells us very clearly that we will have struggles and yes, we have had struggles. But to think I would have missed the blessings that our simple act of faith and obedience brought, is unimaginable. Please don't misunderstand, God blesses obedience!!
I tucked my girls in bed tonight and began to pray and was overcome with emotion. On this day, Orphan Sunday, I sat holding the hands of my two blessings and answers to God's call. They were once orphans. They once lived longing for a mother's hand to hold. They didn't know a family. They didn't know the security of unconditional love, even when you mess up. What if we had said no?? What if we had been influenced by so many of the lies that are told to persuade us not to be bold and answer yes, no matter the cost? Adoption is God's plan of restoration. Every child needs a family. Every child needs to feel the loving arms of a mom and dad. It is their story and it is our story.
I pray that every person who reads this, will take a moment to reflect on how God may be calling you. Is it to adopt? Is it to foster a child? Helping others to adopt or perhaps being a support to those who have adopted? Maybe you are being called to sponsor a child or go on mission trips. We are ALL called to do something. I pray that you have the courage to say yes!
