What I Shared at Orphan Sunday Today.....

 

Included below is what I shared at our Orphan Sunday service this morning.  It was great to reflect on our beautiful little girl and the work that God performed in bringing her home.  To God be the glory.  We love you Peaches!!!!

It was three years ago during the Orphan Sunday service that God moved in our hearts to consider adoption.  During that service, our eyes were opened to the needs of orphaned children around the world and we were lead to consider, “what could we do?”  Over the next year, God led us down an amazing road of experiencing Him as He brought Meddie half-way around the world to live in our home and be a part of our family.

So, three years later, what does adoption mean to us?

When we first met Meddie, she was alone on the steps of our Agency’s transition home.  Although the Agency’s transition home provided for Meddie’s basic needs, it obviously did not fill one of her basic needs – a family.  She talks today of how she would cry in bed at night and the workers would just tell her to be quiet.  She was scared, and there was no one to comfort her, no one to hold her, no one to make her feel safe and secure.  She had been abandoned by her family.  She was an orphan.

On that Orphan Sunday, three years ago, God began to target our steps with laser-like precision for us to become the parents of Meddie Grace.  He began to open doors and move our hearts toward a girl halfway around the world.  Though we could not have been physically farther apart, God was beginning to weave our lives together.  At the time it often felt as though we were walking through an endless maze, never getting closer to our endpoint, but as we look back now we see that God was doing the work and setting our steps.  We were just along for the ride.

God was the one who placed Meddie into our lives.  He gave her to us so that we could be her parents, so that we could be her family.  He allowed us into her life, in that tender place where we would be Mom and Dad.  She would no longer be without family.  She would no longer be alone.  She would no longer be an orphan.

This took place at three different levels.  First, was the legal process of adoption.  Meddie has been legally declared our child through a court of law both in Ethiopia and in the US.  Legally, she is viewed as our heir as though she had been born by us.  There is no legal distinction between her and her siblings.  Secondly, was the physical process of adoption.  Once Meddie entered our family, she began to live with us and be one of us.  She began to learn to live together as our daughter amongst many siblings.  And lastly, was the emotional process of adoption.  It takes a long time for an orphan to develop trust in her new family and her new parents.  There is an emotional hole that was left from her abandonment and an orphan is often slow to allow that hole to be filled by another.  It is a natural response to prevent any further hurt.  Only God can reach in to the depths of that broken heart and allow healing and restoration.  Only God can allow that child to emotionally become part of a new family.

How has this changed our view of our Spiritual adoption?  We see that God is the One who takes the step of legally adopting us.  In the same way that we stood in a court of law with Meddie and she was declared our daughter, we stand before God’s throne on the basis of Christ and are declared sons and daughters.  He physically abides in us and becomes our Abba Father.  He becomes our Emmanuel, God with us.  He declares that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He reaches in and restores our soul and heals our diseases.

Meddie’s story has a happy ending.  She is living in a home with a family.  Certainly not a perfect family, but nonetheless, a family.  She has many friends.  She is surrounded by love.  But her story is an exception.  According to UNICEF statistics, there are over 18 million children world-wide who have lost both parents.  The vast majority of these will never know what it’s like to be in a family.  They will never be held be a mom or dad.  They will grow up in orphanages or on the streets.

Is God moving in your heart today to reach out to an orphan?  Whether though sponsorship, foster care, or adoption, there are many opportunities available for you to be involved and share the love of Christ with those in need. 

What steps can you take next?

Pray for His leading.  Research opportunities and ministries that reach out to vulnerable children.

Consider sponsoring a child who is in need.  There are many wonderful organizations that are doing great works in the lives of children.  One of those organizations is Look Development.  There are many children available to be supported through Look Development.  Many of you have already done this.  We have seen these children first-hand and can attest to the significant impact that your support is making in their lives.  Or if God has laid another country on your heart other than Ethiopia, you can support one of the children through World Vision.  Please take time after the service to stop by the table in the back that has sponsorship children available both through Look Development and World Vision.  The sponsorship programs of these organizations perform a significant impact on the lives of these children.  The support provides food, clothing, schooling, and access to hear the gospel.  These programs are truly life changing for the children who are sponsored.

You can also consider adoption.  As most of you know, adoption is a long process.  It doesn’t happen overnight.  The many, many steps provide time to pray and consider God’s leading.  Maybe the first step for you to consider today is to pray and ask God, “are You leading our family toward adoption?”  “Do you have a child for our family?”  If you feel that is where God is calling you, then take that step and begin to pray –  and begin to walk in faith and see how God will amaze You as He weaves your family’s story through adoption.

Great Book - "Running for My Life"

Lopez Lomong.

Age 6, living in Sudan, taken from his mother's arms by rebels.

Taken to a rebel training camp with hundreds of other boys.

Escapes from the camp with three other boys.

Runs for three days across the harsh Sudanese landscape.  Barefoot.  Hungry.  Lost. 

Arrives at the Kenyan border, sent to a refugee camp, officially a "Lost Boy" of Sudan.

10 years in the Kenyan refugee camp, surviving with 50,000 others, living in a hut with 10 other boys.  Loves soccer.  Loves to run.

Comes to America as a refugee, discovered as a runner with extraordinary talent.

Qualifies as a US Olympian, carries the US flag in the Beijing Olympics.

Knows that God has carried him every step through his incredible journey.

Just a few highlights from the book, "Running for My Life" by Lopez Lomong.  The story is a reminder of the harsh realities of life in Sudan, life in a refugee camp, and life in America as a former refugee.  Each step of his life is a journey of pain and difficulty and yet, from his viewpoint, a necessary part of God's plan for his life.  A plan that includes reaching sports' highest stage and using that stage to point others to the needs of Lost Boys and those suffering in the Sudanese conflict through his Foundation 4 South Sudan.

The book is also a reminder of how much we have in America in comparison to many around the world.  Questions roll through my mind.  Why have we been blessed with so much?  What should we be doing to help?  How will God view our stewardship at the end of our lives?  Are we doing what God expects of us?  Are we listening to His voice in our lives?  Do we see others' needs and do we act to help others?

I don't think the end goal is merely to feel guilty.  I think the end goal is to examine where we are in our lives and quietly listen to God, to do what He has for us.  It is not helpful for us to go in multiple directions, fueled by guilt, ultimately not accomplishing what God would have for us.  It is helpful for us to look to the needs of others and pray for God's leading toward the lives we should be involved with.

Take some time to read Lopez' book.  Take some time to meditate on what God has for you, at this point in your life, with the circumstances that he has placed you in.  Enjoy his goodness.  Share it with others.

Happy 6th Birthday Peaches!

Hard to believe she's six.  The tiny, featherweight girl I held on the steps of Hannah's Hope in Addis Ababa 1.5 years ago has grown so much.  She's filled with smiles.  Filled with joy and warmth and energy.  The girl that I could easily toss high in the sky, now requires effort just to lift her into my arms.  What a year and a half it has been.  She's has grown into us and we have grown around her.  On a legal level, the inclusion of an orphan into a family happens with a simple decree from a judge.  But on a practical level, the inclusion of an orphan into a family happens with much time, patience, love, and selflessness.  It is a beautiful thing to watch.  It is a beautiful thing to be a part of.

For her 6th birthday, Peaches had some friends over.  It was a simple party that included musical chairs (all who stood nearby were forced into action by Peaches' mom), cake, presents, and playing outside.  Very normal things for any little girl in America.  Very different things for any little girl in an orphanage.  We are blessed to have her as part of our lives and thankful that we can share what God has blessed us with.  Not just the stuff, but the togetherness, family, and love.

Some pictures from the day.  Radiant, isn't she?

Sunshine and Peaches looking at her new Bible story book she received from Grandma and Grandpa.

 A GIANT coloring book with stickers!  Hours O' Fun!

 A new bike!  She has ridden one of her brother's old boy's bikes since she taught herself how to ride a bike last summer.  Never did it occur to her that she had been riding a boy's bike and never did it occur to her that she should have a pink bike.  Now she has one.  She was very excited!

 Off she goes!

 Determination!

 A fun time opening presents with a few of her friends.

 What must be going through her head?

 Love that glimmer in her eyes!

 Whoosh!  Out they go.

One happy group of girls ready for some sugar!

Re-adoption Court Hearing

With tears in her eyes, there was much going on in her mind and her heart.

We had our re-adoption court hearing today.  Re-adoption is the legal process of adoption in the US.  Even though she was already completely legally adopted and already a US citizen, we needed to take this last step to allow her to be granted a US birth certificate and a US Social Security Number.  Those things are necessary for us to receive the adoption tax credit.

The re-adoption court hearing seemed rather simple to us and we had not put too much thought into it.  We worked with a lawyer who specializes in social work and adoption and after many forms and some money the court date was lined up.  I didn't think about explaining it to Peaches since I figured she wouldn't understand any of it anyway.

As we were walking up to the courthouse this morning, I sensed some uneasiness from her.  I told her we were going to the courthouse to complete her adoption and that they would ask some questions, we would answer the questions, and then we would go home.  It would be very easy.

She quickly tensed and withdrew, walking very slowly right behind me.  She said she didn't want to talk to anyone.  Thinking I understood her concern, I picked her up and carried her.  We went up to the second floor of the Dakota County Courthouse, all eight of us, and were told to go into the courtroom.  It was about 8:15 am.  Our hearing was scheduled for 8:30 am.  After sitting for a few minutes, the judge entered, we all rose, then sat back down, and then we received a civics lesson while we watched the legal proceedings of someone suing another person for faulty car repair.  It was fascinating.

We were next.  Peaches, Bo, and I headed up to the bench and were told to sit in the witness chairs.  We were asked a series of questions related to the specifics of Peaches' adoption.  Toward the end of the questioning, we were asked if we understood that following this hearing Peaches would be considered as though she was born of us.  Those words struck me.  I pondered their importance in our relationship with Peaches.  Though ethnically we are a half-world apart, we are connected as if by blood according to the State.  Isn't that amazing?  A girl from Ethiopia who was abandoned is now connected to a family in the US as though she was born of us.  I was reminded that she is an orphan no more.

It was then, however, we realized Peaches was crying.  She was quiet and looking down.  She wanted to be held by her sister Sunshine.  We asked the judge if we could take a picture and he happily said yes.  He tried to talk to Peaches but she turned away from him, not wanting to make any eye contact.  He thanked us for allowing him to be a part of the proceedings and we headed out of the courtroom to finish some last paperwork.

As we stood in the hallway, I heard Peaches through her tears say to Sunshine, "but I want to stay with you."  Wow.  Now I understood.  She thought the men were going to take her away.  The legal proceedings must have brought back vivid memories of her being relinquished by her birthmom - which coincidentally was in a courtroom in Ethiopia 2 years ago almost to the day.  We quickly tried to calm her and explain to her that we are her forever family and that she will be our daughter forever.  The reassurance was not enough to overcome the reality of the memories that must have flooded her mind and her heart.

We left the courthouse which allowed her to begin to calm down and realize that everything was OK and that she was not being taken away.  She slowly began to calm down and the brightness in her eyes began to return.  We then headed to Perkins with the whole family for breakfast.  Some bacon and eggs were what she needed.  She loves her protein and the heavy cholesterol proved to be soothing to her heavy heart.

How do we process all of that?  We're thankful for our beautiful girl, thankful for our family, thankful for how God places each person in a family, thankful that He can heal the deepest wounds, thankful that her adoption is full and complete, thankful that our adoption in Christ is full and complete, thankful that she cannot be stolen away from us, thankful that we cannot be stolen away from Christ.

It was an emotional day.  But we are together as a family.  Forever.

Fall is here - a beautiful day for pictures!

Fall is here and is was a beautiful day outside. The kids had fun playing football and raking leaves. I had fun sitting and watching them and taking some pictures.

Eddie Joe was literally running around in circles.

You have to love the smile on that kid.

Peaches always looks good wearing Red, White, and Blue.

Flowers that have barely survived the drought.

It was quite a sight to watch these two try and play catch.

A successful catch brings a smile.

Eddie Joe loves to slide.

Raking was fun until they remembered that it is a lot of work.

Can you believe this girl was an orphan?  Her face lights up with happiness, and with family.

Fall is definitely upon us.

Even Doofenschmirtz was enjoying the fun.

Peaches loves to swing.

The Big Fella sat by and took it all in.

I wonder what's next?

After being home from Ethiopia for nearly 7 months, my mind wonders what is next? Will we go back again soon?  If so, where specifically will we go?  Does God have more orphans in our future? 

God knows the answer to these questions.  We walk in faith knowing that what He has for us is for our good and that His leading is perfect.  We wait for Him to lead us.  And we know that He will.

In the meantime, we've found that there are many people in the Sioux City area that are from Ethiopia and Eritrea.  Many of these people have desperate needs due to poverty, lack of language, lack of cultural understanding, and even discrimination.  We've found these people to be extremely warm, giving, and kind people.  And we've found that even though we think about helping people in Ethiopia, there are many Ethiopian people right here that need help.  With them set in front of us it is clear that God has great opportunities for us, and those opportunities only require a brief drive. 

Our hearts realize that this involves inconvenience to our schedule - and our schedule is very important to us.  Our schedule is often more important than the needs of the people around us.  And in addition to schedule impacts, it's just not as cool to drive across town as it is to fly to Africa!  But the needs are here and the needs are plenty. 

We're thankful to God for opening the doors to those around us to remind us that we are very blessed, that happiness is not found in possessions, and that there is joy in serving others.

Some Sunday Morning Worship....

All I Have Is Christ from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Easter Afternoon

Sunshine took this pic on Easter afternoon while the three younger kids were searching the ever elusive hidden Easter eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

This picture brings to mind several things:

1.  Lilacs are a great burst of Spring beauty and fragrance.
2.  Warm sunshine cures all winter blues.
3.  A butterfly is fascinating to watch as it flutters and floats and flies.
4.  Jesus rose from the grave.  He gives our lives the ultimate burst of beauty and fragrance.  He cures all of our blues, winter or otherwise.  He gives us escape from sin and death to allow us to flutter and float and fly.

An Afternoon in Ethiopia

There we were, Sunshine and me on a bus in southern Ethiopia with two other families.  We were visiting the families of our sponsor children.  The children whom we had only known through photos and a few sentences that describe their family living situation, their likes/dislikes, etc.  We visited the sponsor children of the other two families first.  Stepping into the homes of these families was emotional.  In their abundance of poverty they overflow with hospitality and kindness.  You are royalty to them.  You are honored as their guest.  Even so, the living conditions and smells and dirt deeply penetrate your senses, deeply penetrate your thoughts, deeply penetrate your heart.

It was our turn to visit our sponsor child's family next.  The child whom we had been sponsoring, I will call him Gwatalo, had moved away from the area shortly before we traveled to Ethiopia.  We weren't sure why he had moved.  We were given another child to sponsor, whom I will call Dregos, and that would be the child we were to visit.  As we were driving, the social worker mentioned we were going to see Gwatalo next.  I told him Gwatalo had moved and we were no longer sponsoring him.  I insisted we were supposed to go see Dregos.  The social worker insisted that Gwatalo had traveled a long distance and was here to be visited by his sponsor family.

Although many of the Ethiopians know English, the conversations generally become very difficult when trying to convey complex concepts or feelings or emotions.  To try and communicate all that was transpiring became impossible.  We had brought gifts for Dregos, not Gwatalo.  We won't have enough gifts for both children.  Is Gwatalo even still part of the sponsorship program?  Would it be better to just skip this house and go to Dregos' house?  What do I say to him since we don't even sponsor him anymore?  My heavily structured mind was reeling with this curve ball and was unsure how to proceed.  Sunshine, however, was certain that we should go visit Gwatalo.  Regardless of what material things we had, we needed to go see him.  So we quickly dug through the gifts we had and split them in two and headed in to see Gwatalo.

As in all houses in Ethiopia, there were no lights.  So as we entered the house, it took a few moments for our eyes to adjust and to begin to make out the dark-skinned silhouettes in the dark room.  With our eyes straining and finally adjusting, we could see a man sitting at a table and sitting next to him was Gwatalo.  We recognized him immediately from the picture we had of him. The man sitting next to him was wearing a suit jacket.  Ethiopians are so respectful of others that they will always wear their best clothes for these types of occasions.

Within minutes, we were immersed into the details of his situation.  This man sitting next to him was his uncle.  This was not Gwatalo's house or even his uncle's house, it was just a house being used for the visit.  The sponsor information regarding his father was correct, his father was no longer living.  We were shocked to find out that his mother had died also.  He and his five siblings had to move away because his parents were dead.  Yes, in a matter of minutes, Gwatalo went from a child we had only known in a picture, to a real child who was sitting next to us, who had been orphaned, who was poor beyond imagination.  And yet Gwatalo was such a normal kid.  He smiled, he was amazed by the crank flashlight we gave him, he was thankful for the blankets and clothes we gave him.  I still can feel his hands inside my hands.  Though dirt penetrated every wrinkle and callous on his hands, they were still the hands of a child, hands similar to my own children.  I couldn't help but think of the Big Fella or of Eddie Joe.

Sunshine and I both were brought to tears at his story.  A story that can be repeated over and over by the many, many children we met.  A story that is so common that it does not even create a pause or emotion from the Ethiopians.  This is life to them.  This is normal.  This is why they have sponsorship programs and why they give their lives to reach out to hundreds of children in this one town alone.

I'm thankful to have met Gwatalo.  I'm thankful to have brought a few gifts to him.  I'm thankful to have had the chance to hold him, to tell him that even though his mom and dad are no longer with him, God loves him and God cares for him.  Even though Gwatalo now lives in an area where there is no sponsorship program, I still pray for him and know that God can reach him no matter where he lives.  God can bring peace to the life of this little boy who lives in untold chaos.  God is the answer to every need he will ever have.  And yet it still pains me to wonder who is holding him now, who is caring for him, who is providing for him?

There are thousands and thousands of Gwatalos in Ethiopia.  What will we do to help?  There are also many, many hurting souls in our own city.  What will we do to help?  How will we be involved?  God is the answer.  He knows the deepest hurts and He alone can heal them.  Whether in remote parts of Africa or in the prosperous areas of our own neighborhoods, He is present, He is working, He is alive.

It's good to be HOME!

HOME, oh how it is good to be home!  Being with my family, eating familiar food, sleeping in a familiar bed, and breathing the fresh smells of a clean bathroom.  These are just a few of the things that I have enjoyed since getting home on Tuesday.  Our minds and our bodies are so accustomed to our comforts that when they are taken away, we suddenly realize how tightly connected we are to these things.  They not only bring us comfort, but they also bring security, familiarity, predictability, and satisfaction - they bring rest and relaxation and peace to our lives.

Since being home, sleep has been overpowering in the early evening and elusive in the early morning.  My body is unsure in which Continent it has landed and to which timezone to secure itself.  Gradually, the sun's cycle and my sleep cycle are merging.

For those of you who helped support the efforts of the playground equipment in southern Ethiopia, we want to say, "Thank you!"  It was a great success and a lot of fun to watch the kids who were watching the equipment go into place.  The merry-go-rounds and slides and swings will see many, many hours of non-stop play.  The equipment will bring joy to the lives of many children who have so little.  It will give them a chance to experience exhilaration and excitement in a land where survival is all they really know.

Thinking about the many children I saw, it became clear how very similar they are to my own children.  They are not unique creatures made and fashioned to live without food and water, or home and shelter, or mom and dad.  They have needs and emotions and joys and tears just like my own children.  They have ear infections and fevers and cuts and bruises.  They enjoy sports and playground equipment and singing and each other.  They have feet that get sores and infections when they don't have shoes to wear.  They go to school and learn to read and write.  They love to sing songs about Jesus.  Yes, they are very similar to my own children.  Being with these kids brought them from a distant scenery to a close reality - a close reality where I could hold them and look in their eyes and see that they are just kids.  There are many of them that I won't forget.  Whether it was an excited smile or a weary look in their eyes, they became real to me.

In the end, what do these kids need?  They need the same thing my kids need.  They need love, family, God, school, food, water, and medical care.  And yet many of these things are missing.  Each child has a story and each child has a different need.  And thankfully the organization that we traveled with is reaching into each child's life, each family's life, to meet these needs - to make sure that these children are not forgotten.

It's good for me to be home.  And I'm praying that all of these kids that roll through my  mind would experience the same kind of home, the same kind of peace, the same kind of love.

The Lost Boys of Sudan

We watched the documentary "Lost Boys of Sudan" a couple of nights ago.  I really didn't know what to expect.  We had selected it in our Netflix cue and it eventually showed up in our mailbox.  Coordinating movie time for just mom and dad usually takes days or weeks in our house.  But, Friday night the calendars finally aligned and Heather and I had the TV all to ourselves.

 

The Lost Boys of Sudan are men that have grown up in refugee camps in neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia.  They have lived in those camps for many years and are orphans as a result of the genocide killings in southern Sudan.  Through unmentionable atrocities they suddenly were forced to leave home and country and family.  And they all did this as children, many under the age of 10 with no parents and no siblings.  Can you imagine your own children enduring this?

 

There were a number of "I didn't know that" moments during the movie.

 

I didn't know that so many southern Sudanese boys had escaped the attacks of the northern Sudanese armies.

I didn't know that so many of them had traveled for days and weeks and months across treacherous territory.  Taking attacks from gun-firing army militias, blood thirsty lions and hyenas, and the most paralyzing of all fears - starvation.

I didn't know so many of them had reached neighboring countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia and were set up in refugee camps.

I didn't know that they lived in those camps for many, many years.

I didn't know that so many had been given visas to enter the US via a government sponsored program.

I didn't know that we as a nation had turned our backs on them once they arrived.  OK, so maybe we didn't actually turn our backs on them, but how did we really help them once they got here?

In the end, the movie had a number of moments that stirred the mind to consider these people that are nearly invisible to us.  Many people have provided help in a variety of ways, but have we really met their needs?  Have we really invited them into our country and our culture?  Have we embraced them so that they feel welcome in our churches?  Have we left the comforts of our churches to go and minister to them?

 

These Sudanese men remind us of our Peaches.  They have the same beautiful dark skin.  They have similar lankiness, similar facial features.  We clearly see the connection between the Dinka people (Lost Boys' tribe) and the Anuak (Peaches' tribe).  It makes us remember where she came from.  It makes us remember the miracle that has happened in her life and in our lives over the past two years.

 

Oh God, we thank you that you brought our beautiful Peaches into our lives and that you spared her from the potential horror and pain that likely awaited her.  Oh God, we thank you that you kindly showed mercy in her life and kindly brought joy in our lives as you united us together.  How grateful we are for your mercies each day and your loving, sovereign hand.  Help us to be mindful of those around us each day.  Help us to be your light.  Help us to be your servants.  Help us to go where you send us.  Help us to love the least of these.  Help us to spread your glory.  Open our eyes.  Use us Lord.

Shining in Shone

Our group leaves for Ethiopia on March 4th.  We are feverishly working to get ready to leave.  It is getting exciting, though at times I'm feeling like, "didn't I just do this?"

Our traveling group is up to 11 from the Sioux City area and 19 overall.  We had another meeting last night to work through some of the details, including discussing the medical supplies, the swing set, the donations, how we're going to connect with the sponsored kids, and of course we had some great food, dessert, and coffee.  There were also a number of other things we talked about that resulted in roars of laughter,  but those are not blog-appropriate - please ask me in person if your interest is peaked!

We also took some time to talk about why each of us felt that God had led us to go on this trip.  It was clear that God had led each of us on separate paths in the last several years, with each path aimed toward this trip.  And the really cool part is that the trip isn't the end of the journey, it is merely just another step in each of our lives.  He will continue to work in each of us, taking us to amazing places as we yield to His leadership.  Where will each of us be a year or two years from now?  How will we be affected by the trip?  How will God show Himself to us?

I have again been thinking about the parable in Matthew 25, where Jesus tells the story of the King who separates the sheep and the goats.  The climax of the story is the realization that for both groups, their end is determined by what they did or didn't do.  Neither realized their encounters with the "least of these" were actually encounters with the King.  And their acceptance or rejection of the "least of these" was actually a rejection of the King.  Why did some meet the needs of the "least of these" and some reject them?  Was it due to goodness within them?

We are going to a place that is filled with people that our society would call the "least of these."  We will be with people who have nothing.  Nothing, that is except disease, hunger, loneliness, and despair.  We who are going are broken vessels - complete with faults, weaknesses, fears, and failures.  In ourselves, we have no ability to say yes to the needs of the "least of these."  We would reject them every time if it were up to us.  But God has poured His love into us, so that that same love can pour through us into the lives of others.  If God had not poured His love into us first, we would walk away.  We would be OK knowing that there are starving, diseased, ignored people on the other side of the globe.  We would be OK doing nothing.  The only reason we go is because God was not OK with walking away from us.

So our going to Ethiopia to meet the needs of the "least of these" does not put an emphasis on us, but instead puts the focus on God.  Because it is He that transforms broken vessels in useful vessels.  He fills those useful vessels with Himself and puts them in a place to serve others.  Not because of the beauty of the vessel, but because of the beauty of the Potter.

A Swingin' Good Time!

Peaches and T-Bird enjoying the swings at Hannah's Hope - Feb 2011

Last night we had a fundraiser / soup and pie supper / worship music night at Southern Hill Baptist here in Sioux City.  The purpose of the night was to share the needs of the trip we will be taking in March to Ethiopia.  Let me just say that it was an amazing night!  There were over 200 people in attendance.  That's over 200 people that have a heart for the orphan, a heart for missions, a heart for serving others.  Over 200 people right here in Sioux City.  It was a beautiful night to be a part of.

For those who have been following the fundraising for the swing set, we had raised $560.  In just a couple of weeks we were already at about 1/3 of the cost of the swing set equipment.  I was amazed at how quickly God was bringing in the money.  Well, you can imagine how excited I was to be given $1100 last night toward the swing set project!  That put us over the amount that was needed for the equipment.  We are grateful for all who gave and grateful that God has provided over and above our need.  We will use the additional money toward the tools that we need to bring and the additional luggage fees that will be required.

We are rejoicing in God's goodness toward the project!  We are rejoicing as we think about many, many kiddos that will soon be swinging and giggling with delight on the swing set that so many people have donated toward.  I can't wait to post pictures when we return!

So thank you to those who have given and to those who have prayed.  I wish you could come with us and push some kids to delirious heights on their new swing set!

In addition to the money collected for the swing set, we also collected over $2000 toward the general expenses of the trip.  That money will be used to help with travel expenses (~$2000 per person) and with medical supplies that we are going to be bringing.  We will be starting to organize the medical supplies list and costs next and that will likely bring some additional fundraising efforts.  So stay tuned!

We are just six weeks away from traveling.  We still have a lot to get done.  Please pray for our preparations, please pray for our additional fundraising, please pray for our hearts to be ready to go.  As Matthew 25:40 states, we are going to serve the least of these.  God is rolling that passage through my mind as we think about the why's of going to such a far-off place to serve such destitute people.  Is it really worth it?  After reading the passage in Matthew 25, it is clear that we are not just going to serve these beautiful people, but we are going to serve Jesus.  In as much as we go and serve the least of these, we go and serve Him.

Reflecting on a Swing Set

Another swing set update!  We have now received $510!  I'm amazed by all of the support that so many people have shown with money coming from many different locations.

I am constantly thinking about how we're going to get all of this equipment into our checked luggage.  Wondering did we bite off too much?  What was I thinking?  And then I start to think of the smiles that await us, the excitement of the kids as we assemble the swing set, the joyous screams of children as they swing.  And that is when I remember that the hassles that we are facing are well worth it.

I worry about raising money for a swing set, they worry about finding food.

I worry about finding space in my luggage for swing set parts, they worry about having clothing to wear.

I worry about the endless hours of travel in a cramped airplane, they worry about sitting on a street curb alone for yet another night.

I worry about all of the vaccinations that I have to get, they worry about disease that will likely end their lives much too soon.

The swing set serves as another reminder of the different worlds that we come from - our world and their world.  We have so much - and for that we should not feel guilty, but thankful.  Because we don't go and we don't give because of guilt, we go and we give because of thankfulness.  We go and we give because God has flooded our lives with His goodness - flooded us to the point where it naturally flows to others.  And we want others to experience this flooding of goodness that only God can accomplish in someone's life.

Yes, reflecting on the swing set makes me more and more ready to go!  How about you?

Swing Set Update

We are excited that $335 has come in for the Ethiopia Swing Set project.  As we have contemplated this project, I have envisioned the kids at the orphan care center watching with curiosity as we build the swing set.  Since many of them have never seen a swing set, there will be looks of bewilderment, watching the Ferengis assembling this odd contraption.

Knowing that they will giggle with glee as they experience the combination of weightlessness and gravity-rush for the first time, we press on with this project.  To us the swing set can merely be a task-oriented maze of budgeting luggage space, coordinating tool requirements, and arranging financial support.  However, to the kids who will soon be learning how rear back in a swing and reach their feet toward the sky, it represents a sense of freedom, exhilaration, and joy.

I spoke last night with Anna who has traveled many times to Ethiopia and has seen first-hand what a swing set can do for children.  Children who have nothing to call their own, who live a life of extreme poverty, and may or may not have parents or a home to call their own.  She shared with me how these kids line up for hours just to get a single turn on a swing set.  She shared how the swing sets are used constantly and become a symbol of pride for them, since it may be the only thing that they can call their own.  It may be the only thing that gives them a brief freedom from the difficult life they live.

We are thankful that God has every detail of our upcoming trip taken care of.  There are no needs that He is not aware of.  As we travel to Ethiopia, we are looking forward to loving the children, serving the workers, and experiencing what God has in store for each of us!

Home for Christmas

I was sitting in bed with Peaches last night reading to her a Facebook comment from a family of a Hannah's Hope adoptee friend of hers.  We had posted the picture shown above on FB and her friend Ujulu left a comment (via his mom).  As I read it to her, Peaches was puzzled.  She said, "Ujulu can speak?"  She was surprised that Ujulu could speak the English words that I was reading to her.  In her mind Ujulu was still in Africa, still at Hannah's Hope, still speaking a language different than English.

I began to explain to her that Ujulu is in America, that he lives with a family, and that he speaks English....just like her.  She replied, "Ujulu is not in Africa?"  I said no and repeated that he is in a loving home in America just like her.  The wheels began to whirl in her mind.  Her life at Hannah's Hope was frozen in her mind with all of her friends still there.  Had things changed?  Had her friends also found homes?

One by one we talked about her friends from Hannah's Hope:  Luma, Mana, Lidya, Tizita, Sophee, Ujulu, Amani, Angesom, Liya, Hiyab.  Yes, they were all in America, all in a home, they had all left Hannah's Hope, they had all left Africa.

As Peaches pondered this, I also pondered this.  What an amazing reminder of where our Peaches came from.  It's easy to forget that she is a former orphan from Africa - she is so normal.  And a reminder of how many kids' lives have changed dramatically in just one year.  Last Christmas all of these kids were either at Hannah's Hope or had not even arrived there yet.  They were orphans, living life without parents.  They were learning to survive on their own, learning to fend for themselves, learning to ignore their internal hurt and pain and loss.  They were internally morphing into what a child becomes apart from a family.  And now a year later, they are opening presents in loving homes, surrounded by a mom and a dad, filled with wonderful foods, enjoying the comfort of their own beds. 

God does an amazing work when he transitions the life of an orphan into a family.  He begins His miraculous healing work and reaches those places in a little heart that only His hand can reach.  He mends the broken-hearted and He heals their wounds (Psalm 147).  We've seen this work in our own little Peaches' life and I'm sure the families of her HH friends have also seen His gentle, yet mighty hand at work.

I'm thankful for these families that have brought these little ones into their homes.  I'm thankful for the many families that have helped us over and over again in the last year as we have brought Peaches into our home.  It has been a joyous year - we stand in awe of God's goodness in our lives - we would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

What a perspective to think of our Savior entering into our world.  So thankful that His healing touch extends beyond the pains of our soul and reaches in to heal us of our sin.  And this healing is complete and forever. 

Yes, we are thankful for the birth of our Savior and we welcome into our lives as our King. 

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Family Sing-along

Our church has a night of special music each year for Christmas.  Our Family sang the Selah song, "Light of the Stable."  In the video from left to right are Rye Bread, Sunshine, Heather, and T-Bird.  Levi "The Beat" is on drums and I'm on piano.  Enjoy!

Orphans Need Families

Celebrating Our One Year Referral-versary

We joyously celebrated the one year anniversary of our referral tonight.  So thankful for our Peaches.  So thankful that she is home.  So thankful for the many, many blessings we've experienced over the past year.

Together as a family we went out to eat and remembered some of the details from 12/2/10.  What fun!  And as we were remembering we were a year ago and what we were doing, it was sobering to think that Peaches was still getting situated at Hannah's Hope in Addis, having been there for only a week.  I can't imagine what that transition was like for her.  I can't imagine how scared she must have been.  I can't imagine how alone she must have felt.  A 4 year-old without family.  Can you imagine?

This scared little girl is now glowing with joy, has a laugh that we all love to hear, and calls us "mom" and "dad" in a way that melts your heart. 

She's home now.  She's comfortable here with us.  She's one of us.  We are so thankful for her!!!  God has been so good to continue to heal her little heart and to pour much grace upon all of us.  What a year to reflect on!!!

Some pics of that amazing day and that amazing phone call!

 The Referral Call!!!  Heather talking to Kiersten getting the amazing news!

 Getting ready to open the email with the details!

Together looking at our beautiful little girl!!!

And please click HERE for the link to the blog post for the amazing Referral Party!

Happy 18th Birthday Sunshine!!!!

Well, it's here.  My little girl is officially 18.  I believe that to some that might imply being grown up and may also involve maturity.  Well, not so sure where she stacks up on those things, but I do know she enjoys a good time!  And based on her birthday celebration Skype call that I hear going on right now between her and her College Plus friends, I would say she is certainly fulfilling her calling for having fun!

For her birthday weekend, Sunshine arranged a great weekend celebration with all of us together, which included taking the whole fam to the "Muppet Movie" (fantastic movie, BTW), going to Wendy's for lunch today as a family, having the entire Beaver family over for the afternoon, and a (most likely late night) Skype call with her College Plus peeps.  She has had an amazing weekend, and it hasn't just been fun for her, it's been fun for the whole family to celebrate!  It really was cool that the main thing that she wanted to include in her birthday celebration was to celebrate with her family, all of us being together.  Not too many 18 year-olds want to celebrate such a milestone with her family!  We're thankful that God has placed a desire within all of our kids to enjoy being together.

Our little girl was born 18 years ago in Augusta, Georgia.  She was 7 weeks premature and was born at just under 5 lbs.  She ended up staying in the NICU for 12 days.  It was strange when Heather came home from the hospital and we had to leave our newborn behind.  Fortunately we didn't know any better since she was our first.  Based on who she is today, I'm guessing Sunshine thought it would be way more fun to hang out in the NICU with the other babies!  I'm sure it was one LOUD room!

I'm thankful for our Sunshine.  As her blog title states, she brings "Bursts of Sunshine" wherever she goes (and BTW "Bursts" can often be translated as "drama" too - we'll see if she reads this or not!!).  There's usually not a dull moment as she is usually capable (along with her brother Rye Bread) of bringing an entire school day to a screeching halt with endless lines from movies and Tim Hawkins.  But in the midst of all the excitement (again, read drama), there is a heart for God that desires to honor Him and serve Him.  As parents, we are blessed.  And we know that where she is today is completely by His grace and by His doing.  He is the one who has made her who she is - not our parenting, and not our genes.  I'm thankful that it rests on His goodness and His wisdom rather than our own!

We hope you have had a great birthday Sunshine and we hope you know that your birthday celebration (again, read drama) does not extend into the next week!  We love you very much!

I thought I'd post some more of her senior pictures (taken by the great Mrs. Beaver).  Enjoy!