Mission Ethiopia 2009

My sweet husband made a video montage of our trip to Ethiopia. He took the pictures off my computer without me knowing and created this beautiful video as a surprise while he was out of town. Love it. It so beautifully captures Ethiopia, the people, and how blessed we were to be there. Enjoy!

Hands & Feet

I posted this on our family blog but I know some people check this blog and don't keep up with our other one. A peek at what God is doing in our lives.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 25:35-40

This is our hearts desire. To walk out what God has called us to do, to meet the immediate needs of others, to show them the love of Jesus in the every day. Not just here in the states, but around the world. Our hearts are in Ethiopia. We desire to have a long term connection with Ethiopia and the amazing people that live there. We have for awhile.

David and I have had many a long night discussions on what this means for us, what this means for our family, how are we going to instill this in our children, to teach them to love others, to care for the weak, the needy, the less fortunate. God put Ethiopia on both of our hearts but at separate times only to be shared later. Nearly two years ago. As time has gone on, having been there, bringing home our amazing son Silas the desire to do more has intensified. God laid Ethiopia on our hearts for a reason, he's given us a permanent reminder of this beautiful country, His unfailing love, divine plan, and provision in our lives through our son Silas. We desire for Silas to love God, love his people, his country, and to grow up with a deeper desire to reach others for Christ through practical application and ministry. We want this for all of our children. What better way to teach then to see it walked out first hand.

We're not sure just what that means for all of us in the long term but for now we feel God has provided an awesome opportunity for me to travel back to Ethiopia and see first hand some of the ministries going on there. We are looking to possibly partner, support, or work along side like minded people. Some of these ministries are already in place, need support and to get the word out while others are just getting started. We're open to whatever God has for us and are excited about this opportunity.

What does that mean? Lord willing I will board a plane to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to see first hand these ministries at work. To walk among the people in Ethiopia yet again, to meet the immediate needs of those I come in contact with and to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I go with full blessing from my husband, none of the details are worked out, this is a faith move. We don't have the money for me to go but God has made it clear to both of us that at this moment we are simply supposed to be willing, God will work out the details and we are EXCITED! This is completely unlike me. I am a mama, I don't leave my children and go to a foreign country to help others. Crazy I know, believe me, I've battled with my own thoughts and even told David I wasn't going when we were hit with some spiritual warfare days after committing to making this happen. None the less my husband is my biggest encourager and says its just more reason why I should go.

When I first learned about this trip (you can read more about Mission Ethiopia on Dave's blog.) I was intrigued but thought there was NO WAY I could do something like that. I mentioned it to David wishing we could both go. He quickly replied, why don't you go? I was shocked. We prayed for a week or more and in that week I met Steffany through the amazing blog world, I'd read her blog before but she posted something on a board I'm on and it struck me to the core. She brought a woman home from Ethiopia when she went to adopt her twins. A stranger! A stranger that has become her best friend. Why? To give this sweet woman's unborn baby a chance at life. I was so amazed it really hit me hard. Would I do that for someone? I honestly didn't know. I would like to think I would but seriously - would I? I want to be that kind of christian. David and I want to be those kind of people. We want our children to be those kinds of adults. A few days before that I had a conversation with Brandi who is always an inspiration to me. She told me about Katie. I read through Katie's blog that night, reading parts to David as I sobbed. This young woman is such an inspiration, she is a mother to 10, read it TEN orphaned children. Her faith is challenging, her surrendered heart obvious. She challenged me to do more.

Why all of this? God used each of these women to confirm in me that God wants us. Regular people, regular families, broken vessels. I'm willing, I know God will provide and while it seems crazy to some its feeling pretty normal to us.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:14-18

Now the tough part. I'm not one to ask for anything, I am the helper, the one who jumps to meet a need, the friend, the tough one. Yet God has convicted me in this area, humility, according to the dictionary: The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement.

We can't afford this trip. We're far from rich in monetary means, we're still recovering from an adoption, the economy stinks and my husband is in the building industry. Yet I know my God is so much bigger then any of these things. We couldn't afford an adoption either but God could and he provided every step of the way. I know He can do it again and I rest in that. It goes against every bone in our bodies to ask for money. Yet the Lord has made it clear that this is an area He desires to refine in us. Humbling ourselves enough to say publicly this isn't in the budget. Allowing others who maybe can't go 1/2 way across the world for various reasons share in this journey by helping out monetarily. I was sharing my heart with a friend and she so wisely told me I was possibly taking away other peoples joy and blessing by not sharing what God was doing and what the need was.

Most of all we covet your prayers as we work through all of these details. Prayer for our children, prayer for the timing, and prayer that Gods will be done. In order to take donations if that is what is on your heart, I've set up a chip in account, I will post the link at the bottom of this post and it will remain on my side bar until I leave. Once the financial goal is met (having full faith that it will be) I will be taking the donation information down. This trip is relatively inexpensive in comparison to other mission trips to Africa. I need $235 bucks to hold my spot, my husband has said we'll be putting that down in faith. The biggest expense is the airfare. I have a goal of $2500 and whatever is not used on airfare/food will be used to purchase items in country to meet the immediate needs of those I come in contact with. Amazingly enough Dave and Rae are putting all of us up in their Ethiopia Guest House at no charge, Dave is the one arranging the trip and has done an AMAZING job thus far of putting all the details together. If this is something you'd like to do as well I encourage you to contact Dave or email me and I'll get you in touch with him. We are excited to see God provide and are grateful for this opportunity to share with our friends and family what God is doing in our hearts.

Ethiopian Guest House

I don't post on this blog super often but I know it is listed on our agency's blog roll and I use it for reference when people ask us questions about adoption. I always love it when there are opportunities to support something in relation to Ethiopia, orphans, and adoption.

Recently the owner of this
Ethiopia Guest House left a comment on my blog. I was so intrigued by what he and his wife were doing that I sent him an email. Dave is so wonderful to work with, he's easy going, passionate, and I only wish this guest home was available when we went to Ethiopia. Here is an excerpt from their vision that is posted on the site.



Ethiopia Guest Home is not going to save the world, but we are going to make a difference one child at a time. We will fund programs that seek to lower the need for adoption. Ministries that seek to de-stigmatize HIV and encourage people to seek treatment will be funded. Single mothers will be assisted with tools, skills, and resources that may be needed to sustain their families. We have partnered with World Orphans, who have contracted to build 15 church-based children’s homes…to support Ethiopians caring for children who may not be adopted internationally. Programs that seek to assist women who are HIV positive to be treated and lower the risk of passing on the virus to their newborn children will be funded.

How awesome is that? Not only do they boast 4 star accomodations and a FREE massage for each adoptive parent is included with your stay. AMAZING I say.

So if your travelling soon or in the process of adopting and need a place to stay add this one to your list!

Silas' Adoption Video

I just realized I never posted this on our adoption blog. Its hard to believe Silas has been home for seven months already! He's changing so quickly! We absolutely adore this little bundle of energy, it brought back so many memories making this video, the tears were flowing more often then not as I remembered the sweet faces of the children at the orphanage and the amazing nannies that had a part in making Silas the boy he is today. Its a bit long at 9 minutes 43 seconds but its well worth it! Enjoy!

Six Month Post Placement!

Amazing.

Silas has been with us for nearly six months already! Its hard to believe its already been that long. This little boy is so happy, he brings such incredible joy to our house and lights up a room. He is so loving, affectionate, and gregarious.

We met our social worker at Starbucks and she was very impressed with Silas' communication and how well he is adapting to his new family. After lots of questions, some examples of Silas' knowledge and abilities, a slew of pictures, discussion of our readoption court date, we're done for another six months!

Silas is adjusting beautifully. In fact he's doing so well that I can officially say the "honeymoons over"! David and I have had to step up our game on the discipline front, consistancy is key, little Mr. Silas caught on sooner then we gave him credit for. He's beyond time outs and straight into losing privledges. Seems to be working like a charm. I talked with AMAZING Marianne about his little antics and she agreed - time to crack down! One thing she suggested that has worked wonders is letting Silas know what we expect from him when his surroundings change. Things one might assume a three year old would know. He kind of forgets. So, when we go to church we remind him that he needs to not run, he needs to share in Sunday School, he needs to stay with mom or dad, and most of all to use his inside voice. This works great! Whether in the car, going to the store, a restaurant, or having people over. He does very well with these situational reminders. :)

So six months in here's Silas' accomplishments:

Speaks english fluently and in full sentances.
Can tell you the color blue, red, and sometimes yellow.
Counts to 11 every time, can sometimes get to twenty.
Can copy his name if you write it first.
Swims effectively.
Can buckle and unbuckle himself in his carseat. (yes, he's already unbuckled while driving - he won't be doing that anytime soon. Guarenteed.)

Knows how old he is, when his birthday is, and will tell you when asked.

Knows his ABC's and sings them regularly.

Knows his full name and randomly inserts another name he likes that week as needed. (name du jour Lewis)

Rides a trike, scooter, and anything else you let him get his hands on.

And whats a blog post without pictures? Here's our little man over the last month.