For two months now, we have been planning for our 3rd annual seminar. It is now fast upon us, scheduled for Saturday September 27th from 8am - 4pm. Registration is now open at www.pray.org . A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided which is why we need people to register. The event will offer general sessions with personal testimonies, breakout sessions on a multitude of topics and an expo area with many adoption agencies and support organizations. This event is open to the public so please if you know someone considering adoption, refer them to this seminar.
Please pray that our event would glorify God and help to educate, equip and encourage those who attend.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
And Now We Wait!
Yesterday, I walked to the mailed box opened the door and there laying on top of all the mail was our Immigration Approval. My eyes filled up with tears. This is the last and most important document that allows our children to come home to us. We've been waiting on this for 3 months and now we have it.
We can officially go on the wait list now.
As I mentioned in my previous post, we have been told that the average time on the wait list is 3-5 months. Having our children home seems so much closer than ever before.
I will probably spend this time investigating the possibility of using our frequent flyers or credit card points to cut down on travel cost.
Also, need to start thinking about who will care for the kids while we are gone. I want them to be able to stay in their own home and beds. I think it will cut down on the stress and anxiety for them. Someone mentioned to me about having a progressive sleepover where friends come for 2-3 nights at a time to stay with the kids. I'm going to make sure they are lined up to go to school every day during the week. This is the one area that I am most uneasy about. Please pray that we will find a good solution.
The room for the boys is ready with bunkbeds. We just need to paint the nursery and get the crib set up.
The next few months will be busy with the planning and putting on of our 3rd Annual Adoption Seminar & Expo, vacation in October (we can't wait!) and all the birthdays, anniversary and holidays through the end of the year.
Things are getting ready to kick into high gear in the George household.
We can officially go on the wait list now.
As I mentioned in my previous post, we have been told that the average time on the wait list is 3-5 months. Having our children home seems so much closer than ever before.
I will probably spend this time investigating the possibility of using our frequent flyers or credit card points to cut down on travel cost.
Also, need to start thinking about who will care for the kids while we are gone. I want them to be able to stay in their own home and beds. I think it will cut down on the stress and anxiety for them. Someone mentioned to me about having a progressive sleepover where friends come for 2-3 nights at a time to stay with the kids. I'm going to make sure they are lined up to go to school every day during the week. This is the one area that I am most uneasy about. Please pray that we will find a good solution.
The room for the boys is ready with bunkbeds. We just need to paint the nursery and get the crib set up.
The next few months will be busy with the planning and putting on of our 3rd Annual Adoption Seminar & Expo, vacation in October (we can't wait!) and all the birthdays, anniversary and holidays through the end of the year.
Things are getting ready to kick into high gear in the George household.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Paperwork Pregnancy Done! (for now)
Well, we finally completed all of our application and dossier paperwork for our adoption. Two weeks ago, we received our official Gladney approval and today we mailed off our completed dossier. Yeah!!!!!! The last piece of the puzzle is to get our immigration approval which we hope to have in the next 3-4 weeks. Then, we go on the wait list. We've been told that the average time on the wait list is 3-5 months. We could have a referral as early as December and be traveling 1-2 months later. Of course, we are talking about international adoption so who knows. It could be sooner or later than that. For some reason I have had one or two inklings that this may happen fast. That may just be wishful thinking but I'm covering our bases, just in case.
Wow! By Spring time, our new children could be home with us. We are so thrilled we can not even put it into words.
Please pray for us. Once we get our referral that is when the last and largest chunk of money is due (excluding travel expenses)for the adoption. God has been and will be faithful to us.
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him!!!
Wow! By Spring time, our new children could be home with us. We are so thrilled we can not even put it into words.
Please pray for us. Once we get our referral that is when the last and largest chunk of money is due (excluding travel expenses)for the adoption. God has been and will be faithful to us.
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him!!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Pajama Drive for ACC pictures are here!
Here are the photos from when we delivered the pajamas to the Africa Children's Choir. Two of our pastors from church joined us as well as their wives and my friend who introduced us to Mirembe. You'll see us serving dinner to everyone, the pajamas being passed out, taking the pastors on a tour and the kids performing during their worship and praise time in their new PJ's.
The kids were THRILLED to get new PJ's. Thanks to all who gave so generously.
The kids were THRILLED to get new PJ's. Thanks to all who gave so generously.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
143,000,000 (Million!) Orphans in the World
Wow! That sounds like A LOT! But, can we really comprehend what 143 million orphans looks like? I know it's a lot but I can't get my mind around that number. Or at least I could not until I saw this short 4 minute video.
Please watch.
I just can't even stand it. I feel like my heart is going to burst for these children! In the words of Kay Warren .... I have become seriously disturbed and gloriously ruined. I will NEVER stop trying to help these children. And, I will never feel like I am doing enough.
Oh God! Please help us to do more!
Please watch.
I just can't even stand it. I feel like my heart is going to burst for these children! In the words of Kay Warren .... I have become seriously disturbed and gloriously ruined. I will NEVER stop trying to help these children. And, I will never feel like I am doing enough.
Oh God! Please help us to do more!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Reflecting on God's Grace
As the last month or so has passed us by, I sit back and wonder at God's grace and mercy.
We've spent the last few weeks searching for a new place for my parents to downsize to, putting their house on the market and selling almost everything they own via Craigslist. God provided the perfect 1 bedroom first floor apartment in the perfect cozy little complex that NEVER has 1 bedroom first floor apartments available. He provided that every last large piece of furniture be sold which in turn provide for some extra "move-in" cash for them. The house is listed with a reputable agency and has already had it's first showing within the first week and was in the prospective buyers top two picks.
Over the past few weeks, we have also been in the middle of a pajama drive for the children of the African Children's Choir. Everyone so graciously donated and we had almost enough PJ's for each child to get two pairs. On June 28th, we took the PJ's, dinner, bubbles and some arts and craft supplies out to the kids. We were also blessed enough to have two of our pastors from church, and their wives, join us. I hope to post pictures of the kids in their new PJ's very soon.
We are also in the midst of kicking off the planning for our Annual Adoption Seminar & Expo to be held September 27th.
And, on top of all of this, we just completed ALL our paperwork for the adoption. We should have agency approval within a week and immigration approval in August. YEAH! Adoption is very much like being pregnant. The paperwork phase is like the 9 months of carrying the child, the referral is like seeing the ultrasound of our child and the first time we actually see them and hold them is like their birthday into our family. Completing the paperwork is a HUGE milestone in the process. Even if it is our third and fourth child it is just as exciting as the first just without all the unknowns.
We have recently learned that some friends of ours who use to attend Providence and helped to start the Adoption & Orphan Care Ministry with us, have recently felt called to adopt from Ethiopia. They too are adopting two children. My heart overflowed with joy and my eyes welled up with tears when they told me.
You see, adopting from Africa is not some trendy thing to do. It's not following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie or Madonna. It's a true tug at your heart strings for the African people. A true calling to want to be a mother and a father to one of these orphaned children. It does not matter, the color of their skin. Why would these precious children deserve any less to have a mother and a father or OUR love simply because of the color of their skin? Why should we not listen to God's calling (or our heart) to grow our family simply because of the distaste someone else may have for an inter-racial family? It breaks my heart to know that people think and feel this way. I know that what I have heard so far is only the tip of the iceberg and we will experience this much more once we actually become an inter-racial family. Most people's comments are not said out of harm or racism but simply out of a lack of understanding.
I read part of an article called "One Race" on the website http://www.answersingenesis.org/ . The article talks about how we are all ONE race. We are all decendents of Adam and Even and then Noah and his wife. Throughout this time, there was one language and skin color or shades of that color (medium brown), until the Tower of Babel. Then, man was scattered around the earth with different languages imposed upon them when God became angry with mans disobedience in building the Tower of Babel. From that point forward, mans geographic region helped to determine the amount of melanin their skin produced.
Regardless of all this, we are all sons and daughters of God. We were all created in His image. Noone has greater superiority or worth because of the color of their skin. God made us all equal. It is by His love and His grace alone that we may enter the kingdom of Heaven and Heaven will be a rainbow of skin colors. I hope that my family, both by our hearts and skin colors, will be a reflection of Heaven to others.
We've spent the last few weeks searching for a new place for my parents to downsize to, putting their house on the market and selling almost everything they own via Craigslist. God provided the perfect 1 bedroom first floor apartment in the perfect cozy little complex that NEVER has 1 bedroom first floor apartments available. He provided that every last large piece of furniture be sold which in turn provide for some extra "move-in" cash for them. The house is listed with a reputable agency and has already had it's first showing within the first week and was in the prospective buyers top two picks.
Over the past few weeks, we have also been in the middle of a pajama drive for the children of the African Children's Choir. Everyone so graciously donated and we had almost enough PJ's for each child to get two pairs. On June 28th, we took the PJ's, dinner, bubbles and some arts and craft supplies out to the kids. We were also blessed enough to have two of our pastors from church, and their wives, join us. I hope to post pictures of the kids in their new PJ's very soon.
We are also in the midst of kicking off the planning for our Annual Adoption Seminar & Expo to be held September 27th.
And, on top of all of this, we just completed ALL our paperwork for the adoption. We should have agency approval within a week and immigration approval in August. YEAH! Adoption is very much like being pregnant. The paperwork phase is like the 9 months of carrying the child, the referral is like seeing the ultrasound of our child and the first time we actually see them and hold them is like their birthday into our family. Completing the paperwork is a HUGE milestone in the process. Even if it is our third and fourth child it is just as exciting as the first just without all the unknowns.
We have recently learned that some friends of ours who use to attend Providence and helped to start the Adoption & Orphan Care Ministry with us, have recently felt called to adopt from Ethiopia. They too are adopting two children. My heart overflowed with joy and my eyes welled up with tears when they told me.
You see, adopting from Africa is not some trendy thing to do. It's not following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie or Madonna. It's a true tug at your heart strings for the African people. A true calling to want to be a mother and a father to one of these orphaned children. It does not matter, the color of their skin. Why would these precious children deserve any less to have a mother and a father or OUR love simply because of the color of their skin? Why should we not listen to God's calling (or our heart) to grow our family simply because of the distaste someone else may have for an inter-racial family? It breaks my heart to know that people think and feel this way. I know that what I have heard so far is only the tip of the iceberg and we will experience this much more once we actually become an inter-racial family. Most people's comments are not said out of harm or racism but simply out of a lack of understanding.
I read part of an article called "One Race" on the website http://www.answersingenesis.org/ . The article talks about how we are all ONE race. We are all decendents of Adam and Even and then Noah and his wife. Throughout this time, there was one language and skin color or shades of that color (medium brown), until the Tower of Babel. Then, man was scattered around the earth with different languages imposed upon them when God became angry with mans disobedience in building the Tower of Babel. From that point forward, mans geographic region helped to determine the amount of melanin their skin produced.
Regardless of all this, we are all sons and daughters of God. We were all created in His image. Noone has greater superiority or worth because of the color of their skin. God made us all equal. It is by His love and His grace alone that we may enter the kingdom of Heaven and Heaven will be a rainbow of skin colors. I hope that my family, both by our hearts and skin colors, will be a reflection of Heaven to others.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
An Amazing Weekend!
We had the most amazing weekend!
You may have heard of the African Children's Choir. They have performed on American Idol, The Ellen Degeneres Show, for the Queen of England, and other notable venues. They are a group of 26 children (mostly orphans) who tour the US and world performing to raise awareness and money to help care for and educate the orphans back in Uganda.
The African Children's Choir now calls the Triangle home. King's Park International Church purchased about 6 acres and a house out on Jordan Lake for the children to use as their home base when they are not touring. The house is called "Mirembe" which means "peace" in their native language of Uganda.
The newest group of children just arrived this past Thursday. Friday night, we took dinner out to the kids. The children are so loving. They ran up to us when we arrived and showered us with hugs calling us Auntie and Uncle. We were able to play, talk, laugh and eat with them. We also had the privilege to stay late and worship and pray with them, after they were in their pajamas. It was the MOST amazing time. I felt so close to God and to our unknown children we are adopting from Ethiopia. It was difficult to hold back the tears of joy and love.
Again, on Saturday we went back out for dinner and a welcome party with a much larger group of people.
It was apparent on Friday that the children need an new pajama wardrobe. So, our ministry is having a pajama drive for the children. PJ's for Mirembe! There are approximately 14 girls and 14 boys sizes 7-10. If you would like to purchase some new pajamas (no gowns please) to donate, contact me for drop off.
For more information about the African Childrens Choir or Mirembe House, check out their website at www.africanchildrenschoir.com or www.friendsofmirembe.org
You may have heard of the African Children's Choir. They have performed on American Idol, The Ellen Degeneres Show, for the Queen of England, and other notable venues. They are a group of 26 children (mostly orphans) who tour the US and world performing to raise awareness and money to help care for and educate the orphans back in Uganda.
The African Children's Choir now calls the Triangle home. King's Park International Church purchased about 6 acres and a house out on Jordan Lake for the children to use as their home base when they are not touring. The house is called "Mirembe" which means "peace" in their native language of Uganda.
The newest group of children just arrived this past Thursday. Friday night, we took dinner out to the kids. The children are so loving. They ran up to us when we arrived and showered us with hugs calling us Auntie and Uncle. We were able to play, talk, laugh and eat with them. We also had the privilege to stay late and worship and pray with them, after they were in their pajamas. It was the MOST amazing time. I felt so close to God and to our unknown children we are adopting from Ethiopia. It was difficult to hold back the tears of joy and love.
Again, on Saturday we went back out for dinner and a welcome party with a much larger group of people.
It was apparent on Friday that the children need an new pajama wardrobe. So, our ministry is having a pajama drive for the children. PJ's for Mirembe! There are approximately 14 girls and 14 boys sizes 7-10. If you would like to purchase some new pajamas (no gowns please) to donate, contact me for drop off.
For more information about the African Childrens Choir or Mirembe House, check out their website at www.africanchildrenschoir.com or www.friendsofmirembe.org
Friday, May 16, 2008
From the Mouths of Babes
So, this morning my 4 year old daughter comes into our bedroom wide awake and in a good mood (for a change). She says that she had good dreams last night. She dreamed of God (and ladybugs, her favorite). She asked me to come and sit beside her on the couch and said we needed to pray to God. I sat down and said "okay".
She put her little hands together and said "Dear God, thank you for my baby sister and brother in Epiopia (Ethiopia) and thank you for my mommy and my daddy and my baby brother Joshie, Amen".
I almost fell apart crying. I held her and kissed her and told her how much she meant to me and that God loved her prayer very much.
Then, later that morning while in the makeup section at Walmart, she decides that she needs to open a bottle of lotion and put some on her face. It was self tanning lotion!!!! All over her face and hands.
Kids are so precious and funny. They can take you from one emotional extreme to another.
We spent the day running errand for Joshie's birthday cookout and mailing off adoption paperwork. We are up to our eyeballs in paperwork. You would think I would be use to this by now. The other night, I joked with Mike and said that since we were having twins (not really but adopting two)that my "paperwork" labor pains must be worse this time around. He asked me if I needed an epideral. :-) It helps to keep a sense of humor about things.
She put her little hands together and said "Dear God, thank you for my baby sister and brother in Epiopia (Ethiopia) and thank you for my mommy and my daddy and my baby brother Joshie, Amen".
I almost fell apart crying. I held her and kissed her and told her how much she meant to me and that God loved her prayer very much.
Then, later that morning while in the makeup section at Walmart, she decides that she needs to open a bottle of lotion and put some on her face. It was self tanning lotion!!!! All over her face and hands.
Kids are so precious and funny. They can take you from one emotional extreme to another.
We spent the day running errand for Joshie's birthday cookout and mailing off adoption paperwork. We are up to our eyeballs in paperwork. You would think I would be use to this by now. The other night, I joked with Mike and said that since we were having twins (not really but adopting two)that my "paperwork" labor pains must be worse this time around. He asked me if I needed an epideral. :-) It helps to keep a sense of humor about things.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
And we're off!!!!
This has been an exciting week for us. We had not planned to start the paperwork process until August but God has provided for us to start things and after talking with the agency we think the timing will still work out. So, this week we submitted our application to the agency, as well as our application for immigration approval.
As I said, God has provide for us to "start" things. This tells you that this is definitely a step of faith. Within 12 months our adoption should be complete and we will have come up with a large amount of money to pay for it. Do we have 100% of the funds today? No! Do we know where the money is going to come from over the next 12 months? Not exactly. But, what we do know is that this is what God has called us to do and He will orchestrate the exact and perfect timing and funding of bringing our children home.
Over the last 4 years, I have seen Him provide for us for two adoptions from Russia and now he has called us to Ethiopia. How could we doubt Him when He has been so faithful and generous to us.
Please keep our family in your prayers as we travel down this new road.
As I said, God has provide for us to "start" things. This tells you that this is definitely a step of faith. Within 12 months our adoption should be complete and we will have come up with a large amount of money to pay for it. Do we have 100% of the funds today? No! Do we know where the money is going to come from over the next 12 months? Not exactly. But, what we do know is that this is what God has called us to do and He will orchestrate the exact and perfect timing and funding of bringing our children home.
Over the last 4 years, I have seen Him provide for us for two adoptions from Russia and now he has called us to Ethiopia. How could we doubt Him when He has been so faithful and generous to us.
Please keep our family in your prayers as we travel down this new road.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
AMAZING Inspiration!
I just got back from the Christian Alliance for Orpahn's Summit IV in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The conference started off with a performance from the World Help's International Children's Choir. I was moved to tears as I watched these children perform. They were singing African style songs, playing drums and worshipping the Lord with their hands reaching up to heaven. I am just so thrilled that God has opened our hearts and minds to welcoming and loving children of a different culture.
Dennis Rainey spoke on Thursday evening and said something which really struck a chord with me. 99% of the worlds orphans will never be adopted. This is why orphan care is critical. We must be the visible love of God to these children, just as Jesus was the visible God to us.
Kay Warren, wife of Rick Warren the author of Purpose Driven Life and Pastor to Saddleback Church, spoke on Friday. She was choked up the minute she stepped up to the microphone, before even saying a word. She spoke of the 143 million orphans in the world and the 7,500 new orphans each day. She admitted her ignorance several years ago when she did not know a single orphan, a single person that was HIV positive and thought you could "catch" Aids by casual contact. She said that the church, the body of Christ, needs to become "seriously and permanently disturbed" about the orphan pandemic. She talked about the verse Mark 8:34 which says to deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me. About how we will become "gloriously ruined" when we give up our cross.
The scriptures command us over and over again to care for the orphan. I believe there is an awakening that is occuring within the Christian community. "The ground is thawing and Asland is on the move". What is your plan for fulfilling the scriptures command? Are we busy doing the things that God wants us to do? It was the faith that God would use 1 small stone to take down the giant (David & Golith). WE are that 1 small stone.
There were at least 15 people at the conference from NC. Many of us have met each other over the past year or so and several of us just met at the conference. Everyone was so pumped up to get home and start making plans to care for the orphans of the world and to encourage others to step up and do the same. The momentum was infectious and exciting. Can't wait to see what God does!!!!
Dennis Rainey spoke on Thursday evening and said something which really struck a chord with me. 99% of the worlds orphans will never be adopted. This is why orphan care is critical. We must be the visible love of God to these children, just as Jesus was the visible God to us.
Kay Warren, wife of Rick Warren the author of Purpose Driven Life and Pastor to Saddleback Church, spoke on Friday. She was choked up the minute she stepped up to the microphone, before even saying a word. She spoke of the 143 million orphans in the world and the 7,500 new orphans each day. She admitted her ignorance several years ago when she did not know a single orphan, a single person that was HIV positive and thought you could "catch" Aids by casual contact. She said that the church, the body of Christ, needs to become "seriously and permanently disturbed" about the orphan pandemic. She talked about the verse Mark 8:34 which says to deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me. About how we will become "gloriously ruined" when we give up our cross.
The scriptures command us over and over again to care for the orphan. I believe there is an awakening that is occuring within the Christian community. "The ground is thawing and Asland is on the move". What is your plan for fulfilling the scriptures command? Are we busy doing the things that God wants us to do? It was the faith that God would use 1 small stone to take down the giant (David & Golith). WE are that 1 small stone.
There were at least 15 people at the conference from NC. Many of us have met each other over the past year or so and several of us just met at the conference. Everyone was so pumped up to get home and start making plans to care for the orphans of the world and to encourage others to step up and do the same. The momentum was infectious and exciting. Can't wait to see what God does!!!!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Busy, busy, busy ...
Sorry to have not posted in a while. It's been busy around the George household. Two weeks ago Josh fell and got a huge goose egg over his right eye (which has now turned into a black eye) as well as a bad gash inside his right ear. We thought he was going to need stitches. It was a clean cut and has healed nicely using Derma Bond. I love our pediatricians office as we were able to take him there to have all this treated, instead of the ER or urgent care.
Last weekend, both kids and then Mike were sick with a bad stomach virus. We had to cancel Josh's birthday cookout. Calgon!!!!
The ministry has been just as busy. Two weeks ago we hosted a "Post Adoption - What to Expect from a Medical Perspective" seminar. Our pediatrician was the guest speaker. We've also had some exciting developements around a potential grant fund that I hope to be able to blog in more detail about later. This weekend, I will be attending the 4th Annual Summit for the Christian Alliance for Orphans in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This Alliance was formed by Family Life, Focus on the Family and Shaohannah's Hope. There will be many key leaders in the adoption and orphan care arena in attendance. I have learned several people, that I have met over the last year or so, from NC will also be attending. I am excited to attend and come home recharged for God.
This past Saturday, we held a social at Pullen Park. It was a beautiful day. We met a family who just came home two weeks ago with their two baby boys from Ethiopia. They are beautiful children. Every day we become more encouraged and inspired about our decision to go to Ethiopia to adopt. We know that God has called us to do this. I am so anxious to get started on the paperwork.
Last weekend, both kids and then Mike were sick with a bad stomach virus. We had to cancel Josh's birthday cookout. Calgon!!!!
The ministry has been just as busy. Two weeks ago we hosted a "Post Adoption - What to Expect from a Medical Perspective" seminar. Our pediatrician was the guest speaker. We've also had some exciting developements around a potential grant fund that I hope to be able to blog in more detail about later. This weekend, I will be attending the 4th Annual Summit for the Christian Alliance for Orphans in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This Alliance was formed by Family Life, Focus on the Family and Shaohannah's Hope. There will be many key leaders in the adoption and orphan care arena in attendance. I have learned several people, that I have met over the last year or so, from NC will also be attending. I am excited to attend and come home recharged for God.
This past Saturday, we held a social at Pullen Park. It was a beautiful day. We met a family who just came home two weeks ago with their two baby boys from Ethiopia. They are beautiful children. Every day we become more encouraged and inspired about our decision to go to Ethiopia to adopt. We know that God has called us to do this. I am so anxious to get started on the paperwork.
Monday, April 7, 2008
About Ethiopia
Ethiopian Flag
Ethiopia is a magnificent ancient land with a host of modern problems. Deforestation, drought, and soil degradation have caused crop failures and famine during the past few decades. It has been a period of great turmoil. Seven million people face starvation. Forty percent of rural households do not produce enough food or income to meet their basic nutritional needs.
Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II.
Africa’s 10th largest country, Ethiopia lies in the northeast region known as the Horn of Africa, just north of the Equator. It spreads across more than 1.2 million sq. km of savannah, desert and mountain highlands. Addis Ababa is the Ethiopian capital.
Axum is the oldest city founded around the second century BC. This ancient settlement is frequently referred to as “the sacred city of the Ethiopians”. It is a site of many remarkable monuments attesting to the great antiquity of religious expression in Ethiopia. Theory has it that Axum is the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant which is considered the most precious and the most sacred object of Old Testament times. The most famous Ethiopian river is the Blue Nile which runs a distance of 1,450 km. Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley is the only geological feature of the world visible from the Moon.
Ethiopia is home to a rich cultural mosaic due to its 80 different languages and nearly 200 dialects. Amharic is the official language. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is taught in all secondary schools. The cultures and customs of Ethiopia are as colorful and varied as its many landscapes.
Ethiopia along with Liberia, was one of two places in Africa which was never colonized by European powers despite colonial interests and designs on Ethiopia in the “Scramble for Africa”. The first wild coffee beans were taken from the province of Kaffa in Ethiopia to Arabia more than 500 years ago.
Ethiopia has 4.6 million orphans, one of the largest numbers of orphans in the world, and of these, 1.2 million are AIDS orphans. Malaria remains as one of the major causes of morbidity and contributes to 47% of children’s deaths. The generally poor health of Ethiopians as a result of drought, malnutrition, limited healthcare, and other infectious diseases has caused HIV to progress rapidly to AIDS.
The word Ethiopia appears in the King James Bible version 45 times. When the word Ethiopia is used in the bible, it most of the time refers to all the land south of Egypt. Sheba is believed to have been Queen of Ethiopia and it is through her, Ethiopian rulers claim royalty.
Ethiopia is a magnificent ancient land with a host of modern problems. Deforestation, drought, and soil degradation have caused crop failures and famine during the past few decades. It has been a period of great turmoil. Seven million people face starvation. Forty percent of rural households do not produce enough food or income to meet their basic nutritional needs.
Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II.
Africa’s 10th largest country, Ethiopia lies in the northeast region known as the Horn of Africa, just north of the Equator. It spreads across more than 1.2 million sq. km of savannah, desert and mountain highlands. Addis Ababa is the Ethiopian capital.
Axum is the oldest city founded around the second century BC. This ancient settlement is frequently referred to as “the sacred city of the Ethiopians”. It is a site of many remarkable monuments attesting to the great antiquity of religious expression in Ethiopia. Theory has it that Axum is the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant which is considered the most precious and the most sacred object of Old Testament times. The most famous Ethiopian river is the Blue Nile which runs a distance of 1,450 km. Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley is the only geological feature of the world visible from the Moon.
Ethiopia is home to a rich cultural mosaic due to its 80 different languages and nearly 200 dialects. Amharic is the official language. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is taught in all secondary schools. The cultures and customs of Ethiopia are as colorful and varied as its many landscapes.
Ethiopia along with Liberia, was one of two places in Africa which was never colonized by European powers despite colonial interests and designs on Ethiopia in the “Scramble for Africa”. The first wild coffee beans were taken from the province of Kaffa in Ethiopia to Arabia more than 500 years ago.
Ethiopia has 4.6 million orphans, one of the largest numbers of orphans in the world, and of these, 1.2 million are AIDS orphans. Malaria remains as one of the major causes of morbidity and contributes to 47% of children’s deaths. The generally poor health of Ethiopians as a result of drought, malnutrition, limited healthcare, and other infectious diseases has caused HIV to progress rapidly to AIDS.
The word Ethiopia appears in the King James Bible version 45 times. When the word Ethiopia is used in the bible, it most of the time refers to all the land south of Egypt. Sheba is believed to have been Queen of Ethiopia and it is through her, Ethiopian rulers claim royalty.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns - My FAVORITE song
I break down in tears every time I hear this song. It speaks directly to my heart.
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe to the voice of truth
And I will listen to You...You are....
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe to the voice of truth
And I will listen to You...You are....
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
God Plants the Seeds ....
Last July, as we started to plan our ministry's annual Adoption Seminar and Expo, God started to place upon my heart that we needed to offer a breakout session to address questions and concerns about adopting outside of your skin color. We were connected with Rebecca Kepley and she hosted one of the 40 minute breakout sessions. As I was busy overseeing the entire event, I did not have an opportunity to attend her session. Later in the year, while putting together the 2008 calendar of events for the ministry, God again pressed upon my heart to offer a few more of these seminars as stand alone seminars throughout the year. So, again I contacted Rebecca and she was more than willing to assist with these. We held the first in March of 2008 and I was in attendance. It was an amazing 2 hour seminar packed full of helpful information. Rebecca and her husband have a precious little girl who is bi-racial and adopted domestically. They are now waiting for a court date to go and complete the adoption of their little boy from Ethiopia.
Also, last April, at our annual social at Pullen Park, we met the Mestas family. The have three biological children, 2 twin boys adopted domestically and were in the process of adopting three children from Ethiopia. The Mestas adoption journey is an amazing testimony of faith and we asked them to share it at our Adoption Seminar & Expo in September. Over the next few months we got to know the Mestas and followed their adoption journey through their blog. In October we attended a small fundraiser luncheon to benefit Shaohannah's Hope, an adoption grant fund started by Stephen Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. Stephen was in town to perform at the State Fair and so he performed at the luncheon for us. The Mestas received their referral of twin baby girls and a sibling brother in August. Over the next three months, it was very exciting to read the daily updates to their blog. The week of Thanksgiving, they traveled to Ethiopia, to bring their children home. (the same time we brought Emily home in 2004)
Late in 2007, I began to wonder if God was calling us to do more than just "promote" adopting outside your skin color. Maybe He was calling us to actually adopt outside our skin color. I pondered the thought often and would occasionally talk about it with Mike. In January, we went to meet the Mestas new children and in February we attended their new daughters 1st birthday.
One morning I was driving to work and thinking about a rainbow and how beautiful it is with all it's many colors. I thought about how boring it would be if a rainbow were all the same color. What a beautiful thing God created! I thought this was a good analogy of adopting outside your skin color. As I turned the corner, right smack in front of me was a gorgeous RAINBOW! It was an overcast day, no sunshine and no rain. The conditions were not good for such a wonderful rainbow, or any rainbow for that matter. God had placed that rainbow there in the sky at that moment to speak directly to me. He was telling me that THIS is what he had planned for us.
As I talked with Mike, over time, about adopting from Ethiopia it was hard for me to get a feel if he felt the same calling or not. Even after asking him at one point, he said he was not against it but had not yet felt the call the way I had. I told myself that this was a decision that we both needed to be in sync with. I thought to myself, if Mike does not want to go to Ethiopia, I will not push it. I mean, look at the two beautiful children we adopted from Russia. Why in the world would I have a problem going back to Russia to adopt two more! Russia would be "easy" for us. Easy in the sense that the process was familiar, the paperwork was familiar, the flights were familiar, etc. Just when I would get comfortable with the idea that we might not go to Ethiopia but back to Russia, God would start to work on me again. He would put people and circumstances in my path. "Easy" is not what God calls us to do. God does not call the equipped but equips the called.
In late March, Mike and I shared our testimony to our Sunday School class at church. Mike shared how God used adopting these orphans to show and give him purpose and meaning in his life and I shared about God's great provision for us with our miracle. It was an emotional day for ALL (Mike, Me and even our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ). I was really proud of Mike. He was so brave and really opened up and shared some very personal things in his life. It's amazing how supportive we can be of one another if we could only let down our guards and be more transparent with one another. On the ride home, as we reminisced about our testimony and talked about the possibility of going to Ethiopia, Mike asked what we were waiting on to make the final decision that our next children would be from Ethiopia. I told him that I was waiting for him to have the "calling". He said, then it's official. Gods wants us to go to Ethiopia to get our children and that is where we will go.
So, it is now official. We will go where God has called us to rescue and bring home our children from Ethiopia.
We will spend the next few months getting the house ready, start the paperwork in August, hope to have immigration approval by December, then go on the wait list and hopefully have our children home by summer of '09.
Sounds a bit planned out, I know! You know me! It's as planned as an adoption can be with the expectation for blips and delays. We are at the mercy of God's perfect timing. So, stay tuned for updates as we travel down this road.
Also, last April, at our annual social at Pullen Park, we met the Mestas family. The have three biological children, 2 twin boys adopted domestically and were in the process of adopting three children from Ethiopia. The Mestas adoption journey is an amazing testimony of faith and we asked them to share it at our Adoption Seminar & Expo in September. Over the next few months we got to know the Mestas and followed their adoption journey through their blog. In October we attended a small fundraiser luncheon to benefit Shaohannah's Hope, an adoption grant fund started by Stephen Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. Stephen was in town to perform at the State Fair and so he performed at the luncheon for us. The Mestas received their referral of twin baby girls and a sibling brother in August. Over the next three months, it was very exciting to read the daily updates to their blog. The week of Thanksgiving, they traveled to Ethiopia, to bring their children home. (the same time we brought Emily home in 2004)
Late in 2007, I began to wonder if God was calling us to do more than just "promote" adopting outside your skin color. Maybe He was calling us to actually adopt outside our skin color. I pondered the thought often and would occasionally talk about it with Mike. In January, we went to meet the Mestas new children and in February we attended their new daughters 1st birthday.
One morning I was driving to work and thinking about a rainbow and how beautiful it is with all it's many colors. I thought about how boring it would be if a rainbow were all the same color. What a beautiful thing God created! I thought this was a good analogy of adopting outside your skin color. As I turned the corner, right smack in front of me was a gorgeous RAINBOW! It was an overcast day, no sunshine and no rain. The conditions were not good for such a wonderful rainbow, or any rainbow for that matter. God had placed that rainbow there in the sky at that moment to speak directly to me. He was telling me that THIS is what he had planned for us.
As I talked with Mike, over time, about adopting from Ethiopia it was hard for me to get a feel if he felt the same calling or not. Even after asking him at one point, he said he was not against it but had not yet felt the call the way I had. I told myself that this was a decision that we both needed to be in sync with. I thought to myself, if Mike does not want to go to Ethiopia, I will not push it. I mean, look at the two beautiful children we adopted from Russia. Why in the world would I have a problem going back to Russia to adopt two more! Russia would be "easy" for us. Easy in the sense that the process was familiar, the paperwork was familiar, the flights were familiar, etc. Just when I would get comfortable with the idea that we might not go to Ethiopia but back to Russia, God would start to work on me again. He would put people and circumstances in my path. "Easy" is not what God calls us to do. God does not call the equipped but equips the called.
In late March, Mike and I shared our testimony to our Sunday School class at church. Mike shared how God used adopting these orphans to show and give him purpose and meaning in his life and I shared about God's great provision for us with our miracle. It was an emotional day for ALL (Mike, Me and even our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ). I was really proud of Mike. He was so brave and really opened up and shared some very personal things in his life. It's amazing how supportive we can be of one another if we could only let down our guards and be more transparent with one another. On the ride home, as we reminisced about our testimony and talked about the possibility of going to Ethiopia, Mike asked what we were waiting on to make the final decision that our next children would be from Ethiopia. I told him that I was waiting for him to have the "calling". He said, then it's official. Gods wants us to go to Ethiopia to get our children and that is where we will go.
So, it is now official. We will go where God has called us to rescue and bring home our children from Ethiopia.
We will spend the next few months getting the house ready, start the paperwork in August, hope to have immigration approval by December, then go on the wait list and hopefully have our children home by summer of '09.
Sounds a bit planned out, I know! You know me! It's as planned as an adoption can be with the expectation for blips and delays. We are at the mercy of God's perfect timing. So, stay tuned for updates as we travel down this road.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Our Journey Begins - The Miracle
We knew we wanted to adopt two more children, we just did not know how we were going to accomplish it. That's where we were mistaken. We were not to accomplish anything. God was going to orchestrate this entire journey.
Even so, we felt overwhelmed at the journey ahead. There is so much to do to prepare our home for two more children. Additional bedroom sets, finishing off a bathroom, making additional storage in our attic since we would lose all our closet space. So much to be done, so much money needed to do it not to mention we had not even started saving for the actual adoption. We felt "stuck" at the starting line.
Here's where God steps in ....
Mike took off one Saturday morning to get out taxes done. We anticipated a slightly larger return this year with us filing both the Federal and State adoption tax credits from our sons adoption in 2007. However, we were sorely disappointed with our tax refund for 2004, even though we had the Federal adoption tax credit that year from our daughter's adoption. So, I was not expecting too much more than normal. After Mike left, I got down on my knees and prayed to God. I layed out for Him all the reasons why this next adoption seemed so unattainable. (as if He did not already know) I told Him that if this was His will, we needed Him to provide for us. After two adoptions in the last three years and now two children we were caring for, we just did not have the money. About an hour later, I sat down on the sofa with my kids. My son comes up to me with a children's bible story book, wanting me to read to them. I opened the book to the next to the last story and began to read.
Matthew 17:24-27
One day, a tax collector told Peter, Tell Jesus he needs to pay his taxes." So Peter went to find Jesus. Jesus already knew what Peter wanted before he spoke, so he told Peter what to do. "Go to the lake and catch a fish. Open it's mouth and you will find a coin. Take the coin to the tax collector. It will be enough to pay your taxes and mine."
Without even thinking, I said to my kids, "see God will always take care of us and provide what we need." I immediately dropped the book and made a quick exit into the next room. I was beside myself. God had just spoken to me through my children and this story. I apologized over and over again for being so doubtful and not trusting in Him. I felt so unworthy of His Love. Later that morning, Mike called to tell me he had finished up with the taxes and to guess how much our return was. $14,000 dollars!!! There was dead silence on my end of the phone. I could not speak I was trembling. I said to Mike, you do not understand. This is a MIRACLE! Through a broken voice, I began to explain to him the events that had transpired after he left the house that morning. I told him that God may as well be standing right here in our house with His hands held out and saying "I told you I would take care of you". This was an answer to prayer and what I call a "blatant miracle". We now have the funds we need to get the house ready, take care of the last of the debt from Josh's adoption and have a small amount left over to start the adoption fund for the next two.
God is so mighty and amazing! Why do we ever doubt Him? Why do we ever think that the things we accomplish and the things we possess are of our own doing. He deserves ALL the GLORY!
Even so, we felt overwhelmed at the journey ahead. There is so much to do to prepare our home for two more children. Additional bedroom sets, finishing off a bathroom, making additional storage in our attic since we would lose all our closet space. So much to be done, so much money needed to do it not to mention we had not even started saving for the actual adoption. We felt "stuck" at the starting line.
Here's where God steps in ....
Mike took off one Saturday morning to get out taxes done. We anticipated a slightly larger return this year with us filing both the Federal and State adoption tax credits from our sons adoption in 2007. However, we were sorely disappointed with our tax refund for 2004, even though we had the Federal adoption tax credit that year from our daughter's adoption. So, I was not expecting too much more than normal. After Mike left, I got down on my knees and prayed to God. I layed out for Him all the reasons why this next adoption seemed so unattainable. (as if He did not already know) I told Him that if this was His will, we needed Him to provide for us. After two adoptions in the last three years and now two children we were caring for, we just did not have the money. About an hour later, I sat down on the sofa with my kids. My son comes up to me with a children's bible story book, wanting me to read to them. I opened the book to the next to the last story and began to read.
Matthew 17:24-27
One day, a tax collector told Peter, Tell Jesus he needs to pay his taxes." So Peter went to find Jesus. Jesus already knew what Peter wanted before he spoke, so he told Peter what to do. "Go to the lake and catch a fish. Open it's mouth and you will find a coin. Take the coin to the tax collector. It will be enough to pay your taxes and mine."
Without even thinking, I said to my kids, "see God will always take care of us and provide what we need." I immediately dropped the book and made a quick exit into the next room. I was beside myself. God had just spoken to me through my children and this story. I apologized over and over again for being so doubtful and not trusting in Him. I felt so unworthy of His Love. Later that morning, Mike called to tell me he had finished up with the taxes and to guess how much our return was. $14,000 dollars!!! There was dead silence on my end of the phone. I could not speak I was trembling. I said to Mike, you do not understand. This is a MIRACLE! Through a broken voice, I began to explain to him the events that had transpired after he left the house that morning. I told him that God may as well be standing right here in our house with His hands held out and saying "I told you I would take care of you". This was an answer to prayer and what I call a "blatant miracle". We now have the funds we need to get the house ready, take care of the last of the debt from Josh's adoption and have a small amount left over to start the adoption fund for the next two.
God is so mighty and amazing! Why do we ever doubt Him? Why do we ever think that the things we accomplish and the things we possess are of our own doing. He deserves ALL the GLORY!
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