Why Ethiopia?

One of the most common questions we are asked is, "Why Ethiopia?" Some ask out of curiosity, and others out of their own belief that we should tend to "our own" first, meaning we should adopt locally or within the U.S. before considering an international adoption. There's a lot of things I could say, but what it basically boils down to is because God has pointed us there. It's hard to try to explain why God does what He does. He's God! He's wiser than us, and knows what is best for our lives. Therefore, we trust Him. It's why Sean was called to ministry out of the secular business world. It's why we live 10-12 hours away from our families. I mean, there's plenty of churches in Kentucky where we could be serving, but God has called us here on the ESVA (and we are SO happy He has!) :) It's part of His plan, and we've seen HIS plans are always good. When we began seriously considering adoption, we were open to whatever possibilities were around us and investigated ALL of the options. Personally, international adoption is something that God has always laid on MY heart, so I truly felt that was the direction we would be going. It doesn't mean we think it's the way to go for everyone called to adopt by any means. EVERY child, regardless of where they were born or where they now live deserves a family and a home. In God's eyes, there are no favorites-they are ALL precious and the apple of His eye. Our desire was to find the one He's selected for us, knowing He's chosen that since before the foundation of the world! Pretty cool, huh?

When we knew that God was calling us to international adoption, we began to investigate various countries. Through a lot of prayer and research, Ethiopia continually came up before us. I believe it was just God's way of revealing His plan to us. I was completely ignorant about Ethiopia, so I thought it would be helpful to share with you who may not know some general information concerning this country.

1. * Ethiopia is located in East Africa but is landlocked. The country of Eritrea separates it from the Red Sea. It is also bordered by Somalia, Kenya, Sudan and Djibouti.

1. * Ethiopia is about twice the size of Texas and has varying landscape. It includes parts of the Nile River and the Great Rift Valley.
   

1. * Addis Ababa is the capital and is located in the central highlands. The elevation there is approximately 8000 ft. which is the third highest in the world.
   

1. * There are wide ranges in climate due to the varying topography. It ranges from mountainous areas to desert lowlands.

1. * Ethiopia is the only country not colonized as European nations were taking over rule of various countries in Africa. The only exception was for a brief period from 1936 - 1941 when they were occupied by Italy.
   

1. * Ethiopia is a very diverse culture. There are over 80 different ethnic groups. This has resulted in a great variety of languages, food and customs. However, Amharic is the primary language spoken.
   

1. * Ethiopia is a very poor country. Over half the population lives below poverty level.

1. * Ethiopia is an ancient Christian nation with deep rooted Ethiopian-Orthodox customs and practices. Judaic-Christian roots can be found in both Hebrew and Christian scriptures. About half the population is Christian.
   

* Coffee is a very important crop. Ethiopia is often credited for discovering coffee as a drink.

HAVE to plug this here: Don't forget you can support our adoption by ordering coffee at ANY time. For every bag of coffee (or any other item including mugs, shirts, etc.), we receive $5 towards our adoption!

http://www.justlovecoffee.com/mckenzies

The stats that REALLY grabbed our heart however, were these:

* One out of every 20 children born alive die in their first month of life

* One out of ten die before reaching their first birthday

* One out of six die before reaching their fifth birthday

* The median age in Ethiopia is 18

* 1.5 million people in Ethiopia are infected with AIDS

* Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa

* Population is nearly 75 million people with close to 6 million orphans. Children are primarily orphaned due to poverty and disease.

There are many obstacles and hurdles to jump in any adoption. None is easy in any way- emotionally, physically, or financially. If left to my own preferences, my comfort zone would have most likely been to stay in the U.S. I hate flying and two trips to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia would most likely not be in my list of "top vacation spots." I couldn't dismiss this longing that I now believe was God's prodding in my heart to step outside that comfort zone. We don't consider ourselves as ones to be honored or praised for this. Only God gets that credit! There is absolutely nothing special about us. We're just simply trusting God with a desire to be obedient as we go get our son and bring hope to a child who might never have a chance to know the Hope that we know.

"So don't be afraid: I'm with you.
I'll round up all your scattered children,
pull them in from east and west.
I'll send orders north and south:
'Send them back.
Return my sons from distant lands,
my daughters from faraway places.
I want them back, every last one who bears my

name, every man, woman, and child
Whom I created for my glory,
yes, personally formed and made each one.'"

Isaiah 43:5-6 (MSG)