Ethiopia Day 1

We get no internet in our room, so I came to a sister guest house today to try to connect. Finally-success! I wanted to update on our past 2 days, and writing a note was the best way. Our flight arrived yesterday (Sat) at 8:20 a.m. (Ethiopia time). We got through customs fairly quickly and to our guest home. We had pretty much been awake since Thursday morning, so a nap was absolutely necessary. After sleeping about 3 hrs. we got up and ventured out for the afternoon. There's another family adopting staying here with us. Just the two of us with the entire house to ourselves. Very cool! After dinner in our guest home, we ventured to the "sister guest home" to meet another America World family. We all sat on their veranda and enjoyed some great adoption talk and conversation. As we sat there, talking, it kept running through my mind how amazing it was that here I was looking out into the African sky waiting to get my youngest child in the next couple of days. I still find it breathtaking to see all God has done. I had no idea how much more the Lord would take my breath the next day.

This morning, we woke up after a great night's sleep for me. The continuous barking dogs and music piping in the speakers around our neighborhood kept Sean up a few times, but I was so exhausted, I slept right through it. The last time we were in Ethiopia we attended the international church which was a wonderful worship experience. We worshipped with many from so many different nations. This trip, we have felt God calling us out of the box and umbrella of organization and just totally in what HE wanted to do. This began with where we are staying and continues with our daily agenda simply being surrendered to Him and nobody else's plan. Some friends had asked us if we were interested in attending a church in the dump, called "Korah” with them this time. Some of you may have seen a video I posted on here a few months ago about that. If not, you can youtube the name. 130,000 people live in this dump-mostly those who are lepers, HIV positive, and hundreds of orphans. It's considered "unclean" by many here to associate with them. We found out about a church planted in this area, and felt like the Lord wanted us to got HAD to be, as Beth McKenzie would have never come up with this idea, I can assure you. We went with the two other families I have mentioned above. The service was in Amharic, the main language of those in Ethiopia. We couldn't understand the details, but it was very clear hearing Jesus Cristo, Hallelujah, and other phrases. Then, as the service continued, the pastor walked over to Sean. Let me just say we were never introduced other than American friends. No one knew Sean was a pastor. Anyway, he walked over to Sean and asked him to preach. Ha! And Sean thought he had a day off..... I could tell Sean was a little nervous, but he was willing to share. The Lord pointed him to Colossians 1, a passage our small group has been focusing on for awhile now. There was even a translator there for the people. I was so in awe of God speaking to the people here about the Supremacy and Sufficiency of Jesus. They had SO much need, and yet He has everything they need. A baby behind me kept grabbing my shirt, nearly crawling up my back. I so badly wanted to just hold her in my arms, but was afraid the mom would get a weird idea about the American "ferenge" (word they use for us white folks here). So, I resisted. Ooooh, that was SO hard. I truly felt the Spirit speaking through their pastor and Sean, enabling each of us to hear in our own language, but marveling at how big of a God He was to be our translator. Amazing! After the service, the pastor asked to sit down and speak with us and the other two families. He shared his burden for the people of Korah, and now after experiencing this firsthand we shared his burden, too. He mentioned they were trying to have a bible study for the children in their fellowship next week, where they could feed them, clothe them, and provide the Word to them. He asked for our prayer support, but the Lord burdened our hearts to help him carry this load, and we were all compelled by the Spirit to give. Another amazing note was that a few months ago, Sean shared this video on Korah with our Awana kids. One little girl was so burdened that she came up to me the next Sunday morning and handed me some of her own money to help the children in Ethiopia. I had been thinking and praying about this and did not feel the Lord wanted me to buy anything in advance to take. Sean and I talked some more, and said we would wait and pray for God to show us. As soon as this pastor began sharing this burden, we looked at each other at the SAME time, and said, “This is it.” So, sweet girl, I cannot wait to share with you how the Lord used that money and joined it with three other families to bless above-exceedingly beyond-what they could imagine. Isn’t He so cool?! We had the joy to hug and talk with several of the people. Lepers, sick, small children. We made sure to touch each one as we greeted them and spoke blessing over them. I couldn't help but wonder how often they ever get touched or hugged or held. My heart was both leaping with joy at the privilege and crying with grief for their sorrow. I'm so thankful they heard and hopefully know the Hope that we know.

As if that wasn't enough, after church, I got to do one of my dream trips here in Ethiopia. We visited Desta Mender, which is translated "Village of Joy." Desta Mender is a farming community established for young girls/women who have suffered childbirth injuries due to their young age and complications at delivery. Again, I have mentioned this on here before, but you can youtube "Walk to Beautiful" and watch this incredible video about the hospital and this precious village. It's worth the 55 minute, I promise. It was quite a drive out into the countryside, but worth every bit of it. We ate at their cafe, where some of the ladies work. I made sure to make eye contact with each one. I asked the Lord to help us show His love through our countenance and affection. We toured the farm after our late lunch and while checking out the dairy cattle in the barn encountered some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. I truly think that Ethiopians are the most beautiful people God has created. They are stunning! As I was taking pictures, they were curious. I finally showed them a funny picture of one of the cows that I caught with his long tongue stuck waaaay out. They laughed so hard. It made me laugh with them. Then, we asked if we could take pictures with them. They were excited to oblige. Sean and the guys took pictures of us with them, then we showed them our pictures. They giggled, covered their mouths, and were amazed at our instant digital pictures. One of the children with us speaks Amharic, as she was just recently adopted. I asked her to tell me how to say "beautiful" in Amharic. We told each of them how "onja" they were. I prayed that they would truly believe that, despite how their life circumstances had been. That place was a haven for us today. It felt so peaceful. So calm. Such a sweet reminder that God is "El Roi"...the God Who sees. He saw their pain, and has come to save them and help them know freedom, in many ways. I still cannot believe that I had the privilege to experience that. They blessed me so much more than anything I could have done for them.

So, tomorrow is the day. Gotcha day! The day we officially take custody of Levi. We meet with Levi's birth father and uncle around 10:30 Ethiopia time. Right afterwards, we head to the transitional home to deliver the many donations collected and most importantly GET OUR BOY! He will no longer be closing his eyes as an orphan, but falling asleep tomorrow night with his forever mama and daddy. My heart continues to skip a beat when I even think of it.

Sean and I have a general idea of questions we've written down to ask his birth father and uncle. Please pray that we would most importantly be open and attentive to what God wants us to say or not say. We are learning through this trip what it truly means to give up our plans, or someone else's plan, and lean on Him for every detail. His plan is perfect, if we would only trust. Thanks for your encouragement, support, and your prayers. We will try to update our day tomorrow night after putting Levi to bed. :)