Africa, especially Ethiopia is never far from my mind. How could it be really with two beautiful reminders dancing around me each day and another waiting across the world? The images that Nick brought back from his trip last month bring mixed emotions. Ethiopia is an absolutely beautiful place for so many reasons. At first glance, the extreme poverty is almost overwhelming. But then, I'll look at the smiling eyes of a child that's been given a glimmer of hope through the work that is being done there and the work that is ongoing behind the scenes thanks to the many sponsor families and through the donations of generous benefactors and suddenly, joy radiates through the despair.
We're finishing up our study on Radical and in one of the final chapters, David Platt writes, "Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. but once you do, everything changes." We feel honored that we have been able to hold orphans in our arms. It changed EVERYTHING for us. The video below is a compilation of the images and people that Nick encountered on his trip. Real people with names. I pray that they are harder to ignore once you see their faces.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Hi, I love following your blog as we too are in the process of adopting an older sibling set from Mekelle. Just wanted you to know I couldn't see the pics with this post.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any really helpful hints about adopting older siblings(ours are 6 &7) send them my way.
www.daveangdonaldson.blogspot.com
Powerful! Reminds me of this little story...
ReplyDelete"On the street I saw a small girl, cold and shivering in a thin dress, with little hope of a decent meal. I became angry and said to God, 'Why did you permit this? Why don't you do something about it?'
"For awhile God said nothing. That night He replied quite suddenly, 'I certainly did do something about it -- I made YOU.'"
I wanted you to know that I read your blog :) And your video on youtube from when you went to Ethiopia for your daughters is one that convinced us to begin the process of adopting from Ethiopia. We are just in the beginning and we are trusting the Lord for the finances. It is such a roller coaster already, but the Lord uses your blog to remind me that there is no doubt that we are doing the right thing.
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