Wow, it has been quite some time since I have even looked at our blog. It is amazing how fast the time goes by when you are busy. Since our last post in the Amsterdam airport, Marilyn and I were blessed to experience a bit of the beautiful countries of Uganda and Ethiopia. It would be difficult to retrace every step of that incredible three week trip. So, here are our highlights! Ethiopia has captured our hearts, especially the small town of Korah in Addis Ababa. God orchestrated some life-long relationships with the people in Korah and the individuals on our mission team. The best part of our trip took place after our return flight was postponed for a week due to the eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland. Some would say we got "stuck" in Ethiopia, however, we believe that it was intentional. During the extra time there, we accomplished a lot. Marilyn and I visited the U.S. Embassy and our adoption agency (America World Adoption Agency) to become a little more familiar with the process of adopting in Ethiopia. Where we need to go and who we need to see, will pay off when we go back for our court appointment and Embassy date. If it were not for two great men, named Bisrat Fantahun and Sami Liben (who work for the Ethiopian Guest House as translators and work in various ministries in Korah), we would have struggled to navigate through the city or even communicate with the locals. Busy and Sami are very dear to Marilyn and I and we look forward to
seeing them again soon. During our time in Korah, we were told that there were many orphaned children who desperately needed a home. We began to search and ask if we could meet these children. We met several precious little ones whose parents were extremely ill or had passed away. We prayed that God would show us the child or children we should adopt. Two days before we were to fly out we met Rediet. Both of us knew instantly that this little girl was the one. Her mother has been living with HIV for the past few years and has endured a tough existence. She explained to us that she was an orphan herself and has struggled throughout most of her life in Korah. She said that she has been praying for years that a Christian family would come to Korah and want to adopt her little girl. The conversation with Rediet's mother was emotional and touching. She expressed how she felt that Marilyn and I were the family she had been praying about. She went on to say that from the first time she saw us, days earlier in Korah, she immediately knew why we were there. Marilyn asked her what she desired most for her children. Her response showed how much she loves her babies. She said that she desires first and foremost for them to be raised to know and love Christ. Also, if Rediet were to be adopted and no longer have to suffer in poverty, she would be extremely happy and feel her prayers had been answered. Rediet has an amazing older brother named Barnabus. We would be overjoyed to make him a part of our family as well. The issue of Barnabus not being around to care for his mother as her illness progresses is highly complex. There are social and moral expectations of an oldest child to care for ill parents. Through a sponsorship program, Barnabus also has an opportunity to attend a Christian boarding school located several hours outside of the city. He will be forced to make some very difficult choices in the months to come. Behind every adoption story, even the happy ones, there is a background of sadness and tragedy. Our hearts break for this family in so many ways. Sami has assured us that he will see to it that their mother is well taken of, no matter what.
We have also been helping with Marilyn's Grandparents. While we were in Africa, her Grandparents were both put on Hospice. On our return home, Marilyn and I ended up moving them into our home for a short time until we (Marilyn's dad, aunt, and us) could figure out how to get them into a nursing home. It is sad to have family placed in a nursing facility, but they need that level of care and supervision. We have been visiting them several times a week to spend time with them and trying to keep up their moral .
Our family has had a lot of unique experiences over the past couple of months. As we have looked back, God has been in on all of it. It's amazing the perspective we have gained after visiting Africa. Marilyn and I have been drawn to Africa for some time. Over a year ago we were praying for the country that we should adopt from. Africa stood out to us, so we ran with it. The reason for our trip to Africa was to see what plans God had for us. We were feeling pulled to go, maybe even move over there. We felt that we might find God's purpose, or His reason for us to go, in Uganda. Marilyn and I analyzed and tried to figure it out the entire time while in Jinja, Uganda. We didn't know that God had already worked out the details of our trip even before we left the U.S. God revealed everything when we met that sweet four year old girl, her remarkably charming brother, and their beautiful mother, living in the dirt streets of Korah. Once again, we figured out that we are experts at standing in the way, trying to control and direct the events before us. God is truly in control and He is just asking us to be obedient, step aside, and follow Him. I am sure glad we listened.
Here are some websites about Visiting Orphans and Korah:
http://isaiah49.blogspot.com/
http://www.helpkorah.com/
xavierpacheco.com/post/Korah-e28093-The-Cursed-People-of-Ethiopia.aspx
http://michaelhalcomb.blogspot.com/2009/12/sons-of-korah-in-ethiopia-heirs-to.html
