A Trip to Ethiopia

This past week, my friend Ben Butler and I traveled to Ethiopia for some preliminary work for “The James Initiative.” We met with local businessmen, church leaders, and orphan care experts to determine the location and scope of our first project.

There is a shift going on in the world of non-profits overseas. They are beginning to realize that the needs of the children do not rise and fall with the American economy. Those organizations who rely 100 percent on foreign donations are struggling right now in the wake of the economic downturn of the West. “Sustainability” projects are popping up left and right as these groups try to determine how to generate income from the local economy in order to support their work. This not only supplies income for orphan care, but it also provides jobs for the local economy. Plus, it just makes sense.

We toured several orphanages that Gladney works with and I fell in love with a little boy. He had an older sister that was 7. Unfortunately, they were not able to be adopted. Their story was like so many others in the orphanages there. They are in the system but a relative won’t relinquish their rights, so the kids are stuck. I had hoped that I might locate a child while I was there, but no such luck. For now, we wait.

Waiting

Psa. 27:14 Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage;

We have finally made it to the waiting stage. All of the paperwork is done for now, and we wait. Within the next 3-12 months (really have no idea how long it might take) we will get a picture of our daughter. This moment feel so much different than it did last time.

What makes the waiting so difficult this time around is that we aren’t waiting for a baby. Babies don’t know their situation isn’t the best. But an older child is left wondering and waiting, hoping a family might adopt her some day. To be honest, there really isn’t much chance for adoption at that age. Except for her. And she doesn’t know that yet. I want her to know that she is loved and chosen, and no one has told her that yet.

In the meantime there is much to do. The rooms have to be moved around in our house to create space, a closet has to be built, and we have a LOT of money to raise. We will not be waiting aimlessly, sitting on our hands while we wait for a phone call.

We will work while we wait until we can bring her home.

Dr. Suess Kennedy

Erin usually tries to go with a theme for the whole crew at Halloween time. That works now, so we go with it. I am sure the day is coming when we can’t convince them to all pick costumes in the same genre, but we are enjoying it while it lasts.

Here is our crazy kids in their Dr. Suess inspired costumes.

Their friends participated in the theme as well. They were pretty cute when they all got together.

What We’re For

When it comes to Christians, everyone on the planet knows we are against abortion. We write it, shout it, and march it. We have bumper stickers and t-shirts and days dedicated to wearing duct tape on your mouth in solidarity against it.

I get it. It’s wrong, and it shouldn’t be legal.  But it is, so what are we going to do about it in the meantime? Did you catch the key word in that sentence? DO, not SAY.

Thankfully there are amazing places like Loving Choices that have harnessed the energy of the pro-life movement into support and care for the girls who find themselves in crisis pregnancies. This week, we had the privilege to attend their annual banquet.  I created a video to help them tell their story and raise support. I hope you are touched by the story and consider supporting this great ministry.

The next time you say something against abortion, dig in your pocket and put your money where your mouth is. The world needs your “do” a lot more than your “say.”

Fall Fun Day

Saturday we spent the day doing just about anything and everything the kids suggested.  It started with a trip to the donut shop with dad.  Everyone slept in till 8:30 (miracle) so we almost didn’t make it in time.

Mom had big plans to make pumpkin cupcakes. They were in some fancy cupcake book, and it is totally impossible to get it to look like the picture.

Here are some shots of the kids making the cupcakes. They had a great time.

Then, it was time to head outside for s’mores and pumpkin carving. The concerned look is from the large burst of flames that just went up in the fire pit. Don’t worry, I was an Eagle Scout. Lighter fluid is perfectly safe.

The girls went for the classic “polka-dot” pumpkin. The boys chose the challenging internet template “Darth Vader.” Needless to say, Darth Vader pumpkin wasn’t actually possible to carve. At least not with a steak knife and a jig saw.

We finished off the evening roasting s’mores and watching the stars come out. It was a great day spent with the kids.