So a week ago Kaylee Ann and I officially ‘committed’ to going to Ethiopia on a “Vision Trip” with Children’s Hope Chest. In a note to our small group I specifically asked for ‘prayers against the ways the evil one would move now that we’ve decided to go’. So you’re thinking...way to go Mrs. Pessimist! No way, just the opposite! I KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT MISSIONS is at the heart of our Father and upholding the cause of the weak and oppressed is part of His DNA. It makes the enemy crazy!! I’M THANKFUL!! I can set out knowing that yet believing more the prayers of His people are BIGGER than the enemy’s lame attempts.
I’m not sure how to unfold everything that’s going on, but hope to attempt that as we prepare, go and return.
Back to the beginning:
We adopted 2 precious boys from Ethiopia and made them our sons Summer of 2011. When we went for our “court date”, we took our older 3 kids and traveled around the countryside some. WE FELL IN LOVE!! Not only with the beauty of the country, but the beauty and JOY in the people. There were STARK contrasts of life at every turn. Bleak poverty and brokenness alongside exuberant praise and welcome. We were just spectators, absorbing and yet being changed.
In addition, we felt that we wanted our sons to know their birth country and to take pride, not shame, in their heritage. Our world and The Kingdom to come is not just about Americans, but God’s people of all tribes and nations. Somehow in Africa, I got my clearest glimpse of that Kingdom to come, and I can’t wait!
What I didn’t expect was that my daughter, Kaylee Ann, was going to leave part of her heart there. She had the hardest time putting what she saw in ‘compartments’ when she returned. That doesn’t mean it was ‘too much’! I believe it means she was ‘moved’ by seeing the heart of her Father in heaven and how only He can set all things right again. But those are my words. I look forward to her sharing hers:)
So I’m sure you’re thinking this trip is about her ‘dream gift’ and ‘giving back’ to Ethiopia. In some ways those things were stirring in our hearts but we weren’t able to put our hands around it. Those things aren’t new. What was new was this Christmas I was able to ‘surrender’ figuring out this “Africa thing” for Kaylee Ann and “our vacations” as well as this desire to respond to my Father’s love and mercy for me. I can’t put words to it except I was satisfied in Him more fully.
Suddenly, we had 3-4 options on the table to go to Africa (1 to live!!). And there I went...trying to figure it out, analyzing in the name of ‘being wise’, pushing my husband, not sleeping and crying out to God. You know what? He heard me! He moved and this trip and it’s purpose melded with our hearts and lives.
So ...
We follow.
John 10: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
We believe.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
We pray.
Matthew 6:9-10 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven... Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Follow! Believe! Pray! with us...and see our Father's heart as you do!
I’m not sure how to unfold everything that’s going on, but hope to attempt that as we prepare, go and return.
Back to the beginning:
We adopted 2 precious boys from Ethiopia and made them our sons Summer of 2011. When we went for our “court date”, we took our older 3 kids and traveled around the countryside some. WE FELL IN LOVE!! Not only with the beauty of the country, but the beauty and JOY in the people. There were STARK contrasts of life at every turn. Bleak poverty and brokenness alongside exuberant praise and welcome. We were just spectators, absorbing and yet being changed.
In addition, we felt that we wanted our sons to know their birth country and to take pride, not shame, in their heritage. Our world and The Kingdom to come is not just about Americans, but God’s people of all tribes and nations. Somehow in Africa, I got my clearest glimpse of that Kingdom to come, and I can’t wait!
What I didn’t expect was that my daughter, Kaylee Ann, was going to leave part of her heart there. She had the hardest time putting what she saw in ‘compartments’ when she returned. That doesn’t mean it was ‘too much’! I believe it means she was ‘moved’ by seeing the heart of her Father in heaven and how only He can set all things right again. But those are my words. I look forward to her sharing hers:)
So I’m sure you’re thinking this trip is about her ‘dream gift’ and ‘giving back’ to Ethiopia. In some ways those things were stirring in our hearts but we weren’t able to put our hands around it. Those things aren’t new. What was new was this Christmas I was able to ‘surrender’ figuring out this “Africa thing” for Kaylee Ann and “our vacations” as well as this desire to respond to my Father’s love and mercy for me. I can’t put words to it except I was satisfied in Him more fully.
Suddenly, we had 3-4 options on the table to go to Africa (1 to live!!). And there I went...trying to figure it out, analyzing in the name of ‘being wise’, pushing my husband, not sleeping and crying out to God. You know what? He heard me! He moved and this trip and it’s purpose melded with our hearts and lives.
So ...
We follow.
John 10: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
We believe.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
We pray.
Matthew 6:9-10 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven... Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Follow! Believe! Pray! with us...and see our Father's heart as you do!
