Scared!

Tom Davis' new book, Scared is now available for free download.  This book was highly anticipated at our house!  Elle was dying to get a hold of it to take on her trip with her, but it didn't come out until June and she was leaving May 28th.  She was reading Tom's blog, and saw him with a box of newly arrived books in his office.  She said, "You should email him and see if he'll send me a copy, so I can have it to take with me!"  Now, can I tell you this NEVER would have occurred to me?!  But, I emailed Tom, and he immediately emailed me back and said that Hannah--(we love her)-- would send it right out!  It arrived the next morning!  You are awesome, Tom!!

I was able to read the first 50 pages on the plane to Washington DC and it is not for the faint of heart!......total raw reality from the beginning.  I began thinking that this is not what a mama sending her child off to a continent in turmoil needs to be reading right now............and the Holy Spirit was quick to correct me and remind me that this is exactly why she is going!

Again I looked and saw all the oppression 

that was taking place under the sun:  

I saw the tears of the oppressed-- 

and they have no comforter; 

power was on the side of the oppressors--- 

and they have no comforter.  Ecclesiastes 4:1

Who will -- defend the cause of the weak and fatherless?

Who will -- maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed?

Who will -- deliver them from the hand of the wicked?  Psalm 82:3-4

Christ in you---the hope of glory!  Colossians 1:27  

Please download this book---- or buy it------and read it-------and be moved to action!

Elle is in Uganda now with her Visiting Orphans team.  They are worshipping tonight with Katie's  kids!  One more week until the African adventure ends.......or just begins!!

Mindy is posting about their trip as internet allows--- check it out!--My Journey to Ethiopia & Uganda

The Journey Continues...

Elle is in Kamashi now.  Kamashi is a 14 hour trip from Addis Ababa toward Sudan.  They will be working in the Blessing the Children orphanage.  This orphanage used to be a training camp for young soldiers.  Now they provide home in a Christian environment for at least 175 boys and girls.  There is no electricity or water at this orphanage.  Sue had planned for them to make this long trip earlier, but the truck taking water to the orphanage broke down and they had no water to clean their rooms.  There is only one road in and out of there.  Just got an email saying that they still had no water, so they are staying in a hotel 2 hours away and traveling to Kamashi each day........and guess what??.....no water or electricity at the hotel either. :)

I found this video of a mission trip to Kamashi 2 years ago.  I'm so thankful to have this for a point of reference for where they are!  In the past 2 years famine has plagued Ethiopia again and conditions there have worsened.

Here is the link for the video.  I could not get it to embed-----Elle will laugh-----I'm so not techy!

YouTube - Mission Trip 2007

Elle got to spend time with Nate and James taking them to the doctor before she left for Kamashi.  They do not know that she is their sister.  Their orphanage director will not allow her kids to be told about their families until after a successful court date.  At first this really upset me, but now I'm thankful that they have someone who is so concerned about every aspect of their well being............still can't wait for them to know!!!

We are sending clothes for them down with Elle's friends and this has caused me to start nesting and getting things ready for them at home, too.  James and Isaiah have clothes in their closet and Nate's bed is all ready for him.  Nash has had space available for Nate since we accepted the referral.  He is all set!  We're hoping to have Mercy and Elle's room ready for her by the time Elle gets home.

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be were I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.  John 14:2-3

we don't have many rooms, just plenty of space to share! 

Rollercoaster!

This has been a crazy week!  On Wednesday, Elle was all set to meet 2 of her brothers in their orphanage in Holeta on Saturday.  I talked with her Wednesday morning and it was all good to go.  An hour later she called back and said that they were unable to get them released because.....of details I can't post here.........

I was devastated and confused......for only about 45 minutes.

Elle called back saying that she had been in her room praying for the kids and the Lord led her to Isaiah 51:12-16.......she said, "Read it now."

"I, even, I, am He who comforts you.

Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men who are but grass,

that you forget the Lord your Maker,

Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, 

that you live in constant terror every day

because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction?

For where is the wrath of the oppressor?

The cowering prisoners will soon be set free;

they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread.

For I am the Lord your God,

who churns up the sea so that its waves roar---

the Lord Almighty is His name.

I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand--- I who set the heavens in place,

who laid the foundations of the earth,

and who say to Zion, --Nate, Mercy, Isaiah and James---

'You are my people.' "

God didn't stop there.....He sent word through Gigi, my mom, Isaiah 52:3

For this is what the Lord says:  

"You were sold for nothing,

and without money you will be redeemed."

My worrying was over, but the waiting began all over again.  We didn't know when or if Elle would get to meet them on this trip.  Elle was sick with flu-like symptoms on Friday.  We were praying that she would even get to make the trip to Holeta-----then....yesterday morning........(oh, I forgot that my internet was out from Wednesday---Friday late afternoon, adding to the stress.)  ..........pictures arrived from Ethiopia!.....while we slept, Elle was meeting 2 of her new brothers who had just arrived at the orphanage.......FREE AT LAST!  

My heart is breaking for Mercy and Isaiah left behind for now, and I can't imagine what all of them are feeling right now being separated.  I truly do not understand why all of this is unfolding as it has, but I am sure of God's leading and trusting His Word!!!  Proverbs 3:5-6

Elle--cheek to cheek with sweet baby brother James

Nate's precious hands and feet---- I love how this pic cropped out!  Anyone who has been to Ethiopia will tell you what loving and affectionate people they are.  He has the biggest smile on his face in the whole picture!

We have pictures of Nate and Elle standing next to each other, and we think he is probably about 3 inches shorter than Nash.

Meanwhile, Elle is having the experience of a lifetime traveling with Sue in the fields of the fatherless.  They have been to gather children from the homes of their mothers who are giving them up......carrying them away to the orphanage after saying their last goodbyes.  They each have a story to tell.  Some of them are very sick and all of them are filthy and hungry.  They continue to take children to medical appointments and clean and care for them.  Please pray that she will be able to take Nate and James for their first doctor's check-up and for a clean health record for them. 

We are so grateful for all of your prayers!!!!!............for the JOY set before us!!!

Although the Lord gives you 

the bread of adversity and the water of affliction,

your teachers will be hidden from you no more; 

with your own eyes you will see them.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,

your ears will hear a voice behind you, 

saying ,

"This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30: 20-21

News from Elle is that she will meet her brothers and sister on Saturday.  There is a missionary couple in Ethiopia who are adopting an 11 year old girl from the orphanage in Holeta, where our children are, and Elle is going there with them.   They told Elle that they have been praying for our 4 children since their father died. 

  

Be not dismayed--- the Lord has His people in place all around the world to accomplish His plan for His orphans......to set the lonely in families and lead forth the prisoners with singing.  Psalm 68:6    

I am thanking Him for their hearts inclined to hear His voice!

They get to see the fruit of their prayers being answered when they deliver pure hope to waiting children!

Elle is experiencing first hand the suffering and hardship that the people of Ethiopia face each day with courageous spirits.

Rats, lice, hunger and sickness cannot overshadow the unspeakable joy that comes from her mouth each time I've talked with her.

Please pray for Sue to accomplish all that she needs on this trip to place many children in families!....and for Julie, Kristin and Elle to be used mightily by God!

This is the only pic she's been able to send------a Sunday trip to the lion zoo with 9 of the children from the transition home.  Elle said they loved it!

Blessings from Ethiopia...Updates!: I wish I could tell you...

You must read Heidi's post.....thanks Heidi!

Blessings from Ethiopia...Updates!: I wish I could tell you...

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

My passion for orphans began with a passion for the persecuted Church.  God used my heart for the suffering of persecuted Christians to open my eyes to the suffering of His 147 million orphans....persecuted for simply being born into a fallen world.

Last night, while my children slept peacefully, an orphanage in Burma was attacked by its own government because it is Christian.  The Burmese Christians have been under attack for many years....please pray and help if you can.

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.  

Hebrews 13:3

I just wanted to let you know that one of our worst fears has been realized. Our orphanage in Burma was attacked by the Burmese army last night.

The orphanage was a new project for us. The buildings (dorms, church, and a school) had just been finished in April. We had 30 kids in the orphanage. Their stories, such as the ones below, are heartbreaking.

• My name is Kham Loo, I am 13 years old. I have been here for eleven months. My parents were killed in Burma. I am an only child. It was very dangerous for me to get here. I had to avoid the many landmines. I saw the Burmese soldiers come into my village and have witnessed many of my friends being murdered. Many girls have been raped and then killed by Burmese soldiers. Other girls who were gang raped became crazy. The Burmese soldiers also took our harvest.

• My name is Seng Mon. I am 11 years old. I have been here four months. It took me one day to travel here. My father died and my mother was taken away by the Burmese soldiers. I came here, because in Burma it is very dangerous. I have seen the Burmese soldiers raping girls. There are many landmines around our village in Burma. I feel safe here and I want to learn to speak English.

The project was such a success that another 60 kids (persecuted and traumatized by war but not orphans) had come to the orphanage for an education and relative safety (compared to living without defense in the jungle on the constant run from the army).  

But last night, these kids were trapped and had to flee in the middle of the night. The only way to safety was across the river into Thailand (photo at right). Not all of the kids knew how to swim so we are on pins and needles waiting to hear what happened. The initial report is that most survived (Praise God!!).

A few days ago our representative on the ground had warned us that there were fears that the Burmese army might attack because the fighting was getting increasingly close and the Burmese army was going to make a final push this year to defeat the Karen people.

Well, last night those rumors became reality. Here is the report from our partners on the ground.

 

As far as we know, we have 400 children and some adults on the Thai side, somewhere in hiding in a ____________. It is rainy season and kids need to get clothes and plastic tarps and rice for now.

 

The army attacked the camp in Burma first, then went and crossed the river and went into Thailand! They then crossed the river again from the Thai side into the other camp, our kids were trapped and could not run deeper into Burma because there were landmines placed around the camp. 

The only way to escape was to cross the river into Thailand. This created, of course, major panic. Many of the little ones cannot swim and it was pitch dark. (The initial report is that) most of the children survived though they are traumatized and don't have dry clothes or food to eat.  Please, Please, pray for this urgent situation.

 

We will keep you updated as we learn more. Obviously, we want you to pray and ask for help for these kids. Also, if you want to help with financial needs for the kids, you can go tohttp://www.persecution.org/suffering/donation.php and include in the note that your gift is for the "Burma orphanage."

 

Thank you,

 

Jeff King

President, ICC

 

International Christian Concern

The Lord will guide you always;

He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.  

You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

I've heard from Elle a couple of times by phone and email.  We've only been able to talk for a minute or two and then we get cut off.  Sue got a cell phone for Julie and Elle in Ethiopia so I can always reach her if I need to.  She talks ninety miles a minute and gets in some sweet stories of bugs in the bathtub and eating packs of oatmeal for lunch....of malnourished babies with scabies....and of precious children meeting their families for the first time.....

She will get to meet Nate and James soon and thinks she'll be able to meet Mercy and Isaiah, too!!!  Please pray this happens!  I'm dying over here!!!