Re-Inspired

Pochi left this morning and we were so sad to see her go, yet so thankful that we were blessed with her visit.  She will be able to tell sweet Mercy about sleeping in her pink bed in her metallic silver painted room that she'll share with her big sister.  She can tell our boys about their sports crazed, Toby Mac singing brothers, and the many friends that run through the house each day who are counting the days until they come home.  She can tell each of them about the sparkly purple ornaments hanging on their Genna tree with each of their precious faces in a frame....and how desperately we love them all.  

But, the most compelling part of her visit was not what she'll be able to tell them about us-----or even what she shared with us about them--- but, about what she was able to share with us about all those we'll be leaving behind when our 4 come home.  As excited as I was to learn details about our children whom we have been waiting almost a year for, I was more caught up in all the children who have no one coming for them.  No one looking for them.  No one even knowing or caring that they are alive (or barely alive) on this planet.

Pochi's orphanage in Holeta is small.  She was thrilled that almost all of the children in her care at this home will be going to a family soon, so that she will be able to take in more orphans.  She has another orphanage in Debre Birhan filled with children who need a family.  Most of the children she takes in are older----- the least likely to be adopted.  I remember when we accepted the referral for our 4.  We were so excited and asked Sue to hurry and take them off the waiting list.  She told us there was no need to hurry, it was highly doubtful that anyone else would be asking about them.  What???  These are the most beautiful children in the world!  But, Pochi agreed.  She said, no one comes looking for the older ones.  Now, I know there are plenty of you readers who have adopted older children, but you know that you are in the extreme minority.  

This is where I have to pray really hard to not come completely unglued!  
What is wrong with the professing Christians in this world???  

The Lord speaks to our problem in Ezekiel 16:49-50

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom:  She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.  They were haughty and did detestable things before me.  Therefore, I did away with them as you have seen.

We can say we're concerned, we can pray for the poor, all the while continuing in our selfish, over-eating, over-spending habits, giving lip service to God and thinking if we buy a t-shirt that supports a cause, then we've done our part, doing the least and expecting the most ---and stepping right over those whose faces God puts before us.

  

Here are 3 faces that were put before me on Sunday night.

As soon as I laid eyes on her, I knew she had AIDS.  She has lived a life that no one should have to endure.  Disowned by her family, sold into servanthood, married, widowed, lost her oldest child, married again to a man who gave her AIDS, widowed again and left with 2 children.....the youngest HIV+

her breathtakingly beautiful daughter in need of a new mommy

her precious son, named after the horrible situation and distress surrounding his birth.....also, the same name given to our own Levi by his birthmother.

The only way I can even look this mother in the eyes is to pretend that I am her.  Now that is all that it is....pretending.  Because I was fortunate to be born in the wealthiest country ever in the history of humanity with every opportunity at my fingertips.  I've always known that God loves me---- even when my life did not reflect that I loved HIM back.  
And, I am frighteningly aware that the only reason I've been given so much is so that I can share with those who have not.  


For information on these children and many more, contact 

Celebrate Children International