Unveiled Faces

Not Yet...

2009-12-18T22:32:00.000-08:00

Well, we did not pass court today because the necessary letters for court were not ready for our case. Now that I've bitten all my fingernails off, we are waiting to hear when our next court date is. Please pray with me that it is soon! All this refining and purifying is slightly exhausting!---- Trusting in His greater plan!

Pass through, pass through the gates!

Prepare the way for the people.

Build up, build up the highway!

Remove the stones.

Raise a banner for the nations.

The LORD has made proclamation

to the ends of the earth:

"Say to the Daughter of Zion,

'See, your Savior comes!

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.' "

They will be called the Holy People,

the Redeemed of the LORD;

and you will be called Sought After,

the City No Longer Deserted.

Isaiah 62:12-14

In the meantime, Levi is slightly more interested in Santa than he was last year.

"Do I know you?"

Merry Christmas to all of you!

ONE LESS!!

2009-12-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Another miracle happened yesterday when our precious friends and neighbors, the Worton's, passed court in Ethiopia and now have a new son, MICAH! They have a beautiful adoption story to share--- and we're waiting for Missy to start blogging, so I'll let her tell it as only she can. But, let me introduce Micah Worton to you!!

Word from Ethiopia yesterday is that when Micah was given pictures of his family and told that he was going home soon, he ran all over yelling, "This is my family!!" He slept with his scrapbook and will not let his family out of his sight!

My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
John 10:29

Micah was a waiting child that no doubt prayed for a family without ceasing. Praise God with me for the Worton's hearts in line with God's-- to hear His voice and respond in action to save him!

Just had to include this picture. This is Levi with Micah's new daddy, Mark, at the airport meeting Levi for the first time--- fresh off the airplane from Ethiopia. Look at Mark's face! It's not hard to tell now that God knew He had a son for him waiting in Ethiopia!

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

Ephesians 1:4-6

***Only one more night until our court date!!!!

You Just Never Know.....

2009-12-10T07:05:00.000-08:00

You just never know where your sweet baby's face is going to turn up! Here's Levi on a banner in the Christmas parade in Bangor, Maine! That's a long way from Tennessee! Elle was surfing blogs and saw her little brother on America World's Adoption Blog saying, "All I really want for Christmas is a Family." If that doesn't break your heart for what breaks His, then I don't know what will! Two years ago this Christmas, our precious little one was waiting for his family to come and bring him home, and that was the cry of his heart. That is the cry of every orphan's heart! Our lives have never been the same since November 22, 2005 when the Lord clearly told me in His Word that He had a child for us in Ethiopia.

We had been on hold to adopt for years, but now our eyes were forever opened to the suffering of 147 million orphans and to the plan that God has for His Body to rescue them as He has rescued us. It has been a long, painful, and expensive road---nothing compared to the road Jesus walked for us--- and He has shown us with every step that His arm is not too short to save. And for the JOY set before us, we wait expectantly to welcome our next 4 children home!

ADOPTION is the gospel! Sponsorship is a wonderful and essential way to care for orphans. We sponsor many needy children. One of our 4 in ET was a sponsored child by Compassion-- because only 1 child per family is allowed to have a sponsor-- but he was still an orphan, and he was still oppressed. I thank God for his sponsor, who no doubt kept him alive so that he could come home to his family. But, the reality remains---- what they really want for Christmas is a family.

But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive THE FULL RIGHTS of SONS. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit Who calls out, "Abba Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7

*** Mercy and Isaiah update-- our little angels are in the orphanage and have been to the doctor!!! We are praising God for how He has led us every step with His Word and held us up with the prayers of all of you!!! Each of you are a part of their forever story!
8 days to court date for all 4!!!

Free at LAST!

2009-11-19T13:33:00.000-08:00

This has been an incredibly emotional day! I awoke to 2 emails from Sue (she is completely tireless in her work to bring the children she represents home!), our agency director. The first said that we didn't pass court because the person responsible for showing up at court didn't come. The second said that the reason was because our other 2 children, Mercy and Isaiah, are now on their way to being released!! The prayer all along has been for no one to be left behind....for all to be set free, and God has done it in His most perfect way.

I can't wait to be able to tell the whole, beautiful story. Our new court date is December 18. What I know for sure is that PRAYER MOVES MOUNTAINS! There have been SO many praying saints continually lifting up our children since April.....we are eternally grateful!!!

The Lord their God will save them on that day
   as the flock of His people.
They will sparkle in His land
   like jewels in a crown.
How attractive and beautiful they will be!
   Grain will make the young men thrive,
   and new wine the young women.
Zechariah 9:16

Practice Eternity

2009-11-06T13:22:00.000-08:00

Please watch this----- and check out: How Rich Are YOU???------take the test!

COURT DATE!!!

2009-10-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

We have a court date for Nate and James on November 19! Thank you Lord!!

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;

He rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, He will answer you.
Isaiah 30:18-19

You are my hiding place

2009-10-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

I've been on a bit of a blog fast for about a month. There has been tons of activity going on and we've been waiting and praying for any news of our children.---- Well, God has melted one HUGE mountain,----- but another one has risen up in it's place. We are incredibly encouraged by the way God is working it all out, and are confident that He will finish the work He began. From the beginning our intention in adopting them has been to keep all 4 together. Our enemy knows this as well. But, God is sovereign and His will is that none should perish. I'm very thankful that He has the big picture, and that His ways are not my ways!

My heart still breaks for Mercy and Isaiah.

My Bible study leadership had a prayer retreat this past weekend, and during prayer and worship time as I was praying for my precious Mercy, my sweet friend, Brynn began singing this song with the voice of an angel----- thank you Holy Spirit!

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

You are my hiding place
   you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.       Selah
   Psalm 32:7
This is my prayer for Mercy and Isaiah. God is speaking and teaching me that He is with them and giving them a hiding place in Himself.

Still holding onto HOPE!

In the meantime, we are waiting for a court date for Nate and James.

We received a precious updated pic of the boys. Last time we saw them, they both looked so exhausted, drawn and thin. The new pics show filled out faces full of color and life. James' shaved head, now has the most beautiful rock star curls!

Thank you to everyone who continues to hold up our children in prayer! We are praying for all of you also, as you labor to bring home your children!

"Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the Lord.
"Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God.
Isaiah 66:9

And My Faith Shall Be My Eyes.....

2009-09-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

There's a day that's drawing near

When this darkness breaks to light

And the shadows disappear

And my faith shall be my eyes

This is where we are right now. We have hope that our children will ALL be coming home together.....and that hope is what we are clinging to. We were able to speak with our orphanage director in Ethiopia----we love her--- and she was very encouraged that Mercy and Isaiah will be released when we have a court date. She said that Nate and James are doing so well----they both accepted the Lord!!!

They celebrated Nate's birthday on the day we chose for him, August 5th. He turned 12. Sweet baby James will turn 5 on September 7th. We just soak up any news we hear of them!

Thank you so much for continuing to pray for Mercy and Isaiah to be released! I cannot imagine what they are thinking and how they are feeling---they've lost their mommy, their daddy, and now 2 of their brothers are separated from them. Satan truly hates children! But, he is defeated. We will praise God for the purpose He has in all of this suffering----even if that is not always the easiest and most natural thing to do!

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagle's wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise, I will rise

I Will Rise

by Chris Tomlin

.......and while we are waiting we get to go on a road trip today to Branson, Mo to meet up with other families who have adopted from Ethiopia at our AWAA Africa Reunion!

We'll be reunited with the David's , our ET travel buddies, and get to meet many other families in person who we already feel like are family because of our shared hearts for adoption! I cannot imagine what our lives would be like if we had not responded to God's call for His people to rescue His orphans!

Can I get a witness??!!

Blogs for a Cause!

2009-08-30T06:10:00.000-07:00

Thank you Nikki for our long overdue blog makeover!

We first met Nikki through blog world because of our shared hearts for the Dominican Republic. She does humanitarian work in the Dominican and now in Haiti and Ethiopia, and uses her blogs to raise money and awareness for the suffering all over the world! We love her passion to help the least of these and are so thankful for the opportunity to support her work. She has plans to live and work in the Dominican after she graduates from college. Thank you Nikki, for "being the change you wish to see in the world."

For the month of September she will be running a special for blog makeovers. Check out her blog for all the details!

A N E W D O

2009-08-16T03:28:00.000-07:00

The time had come for Levi's first professional haircut. We had been dreading it for a while and put it off as long as we could, but it really was time to get a handle on his precious tangled locks. When it was all over it looked like a sweet lamb had been shorn!

It began with a sneak attack from behind...

Wait a minute, what's going on!

I'm ready to get off this ride!

Not the clippers!!!

How much longer!!

Needing a draw on the pink paci!

Feeling like a big boy and rocking to Toby Mac!

It totally broke my heart to see his curly Q's go.....we're still treating him like a baby!

First day of middle school was Thursday. Here's Matt and Nash ready to go with their awesome new messenger bags from our dear friends Gwen and Suzanne's new website 147 MIllion Orphans

These boys are "always prepared to give an answer for the hope they have"

--1Peter 3:15--

---Whose LOVE for them---and the fatherless---motivates them to speak up for the orphans who have no one!

Super excited 6th graders---Andrew, Patrick, Trevor and Nash

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Revelation 21:5

What God Intends for Good...

2009-08-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

So blessed to have sweet Aster stay with us ---- don't want to see her leave!

What an incredible, God glorifying night at our Orphan's Ticket Home Gala! So many hearts coming together to fellowship, worship and most of all DO SOMETHING to help the suffering children who God holds so closely to His heart.

Powerful words of conviction from Tom Davis and Dan Coley, both adoptive dads, were shared. When you adopt you get a glimpse into God's heart that just does not come from any other way. Dan shared a beautiful story from Genesis 50:20 where Joseph says, "What you intended for evil, God intended for good." He compared that to what God intends to do in so many families through the orphan crisis in a way that makes total sense. There are more than 147 million orphans in the world right now who deserve a family. There are way more confessing Christian families with room in there homes than that! While Satan intends for these children to suffer ........... and these families to miss out on the immeasurable blessings of adoption.....God intends for them to live out their promise and calling in families He has already chosen for them. Why isn't this happening???

None of these orphans are a surprise to God. He did not accidently create too many children. He sets the lonely in families......when they open their hearts to them. Until then, what He intends for good will remain as evil......suffering, lack, loneliness.....not only to the orphan, but to the families who turn their backs on them.

.....speaking totally from experience here.

Precious Aster spoke about the HOLY work she is doing. My words, not hers--- she is way too humble to say something like that. She took a beautiful gold bracelet off her wrist to be auctioned. When it was purchased and the buyer returned it to her, she turned around and asked if anyone else would like to buy it! That is the kind of advocate I want speaking up for my children!

Missy, Aster

Amanda, Britt Nicole, Beth

This event would not have happened without Amanda's prayers and perseverance! You did an amazing job Amanda!

Guy and Cindy Wallace

Elle and Alyssa

Tracy Cornett, Jimmy, Leslie Mitchell and Clay Cornett

Abby Wells and her precious new daughter and mom

Dan Coley

Britt Nicole

It's Poppy Dip--- Monte and Sallee Couch

Amanda, Aster, Elle

Missy, Kelly

Sandy and Terri--- 2 super moms and voices for the orphans!

Courtney-- our amazing event planner and soon to be Ethiopian mommy

Alyssa, Chris, Elle

Aster was not impressed with Levi's hairstyle--- she says he looks Jamaican, not Ethiopian---- he has a hair appointment tomorrow. :)

"Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done---THE SAVING OF MANY LIVES.....so then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children."

Genesis 50:19-21

Elle's Trip Video

2009-08-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

Africa 2009 from on Vimeo.

BRING AN O R P H A N HOME!

2009-07-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

If you live in the Nashville area--- and even if you don't, you will not want to miss an incredible night filled with HOPE for those who are so very close to God's heart!

Orphan's Ticket Home is a wonderful program by America World Adoption Agency that is raising funds to place the lonely in families all over the world.

Our Nashville Gala will be on Friday, August 8th at the Gaylord Springs Golf Club. Tickets are $40 each.

A huge blessing for me that night will be a chance to hug the neck of precious Aster, the founder of Kid's Care Orphanage in Addis Ababa. Many of you know Aster. She is the amazing woman who chose Levi for our family.....and if you adopted from Ethiopia with AWAA, then she is responsible for your child being in your family, too! How can you possibly thank someone for that??? Aster emanates the Holy Spirit and will be speaking at the Gala about how God is moving powerfully in Ethiopia on behalf of the fatherless!

Author Tom Davis will be our guest speaker. --You don't want to miss him--enough said!

Britt Nicole will be performing!

It is super easy to register-- click here and let me know if you're coming! Hope to see you there!

They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and ACTION, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them , and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.

Jeremiah 32:38-41

my prayer for this night---

New Levels

2009-07-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

wife #2 bringing the baby of wife #1--who died in childbirth--to give him away

Elle has been home for over a week and because of many stories like the one that goes with the picture above, I've probably had a harder time than she has dealing with all she experienced in Africa. She has a new threshold for what is "horrible."

When I'm horrified at seeing my baby boy's tummy bloated from hunger, she'll say how all the kids have bloated tummies and at least James has a family to come home to.

When I'm horrified at children at an orphanage sleeping on the floor, she'll say how fortunate they are to be sleeping on a floor instead of the street.

When I'm horrified at how she ate food knowing it had parasites in it, she'll say that at least they had food to eat when they were hungry.

....you get the picture, and it goes on and on.

The stories are endless and they are her stories to tell. I couldn't do them justice anyway.

medical visit

They brought this sweet little one back to the transition home because she could receive better care there. She has 7 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot, along with other issues. Julie took care of her.

precious feet infected with bugs

and now......

James and Nate ---2 of our 5 boys

Elle brought back tons of video and pictures of our boys.....still waiting for Mercy and Isaiah. I can't wait until we pass court so I can show their beautiful faces.

This is the bathroom at their orphanage.

Merry-go-round fun....Nate at far right

laundry day

beautiful mountains in Holeta

Heartbreaking-- this is the flower factory where our children's mother worked. She died from all of the chemicals they work with.....many children become orphans this way.....something to think about next time you buy a beautiful flat of flowers!

...all the precious faces!

I cannot thank you all enough for all of your prayers and encouragement! There were so many times when I know that they were completely surrounded by angels with flaming torches to keep them from being harmed. Elle did have an accident in Kamashi when she slammed her head on a metal pole trying to dodge giant moths and dragonflies, but it could have been so much worse! Thank you Lord!

When she connected with her Visiting Orphans team she got to visit the America World transition home where Levi was. This is part of their wall of LOVE!

Welcome HOME!

Scared!

2009-06-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-06-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2009-06-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-06-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

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

2009-06-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2009-05-31T02:33:00.000-07:00

Well, Elle is in Ethiopia now after collecting many donations---and packing for a week and being prayed over at every opportunity---we got word that they made it there exhausted, and are getting right to work.

Saying goodbye to Levi----

he tells everyone who comes in the house that Elle is in Africa and shows them on the map.

Nash and Matt came to see us off in Nashville. Matt remembered it was 11:00 on the way to the airport and prayed a precious prayer for our kids in ET. I love that boy!

Don't cry Daddy!

Loading up in DC

Practicing carrying all her luggage by herself

Rearranging overflowing luggage at the Ethiopian Airlines ticket counter! We had to pay $425 in overweight and extra baggage fees! Yikes!

Julie---just precious!, Sue's daughter and Elle

Julie, Sue, myself, and Elle

One last pic before leaving! I kept telling her to let me take a picture of her not smiling, but she just could not contain her excitement for one second!

Here are some of the places they'll be working: Blessing the Children in Kamashi, Amanuel Orphan Center in Woliso, Hosanna Orphan center, Holeta-- where our children are, Debre Birhan, and Dere Zeyt.

I'll keep posting any word I receive from them.....so far-- no news! :(

...ps--- just got an email from Elle! She said they are loving on children and babies and feeding them by flashlight since there is no electricity or water at the transition home. So many of them are suffering from malnutrition. They took much needed formula to an orphanage, El Olam, that hasn't had any for a while and walked some children to church this morning down a dirt road.....she said it was a small church and very crowded-----that's a good thing! She and Julie will be taking children for medical check-ups, so Sue will get them educated on how to do that. She said internet is super slow!

On the home front, Nash's team won the league championship yesterday and finished the season undefeated! Now, on to tournaments!

Congratulations Franklin Knights!!!

Levi totally believes he's part of the team.....his job is to run the bases and slide in the dirt after every game.

Nash, Levi and William

Our precious friend and neighbor, Missy, brought these parting words to Elle before leaving on Thursday morning......what a treasure!

"I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."

Luke 18: 29-30

Faithful

2009-05-23T23:47:00.000-07:00

"Do I bring to the moment of birth

and not give delivery?"

says the Lord.

"Do I close up the womb

when I bring delivery?"

says your God.

Isaiah 66:9

Thank you all for your prayers!.....we had an amazing call with our orphanage director today and mountains are moving!!! We know that we can't let our guard down for one second until they are ALL home!

Happy Birthday LEVI!!!

2009-05-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

birthday breakfast

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY SWEET BABY LEVI JEREMIAH!!!

Actually his birthday was April 24th......and that happened to be the day we spoke with our orphanage director in Holeta about the situation with our 4 kids---- and we've been in full throttle throne storm ever since......so the birthday pics are a little bit delayed. Levi still had an amazing day of celebrating his glorious life. We can't imagine how we ever lived without our little bundle of sunshine!

Levi celebrated his birthday at The Monkey's Treehouse with lots of friends, super fun playtime, pizza and cupcakes!

Emily and Jackson

"All this icing for me????"

He totally got into the "Happy Birthday"song.

A little help from Gigi.

Jackson in the kitchen.

Tina, Christen and baby Zoie

Leslie and Grace

"Sure Maggie, I'll play Barbies."

Jacob, Connor and Ian

Mary Ellis and Benjamin

Sweet Abby

Ava and Izzy

I'm chocolate, you're vanilla

my favorite pic

Gillian and Kristi

Hal

Amy and Jacob

Elle and Izzy

Our Oharah

Cousins Lindsay and baby Sydney

Bruik and Emily

Izzy and Levi

Gwen and Lisa

Ava stole everyone's hearts

Terry, Dawn and baby Ava

Emily and Jayne

A birthday for Levi would not be complete without a ballgame.....his day ended at Nash's game...

"Out of the way----I'm driving home!"

Just like his birthday last year, I was consumed with prayers of gratitude for the extreme sacrifice made by his birth mother. I pray that God is comforting her with the knowledge of our thankfulness and His love for her. Though we have never met her, we do love her so much!

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah 1:5

Treasures of Darkness

2009-05-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

This is what the Lord says to His anointed,

to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him

and to strip kings of their armor,

to open doors before him

so that gates will not be shut:

I will go before you and will level the mountains;

I will break down gates of bronze

and cut through bars of iron.

I will give you the treasures of darkness,

riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the LORD,

the God of Israel, who summons you by name....Nate, Mercy, Isaiah and James.

Isaiah 45:1-3

...a glimmer of hope from the Lord that He is using the prayers as darkness falls in Ethiopia for their good!