Category Archives: Orphan & Widow Care With our current financial focus being on our adoption to bring home our sweet baby girl–momma has decided to get creative and do a little fundraising to get me across the ocean to serve the 450 orphans and 150 widows of Wiphan!!! It has been FOUR years since I first went over…when I stepped on […] ***Turn off music up top before watching news story below:)*** SO worth your watching…and so thankful that God opened our eyes–and is growing our family AGAIN. The world looks at us and says, “Seriously? Again?” And we proudly answer, “YES. AGAIN! Because she deserves to be a daughter…to have a family…and to be loved and […] God used Steven Curtis Chapman powerfully in our lives. It was at his concert in 2004 where my husband finally felt the call to adopt. He turned to me at intermission and said, “I am ready if you still are”. Two years later we welcomed Eliza from China. I will forever be so grateful to the Chapman family for their love of orphans! Thanks for sharing this {we were so honored to get to be a part of this segment}. I have commented here before and I am so inspired and encouraged by your family and your blog. {My mother in law works with Lesa Young at the pregnancy center, which is how I heard about you guys.} It is such a gift to hear about families like yours who share our heart for orphans and adoption and following where the Lord leads…even when the rest of the world thinks we are nuts:) Thanks for the ways that you share here!! Blessings to your sweet family! Andrea, does she have an email address? I would love to talk to her about her domestic adoption. I couldn’t find one on their blog. But she may not want it out. You are speaking my love language. Great video from our Hometown Heros! Just hopped over and noticed you were adopting from China. So excited for you! Your family will sort of resemble mine!! 🙂  It’s been over FOUR years since I traveled to Zambia. Yes–that’s right…FOUR YEARS. And it’s time!!! (People…even Richard…is always surprised when I remind them of that as they here of “us” going all the time…but HE goes for “us”!) Something powerful happened when I was there four years ago. My heart…fell in love–with little ones…with […] This just brings tears to my eyes – I share the fear of flying and the fear of leaving my babies…that would feel like a HUGE sacrifice to me too. God bless you on this journey and I can’t wait to hear about every single detail! Amazing to see what the Lord has done through your faith in following Him and exciting to see what He will do through it on this next adventure!! A privilege to witness it sister! I’m planning on going to Ethiopia next year and I too have a fear of flying and leaving my babies (even though they’re in the 20’s). How do you get past the fear? I know God has a plan for my life but my fears seem to constantly be in my way. So very excited for you! My life is echoing a similar story. The hubs and I are leading a mission trip to Haiti in August to love on orphans. OK with flying, but so sad to leave our two girls. May God bless your fundraising and your preparation. YAY!!! So excited for you, Andrea! Can’t wait to see what all God does through your upcoming trip! Oh I so get this. I have had a couple of really bad flying experiences…BUT the Lord was faithful. Honestly, when God led us to Ethiopia a year ago I thought, “Oh good! Only one of us has to go and my husband loves to fly!” Then WHAM! They changed it to two trips and looks like we are BOTH going now.:) This is where the rubber meets the road. I can think of few things harder for me than getting on a high-speeding silver bullet, crammed with other people in the sky, alone for 20+ hours while my kiddos and hubby are at home. Add some turbulence and my face is in the barf bag. Even though I know God did not give me a spirit of fear, there are times that it is an all out fight to TRUST (especially when turbulence hits). I’d give birth naturally again and again if I didn’t have to get on a plane…but then I think, MY LIFE IS NOT MY OWN so why should it matter? Here’s a verse I’ve been clinging to, knowing that I’m going to El Salvador with Compassion International this fall and then to Ethiopia (hopefully next year) to bring our baby home. Ps. 34:4, “I called to the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” God bless as you step out in faith! I can’t wait to see what God uses you to do on your trip! what is wrong with you people…there are 1000’s of kids right here that need help….you do this for your selfs….so you can say look what I did look how good I am….god sees through this… -JOHN  Friday night…the mommies (me, Kelly Coury, and Angie Carley) baked away as our kids joined other Cupcake Kids around the nation to make a difference for the orphans of Uganda through 60Feet Ministry. How wonderful it is to involve our little ones and watch THEM make a difference for kids across the world. Here’s a […] Hi, I’ve been following you for awhile. I love what you said about brainstorming with our children about how we could serve our world, rather than being served. I want my son and future children to have a heart for others. 🙂 And my son has the same Show Hope shirt! So cool! Love what you said about helping children learn to serve. I can’t wait to do a cupcake sale – we are going to wait until a friend gets back from Uganda with her son, so I’m just learning from you all right now! 🙂 […] Our Cupcake Kids… » Babe of my HeartApr 16, 2011 … Before dinner tonight–Laney came out of her room and handed me several things she wanted to pass on to others–and to see your kids hearts be … […]  James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Have you ever wondered why the word VISIT? Lord, why not ADOPT? Why not STAY? Why VISIT? Have you thought about it??? […] Heck girl… the more I become aware, and get my head out of the… sand 😉 the more uncomfortable I am. Thanks Andrea, I needed to hear this. I love what you said about how visiting orphans changes us and I just want to encourage people that it is not always necessary to leave our children at home while we go on these trips. We do medical missions in a very poor area of the Dominican Republic and have always taken our children. My 8-year-old son has been there five times and the lessons he has learned about living with fewer possessions but more joy are invaluable! Sometimes I don’t feel like I am “getting as much done” with my young children along, but if the goal is changed hearts, it is absolutely worth it. WONDERFUL advice Natalie!!! We can’t wait until our kids are old enough to take with us!!! I think our oldest is getting old enough! What an amazing gift to give them–and oh the connecting and bonding I’m sure this brings to a mom and her children as well! So so happy you are getting to go!! What a blessing! Great truths in this post… To go … to Wiphan Africa … would be … breathtaking … life changing … inspiring. One day, Andrea, I will join you. Praying for His guidance to show me the day and the way. I traveled to Ethiopia in October to bring my son home, and had to leave my 3 month daughter behind. Yes. It was SO hard. And of course it was greeted with mixed reactions, but I felt strongly about going and seeing my son’s birth country, and you know what, my entire family is better for it. 🙂 YES!! Just this morning I was praying, and the Lord told me, “Get ready. You’re going back to Rwanda.” I am SO excited. We’ve been involved with orphan care there with Africa New Life for 8 years. But going….that changes everything! We took our kids when they were 7 and 9 on our way to Ethiopia and it was life changing. They loved it. Ya, the flight was long and they were hungry sometimes, but in the big picture, who cares? They do not remember any of the tough stuff. This time, we will take Grace and she will only be 5, maybe 6. I would SO encourage anyone to take their kids when they’re young and while their hearts are still so moldable. Can’t wait to see how God uses you through Wiphan! Great, great stuff, Andrea!!! This was so encouraging! my wife and i have been going through the adoption process through dillon for a boy from ethiopia was hoping for a son between 2-5, so sad really had Gods blessing with numerous miracles and signs, but health reasons and timing of adoption process in ethiopia has changed our minds. Please pray for us I want to be in the center of Gods will but maybe he has other plans I just dont know thanks so much. i love your blog by the way i read weekly thanks Amen girl!!!! I agree that kids get alot out of seeing their parents sacrifice & do for others. We have to teach them compassion by example. I think God truly blesses us through bringing to light the imminent needs of others & calling us to act in some way. I almost feel like in the end the “giver/visitor/servant” is the one who receives the most. It’s truly amazing how in the end it causes everyone to draw closer to him. PS TO DENNIS NEAL: God sometimes changes our plans but it is all part of his divine plan. He will lead you in the direction he has laid out especially for you & heal your aching heart. Romans 8:28 in ALL THINGS God works for the GOOD of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I will be praying for you & your family day & night!!!!!! What a sweet post! Where did you get those pics? So funny, I have never seen them until right now! 🙂 GIRL!!!!!!!!!!! God used this post in the most major way for me!! John and I are going to Uganda this summer for two weeks to a place called restoration gateway..orphanage, school, training center. We were at decision time about whether to take or leave or kids for two weeks. This post was part of what God used to calm my heart and continue to confirm. Thanks, friend! Decision made…we’re taking our oldest and leaving the younger two. Gulp…here we go…our first trip to Africa! And this morning, God said he’ll make the time away from the little ones seem fast! He ‘s so kind!! |
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LOVE!!! We have purchased … =)
andrea,
my grandmother and a small group of other women have gotten together and made some more of the fabric pads and envelopes. could i get those mailed to you for you to take on your trip? also let us know if there is anything else you need for supplies to take also, we’d love to help! thanks, sarah!
Great post! Cool shirt! Has anyone had trouble posting the link to FB? I have tried a couple times using the F button provided and it isn’t going through.
Please disregard my previous comment… FB was “hung up” and it posted 10+ times. I changed it to display one post so I wouldn’t annoy people! Not sure what was happening… technology glitch I guess! 🙂 Excited about wearing the shirt and even more excited about your opportunity to serve!
LOVE THIS SHIRT! I ordered one, posted to facebook and am putting on my blog so i think that is three 🙂
Love it! We purchased and shared on FB!
Love it! I ordered one and posted to FB. Good luck with the fund raiser and I can’t wait to read all about your trip!
I love the shirt and love the goal of this trip! Will be praying for you and anyone else going!
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LOVE these!!! I’m purchasing one now — and posting on FB. Love you girl. Happy Memorial Day.
Hi sweet Andrea-I bought 2 shirts and am sharing this link on my facebook page. I’m so excited about your trip!
Hi Andrea! I just read your blog…thanks to your friend Chrystal Senter. My husband and I have just started the process of adopting from Ethiopia. I LOVED following the story of Isaac…what a cutie!
I purchased a t-shirt and posted on FB. Can’t wait to follow your story!
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Hi Andrea,
I.LOVE.YOUR.SHIRT!! I am in the beginging stages of planning a womens missions trip to Mexico to love on some orphans there and I would love to use your shirt as our “team shirt”. Just wondering if you are going to be ordering extras or are you ordering only what you get pre-orders for. As I said we are in the begining stages and really do not even know how many women will be going with us. What do you think? Should I guess as to how many women will be coming? Please let me know.
Thanks,
Shanna Stolte
alright, girl – I did everything I could! 🙂 We are supposed to be coming to ATL and I win this, but more importantly… I LOVE LOVE LOVE what you are doing and will be praying you there and back the whole way! 🙂 I got my tshirt!
I also donated for the purity rings – such an amazing project!
And I posted on FB and my blog! Not sure if we were supposed to make separate comments for each so now I’ve helped raise your comment total! 🙂 Have a great day – praying for you, my friend !:)
oops, almost forgot – so one more comment! 🙂 I definitely subscribe to this blog!!!!
I love these shirts and I’m excited to hear about your trip. I subscribe to your blog and I posted about this on my blog. I am also planning on buying a shirt on Friday (after I get paid) if that’s not too late.
[…] Africa T-shirt Fundraiser – EVERY t-shirt purchase enters you to win… […]
Hey! SO excited to be a able to help support you and your trip. I will be praying that the Lord supplies you with everything you need.
I bought a shirt, posted to fb, and subscribed to your blog. Please enter me 3 times 🙂
Thanks,
Lindsay
Hi Andrea! I LOVE this shirt and can’t wait to wear it! I just ordered one and posted it on my blog. Hope you raise all the funds you need and I look forward to hearing all about your trip!
Please enter us 2 more times (t-shirt and fb). Thanks, Lindsay and Jason
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Are these shirts still for sale?! I love them and would buy one!!
Are these shirts still available??
I would love to order one.