The Young Family Farm

Another full day…

We started our day at 8am in the compound. We went to a Bible study with Pastor Frances…and met with a group of 30. It was a sweet time of fellowship–and encouraging them in being lights in their community.

From 9:30-11:30 we listened to the teachers requests of our schools. Such simple and practical recommendations. An amazing campaign to come on their behalf:).

THEN…off to an orphanage. 80 precious ones. Double orphans. Just precious. I came out of the infant room, rounded the corner–and in she ran. Memory. She jumped in my arms…and she remained there for most of the morning.

Hmmmm…today my heart wondered if China really is our next adoption;). I mean–oh my Memory. She cried when I put her down. So back in I went to spend the afternoon with her. We gazed in each other’s eyes…and my heart wanted so desperately to whisper, “I’ll be back”…oh my beating heart.

We went next to the handicapped building. My heart lept in love with those children. The older ones were laying on the floor and I couldn’t help myself to run right to them and start picking them up and loving on them. From age 14 to 45 we loved on them. Melt my heart. I think I’m in love with all of them. We sang together…our words and their beautiful moans…and I felt as if I were in heaven. Yes, I was made for this.

How will I wake in the morning and start our journey home???

My heart also longs to hold my 4 precious ones who await their mommy…but our work is definitely not done here. I spend the later part of the afternoon with my precious 10 year old African daughter…the one who has endured to much. Another story in the making–and believing God has great big plans for this one…and thankful to know and believe she will now be safe. I looked at her and promised I’d be back–and we would do everything we could to keep her safe from this day forward. She smiled. I cried…and she teared up. Oh sweet girl. Be with her Lord.

We leave for the airport at 11am, and our flight departs at 1pm. It will be a 28 hour journey beginning at 1pm to finally see Rico Suave and 4 sweet ones again. I can’t wait to love on them and share all my heart has felt these past 10 days here. It feels like a lifetime that we have been here with all we have seen, all the work we have done and all the things we now hope to do.

I’ll be back…and I hope to hold that sweet Memory again. And Mumi. And Ruth. And…and…and…it feels unending. And my heart already longs to return…

Thank you for praying for us. So thankful for each of you. Please pray for safe travels in the days ahead for us. May you feel His everlasting love–and may He use your life greatly to love others and make a difference no matter where you are.

Today was a busy day {and still can’t wait to fill y’all in on the good, amazing…really cool news too…but that’s another post:).

We started our day at Mapalo school. Ran to see little Mumi. And I can’t even express how delighted I am by what I experienced. I spent some time in her home. Her wounds are all almost healed–and her mother informed that SHE is the one that has been treating them! SUCH amazing news–because she didn’t want to treat them before. NOW she sees the medicine I gave her to give her daughter really does work and she trusts me. She was excited to see it work–and wanted to be the one to give it to her. THANKFUL!!!!!

Mumi had no clothes–so I gave her a dress for her to wear, soap to wash her with and detergent for her new dress. I urged her to please let her wear the dress. Often when you give a new item of clothing–they will store it away in a safe place to only wear on a special occasion. I told her that every day is a special occasion for Mumi–and to please let her wear the dress every day. We put shoes on her sweet little feet…and her mother got on her knees in thanksgiving. I explained that it is NOT from us-but absolutely thanksgiving to Him alone. We shared more time together–and I am seeing that her mom is beginning to see value in her little one as she sees how much the Lord and how much we also value her.

HOPE.

How I wish this was my home…but it is not. For now–the Lord only has me here for a couple of weeks…but oh how I could live here. Instead, we encourage. We love. We give. And we have to HOPE.

Then she came around the corner. Another little girl at the age of 10. Last week, she ran away from her home because her cousin was beating her there. This is quite common when a family takes in a niece or nephew and the cousins do not find the humor in having to share their one bedroom home, little food and hardly any clothing. So, when the uncle was not home. They beat her.

Feeling unwelcome, this sweet 10 year old–beautiful soul–ran to find a place in the streets. For 3 nights she slept in the streets. And for 3 nights…3 men have abused her in ways that makes me want to SCREAM. I had the honor to tell her how beautiful she is today. How much God loves her. And how we want to help her.

I met with our children’s pastor–urging her to counsel her. To love her. To look out for her. To dream with us solutions or ideas for children like this one. Us Americans…can’t always come over with our solutions. But we challenge them to come up with solutions that we can partner in them with-support them-fund them-and work together to love the children on.

I often hear different circles of people in adoption circles or not for adoption scream about preserving family. This is not always the best option. So, we suggested this girl have a safer home to live in. One where she is loved, cared for and protected. Getting her relinquished–wasn’t hard. The uncle was thankful. And this sweet girl is now in a safe home. For now. A little bit of HOPE.

But there are so many like Mumi and Ruth.

SO MANY.

SO MANY.

So many.

The other night, I was so frustrated as I tried to take in their stories…and many other stories just like them. I told my team about Almaz…our son’s orphanage director in Ethiopia…as I was overwhelmed and trying to leave…how she grabbed me through my tears and looked me in the eye and said, “I see you want to save Ethiopia. But you can not. That is not what God has called you to do. Now go. Go be this boy’s mother.”

I have to leave all of this at the cross. And I have to believe He is enough. That He will call many others…even many others in the village itself to be the hands and feet of Christ in caring for orphans and widows here and throughout the world.

Once again–my eyes have been opened. I am reminded…I was NOT made for that nice 2 story house with a basement that I live in back home. I was not made to enjoy my cup of Starbucks with a friend. I was not made to live for me. I just wasn’t. And I can’t.

Life is just too short. And unfortunately–if believers all over the world do not radically give…radically go…radically send–then too, too many of children like Ruth and Mumi…may have lives that are just way too short too.

Tomorrow is another full day…and I’m thankful.

Today was one of those “I could live here” kind of days.

Our day began at the school playing with the children. I found precious Mumi…and this mommy found ringworm all over my precious new little one. She is dressed like a boy…with an open jacket, dirty pants and no shoes. We played together…and this morning I caught a glimpse of a little smile. (HOPE.)

We returned to the lodge by 9:30am to prepare for the widows conference that began at 10am. 150 widows trailed in…and their conference was so sweet–full of worship and such healing. I reminded them of His great, BIG love for them. How He was their groom…how He says “She is MINE…I love her” about each of them. We put wedding bands on each of them from them to remind them of their commitment to Him and how they are “taken”. In Zambia, when a woman is widowed–she is left destitute. The deceased’s family comes and takes all of the belongings–and the widow…is left with no place to even live. She must start over. To be a widow here…often means feeling abandoned and they desire to feel wanted, valued and “taken”. To be reminded that their King in heaven says this of them, made tears stream down their precious faces.

And then…there were songs of worship…a time of prayer…followed by lots of dancing together.

After lunch, we went to town…and as we ventured through the streets…I thought, “I could live here.” It’s just good to remind your heart that this place is NOT our home. We were made for heaven…and we should never get too comfortable in any place here on Earth.

Around 4ish-we went over to one of the schools. When I got out of the car I heard many shouts of children saying, “Mumi! Mumi! Mumi!” When the children see me–they know this sweet girl is “taken”:-). I sat with many of the children and explained to them that God doesn’t look at outer appearance, but at the heart. And I told Mumi how very beautiful she is. I found her mother and tried to teach her how to put ointment on her roundworm marks (I told her it was princess cream of course;). BUT unfortunately her mom is unable to care for her–because she not mentally capable. She was holding her 1 year old baby who was crying to be nursed…desperate to eat. I had to tell help her feed him…she kept forgetting. Realizing that she would never be able to treat Mumi’s wounds–I found a 17 year old girl who promised to be up for the challenge. I explained to her how special this little girl is to me…and she agreed to complete the 14 day treatment for me. This mommy will be back:) I love this little girl!!!

I tried to explain to her mom why it was so important to make sure she is protected. How valued she is. But I quickly saw she was mentally ill. The amazing thing is—is this girl and her big brother are okay. And I hope the same for the baby. In January–this sweet girl will be old enough to get in Wiphan!!! Super excited for her to be safe during the day. No–she is not an orphan…but she is in need of care…and she is what we call a vulnerable child. And there is room for her:) Excited!!

Tomorrow is child sponsorship day. Half of our team leaves to go home:(. We are here until Sunday. Oh my…I have some really amazing news–can’t wait to share:).

While yesterday’s post was full of things that were hard for us to comprehend–joy did come in the morning.

We started our day making preparations for the conference for the orphans. I really wish that I could describe the details for you. But truly, there are so many aspects that make it jawdropping amazing. Every orphan in our school in grade 3 and higher was invited to today’s conference.

Just minutes before they started arriving…mind you they walked several miles to get here…I stood under our hotel’s pavilion looking at the 350 chairs unaware of the miracles that would take place today.

One by one they trailed in. The dj playing unbelievable Christian music that our Wiphan board member Scott left on a past visit. The chairs were soon filled…and 350 voices began to sing. Aaron, our guitar player, began with songs the children already knew. And then–it was time to teach them a new one. How Great is Our God.

Nothing is sweeter than hearing those voices sing praises to God together. Seeing them…with what we consider to be so little…sing praise to our God and King.

I had the honor of sharing how deeply God loves them today. And it was amazing. I cannot take a inch of credit for a word that came out of my mouth as it was truly the Lord…and I, myself, was overwhelmed with His love over them. Seeing a tear fall on the cheek of the girl in the second row. Or the boys intently taking it all in…and all about HIS love…His perfect plan…His deep, great, BIG love for each of them.

We taught them the significance of rings…how the circle is eternal…it goes on forever like God’s big love. And then they lined up…and as Aaron sang a song of His love for them–each and every child received a ring to remind them of His deep love for them. That it is forever. He never forgets them. When they are abandoned…He will forever be their father. When they are abused…He will heal their hurts. He is and will be enough for them.

To see their belief on their faces…just amazing. Truly–today may have been one of the most holy in my life. I am just humbled that God would allow me to be here…and experience and see and feel His great, deep and BIG love for orphans and widows. Oh yes–He loves me deeply. And you too. But I have to say…I think my King has a thing for orphans and widows. It does say so in His Word you know.

After the children got their rings…and after the rest of us wiped away our tears. The wedding cake was served. The fanta tops were popped. And the dj started. We celebrated as if we were at a wedding reception. The children sang and danced…and they pulled us all on the dance floor with them. It was absolutely…

NO WORDS.

Can’t you just see it???

And this my friends–is worth traveling the whole world over.

To tell them.

Of His amazing, great BIG love for them.

And then to dance.

Truly, HE IS ENOUGH.

me and my sponsored child Beatrice…I got to put her ring on with her teacher! Can you tell I just finished crying with her? We were both so happy!!!