Once our eyes are opened,
we can't pretend we don't know what to do.
God who keeps our hearts and weighs our souls,
knows that we know and holds us responsible to act."
~ Proverbs 24:12
We are now preparing our family to move to Ethiopia to serve.
In 2009, we embarked on an incredible journey, that took us to a far off land. We adopted 3 children from Ethiopia. Little did we know that this was just the beginning and where this journey would lead us. We now find ourselves being drawn back to Ethiopia, but this time, not only to adopt 2 more children ... but to serve among "the least of these".
Our heart's desire has become to help orphans and widows in Ethiopia, Africa. We began seeing little notes everywhere. Until finally, it became so obvious we finally got it. The Lord was inviting us to come to Ethiopia and join Him in His work there.
My husband and I both knew we were called to missions years before we were ever married, so this has come as no real surprise ... except for the timing. We are older now, and we will have 8 children, 3 from the US, 5 from Ethiopia, as we are currently in the process of adopting our son's 2 brothers.
But all these things we see as hindrances and obstacles, matter little to the Lord, and our hearts are bent on following Him wherever He leads us. Just in case you are wondering, this is not some idea we came up with, as we probably would not have chosen this for our lives. It is the God of the Universe speaking to His children like the Father that He is.
"For I know the plans I have for you." says the Lord.
"Plans to prosper and not harm you.
Plans to give you a hope and a future."
~ Jeremiah 29:11
The Lord recently sent us on a trip to Ethiopia and confirmed time and time again, that this was His will for our family.
5 times He said:
"Every place you set your foot ... I will give you the land."
So now, here we are, willing to go. We believe the Lord is leading us to serve in Gojjo, a remote village about 2-3 hours NW of the capital, Addis Ababa. There are over 1400 orphans in the village of Gojjo. We have started a Child Sponsorship program there with 102 children sponsored so far. We feel called to go to Gojjo to help with the administration and hands on work of the organization, but mostly we feel called to love on the children, to look into their eyes, to touch them, to hug them, to tell them God has a plan for their lives, that they are not forgotten, that they are loved and show them the Love of the Father.
It is also our desire to help the widows in the village by starting up small entrepreneurial businesses, such as jewelry and basket making, making soap and skin care products. Some of this is what I already do here in the states. See my website www.wildprairiefarms.net.
Our hope is also to organize short term mission trips to Addis & Gojjo. We will be there to meet our guests and to invite them to catch the vision for orphan and widow ministry. We hope to acquire land and raise up a flock of sheep and cows as an ongoing feeding program to help feed the orphan kids of Gojjo.
We may end up having a home base in Addis Ababa and travel back and forth to Gojjo or we may end up living in Gojjo. At this point that is not clear. In our experience, we have found that the Lord does not give you the whole picture at once, only little pieces of the puzzle. But we trust that He has a plan and He knows what He is doing.
Here is what we need before we can go ...
Most of all we need Prayer ... lots of prayer
We have some major decisions to make ... do we sell our house or rent it out. This will be a huge transition for all of us, especially our kids. We homeschool, so we can go anywhere, but it's so much more than that. We are a Christian family going to a place where Jesus loving Christians are not always welcome. There are opposing beliefs, practices and religions. We need your prayers for protection, for us and especially for our children.
We are laying our lives down into the hands of a loving Father and trusting Him to take care of all the details.
We need start up money
We need airfare for our entire family ... us and 8 kids. .... Approx. $18,000
We will need our own used 12 passenger van .... Approx. $25,000 (250% tax)
We need Monthly Support
We will need housing and living expenses ... Approx. $1500 per month
We know and have faith that God is able to provide all of our needs. We make them known because we also know that He uses people for His glory.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
~ Romans 10:14-15
We can't do this without you ... will you help send us?
