Tuesday, February 19, 2008

My Kolfe Sons - Why ME Lord?

I have been corresponding via email with my two new sons Habtamu and Solomon, who live in the Kolfe Boys Orphanage. I am feeling quite overwhelmed with this whole experience. I can't believe I have these precious young men in my life.

With this wonderful world of technology we have this opportunity to build our relationship from the other side of the world. As I am getting to know them with each letter, I have been overwhelmed with the reality of this new and very humbling and serious responsibility that the Lord has given me. As I mentioned earlier, I know with everything in me that God intentionally sent me to the Kolfe Boys Orphanage to change my life forever.
At first, I thought we were going to Ethiopia just to adopt our 3 new children. Then I thought he sent me to Kolfe just to help them get some blankets and renovations to the compound. But now, I realize that he has given me "two more sons" that need a "MUM" in their lives. As I was reading their letters recently, I was overcome with an emotional and stark realization that this is a tremendous responsibility. "Lord, why me? Why did you bring these young men into my life? Why are they asking me to be their MUM? What do I have to offer them? What can I give them from the other side of the world? What do they need from me? What is it that you want me to do? How can I be what they need? I'm afraid of letting them down or disappointing them! Why is my heart so full of love for them already? How can I help them, encourage them and point them to you Lord? What is this all about????" What are you doing Lord?

Since this Ethiopia journey began for us, I have felt the Lord impress upon me to "Share This Story" for the sake of others SEEING, HEARING & KNOWING HIM. It is for the purpose of increasing our hope and faith as we watch HIS plans fulfilled by walking in obedience and faith. We are to walk circumspectly even when we don't understand, when it doesn't make sense and when it is even crazy, or appears absolutely absurd. This is how He gets the glory, honor and praise that He alone deserves.

I keep thinking back to that day as we drove to the compound. I sat there not wanting to go and dreadfully thinking I knew what it was going to be like. I thought this was going to be a waste of my time and a bad experience. And now, here I sit with my heart full of love, aching for my new sons Solomon and Habtamu to be with me. I have a passion to help care for the Kolfe Orphanage. God intentionally orchestrated these two young men to be there at the exact time that I was. He brought them out to greet us and take us on a tour through the compound with about 10 other young men. But why is that these two stood out more than the rest? Why did they take a liking to me? Why did I give them my email address when I didn't even know if they had computer access? Why did they decide to start communicating with me? They use their school transportation money to go to the internet house and walk to school instead. What a sacrifice for them. They don't even know me and they are walking to school so that they can use the computer to write to me? What is God doing? What am I supposed to do? Why ME??

As I ponder all of these questions in my mind, I can only think that God has a plan and I don't know it yet. I want to journal this part of the journey here as a documentary to watch God at work. I will share excerpts of their letters here on my blog because I want you to see the hearts of these young men. As I read their letters, I am being encouraged and ministered to. I am continuing to be transformed by them. They are such caring and loving young men and I am so blessed to know them. When I think of everything that God did to bring them into my life, I am in utter awe and disbelief that all of this is really happening to me. I can only rest in the security of knowing that in this, God has a plan. I must be obedient to this calling and pray that I serve HIM well. Only time will reveal some the answers to the many questions running through my mind. So stay tuned and see what the Lord has in store for us. I think we can all learn something and receive a blessing from Solomon and Habtamu.

HABTAMU'S LETTER

Hello mom

I am Habtamu. How just live success, peace and happy life with your family. I am very happy because you are happy as all things good. I read all of the things. All people get as his action. The good one get good, the bad one get bad. As you told me you l will be come Grand ma. I am also very happy. This is what God do for you as your action. Noting is yet God do for you. Based on your question, I prefer to tell you my history.

I was born in Ethiopia sub city called legedade. My mother name is yadu Anbessa. But I don’t know who my father is. Due to better life, my mother yadu went to Addis Ababa with me at chilled. We were very poor, we have no home as well as we have no job so, we continued dependent life on the government body. One day we faced with foreign people. They would do home, cloth and food, hence this be starting of life. My mother had no work permanently. She was get money by washing cloth, by preparing food and anything that she can do. Some times she could beg money besides the church. By using this little money she was sending me to school. All her efforts were for me. One day she felt sick. Nobody was contributed for help due to lack of relatives and so many reasons. This problem gradually gone to death for my mother. Before my mother died, she said that “ please God keep my son until he reach self administer. THE NAME OF THE FATHER THE SON AND THE HOLY GHOST AMEN.” In that moment I am so cried more than any time. Most of the members of our village contributed for me to stay in Kolfe. Some times I had thought about all of this history and I was sad. But all of things would past. Now, I am very happy because God send for me special, Beloved and beautiful mother Eileen, therefore I don’t say that I have no mother. So, I praise for God, hence, life is wonderful as I met you mom.

As I told you different boys are live in Kolfe. Using the clever one foot step I am continue study. Efforts with God, all things have been nice. I have program for study all subjects are matched with their time. I will show you what is my rank out of 75 studens. Here is the table.

GRADE
RANK
1. 50
2. 25
3. 23
4. 11
5. 4
6. 1
7. 2
8. 2
9. 1
10. NOT YET


By the way I don’t get the package yet. But thank you for any thing. As you ask me I would like to live with you that are my wish since I love you.

Mom, now I finish today’s email. Until next good time. Please write soon.

"I LOVE YOU MOM"

7 comments:

Is Eight Enough? said...

Your story about the Boys Home really touched my 16 year old son. He was born with a hammer in his hand and began framing houses for real when he was 13 years old. He began his first foundations at age 11. As a homeschool boy he has had the opportunity to work full time as well as do his schooling. Though he does not want to be a house builder when he grows up, he has his heart turned to the the Kolfe Boys. He is praying to see if God will have him go to Africa to build a similar home for older boys. He is one of six boys and your story about the home (in NOvember) SO touched him, that he wants to do something for older boys.

I do not doubt, if it is God's will, that this particular boy will accomplish this!! Thank you for sharing your story. I know it made a difference in the fact that my son will not be the same again!

Blessings!

Is Eight Enough? said...

Hi there,

I thought you might like to read the comments my son said about the Kolfe Boy's Home. It is on my blog.

http://sixboysandalittlelady.blogspot.com/2008/01/adoption-changes-everyone.html

Kathy Cassel said...

Wow! What a story. I'm sure it is exciting and a bit scary to see how God is working.

Nicholas said...

God Bless you and the boys on this journey...

LISA said...

Wow,thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Wow- what a great story. I enjoyed reading his letter out loud to my wife. I happened to stumble on your page when Randy told me I could see a picture of the baby here.
Kevin Jones (We met at Taco Bell a couple weeks ago).

Holli said...

This is the 1st time I have come across your blog..... I feel joy, peace and blessed just by reading! I will pray for your family, your sons and the strength through this journey. As your son said God will bless you!
In awe of what God is doing in your life and you following his will for your family.
I can't wait to see your boys come home.....