Ethiopia In August??

However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9

Well, it looks like I am on my way to Ethiopia the end of August. Solomon is graduating and has asked that I come to be there with him for this important day in his life. As I, we have been praying about this, the Lord has shared his heart with us in another interesting way.

Our Ellie just spent a week in Guatemala at the Aqua Viva orphanage. She went with some friends of ours, Don Albright & family, who have been serving there for over 10 years now. Our daughter Melissa went with them when she was 16 yrs old....10 years ago!How time flies!! Anyway, Ellie just got home Friday night and shared this story of two testimonies that were shared with her there.

Eduardo, who is the pastor at Agua Viva was raised there himself. He was brought there when he was a baby and grew up not knowing who his parents were. Through the sponsorship program , his sponsor who is from Memphis, TN wrote him letters all the time and was his spiritual mentor. He says he does not know what he would have done without her in his life and that having someone who cared about him and encouraged him is what helped him get through life as an orphan. Her influence in his life is what made him want to become a pastor. He is now going to seminary in Memphis, the town where his sponsor lives, within the next year.

There was another child there who just graduate highschool from the Agua Viva school and his sponsor was able to fly to Guatemala for the graduation. The orphanage director was talking about how special it was to have the child's sponsor there and how a lot of the kids would have no family at the graduation. This sponsor not only supported this child for years, but even went so far as to show up for his graduation which the entire orphanage was so excited about and it meant the world to them all.

None of these people knew about our situation with Solomon. But the Lord knows we have been praying for wisdom on when I am to go visit with him. Ellie came home and said; "MOM, YOU HAVE TO GO TO ETHIOPIA FOR SOLOMON'S GRADUATION!" So, all this to say, we believe it is very important to be there for Solomon! The Lord is the one who brought us together for such a time as this and we are trusting that this is HIS WILL.

So, now it's time to make the plans. I just found out I can stay at the Cherokee House, they have vacancies and Solomon can stay with me!! And it is only $100.00 for the week. I have to pay for Solomon too so it's $200.00 for accommodations!! What an answer to prayer. I might be able to use a voucher from Ellie's travels for my flight to D.C. I have $1500 towards my ET flight from the generous gifts from the saints who sent support when I thought I was going in April. So, as you can see, it looks like things are working out this time. I need about another $1000 for the trip and then I'm on my way.

I would love for someone to come with me to help document with video and photos. I will not only be attending his graduation, but will be meeting with Misganaw's family, who has said they will take him in to live with them. I am also going to be checking into a school for Pharmacy Tech. that he is interested in attending and setting up a bank account, etc. We are going to find out how much it will cost for the school, his room and board with this family etc. and then figure out how we can send the money to help him. I am just absolutely amazed at what is happening now.

When we traveled to Ethiopia in November '07 to pick up our precious 3 babies, I honestly thought that was it. I would just come home and focus on them. The Lord has obviously had other plans all along!! We are on the next chapter of this adventure and would greatly appreciate your prayers!!!

To those of you who communicated that you would like to help support Solomon, stay tuned as we will find out the details soon. Also, Habtamu is doing well and passed the National exam which means he will be going on to University for 2-3 years. He also needs some financial support. While Jerry and I have been doing our best to send money to them, anyone who is interested in helping would be greatly appreciated. These guys are so grateful and hard working young men who are seeking after God to fulfill His plan and purpose for their lives. WE NEED TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS TO HELP THEM. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to read this blog and to pray for the orphans in Ethiopia. Stay tuned!!