Tuesday, August 18, 2009

THREE DAYS UNTIL DEPARTURE!!!!

I am absolutely amazed that I am actually on my back to the KOLFE Boys orphanage in 3 more days. So much has been going on in the last few weeks that I am honestly dizzy!! As of today, they have scheduled Solomon's graduation for Sept 1st and I will be there until Sept. 3rd. We were getting nervous that I might miss it since it was still not scheduled as of yesterday!! Praise the Lord!!

I have been doing a lot of praying about this trip and asking the LORD WHY HE IS SENDING ME??? I have been feeling quite overwhelmed because I have so much responsibility here at home taking care of my husband, my children, my home, etc. I have struggled with feeling that I have no business leaving all of my responsibilities to travel across the world to Ethiopia, especially without my husband. We have absolutely no money for this major expense LORD?? I have 5 children under 6 yrs that need me every minute of the day LORD??? Why have you called me for this task?? What could I possibly do that is more important than what you have already given me here at home?? Who will help Ellie take care of the Little's, who will keep this ship running for 14 days??? It's time to start our new school year, I can't leave? Why not send someone else LORD?? Surely there is someone better qualified and with better resources than me LORD???And here is what I read in HIS word:
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
Three times I pleaded with the LORD to take it away from me, But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."


The Lord has faithfully proven that this is HIS WILL that I GO!! As of today, I have received all of the money I need through the precious and obedient Saints.THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICIAL SUPPORT...the Lord raised up cousin Georgie to go with me and he also has raised all of his support!! Elsa is coming to stay at the house and help Ellie with all the Little's and Jonathan will be home on his 4 days-off cycles as well. Jerry will be working all day but at least he won't be traveling while I am gone. Several dear, dear sisters in Christ have volunteered to bring meals for some of the days I will be gone. Mommy will also be cooking most of the meals. The Little's are not happy that MAMA is leaving but they are happy that I am going to take care of their brother Solomon and all the children that don't have mommies and daddies. They even gave me money out of their piggy banks to buy mosquito nets so they don't get malaria!! You should have seen their precious faces when they came with their money in hand!! I have been given a great peace that all will be well without me and the LORD IS IN CONTROL!!

HE has also impressed on my heart that I am to go pave the way for the FORGOTTEN BOYS!! Many people will adopt a baby, many people will adopt a little girl because they know they are probably being rescued from a life of prostitution. But, most people don't want the older boys, the forgotten boys!! And as I have shared previously, I was the most guilty of this. I didn't even want to visit their orphanage when we were there in Nov. 07. I actually got angry that I had to go visit the Kolfe orphanage. I honestly believe the LORD is raising this ministry of how to care for the older boys in several ways. First, to get them adopted. There are several Kolfe boys that have been adopted in the last year. And now, to take care of the boys that can not be adopted... to help an orphan establish a life outside of the orphanage. There is nothing better than raising a child in a family, with a dad, mom and siblings. Orphanage life is not what God wants for HIS children. As I have prayed for HIM to show me how to help Solomon, HE has miraculously raised up a family in Ethiopia that will take him in and I am on my way to help facilitate this. Maybe, if I go and help ONE BOY, make a difference in his life with no resources or special abilities of my own, but just step out in FAITH AND TRUST THE LORD FOR HIS PROVISIONS, MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE OUT THERE, MAYBE MANY PEOPLE WILL ALSO STEP OUT IN FAITH AND HELP THE FORGOTTEN BOYS GET OUT OF THE ORPHANAGE AND ESTABLISHED IN NEW LIFE! So, here it is only a year and half later, and I am on my way back to Ethiopia, the main purpose for my trip...TO BE ABOUT MY FATHER'S BUSINESS AT THE KOLFE ORPHANAGE OF THE FORGOTTEN BOYS!

I PRAY THAT EACH PERSON READING THIS BLOG WILL BE INSPIRED TO STEP OUT IN FAITH AND TRUST THE LORD WITH WHAT EVER HARD THINGS YOU ARE DEALING WITH. HE IS ABLE..HE IS TRUSTWORTHY AND HE IS FAITHFUL!!

"THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL, BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW. ASK THE LORD OF THE HARVEST, THEREFORE, TO SEND OUT WORKERS INTO HIS HARVEST FIELD. GO!.." LUKE 10:2

"WHOEVER WELCOMES ONE OF THESE LITTLE CHILDREN IN MY NAME WELCOMES ME; AND WHOEVER WELCOMES ME DOES NOT WELCOME ME BUT THE ONE WHO SENT ME" MARK 9:37

"ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME. THEREFORE GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. AND SURELY I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE." MATTHEW 28:18-20

I hope to be updating this blog from Ethiopia so please stay tuned. Please keep us in your prayers....

5 comments:

Shonni said...

You're in my prayers. I understand, as we bonded very strongly with older boys in Uganda when we were there and I know that they often get overlooked and forgotten. We email them so that we can continue to encourage them and give them a mother/fathers love even though we are far away.
I very excited for this time that you will have!

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen,
I have been following your blog for quite sometime and was thrilled to read that we will actually be in Ethiopia at the same time! I am really hoping that we can visit the Kolfe orphanage so maybe I will actually get to meet you in person. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of strength and obediance to the rest of us!

Kristi (blessed mom of 5!)
www.blessedpauls.blogspot.com

Sharon said...

How exciting! I received your thank you note a few days ago! It was so sweet. Thank you! :) I will be looking forward to hearing about your time in Ethiopia and what God is going to do through you! Knowing God has a great plan for all of the forgotten boys. Safe travels!

In christ, Sharon

Joy said...

This is so awesome to read and a testiment to God's faithfulness in all things.

Tori said...

I'll be praying for you and your family! I can't wait to hear of all the things the Lord will do while you are there!
Love you much,
Tori