Last November we had a family meeting and decided it was time to be intentional about getting the book written. Every time we speak at an event people always ask if we have a book to get the rest of the story. With only 30 -45 minutes to speak I can only give some of the story and I always feel like I am not giving God all the Glory HE deserves for HIS miraculous works. So we planned for me to get away to the cottage every weekend beginning the first week of January through the last weekend in March, Thursday night through Monday. The goal was to get it finished in this time period but we honestly had no idea if that was even possible.
As the Lord would have it, Amy Smelly,my dear friend who I found through this blog ministry, invited Solomon and I to visit her family in Fort Worth,Texas for a weekend in January. Amy is a Kolfe Mama and had gone to Ethiopia last year. She met Solomon and has fallen in love with her two boys at Kolfe as well as the rest of them. She is very involved in ministry in Ethiopia. She was the instrument God used to pay for Solomons plane ticket to get here to the USA. She asked if he could come visit while on winter break from school. Of course we could not refuse and then she also asked me to visit with him so we could finally meet in person. I told her I really couldn't go because I had to start writing the book and we had committed to make this a priority. Her response was; "Why don't you make this your kick-off weekend by visiting the Gladney Adoption agency where it all started. You can come relax for the weekend before you start working even harder than you already do." This made a lot of sense and I really did want to meet her in person.
So, Solomon and I headed out to Fort Worth, Texas on January 6,2011. After agreeing to visit, Amy said "Would you be interested in speaking if I can get some opportunities arranged? You have such an amazing story to tell." To which I responded, "Absolutely, the Lord has told me to tell this story and I am always ready to share for the purpose of giving hope and encouraging faith for HIS people to be about HIS business. Well, she got busy and before we knew it, she had six different speaking events planned. It was amazing. This was Solomon's first opportunity to share his testimony as well. He did an amazing job!
We had the privilege of visiting the Gladney Center for Adoption facility for the first time in person. We adopted through them but everything was done via telephone and emails. After this visit I am even more excited and confident in Gladney then I was before. I highly, highly, highly recommend the Gladney agency to everyone! They are an outstanding agency that truly desires to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in caring for orphans and widows in their distress and caring for women in crisis pregnancies. They have a facility for women to live there during their pregnancies that is state of the art. There is no charge for the women and they have absolutely everything to help these women choose life and give their baby a loving family. If anyone knows of someone in need, please, please let them know about the Gladney Center for Adoption. I will personally vouch for this facility being the best option out there.
We spent a lot of time with Scott Brown and his wife Monica, as well as their entire family. We were able to fellowship with Ryan & Abby Brown, Scotts son who is the person responsible for finding the Kolfe orphanage and exposing it to the world. Solomon and I were in awe that we were walking the campus and in fellowship with the people responsible for bringing us together at the Kolfe orphanage three years ago. Solomon said he never dreamed he would be at the Gladney office in America some day! They even made a video of him sharing his testimony that will be used in their program.
Only God could have orchestrated all of this to happen!
Amy and her family have the gift of hospitality and treated us like royalty. We were scheduled to come home Monday but the snow storm kept us there for two additional days. We ate lots of yummy food, had great fellowship with lots of new friends and had many divine appointments! The Lord clearly showed himself as we walked by faith and obedience during this week. It was absolutely wonderful and a real treat! Thank you Smelly Family for all the blessings you bestowed upon us!
The following weekend I went to the cottage and started writing the book feeling refreshed and in the will of God. As I sat at the computer I prayed for the Lord to guide my every word and show me what HE wanted me to write about. I sat with my computer, my bible and my blog posts for reference. I sat at the computer about 9:00 a.m. and the next thing I knew it was dark and I had to turn on the lights. The time just flew by and it was as if the Holy Spirit was in control. I was writing so fast that I didn't even realize the time. I was in a zone of concentration and wrote until the wee hours of the morning, about 2-3 a.m. every night. To the amazement of us all, on Monday, January 31, 2011, I finished the book! I could not believe it!
After I wrote the last chapter, I sat in awe and in tears talking with the Lord. I asked for HIS forgiveness once again for having little faith on the beginning of this journey. He had been telling me to write this book for about a year and I kept telling him it was an impossible task for me. I have too many responsibilities at home. I home school five children under seven, clean house, cook meals, laundry, shopping, the list goes on and on!I told him I would write it when the kids got older and my life slowed down. I honestly had a melt down on a few occasions because I was fighting this task with everything in me. It was going to be too hard and take too much time away from my family and responsibilities. But I could not get Him to stop. It was like a fly buzzing in my face that would just not go away. I kept praying and telling my family the Lord would not leave me alone about this and then I finally had to submit to HIS call. When we had our family meeting everyone agreed that they would step in and help me get this done. They all agreed that this was something we all had to work together to accomplish. We never dreamed it would only take four weekends! WE ARE ALL AMAZED!
This is just another confirmation to the premise of the book itself. It is the story of how God doesn't call the equipped but he equips those HE calls. It is the story of our call to do what HE called us to, the trials we experienced and then the miracles God performed to accomplish HIS purpose and will. He always give us what we need when we step out in faith to do what he calls us to do! It is HIS Story that is meant to encourage and give hope to everyone who reads it for the purpose of giving them the faith to do what HE is asking of them. Every time the Lord asks HIS people to do something, the first response is usually "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" There is always a long list of reasons why we can't do what HE is asking. It's time, money, people will think I am crazy, I will look like a fool, it is just weird, or impossible, it doesn't make sense and is just not logical. This is our story of how we have learned to trust God and surrender our lives for HIS purpose and HIS glory. The title of the book is:
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT!"
(But with God All Things are Possible)
We are in the editing process now and praying for a publisher. Now we wait and SEE what the Lord has planned for the book that HE insisted I write. To HIM Alone Be all Glory Honor and Praise! If anyone has any contacts with a publisher, please let me know!
Solomon is doing amazingly well. He passed all of his classes at Southeastern College and has started his second semester. His English is improving every day and he fits in our family like a glove. There have been a few difficult times along the journey but the Lord is faithful! I know the Lord has great plans for Solomon and look forward to reading his book some day! The journey is just beginning for him. He will be speaking at Blaise Baptist Church in Mocksville, NC at their Adoption and Orphan Care conference the weekend of March 5, 2011. Let me know if you can come on out and hear his testimony and fellowship with us!
"Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than the first...He gave him seven sons and three daughters and the daughters he called...Keziah and Keren." Job 42:12-14
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Book
I have not been posting on the blog because I am writing a book of the miraculous journey we have been on in the adoption and orphan care ministry. I have no idea what the Lord will do with it but I do know he has called me to write it. I am hoping to finish writing this week and then start the editing process. At this time, the title is: "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" (But with God all things are possible) Please keep us in your prayers and stay tuned!! To God Be all Glory Honor and Praise.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Steven Curtis Chapman in Concert
We will be working for ShowHope at the Steven Curtis Chapman concert tonight, Thursday, 10/14/10, at Kings Park International church in Durham. Come on out and join us! MaryBeth Chapman will be sharing her testimony as well. It will be an amazing night of worship and SEEING GOD!!! Come see us at the ShowHope table!!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Kolfe Scholarship Program
We are working with Gladney to raise support for the Kolfe boys scholarship fund. Please pass the word if you would like to contribute to getting these boys an education. This is the email from Scott Brown, at Gladney and he has asked me to share this with everyone. Help us make a difference in the life of an orphan!
Since the newsletter went out last week, we have had several of you asking more about the scholarship program which Gladney is overseeing for the young men of Kolfe Orphanage and the young women of Kechene Orphanage. Due to the response, I thought it best to provide this information for everyone.
Gladney has been able to assist individuals from the orphanages who show the ability and desire to advance their education through either traditional and/or training instruction. 100% of donations go directly to fund this program and currently we are providing on average $5,875 per month with around 25% coming in from donors like yourselves and 75% coming out of Gladney’s operations. Just recently, we purchased Graduation dresses/suits and shoes for around 20 students totaling $2,760.
When we started the General Ethiopian Scholarship Fund, our intent and desire was to choose young men and women whom Belay (Gladney’s In-Country Representative) and Anbes (Gladney’s Humanitarian Aid Director) have gotten to know and are confident will make full use of the resources given to further their education. Some of them attend public school which does not require school fees, but does require money for school supplies, copies, clothes and transportation. Some donors have asked that their funds go directly to a specific child they met in Ethiopia, but there are many children who are very deserving and capable but may not be as outgoing and connected to adoptive families, thus the reason for a general fund. The average funding which a child is likely to need is anywhere from $400 to $1,000 USD per year. As you can imagine, we would like to see every child with the ability to further their education be given the opportunity to do so.
Tutorial Program:
There have been many successful stories and good news to report. Just a short two years ago, before Gladney became involved, to our knowledge only 1 student from the orphanage made it to University. Gladney then hired high school teachers as tutors for those interested in taking the National Exams. Two years ago of the 8 who took the exam, all passed (4 boys @ Kolfe and 4 girls @ Kechene), which has NEVER happened before in the history of either of those government run orphanages. This past August, the tutors assisted 12 more students and once again ALL 12 passed the National Exam, so another 100% pass rate! Of special significance, one of those students scored within the top 10% of everyone taking the exam in all of Ethiopia, and he is excited to start attending Medical School.
Scholarship Program:
The scholarship program was commenced on September 30, 2008. Since then, we have had over 200 students involved with studies such as medical science, construction technology, hairdressing/beauty profession, food preparation/hospitality, information technology, language, teaching profession and governmental institutions. With our limited staffing resources, the donations go into a pool of funding for ALL scholarships. We are not set up to provide monthly follow-up as other sponsorship organizations provide. With 100% of the donations going into this pool and more than 65 young men and women waiting for financial assistance, we do not feel it a good use of funds to spend our limited staff resources to provide monthly follow up. As more funding is provided and more young people continue to show the desire and ability to continue their education, whether through conventional schooling or trade school, they will be added to the program.
If any of you are interested, you may restrict your donation by making your check out to The Gladney Center for Adoption; c/o Ethiopian Adoption Program; 6300 John Ryan Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122. In the memo line write “Ethiopian Educational Scholarship”.
A special thank you goes out to each and every one who is making a difference in the lives of these children. Gladney is humbled to play a small role.
J. Scott Brown
EVP/Managing Director of the African Programs
The Gladney Center
Since the newsletter went out last week, we have had several of you asking more about the scholarship program which Gladney is overseeing for the young men of Kolfe Orphanage and the young women of Kechene Orphanage. Due to the response, I thought it best to provide this information for everyone.
Gladney has been able to assist individuals from the orphanages who show the ability and desire to advance their education through either traditional and/or training instruction. 100% of donations go directly to fund this program and currently we are providing on average $5,875 per month with around 25% coming in from donors like yourselves and 75% coming out of Gladney’s operations. Just recently, we purchased Graduation dresses/suits and shoes for around 20 students totaling $2,760.
When we started the General Ethiopian Scholarship Fund, our intent and desire was to choose young men and women whom Belay (Gladney’s In-Country Representative) and Anbes (Gladney’s Humanitarian Aid Director) have gotten to know and are confident will make full use of the resources given to further their education. Some of them attend public school which does not require school fees, but does require money for school supplies, copies, clothes and transportation. Some donors have asked that their funds go directly to a specific child they met in Ethiopia, but there are many children who are very deserving and capable but may not be as outgoing and connected to adoptive families, thus the reason for a general fund. The average funding which a child is likely to need is anywhere from $400 to $1,000 USD per year. As you can imagine, we would like to see every child with the ability to further their education be given the opportunity to do so.
Tutorial Program:
There have been many successful stories and good news to report. Just a short two years ago, before Gladney became involved, to our knowledge only 1 student from the orphanage made it to University. Gladney then hired high school teachers as tutors for those interested in taking the National Exams. Two years ago of the 8 who took the exam, all passed (4 boys @ Kolfe and 4 girls @ Kechene), which has NEVER happened before in the history of either of those government run orphanages. This past August, the tutors assisted 12 more students and once again ALL 12 passed the National Exam, so another 100% pass rate! Of special significance, one of those students scored within the top 10% of everyone taking the exam in all of Ethiopia, and he is excited to start attending Medical School.
Scholarship Program:
The scholarship program was commenced on September 30, 2008. Since then, we have had over 200 students involved with studies such as medical science, construction technology, hairdressing/beauty profession, food preparation/hospitality, information technology, language, teaching profession and governmental institutions. With our limited staffing resources, the donations go into a pool of funding for ALL scholarships. We are not set up to provide monthly follow-up as other sponsorship organizations provide. With 100% of the donations going into this pool and more than 65 young men and women waiting for financial assistance, we do not feel it a good use of funds to spend our limited staff resources to provide monthly follow up. As more funding is provided and more young people continue to show the desire and ability to continue their education, whether through conventional schooling or trade school, they will be added to the program.
If any of you are interested, you may restrict your donation by making your check out to The Gladney Center for Adoption; c/o Ethiopian Adoption Program; 6300 John Ryan Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122. In the memo line write “Ethiopian Educational Scholarship”.
A special thank you goes out to each and every one who is making a difference in the lives of these children. Gladney is humbled to play a small role.
J. Scott Brown
EVP/Managing Director of the African Programs
The Gladney Center
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Midatlantic Orphan Summit Featured Speakers
Here is a list of the speakers for the Midatlantic Orphan Summit in Hershey, PA November 5-6, 2010 We hope you can join us!!
Featured Speakers
Featured Speakers
Monday, September 6, 2010
Busy Busy Summer - Quick Update
WE have been having a great summer! We celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary, every one's birthday's and soon to be Josiah and mine. Solomon and the three boys all learned how to swim. Jerry got a new job and loves it. He works out of our house and is home for dinner every night. Granma is doing great, going on lots of outings with "The Posse" our version of the Golden girls. Jonathan and his precious girlfriend Emily are "falling in love" as is posted all over Facebook. We are so excited to have her in our family. The twinettes are talking up a storm, learning to swim, playing dress up and getting cuter by the day. Melissa & Randy are working hard at parenting and preparing for their next adventure. Our precious grand babies are absolutely adorable. Cana is learning to walk and talk, Vaden is entering the wonderful two's! Ellie is sweeter than ever, socializing with lots of friends and preparing for her next great orphan care adventure. Solomon & Ellie started school at Southeastern College and Mestas Christian Academy is back in session with 3 first graders and 2 preschoolers. Jerry also started teaching an adoption class at our church, Open Door Baptist, in Raleigh, NC. We are off to a great start!
And Me? I am so blessed and grateful to have a wonderful husband, my mom living with us, all of my amazing children and grandchildren, everyone healthy and safe, more provisions than we deserve and a Savior who puts up with and loves a sinner like me. I feel so inadequate and undeserving of all the Lord continues to pour into my life. I am trying to keep up with the house, love on everyone, write the book, teach school, fellowship with the saints and my dear sista's, ministry to Kolfe Boys Orphanage, read the WORD and fellowship with my Savior and Glorify HIM. I am very much aware of how much I fall short every day. I have a hunger and thirst to sit in the presence of Jesus more and more every day. The older I get the more I learn how desperate I am, how much I need to learn, and how much I need Jesus to fill me with HIS portion.
Reading "Radical" by David Platt, and feeling a work being done in me. There is so much going on that I have absolutely no control over and realizing I don't want to do anything unless Jesus is orchestrating.
Praying and preparing for the Mid-Atlantic Orphan Summit conference in Hershey, PA, in November. Looking forward to meeting lots of friends from the blog and Facebook network.
Just a little update since I haven't been blogging much lately.
Solomon is doing wonderful! The language is a challenge but we know as he learns more things will get less stressful for him. He loves all foods except for string beans. He is lovin’ strawberry ice cream, Oreo’s and pasta. When you walk in his room he says "Welcome to Wal-Mart". He has clothes, shoes, and everything he needs all to himself and says it looks like Wal-Mart to him. He has made some new friends and is busier than he ever imagined. No time to be bored anymore! He is a joy and blessing and we are still in awe that he is here with us.
Another exciting year in the crazy Mestas house. And it ain't over yet!
"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the LORD CHRIST you are serving." Col. 3:23
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Col. 4:2
And Me? I am so blessed and grateful to have a wonderful husband, my mom living with us, all of my amazing children and grandchildren, everyone healthy and safe, more provisions than we deserve and a Savior who puts up with and loves a sinner like me. I feel so inadequate and undeserving of all the Lord continues to pour into my life. I am trying to keep up with the house, love on everyone, write the book, teach school, fellowship with the saints and my dear sista's, ministry to Kolfe Boys Orphanage, read the WORD and fellowship with my Savior and Glorify HIM. I am very much aware of how much I fall short every day. I have a hunger and thirst to sit in the presence of Jesus more and more every day. The older I get the more I learn how desperate I am, how much I need to learn, and how much I need Jesus to fill me with HIS portion.
Reading "Radical" by David Platt, and feeling a work being done in me. There is so much going on that I have absolutely no control over and realizing I don't want to do anything unless Jesus is orchestrating.
Praying and preparing for the Mid-Atlantic Orphan Summit conference in Hershey, PA, in November. Looking forward to meeting lots of friends from the blog and Facebook network.
Just a little update since I haven't been blogging much lately.
Solomon is doing wonderful! The language is a challenge but we know as he learns more things will get less stressful for him. He loves all foods except for string beans. He is lovin’ strawberry ice cream, Oreo’s and pasta. When you walk in his room he says "Welcome to Wal-Mart". He has clothes, shoes, and everything he needs all to himself and says it looks like Wal-Mart to him. He has made some new friends and is busier than he ever imagined. No time to be bored anymore! He is a joy and blessing and we are still in awe that he is here with us.
Another exciting year in the crazy Mestas house. And it ain't over yet!
"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the LORD CHRIST you are serving." Col. 3:23
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Col. 4:2
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
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