On our first trip to Ethiopia, there was a little boy in Martha's room that absolutely stole our hearts. Some of you have even heard us talk about him. How cute he was, the oodles of personality he had and the sad fact that he didn't even have an official name. All of the other kids in Martha's room were designated (had a family coming soon) but this little guy didn't at that point. We were sure that when we returned for our second trip last summer he would be placed and have a plan to go somewhere.
But, on that second trip, we asked the orphanage staff if he had a family yet. He didn't. We didn't understand and gave him extra attention while we were there. He loved the extra time and attention. He loved Martha - helping her where needed and giving her lots of kisses when we left with her.
This little boy stayed in our hearts and we inquired about him through our agency. (Yes - we know you're thinking we're crazy, and we probably are - but you don't know the power of connection and attachment and the way a child can get under your skin. We dare you to open yourself to it - it's a frightening, exhilarating God sized ride). They checked and were told that at that time he was not adoptable. It was a very confusing answer, but we took it for what it seemed to be - the answer for us and for him.
Fast forward to this past Winter, when staff from our Agency went to Ethiopia. The little guy was still there. Agency staff realized it was the same boy and took a picture and sent it to us. Our hearts. Oh My. Agency staff felt deeply that this little guy needed a family. Would we be interested still? Head = we are crazy. Heart = who knows what God is up to? Answer = our Agency was told that he remains not adoptable
Neither we, nor our Agency understand this. We have a little more information about him (that we don't want to share here) but none of it explains why he is not available for a home and family. What does this mean? Most likely, that he will eventually age out and be on his own - most likely fending his way in the streets. There doesn't seem to be any other plan or at least answers given for him.
Where does this leave us? Confused. Deeply confused. We wrestled with all of this for a while and found we couldn't forget about him. We decided, that as a couple, we would commit to 40 days of defined prayer for this little boy. For his emotional and physical health, his protection, his future, that he would come to know Jesus. That the plan God has for him would be known and that it would somehow include the unconditional love of a family - somewhere. Anywhere. We are praying about whether or not we should pay and have an investigation done to find out his story - which would then hopefully give him more of a future. Praying. Praying. Praying again.
Yesterday, at day 31, I was driving one of the kids somewhere, not really even thinking about this little guy. And, suddenly, I had this feeling on my chest - like someone was pushing a heavy brick on it. I don't know how to describe it, but it was actually physically heavy somehow. It was powerful. It was strong and deliberate. And, all I could see was the face of this boy. And, then the tears started and I couldn't stop them. I was so overwhelmed by this "outside" pressure upon me, I pulled over and called Dave. We both prayed heavily for this boy. We didn't know if he was suddenly in danger or had some wonderful happen to him, but we knew that we needed to pray - and PRAY BIG. I have no way to describe what happened yesterday as anything but a God Thing, a Holy Spirit thing. That there is still some reason why this boy captured our hearts - even if it is only to have someone praying for him.
Why do I share all this? Because I believe in prayer and its power. I believe it's time to share this and ask YOU to pray for him too. I can't give you a name to pray for - because he doesn't really have one. But, God knows who he is and will hear you knocking on heaven's door. Please join us in that. Please PRAY BIG for him and the millions of other children around the world who need someone to pray for them. God is listening. Thank You~
But, on that second trip, we asked the orphanage staff if he had a family yet. He didn't. We didn't understand and gave him extra attention while we were there. He loved the extra time and attention. He loved Martha - helping her where needed and giving her lots of kisses when we left with her.
This little boy stayed in our hearts and we inquired about him through our agency. (Yes - we know you're thinking we're crazy, and we probably are - but you don't know the power of connection and attachment and the way a child can get under your skin. We dare you to open yourself to it - it's a frightening, exhilarating God sized ride). They checked and were told that at that time he was not adoptable. It was a very confusing answer, but we took it for what it seemed to be - the answer for us and for him.
Fast forward to this past Winter, when staff from our Agency went to Ethiopia. The little guy was still there. Agency staff realized it was the same boy and took a picture and sent it to us. Our hearts. Oh My. Agency staff felt deeply that this little guy needed a family. Would we be interested still? Head = we are crazy. Heart = who knows what God is up to? Answer = our Agency was told that he remains not adoptable
Neither we, nor our Agency understand this. We have a little more information about him (that we don't want to share here) but none of it explains why he is not available for a home and family. What does this mean? Most likely, that he will eventually age out and be on his own - most likely fending his way in the streets. There doesn't seem to be any other plan or at least answers given for him.
Where does this leave us? Confused. Deeply confused. We wrestled with all of this for a while and found we couldn't forget about him. We decided, that as a couple, we would commit to 40 days of defined prayer for this little boy. For his emotional and physical health, his protection, his future, that he would come to know Jesus. That the plan God has for him would be known and that it would somehow include the unconditional love of a family - somewhere. Anywhere. We are praying about whether or not we should pay and have an investigation done to find out his story - which would then hopefully give him more of a future. Praying. Praying. Praying again.
Yesterday, at day 31, I was driving one of the kids somewhere, not really even thinking about this little guy. And, suddenly, I had this feeling on my chest - like someone was pushing a heavy brick on it. I don't know how to describe it, but it was actually physically heavy somehow. It was powerful. It was strong and deliberate. And, all I could see was the face of this boy. And, then the tears started and I couldn't stop them. I was so overwhelmed by this "outside" pressure upon me, I pulled over and called Dave. We both prayed heavily for this boy. We didn't know if he was suddenly in danger or had some wonderful happen to him, but we knew that we needed to pray - and PRAY BIG. I have no way to describe what happened yesterday as anything but a God Thing, a Holy Spirit thing. That there is still some reason why this boy captured our hearts - even if it is only to have someone praying for him.
Why do I share all this? Because I believe in prayer and its power. I believe it's time to share this and ask YOU to pray for him too. I can't give you a name to pray for - because he doesn't really have one. But, God knows who he is and will hear you knocking on heaven's door. Please join us in that. Please PRAY BIG for him and the millions of other children around the world who need someone to pray for them. God is listening. Thank You~
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