Revelation 3:8

"Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut."

Staggering statistics

I can understand why some people wonder why we are traveling all the way to Ethiopia to adopt a child ... and these aren't the main reasons, but these are a few ... it leaves me speechless and so heartbroken ...

In Ethiopia,
-One in ten children die before their first birthday.
-One in six children die before their fifth birthday.
-60 percent of children are stunted because of malnutrition.
-1.5 million people are infected with HIV (sixth highest country in the world).
-720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS alone, and there are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia.
-Half the children will never attend school. 88 percent will never attend secondary school.
-the doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.

A favorite thought for the week ...

"Trusting God with our children, especially as they get older, gives a whole new meaning to baby dedication." - Strength of Mercy

Unexpected Turn

Two weeks ago Wai Tim was laid off from his job due to company downsizing. It came as a sudden shock, to say the least. At times we've been sticking our head in the sand, and plugging our fingers in our ears and signing, "Flinstones, meet the Flinstones ... " to try and drown out reality. And it's fun while it lasts. At times there are moments of sadness. But like I told Wai Tim the night it happened ... we still have everything that matters. I keep praying for a swift, clear direction of the Lord's hand in moving Wai Tim to his next new job. Neither of us care where or what, but just to have the assurance that it is where He desires for us to be. Though, that is not how He has directed us in the past. Our experience is that we fumble around alone, in what feels like the dark, without any sense of real direction, and then sort of fall into place. It isn't until much later that we can look back and realize, we were never alone, nor in the dark, and we ended up right where He was directing us all along. So the good news is, we'll probably end up where He wants us. The bad news is, we have no idea how, where, or when we'll get there. However, I do secretly delight in an opportunity to press my faith into trusting Him more. Seize the moment.

Off to Ethiopia

We were informed our dossier was mailed to Ethiopia today. Always exciting to hear we've crossed one more hurdle.

Off to D.C.

We were informed our dossier was sent off to Washington, D.C. today for verification and authentication. Another piece of the puzzle ...