To Ethiopia and Back Again

I will never forget that phone call. It was a quiet Thursday morning when the phone rang and a strange number came up on the caller ID. I answered and heard our caseworker's voice, "Betsy, are you sitting down?" After several terrible thoughts ran through my head of course, she told us the exciting news that we had a court date in one week, meaning that we would have to leave for Ethiopia on Sunday. After a few whirlwind days of packing, we jumped on a plane to meet our daughter.

That trip was so much of everything: exciting, overwhelming, surreal. We fell in love with the beautiful people and country of Ethiopia. We ate a lot of good food (just not the raw meat). We saw the city of Addis Ababa and in one word, it was "lively". We soaked in the sights all around us. And oh yeah, WE MET OUR DAUGHTER!!!

Our first meeting was just as sweet and awkward as I had imagined. She met us in the courtyard of the orphanage when our van pulled in, and gave us each a shy hug as we fumbled around trying to communicate in different languages. Good thing that smiles are universal and that kids love to play... because our time with her was full of fun and smiles. I have so many precious memories of our time there with her that I hope will never fade.

Our court hearing went smoothly, and before we knew it, we were saying "see you soon" to our little lady and flying home again. We are hoping and praying to be back again in a few months to bring her home. Thank you again for your prayers as we prepare for the few final steps in this adoption process, and then start the real process of becoming a family! God has been so good to us and has been with us every step of the way. "The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you..." (Deut. 31:8a)

A taste of heaven - CAFO 2014

I do not think I am exaggerating when I say that I believe I tasted a small bite of heaven this last week at the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) Summit in Chicago. There were no angels with wings, harps or clouds. And surprisingly there were no streets paved with dark chocolate and rivers of red wine...No, no. It was much better than that. (hard to believe, right?)

Disclaimer: I would like to blame my lack of good photography at this event on my embarrassment at being the ONLY person there whipping out a big fat old school digital camera instead of a smart phone. Not cool, people, not cool.

This was a gathering of thousands of people from 35 different nations, of all ages, backgrounds, statuses, and socioeconomic strata. Incredible diversity and creativity, different views and opinions, all woven together to form an exquisite tapestry. From stay-at-home moms to politicians to doctors to CEOs to researchers to adoptees to musicians to authors  to artists and everything in between, all united with the common purpose to worship our God. And specifically in this way: "pure and lasting worship in the sight of God means that you must care for the orphan..." (James 1:27).

This was God's church, His bride, rejoicing in Him and reflecting His image. And it was beautiful. It is often said that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" (or something like that?). In the case of our relationship with God, imitation is what we were created for (Romans 8:29) and is one way to worship and glorify God. God calls Himself the "Father of the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5). This doesn't mean that He sees the countless vulnerable children without families and is simply touched by their plight. He becomes a Father to them. It is much easier to care ABOUT the orphan than to care FOR the orphan. As we seek to worship God, by imitating Him, we too need to care FOR the orphan.

My missionary heroes. (who probably now think I am a crazy stalker lady...oops)

Now, I am not saying that everyone needs to adopt or foster or go work at an orphanage in Haiti. We all have a different calling that ultimately comes together for the same purpose to glorify our Father. Orphan care is not another task to add to your list of "good deeds". It is a sacred, holy, messy, challenging privilege that we can all be a part of. As one speaker said last week, "when you go near the orphan, you go near the heart of God". What a blessing and joy to walk in this calling!

Team JW

This gathering was not just a fluffy, spiritual, get-fired-up event. A big part of it was learning to grow in "wisdom and knowledge-guided love" as we care for vulnerable children. If you know what a school nerd I am, then you will understand how I loved sitting in workshops and taking notes just like the old days. (yay, powerpoints!) I have so much information to digest, I think it might take me until next year's Summit to get through it all.

KARYN PURVIS, ya'll!!!

Ultimately, I am left in awe of my Abba Father who adopted me and has been lovingly and patiently guiding me through the healing process ever since. I am humbled and honored to be able to do the same in a much smaller and imperfect way to the children He has given me here on earth. Until next year...(-:

Thank you to all who made it possible for me to go! You know who you are and you are the best.

Note to self: Re-read this post in a few months when life is really hard. And get a smart phone to take pictures.