image courtesy of stuck in customs.
this image speaks so strongly to where we have been lately in our adoption journey.
here we are traveling down this long road... a long beautiful road...in beautiful country... surrounded by vast displays of our Creators visible love and grace to us.
and at the end of the long and beautiful road?
an equally beautiful, majestic, glorious mountain lies ahead of us that we must climb to get to our destination.
we have absolutely no experience climbing such vast heights and peaks!
in and of ourselves...
we. can't. make it.
climbing such a mountain will require many things.... great patience, determination, endurance, trust, vast amounts of energy and resources.... and still.... that won't be enough.
unless.
unless, we have complete and utter reliance on the One and Only, well equipped and skillful Guide. He might guide us down a path we might not have chosen... a path that appears to look more difficult... but He knows the way...the best way.....and in order to make it to the top and then back down the other side safely, to where this beautiful journey will culminate, we must trust that He knows the perfect route to take us on that will get us there.
we thought we would have an answer today on whether or not Ethiopia will be closing to international adoption or if it will be some other form of action or reform that will take place. but we don't know yet. They are hoping to know perhaps by next Thursday now.
so, we have more time.
time to keep praying.
time to keep stepping into the unknown.
time to keep waiting for God to do what only He can.
our agency is encouraged by the fact that there have been several regions that have still received clearances from government on children even this week ....which is a great sign! we have been praising God for how well our agency has been keeping us informed and how they have the best interest of ALL of Gods children from hard places, from all over the world at the heart of their mission. what a true blessing they have been! we are thankful for how God led us to them!
will you please continue to pray with us for Ethiopia?
for:
- boldness of believers in government offices to speak up and stand for the children of their great country
- officials to see that children belong in good families and not in an institution; whether that means homes within their wonderful culture or whether that means out of their culture.
- processes to remain moving forward even as a decision is being made
- families who are continuing to trust and move forward even though there is great uncertainty that lies in front of them
thank you for standing alongside of us as we continue along this most precious journey of our hearts.
God is good.
He is faithful.
and we praise Him for what He has had planned for us, all along.
if you are reading this and feel like you too, have a mountain that lies ahead of you that you are ill equipped to navigate..... wave your white flag. surrender to trust the route He has for you to climb. He never once promised us easy roads. He only promised He would never leave our sides.
so look to Him. praise Him for all the good things He has ALREADY done, and abide in His Word.
"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your Word." psalm 119:114
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be Glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." eph. 3:20
