Why Ethiopia?

Today I have received a few questions as to why we would choose to adopt internationally over domestically. These stats from a blog I follow sum up the reasons that God used to make our hearts ache for this country and its orphans. I have so much respect for those that adopt, whether here in the states or overseas. I don't see one as easier or "better". Every child is precious. No matter where they are born. 

Some stats from http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/

• One in eight children die before their fifth birthday. (What? You need more reasons?)
• There are FIVE MILLION orphans in Ethiopia
• That is the same number of children under age 18 who reside in Massachusetts, New York State, and Washington DC combined. If every parent in those places died tonight - that would be similar to Ethiopia's orphan crisis.
• More than half a million of these were orphaned as a result of AIDS.
• Over 150,000 children live on the streets
• life expectancy in Ethiopia 39 years for males and 42 years for females. The leading cause of death is communicable diseases such as malaria, typhoid, meningitis, cholera, AIDS, tuberculosis, yellow fever.
  
• Woman have an average of 7 children and the maternal mortality rate is 1 in 14
  
• Ethiopia's neonatal mortality rate is one of the highest in the world - 49/1000 births with tetanus infection being the second major cause of infant/neonatal death.
• Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over half the population lives on less than a $1 a day. The average income in Ethiopia is US$100 a year. Almost 82% of the population lives on less than $1 a day.
• Malnutrition levels are among the highest in the world.
• Ethiopia is experiencing yet another drought now.
• Only 42.7% age 15 and over can read and write. The literacy rate for women is 35%.
• Only 18 percent of children reach grade five. That means 82% of children don't.

The Call to Adopt

Do small things, with great love. - Mother Teresa

The call to adopt, to father the fatherless, and to love the least of these has been placed heavy on Justin and I's hearts. We were on a date night a few weeks ago, sitting at Starbucks awaiting our Groupon movie to start. Justin has recently been reading some books and had some things he wanted to talk about with me. We got distracted however and began to discuss how much we would like a newer/bigger car. We figured with a lot of cutting back and saving we could probably save some money this year in order to put a big down payment on a minivan (my dream!!!) I flippantly said "that's like half an adoption." We then said nothing and communicated with only our eyes (as all married people can) and we both knew. We were not getting a car. We were going to adopt. The more we began to dream outloud the more God has encouraged our hearts. We have always supported the idea of adoption and yet never thought it was for us... we don't feel that way anymore. We now know there is a child out there waiting on us to come get them. We feel as though we would be disobedient to pursue anything else right now.

   Matthew 18:5
"And anyone who welcomes a little child like 
this on my behalf is welcoming me.”

After many late nights of research and conversations with those with wisdom in these areas. We have felt a tug towards Ethiopia.  We cannot stop smiling, planning, dreaming and praying. Thinking of opening our hearts and home to another child is going to be such a joy. An unknown journey, but a joyous one. Anything outside of our ability and comfort level that God ask us to do, always ends up more amazing than anything we could ever imagine. We have made the call to an couple different agencies and now praying about which is the right one for us to pursue. I told Justin tonight that my walk with Christ has been comfy. I have never even had to be uncomfortable or risk anything to live out my faith. Adoption will end that.

What can you do? 

Pray.

Pray for God's hand to cover every inch of this process and that we will listen for Him.

Pray for our sweet child who is somewhere right now waiting. Whether in a mommy's tummy,  maybe on the street, or an orphanage. Just please pray for our child.
Pray that we are able to hold them in our arms and share with them the love of Jesus sooner rather than later.

John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Matthew 25:45 "Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’