HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRYCE!!! May numbers! What can we Do??

Bryce is 12 today!!!  One more year and we'll have 4 teens under one roof - watch out world!!  This morning I got up early and filled balloons with helium so I could put them in Bryce's room before he woke up.  My plan was that he woudl wake up later with his room full of balloons and be surprised. Unfortunately, he caught me when I was putting the last bunch in, but he was surprised anyway.  I had so much fun planning it.  It was a great way to start his day as he had to leave for a baseball game at 8 this morning.  He got to open one gift before he leaving - the one thing he asked for and really wanted - undershirts!  He's my practical one.

 We got our May numbers a couple of weeks ago and thought I'd post them.  We are officially......

24 - Girl

11 - Siblings

Things seem to be moving a little slower the last couple of weeks, but it has also been the start of some changes in our program.  We will now officially need to take two trips to Ethiopia.  That's okay.  I have wrapped my mind around the concept and see it's many advantages.  We will be able to meet our child before bringing her home.  We will be able to see much more of Ethiopia and gain lots more knowledge about her beautiful country in two trips as opposed to just one.  We will be better prepared for our trip to bring her home - size, interests, personality, etc. 

It hit me for the first time last night, just how hard it must be for our child's birth mother.  So many thoughts were running through my mind, but here are just a few.  I was already in bed and was very thirsty, so I got up and went to the bathroom.  Since I didn't have a cup, I just cupped my hands to get a refreshing drink of clean, cold water.  It hit me as I bent down to get that first drink.  I take for granted that I have to walk 20 steps for a drink of CLEAN water.  I don't have to worry about providing water and food for my children.  I can't imagine what it would feel like to look at my children and not be able to provide those life sustaining things...to come to the realization that I can't provide.  How many children die each day because of hunger and thirst?  How many die from the parasites in their drinking water?  I look at the statistics and am overwhelmed.  Only 24% of the households in Ethiopia have access to clean drinking water.  1 in 6 children die before their 5th birthday.  There are approximately 147 million orphans in the world with over 5 million of them in Ethiopia.  Those numbers are overwhelming, sometimes to the point that we just sit back and think that the problem is too big for us to do anything.  I want to challenge you today.  As a Christian we are called to help "the least of these". 

Matthew 25:35-40

For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.  I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing.  I was sick, and you cared for me.  I was in prison, and you visited me. 

Then these righeous ones reply. 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?  Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  Or a stranger and show you hospitality?  Or naked and give you clothing?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?

And the King will say,' I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.'

What can we do?  There are many wonderful organizations providing clean water or food. There may be someone in your own backyard or across the world.  A neighbor...friend....relative...stranger?  Would you prayerfully consider being Jesus' hands and feet?  Would you pray?  Would you consider adoption?