Liane is a woman who draws out the best in every member of our household. To me, she is like my first cup of coffee in the morning: strong, inspiring and a motivation to embrace whatever the coming day has to offer.
She is our adoption social worker. From her voice came the words, "Perhaps your Ezra is in Ethiopia?" Up to that point we'd had only our little girl's name. It was May 17, 2008 when our hearts broke with compassion, as Liane promised they would, for that amazing place in Africa where not only our sweet Ezra would be waiting, but also our Emmaus.
And so, our love of Ethiopia continues to move us. At 4:30 am this morning Dennis drove Elias to the airport, where he began his 11 day journey with some of the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) staff to include Liane's husband Mark, and our beloved Adoption Ministry Director, Joy.
Salome' excitedly asked Elias, which child he'd be bringing home this time!
Joy invited Elias to be her companion - to help out in any way necessary and to love-on the children while they visit the orphanages and the Widows/Orphans home. Joy and company are evaluating sites for building similar communities. The relationship between the widows and orphans is healthy and flourishing like flowers in rich soil. The orphans who come from such a sweet setting have already begun to soak in the love required to heal the wounds left by relinquishment, abandonment or death.
Elias is not planning on bringing any new little person home (though I made sure to poke holes in his extra-large duffel bag, just as I kissed him good-bye this morning!).
Liane once told of an Ethiopian woman. Poverty, sorrow and suffering had been her lifelong companions and yet she radiated joy. Liane asked her why. Tears streamed down her face as she said, "Oh, that the God of the Universe would choose to reveal himself to me."
Last Friday morning our family stood before a judge as two beautiful Ethiopian children; Kibrom Geberegiorgs Habtegiorgis and Bethlehem Mulugata Gutama officially became our Emmaus Kibrom and Ezra Bethlehem. In that incredible moment I thought, "Oh that the God of the Universe would choose to reveal himself to me."
Last Friday morning our family stood before a judge as two beautiful Ethiopian children; Kibrom Geberegiorgs Habtegiorgis and Bethlehem Mulugata Gutama officially became our Emmaus Kibrom and Ezra Bethlehem. In that incredible moment I thought, "Oh that the God of the Universe would choose to reveal himself to me."
I see part of that joyful revelation in the surrendered lives of Elias' companions, both American and Ethiopian, in the selfless choices of our precious birth mothers and in that dear Ethiopian woman. Such life changing joy is God's open invitation to us all.
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