Choices

Michael* was the first Ethiopian to break my heart.  He was pointed out to us because he hadn't yet been matched with a family.  When we locked eyes, time stood still and his smile lit. up. the. room.  We just stood there staring at each other, smiling.  If I could have, I would've scooped him into my arms and taken him home with us that instant.  This is Michael's story, and it has completely wrecked me.

Michael was a young boy when his father left his mother and younger sister.  Without an education in a country where welfare, Medicaid, and drop off childcare don't exist, his mother did whatever she could to earn a living.  She managed to care for him and his younger sister for a time.  But when Michael was 7, she got sick.  So sick in fact, that she had to make a terrible choice.

A choice that no mother should ever have to make.

She chose to place just one of her children in an orphanage.

And for reasons we don't know, she chose Michael.

Perhaps she thought that at age 7 he'd know how to take care of himself a little better than his sister?  Or maybe it was because he'd never been able to attend school because she couldn't afford the $30 for a uniform and books? At least she knew at the orphanage he'd have a safe place to sleep, a chance at an education, and regular food.  So she relinquished her rights as his mother, and he became an orphan.

In an overcrowded orphanage this outcast was picked on.  His face bears evidence of the brawls he was in.  Whether he was acting out or simply a bully's victim because of his speech impediment, the scars prove he has survived hard times.  After two years in that orphanage he was moved to this one.  Although there are less kids, he's watched as child after child has been chosen to be adopted, and he has remained unpicked.  He's learned the hard way that very few families exist that want to risk taking in an older kid, let alone one with scars you can see.

And I ache.  For Michael.  For his Mom.  Because couldn't that be me? Couldn't that be any one of us or our children?

Fetire's Mama and Sis

Next, meet Fetire.  Six months ago, Fetire's mother, after enduring years of physical abuse from a husband addicted to chat (a leaf that is chewed or smoked and produces a methamphetamine type high), made the brave choice to pack up her children and leave her abuser.

Like Michael's mother, she too never had the opportunity for an education, and so to make ends meet she hand washes clothes and earns on average $15-25/month.  But Fetire is our sponsored child through Compassion International, and this has made all the difference in their lives.  Because of Compassion, Fetire's education is paid for, she is able to receive healthcare and life skills training. Several days each week Fetire attends the Compassion project through her local church where she is surrounded by adults who love and care about her, who affirm her value, who tutor her, teach her about Jesus, and provide her family with supplemental food.  I am CONVINCED that were it not for Compassion, right about now Fetire's sweet mama, after already enduring so much hardship, would be having to make even more difficult choices.

Fetire eating ice cream for the first time.

Fetire could easily be in Michael's shoes.

I have absolutely no idea why I was born here, and they were born there.  Lord knows I had nothing to do with this great blessing.  And although I may not be wealthy by American standards, I am RICH by the world's standards.  What am I going to do with the privilege I've been born into?  We all have to make our choices.


I have the choice right now to forget all I saw and witnessed in Ethiopia and move on with my comfortable life here in the U.S.

Oh, but I have met Michael and Fetire! I've touched them, looked into their tender eyes, and loved them, and for the sake of all the other Michael's out there, I can't possibly stay quiet.

I know that not all of us can adopt a child...but really, most of us CAN sponsor at least one child.  Through Compassion the cost is $38/month, which provides that child with everything Fetire has.

What if, because of you, there could be one less unnoticed child in the world?  One less child winding up in an orphanage? One more family discovering a way out of poverty over the next decade, all while being shown the consistent love of Jesus?  Just think of the ripple effect!  This is BIG!  Lord knows you could be doing plenty of other things with your $, but friends, 

WE COULD CHANGE THE WORLD! 

On our watches, let's step in for all the Michaels and Fetires out there.  It just doesn't have to be this way.  As long as my heart beats, this is the song it will sing.  Let's sing it together!

Click here to sponsor a child today: Compassion

*To protect Michael's privacy, his name has been changed.  Shortly after we met, he was chosen by a loving family and they are in the process of adopting him.

Written Sept. 2.  My Facebook update:

Today the heaviest burden was lifted. It was super surreal packing up Abe's things, saying goodbye, and taking him away. The tears just wouldn't stop as we drove. 2 1/2 years of being afraid about this day, wondering if I had what it took to actually do this, fearing last winter that we may not even be allowed to adopt him at all, and then that long wait for no reason when it felt like the Devilhimself was standing in our way. I've cried so many tears over this boy and today all those fears and questions simply lost their grip.

Here is what I have learned: I am the lucky one. This great God of mine has walked us straight into the adventure of a lifetime. I've never seen God move in literal miracle after miracle like I've seen in the past 2 1/2 years. I could fill a book with the stories. Then getting to come here. Ethiopia. This place and these people. My gosh, I could've missed this!! This journey WAS about adoption, but by God's great grace somehow it's turned into so much more! We've found ourselves in the midst of people's stories. Deeper relationships. Somehow, we have been placed here at this exact time in history and our paths have crossed, and we are all better off because of each other!

After we drove away today Abe was still and quiet for a long time. I wish I could've read his thoughts. I kept thinking, "I'm so sorry sweetie, I know you're scared. But believe me, this is going to be good for you." Then, as our day progressed, my boy simply came alive! Like us he couldn't have known what he was getting into, but with every fresh experience he's seeing, tasting, and feeling new things! I've never seen him this happy. He too is learning that life's so much more than being confined to a familiar and comfortable space.

I could never have known when we first began all the bumps and emotions we'd face. But what I do know right now, with him sleeping peacefully beside me, is that every time we felt scared or didn't think we had any more to give, but we kept walking forward anyways...was completely worth it! I'm so thankful God busted ME out...because this...this feels like really living.