1 Samuel 17 is the story of David & Goliath. “Then David took his shepherd’s staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.” When I walk around the village of Korah, I can almost imagine the hideous giant, Goliath standing, mocking loudly in the streets. He brings terror and fear straight to the heart of this people group of lepers and children living in the slums of Korah. The Goliaths of pain, suffering, sickness, and tragedy stand towering over every corner you turn. It’s overwhelming, but I know God’s power will conquer every single Goliath with the courage and salvation of the lost hearts,

Today, we shared the story of David and Goliath with the Ordinary Hero team to the Project 61 students. It was a spontaneous production of a shepard played by Brook and a big, bad Goliath played by Stephen Murray. The spin off was from the Veggie Tale version and I quickly ran outside and grabbed 5 red stones from a pile of dirt. The story lasted only five minuets, but the message was powerful. God gave David mighty strength and power to kill Goliath. After the actors took a humble bow, it was my turn to share the gospel with our translator, Brook aka King David. I wanted to keep things simple, but felt in my heart I needed to be bold. I shared that God promises to help us face our own Goliaths. When life is difficult and painful and heartbreaking God stands by our side and destroys the giants with His mighty power. I asked the children if anyone had a Goliath in their home… every single hand went up in the room. I shared the ONLY way to have this power in our lives is to ask Jesus Christ to come into our hearts. I encouraged them to raise their hands if they had never asked Jesus to be their personal Savior, their Father. When I looked out in the crowd, I saw 4 older boys boldly wave their hands. It was a precious sight … they didn’t even consider putting down their hands until a few team members went to sit down next to them. We prayed outloud together the prayer of salvation. Let me tell you, the children of Korah pray without abandon!! It was loud and joyful and full of crazy love.

The 4 boys came up to give me a big hug and I gave each of them one of the “five stones.” I explained to them that they needed to keep the stone as a reminder TODAY they are sons of God, mighty warriors for the Kingdom, and children of royalty. I promised to give them each an Amharic Bible and asked them to start reading the Word of God every single day … for the rest of their lives.

Every day when I’m serving in Korah, the 4 boys find me and pull out of their pockets their red stone… their reminder that God is alive in their hearts and will never leave their side.

I Am the Light of the world. Men crawl through their lives cursing the darkness, but all the while I am shining brightly. I desire each of My followers to be a LIGHT-BEARER. The Holy Spirit who lives in you can shine from your face, making Me visible to people around you. Ask My Spirit to LIVE through you, as you wend your way through this day. Hold My hand in joyful trust, for I never leave your side. The Light of My Presence is shining upon you. Brighten up the world by reflecting who I Am. (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young)

We had to move guest homes a few days ago and in my heart, it wasn’t easy. We knew we had to move only one time this summer, but when the time came, I realized we all felt like home. (that’s good news) I made a nest for my family and we had to shake it up. We bought 4 new shelves for our home and unpacked our life on a few tiny shelves. Of course, the day we moved Zoie woke up with a fever and Roger left for Uganda. Moving days are always crazy, but the staff was here to help us every step of the way. (Thanks Sammy The Man!!) I always tell my teams they need to be flexible … take a flex pill when we are redirected on a new path. I had to pop a big flex pill!!!! I wanted to move and not grumble in front of my family, I needed to live what I preach! We moved and much to my surprise, I’m sleeping in Zoie’s room.

The last time our daughter Zoie Senait was in Ethiopia was four years ago. We met the tiniest, baldest, most beautiful baby girl at the orphanage and fell in love. Our adoption, radically changed our lives forever. Our family grew to five and we pray we always open our hearts for the kind of hospitality only God can create through adoption. Watching Zoie learn Amharic this summer has touched my heart in such a strange way. One of the most difficult part (for me) was removing our daughter from her homeland, her traditions, her culture, her everything… to a new world with our family. She bonded ferociously with her new family and she proudly shares … “I’m Ethiopian American” to her new friends here in Addis. She has learned so many Amharic words and phrases … picks it up so easy. Hearing her count to 10 in Amharic almost brings me to tears. I hoped and prayed she would embrace the country of her birth … we are watching her hug everything around her, except the food!! She is still our french fry loving girl, but we keep tempting her to try a little injera.

I’m sleeping in a small bed, but over it hangs a huge photo of Zoie Senait. I think she was a little shocked when she saw the wall art. “Mommy, why is my picture on the wall?” she asked me puzzled. I told her that she was kinda famous around these parts. I think she liked my answer. We are grateful for the McIlrath family and Ethiopia Guest Home and the extraordinary staff for embracing our family mission adventure. The staff are real life super-stars and we can’t imagine living anywhere else in Addis Ababa!!! So, if I have to move a few more times during our stay here, I think with a few flex pills and my Zoie wall art … this mommy will do just fine!

Thank you for praying for our family. I wanted to ask for specific prayer in these areas this week:

1. Opportunities and boldness to share the gospel to the unreached people groups.. kids and adults. We have asked 15 street boys living near our guest home to go to Beza church on with us on Sunday. I have no idea what the laws are here on how many kids you can stuff in a van, but we’ll give it our best shot!
2. Strength in body and spirit.
3. Mercy’s health and travel plans to the USA
4. Opportunities to offer support, care, and encouragement where it’s most needed with the Man Up Visiting Orphans team arriving to Ethiopia on Friday … make a major impact in Addis and Korah!!!

 

Thank you God for giving me grace grace today!!!

Our little family of five was so excited to join our friends and the Visiting Orphan’s team for Sunday service at Beza Church! Last Sunday, we were blessed hearing Pastor Zi share on giving, but today was the healing service and this was going to be a powerful message! Zoie couldn’t wait to join her new friends at kid’s class, too. We were all ready to worship and join with our new church family in unity, joy and blessing in the Holy Spirit.

We spent extravagant time with Jesus. It was simply beautiful enjoying time with our brothers and sisters singing and praising and loving Jesus together. As I looked around the congregation, there were so many people groups from all over the world. We had friends sitting near us from Africa, United States, Australia, and even France. The testimonies of healing glorified God and encouraged others to go forward for prayer. “The whole church must take the whole gospel to the whole world.” (Live Dead)

One of the things God put on my heart was letting go of all my “plans.” It took me weeks to plan what to bring to Africa for my family. I planned on the things I anticipated we would need here for the four months in Ethiopia, but already I realize most of the stuff I packed was unnecessary. I never thought I was much of a planner, but enjoy the surprises that come along with adventure. However, in my mind, I made a lot of plans about how I thought things would go. I keep reminding myself, I have no agenda when I wake up in the morning, but I can sense in my heart how much I crave feeling needed and wanted. The worst thought would be to go through an entire day and not serve big or love big. Today, God reminded me that the only thing He wants me to do daily, hourly, second by second … first SEEK God’s kingdom. Jesus says, “Fall into freedom; trust me, and stop worrying about what you have or don’t have.”

So, today sitting with my new church family, I confessed my motives and weakness to make my own plans to serve my purpose for the day. I want to step aside and let God make the plans. He knows exactly what He wants me to do during my time here in Ethiopia. He will use my strengths and weaknesses.. I just need to obey. I’m so grateful for the ministries and missionaries and adoption families that I love are [here] with me in Addis Ababa. There was no way I could ever have planned that!! I want to be a “happy helper” but more than anything, I want to please my heavenly Father and enjoy each and every day in freedom. I look forward to living this day to the fullest and not worry about tomorrow. Continue Reading

Dear Hannah,

I was watching you today and couldn’t help wondering what special plan God has for your life. You were holding a precious little girl in your arms and I could picture so many things in your future. Your compassion, gentleness, and spunk have been unique gifts of yours since you were a baby. You started off life only weighing 2 pounds. Your spunk and determination not only saved your life, but it’s now giving the children you love big the same hope to never give up. This little girl probably doesn’t feel she has a future. We visited her home and it was only the size of your walk in closet. It’s hard to wrap our brains around the needs we see. Your gentleness made her feel safe and she fell asleep in your arms. The mission team even gave you the nickname- baby whisperer.

Dad and I know our family mission adventure to Ethiopia has been challenging for you. I’m sure you have a list a mile long of all the things you miss every day. You love alone time to just chill out and that luxury is pretty much non-existent in a 2 room guest house with 5 people living inside. You exchanged your huge closet for 1 shelf. I hope you know we could never do this journey without you … your joy, humor and silly creativity makes us laugh and relieve the stress of the day. I’ve watched your sister, Zoie cling to your confidence and joy as she ventures out trying new things. I heard her tell you today, “I want to do everything my big sister does!”

I’m also watching you with my “mommy” heart … hoping and praying you are growing, learning, stretching, and challenging your walk with the Lord to find contentment in any situation God puts in front of you. The greatest of all … sharing the gospel with the bright light inside of you to the people you meet every day.

Thank you for trusting us, your parents and jumping in with both feet to join us in loving and serving in a radical way here in Ethiopia. You will watch our achievements and failures… please give us big grace. I can only hope that our decisions and actions will make an impact in your heart that you will carry with you for the rest of your life… so you can better know Him. As you abide in Christ, listen to His heart. It beats for lost people.

I’m thankful you are my daughter and look forward every single day watching you grow into the woman God designed you to be.

I love you, Hannah

 

One of the things I love most about living here at Ethiopia Guest Home (EGH) is meeting new people just about every day. We love coming down for breakfast and seeing a new face at the common table. You just never know who will show up. Today, a darling couple from Australia walked into our lives. They simply said 2 words when we asked them what they wanted to do for the day … Fistula Hospital. How could they refuse us tagging along when they saw the smiles on our faces! I told them if they wanted us, we’d love to join them. We didn’t have an appointment or an agenda, but Fistula Hospital is one of my favorite places in the world to visit. I’ve encourage you many times to watch the documentary film, A Walk To Beautiful.

Have you watched the film and what impact did it make on your heart?

Typically, I have a big team with me when I go to Fistula Hospital. They split us up in small groups so we don’t overwhelm the women. Today our team included: Dovie, Hannah, Zoie, Hubby, Reg, Aliza and me. We arrived and told them we were friends with management staff, Feven and Sisay, so they let us have the golden ticket (a red pass with the words- no photography allowed) to go inside. Zoie has tackled every new day like a pro missionary … march in and smile, melting everyone’s hearts! The women are wrapped in their colorful blankets, so excited to greet new visitors. Hannah and I had just been there a week ago with our Visiting Orphans team. We recognized many of the beautiful faces.

I “guided” our tiny team, pretending I was their tour guide, around the grounds that were stunning with flowers of every single kind in full bloom. It’s a peaceful sanctuary. Reg mentioned that even the air at Fistula Hospital was fresh and clean. It makes you feel renewed, healed, and spiritually energized. I have no idea how to describe this beautiful place, but encourage you to visit in person. The real guide was still having her tea when we arrived, but I told her “no rush” I would share the highlights until she could join us. I think I found my new calling … guide extraordinaire at Fistula Hospital. The stories are heartbreaking how each individual women made the long journey (most by walking) to receive surgery and healing. But, there is big hope here too, reminding us how Jesus heals His children and cares deeply about each one of us.

We visited the new baby ward and had no idea God was preparing us for a special surprise. One of the women I hugged last week, JUST had her baby boy. She has previously lost 2 babies due to traumatic pregnancies and this newborn was her first to survive. She walked in with her nurse and husband (amazing miracle!) and beautiful baby … all we could do was cheer!!!!!! She felt like a movie star. We clapped and congratulated the new parents, even the staff was crying. The baby was absolutely stunning, so we gushed over him, too. I noticed my hubby walked over to another bed greeting a very young girl holding her baby.

He was talking to her with the help of one of the staff and he was beaming with joy. He motioned for me to join him. He was drawn in completely. The guide asked her if she wanted to go home, but the new mom adamantly said no. Her life was complicated back in her village. She was only 16 years old, so her husband had married her illegally. She had no family, no husband, no village, no future. My husband held her in his arms and she was responsive. The staff said this was the first time she allowed someone to hear her story. Roger asked her what she dreamed of being in the future. She smiled and said she wanted to finish her education. Hope. She told him she wanted to start a new life in Addis and take care of her baby boy. Hope. She declared her hopes and dreams and fears. With the help of the staff, Roger told her gently to stop worrying about her future and start dreaming about your future. It was so emotional for all of us. We went into the social worker’s office and made the decision of faith to help raise her support for the future. The miracle happened when they told us her name … Senait!!!!!!!!! She had the name of our daughter. We were blown away! Later, we went to say goodbye to Senait and they told us she had not named her baby boy yet and asked Roger to give him a name. He mentioned our son, Michael’s name was from the Bible and what his name meant. She didn’t show any emotion. Then Roger mentioned the name we chose for our African son so many years ago. Do you remember that story? Benaiah was a warrior and one of King David’s top 3 bodyguards. Senait looked up at Roger and smiled the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. She chose Benaiah. We were so happy for this precious baby boy. I decided she needed a marker for her miracle day and gave her a special ring to some day give to her son, Benaiah. Please read, 2 Samuel 23:20-23 for the Bible story of Benaiah. Also, run go buy the fantastic book, In A Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson!!!!! I’m hoping next week to beg my friends at Fistula Hospital to allow us to take one photograph of Senait and Benaiah!! Continue Reading