I have had this swimming around in my head for weeks now and it seems completely unreal that if I don't send it now, I may not have time to do it before I leave for Ethiopia. WOW! It blows my mind that this time next week I will have my feet on African soil. I am sending this to you to give you some details about the trip and how to keep up with what we are doing and to literally beg for prayer.
First, the details - we will begin traveling this Sunday the 28th. We will not actually make it to Ethiopia until late Monday for you (early Tuesday for us, Ethiopia is 8 hours ahead of us CST). We will begin traveling home on September 5th and should return to Nashville Tuesday, September 6th. First prayer...please pray for the details of travel. Pray we have no issues with our luggage, no missed flights (unless it's God's will) and easy transitions through customs, both in Ethiopia and returning home.
Second, keeping up with us - I will be writing a blog (big surprise, right?), but it will not be posted on our family blog. I will actually be writing the blog for the organization that we are going with, Ordinary Hero. This will give everyone keeping up with our team one place to go to see what we're up to. So bookmark the web address and check in often for updates. Also, if you have shared this trip with anyone or you know folks have donated items, money or prayer to this trip definitely share the blog with them too. We will hopefully have tons of pictures, so you may see your contributions being given out. You can keep up with us at www.ordinaryheroblog.blogspot.com.
Now here's my gigantic prayer request. I am begging you to join me in prayer for this. Let me give you a little history so you'll understand this request. My friend Kelly went to Ethiopia last year. When she returned she shared a video that Ordinary Hero had posted about a trip to a trash dump. They were advocating for sponsorship of the children that live in Korah, which is a village in and around a trash dump. There was this little girl who immediately caught my attention. I WANTED TO BE HER SPONSOR! But I dropped the ball and never responded. A few weeks later, Kelly reported that all the sponsorships had been filled. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that my girl at least got a sponsor. Well, a few months later I received a newsletter e-mail for Ordinary Hero and there that video was again. I watched it and once again started thinking about "my girl". I mentioned it to Kelly and she said that just because the sponsorships were filled, didn't mean every child got a sponsor. DUH! Why didn't I think of that? So she encouraged me to e-mail about her and I did. At first they thought she was too young, so we got on the waiting list in hopes to sponsor her this summer. Well through many corresponding e-mails, we have learned that no one has seen this sweet girl around for a while. Now I know this might be far-fetched, but I promise you that the Lord has called this sweet girl to our lives. My children know her face and know her name and we pray for her every single day, as if we were already sponsoring her. Fast forward a few more months and here I am planning to go to Ethiopia...halfway around the world WHERE SHE LIVES! I have prayed and prayed and prayed about what to do about our sweet girl, whose name is Sintayehu (Sin-tie-yu). And I am confident that the Lord has confirmed that I WILL find her. Now let me be clear...I have NO idea what that means. I don't know if we'll sponsor her. I don't know if she's an orphan. I don't know why the Lord would put her on my heart. I just know this... he did put her on my heart...one year later I have not forgotten about her...she is part of our family, even if she doesn't know it...I just happen to be going to the exact place where I would find her and I have a bag of clothes and gifts all packed up for her. I am going fully expecting God to make it happen. I want her to know we love her. I want her to know God loves her. And if he would bring some spoiled white girl halfway around the world to tell her that, I am hoping and praying that she will never question His love for the rest of her days. So here's my request. Please pray that I find her. Please pray that I can encourage her and share the gospel with her. Pray that she accepts Christ as her Savior. Pray that whatever God's plan is, that I am submitted to it and that Sintayehu feels more love than ever before. -- That being said, I wanted to share that very video that took my breath away. She says her name, but so you know when to pay close attention, Sintayehu is at the 5:26 minute marker of the video. http://vimeo.com/13948413 I have also attached a photo of her. She's the one wearing the blue jacket. Please print or save this picture and pray for her. Pray that our paths cross. Pray that my eyes are open to see her.
Okay my dear, sweet family and friends, that's it. This is going to be a wild ride. Would you come along for the ride in prayer and petition, trusting the Lord to work through this team of ten who are just taking one step at a time, trusting that He has already stepped before us? I would be honored and delighted knowing I have your support.
Trusting Him,
Delilah
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