Thanks so much again to everyone who worked for or participated in the Aprons for Orphans fund raising event.  Funds raised (see amount below!) will support the Swaziland Travel Team and items given to the kids/families the group will visit this September.  Below we are sharing the wonderful comments posted afterward on Facebook and some pictures from the event!

• Generous friends! We are so thankful for your coming out and giving today! The apron and dessert auction gifts FAR exceeded what we dared to hope! In the words of one of my favorite bloggers, Linny, YIPPEE, Jesus!!!
• Yes much fun…so will we ever know how much was raised? or maybe a general we could buy x amount of stuff with what we raised? I think that would be very cool to know.
• You all gave just over $2100.000. AMAZING!! It will go to the trip fund which helps our travelers to go and provides funds for the items that will be given (i.e. shoes and food packages) to the kids/families the group will visit.
• It was a great event!!! You all outdid yourselves!
• The BEST $12 ice cream creation I have ever eaten!! I did it for the children…
• It was WONDERFUL! You all did an amazing job and I am so glad God blessed your work…I knew He would. On behalf of our Ludlati kids….THANK YOU
• It was so wonderful to see so many people there caring for those beautiful kids. Thank you all for everything you’ve done to help them. I had a wonderful time there even if I didn’t win an apron.
• HALLELUJAH!! You guys earned every dollar! I can’t imagine all the hours & weeks you all put into this! What a blessing! I pray a hundred fold over each & everyone of you! I have never tasted coffee, but after the marvelous mocha brownies i think you have created a monster in me! L O V E THEM!!
• I am so sorry I missed it, but I am SO THANKFUL, for your success! God is truly working!
• It was such a good time. Everything was so pretty and the desserts were great. You all had to have spent months preparing and it showed. You all blessed me in more ways than you know. YIPPEE is a great word. Thank you for all your hard work.
• WOOT WOOT!! God is so good!
• We had so much fun ! My husband laughed so hard when I told him that me and my daughter were bidding on a cheesecake against each other !
• I love being part of such a cool thing with such great people! Hope to help out more before the trip. I had a wonderful time.
• LOVE my little apron! The auction was awesome. It should be a yearly thing. Hope you guys made a lot towards the trip!
• I had a great time today. You all did a great job!!! Love both my aprons!! Even my husband said they are cute. My mother said these are made so well. Thanks for the invite.
• So, most things don’t look as good after you get them home and out of the box. This is not the case with the apron. It is so cute and well made. I’m going to save it for a gift. You guys did an awesome job!!

Thanks to Michelle Jacob for the pictures.

I gave some thought about whether or not this is an appropriate venue for personal family news (actually about 3 seconds of thought), and I decided that it is a perfect venue.  We are trying to build more than a website, trying to raise more than funds.  The goal is community, a deep commitment to each other and to others outside our community.  We need to get to know each other better.

Our news is that we passed court in Ethiopia yesterday, and are now parents of three more kids, bringing the total count to eight.  There is so much to tell about how we got here, so many ways our adoptions have changed, challenged, and blessed us that this will fall far short.  These three are siblings, and had been waiting for a family for some time since it is difficult to find families for older sibling groups.  Jenny met them at the orphanage when she went to meet and bring home our first two adopted children.  Her heart felt an immediate “recognition” of the 12 year old boy in this group when she met him, and came home committed to find him a home.  We discovered that he had two siblings, one an older girl who stood out partially for her age but mostly for her gentle, quiet, yet confident manner.  We thought doors might be able to open for friends to adopt them, but those options did not work out.

I remember the moment when I knew they were ours very clearly.  We were in church, and Jenny gave a prayer request for a home for them, and broke into tears when she recounted how we had learned from our adopted 6 year old that the oldest girl had taught her about Jesus and prayed with her and was a comfort to her in hard times.  Immediately, I was overwhelmed with a certain knowledge that these kids were ours.  Not a desire to do a good thing for them, not a hope that it could work, not an obligation… I have never known anything with more finality or certainty in all my life.  And it happened in an instant.  It was powerful and emotional, yet calm and peaceful at the same time.

After that, the process was long and at times “uncertain”.  Illinois is reluctant to approve large adopted families for additional kids, another family became interested in these three (and we had peace that what we really wanted for them was a home so we were not unsettled when it seemed the agency would place them there).  But they were ours.  And now the “official” acknowledgement of that is complete.

International adoption must be undertaken with great care, especially when “demand” for healthy infants is strong (I would be remiss if I did not note that “demand” for older kids, sibling groups, and special needs kids is never strong enough).  There are abuses of the system, there is grief and loss in separation from family and culture.  Autonomy, equality, and elimination of the poverty that creates orphans and prevents people from caring for orphans within their own culture is the best long-term solution - far better to eliminate the need than to meet the need.  But for the kids who need families, who are lacking that love, commitment, and connection - adoption is the only answer.  We cannont abandon them.  God’s word is so clear on this point.  He demands that we care for the poor - both intact families that are at risk, and orphans for whom that window to help has passed.  You don’t need to adopt.  You do need to give to the point of some level of personal sacrifice.  That’s a strong statement, but I’ll stand by it.  If you are offended by my presumption to know what you must do, read the Word and tell me how you come to any other conclusion.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings… we are excited, and will soon be making real preparations for travel.  We have options for what that travel will look like and I am, frankly, struggling with the decision of who will go to Ethiopia this time.  I am still seeking a “moment” like the one I described earlier, but it is not always that easy.  We apprecaite your prayers and support.

Three NFL football players, Cornell Green, George Foster, and Anthony Hargrove, went on a trip to Swaziland to offer their time and energy in service to children and people in need.

The video linked below gives a brief overview of their trip.  Once again it is illustrated, when a person meets people where they live in poverty and the weight of so much death around them, a person gets to know the people, and begin to understand the situation.  It is quickly realized that something must be done.

One of the players said, “How can I live the American Dream knowing that Swaziland people are dieing everyday.”

“Help is needed…we can’t let Swaziland disappear.”

You can see their story after you get through the short NFL commercial.  Click on the image below to see the video.

Scott Borg who works with Adventures in Missions and Childrens HopeChest was their trip host and leader.  For more details of their trip, you can read how God answered these men’s prayer for protection and rain for a family of orphan children headed by two teenage girls with a garden of crops facing drought.

I asked, “God, why do you allow such suffering in the world?” to which He replied “Why do you?”—Mother Theresa

These words hit me like a ton of bricks in a good way.  I have read it before, but it was so good to read it again at this blog post link http://hopechestindia.blogspot.com/  These words shake me out of a way of thinking that is steadily being extracted from my mind.  The blog post also shakes me out of focus on my life, needs and daily schedule.  It is so easy to see suffering and evil in the world, and allow an overwhelming feeling to take over to the point that I feel like I can’t do anything.  Or perhaps feel nothing, and just ignore it.  Maybe I am beginning to see that the selfish side of my being likes to have an excuse to check out and pursue comfort.  My selfish response is to shrug my shoulders, ignore, forget, do nothing, and be comfortable again…it only makes economic sense, right?

According to the man’s logic:  RIGHT!

According to God’s logic:  NO!  THERE’S A HIGHER WAY!

The bible is full of scriptures that ask us…no…check that…command us to do difficult and counter intuitive things.  But He also said He would give us everything we need to do these things!  Left to our own power we could not do these things…not very long anyway.  Thank God He provides EVERYTHING we need to find ourselves doing those things that He wants to get done…oh and by the way it also pleases Him.

A recent study of the book of Romans revealed that God is completely in control of everything, and He will get all the praise and glory in the end.  He chooses to be patient with evil and evil men…who seem to be the source of a lot of suffering.  This is the most merciful and loving response God can give, and it only makes sense from an eternal perspective.  Because God desires for all men to find Him, submit to Him as Lord, and be saved.

Thankfully God offers true joy in the midst of our suffering and our neighbor’s suffering, because His ways are true and pure.  Part of receiving that joy comes when we choose to trust and obey Him.  He loves us, and He told us if we love Him, we will obey His commands.

So how did God instruct us to respond to evil and suffering?  I have a favorite verse I believe reveals God’s strategy which He planned in advance for us to do.

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

If you feel overwhelmed by this post, I encourage you to let that feeling go, and ask God to turn it into compassion, motivation, action and joy.  He is in control, and thankfully He wants us to be part of His work and plan.  In my ‘onion’ opinion, it’s the only way to live!

There was another famous quote in the blog post where a lot is said in just a few words…

“Preach the gospel always, if necessary, use words.”—St Francis

Gee, slow crowd this weekend… no guesses at all.  Does that mean you all know and I made it too easy, or that no one has any idea, or maybe that you just want me to go away and leave you alone already?  I’ll assume it isn’t no.3 and provide the answer:

‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.  They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.’  
-Ezekiel 16:49-50

Similar to this verse is a very short Pensee from Blaise Pascal that I posted once before:

Wretchedness: Job and Solomon

That’s all there is to that one.  A recognition that both were wretched in very different ways.  We see ourselves as blessed… and we are, in so many ways.  Yet our wealth and blessing can lead us away from reliance on and pursuit of God as all-fulfilling.  Just as Pascal compared the wretchedness of Solomon in his wealth to the wretchedness of Job in his physical distress, we should compare our desire for and surrender to God (or lack thereof) in our wealth with the desire for and surrender to God found in the poor and persecuted church (without posessions, He is all they have).  They are wretched in physical circumstances, but we must take care that we do not become wretched spiritually due to our comfort and self-reliance. 

One more quote… I’ll try to track down this final quote more precisely, but I believe it comes from a pastor who was jailed and tortured in Romania for his faith.  He may or may not be correct, but regardless, I think it spurs productive thought about our circumstances and our faith.

“I believe that 90% of Christians will pass the trial of persecution.  I believe that 90% of Christians will fail the trial of affluence.”

First, the quiz.  In Ezekiel (don’t cheat and search it), God cites a handful of specific sins of the residents of Sodom that caused Him to destroy the city.  Can you name one or more?  Barbra and Don, you are prohibited from participating (since you pointed this verse out to me).

On to the goal… Our community has already made a huge difference in the lives of our neighbor kids in Swaziland.  Our sponsorship level is near 50%, which is (barely) enough to provide basic nutritional needs.  Funds are set aside for a fence, kitchen, and well.  We can’t even imagine in our setting how impotant those things will be.  Clean water alone can prevent many early deaths, and frees hours every day for schooling, parenting, and other productive activity that would have otherwise been spent walking miles for (typically unsafe) water.  I can thank you for that, but my thanks mean nothing.  What you have is a deposit to your treasure in heaven, and the pleasure of our Father.  I think it is very important to note that Jesus did not tell us not to build up treasure.  On the contrary, He commanded us to build up treasure - treasue in heaven.

My goal is this:  we have over 40 neighbor kids with no personal connection to us - that is, “unsponsored”.  But that is a cold, statistical-type word.  It does not express their loneliness and need to know that the community behind their support cares personally about them.  Our financial support is also at the minimum level at which meaningful assistance can be provided to our kids as a group.  “Minimum level” is not where I think we can or should be.  We have a trip scheduled to our Swaziland community in September.  You are a big part of this.  We need funds to get there, and funds to get there with shoes for the kids, and news of sponsorship for more of our kids than we now have.  Links for helping with this effort and with sponsorship are all over our home page.  Please, don’t just read on past this post.  Think, work through it, make it a personal goal.  If you can’t help, tell the story to someone who can.  Find a way, make a way with neighbors, a Sunday school group, friends, co-workers… be creative… maybe a “cyber” shoe drive for an office or Sunday school, a sponsorship for an extended family… I am confident God will provide the way, this is simply an opportunity to be a part of the joy.

... I don’t believe He was really the Son of God”.  Who’s heard that one?  I think we all have, and I think we’ve all heard the counter-arguments that if you understand Jesus’ statements in light of Old Testament references He made about himself, He clearly claimed to be the Messiah.  Which means he was a liar, lunatic, or what He said He is - the Son of God.

The question is, as Christians, which do we really believe - great moral teacher, or Son of God (i.e. our Master)?  See, I’m a person who thinks that what we really believe should be evidenced by what we do, not by what we say.  Just a matter of common sense evidence - there is real wisdom in the sayings; “talk is cheap”, actions speak louder than words”...

Here’s my dilemma.  Take this for example: ” Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”  - Matthew 5:23-24 Have you ever heard that cited in church?  How many of us have seen anyone (or actually did oursleves) get up and leave to first be reconciled to their brother before finishing the service?  Did it even cross your mind when you heard that, that you really should get up that instant and leave the service to be reconciled to a brother that has anything against you?  If we accept Jesus as our Master, we should see that as a direct command.  Or did you accept the passage (as I always have) as a good moral teaching but not a command that you should be expected to perform, and to perform it as instructed? 

I have to admit that this is a new concept to me and I must further admit that my actions indicate that I see Jesus more as a great moral teacher and less as my Master.  All too often I treat His commands as good principles to live by but not explicit commands.  The point is that He gave many explicit commands, and I have treated nearly all of them as good general illustrative principles to live by, but I essentially never treat them as explicit commands.  So what do I really believe? 

Read the sermon on the mount and the rest of Jesus’words again and look for explicit commands - they are everywhere.  That whole don’t worry about tomorrow thing… that was not a self-help ideal, it was a command.  Pray for your enemies, bless those who curse you, if someone sues you for your coat, give him your shirt as well, do not store up treasure on earth… all phrased as commands, not tidy philosophiocal niceties.  But we don’t treat them as commands - so what do we really believe?  Holy Spirit, work through me to change the evidence in my life.  I am not happy with what my actions say about my beliefs to date, and I hope and pray that a wave of true belief, evidenced by obedience to His commands will sweep through my life and the church as a whole, I want to be a part of that.