Last November as I was to deliver the address at Compassion's first Leadership Development Program (LDP) graduation in Ethiopia, I remembered a tearful promise uttered from the depths of my broken heart.We were honoring 16 outstanding university graduates who were among the first Compassion-sponsored children there in 1993. As I watched these young adults speak with poise and confidence about their accomplishments and dreams, it was obvious that even though they had been born in poverty, poverty had not been born in them.For the graduation program, two Ethiopian leaders and I took part in a foot-washing ceremony as a charge to the graduates to follow Christ's example of servant leadership. It was expected that I would wash the feet of a male graduate. But as I walked onto the platform, I looked into the soft, dark eyes of a young woman graduate named Abaynesh and felt strongly compelled to kneel in front of her instead. Her eyes, filled with a calm dignity, were mysteriously familiar.Suddenly a flood of memories transported me back to 1985, the year Abaynesh was born. Ethiopia was suffering from a devastating famine.Communism ruled and the Ethiopian Church was enduring great persecution. Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program was not operating there at that time, but we did provide relief funds. Our president Wally Erickson sent me, his assistant, to Ethiopia to make sure the money was allocated as intended "in Jesus' name."I flew to a refugee camp in the country's Gamo-Gofa region. As I stepped off the small plane into this crowded tent city in the wilderness, I found myself face to face with the sadly familiar TV images of the emaciated masses. But now I met them as the brave individuals they were, hoveringon the brink of survival with as much dignity as possible. Having grownup in Africa myself as the son of missionaries, I had lost many boyhood friends to poverty's cruelties and I thought I knew poverty. But I had never experienced anything like this.My guide took me to a tent reserved for severely malnourished infants.Dozens of young mothers were sitting on the ground with babies in theirlaps who were too weak to cry. The mothers were skin and bones and their breasts had no milk for their little ones. But they were dipping their fingers into bowls of infant formula provided by the relief efforts and were patiently trying to force it, drop by drop, into the slack mouths of their starving children. I sat down in the dirt and joined a small circle. One frail mother, still a girl herself, handed me her baby girl. She must have thought I was a doctor or at least might somehow produce a miracle. Her daughter was slipping away and this was her last desperate grasp at hope.I took the child, limp as a doll, and held her. I too dipped my finger into the formula and placed a drop on her lips. Through a blur of tears I beggedher, "Please swallow, sweetheart. Please live." I watched in dismay as the nourishment — too little, too late — dribbled away. Then her half closed eyelids opened wide, clear and serene, and our eyes met. Her tiny,protruding ribs slowly rose, then fell, in a silent sigh. Then nothing more.Her head rolled slowly to the side … and she was gone. This precious little princess died in my arms.I will never forget that moment as long as I live. It galvanized God's callingon my life. I whispered to her, "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you." This was wrong! Through tears and clenched teeth I added, "I promise you, one day Compassion will come here." Deep sorrow enveloped that young mother as I gently handed back her lifeless baby. As she rocked her daughter's body, we cried together. When I left and the tent-flap door fell behind me,I could still hear her anguished weeping and it pierced my heart.Eight years later, during my first year as Compassion's president,Ethiopia's Communist government collapsed. After 17 long years the persecution ended and the Church of Ethiopia sent the message: "Comequickly now. We are free. Our children need Compassion." It was my first decision as president and an easy one to make. After all, I had alreadymade it years ago in my promise to a dying princess.So on this special graduation day, as I knelt with towel and basin before another Ethiopian princess — one who had grown and thrived because of her caring Compassion sponsor — I remembered where I had seen those noble eyes before. Abaynesh could have been that sweet infant girl who had died in my arms 23 years ago; that little baby could have grown up tobe like Abaynesh, a Compassion LDP graduate with a bright future. And while I had the profound privilege of washing Abaynesh's feet that day, in my heart I was also washing the feet of that tragically lost baby girl, and I could have filled the basin with my tears.Today Ethiopia is beginning to prosper and the Church is strong. I am so grateful to God for enabling us to keep that promise made long ago and to our Compassion sponsors who are enabling more than 65,000 Ethiopian children to be rescued and released from poverty in Jesus' name.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Maria Sue Chapman
Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)
Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter to Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed Wednesday night in a tragic accident in the family driveway on Wednesday evening. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him... not to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.
Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family. This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many. Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago. These words are unthinkable to type. - Jim Houser (Manager)
Meet Maria
For those who never had the chance to meet this special little girl, we invite you to get a glimpse through this "goofy" blog video shot with her Daddy just two months ago. It’s a wonderful recording to help us remember Maria. We miss you so badly already. We'll see you soon Maria.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn8ajucsXr8
This is so heartbreaking! I can not imagine what they are going thru! Lord, please hold them in your hands right now, ever so close to your heart! Help us all to remember to dance!
Steven Curtis Chapman Cinderella Music Video & story
Monday, May 19, 2008
Praying for Rain ... and Reign
Rising cost of food production (due to factors such as: environmental changes, poor rainfall, and crops being used for fuel or livestock) = less aid for the same cost = less food distributed to areas of need = famine conditions
Rising costs for food & fuel = economic downturn in developed countries = less giving to aid organizations = less aid provided to those in need
Happy Anniversary Honey ...
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Birthdays ... What is in a number?
Hmmmm.......35. Well, Thursday was my birthday and I don't feel older today. My very special friend took me to breakfast at a place that we love and can just sit and talk for awhile. We all had dinner with my parents at my favorite Mexican food restaurant and ended with mocha with my husband! It was a pretty good day!
And, well about 35 is where we are in line. (Oh, that sounds so, so I don't know) I actually think we may be a couple less than that but trying to stay on the conservative side. That does not mean that we will ACTUALLY get our referral after number 34 because of some wanting only girls or only boys or toddler children so you get the jist. We are still waiting! :):)
An update with Steve is that he will be having a pump put in on Tuesday morning that will hopefully help and get his body to where they want it to be able to be a recipient. Tracy will be flying up on Monday night to be with Monica and returning home Wednesday morning if all is well. Thank you for your prayers and keep 'em coming!
Well, I'm off to finish some household chores. (I was outside all day yesterday and have a sunburn to prove it, so in the house today)!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Artificial Suppliments ...
So, some answer to prayer came today when Dr. Ice came in today, and told us that he has found 2 people that have had to use the Heartmate II the way that he needs to use it on Steve. He is calling them to find out particulars so he won't have to reinvent the wheel. Dr. Sandler told us yesterday that Dr. Ice was planning to go and talk with the manufacturers of the device to persuade them to let him use it in this way. Surgery is planned for Tues. May 20. Typically, patients are in ICU for 1 to 1/2 weeks post op. Then back to the 5th floor for 2 - 3 weeks, then he may be discharged to go "home". Home will be Spokane for Steve while he is on the transplant list... a patient has to be within 2 driving hours of Sacred Heart when they are on the transplant list. So, most likely I will spend most of the summer here, and then I will have to return to Boise to work in August. It will be really tough... but we just aren't to that bridge yet... so we don't need to be concerned with crossing it. Steve is battling nausea because of the fluid buildup in his body... pray for him in that way... and that God will continue to strengthen him so that he will be ready for surgery. Continue to pray for favor with the insurance companies.Pray for Dr.'s Ice and Sandler, as they compile information, and prepare for Steve's surgery. We know that God is the physician.. and He is using them. Pray for discernment, that, at ANY time, if GOD shuts a door, we will be obedient. Praise GOD for HIS faithfulness!!!Pray for our families, and for Trevor especially... he just wants Steve to come home so they can play ball. Trevor and my Mom came for the weekend this weekend, to spend Mother's Day. That was a huge blessing.... sad to see them go.... but we press forward... and do what we have to do right now. We Love and Appreciate YOU!!!!Blessings,Steve and Mon
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Orphans & Heart Tranplants = BitterSweet
In this world you are an orphan - eagerly anticipating your adoption as God's child.
In this world you are a widow - longing for reunion with your Bridegroom.
In this world you are a stranger - a pilgrim waiting to become a citizen of heaven.
And in this world, God has called you to care for the orphan, the stranger, and the widow.
C. Thomas Davis
As we are praying for our little ones so far away I can't help but think of the circumstances that happen to them before they will get to us. Praying for the many people that will touch their little lives and those that maybe should have and never will. It is just not a simple process. Adoption is not for the faint of heart, but nor is the giving up of your child. (some have no choice: death, poverty or even starvation) Even though this is a challenging chapter in our lives how could we say no? We can't! Pure and faultless religion is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27
I also think of my sister in law and her husband in prayer much right now, also bittersweet. He is in need of a heart transplant; someone has to die and be a donor and be a match for this to happen. NOT a simple process either. As we pray for a heart I can not help but pray for the person would have to donate their heart and their family as well. It has made that little "are you a donor" on my licence become more real. Both Tracy and I have always been and now would ask you to take a look at your and if you have no reason's against it, PLEASE look into it, pray about it, and save a life when you are no more. I think some just don't think about it and so don't until it may be becomes real in their lives with a situation. So, look now and say "yes" if you would.
I just finished reading a book that talks about Christs Red Letters and in this was the statement:
for evil to win, simply do nothing! Sometimes we get overwhelmed or fear may be the cause but doing nothing in many aspects of our lives just lets evil win with out even a battle. Lets get in the battle; love our Lord; sing praises to Him alone; and to God be the Glory!!
