James 4:7-8 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
First off, thank you so much to all of you that were lifting us up in prayer...especially these last few days. I cannot begin to possibly communicate just how much this means to us, as we know how powerful prayer is. We have felt them across the world. Only God can do that.
The last few days have been heavy as you have seen in my last couple of posts. Cole and I spent some time last night in authoritative prayer. It was a rich time. We are well aware that the enemy absolutely hates what we are doing and have both felt attacked in different ways since we have been here. We also know that the Lord has equipped us to handle the battle. As the verse above says...Submit yourselves to God...resist the devil...draw near to God... Isn't it so comforting to know that Christ advises us on how to handle the darkness and push back from the enemy in our lives. All we have to do is open his word. It is power, life, and a weapon for us. Christ has already won the battle...AMEN.
I am so happy to report that the theme of our day would be "Breakthrough Day!" Yay!!! As I said yesterday, we were starting to see some baby steps to maybe him warming up to us after his nap yesterday afternoon. This was just the encouragment that we needed after an overwhelming and draining morning with him. This carried over to today, and I would definitely say today was an epic breakthrough. Words that come to mind to sum Micai up today...happy. smiles. laughter. contentment. safe. connected. My heart is so full writing this! What a powerful answer to prayer! God is just so good to us. It was like that laid back and full of joy and peace boy was back...the boy that we first saw in the orphanage on our first trip. I had almost forgotten his personality and how happy he was when we first met him 2 months ago. It just felt like something lifted today. He even looks at us differently...eyes full of warmth and joy...not confusion and discomfort. God created me to be such a relational person, and this was a HUGE day of encouragement for me. Praise God!
We were blessed to spend the day traveling and touring the Lifesong Schools in Ziway and Adami Tulu. What amazing and powerful things the Lord is doing at these schools. It's so encouraging to see how the Lord is moving mightily through this ministry. We are so thankful for Lifesong as God used this ministry in our lives to help bring Micai home. They are in the trenches, and God is honoring their obedience. He is providing for the least of these and His name is being glorified. Really really in awe of this ministry.
It was also so amazing to get out of Addis into the countryside of Ethiopia. It is breathtakingly beautiful outside of Addis. It was about a 3 hour trip there and 3 hour trip back. We were blessed to have Bissy, the Ordinary Hero guest house manager accompany us along with our driver Getcho. Both of these men love the Lord. Cole would agree that Bissy has the most powerful testimony that I have ever heard. Talk about a man on fire for the gospel and dedicating his life to share it. So inspired by the ways the Lord is using him and his absolute obedience and thankfulness to God regardless of his circumstances. We felt very sharpened and encouraged to be in community with him today. Also, can you believe that Cai did so well even though we were traveling??? I said to Cole, "this is like a totally different baby today." Really and truly a miracle. We are so blessed that the Lord showed us mercy in having such an enjoyable day with him :) Precious precious boy.
Here's a glimpse into our day and do take note of the smiles! ...
What a blessed day from the Lord! So thankful for the joy and peace he blessed our Micai with today. Such an answer to ours and your prayers. Thank you for covering us. Can't wait to have our WHOLE family together! 3 more days!!! Love you Kenzi and Kasen!!!
First off, thank you so much to all of you that were lifting us up in prayer...especially these last few days. I cannot begin to possibly communicate just how much this means to us, as we know how powerful prayer is. We have felt them across the world. Only God can do that.
The last few days have been heavy as you have seen in my last couple of posts. Cole and I spent some time last night in authoritative prayer. It was a rich time. We are well aware that the enemy absolutely hates what we are doing and have both felt attacked in different ways since we have been here. We also know that the Lord has equipped us to handle the battle. As the verse above says...Submit yourselves to God...resist the devil...draw near to God... Isn't it so comforting to know that Christ advises us on how to handle the darkness and push back from the enemy in our lives. All we have to do is open his word. It is power, life, and a weapon for us. Christ has already won the battle...AMEN.
I am so happy to report that the theme of our day would be "Breakthrough Day!" Yay!!! As I said yesterday, we were starting to see some baby steps to maybe him warming up to us after his nap yesterday afternoon. This was just the encouragment that we needed after an overwhelming and draining morning with him. This carried over to today, and I would definitely say today was an epic breakthrough. Words that come to mind to sum Micai up today...happy. smiles. laughter. contentment. safe. connected. My heart is so full writing this! What a powerful answer to prayer! God is just so good to us. It was like that laid back and full of joy and peace boy was back...the boy that we first saw in the orphanage on our first trip. I had almost forgotten his personality and how happy he was when we first met him 2 months ago. It just felt like something lifted today. He even looks at us differently...eyes full of warmth and joy...not confusion and discomfort. God created me to be such a relational person, and this was a HUGE day of encouragement for me. Praise God!
We were blessed to spend the day traveling and touring the Lifesong Schools in Ziway and Adami Tulu. What amazing and powerful things the Lord is doing at these schools. It's so encouraging to see how the Lord is moving mightily through this ministry. We are so thankful for Lifesong as God used this ministry in our lives to help bring Micai home. They are in the trenches, and God is honoring their obedience. He is providing for the least of these and His name is being glorified. Really really in awe of this ministry.
It was also so amazing to get out of Addis into the countryside of Ethiopia. It is breathtakingly beautiful outside of Addis. It was about a 3 hour trip there and 3 hour trip back. We were blessed to have Bissy, the Ordinary Hero guest house manager accompany us along with our driver Getcho. Both of these men love the Lord. Cole would agree that Bissy has the most powerful testimony that I have ever heard. Talk about a man on fire for the gospel and dedicating his life to share it. So inspired by the ways the Lord is using him and his absolute obedience and thankfulness to God regardless of his circumstances. We felt very sharpened and encouraged to be in community with him today. Also, can you believe that Cai did so well even though we were traveling??? I said to Cole, "this is like a totally different baby today." Really and truly a miracle. We are so blessed that the Lord showed us mercy in having such an enjoyable day with him :) Precious precious boy.
Here's a glimpse into our day and do take note of the smiles! ...
A precious moment & true breakthrough...cuddles and smiles on the way.
He seriously cuddled with me forever. So worth the wait :)
This one steals my heart :) Those eyes...so warm and different today. Thank you, Lord.
Beautiful countryside outside of Addis...
Lifesong school in Ziway. Beautiful school...beautiful work for the Lord...
Cole, Cai and I with Bissy (left), Gary, missionary in Ziway (next to me), and Getcho, our driver (far right)
Cole is officially the baby whisperer...seriously. Cai lost it at one point due to missing his nap. I wasn't cutting it, so Cole put him into position and off he went to sleep. He has done this with all of our kids...he is such a blessing to me. Love seeing him be a daddy.
2 random boys outside of our van at a random stop. I had to capture their cuteness to share it with you.
Long story, but at this random stop a bunch of kids ended up inside our van. I took their pictures as I know they love this. I showed them this one after I took it and they burst into laughter...love the warmth of the children in Ethiopia. So so joyful...and not because of "stuff."
More smiles!
And I found a tickle spot. He couldn't stop laughing. His giggles melt me.
What a blessed day from the Lord! So thankful for the joy and peace he blessed our Micai with today. Such an answer to ours and your prayers. Thank you for covering us. Can't wait to have our WHOLE family together! 3 more days!!! Love you Kenzi and Kasen!!!
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