Lord... what's next?

He'll hold us together!

Can I get an AMEN?!

Last night at Nine o'clock Gwen sat on her couch and began to stress about the money that was going to be needed to pay for their adoption. This is what she posted in the comments...

"At about 9:00 last night I was sitting on my couch worrying about the money. God said to me, clear as anything, "Well, have you asked Me lately to provide?"
I sheepishly said, "Well, ummm... no, I guess I haven't. I'm sorry. Can you please take care of this for me, Dad?""

At nine o'clock last night I was sewing, getting ready for the Farmer's Market. It was a nice time I was listening to some worship music, just enjoying some time singing (which I really don't do enough anymore). Suddenly I felt like weeping. It hit me so hard, I closed my eyes and I could see images of little black children starving and hurting and it crushed my heart. I came to the computer and wrote what I was seeing.

My God is a God who provides. He gave me those images and words and moved me to give. He answered Gwen's prayer and I believe that he is answering the cries of some children in Ethiopia!

Please do not doubt my God... just try and see what he will do.

And please do not think that you are not useful!!! It's amazing how God will cause us to prosper when we are blessing his children... he will use the smallest thing to do the greatest good!!!

Can I retract my last post?

Child Poverty in Africa - the facts (taken from http://www.fightpoverty.mmbrico.com/facts/africa.html)

200,000 child slaves are sold every year in Africa. There are an estimated 8,000 girl-slaves in West Africa alone. (sources: BBC 5 October, 2001 & Anti-Slavery Society)

About 120,000 African children are participating in armed conflicts. Some are as young as 7 years old. (source: Africa Children's Charter)

Children account for half of all civilian casualties in wars in Africa. (source: Africa 2015)

One in six African children dies before the age of five. Most of these deaths could be prevented. (source: Africa 2015)

Nearly one third of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are underweight. (source: UNICEF)

In sub-Saharan Africa, measles takes the life of a child nearly every minute of every day. An effective measles vaccine costs as little as $1 per child. (source: UNICEF)

Between 12 and 14 million African children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. (source: World Bank/UNICEF)

Nearly 2 million children under 14 years old are HIV positive. (source: UNICEF)

43% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have safe, accessible drinking water. (source: UNICEF)

64% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have adequate sanitation. (source: UNICEF)

Only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and one in three of those does not complete school. (source: Africa 2015)

For every 100 boys there are only 83 girls enrolled at primary school. (source: World Bank/UNICEF)

If this was your child wouldn't you scream for justice?!

I close my eyes.

I see children. They are hungry. Their bodies have no strength. Though they ache and wail... there is no longer any sound but a whimper, there is nothing left to give.

They are alone.

There is no touch. Their tears and cries of fear and pain go unanswered. There is no breast to nourish. No hand to stroke their face while they drink. When they reach in the dark there is no strong arm of comfort.

They thirst.

No rain comes. Swollen tongues, dry and parched in tiny mouthes not yet able to utter words for help.

They lack.

Young men sit all day with no ambition to work or try. There are no men to teach them. They have all been killed. Aids, war and famine.

They are lost.

Who will show them Jesus. Don't tell them he loves them. Show them. Sacrifice. Don't tell them you understand.

They are vulnerable.

A child is sold. She is raped. Or worse.

Why isn't God providing for and protecting these children?

He is.

He is providing an abundance to millions of us.

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

I see no adoption in my future. But my God is a God of miracles. I cannot adopt right now. But I can give out of my abundance. $5.00 from each of my wraps sold at the market this year will go to help Gwen and Usko (sorry I have no clue how to spell your name) bring home their children... God is faithful to provide.

Warning...

So I'm killing the blog. I know. But I also know that life is crazy and I never post and if I kill the blog I won't have to feel guilty about it... Momma Bean will stay up so if there are any big events then I will post them there. You can e-mail me if you want to talk or..... maybe.... CALL ME! And for those of you in the area... COME VISIT ME!!!!!

So I'll give it a few days before I axe it so that people can read this message..

Farewell and thank you for your readership!