Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Confirmations.

Well, I had been feeling the Holy Spirit prompting me to get a group from church to go back again to We Will Go and serve. I was really sad that I forgot to try to schedule it on Mother's Day again this year because we had thought that would be a good tradition to start. But I totally missed the boat, and by the time I emailed to schedule it, the first date available was July 31st.

So, we started planning and getting a group together from our church. We decided to serve pizza, apples, cookies and bottled water. One week before we were set to go, we had NO donations to cover the cost of all the food, but we had a lot of FAITH! We sent out another email, and God stirred hearts in a major way! We ended up with MORE THAN ENOUGH for all the food, so we are going to be able to donate all the extra to We Will Go! It just never gets old watching God provide so ABUNDANTLY!!! :)

I really can't even explain how amazing the worship service is at We Will Go. They now have a nice, covered pavilion where people come from all over the streets to worship! It is just a beautiful thing to hear all these sweet voices lifted up in praise to our King! I just couldn't keep the tears from flowing.

Then Amy gets up to start to share, and guess what Bible verse she reads???

Yep...Hebrews 11:1!!! Jody was on the row in front of me, and of course, he turned around to look at me...and then I started crying again! Well, then Amy goes on to say that several of the We Will Go team had just returned from a three week mission trip to...where do you think?

AFRICA!!! She went on to say that they would be taking turns sharing about what God has showed them on their trip to Mozambique. I really couldn't believe it! The last time we had been in May of last year, (right after we had started the adoption process), there were missionaries there sharing about AFRICA too! It hit me so hard...God wanted us to be at We Will Go on July 31st this year...not Mother's Day. What I thought was a mistake on my part, was actually God's sovereign hand leading us to be there on just the right day!!!

Of course, I continued to cry through story after story of how God had worked in incredible ways on their trip. It was beautiful. My heart was aching to go to Ethiopia to get our baby girl. Well, during the prayer time, I was just praying for our daughter, when one of the girls from the We Will Go team, who had just returned from Africa, came and put her arms around me and started praying fervently for our daughter and our adoption process. I was a complete emotional wreck at this point. Everything she prayed was so heartfelt and filled with faith, and I could feel God's presence in such a real way. There are really no words to describe it.

Poor Caty, kept looking up at me with a concerned look on her face! I tried to tell her Mommy was crying happy tears! And she kept trying to wipe the black mascara off my cheeks.

We love taking our kids with us to serve.  I want our kids to grow up learning how to be the hands and feet of Jesus...I want it to be natural for them. And I pray that they will grow up with a desire to honor the Lord by loving and serving the "least of these". I am telling you, it warms my heart to watch our 7 year old serving a plate of food to a homeless man and giving him a big hug. And then see her taking bottled water to a lady who lives on the street. It's precious.

Callie Grace and I had a conversation with one homeless man "Joseph". We were telling him that we were there to serve and worship with them because of our love for Jesus. I wasn't sure if he was in his right mind, because I couldn't understand what he was saying. Then, all of a sudden, he quoted John 3:16 word for word...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Wow. That was the clearest thing he had said in our whole conversation. The power of God's Word never ceases to amaze me. I was so touched, and I told him that I was so happy that he knew Jesus. He stopped and looked and me with the most clear eyes, and said, "You're not a racist are you?"

It still brings tears to my eyes. I thought of our precious brown skinned baby girl that I can't wait to bring home to our family. No, sweet Joseph, I am not a racist. We talked for him a little while longer, and I told him about our adoption. He then asked Callie Grace to give him a hug, and she did. It was so sweet. I may never see Joseph again, but I can continue to pray for him.

I also got to talk to one of the guys on the We Will Go team who had just returned from ETHIOPIA!!! I loved hearing everything he said about his mission trip. I was hanging on every word! I am so ready to go jump on a plane to Ethiopia! But trying to be patient... :)

As we were cleaning up, the sweet girl who had prayed for me earlier, came up and gave me this...


a beautiful Africa necklace she had gotten in Mozambique! I LOVE it!!! I have it on right now. I was so touched. She said that this was her last one, and she knew that God would show her the person to give it to. What a blessing. God knew what a sweet confirmation that would be for me. I am overwhelmed by His goodness.


I never doubt God's calling to bring Caroline Faith home. But sometimes, I let the enemy get me discouraged in the long wait. Last Sunday, was such a beautiful afternoon in the Lord's presence where His hope and confirmations continued to overwhelm me.

And I am THANKFUL.

14 comments:

cal+claire said...

Beautiful

Janet said...

I just love those moments!!

meurrier said...

Absolutely beautiful!!!

Home Project Manager said...

precious story!

Anonymous said...

What a precious reminder that He is with you EVERY step of the way! I can't wait for the day that we hear you finally have your referral!! I will be rejoicing with you, sweet sister =)

Jennifer said...

Wow! What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing. You and your sweet family's journey are always in my prayers. : )

Hannah said...

What a gift from the Lord. It truly brought tears to my eyes. It's so easy for us to forget that we are his and everything truly happens at the right time. :)

Meaghan said...

What a wonderful day! Thanks for sharing this!

Hope y'all enjoy your last bit of summer freedom!

Christy said...

AWESOME!!!

Kelly said...

The graciousness of our Lord never ceases to amaze me! He walks every road with us. Praises!!

Meredith said...

Don't you just love how God puts people in our paths at just the right time? Beautiful necklace too!

Shannon said...

Awesome testimony!!

Shannon said...

Wow!! Love this! He is so AMAZING! What a beautiful testimony of his provision and his deep desire to draw us near. Thank you so much for sharing!

Go and Tell said...

That really encouraged me Alison! Thanks for sharing!