Big News #1: Bigger Family

A lot has been stirring in my world, some things brand new…others not so much. So, I am going to try to process, share and connect some of those things in a few blog posts over the next couple of days. For me and my family, these are BIG. I mean B.I.G. big! So, here is my first go at a series of “Big News”:

Big News #1: my family is getting BIGger…Kelly and I are beginning the process of adopting an orphan from an international country! This is a conversation and a direction we have been wrestling with for a long season but has spiked up over the last few months. Obviously, there is a lot to download: why, where, how, when and more. I am going to try to hit some highlights today. I am sure more conversation will happen here in the months to come. Kelly and I invite your questions, prayers, encouragement, challenging and dialogue. So here are some quick thoughts on our BIG news for today.

Why

• Because it has become the desire of our heart as we have sought to delight in Him (Psalm 37:4)
• Because there is an Orphan Crisis all over the world
• Because my Heavenly Father has a lot to say on how Christ-followers should care for the orphan
• Because when we (Kelly and I) tell ourselves we can’t the reality is we can. Be sure to read Kelly’s post and announcement.
• Because we know the eternal impact and growth that will result in our three biological children
• Because we have a great support network of family, friends, staff team and small group to walk with us on this journey
• Because God has developed within in our heart for the nations for His Glory. Yes, we even have a family direction statement that includes “join God’s heart for the nations.”
• Because for some reason God has wired me for big, chaos, new and change (and, oh boy, that is comin’)
• Because we want to champion the cause, love orphans, influence others and make an impact in our world

Where and why there

• Ethiopia
• Because there is an orphan crisis due to disease, poverty and more
• Because Kelly and I have a BIG heart for Africa that began 14 years ago…
• Kelly and I have sponsored a young lady named Marta and her family in Ethiopia for the last 14 years through Compassion
• Kelly and I have served in West Africa on a LifePoint mission team and I had the privilege of a second trip earlier this year (check out some photos)
• LifePoint is launching an exciting, strategic missions partnership with this organization for Orphan Care and church planting in Ethiopia
• About a decade ago Kelly and I were close to spending 2 years in Kenya as missionaries (long story for another time)
• We have precious friends who have adopted from Ethiopia and we look forward to adding to the mix
• We are huge U2 fans (kidding…not about being U2/Bono fans, that this is reason for where)

Who

• We are hoping to adopt a boy around the age of 2 1/2 to 3

When

• We hope to know specifically through a referral sometime in early 2011
• Hopefully, he will be home sometime in 2011 but this process, as we have seen walking this journey with others, can have a lot of ups & downs, hurry-up & waiting…

How

• Through the grace and sovereignty of our great Lord
• Through excitement, sacrifice, obedience, patience, anxiety, faith, doubt, trust
• Through a lot of conversation and prayer individually, as a family and with you
• By intentionally staying connected to community in our family, small group, church, staff team

Not through our own planning but great coincidence this Sunday is Orphan Sunday across our nation. I am excited about all that my family will learn this month as the Orphan Crisis is brought to greater attention. I am humbled and thrilled about how my church is building an Orphan Care ministry, thankful for the many individuals who are blazing the trail for LifePoint and how we will highlight and connect others in the coming Sundays.

Wow! BIG! Thanks for reading this news. I hope you join our journey with us. I would love to hear your thoughts and questions by commenting here or on Facebook.