Where to start?

One of my biggest joys is getting to talk to adoptive mommas who are just starting the process.  

They are so expectant.  so excited for what God is going to do.  they have no idea that where they are now, will soon end with something similar to the image above.  beautiful, sent from god child(ren)!

one thing about these mommas is they are a sponge for information.

I remember when we decided to adopt, we didn't have any real life friends who had adopted, and didn't know the first thing to do!  It did seem scary & foreign and totally new. 

So I love getting to talk to moms, answer their questions, connect them with people/agencies/resources because when I didn't know anyone and I was calling random people I found online and friends of friends of friends & I loved it when people helped me.  and my general philosophy in life is to pay it forward!  people helped me - so I want to help people. 

So really there are about a dozen posts I have in my head to write, and I will get there.
they include: fundraising, choosing a country, fundraising, people raising, ha.

but I do have these nifty little pages on my blog that if you are reading from reader or bloglovin' you might not know about.  I have one called "adoption" and there you can find a little bit about our story, our timeline, a few videos, and some resources for you & your journey.

Here's just a little clip of the resource section (at the bottom)


Together for Adoption - amazing adoption conference, and outstanding resources
Noonday Collection - consider becoming an ambassador to raise funds for your adoption or simply host a trunk show!
Give1Save1 - features a different family each week to raise money for their adoption
147 million orphans - fundraising program & awesome adoption gear
Project Hopeful - education on adopting HIV+/AIDS orphans
Generations Adoptions - another amazing agency, specializing in Ugandan adoptions
Reece's Rainbow - information on adopting children with special needs
Show Hope - offers grants to adoptive families
Abba Fund - financial solutions for adoptions
Rainbow Kids - guidelines for each country, waiting children's lists

Stephen & I are conference junkies and our whole story from when we said YES started when we went to a Together for Adoption conference.  Something about worshiping, being taught from and meeting 900 other people who all had a heart for adoption that sparked something inside of us.  It connected us with several key organizations that have sense become a huge part of our story (noonday collection, Visiting Orphans).

But after that, we started researching agencies.  Every country has it's own requirements, and we quickly learned that out of all the African countries, we met the qualifications of Ethiopia.

If you are unfamiliar, these qualifications include things such as: your age, how long you've been married, how many kids you have at home, etc.  Ethiopia requirements are you have to be 25 years old & married for 1 (or is it 2?) years.

in the resources section, rainbow kids is a great place to get a good look at all countries agencies.  So if you are not sure where you want to adopt from, or what countries you qualify for - that is a good place to start.

so...that's really all for today.  just a quick glimpse into how our story started & some resources to hopefully help answer some of your questions.

Once I get my blog all re-organized + designed I hope to make it easier for you to find older posts that might be able to help you.  but until then....hope this helped!

feel free to ask questions & if I know the answer I'd be glad to help! 

ps - right now actually I'm at an amazing adoptive mommas retreat called Created for Care. so, you should look it up & look into it for march or next year!

*have a good weekend friends, I'm signing off through the weekend to be present at the retreat!  I'll answer all questions/comments next week when I get home!

my missionary summer.

Hi, my name is Wynne. 

 and this is my family.

God allowed me to stay in Ethiopia after our court date of these two precious babies (Camp + Asher) to do ministry and
 I spent the past two months living with this missionary family (the Yates) in Ethiopia. 

well, more exactly I lived in a house with all of these people.

working with Project 61.

in Kore (or Korah)

in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

where this group of guys help lead the charge as leaders of the church & Great Hope Ministries.

I partnered with this sweet family

the gibsons

to be "happy helpers" in Korah. 

We watched teams come in every week to serve the kids of Korah

We did VBS with them...

scripture memory, songs, crafts, games....

and most importantly sharing the gospel!!

{photo by Kari Gibson}

and at the end of every week, we celebrated what Jesus had done with a big MEAT lunch.

{photo by Kari Gibson}

The afternoons were often spent (with the teams) visiting Alert hospital & going on home visits.

during home visits you can always expect buna (ethiopian coffee), popcorn or traditional bread, and lots of good time hearing each other stories and praying together.

there was always a lot going on in Korah with Project 61, Hope for Korah (family program), and Mission Ethiopia (sustainable work for at risk women)!

that is a small glimpse into what we did as a part of the Project 61 team in Ethiopia, but it doesn't even begin to tell the stories of what we really did.  or rather what God did through us.

It wasn't necessarily through the programs, or events that we felt God at work - it was through the personal relationships we had with the people.

Mid summer I started going into the bible study that Roger Gibson & Kari started for some of the boys that live in the dorm in Korah during the summer (when they aren't in school).  Roger really felt like God told him to disciple these young men - and it was an honor and blessing to watch them grow this summer and to really just be a family with them.

Yes, we had bible study with them every week.

we prayed with them.

we gave them bibles.

we shared the gospel & our personal testimonies.

we took them to church each Sunday

but we also ate with them

took them to the zoo

celebrated birthdays with them

played soccer with them

watched movies & made cookies together

took them bowling

we did things FAMILIES do together.
and that is exactly what we became - a big crazy ethiopian family!

my last Sunday in Addis, I got to witness a beautiful baptism of my friend & brother, Kedir (Kedy).
it was an emotional day as I've seen this boy transform by the love of Jesus this past year.

THIS is what it's all about.

last days- part 5

8.28

I should have known that when God called me home, and I was obedient, that He would tremendously bless my last few days.

this past week was one of the best all summer.  

it wasn’t that we did anything extra special - we just spent a lot of time as a family.  sometimes, thats all it takes.  spending quality time together - and it doesn’t always matter what you do, just that you are together. 

this morning I said goodbye for now to camp + asher.  

I went alone & no other families were there.  I was actually super appreciative for the time to be with them alone.  times with just me + them have been the highlight of my summer.  

holding them, singing to them, praying over them, making them laugh and smile.  

and I’m so thankful my husband made me video me with them.  

I know we will look back on these times together one day & love watching it on film.  

thank you jesus for the time you gave me with c+a.  I pray that when we return they remember who we are & the bonding picks right up where we left off.

after the babies, I picked up Eyob so we could spend my last day together.  

and our time was a gift.

we took a walk down to my friend Emily’s house to check on her dogs (and walk them -- believe me, crazy fringe with a dog on a leash get crazy stares....) 

on our walk, just the two of us, he opened up more to me than ever.

sharing parts of his story he’s never shared.

I asked him lots of questions as he shared with me & I feel like we really turned a page.

It really is amazing that we are now able to have full on conversations in english. 

this is the boy that in January we would just look at each other & I would say “we have to learn the same language!”

his confidence has sky rocketed and I’m so proud of him.

I can’t imagine having the story that this one has, and I know it’s so hard for him to open up and talk about his past.

I’m grateful that he trusts me enough to let me all the way in. 

after packing up my room, saying goodbye to the Yates + boys, the family picked me up and we headed to Kaldis for a goodbye meal.  

I never thought when I got here that I would be escorted to the airport by my new family - the gibsons, my 2 sons eyob + biligne, and brothers david, sente, kedy, pastor t, kennedy, tolousa, sinte and babye.  I looked around the table in astonishment!  I told Kiki, I don’t know how everytime I come to this country my family gets bigger.  kids that I either hadn’t met, or didn’t know their names last trip are now my brothers.  and relationships that I started a year ago have only gotten stronger.  

their long goodbye hugs were followed by me gripping their faces in my hands and telling each of them that I loved them & I was proud of them & I would miss them.  

I will.  and I do.  

but their letters said it best, “until next time...”  

getting on that plane was hard, but I was 100% covered in prayer thanks to all of you.

it was supernatural.  

I wanted to lose it, but I couldn’t.

i feel peace.

your prayers were answered.  

thank you! 

last days - part 4

8.27

I think the best part of my day today was getting to spend quality time with Eyob.

I told him a few days ago that I wanted to spend as much time as possible with him these last few days & he took it seriously.

after home visits & bible study this morning in Korah, we headed to Kaldis.

the Gibsons had some things to do at the shopping center, so while we waited I got to give him the necklace I bought for him this week.

It was totally appropriate since he gave me (and Stephen!) a necklace yesterday!

now we can always think of each other when we wear our necklaces.

and then while waiting by the van, we decided to make a few videos.

a message for Yohannes, a message for Stephen, an amharic lesson (I really wanted to voice record all the words & phrases I know in Amharic so I don’t forget when I go home...) so Eyob translated for me!  

but my favorite video was the one that started off, “hey mom”.  

how did I get so lucky? 

I really do love this boy like he were my own child & when I pray for camp + asher, I pray for their big Ethiopian brother, Eyob too. 

we also had a farewell dinner at our favorite resturant -- Korean! -- with the Gibsons and crew.

mama kiki might have almost lost it, but I had god given peace today. 

i love dinners out with kiki, roggy, zoe zoe & hannie.  

we never run out of things to laugh or talk about. 

this family has taught me more than they will ever know.

we’ve become family as we’ve been a family to a bunch of teenage boys that otherwise wouldn’t have one. 

thank you jesus! 

home.

I can't share all of the details with you now but I wanted to let everyone know that I will be returning to the States on Tuesday & I will not have Camp + Asher with me. The paperwork on our case is still being processed & it looks like the best thing for me to do right now is come home for a while.  We have NO DOUBT or fear that camp + asher won’t come home - they will!  It’s just not in the timing that we thought.  It’s been 8 weeks since I left Midland for my Ethiopian adventure, and over 7 weeks since I’ve seen my best friend & husband.  The Lord has spoken to me this week & I know this is the right time to come home and rest before Stephen & I return to Ethiopia for our embassy appointment & to bring our babies home.  Please be praying that our cases process quickly & we'll be back in Ethiopia very soon.  A lot has been happening the past few days - so I thought I'd go back a few days and fill you in....

8.22

today was really hard.
after my talk with carol last monday (the day that gave me a grey hair) i knew in my heart I am supposed to go home.  I felt peace and then I got a new wind & new energy.
it’s was a great (and difficult) week with the boys but I finally felt like I said what I needed to say - asking them if they have truly asked Jesus into their hearts. 
I’ve planted the seed & I’ll keep watering it.  but now I need to trust Jesus to preform the miracles.  he’s the only one who can transform those boys from the inside out.

now - the thought of going home haunts me again.
and reading in Live Dead journal this morning I was really convicted.
it was all about sacrifice - and I realized that it wasn’t as much of a sacrifice for me to be here this summer.  I am living out my dream.
it’s Stephen who’s making the sacrifice. 
and it seems like, once again, I need to lay aside MY dreams and MY plans for the Lords.
to put my ministry, my boys, and my dreams up on the altar and trust God with them.
I remember last time I gave him my dreams (of getting pregnant)....and I am living in the outcome.  God gave me a supernatural love & passion for orphans and for the people of Korah, Ethiopia. and I will NEVER be the same, in Jesus name.
I can’t EVEN imagine my life without camp + asher and my kids in Korah.
can’t. even. imagine.
so, I will give my dreams and passion for being a missionary in Ethiopia to God.
I will respect & honor my husband and our marriage & go home to him.
i will go home to the most important job I have - being a wife!
and I will trust that God honors obedience.

i will pray that He brings me back here, with my husband, very very soon to bring home our precious babies. 

the thought of going to the airport (with no doubt a van full of kids in tow) and getting on the plane to America all ALONE haunts me. 
but there is no fear in love.  perfect love drives out fear.
so I will trade fear for trust.
i will put my hope (tesfa!) in my almighty god.

i will mourn.  and I will no doubt bawl my eyes out. but I will trust that god is in control.
he’s got this.
he hasn’t brought us this far to leave us.
he can do immeasurably MORE than all we ask or imagine.

and he will.

trick mirror. GUEST POST.

It was SUCH a God thing to be in Ethiopia at the same time as my  long time camp friend, Melissa & her husband Mark.  I think she said it best when she said, “I just want you to know how grateful I am to know you!  It is amazing that God placed you in my life 20 years ago and that led to me going to Ethiopia this summer with my husband and our lives being forever changed.  It is such an awesome and strange feeling to look back over all those years and see God's perfect plan.”

It was their first time to Ethiopia, and they worked with Project61!  I thought her words & reflections were so amazing that I asked her if i could share them here on the blog.  

In Melissa’s words.....

It is SO HARD to return home.  I have a deeper understanding of a lot of your blog posts now!  I can't even imagine how it is for you - I was only there one time for one week!  It is really emotionally tough to boggle back and forth between all of my feelings/thoughts from Korah/Ethiopia/Africa and my "real world" responsibilities here.  It is like there is one of those "trick" mirrors from the fair in front of everything.  The one that is wavy and makes you look fat or skinny or tall or whatever...My view of literally the WHOLE world is completely distorted from where it was before...does that make sense?  Some things are so enlarged and some things are tiny.  Some things are so much wider, and some seem so much narrower.  And I felt like it was so much easier to be WITH God 24/7 there.  I was surrounded, here it is so hard to stay focused on anything.  Constant sensory overload.  But in the same instance I am so THANKFUL, and then the next second I am disgusted with how gluttonous and indulgent our nation/society/myself are/is.  Overall I am so amazed with the experience and cannot wait to come back.

Well, friends there you have it.  I know some of you know exactly what Melissa is talking about.  It wrecks your world - but in a glorious way.  God is alive!  

If you are interested in coming to Ethiopia & visiting orphans - check out Visiting Orphans & Project61.  

check out Melissa online here!  

korah home visit!

“listen my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him” James 2:5

Saturday morning in Addis.  Hot tea in hand listening to Beth Moore recite all of James.  Tears flow from my eyes & my heart as I hear the Word of God.   I am encouraged, convicted, built up, and ready.  To show mercy.  James 2:5 really stood out to me as I have spent the past few days with my friends in Korah.  The “poor of the world” live there.  They may be poor, but like James says they are rich in faith & heirs of the kingdom.  

Stephen & I got the chance to visit the home of one of our sponsor girls through Project 61, Abenezer.  Their 8x8 foot corner house is home to Abenezer (11), Samuel (12), their mother & their crippled father.  This family was so full of faith in our Lord Jesus that you wouldn’t even know that polio has affected this family.  That the father spends his days on the street begging as his wife goes to work at Mission Ethiopia.  He thanks Jesus tremendously for his children being able to go to school & get a good education.  The chance to pray with them was out of this world.  I felt the holy spirit in that room as Mr. Haliu said, “amen amen amen” after every word that was prayed to our heavenly father.  Prayers for his children, for his spiritual life and prayers that God would provide him with a new wheelchair.  I wish I prayed with such intensity and such belief that God would act.  I wish I could remember all the amazing things he said to us that day but I think the Lord blocked those from my mind so we don’t get caught up in US being the ones to help their family -- because it isn’t us, it’s HIM!  

It’s God working through people to accomplish His purposes.  He doesn’t have to include us, but he chooses to.  As Pricilla Shrier says in the Jonah study, “He allows us the opportunity to partner with Him.  He doesn’t even need us, so it’s a privilege to live this way.”  Amen sister! 

{Tsion & Abenezer, Samuel, and Mr. Hailu's wheelchair}

i live here, i love here.

{my & my boys.  David, Kedy, Eyob & Biligne}

I live here.

I live in africa.

it’s the strangest answer to the simple question I got today.

the ethiopian rain is beating down right now as I sit on my bed in Addis.

I live here.

I even have an Ethiopian phone (whhhaaa?)

God was so faithful to give me the desire of my heart.  the desire of my heart that I never even knew was a desire until Jesus put it there last year.  

when god gives us the desires of our hearts - it’s Him who puts those desirers there in the first place.

I am living amongst the people that I have come to love.

my sweet Tsion & Abenezer today told me with excitement that they are kedir & asanti (camp + asher) sisters.  and they are!  

Sweet Eyob asks me several times a day when he’s going to meet the babies.

I feel honored and blessed to count those precious children as part of our spiritual family.  and I can’t wait for camp + asher to have such a rich tie to their home country - through their ethiopian brothers and sisters.  

{me & Tsion}

{me & Eyob}

I keep telling people that “I can’t believe I’m here” and it’s true.

I can’t believe it.

I prayed and prayed for this opportunity & honestly can’t believe the boldness God gave me in asking Sumer if I could live with her family, but He did and here I am.  

I held this precious opportunity with such open hands to God, knowing that He could take it away, that I almost lost faith that He could actually do it.

but He did and I am so grateful.

He can do anything you know, far more than we could ever ask or imagine. (eph 3:20)

Psalm 104 - “the trees of the Lord are watered abundantly”  praying that over the sweet kids in Korah this summer.  that the Lord would give them life & give it abundantly! 

{me & my roomie Denae}

second best day ever.

the second best day ever.

{wrote this the day after we met the kids}

if yesterday was the best day ever (meeting the kids!), then today was the second best day.  it started out by eating amazing pancakes at the guest house, telling old family stories around the table and then we headed to the foster home around 10.  We got to hold and love on our sweet babies.  It was a warm & sunny afternoon and we put camp + asher in outfits (and hat for camp & bow for asher) that we brought and took some family photos!  Camp smiled immediately when we saw him & we can already tell huge improvements in his confidence.  A lot of the times he holds his fists all clinched up but today he was letting his arms & hands fly free.  Asher was cute as ever -- every time Alison had her camera up, she was looking right at the camera.  She is a sassafras already!  We love them both so much & it seemed like today they remembered us and knew who we were.  Time flew by as we held & loved them!  A few things - Asher was so sweet discovering her hand!  Camp was a smiling guy finally - way more alert.  We are so in love!  

After seeing the babies we got our drivers to take us to Korah.  We weren’t sure if we would have enough time to get over there & back but I’m SO GLAD we went.  My parents sponsor a boy through Project 61 so we wanted them to meet him - although he wasn’t around that day, I”m so glad they got to see the place & meet the people that we love so much.  It was such a fun surprise to see our 2 sponsor girls Tsion & Abenezer, my son Eyob and so many other of our friends!  It was like a big family reunion.  We hung out in the church & Debs always had a group of younger girls around her and Russ was a big hit with the younger boys with his baseball videos on his phone.  Everyone found friends & after an hour and a half it was sad to leave.  Stephen and I will go back this week before he leaves Wednesday & get to do home visits with our sponsor girls homes.  It’s going to be a great summer getting to hang out and continue to build relationships with these beautiful people. 

After Korah we went back to Kaldis for some yummy coffee - then it started to pour down rain as we got to the foster home.  A perfect, cool, beautiful rainy afternoon to snuggle with our babies.  It never gets old & we can’t get enough!  They love their Bunni & GP too - getting some good time in with them.  It’s always sad to say goodbye when we leave.

We went to the traditional restaurant last night, even though we were all tired, and I”m so glad we did!  Immediately we ran into friends & then more friends and more friends.  It was a big reunion!  My voice seriously went horse from talking so much & so loud over the music.  We had a fun table in the back, got a bottle of wine, and my mom LOVED the dancing.  Alison & I had some really good time catching up and Stephen even got up by our table and danced!  (I have video to prove it!).  

It was such an amazing day.  a dream day.  not only are we in ethiopia meeting our babies and starting our family but we have gotten to spend some time with the people that already felt like our family here in Ethiopia.  Once again, I just can’t imagine life before camp + asher + our love affair with Ethiopia.  It’s been the biggest adventure of our lives and I’m so blessed to get to have such an amazing godly man leading the way!