Inside Layla House-A Look at an Ethiopian Orphanage

Are you looking for a practical way to help orphan children? This story, reminded me of the most important thing we can ALL do to help.

Many times, upon the Captain's arrival home from Ethiopia with Hannah and Baby T, people wanted to hear about the experience.

Heck, as the parent who didn't travel, I wanted to hear about the experience.

Sometimes people ask because they are quietly considering adoption in their minds and wondering what it might be like to travel to a strange land, so far away, for the peculiar pre-arranged meeting of parent and child for the first time. Others wish to know about the conditions there-how different it must be from America-the poverty, the disease, the heartbreak. And a rare few are simply nosy enough to want to hear more about that very intimate moment of hearts colliding. But as much as people asked, the answer was usually something short and sweet--void of much emotion or opportunity for discussion.

Often, after the inquiring minds walked away, he would look at me and say, "I just can't put it into words. Maybe someday I'll be able to..." and then the moment would be over, the story stuck in his heart and mind, overflowing with unphotographable images, to wait for another chance at being told.

This morning, however, I read the story of another mom from our agency, Carrie of Willing Hearts, who recently traveled to Layla House (our agency's orphanage). Masterfully crafted, she manages to describe in heartfelt detail her experience while there. This should be required reading for anyone who is considering adoption and for those who have made the journey, whose stories haven't yet been told.

One final thought, if you aren't considering adoption, please-at the very least-when you are finished reading, pray our family's prayer for the waiting children:

"For every child who waits, a family waits for them."

Prayers for those who wait? Works for me!

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, click here.