Wednesday, April 16, 2008

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.

4 comments:

Ericka said...

Hi! I just found your blog from Laurel's and what a blessing!!!! I'm from Illinois also and kinda freaking out - we just got pre-approved from BH and am trying to get going on the paper chase :)
I'm having a hard time getting our homestudy agent to give me a call back. Can you please tell me who you used here in IL?? Please feel free to send me an email: reeka @ wideopenwest.com.
Thank you so much!!! Ericka

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jane,
I read the information from Layla House. I continued to do more research last night while waiting for one of "mom's" to deliver. During my breaks this morning I have found myself looking more and more into adoption. It is very exciting, maybe something Shaun and I will consider in the near future. To think that a child is waiting their for us is over whelming. Paige

Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom) said...

Hi Ericka,

I'll email you to let you know who we're using asap!

Hi Paige!

I can't wait to see what God might have planned for your family. How exciting for you all!

God Bless,
Jane

darci said...

this was so good to read! now i have another blog on my list to read. :) (in all my spare time...) thanks so much for sharing this. much much thinking is going on here, lot's of prayer. darci