Operation Ethiopia

In response to Jesus healing a small boy who had been demon-possessed, Jesus’ disciples begged to know, “Why couldn’t we drive it(the demon) out ourselves?”  Jesus replied, “ Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you – Matthew 17:19&20

I’ve never tried to move a mountain.

I’ve hiked them, fished on them, hunted on them, even built forts on the sides of a few of them but, I’ve never tried and moved one. 

Would be cool though, wouldn’t it?  To ask, “God – move that mountain for me, if you’re not too busy?”  And poof – it just moved – heck I’d be impressed if it moved just an inch.

According to Jesus, it would require a few simple things though first:

1.  A mountain. Check. Montana has plenty of those. Heck, I’m looking at one right now.

2.  Faith the size of a mustard seed. Che…Now a mustard seed is small. According to Wikipedia, a mustard seed is around 1 mm.  If I were to quantify my faith, surely it would be bigger than the thickness of a dime. 

Right?

I’ll admit; if a mustard seed of faith is all it takes to move a mountain, than I’m far from having enough. 

It’s growing though, and I’m excited to tell you why.

Last November, on a trip with the family to Famous Footwear,  our 4 year old begs, “Mom..Dad, I want a new pair of shoes…please I need them so bad.”  We of course futilely attempted to reason with him while trying to explain that we were going to buy a pair of shoes for a young boy living in Ethiopia who truly needed a pair of shoes. He of course couldn’t understand. Why does this boy get a pair of shoes, and he didn’t? 

Now, rewind just one hour.

Our pastor had just held “Adoption Sunday,” where he had spent the entire sermon hour sharing his passion to see the church grow in compassion and action for the oppressed, the abandoned and the forgotten.  The children who are desperately in need; not want, for a home and a forever father and mother.

Okay – now back to the car.

We were already talking about Christmas at this point. Our boys already had their “list.”

Naomi and I were struggling so much with trying to share with our two kids, the meaning behind Christmas and the difference between “Need” and “Want.” What a helpless feeling we had with every attempt to explain. We realized that this culture of consumerism, selfishness and other worldly “wants” had already taken a tight grip on our boys’ hearts. They’re only 2 and 4 for crying out loud!

So here we are. Our children talking about what they want, telling each other what they think they’re going to get for Christmas…what they want for lunch…what they’re going to play with when they get home etc,etc, ETC!  Naomi and I; on the other hand, quietly staring out the windshield while trying to block out “the noise.” 

“What do you think about adoption?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” she replied.

I know. A loaded question that one could take multiple angles at answering. She knew of course what  I 

meant, and she was just as scared at answering the question she and I both were trying to answer silently in our own minds.

“Would you ever want to adopt?” I rephrased softly. 

Her answer came as a shock, not because I’ve ever doubted my wife’s enormous and generous heart,  but because when she said “yes,” I quickly was ashamed that I had never asked before or can remember such a conversation (not anyone's fault but my own).  As if finding out something new about your wife as large as the idea of adoption after almost 7 years of marriage was something we should have discussed a long time ago.  

I love my boys – don’t get me wrong. I love them to pieces, but I am ashamed to admit that Naomi and I never really talked about “how” we were to grow our family…until then…in a mini-van, “family” already in tow.  What would it look like if the Moores decided to adopt?

“Really?  Interesting, me too,”  I shared.

Now what? The tiger has leapt out of the bag and there’s no way now we can ignore it.

We talked, prayed, read, talked and talked some more, and this is what we’ve discovered thus far – God hasn’t really given us a clear sign to adopt or try and grow our family the ol’ natural way, but since March, the Montana Moores have stepped out in faith to be part of God’s plan “E” to adopt an orphaned child from Ethiopia. We continue to pray that God will open and close doors according to his plan for our family. He is beginning to reveal to us a beautiful picture of His promise of love and redemption, and it’s allowed Naomi and I to use this as a way to teach this to K and J. 

What a process to adopt though!

The paper-work, the work to fill out said paper-work, the cost, the expected waiting time for a referral, all can be physically paralyzing if dwelt upon too long.  We have to consciously decide; each day, to walk forward in faith and ask God, God is this a door you want us to close?  God is this a door that is open? 

We’ll be sharing more about “Operation Ethiopia” on this blog: why we chose Ethiopia, what we're currently working on and the little miracles we've witnessed thus far, so stay tuned.

For now, would you consider praying with us? Here are some specific things you can join us in prayer for:

•       For all the orphans in this world. Specifically in Ethiopia, where 5 million or 16% of all children are orphaned. 1 in 13 children in Ethiopia, die before their first birthday. 
•        For our child’s physical well-being. More than 1/3 of all children under age 5 are malnourished.
•        For our child’s emotional well-being.  Every orphaned child, whether 18 months old or 8 years old will deal with issues of abandonment.  We specifically pray for hope and peace be instilled in our child’s heart, both short term and long term.
•        For K and J. That they would grow in understanding of what “adoption” means, and that their hearts would be opened and prepared for their new brother or sister.
•         For Naomi and I. That our faith in our all-mighty and loving God would continue to grow. That we would continue to rest in His will. That while our own patience and understanding will continue to be tested, we would above all, persevere.

If you’ve said yes, and you’re praying with us and our future son/daughter, it would be a huge encouragement to us if you somehow let us know.