Here we come Sam!

Hey guys.

This is going to be about our upcoming trip to Ethiopia July 21-31. I'm going to inform you by asking you to pray for several things and then ask you to give something.

Itenerary and Prayer

We'll be leaving for South Carolina on July 21 to deliver our kids to my parents. They'll be loving on them all week. So pray for:

-Safe travel
-A sweet last few days as a family before we leave
-A godly, submissive, content heart for our kids while we're gone
-Patience and joy for my parents as they serve our family so well
-Time will fly for them all so that missing each other will be minimal

We then fly to Frankfurt, Germany and then Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 22. This is about a 30 hour total trip through several time zones. So pray for:

-Us not to die or get sick
-Minimal jet lag effects
-Smooth travel, no snags
-My leadership to be gracious and servant hearted and gentle

We'll arrive in Ethiopia on July 24 and will have to wait until the 25th to see, hold, snuggle, and kiss Sam. Our court date is July 28. This will give us legal custody of Sam. So pray for:

-Parent/Child Bonding with Sam (Don't want to expect too much, but we're hopeful)
-Patience while we are in a country that is not our own
-Grace and humility while we're in a country that is not our own
-Appreciation for the creation of God, cultivate a heart for the nations
-Opportunities to talk about Jesus
-Favor with all the legal officials/process so we can pass court

We'll leave Ethiopia on July 29 and will arrive in South Caroline in the early hours of the 31st. So pray:

-for our energy on a long trip home. We'll likely be running on fumes at this point.
-thankfulness to God regardless of how our week will have gone
-that we'll not die or get sick
-that we'll be encouraged and excited to return soon in order to bring Sam home rather than be discouraged that we're leaving our son for several more weeks

Please pray for all of these things as you think of us. Perhaps some of you will print or write out these needs and pray daily?

Giving

The orphanage where Sam is staying has provided us with a list of needs.

--Small toys such as bubbles, hotwheels, blow up beach balls or soft balls. Get creative folks.
--Diaper rash ointment
--Anti fungal cream
--Zinc Oxide ointment
--Hyrdrocortisone Cream
--Infant Multivitamins
--Cloth Diapers
--Baby Lotion (0-2years)

I'd love for us to provide all of this to the orphanage. I'm a toy guy myself. I want to spoil them to death, don't you? But let's do both. If you'd like to support this effort, bring any of these items that you can to our house. You can also bring them to Crew on Sunday if that's easier. We can't accept anything later than Tuesday July 19.

Alright we have 9 days. Let's do this! Thanks for praying and supporting us. We love you all!