Let me start by saying that I am terribly sorry for the long silence, the US stateside team who handles recording the phone conversations that turns into blog posts came to see us here. With everyone here and nobody back in the land of fast internet, we were stuck and this had created this unusual long silence. But now we are up and running with some very good news. When we decided to come here, there was not much in place regarding a plan for the future; the orphanage was put together in a hurry and there was not much time to work out all the kinks. We knew that part of what we would be taking on was the task of creating a vision that would last. Things like… planning what will happen with the children… takes time. On top of that, everything here takes four times longer then you would expect them to.
So we are quite excited that it is all coming together. It is like climbing a mountain in the fog, there is always that moment when you finally get above the fog and the warm sun hits your face. Those moments (being oh so rare here in our new lives) are to be savored.
Okay I will stop dragging this out and tell you what we have been working towards here. From the beginning the idea was that there would be a children’s home here where the children would live out their lives and we would do all we could to make that environment healthy and productive for the children. But the more we have seen how it is all coming together and the more that we have talked with everyone who is involved, we realize that no one has the life-term commitment to stick things out here until they are grown up and moved out. So we started to ask ourselves; Is it possible to ensure that these kids are getting the best upbringing while passing the baton to a new set of leaders every few years. The answer was a resounding; no. We do not believe that there is any way that there would be enough continuity over the course of their lives to give them what they deserve. To put it simply; parents are there for a reason and you don’t trade parents every two years. It just doesn’t work that way. We also considered having long term national, paid staff stay on for the whole time but we realized that parenting is not something you can pay someone to do. It should be for calling; not just a paycheck.
So here is where I get really excited and I hope that you will stand up and shout right there in your seat. Not only because you are excited with us but because you are moved to get involved and do something. The plan is a big one and there is noway that we are going to be able to get it done without some serious help.
Drum roll please… we are going to start looking for ways for families to adopt the nine children who are remaining in the orphanage. There were ten but we are already trying to adopt one ourselves. How cool is that! We are really excited about what this means for the kids and their futures. Of course there are a lot of crazy things we need to work through like; how we can go about setting up international adoptions with these children’s situations. But we have complete peace about this decision. Sometimes things just fall into place and you know that everything is going to work out the way it should.
So here is where you come in. For starters, we are way behind on fundraising. We started out with a big plan to come in and take care of these children but now we are adding a ton more into the mix. The town we are in is very cheap but now we are going to have to move the operation (at least the paperwork side of it) to the city which although is cheap by American standards, it is a much more expensive place to be. Then we have all the paperwork and legal stuff; that’s not cheap either. Yeah, so to put it simply we are are very much in need of big donations to make this all happen. Donations like that are few and far between but people like you sending this blog post around or posting it on your own blog really helps to make that happen. We would also love to be able set up an Adoption Family Support Program where we would help fund the cost of adoption for families that can not afford it.
Then their are other ways you may be able to help (for either these children or other children); like finding families that are willing to step up to the challenge of adoption. But we will be getting into that over the coming weeks and months here on the blog. But for now, I wanted to tell you the good news and let you know that we finally have a clear direction.
-Levi
Jenn Kramer
August 21st, 2009
I would love some information on adopting one of your children. I am in the process of adopting a little boy from ET already but know that I want to adopt again. As I know the time frame is still questionable for you and this process. I am not sure what all I can do right now to help support but I would love to support you all. Please email me so I can get more in touch with how to help, what I can do now.
Barry and Amy Rager
August 21st, 2009
We too would love information on adopting a child from Drawn from Water. Our family has a burden for the fatherless and we have been foster parenting but feel God leading us to take in a child permanently. We will be praying about adopting one of your children and would love to have some information to look over once the ball gets rolling.
Praying for your ministry and the children you care for.
Makayla
August 21st, 2009
Wow, how exciting!! We are praying for each and everyone of you, and that each child will be placed with a special family:)Love you all!
Kristin
August 22nd, 2009
I think that is a great direction to go! I blogged about it to help spread the word, (a little).
Michelle
August 22nd, 2009
Keep us updated! We are praying about how we can be involved.
Amy Pasqualini
August 24th, 2009
What great news! I’ve been following your blog for a little while and what a wonderful ministry! We currently sponsor a young man in Uganda who is going to school there and it has been such a blessing to our family to see him grow and not just survive, but really seem to thrive! Please keep the posts and info coming about your call, the kids there, and the adoption process! We’ll be praying for you all!
Rich
August 24th, 2009
Thank you Kristin for spreading the word! Sometimes it can be just little things like reposting that can make a huge difference for these kids.
Lori
August 24th, 2009
I am so excited for you and what God is doing through you for these kids. We are currently in process of adopting a little one from Ethiopia, but we would be interested in learning more about possibly adopting one of the Drawn from Water kids. We will keep you, the kids, and the process in our prayers.
Lori
rolimatthews@hotmail.com
trishadev
August 25th, 2009
Sounds awesome! What is your criteria for adoption – do people have to be a certain age, have a certain income, stuff like that? It would be interesting to hear some of the facts. Blessings your way as you work out all the details.
Jean
August 25th, 2009
I am wondering how you are handling the orphan status with these children? I thought that was the initial problem with getting these kids adopted, they don’t qualify as orphans. Also, will you continue to rescue more children from this village and find them homes?
colleen
August 25th, 2009
Wow my husband and I were in the process of adopting from Ethiopia, but the cost was too much. We know God has called us to adopt and are open to praying about your children. Your mission is amazing and my husband and I will continually pray for your ministry.
Emily Schulz
August 26th, 2009
Yes, we want a baby from you! God has very clearly called us to adopt in the past few months, but we weren’t sure how that would happen. From the very beginning, I was praying you would move in that direction with the children you rescued. Please let me know what we can do to make that happen.
~Emily
Lindsey
August 27th, 2009
I have been reading your website over the last couple of months and am excited to see what the Lord is doing through your ministry in Ethiopia! The Lord clearly has put adoption on the hearts of my husband and I, though we are not sure how it would happen or when. Would you please send us more information/keep us updated on the adoption process so we can make it a serious matter of prayer? In the mean time, we will be praying for your little darlings in the orphanage, your family and your ministry, and for a clear vision of how the Lord wants us to be involved.
Lily Barry
August 28th, 2009
Levi,
It’s so good to hear from you.. I know you have limited access to the internet. but please let us know how we can start to help bring these beautiful children home. Jah Bless my friend.
Lily Barry
Kathleen
September 7th, 2009
I am thrilled you are able to move in this direction. I am a little late in seeing this post, but it is an answer to prayer. I am happy for you and for the little ones that will find homes. I would LOVE more info on how we can be involved. We have a little boy from ET and we are hoping that God would have us to adopt again, this time a little girl. If your timetable is slow, as most things are in Ethiopia, that would be fine as we weren’t really looking for this until next summer (to begin). But, we are open to God’s direction and would love to be a part of what you are doing in that way.
Brian and Heather Shubert
September 26th, 2009
We would LOVE information on adopting a child from Drawn from the water. What an amazing ministry you have!
Shannon Watkins
September 29th, 2009
Hi,
I just came across your site from a blog I was reading and was so moved by your journey and the story of these children . My husband and I are hoping to adopt a little girl from Ethiopia and would be very intersted in finding out more about these children. We have 3 children , 2 bio sons (twins age 10) and a daughter adopted from China (age 3 1/2) We hope to adopt a sister for her to share life with. Thanks for any information and direction you can give us.
Shannon
Dan
October 14th, 2009
Have you looked into adoption in side country?? Taking the children out of Ethiopia they lose their heritage. Also fostering families are available.
kacey arnold
January 26th, 2010
would love to hear about how to adopt one of your babies or children, please email or send info. I will continue to keep you and your mission in my prayers. My friend sent this link to me and have been drawn to it ever since. Best of luck to you and your colleagues.
God Speed