Brotherly Love

It is the morning of Day 3 here in Mekele.  Sasha and I woke up at 4:30 this morning -  to a black sky, softly lit by a beautiful moon directly outside of our open hotel window.  We finally had time to reflect with one another on this amazing journey - each sharing different observations and perspectives on all that God has been showing us and teaching us.

In the midst of this early morning conversation, Sasha shared one of those moments that touch you to your very core.  In the flood of experiences and emotions that we have experienced over the last four days in Africa ... it could have easily been missed - instead, it is now something that I will cherish and hold onto forever.  

Sasha described our very first encounter with Joseph from her own perspective on Day 1 in Mekele.  She explained to me that as Joseph walked to greet us for the very first time at the orphanage ... as we hugged, smiled, laughed, cried ... and shared more hugs - Joseph did something so subtle and so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes even now as I write.  As Sasha was hugging Joseph, he gently slipped a piece of paper with a handwritten note into her hand ... and he whispered ....  'thank you ... I love you' into her ear.

Sasha unfolded the paper ... and was overwhelmed by what she read.  It was a handwritten note that our Jonah had written and sent to Joseph over four months ago.  In it, Jonah writes of his excitement to come to Africa and meet his new brother Joseph, and to welcome him into our family.  This small gesture left an indelible mark ... Joseph had clung to this token of love ... and demonstrated how someone with so little in life - holds on to what is truly important ... a deep and beautiful trust in the Lord and His promises ... and the love of a dear brother - eager to welcome him into his new family.  Amazing .... could God humble us any more!?  Quite possibly the sweetest picture of childlike faith and God's grace, mercy, and provision that I have ever witnessed.  

Jonah's letter to his new brother Joseph ... such a beautiful picture of the God who adopts! 

It is our last full day in Mekele.  We will spend the day with Joseph and the children at the orphanage, and say our final goodbyes until we return to Africa and we are re-united to bring Joesph home for good - hopefully in January.  My heart aches the thought of leaving ... but I know God is at work ... I have seen it in a thousand different ways over the last four days.  I am holding onto His promises in a new and powerful way. 

We will fly to back to Addis tomorrow (Thursday) and our court date is scheduled for Friday morning. We are hopeful that we can connect with Dave and Mary in Addis on Thursday before they fly to Mekele to meet their Samuel.  I smile at the thought of seeing these dear friends half way around the world and how God has woven these remarkable stories of grace together.   Pray for our final goodbyes to Joesph and the children this afternoon and for smooth court proceedings in Addis on Friday.  

My twin brother sent me an email yesterday that continues to touch me deeply.  In it he writes, "Until we see God's grace in tangible ways (like your journey in Africa) - we sometimes miss how amazing it really is.  That the God of the universe, creator of all things (including a powerful sunrise he had witnessed that morning) loves us each intimately and unconditionally ... steadfast and sure.  It should stir us every minute of every day - instead we occupy ourselves with worldly matters that cloud eternal ones.  This morning ... there are no clouds!"  

Psalm 103: 11-12, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."  

Amen!

Joseph and Jonah