147 Million Orphans...Minus 3?

This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God's love is not living in that person. 18 My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring. 1 John 3:16-18

This has become one of my favorite verses, along with James 1:27, over the past couple months. This is what love is; to care for others. Not just with our words, but with our actions. I have come back to that verse often, especially, in the last couple days.

God has presented me with a responsibility. This responsibility is to stand and speak on behalf of 3 orphans who were left behind. Sisay, a 13 year old girl, and her two younger siblings. My Auntie Drea posted about Sisay while they were in Ethiopia picking up the 3 new additions to their family; Meskerem, Eyob, and Samuel. Sisay and Meskerem had become very good friends. Since Meski is now home with her forever family, the two had to part and say goodbye. Sisay and her siblings have not been adopted because she is older and it's a package deal. As soon as our friend Tonya read Drea's post, she texted me saying, "Taylor! Your family needs to adopt Sisay!" I, not know what she was talking about, read the post with tears in my eyes. Since that night, the siblings have not left my heart. I began praying without ceasing. Praying that God would move to bring their forever family and asked if I would be used.

All 7 of the Thiele's arrived safely on Friday evening to greet their other 4 children. After everyone had made it to the van, our friend Seggy began to pray for them. He ofcourse thanked God for them, the work they are doing for these children, and bringing them home safely. What happened next I did not expect. Seggy began to pray for Sisay and her siblings and I began to bawl. The Holy Spirit overwhelmed me with compassion.

Later that night I was sitting on the couch with my momma. She was on the phone with my Auntie Drea when I began to sob, yet again. My mom asked me what was wrong. I told her that I was sad and she asked why. Trying to push past the tears, I managed to tell her, "I'm sad for Sisay and her siblings. I just feel like they're ours." She said, "You do? Well I will be praying too." While I was talking to my mom, I was also texting Tonya. I was telling her that I was still upset and overwhelmed about Sisay. She told me to have faith and keep praying for God's will. She was praying for my family as well. I sent her a text that said, "I have so much faith I am ready to go to Africa right now!" At the same time, I received a text from her that said, "You will go to Africa to pick up your sister!" Crazy, right? But what happened next, I really wasn't prepared for. Just as we were concluding our conversation, she received a message from Seggy. He told Tonya that he had been praying for Sisay since we first learned about her. He also said that he was praying for my family. That we would step out in faith and trust God in this situation. When Tonya called me and told me this, I began to bawl again. I was so amazed at how God continued to speak to me about Sisay and her siblings. He kept saying, "Taylor, they're yours." I am still in awe of what God is showing me.

Okay, great, we're all set to go right? Not really. I know and God knows that there has to be change of hearts in my parents. To them, this would just sounds crazy. But I'm on board because God has continually shown himself to me. I faithfully asked God to work on my parents hearts so that they could clearly see this opportunity God has laid before us. On Sunday night I had the opportunity to tell my parents how my heart is breaking for these kids. I told them that I would continue to pray for Sisay and her siblings, as well as, my parents. And I actually got to pray with them on the spot! They told me that they would continue praying as well. How exciting!

So now what? I did what God told me. I've continued to pray for the orphans, I took a stand and talked to my parents, and I encouraged them to pray. The rest is God; Yahweh is faithful to fulfill his promises. Now, I ask you to stand with me in prayer. I fully believe that God will answer in his perfect timing.

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt it in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefor I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." - Mark 11:22-24

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:1 & 6

Here is a video of a family who stepped out in faith because God spoke to one girl.