Our Hearts are in Africa

When I get behind in blogging, there is something inside of me that gets a little panicked thinking of all of the catch-up I will need to do when I finally sit down to write about the happenings in the Gitlin house. Tonight, I told myself, "You don't have to update about everything...just start with today." So here is what happened Today.

This morning we attended M'side Baptist in Sioux City to celebrate National Orphan Sunday. This church has been so warm and welcoming to our family, not to mention overwhelmingly supportive of our adoption of Josiah. Their actions simply scream compassion for the oppressed and lonely. After barely really even knowing who we were, several families from this church were at the Omaha airport to greet us when we arrived home from Ethiopia. They were simply there to celebrate with us ONE LESS orphan in the world. What a greeting!

This morning, three families in this congregation that have adopted, or are in the process of adoption, gave testimony and encouragement-- really focusing on God's heart and commands for the church to care for the orphans. God's grace and abundance is more than adequate when we answer YES to His calling! The hope for the 150 millions in the world is the gospel and we are the messengers of this hope. I was also reminded this morning that our multi-racial family is a taste of what heaven will be like.

Here are the blogs of these 3 families:

http://nordstromsadopt.blogspot.com/

http://untohimwelive.blogspot.com/

http://hennsadopt.blogspot.com/

Two of these families are still in process of bringing children home. Please join us in praying God's abundant protection, strength, and compassion to manifest in their lives!

Overall, the most poignant message spoken to me this morning:

If we love God we will care about what God cares about.

It is no mistake that the Bible speaks of defending orphans over and over again. This is God's heart--He is the Father to the orphan, He upholds the orphan, He commands us to do the same!