Why Ethiopia?

Since 2009, Jon and I have both felt a confirmation of God calling us to care for orphans, specifically through adoption. Through many friends, books {such as "Adopted for Life"}, sermons {this convo w/ Drs. Moore & Stinson is very good}, scripture passages and other resources in our lives God seemed to steer us to the 4.7 million orphans in Ethiopia. Here are just a few reasons why we are planning on adopting from Ethiopia:

(I borrowed these statistics on Ethiopia from this family's adoption blog )

•1 in 6 children die before the age of 5

•1 in 10 children die before the age of 10

•44% of the populate is under 15 years old

•60% of children are stunted from malnutrition

•The median age is 17.8 years old

•Their are approximately 4.7 million orphans in Ethiopia (a country the size of Texas)

•The doctor to child ratio is 1: 24-THOUSAND

•Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any other African country

•Half of the children will never attend school

•88% will never attend secondary school

•Severe drought struck the country from 2000-2002 (2000-no crops; 2001-no seeds; 2002-no animals)

We're so thankful to know other families who God has called to adopt from Ethiopia. Families like Lesli & Ryan, our friends from college, and Jack & Heather, Dave & Stacey, and Dominic & Rebecca, friends from our church.
 
We are feeling called to Ethiopia right now, but we are still praying the that Lord would give us wisdom as to all details of our adoption. We are confident that the Lord will guide our footsteps in a way that glorifies Him and sanctifies us.
 
We are so thankful that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) that we might be adopted (Eph 1:5) by God into his family, the Redeemed!!