Solution

It is not a human right
To stare not fight
While broken nations dream
Open up our eyes, so blind
That we might find
The Mercy for the need

Fill our hearts with your compassion
As we hold to our confession

It is not too far a cry
To much to try
To help the least of these
Politics will not decide
If we should rise
And be your hands and feet

Fill our hearts with your compassion
As we hold to our confession

God be the solution
We will be Your hands and be Your feet.

Higher than a circumstance
Your promise stands
Your love for all to see
Higher than protest line and dollar signs
Your love is all we need

Only You can mend the broken heart
And cause the blind to see
Erase complete the sinners past
And set the captives free
Only You can take the widows cry
And cause her heart to sing
Be a Father to the fatherless
Our Savior and our King
We will be Your hands, we will be Your feet
We will run this race
On the darkest place, we will be Your light
We will be Your light

We will be Your hands , we will be Your feet
We will run this race for the least of these
In the darkest place, we will be your light
We will be your light
We'll sing

We will run we will run
We will run with the solution

We will be Your hands we will be Your feet
We will run this race for the least of these
In the darkest place we will be Your light
We will be Your light
We sing

-Hillsong United

The words to this song are my heart's cry and prayer on this ifast Wednesday.
God be the Solution to all the hurting, hungry and oppressed around the world.
Let me be your hands and feet.
http://www.ifast58.org/

October 22nd

I know today is September 22, but it reminded me that October 22nd is coming very quickly. And what is the significance of that day you may ask? That is the day I am finally heading back to Liberia!

Heading back to these precious kiddos-

It will have been almost 6 months gone by the time I return. That is a lot of time for growing, and I can't wait to see them all again. Oh the hugs and pinches and songs I have coming... (smile!)

Growing Gifty

My precious Gifty-girl keeps growing! She is actually walking and talking! I even 'talked' to her on the phone a few weeks ago. Well, I talked and she whistled and snorted and laughed- it was still amazing! Heidi says she is learning more and more new words and she loves impressing everyone with them. I am in ever-increasing awe as I get the updates on how Gifty is developing, especially when I remember where we were a year ago...

After 10 months in the states, her doctors continue to give good reports on Gifty's health. Overall they are happy with her growth and development. However the truth remains that she still has a very damaged liver. Some things have been changing and there are several new tests and possible procedures scheduled for Gifty this week at the Mayo Clinic.
Please join me in prayer for her this week.

Even more, join me in rejoicing over all God has done in and through Gifty in the last year. Just look at this picture taken a few weeks ago when Andrew was visiting her and her family in Wisconsin.

Bet you are smiling now!

(Can you believe how tall she is?)

Grandma-

I have really wanted to write something about you. Something that would tell the world how wonderful you are. How sorely you will be missed. I wanted to write a poem as spectacular as you, or a story that flowed eloquently. But the truth is there are not enough words to describe my dear grandma. I could try and come up with a rhythm as beautiful as your laugh or as clever as your sense of humor. I could attempt to construct paragraphs as deep and mysterious as the turns your own life brought you through. I could search for just the right letters to come together and shine as bright as the light that you were to me. But I would come up short.

I loved every minute I ever spent with you. Every cookie shared. Every 'story' explained. Every moment holding your hand. What we had was special. You made me feel special. Your smile invited me in. We could share secrets and giggles like school girls. Yet, you still knew how to lift me up, how to encourage me. I could feel your love and pride every time you would introduce me- "this is MY grand-daughter." What a privilege and honor it has been to be called that.

I remember one time I bought you a coffee at Starbucks. A tall vanilla latte. It was just like you- short and strong and sweet with a punch of spunk.

I knew this day would come but it doesn't hurt any less. I miss you! I am sorry I wasn't with you at the end. I wanted to be. I wanted to hold your hand and tell you 'I love you' one more time. I will never forget that sparkle in your eye or your fragile embrace. A light in my life has gone out. I don't know how I can move on without you, but I know you would want me to. And so I say goodbye- lovely, precious, kindred to my heart...until we shine again.

Elizabeth Dezutter

September 8, 1921 - August 16, 2009

Learning to walk.

Today is my blog's first birthday. (and my brother's 33rd b-day, happy birthday Dano!) A year ago I was just starting my ORR/Liberian journey. And oh what a year it has been...

On Sunday I was given the opportunity to share briefly at my church. I was all prepared to go in and give the good old ORR chat. Here is what we are, what we do etc... Good things, don't get me wrong but as the minutes before I was to go on stage grew shorter I felt like I was supposed to share something deeper, something more personal.

I told Korpu's story. (I know I said it was going to be something personal, but keep reading.) You may remember it, I told it here before. Korpu is a girl who lives at one of our orphanages outside Monrovia. We think she is around 3 years old now, when we first met her a year and a half ago she was about the size of a 6 month old- very sick and malnourished. She required hospitalization and a special feeding program to regain her health. After several months of recovery she was gaining weight and looking better. When I came on the scene last fall I noticed that even though Korpu was gaining weight and looking healthier she was still not walking at all.

After watching her for awhile I decided to take her to a local rehab clinic for evaluation. The PA there determined that her feet were at a bad angle, not stable enough to support her walking. They were able to make these tiny insoles for her shoes (which is easier said than done since she did not have shoes and this started a week long search through Monrovia looking for just the right, small enough pair). Once the perfect shoes were located I had the caregivers at the home help Korpu practice everyday. She did not want to. She fought it every step of the way. But eventually she started taking some steps with assistance, walking hand in hand with her helpers.

One day when I came to the orphanage to check on Korpu, she was standing on her own! I sat down a little ways away and tried coaxing her to walk to me. She stood there with a disgusted look on her face, not moving for over 15 minutes. I sat there trying to get her to walk, just try one step. "Come to Aunt Debbie Korpu, I know you can do it." But she just stood there until finally she worked up enough courage to take that first step. It was shaky and unsure, but it was a step in the right direction, and then there was another and another. Each step gaining momentum and speed in that unstable way a child walks when they are still learning how to trust their legs and feet underneath them. Seven or eight steps and she was in my arms. I was ecstatic! As happy and proud as any parent watching their child learning how to walk and taking those first precious steps. From what I hear, now Korpu is walking all over the place.

And if you wonder why I told Korpu's story, it is because I truly believe her story is mine as well. I have learned to walk this past year. I have learned to take those first shaky steps, building speed as I fall into God's arms. Unstable at times but increasing in faith and trust in my Father. I have had some of the lowest lows and some of the highest highs and they have all pushed me closer to God. To rely on Him. And all the time He has been there- feeding me, being my stability and guide, walking me hand in hand around the obstacles. Because of His Love and provision I could take those first shaky steps, knowing He is near and will catch me if (when) I fall. With practice I can stand confident in who I am as His daughter, but I am still learning.

So the process goes on and my Liberian adventure continues. I will be returning to Liberia October 23rd. Please continue to stand with me.