The Starfish

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” “Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!” After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said ” I made a difference for that one.”
Proverbs 24:12 "Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know and holds us responsible to act."



Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Best of Brothers!


I have been asked by many to share this story of Samuel & Josiah. 
In 2008 I traveled to Ethiopia to adopt Josiah "Jo Jo" also known as Getnet while living at the Kidane Mihret orphanage.  Kidane is run by nuns from Malta.  Two awesome ladies with an abundance of energy, joy and love.  The sisters walked me around the orphange so the children could say good bye to baby Getnet (16 mos at the time).  We walked from classroom to classroom and were met with lots of hugs and kisses from the other children, happy to see baby Getnet had a family, yet you could see the sadness behind their smiles, knowing they are thinking, "will I someday have a family?"   Emotional - oh yes!  Then one little boy ran up and hugged Getnet so tight and said "good bye Getnet, I love you Getnet", oh my heart just broke!  Tears spilling over my cheeks, my heart pounding, then I heard that voice, "This is Getnets brother."    Wow!  The little boy was Samuel, age 4, a recent addition to the orphanage.  I knew that Samuel was not Getnet's biological brother, but what I heard shook me.  I contacted my adoption agency immediately and asked if I could petition for Samuel's adoption.  They "gently reminded" me that the policy was to wait six months to one year between adoptions.  I knew this of course but felt I must press on.  I then began my plea "Ethiopia is talking about shutting down singles adopting! Samuel is a special needs child and will be harder to place! The boys have a relationship! We have already met, making the visa an R3 (easier, faster)! Did I mention that Ethiopia may be shutting down for singles?!  Twenty minutes later I received an email and an application to adopt attached!  Praise God!  The doors swung open and I began paperchasing for Samuel. 
Josiah came home Thanksgiving day 2008, Samuel's adoption was completed Christmas day 2009, and traveled home April 2010.  Naturally Josiah did not remember Samuel, but Samuel sure did remember Josiah. 
Samuel has been a wonderful big brother to Josiah!  and Jo Jo just adores him, following close behind his every step, and hanging on to evey word, they are the best of brothers!  God is awesome!  and so is my agency! (Adoption Advocates International)
Posted by The Starfish at 7:58 AM

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