tempting, but...

When I spoke to Delena about the trip to Zimbabwe, Lord, I never thought I would hear the words, "we can completely, financially support your ministry."  It was a bit exhilarating at first.  Almost like a burden was being lifted from me...a money burden.  (and you know how much I dislike money).

But, this help would come with a different focus.  A focus not just on orphans, but mostly on children who come from supportive families.  Children who need surgery and parents who have been known to travel more than 900 miles to get help.  A focus not just on Africa, but on all sorts of needing countries- India, Haiti, Belize, and the Dominican Republic.  And although I do believe these blankets would be well received in these countries under this expanded focus, I do not think it is what you called me to do.

After an immediate conversation with Dad, (thank you so much, Lord, for his listening ear) and a later discussion with my 'sounding board,' it is very clear to me that you did not call me to just make blankets.  You planted in me a passion for orphans and a desire to reach them- to impact them in some way for your kingdom.  You gave me a love for Africa, and a hope to step foot there someday and bring its beauty into my home.  It is not just for Africa's orphans that I sew, it is also for me.  My restless, adoption heart, needs to be at work for the very cause from which this all started- the blankets help me focus on today (not on what I don't  know about tomorrow). 

And if I were to expand my focus to such an extent, I am certain the peace within this passion- something I so desperately fought to find- would be lost.  For it is the orphans in Africa I long to love- the loveless, the fatherless, the lonely.  Those are the children for which I sew...theirs is the fight I am committed to impact...today with blankets.  Hopefully some day in my home.

So it is with great peace, I will turn down the offer to sew for these trips all around the world (funded or not), and I will continue with my current plan, which is to sew for orphans in Africa as long as you provide a way.