#ghanaorbust

All our bags are packed.
They are sitting by the front door.
We leave Sacramento Tuesday afternoon and return on Sunday afternoon.
#ghanaorbust

We can check in four bags so there's one with our clothes, one with toiletries, one with gifts to hand out in Ghana, and ONE WITH SOLOMON'S NEW CLOTHES!!!!  Packing his bag was challenging (we're really not sure what size he fits!!!) and pretty emotional...we realized that when we take him from the orphanage, he will have nothing.  Nothing.  We will strip off his old clothes to leave at the orphanage and wash away the dust and dirt and put NEW, CLEAN clothes on his little body and NEW SHOES on his little newly-walking feet.
WHAT ANSWERS TO PRAYER!
WHAT A PICTURE OF *OUR* FOLDING INTO GOD'S FAMILY!

Think of the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15.  The son leaves and squanders his inheritance.  He returns broken and repentant, ready to be a slave in his father's house.  But his father is SO excited to have him home and back in his arms:

Luke 15:21-22

"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.  And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat and be merry for my son was dead, but no he is alive."

Zechariah 3:4 is really cool too:

"The angel said to those who were standing before him, 'Take off his filthy clothes.' Then he said to Joshua, 'See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.'"

What a beautiful visual the Bible gives us of taking off the old and putting on the new.  The act of shedding filthy rags to put on new, clean clothes as a symbol of NEW LIFE.  

And Solomon has no idea what is coming.  The new clothes symbolize just the beginning of his new life...he cannot even imagine the big brothers and birthday parties and family dinners and outdoor adventures and LIFE FULL OF LOVE to come!

*whew*

We are pumped.  

But we still really need some prayers because there are many many miles and days between us and a family of five in one house.  Here are some things for which we covet your prayers:

1.  Travel mercies.  Please pray for no delays, missed flights, or missing baggage.  Clear skies and smooth sailing, Lord!!!

2.  Health.  For us and especially for Solomon who has never traveled is this intense way.

3.  Mercy and favor in customs.  Our biggest prayer is for the customs officers at the Ghanaian airport to let us on the plane home without incident.  Please also pray that Solomon will be calm and happy as this will help.

4.  Bonding.  We will traveling for 30ish hours across the world with a child we barely know...and who barely knows us!  Please pray that God will help foster a supernatural bond so that we can meet Solomon's needs and help keep him from being too overwhelmed.  Pray that we can foster LOVE early between us!

We have claimed Philippians 4:4-9 as our mantra for this trip:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of prayer, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

AMEN AND AMEN!