Temples

We visited two different temples today.  One was a Hindu temple dedicated to their gods, Shiva and Vishnu.  The other was an American temple called Westfield shopping mall dedicated to materialism and consumerism.  

What struck me today was how very similar these to trips were.  Let me start by saying they both really disturbed me.  

Walking into the Hindu temple, there was a feeling of emptiness.  Though it was filled with hundreds of people, with the sounds of bells, chants and the smell of incense.  Everybody was standing in line so that they could pay their respects and bow down to the different gods of wealth, love and a variety of other things.  It broke our hearts as we watched people worship idols.  Idols that were made by men.  It just didn't make sense.  The chanting and the prayers to the idols did not go above the ceiling.  It was empty.  Though it was fascinating watching, my heart was calling out in prayer to my God.  Yahweh.  The Holy of Holies.  The God of all gods.  God help them to see your face.  Help them to turn from their empty worship to worship the one true God who gave his Son Jesus to redeem us.  

Walking into the American temple later was so similar.  I needed to get my phone fixed and didn't know where else to go.  It has been at least six months since I have been in a mall.  I (Adam) hate going.  Today though, I realized why.  Though it was packed full of thousands of people, it was empty.  The chanting and praying were there too.  They were just in different forms.  Like the Hindu temple, the idols were everywhere.  Come to this store, buy this, and you will be happy.  This item is sure to make you look wealthy.  The gods in this temple were materialism and consumerism.  What are we all doing I kept thinking?  Is this really how we Americans should be spending our resources?  Yet again, I found myself praying for those around me to see past themselves and find Jesus.   

Pray with us.

Last week, the Joint Council announced that MOWA (ministry of women and children affairs) in Ethiopia was drastically reducing the number of approval letters that they are going to write. They stated that they are going to reduce their work by 90% effective immediately. Their letter is the letter that every family needs to be presented to the judge in court. Without their approval letters, the courts can not approve a child to become part of a family. This will mean that the adoption process will really take a very long time.
We trust that God is fully in control. We serve a God who made time, and is above time. We continue to put our faith and hope in our Lord as we ride this roller coaster. We know that we will be united with our child in God's perfect timing.
We ask for your prayers, as there are many families in Ethiopia this week trying to pass court and are waiting on their letter from MOWA. We pray that these families will be approved and be united with their children forever. We are praying that God will be glorified in this process. MOWA, the courts and the embassy are meeting and trying to work things out so that things can continue. As we pray for the families currently over there, we have moved up on the waiting list for our referral. We are #7 for a boy and #10 for a girl.