Summit 9 Recap 1

I had the blessing of attending my first ever Summit the beginning of the month with one of my closest friends. Summit (9) is the work of Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) and is held annually. With over 2500 people attending it was mind blowing to say the least. My mind is still swimming from all I saw. My heart is thoroughly broken. I hear from people who have gone on mission trips before that you come back completely changed and feeling completely like your entire life has to change. That's how I feel. The break out sessions were incredible and so informative, but the General Sessions and all the ministries represented were beyond inspirational. Inspirational actually sounds totally tacky... overwhelming is more like it.

I came away knowing that this isn't just the way God has called us to grow our family, but this is what God has called us to. Period. This is our family's calling. Dane and my calling. Our mission. For this life.

I plan on tackling a few different subjects over the next few weeks but for now I'll just give a few highlights.

Margaret Harawa- Where do I start? I spoke to this sweet sister briefly on my first day. The next day I heard her speak. The words she said beat through the walls of my heart. "It is never crowded at the cross. If Jesus is the center of my home there is always room." Oh, all the little things I can get bogged down with... if Jesus is the center... the center of my home even....oh yes, let it be so. Sister Margaret is one of those people who ooze Jesus. She is beautiful. Inward and out. Oh how I long to spend more time with her. To feel her love. To be more like her as she becomes more like Jesus.

Thoko Muchimba- This was a full on goosebump, ugly cry moment. This young woman from Zambia was orphaned at a young age and shared her story. One of her ways of affecting other orphans is singing to them. She had a dream to sing in front of many people. This is what happened:

Adeye and Friends- Adeye was one of the main reasons I wanted to attend Summit. Her and her husband Anthony's journey with their sweet Hasya has challenged Dane and I so much and left us in tears many times. Seeing her and her friends Carolyn Twietmeyer (Project Hopeful), Tesney Davis, and Lorraine Patterson share their stories in such raw honesty encouraged me as I parent two kiddos with special needs. As a sister of a woman with Down syndrome I was blessed to see so many couples considering special needs adoptions. Amazing.

The Forgotten Initiative- So excited to learn about this ministry and hopefully begin working with them!

Orphan Sunday- I was amazed learning about the small beginnings of OS in Zambia. It is amazing what God can do! I look forward to being a coordinator for our area this year.

Bishop WC Martin- I love, love, love this man. AMEN! His interview will be broadcasted at a later date on Family Life Today... you MUST listen to it. 

Michelle Bachmann- I am not a political person... but I fell in love with her.  She is a mom. Totally straight forward... take it or leave it. One of us!

So much more.... so many ministries... so much need.... It as so welcoming to feel like we were alone. Actually one of the days one of the speakers (maybe Peter?) commented about an ad campaign years ago that stated "With is a powerful thing." I totally felt that. To know that others got it. That we are not legalistic or pushy. That orphan care is not just for the few but for all of us. To be encouraged. To learn that there is so much more we need to know!