Sweet Bethel
I'll never forget the look on my dear friend Sally's face as she came into Bible Study with pictures of her new children - her 2 referrals from Ethiopia. We were like school girls, screaming with excitement and passing the photos around. Sally and her husband had waited for so long, prayed diligently and finally the time had come. The Lord had brought 2 precious lives into their hearts. Over the summer, Bethel, at only 4 months old, had gotten sick and became malnourished. Moved from one hospital to the next, one formula to the next, and finally out of the hospital to a new orphanage - she simply had lost the strength to fight. Down to a mere 6 pounds, Bethel went to be with Jesus on September 1. Oh the tears that have flowed since that phone call. Sweet, sweet Bethel, whom her mommy and daddy loved with all their hearts - we all did. The continuous fight they gave to keep her alive and help her thrive until they could wrap their arms around her was one I admired and I believe it brought orphan awareness to the surface for all those who were touched by them.
But the Lord had different plans for Bethel's life. Those plans we may never fully understand on this side of heaven. But one thing's for sure - Bethel, even in her short life on earth, had purpose. Her legacy will live on for many many years to come. May her life bring a new passion to orphan adoption - one that lights a whole new fire in our community. Are you called to adopt? Are you called to support those in the process? Are you called to get on your knees to pray for orphans around the world?
Please say a prayer for Michael, Sally and their 3 children, that God would bless them in such a time as this.
Bethel, we love you sweet girl!!
I'll never forget the look on my dear friend Sally's face as she came into Bible Study with pictures of her new children - her 2 referrals from Ethiopia. We were like school girls, screaming with excitement and passing the photos around. Sally and her husband had waited for so long, prayed diligently and finally the time had come. The Lord had brought 2 precious lives into their hearts. Over the summer, Bethel, at only 4 months old, had gotten sick and became malnourished. Moved from one hospital to the next, one formula to the next, and finally out of the hospital to a new orphanage - she simply had lost the strength to fight. Down to a mere 6 pounds, Bethel went to be with Jesus on September 1. Oh the tears that have flowed since that phone call. Sweet, sweet Bethel, whom her mommy and daddy loved with all their hearts - we all did. The continuous fight they gave to keep her alive and help her thrive until they could wrap their arms around her was one I admired and I believe it brought orphan awareness to the surface for all those who were touched by them.
But the Lord had different plans for Bethel's life. Those plans we may never fully understand on this side of heaven. But one thing's for sure - Bethel, even in her short life on earth, had purpose. Her legacy will live on for many many years to come. May her life bring a new passion to orphan adoption - one that lights a whole new fire in our community. Are you called to adopt? Are you called to support those in the process? Are you called to get on your knees to pray for orphans around the world?
Please say a prayer for Michael, Sally and their 3 children, that God would bless them in such a time as this.
Bethel, we love you sweet girl!!
posted by Joel and Lee-Anne at
2:03 PM
2 comment(s):
Thanks Lee-Anne for your empathy and all your work to help pull the memorial service together. We are not bearing this burden alone and the hearts Bethel has touched gives us hope that the seeds planted by her life will grow into something beautiful.
By
M & S, at
2:37 PM
So sad to hear. My thoughts are with Bethel's family and yours. Much too soon for the sweet little one.
By
Anonymous, at
10:27 PM
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