Ways to pray while we are in Ethiopia

Several people have asked ways they could be praying for us while we are in Ethiopia, so I thought I'd post some specific ways to be praying while we are in Ethiopia.

1. A successful court hearing in the adoption of our son Musse
The court hearing is on Friday the 28th of January. The court hearing should be quick and simple, but you never know with these things...so please pray it goes through quickly and smoothly. Also, once it goes through, we'll be able to post pictures of our son!

2. Time holding & caring for our son
 For being gone as long as we are going to be gone, we aren't going to have as much time with Musse as one might think. Of the 5 full days we are going to be in Addis Ababa, we'll probably only get a few hours a day with him. Obviously we'd love to have every hour of the day with him, but we are excited for each and every second we will get with our son.

3. Redeeming of time the 'flexible' time
In light of the fact that we won't be spending 24/7 with Musse, there is going to be a fair amount of flexible time while we are in Addis, between Tuesday and Friday. Heidi and I really desire to use the time and opportunity as best as possible, so pray for wisdom in how we would spend each and every day. We are excited about meeting fellow adoptive couples who will be there at the same time and the servants who work and facilitate life at Acacia Village.

4. Encouragement to the missionaries we are going to be visiting
In an earlier post, I mentioned that we'll be spending some time with some missionaries (Harry & Stephne Bowers) in southern Ethiopia for a few days seeing and learning about their ministry in Soddo Ethiopia. We really want to be a source of encouragement to them and the others we'll meet...so please pray that would/could have opportunities to edify those we spend time with.

5. Heidi and my heart to be united together
The past 3 1/2 years have flown by so quickly and this will be the first time in the last 3 1/2 years that Heidi and I have had alone together. Being away from the kids at home is going to be very hard, but we really are praying that this time would be a great time of edification for our relationship. Granted this isn't a vacation trip, but pray our relationship is strengthened as a result of this time together.


6. Ezra, Olivia, and Camille back at home (and the grandparents who will be caring for them)
We have the best parents in the world and they are graciously serving the Lord and us by caring for our three young children over the course of these 10 days. Our parents are such servants and will care for our children wondrously...but it is going to be a stretching time for them.
Like I mentioned, we have never been away from the kids for this amount of time and know it is going to be an ordeal for them (and us).