Henderson: Party of Eight

Honestly, I don't even know where to begin writing this post. It is a post about redemption, love, adoption, prayer, promises, fear, joy, faith and trust.

For nearly two years Mendy and David, along with their four biological children, have had their hearts and prayers pointed toward a set of twins at an orphanage in Ethiopia. With a heart for missions and adoption, David and Mendy knew upon the very first time of hearing about these two special children that they were to be the ones to give them a home. Unfortunately, everything that could have gone wrong in the adoption process did. The Ethiopian government and much corruption among adoption agencies has made the journey long, tiring, and oftentimes hopeless. After almost a year and a half of waiting on trials, court dates, and information, the whole family packed up for 6 weeks and traveled to Ethiopia to attend a court date that may or may not even happen-but one that could make Garrett and Tia an official part of their family.

On August 7th, all 8 of the Henderson Family stepped off a plane at the Charlotte Airport. Their church family, new grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were all there to greet them, love them, support them and pray for them. I am thankful that I was there, that I was party to the outpouring of genuine love and affection. There really are no words...and I am feeling like what I have written is so lame compared to the significance of their story. It is bigger than any of us. It is a story of a God who loves us and brings us to himself.

A story was just written about them in the Charlotte Observer this week and for more of a first hand perspecitve of their journey you can read Mendy's blog. David is a pastor at University City Fellowship.