Marty McAlpine, Media Engineer at Desiring God, accompanied us on our trip to Ethiopia to video capture much of what we did while there. The director of the orphanage where the picture below was taken told us that many professional cameramen come through their particular village (a village with 20,000+ known cases of AIDS) to capture footage, but he had never seen any of them sit on the floor to film. They always film while standing in order to protect their health. The orphanage director then went on to say that he was deeply moved that Marty did not hesitate to sit on the floor to film these beautiful children. He saw Jesus in this action. Marty spent most of his time on the floor at this orphanage. I, for one, am very thankful to God for Marty’s service on this trip. My time with him was very edifying.

This picture, as well as the last, was taken in the neediest orphanage of the three with which we are working. These children have great food support needs, space needs, and clothing needs. Yet look at this little girl’s smile. This is a smile that is blossoming in the midst of profoundly difficult life circumstances. As you take a few minutes to look at her face, pray for her. Pray that God will supply all the food she needs each day. Pray that the orphanage will obtain more room so that 2-3 children do not have to sleep in the same small bed as they now do. Pray for her clothing needs. And most of all, pray that she will be adopted by a strong Christian family. (Donations can be made here.)