A Christmas Performance and Prayer

Monday, December 17, 2007
Last night on the way home from the Church Christmas party and the High School Choir Christmas Musical we were once again piled in the van, each child fighting to get their Christmas song request in before the other, when Maddie (13) all of a sudden spoke up. "I sad, I happy, I cry...Christmas Ethiopia Orthodox, come to America, Christian and Jesus Birthday. I cry happy." She was able to sing with the choir since she arrived in the states and was fervently praying that her voice would be praiseworthy during the concert. This was her dream to sing in a church choir! What a joy to be the proud parents drinking in her Excitment as she sang! Jillian (16) also performed wonderfully as she sang and acted during the performance. Earlier on Friday night we attended the Church Christmas Musical and as we sat in anticipation we looked over the Christmas Musical Program and viewed five Mansells, (Lawson (10), Eska (9), Haddie Hope (6), Bethlehem (6), Yordanos (4) in print. They, too, performed admirably, with each of their choirs. Lawson is playing basketball this season and the girls are doing a little part of the Nutcracker Friday night.

We couldn't be prouder or more delighted with the transition and growth of our newest Mansell members. A drive down a bumpy curvy road is like a Disneyland ride and passing a house with any Christmas lights is like viewing the Grand Finale on the 4th of July. It is such sweet music listening to the OOHHHHHS and AAHHHHHS as we travel.

Our newest members have re-taught us the practice of being on our knees when we pray. Most nights we all gather in the living room and everyone takes a turn. How amazing it was as our Ethiopian children began to understand English and pray in our language!

Here are some recent prayerful highlights:

Yordy: "Thank you God that Habtamu is going poo-poo in the potty!"
Habtamu (3): "Thank you God that I am going poo-poo in the potty!"
Elaina: "Dear God, please bless us with 91 horses!"
Haddie Hope: "God, Mommy say clean kitchen and I no clean kitchen, God...Sorry."
Eska: "Please bless CWA children and nannies."
Bethlehem: "Thank you that momma made pizza tonight!"
Maddie: "Dad say smile for picture, I no smile, sorry Dad, sorry God."

How refreshing and how appropriate their many confessions during prayer time. The night time nannies at CWA in Addis certainly trained our children well in prayer.

Mark~