A Beautiful Mess – Ezra’s Story

Are you ready to feel the hairs on your arm stand straight up?

Many, many moons ago while we were waiting to go get Mira, I shared with you all about another baby in need. Mira’s rescuer was trying to rescue Ezra, too, and they needed somebody to sponsor him so they could buy medicine and formula. You opened your hearts and within six minutes, Ezra had a sponsor.

But there was more to that story.

One of the readers of this little blog began pursuing an adoption of Ezra. Meanwhile, due to some legal issues, Ezra remained in a dangerous situation in the slums.

Andrew and I visited while we were in Uganda. Ezra was so tiny. He had a good strong cry, but he seemed too small.

He peed all over Andrew’s suit and tie and baptized us both in a new understanding of “the least of these.” And we thought we’d never see him again.

I lost track of Ezra’s story, but whenever I opened iPhoto on my computer, for some reason, it always opened with Ezra’s pictures at the top. And so I would whisper a prayer and hope that the sweet tiny little guy we held in Africa was ok.

And then, two days ago, I heard from Marci.

Just look at our sweet Ezra today, y’all:

His story isn’t what you think.

Marci traveled to Uganda to meet Ezra and to try to get him out of the horrible situation he was in. But the circumstances changed WHILE she was traveling and when she arrived, she met Ezra’s biological family who truly did want what was best for him and were finally in a position to take care of him. It was with great prayer and bravery that the Millers chose to leave Ezra in the care of his true family.

And on that trip to visit Ezra, Marci met her daughter-to-be, Thea.

You can read more about Ezra’s story and why they chose family preservation in this instance over at her blog. But I wanted you to see him now and to let you know that you all were a part of that story.

And the stories don’t always turn out the way you expect.

But they turn Beautiful in His hands all the same.

 

 P.S. There’s a Beautiful Messy Story in all of us. Read our version here.