MOTHER: Yes it can be a noun as in a woman who cares for a child she either gives birth to, adopt or supports. BUT in the phrase MOTHER THE WORLD, we use 'Mother' as a verb. Any person can MOTHER...in this case the verb "Mother" means to love, encourage, support, inspire, show compassion to, adopt, give birth to, take in, save, heal, nurse. Anyone can MOTHER THE WORLD, we have teens who are mothering, volunteers who are mothering, men, single women, women who have given birth, men and women who have adopted and individuals who are advocating for the children, downtrodden or lost people in the world.
In 2008 I sat down to write my book TO BE A MOTHER. It was going to be a book about adoption and my wonderful experiences as a mother to 6 kids (2 by birth, 3 adopted from Ethiopia and one adopted from Guatemala). I went into prayer about the book and the Holy Spirit spoke to me "tell your whole story". I did not want to talk about my abortion experience as a teen. I had never told anyone with the exception of two people -my husband and the man who got me pregnant years ago. And there I was being obedient writing the book about redemption in my healing post abortion for many to read. It also caused me to explore WHY? Upon its release TO BE A MOTHER became an Amazon #1 best selling Adoption book.
In writing TO BE A MOTHER I became vividly aware at how I devalued motherhood prior to the abortion decision I made years prior. Following my total healing I decided to live a life in obedience to God by serving His children. So, MOTHER THE WORLD was born. On my first book tour in August 2009 I was scrambling to find speaking engagements/book signings. Then I decided to simply put 5 of my 6 kids in the van and travel the US and interview and speak to MOTHERs. So, far we have come across some of the most incredibly miraculous stories of Pure Religion in action happening under our noses but rarely featured in the news. Women like our Ambassador from Kentucky - Elaine Bateman who is the mother of 19 children many adopted as adults or emancipated teens. Mothers like Carolyn Twietmyer who has adopted HIV positive children and is now planning on opening an orphanage called PROJECT HOPEFUL for HIV postitive children in Ethiopia, India and maybe even Uganda. Ellie Mestas is only 16 but has formed an organization called ETAALA , a ministry to introduce teens to mission work throughout the world. Her mother Eileen Mestas is known as KOLFE MAMA for her amazing work raising awareness to the LOST BOYS in Ethiopia...she has done this while raising 9 kids in Wake Forest NC....We all can make a huge impact on the world through mothering...It doesn't take a lot...just a willingness to look at someone else and say 'You matter enough for me to change my plans, extend myself and home and put your first."
Our goal is to encourage mothers to be proud of who they are and tell their stories of service, love and compassion to others. So, we travel on a whim and with very little money where the Holy Spirit leads us...I take my camera, talk about motherhood and Jesus and record other women living out PURE RELIGION. Christians/God's children really were not meant to sit still, create country club settings under the steeple and not BE the church....We promise to do our best to BE THE CHURCH in the most organic and real ways possible....living off of faith.
My personal goal is simply to revitalize the true spirit of Jesus in America and abroad.
My selfish goal is to be able to fill an empty frame in my home. My three children from Ethiopia have lost their mother to AIDS. They do not have a picture and are having a hard time remembering what she looked like. Her name is Bayoush. I have been told that there are pictures of her at GRANDMA"s HOUSe somewhere far out in Ethiopia. I want to return to EThiopia, bring a group of men and women with me and travel to grandmas house to get the picture and bring a picture of Bayoush into our home in a place on the mantle. In the process, i hope to learn more about who she was and who the other women who have had to leave their children behind due to malaria, dysentery, aids, tb, poor medical care are in the process....I consider the women lost as my sisters and long to Mother their children left in the world with no one to tuck them in at night....
In the meantime, until we can collect enough pennies to hop the plane to Ethiopia we will continue to fill the van and let JESUS take the wheel.
If you know of any amazing mothers that should be featured here please contact us at mothertheworld@gmail.com and if you want to contribute please click on our PAYPAL tab.
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