Visas

I know there are lots of different bits of information floating around out there right now. There is a lot of fear. There is a lot of confusion.

"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints." I Corinthians 14:33.

I would ask that we all pray for this situation. Pray it will be resolved. Pray there would be no more confusion. Pray those obtaining legal guardianship in Uganda would be filled with peace that surpasses all understanding. Pray He will do more than we could have ever asked for or imagined for these precious little ones in Uganda. God loves each of these children more than we ever could. He formed them, He knows them, He adores them!

I have been thinking about Matthew 18:20 a lot today. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." On Wednesdays I am blessed to sometimes get to join a conference call with other people who have a heart for orphan care. It is a wonderful time of coming together praying for God's heart for the least of these. I think that we are better together and would love for us to go to the throne room together on behalf of the people in Uganda, the judges, the lawyers, the babies, the kids, the families...

Would you please join me in a time of corporate prayer this Sunday, February 7th at 5:00-6:00 PM EST? We won't be spending time discussing the situation. We won't be asking or answering questions. Those who wish to pray can simply pray what is on their heart. I will open us in prayer at 5:00 PM EST and I will close us in prayer by 6:00 PM EST. Please join us for the entire hour or five minutes, whatever works for you.

Some particulars about the call:

*The call will ask you to introduce yourself. If you are calling in after we have begun, please just remain silent and join in the call.

*Please don't use headphones or put the call on speaker. This will prevent a lot of noise and make it easier for all to focus.

*Please press *6 to mute yourself once you join the call. Press *6 to unmute yourself if you want to pray out loud.

You can join in the call by calling:
Conference Dial-in Number: (605) 475-4850
Participant Access Code: 244388#

***UPDATE***
Within 10 minutes of posting I received two emails informing me I may want to change the time because the Super Bowl Pre-Show will be on during that time and the call would interfere with Super Bowl Parties. It is my opinion some things are more important than football, just sayin'...

Little Did I Know

Little Did I Know (stolen from Lisa's blog which you should bookmark and read by the way)

Little did I know that the road would be so rocky
Little did I know that the trip would take so long
Little did I know that my heart could hurt so much
Little did I know that God is never wrong

Little did I know that love could be so powerful
Little did I know that a dream so far could go
Little did I know that God would place the right ones
Little did I know that my heart, so large, could grow

Little did I know that a dream has it’s own timing
Little did I know that this day would finally come
Little did I know that two souls would be sent to guide me
Little did I know that they would choose to call me mom

But God knew all along and He had a plan to follow
God knew all along that my dream would soon come true
God knew all along that we three should be together
God knew all along that I’d share it all with you

While I'm Waiting

Have you heard the song, "While I'm Waiting"?

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord
-John Waller from the movie Fireproof

I remember waiting. Waiting for the call that we were matched with a child. Waiting for the call that when they were sick with malaria they recovered from malaria. Waiting for the call which gave us our court date. Waiting to call home while in Uganda to say, we are now officially a family and we're coming home!

While you are waiting... would you consider working on behalf of the poor, the vulnerable, the orphan, the widow? What would I suggest? Thanks for asking!

www.hopemongers.org

Press release: http://tinyurl.com/yezukja

Together for Adoption

Right now the Together for Adoption Conference is going on. I am enjoying listening to the livestream... and thought you may as well!
www.livestream.com/togetherforadoption

Contact info

Please refer to the Monday, March 9th post if you need contact info for anyone.

Updates?

It has been so long since something was added. Maybe this is just for my benefit. Prayers are being answered as many families we've corresponded with are bringing home new family members. There is some adjustment on the court, according to our attorney, but for now things are flowing as smoothly as they can for African adoptions.

For those of you who have come home or are coming home with new family members, remember to send photos for Jena and me. We desperately want to put together an album of those we know who have been in correspondence and benefited from the site.

All of you continue to pray for Patrick (see the guest house info for the "who") as his daughter was diagnosed with Truncus Arteriosus, where the aorta and vena cava are joined and the blood mixes. Bad. We continue to look for a pediatric heart surgeon here in the States that may be able to do the procedure to correct it on a pro bono basis. She is being tuned up by a Ugandan cardiologist for commercial travel, but the surgery is through-the-roof expensive. Ask friends or colleagues for referalls and references. Let us know.

God Bless.

Sanyu Babies Home

We heard some things this week that made us concerned about using Sanyu. Some changes that didn't seem reasonable. We listened, prayed and then went right to the source. Barbara assured us that the rumors just weren't true. Nothing really has changed.

You can't show up to Sanyu without paperwork (starting the homestudy,etc.) and be matched with a child. Once you have your paperwork in order, which means you are serious about this legal guardianship process, then you can take the Sanyu steps to obtain a referral.

Getting through the homestudy and immigration process can take some time. I understand it's hard to wait. But once that part is complete, it is surely an appropriate time to rejoice when you get the gift of a referral!

So for all those sending emails asking if we still support using Sanyu... our answer is a big old YES!