Trying again....

Prayers would be greatly appreciated the next few days. We are going back to Nairobi to pursue Julia's passport....again.

The "letter of no objection" should be ready tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. I hope to pick it up at the Department of Gender and Children and deliver it to the Immigration Department. Once that is turned in, we should have her passport by the next day. Best case scenario: passport in hand on Wednesday.

Please pray that we can make some progress this week. We are in desperate need of some Texas Time!!!

Welcome, Rebekah!!!

I am SO pleased to announce an addition to our HCO staff!! Rebekah McLeod is coming to work with us for the next six months and we are very blessed to have her. She will be the new Business Manager for HCO in Kenya.

Rebekah first came to Kenya to volunteer with HCO at the HOH Baby Center last summer. She had time to see the overview of the baby house and general ministry, as well as experience the culture of Kenya. Her goal in coming last summer was to get a feel for what life might be like as a missionary. It was a somewhat different objective in coming than what most short term volunteers have. She was here to see the operational side, the real, long-term life of a missionary, rather than just seeing the work being done and working first hand with Kenyans, although she definitely did get some of that aspect as well, as it is naturally part of the job, the purpose and what motivates us to do what we do. Little did we know at the time what the Lord would have in store for her...or for us!

As Rebekah spent this past year seeking the Lord, He has made it clear to her that she is the one to come work with us for the remainder of this calendar year. Rebekah has felt called to full-time ministry, but also desiring to use her gifts of business management in that ministry. With a background in business and accounting and a heart for ministry, Rebekah is EXACTLY what we are needing here on the ground in the HCO Kenya ministry!

So, I am off to Nairobi tomorrow and will pick Rebekah up at the airport Wednesday night! (Yes, Rebekah, I WILL be there!)

I am overwhelmed by God's provision and so grateful for Rebekah. She is coming at a time I am needing her help very much! Hopefully, if things work out as I am planning (yes, with great prayer and leading of God) she will have over a month to train with me, then will be here to manage and carry out the work, overseeing staff, expenses, business and ministry, while I am in America for  a few months.

Welcome, Rebekah! I look forward to a great few months with you!

A visit from new friends

We had a fun surprise visit from new friends who live down the road. The kids from St. Ann's orphanage walked down to visit the baby house yesterday.

They came when our younger babies were taking a nap, so they played outside on our playground. It was so fun to see all the big kids running around, singing and dancing. They have some beautiful little ones! Or BIG ones. 

When our babies woke up, they came outside and LOVED watching and trying to play with the big kids. The kids at St. Ann's do not have the playground equipment that we do, so we have invited them back for regular visits and play time. It is especially great for Lizzy as she is now our only big kid. Now, she can have her special friends come visit her.

155. Puppies coercing the old dog to play.

156. Skype tea parties and tent naps with Nana.

157. Boys running to greet us.

158. The perfect mix of red & yellow pili pili hoho.

159. “Mom, I love you so much.”

160. Running into an old team who remembered me from 3 years ago.

161. A yard full of little ones singing and playing.

162.A soothing swing for baby William.

163. Lunch and shopping with Auntie Julie.

164. The blue-green hopper bug that makes Maina happy.

163. Singing, “I love you, there’s no doubt about it. You are my best friend” with my girl.

164. David’s bounce.

164. Waking up and seeing 7:02am on my watch!

165. Perfectly golden cornbread.

166. Humphrey and a grown-up conversation.

167. The first light of a new candle.

168. Thick, soft, black ringlet curls.

169. Thin-skinned, seedless, orange burst of juicy vitamin C.

170. A best friend email.

Meet big baby Brian!

After getting so many small newborns in the past few months, Brian seems like such a big boy. He is a beautiful little guy.

Brian was supposedly left by his mother with a stranger, an old mzee (old man).  When she did not return for him for almost a week, he took the boy to the police station. The mzee said he named him Brian and had been taking care of him for the whole week. It is highly likely that this is not the whole truth of the story, but that is what we have been told. What does seem obvious is that this little boy is used to being with his mama. He seems so sad and is having some detachment issues. Whichever auntie he first connects with in the morning is his auntie for the day, and he cries if she is not within reach. Actually, he cries for most any other reason as well.

He has begun to calm a bit. He has been trying to stand and take a few steps, and is beginning to play with toys and explore his new home.

Little Brian has been with us for just four days so he is still adjusting. Please pray for him to feel at peace. I think he misses his mommy.

Letters to Julia - Your Nana loves you!

Dear Juju,

Oh my goodness! When we ever get to America, you and Nana are going to have a blast! You had so much fun with her on Skype yesterday morning that I almost cannot imagine you having even more fun in person! We are so blessed to live in a place and in such a time of technology. I am so glad you know your Nana and Papa.

Yesterday you and Nana had a tea party, cooked in your kitchen, played hide-and-go-seek, played with your babies, and took a nap in your princess tent. It was a busy morning! And Nana was so tired, she finally had to go to bed at 1:00am.

We have hit some more bumps in our road to America, but I know we will get there and you will have even more fun with your Nana, and Papa and all your other friends and family! 

I love you, baby girl! You make my life happy.

Love,

Mommy

Feel stress or find joy

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

From the lovely book, "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp once again I find some convicting words of truth. "Stress isn't only a joy stealer. The way we respond to it can be sin." (p. 146)  Ouch. In the midst of my stressful week, have I been allowing God to use it for His glory?  He is in the middle of it all, isn't He? "What if I opened the clenched hands wide to receive all that is? A life that receives all of God in this moment?" (p. 145)  

God is in this moment. Am I going to see Him, or am I going to let fear, discouragement and doubt overtake me? That would be so easy to do. Those very feelings began to creep in and threaten to consume me this week.

I had that drowning feeling. You know, that feeling like you are in a tank and water begins to fill. At first, just filling the bottom, a little water to kick around and play in. Those little things the pop in and derail your own plans. No big deals. But then it begins to fill, consuming waters of the stresses in our life, fears of future. When you see the waters rising in the corners of your eyes, it is hard not to panic. Stress seems to dominate and rule over trust. 

How do I handle this stress? Will I trust Him when I feel like I am drowning in the stress and doubt? Won't He save me and see me through? Can't I find joy here, too?

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." 

(John 14:1)

How will I respond to the stresses of this life? I chose to trust the Lord. He is Lord. I know what He has spoken to me and promised me, and to that I will cling. Yes, sometimes easier said than done! But I will chose to trust. A conscious decision. I - chose - to - trust. "Trust. It's the antithesis of stress." (p. 146) Isn't this just another opportunity to see God and find joy in the everyday, joy in this life He gives?  

"Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord." 

(Psalm 40:4 NLT)

Trust. Definitely easier said than done. But God is here. And this is where I will find joy. Trusting in Him. And in doing so, I meet Him. I see His face. And He fills me with joy and peace. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

I pray that you also will be blessed in the hope of Christ, knowing that His power is at work within you, and there, you will find joy. 

Passport Process Update...Again

Today was another unproductive, but busy day. Short story: The person who needs to write the letter for me to take to Immigration was not in the office. I was told to come back this afternoon to find out if they were able to reach their supervisor for advice. When I asked if I could just call and find out, I was told, "No, it is best if you come in person to inquire." Seriously?! That is another TIK moment. An hour + drive through traffic to get back there. Yuck.

Still no word, so I will go back and try again in the morning. If the letter is not written, I will give up for now and go home to Nakuru. I will have been gone for a week and there is so much waiting for me to do there!

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Babies

I realized that it has been a while since I posted pictures of all our adorable little ones. We have had so many changes in our baby house in the past few weeks and months! In fact, we got a new little boy last night. I am still in Nairobi and cannot wait to get back to Nakuru to meet little Brian.

Here are some pictures of each of our babies last weekend. What precious little gifts!

Lizzy-Lou - 4 yrs

David - 17 months

Joseph - 1 year old!!

Kennedy - 7 months

William - 7 months

Annabelle - 2 months

Winnie - 7 weeks

And speaking of gifts, here are some more gifts I am holding on to right now....

142. “This is my daddy.” ~Miah

143. A smiley new baby.

144. A row of baby boys, all the same size.

145. Aunties trying to sing Kenyan version of “Row Row Row Your Boat” in rounds.

146. “Ciao”

147. Rift Valley on a clear day.

148. Winnie’s fat cheeks.

149. Italian meal with new Italian friends.

150. Mixed emotions of a going away party for the little man.

151. Calves enjoying grass in the yard.

152. Auntie Julie. Just Auntie Julie.

153. New baby stuff for our babies.

154. Tea pickers and white bags sprinkled on the hills of tea fields.

Passport Process Update

I just wanted to update on the process of getting Julia's passport. I came to Nairobi on Saturday in hopes of getting it. I had been told it was ready. Of course, in true Kenyan fashion, it was not. I am still in Nairobi.

I finally made headway (a bit) yesterday and was told of yet another letter than I needed from the Dept of Gender and Children. Apparently Julia's file had been put aside, questioned for child trafficking. I still find it interesting that they flag cases who are actually applying for passports and have tons of travel permission documentation from the courts and Children's Departments, those trying to go through the proper channels for travel as child trafficking risks. Aren't those the ones who try to sneak over the borders in the night??!? Anyway, to clear that up, I have to go get an additional "letter of no objection" tomorrow. Today was a national holiday, so even though I was not making progress with the passport today, I stayed in Nairobi rather than traveling back to Nakuru through a hundred police checks just to come back tomorrow.

So....tomorrow I will go for the letter. I have been told that it should be issued immediately and I will be able to wait for it. Chances are, I will actually have to go back for it on Friday. :-( Either way, when I receive that letter, I will take it back to Immigration. Again, I have been told that we will then be issued the passport. And again, we'll see!

Best scenario possible:
1. Go to Department of Gender and Children to get the letter tomorrow morning.
2. Actually GET the letter tomorrow morning.
3. Take the letter to Immigration tomorrow.
4. Get the passport tomorrow or Friday morning at the latest.

Then the following can take place:
5. Once passport is in hand, fill out the visa application online. (This take 2-4 hours and has many technical difficulties - warnings of which are even on the Embassy website!)
6. After filling the application, print partial receipt to use to pay application fee.
7. Go to one of two bank locations (both in Nairobi) to pay visa application fee.
8. Return to online application to input bank payment receipt number. (This can take up to 24 hours to be effective, so THIS is the point when I can go back to Nakuru.)
9. THEN I can book a visa appointment with the US Embassy!!!! (As of now there is about a 40 day wait time for  an appointment, so the sooner we get to this point, the better!)

So, I am in Nairobi now to work on obtaining Julia's passport. Once we get it, we will still stay in Nairobi while I do the online application so that I can go immediately to the bank to pay the fee so that we can book the appointment. I am so glad that I have a great staff who is taking care of things at home. They are doing a great job....I think! :-)

Prayers are, once again, greatly appreciated! I would really like to go to America. Julia would, too.