Being Thankful

During our Thanksgiving gathering with 33 other Americans last Thursday, we were asked to share something that we were thankful for. Immediately I thought that I am so thankful that my ways are not always God’s ways. I went on to share that if they were I would NEVER have left the comfort of my home, city, state, country to come to another continent, country, city, and home. I really am thankful that God’s ways and plans are so much bigger than the narrow comforts that I would allow myself to experience. God has been so kind to us since we have been here. I wasn’t even homesick on Thanksgiving Day! That is a huge testament to the kindness of the Lord! Our entire family has been amazed at the friendships the Lord has brought to each of us here. I would never have imagined that each of us would have friends that we would feel so comfortable with and close to in such a short period of time. Yesterday as the kids were recapping their day at school Sadie Grace told me about her and her friend, Bupe (means Gift in Bemba) lying on the carpet together listening to Teacher Mwansa read them stories. Bupe was the little girl that Sadie Grace sat next to when she first started to go to school and was so intimidated by the new environment. Bupe just reached out to her to be her friend.

Being in Zambia these past 6 months has been unbelievably challenging and also so rewarding. Today we experienced one of those challenging experiences. I just wish I could describe what the government offices are like here. The best way that I can think of to describe them is to think back 70 years, picture those buildings and that way of conducting business. Now picture that those 70 year old buildings have NEVER been renovated, the furniture, fixtures, flooring is all 70 years old and have never been repaired! Anyways, today we showed up to the courthouse at 8:15 to go to court for the verdict from the judge on fostering Samson. Samson has been with us for the past 2 weeks 24/7, so he was with us this morning. As we waited for the social worker to arrive, we went with to wait outside of the judges chambers. After waiting for about 30 minutes, a government worker walks up and informs us that the judge is not coming today, he is in Lusaka (the capital city about 5 1/2 hours away). So, we had to reschedule our court date. Dave was able to reschedule it for next Tuesday (Dec 6). We pray that it will actually happen that day. Our family is supposed to go to South Africa the next day, Dec 7. Dave spent 2 days last week (literally the entire day) working on getting a passport for Samson. You would think this would be easy, but it is very difficult and involved going to several offices in 2 different cities! If the judge approves us as Samson’s foster parents we will take him with us to South Africa for Christmas. We will be visiting some dear friends who were in the States at UGA for 2 1/2 years working on a doctorate degree. During our visit with them we will also spend some time at the coast at Cape Saint Francis. We are all excited and really hoping that Samson will be with us! On an encouraging note, Samson’s fathers youngest brother was at court today. He had only met Samson once (about a month ago when the social welfare department called him in because of our desire to adopt Samson). He is 100 % in favor of our family adopting Samson. It is good to have this family support and will be good if the judge can hear his support. The uncle lives in Livingstone (about 12 hours away by bus) but will stay in the area so that he can come to court next week. Our prayer continues to be that we will all joyfully, with complete trust, accept God’s will for Samson’s life and for whatever part our family will play in it. Samson is still living with us and will continue to until we go to court next week. The adjustment to him being a part of our family has been so easy. In fact, it seems as if he has always been around! He meshes well with our crew and really enjoys playing with David, Ella, and Sadie Grace. He loves being a part of a family, having a mom, dad, sisters, and brother. He has adjusted well to our food, bedtimes, family devotions, and rules. God really has gone before us and given our entire family a deep love for him. It is completely amazing to me how much God has worked. Samson’s part in our family is just a reminder to me of the goodness of God and that I am glad that His ways are sometimes different than my ways.

On another note, Lydia and Mary-Frances have been sick again. This time the illnesses are a bit bizarre. Mary-Frances has been covered with hives/rash for several days. Yesterday I took her to the clinic. She was given an injection as well as some tablets to take at night time. She is a little bit better, but still somewhat covered with red bumps and itchy. Lydia has an infection in her eye. Dave took her to the clinic on Sunday. She was given some drops which were supposed to clear her up in a couple of days. The past 2 days her eye has become more swollen, red, and painful. Dave took her back to the clinic today. The doctor there advised him to take her to an eye clinic because he didn’t know what was wrong with her. Dave and Lydia went to the eye clinic this afternoon and after dilating the pupil the doctor could see a virus in her eye. He told Dave that the current drops were probably making the situation worse and he gave her drops for the pain as well as drops for the virus. We are praying that his diagnosis is correct. The medical situation is real challenging here. You constantly wonder if the advice you are given is accurate and just pray that it will help and not hurt. If you could pray for her eye we would deeply appreciate it. Right now she is wearing sunglasses continually because the doctor prescribed drops to alleviate pain that will leave her eye in a state of being dilated for two weeks.!

Thank you again for your prayers, emails, and financial support. I was able to shop for the orphans this week, to purchase the gifts that the “secret santa” would give them at school. Virginia and I had so much fun picking out toys and articles of clothing for each of them. Thank you for the money that you have sent to us so that we are able to give to those that we see in need. Dave and I are continually amazed at just how special the orphans are. When Jesus teaches us to care for the widows and the orphans I completely believe it is because He knew how much we would benefit from being in community with them. We all love the children we have gotten to know at the orphanage and pray that God will provide homes for more of them. Right now (as you can see from our experience) adopting from Zambia can be a bit challenging. I pray that God will make it easier so that more of these children will have as Samson says “a place to stay forever and ever!”

In Christ Alone,

Shelley