Much overdue!

Hi!  I can’t believe how quickly the days are “running.”  So much has happened since our last post, it is hard to know where to begin.  I will try to give a brief overview of the last 2 months and then Dave will give a more detailed account of ways the Lord has been working with his ministry.

About six weeks ago, Zambia won the African Cup soccer tournament.  This was so exciting for the country!  The couple of weeks proceeding the victory, was like being in Athens on a game day.  Cars were decked out in the Zambian flag, horns were being blown, and everyone was dressed in Zambian jerseys.  It was fun to be in the midst of all the activity.  The final game didn’t start until 9:30 pm on a Sunday night.  Sadie Grace and I bailed out at half time with a score of 0 – 0.  The game ended up going into a 30 minute overtime and then a shoot out that I think went through 10 players.  Needless to say, the rest of my family stayed awake and were on pins a needles waiting for the game to end.  When Zambia scored the winning (and only) goal of the entire game I think the entire country erupted in cheers.  Our little walled in area was filled with children and adults screaming, tooting car horns, blowing bullhorns, and lighting off firecrackers.  I am glad that the kids were able to witness this event!   I think our house didn’t get to bed until 1:30 that morning.  Everyone was a bit tired the next day at school and we all went to bed EARLY that Monday evening.

Since we have been living in Kitwe, we have frequented a tuck shop that we call “the red stand.”  It is across the street from CCM and sells things such as bottled cokes, fantas, cookies, chips, lollipops, and bread.  There was a sweet lady there that made her living by sewing.  She was crippled in one foot and walked with a cane.  I would exchange greetings with her daily on my walk back from taking the kids to school.  We would pass ways on the path leading towards CCM.  I heard about a month ago that she died of malaria.  I think this has had an impact on me because I have heard of many people dying of malaria since we have been here, but she is the first person that I knew.  When Dave and I first heard the news about her death we were asking our friend how this had happened?  She was in the hospital, being treated for malaria, how could she have died?  Victoria just looked at Dave and me (with our American fix it all, nothing bad should ever happen mentality) and said, “It was just God’s time for her to die.”  Because death is so common, so expected here in Zambia, I think the people have a better understanding of completely accepting God’s will without question.  I have reflected on her few words, as well as the kind sewing lady who died, and just felt that God has been reminding me that life here is about bringing Him glory and remaining faithful to Him.

The last thing that I wanted to share was that we have purchased 7 plane tickets!  For so long it was up in the air about when we were coming home, and then Samson entered the picture and it became even more up in the air.  Unfortunately, we are not all coming home at the same time.  In fact, we are flying home in 3 phases.  Lydia, Mary-Frances, and Virginia are actually coming home in about 2 1/2 weeks!  With ticket prices, their responsibilities here winding down, and the opportunity to spend quality time with their grandparents, the rest of my family, and their friends,  Dave and I decided to let them come home before the rest of us.  They will leave Ndola, fly to Johannesburg, then to Dulles, and then to Atlanta.  I am excited for them to have this time together to readjust to the States.  I will follow with the younger 3 children on May 1.  Our 90 day pre-adoption phase is up on April 23 so we are praying that we will be able to go to court the last week of April and make the adoption final (on the Zambian side).  We are fervently working on the USA adoption paperwork.  I never imagined how much paperwork was involved in adoption!!!  Our hopes are that the USA adoption paperwork as well as the Zambian adoption certificate can be mailed to South Africa by the end of the last week of April.  Dave and Samson will return to the States as soon as the USA side of the adoption is complete.  My prayer is that they will be home by the last week of May.

Now what?  I am sure you all are wondering what impacts this journey has had on us permanently.  As of now, Dave and I do not feel that God is calling us to the mission field.  We do however feel that He has called us to help serve with missions especially where orphans are concerned.  We are not sure how this will all be manifested, but we do hope to be used by God to help awaken in people the needs of the world, specifically the needs of orphans in developing countries.  Our desires would be to serve Christ by facilitating trips where others can serve and help meet the needs that are so clearly felt all over the world.  As I have heard Dave say many times and our family has been  able to witness, God’s hand is evident when you are in the presence of orphans.  You can sense God’s favor upon them and that He truly is Father to the Fatherless.

Thank you for your faithful love and support of us.  As we are “wrapping up” we would covet your prayers that we would finish strong, that we would share Christ with those that we have met and know that they don’t know Jesus,  that God’s favor would continue to be on our adoption of Samson, and that it would be complete in a timely manner.  One more thing, we had Samson’s uncle over for lunch (Lydia, Mary-Frances, and Virginia cooked an entire Zambian meal) last Sunday. (This is the only relative that ever visited Samson when he was in the orphanage).  As he was leaving, he completely gave us his blessing on the adoption.  He wished us well with “our son” in “our home.”  It was such a gift from the Lord to have this man’s blessing.  I am glad that Samson was able to see him and we were able to video tape him telling Samson some about Samson’s heritage.

Much love,

Shelley