HI!
I wanted to give you a short update on Dave and Samson. Unfortunately, the US side of the adoption of Samson is taking much longer than any of us had anticipated. Dave and Samson have now been in Zambia for over 6 weeks without any of us. Dave and I both have been able (on most days) to see this as God’s perfect plan and to trust Him in the midst of our separation. Dave and Samson did move out of our home in Kitwe on May 29. Fortunately, some missionaries that we had met in the course of the year run a guest house in a town about 25 minutes away called Garnenton. Since the majority of our American support came from missionaries all living in this suburb of Kitwe, it made sense for Dave and Samson to relocate there. During their stay in Garnenton, Samson was able to go to a school for orphans, LifeSong. He is is social, so this outlet was welcomed by both he and Dave. While Samson was in school, Dave was able to spend many hours preparing himself to come back and begin his business in Watkinsville again. One of the ways we have seen God’s perfect plan in this time of separation was that God has renewed Dave’s vision and passion for what he does professionally. He is excited about returning to his office and his clients! This really is an answer to prayer.
After hearing from the USCIS in Jo’burg last Tuesday, Dave decide to once again make the long, difficult journey to Lusaka this past Monday. Twelve hours later (from when he thought he would leave), 8 check points, and one detainment that ended in a bribe (because unknown to him his international drivers license had expired 5 days previously), he made it to Lusaka! Dave and Samson were able to get Samson’s physical and lab work completed on Tuesday at the hospital in Lusaka. Unfortunately, we heard today from the USCIS in J’burg that our fingerprints have still not been approved (after 4 1/2 weeks) and the officer who has to sign our documents is out of the country until next week. In the midst of this discouragement we are continually reminded that God’s plan is perfect, He is continuing to sanctify us to bring Him glory, and one day this will all be a faint memory. I think what saddens me most is to see how much my 3 teenage daughters miss their father. It has been nearly 3 months since they have seen him and that really is a long time! I know for certain our reunion with one another will sure be sweet!
Dave and Samson are holding up pretty well together. They are having an opportunity to bond as a father and son should. I know for certain, Samson will never forget who his dad is! In anticipation of their return, David and I have cleaned his room, gone through clothes and separated them into a size 8 and size 10 pile, and are in the process of hanging some photos of Samson with his Zambian friends. A dear friend also gave us their drum set which will be such a highlight to Samson and bring him hours and hours of joy and the rest of us hours and hours of headaches:)
In closing I am reminded of Psalm 24:1-6 “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”
Thank you for supporting us through this journey. If you could please join us in praying that the official in charge of adoptions will return on Monday, that our fingerprints will be waiting on him, and that the paperwork will be complete next week.
Shelley