IT IS FINISHED!
We are coming home!
There was a huge sigh of relief this morning as I was told that we could pick up our visas on Monday! We will begin traveling on Tuesday--my 30th birthday! What a birthday present!! I am still trying to process the reality of all this. We have been waiting, praying, trusting and believing for two years...today, Friday, April 11, 2008 is the day the Lord had appointed, and it was not delayed. Our Lord is faithful. He is so faithful. All those times I felt discouragement, hopelessness, and fear...my God kept reminding me to trust Him, to wait and be of good courage. It is hard waiting. Not one part of me likes to wait, but it is for our own good and for God's glory. As I look back at all the obstacles (and there have been plenty of them) I have seen God receive the glory and honor and praise. It is worth that every single time!
Our discouraging day yesterday, along with the pouring down rain, caused us to remain in our car the entire day. I wanted to have a pity party. I felt hopeless. There was even a very real possibility that we may not be able to receive the visas. I was so discouraged. Pastor Sam started praying, singing, encouraging, quoting scripture, retelling Bible stories...all in the presence of our Muslim driver. It donned on me at that moment...this is why "it is not all about me." I become so focused on what I want, and I want God to give me an instant answer, blessing, or miracle. But He will choose what will bring Him the most glory. In the long scheme of things, having to wait a little longer is nothing compared to having someone accept Christ as their Savior, seeing others increase their faith, or being a part of making God's name famous around the world. Yet in receiving another full day of trials, we got to be a tool in God's hands. There is truly no greater joy than walking in the fullness of His Spirit.
Honestly, everyday of this week, I have said, "This has been the longest day of my life." And then the next day I would say, "Alright, this has been the longest day." It has been a spiritually challenging and physically exhausting week. Satan has been working overtime all around us. But our God has defeated Satan! He has given us victory. This morning as my mom woke up, the first thing that ran through her head was, "This is the day the Lord has made." As I was sitting in the official's office this morning, God said to me, "This is the day!" It is amazing to see, to live, to feel, to experience, the day we have been waiting for and it has come without delay. There has not been anything that has taken God by surprise. He has used everything for good, even that which Satan intended for evil. Our God is so good. He is awesome and worthy of praise.
Take time to rejoice! Shout praises to our God! Sing a new song to our Lord! Get on your knees and worship our King. HE IS FAITHFUL!
My Daughter!
9 years ago
24 comments:
Hallelujah...OUR GOD REIGNS!!!
We are elated that this adventure is finally becoming reality. Jim and I can hardly wait to "love on" my new grandchildren.
Safe travels back to the states. We'll be praying for you, Katie, and Christopher.
Love, MOM
PRAISE BE TO GOD!!! Hallelujah ... Thank you Lord Jesus for your faithfulness and blessings on Jenny and her family. They are coming home!!!! You are our mighty and powerful God and have defeated Satan once again. For this we give you glory and undying appreciation.
YOU are LORD!!!!
Welcome Home Jenny, Christopher and Katie - we have missed you!!!!
Rhona
PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!HALLELUJAH!!!!! I think my poor computer is worn out with me logging on to your blog so many times to see if there is any news. Jenny I am SO VERY EXCITED for you. What an awesome 30th Birthday present. I will pray for safe travels for all of you. I just can't stop praising the Lord. He is so good. You have inspired me through the whole process. God's timing is always perfect and as I think back to your blogs I think of all the lives you have touched and the good you have done in His name and we all know that each and everyone of those circumstances was put into motion well before your trip was ever planned. May you have a peaceful pleasant weekend enjoying your last few days sharing your God with those that so need to hear the truth. I pray that someday I can hear your stories. Blessings to you and your family.
Sheryl
Hallelujah! I got chills reading this. We are so excited that you are coming home...with your babies!
Even though you said "it was not all about you" God can still make it about you - your children - your birthday - your two year anniversary. Amazing how in the big picture of our lives God still cares about the little details (like our birthdays)
Happy 30th!
Praise the Lord! Your faith and obedience is my inspiration. We rejoice with you as we travel tis road behind you. God's greatest blessings to you all!
Gail
Jenny,
This is the best story I have read in a long time. You are so strong and our God is SO WONDERFUL!Congratulations!
Rebecca Anderson
yay! finished isn't the end, only the beginning :)
Dear Jenny,
I am Rachel’s Mom. I have been following your journey all along and I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear your wonderful news! I am praising God for His awesome power and faithfulness and for the work He has done through you!
I had the amazing opportunity to spend time with both of your precious babies when I was at Amani in January. I was immediately drawn to Christopher with his beautiful smile and warmth. I held him probably more than any other baby! Once a group came to visit and a stranger was holding Christopher. I felt like saying, “Ummmm, that’s my baby!!” but I resisted the urge! Both your children are beautiful and loving in every way! I am so thankful to know that they will be raised to know the love and joy of walking with the Lord! Nothing is more satisfying to this adoptive Jja Jja!
Thank you for demonstrating the sovereign power of God’s love!! May you be greatly blessed as you bless those around you!
Praying for you and your family,
Jja Jja Vicky
I'm rejoicing with you Jenny!!
Can't wait to meet these two little ones!
Love and prayers-
Katie Croft
PRAISE THE LORD!!! HALLELUJAH!!!!
“O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.” Psalm 98:1
As you were nearing completion of bringing your children home the thought that kept returning to my mind was that of Jesus being tempted in the desert for 40 days. From the day you left home until the day you return, it will be at or just about 40 days. And just as Satan was with Jesus tempting him, he was also with you in Uganda. During this long and difficult time of testing, Satan tried to get you to give up and return home empty-handed, to rush things along before God’s timeline, to thwart God’s eternal purpose for you and the people you met in Uganda. But you rebuked the Devil’s lies. You held out your mighty sword, the Word of God, and used your shield of faith to deflect all of Satan’s fiery arrows. You resisted the Devil and he fled. Knowing and obeying the Word of God is a mighty weapon. And you, Jenny, have testified to this. God has won the victory! And you, Sister, have won a badge of honor and loyalty. Thank you for your allegiance to our God and to His work…all for His glory and honor. You are a woman who fears the Lord and worthy to be praised.
As I praise God for His awesome and glorious miracles I am also reminded to keep praying. It’s very easy for us to let down our guard now that the victory is won. But we need to remember you, Christopher and Katie, and your friend and her children through the weekend and on your journey home. You all will remain in my family’s hearts and minds as we pray you all home.
We love you, Jenny!
Worshipping Jesus with you,
Erinn
Praise the Lord! You've been on my heart all day - I've been telling your story to my friends that I'm traveling with all day, and finally had a chance to check your sight with them. What an awesome end to the day!
I'm so excited to see you in a few days! I have to warn you, the kids are a bit spoiled after a week of going to friends' houses everyday! But they are soooo ready for you all to be home (especially the big kid!).
WOOOOHOO!!!! I can't hardly believe it!!! Our God is glorious and a warrior.
Jenny,
I am sooo excited you are coming home. The curtains are done just in time. See God needed you to wait because the ribbon just got in this week and I finished them last night. They will be up tonight when we have dinner with your family. Todd has been great keeping me up the details of the past few days. How awesome to see God's mighty hand at work with you and with so many others. You may never know till heaven how many lives you touched, but I am sure it is many.
see ya soon,
Ariel
I am pleased for you. I have made two solo missions trips to Uganda (2004 & 2006) and I look forward to my next (unknown time).
I certainly understand your frustrations since the officials there are not very responsive and our time does not have a lot of value to them.
But as you mentioned in your posting, God had set a date and He was not late. This week, I posted an article on my blog with the title "Good News About Trouble." Check it out at http://chiefshepherd.net/2008/04/09/good-news-about-trouble/
God gave me several concepts about problems that face a child of God:
For the Child of God who is undergoing trials, here are some thoughts that are the result of an examination of 1 Corinthians 10:13 & Job 1:8-12:
1. Satan is LIMITED to the boundaries set by our God
2. Satan must ASK PERMISSION before afflicting us
3. When God allows Satan to afflict me, He (God) is showing that He has FAITH IN ME
4. Afflictions are an opportunity for me to bring GLORY TO GOD
Since I preached this last Sunday, there is a link on the blog where you can download the outline.
I am so happy and excited for your family! I will continue to pray for you all as the next part of your journey together begins. Love you all!
Janelle
From Carol Longenecker:
It struck me yesterday as I prayed for you that the day you arrive home will have been 40 days! Forty days of Purpose. Forty days of testing as that is what forty represents in the Bible. I can't imagine the depth of your emotions at the end of 2 years, at the end of your forty days. You have kept and shared a good record of God's faithfulness. Thank you for keeping us all up on these forty days of PURPOSE.
Praise God!
You are a true witness of HIS light shining through you, reaching out to the lost, orphans, widows and families! Thanks for all of the blessings you have bestowed on those lives you have touched, giving hope...and salvation and Jesus' love, while waiting for your ruling and overcoming all of the obstacles you faced. Your faith and perseverence is an inspiration. Yes, HE knows all about the timing and you are a gift, an angel...of mercy and grace and forgiveness. Bless you, your family and all of your prayer warrior friends!
I pray for a safe and uneventful journey home for you, Katie and Christopher! Kenny sends his love and prayers and positive bond, "She will be fine". You are an amazing Mom! We look forward to seeing you and the kids at home!
Love and prayers,
Nadine
AHHHHHHHHHHHH-- We are just overflowing with JOY and Praise to our Lord Jesus the King of Kings! He has done great things for you and we are GLAD! Psalm something!
Jenny it was SO awesome to read that you were there 40 days- so many connections with the Word! Our God is the Creator and Sustainer of "time" Nothing is "untimely" to Him!
You have shared your journey with such love and beauty in a way to bring Glory to our King! Thank you for impacting our lives! God was your mighty defender because you were about His business to defend the cause of the orphan, to love them, feed them, clothing them and giving them family. (Deut 10: 18)
You are tenderhearted Jenny and you see God's heart! We praise Him with the saints because he has done it! He has set the lonely in your family!!! (Ps 68:6)
I think your 2 years of waiting and working is a gift in many ways and one I see is perspective! For so long you have just longed to have them home under your roof! Now when it is busy with 5 little ones your gratitude will out weigh the feeling of being overwhelmed. They all 5 are a gift and you have truly gone to the ends of the earth and sacrificed all you are to see that they can all live under your loving, active, and busy roof!!! What a joy it will be to hear your inheritance laughing and playing all together! Praise God!!! We love you are in awe and can't wait to buy the book!!!
Praying for you all,
the DeSarro family
PS I am so happy you will see your sping tulip's bloom- Todd was hoping you would be home to see them!
PSS Happy Birthday Jenny! You were born for such a time as this!
wow.
my heart is in my chest.
He is big. He is in charge. He is moving.
i love you all.
Praise the LORD! There are not words to express how incredibly excited we are for you. I have to say thank you for sharing your journey, through your faith, mine has been strengthened. This definitely calls for a celebration - we are celebrating with you - lots of love, the Huskeys -John, Ever and kids
We can't wait for the BIG party! You are such a fatihful mom and wife! Thank you for the inspiration and remaining ever faithful! The journey really is *just* beginning and we are all so blessed to be a part of this miracle!
elise
This is all perfect timing for our next Bible Study: Hearing the Voice of God!!!
Jenny, we met you at Amani while we were there a few weeks ago(four girls from idaho)!
Your blog has been a huge blessing to us! You are bathed in prayer from Idaho as you journey home!!
Syd Hair
Pocatello, ID
Congratulations!!!!!! You will be in my prayers as you travel home. Happy Birthday too! God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!
Carolyne Beers (Erryn's friend)
To quote one of my girls' favorite songs..."Our God is so great, so strong and so mighty there's nothing our God can not do!" CLAP CLAP :)
We are thrilled for you all!! What an incredible testament of faith your journey has been. We are still in prayer for a safe journey home for you all.
Love and God bless,
Jo
Jenny, Happy Birthday! I can't wait to see you in two days and meet those beautiful kids!
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