Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Monday, April 7, 2008

Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has been a very long, exhausting, nerve-wrecking, exhilarating, and glorious day!

I do not know where to start...

I had a great time in Masaka and met wonderful people. They love the Lord and have the most beautiful servant's hearts. When I would thank them for their unending hospitality, inconveniences, and service, they would always respond...we are all called to serve...Jesus said whoever is the least among these will become the greatest. Jesus himself washed his disciples feet. He came to serve not to be served....Again I was humbled by their perspective on life and their willingness to serve continually and joyfully.

My driver met me at the hotel at 6:30 am today, and I was accompanied by Jacqui (Pastor Benjamin's wife, who is 9 months pregnant and not supposed to travel, but just had to meet me and spend time with me!), Pastor Sam (who works alongside Pastor Benjamin at Mountain of the Lord Church, and is working at teaching me Luganda), and Fredrick (my brother! if you haven't heard this story before I will have to tell you later!). It was quite the team! I felt surrounded by God's handpicked army as I entered the battlefield of Kampala.

We tried to no avail to find a certain official, but this person could never be found. We walked down hallways, into rooms, up stairs, down stairs, through security, talking to this person and that, made phone calls...it was so frustrating and we finally left. We met the Amani foster coordinator along with C & K at the courthouse. We sat and waited just hoping that our written ruling might be done today. Because we have such a tight schedule this week, I wanted to make the most of every minute, so we waited in hopes that the ruling just might come today and allow us to get started on the next process a half a day sooner. But I was totally prepared for spending the night in Kampala and starting again the next morning. Our lawyer found us around 11am and said that the registrar had not yet shown up. I was crushed. And frustrated. But having Sam with me was like having instant encouragement. He was quietly praying the entire day. He continually reminded me that our God is capable of accomplishing anything. Even in the past, if prayers have not been answered according to our wants, we cannot stop believing. We have to continue praying even when we don't understand. About an hour later, the registrar showed up! And he said that he would sign our papers in another 45 minutes! Praise the Lord. We finally received the papers and it was quite a moment of rejoicing. Then we left to go to another official's office. There is an enormous amount of details I could go into to explain my feelings of anger, frustration, nervousness, and outright fear. When I had to speak, my voice was shaky. My knees felt like they would buckle, my heart was pounding...all this and we are in a small crowded office where it was probably 100 degrees and C & K screamed almost the entire time. C & K had also missed their nap and none of us had had a bite to eat. I began to imagine angels surrounding us at the entrance of the room, on either side of his desk, by the window, on the couch with us, and even in the adjacent room. I knew God was softening his heart. It took four hours to obtain the letter, but God prevailed! It truly is a miracle.

So tomorrow I start the passport process. We are getting closer and closer as I got to cross two steps off our list today. Hallelujah!

Christopher and Katie are doing very well. Katie is looking great. She did not get carsick today! She smiled all morning (at least until we ended up in a certain office), she drank a ton of water today, and she was so happy. She is saying more and more words. I believe God is bringing health to her little body. Christopher is such a character and is very expressive. He is so much fun and loves to laugh. It is good to see them doing well. I know it is in response to your prayers. Thank you!

I know I am being vague on many things. I will have to elaborate at a different time. God is at work, He is revealing His glory, and He is giving us the victory! All praise and honor and glory are His!

10 comments:

Gipe Family said...

Jenny,
Praise the Lord!! It is so exciting to see God working out the details. You are doing a great job! We love you! Sage just went home, her and Ryen had a wonderful time together this morning. My mom took them to story time at the book store. She asked Sage How her mommy was doing? Sage replied,"She is in Africa fighting Satan." That is so true, and your strength is such in awesome example for all of us. Keep running strong you are almost to the finish line.

The armor of God
Be strong in the Lord and his MIGHTY power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so when the day of evil comes you will be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm,with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the spirit on all occasions.
Ephesians 6:10-18

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jesus. We have been praying and will continue to. Stand firm!

Beth said...

Great news! God does answer pray and has things planned out for all of us, but we often ask, "Why doesn't he give us answers when we want them and in the manner we want them?"

Jim and I welcome Katie and Christopher into the family with open arms. Our family is quickly multiplying, which is terrific! Treats await K & C at home.

I know everyone is awaiting your return to the US. I told the boys last Thursday that you should be home after one more week of school.


Love, MOM

Anonymous said...

Jenny,
I have been keeping up with your journey and I just wanted you to know how much your family's faith and courage continues to touch my heart. I pray for you and your family continuously and hope that one day I will get to meet your beautiful little babies. The Lord provides for those who are faithful!
Much love, Janelle

aakoenig said...

Hey Jenny,
Great news!!! Praise the Lord for prevailing wonders. My you feel blessed and filled with joy at such great perseverance that you showed today.

I hope that Sonja was able to get a hold of you. She said she would give you a call.

May God before you today and bless each step and prepare you for the obstacles you may face.
I will be praying that He keeps you on track, so we can all see you on Saturday evening.
Ariel

lana said...

Jenny,
You're probably getting your Tuesday started about now, and I'm praying that your day goes much smoother and very efficient.

You and your family have been on my heart all day. I am so thankful for your example of resolve in this corrupt world. I'm sure it has been so hard not to try and take things into your own hands and do whatever it seems it might take to speed up processes, but you stood your ground and God fought the battle for you and prevailed! He is in control no matter what the situation, or who is in power, or how corrupt a government might be.

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Your resolve to trust in God's timing and His way is such a great testimony to so many. I'm learning so much and being challenged everyday in my own faith. So continue to stand your ground with God's full armor, and know that He will see you through so that you will still be able to stand in the end.

Cloughamily said...

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:35-37

"...rejoice [Jenny] to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13

Jenny, you and your family are loved by so many saints around the world! God is for you, Sister, who can be against you? Run strong through the finish, for you are more than a conqueror!

Bruising our knees for you *smiles*,
Erinn

Matt and Amanda DeSarro said...

Jenny,
You are amazing and walking in the LIGHT, go forward in strength and purpose. You are almost there! Our hearts are cheering for you and our spirit's are in prayer with you and so many! May you see a complete VICTORY for His glory.
Love you!!!
Amanda
1 John 3:18 (is what you are living)
"My little children let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth.)

Anonymous said...

Jenny,

I just spent an hour and a half reading all of your posts, I haven't been able find time lately but when Lacey came in with Ryen and updated me I had to get caught up! I am so excited for you and your family!!! I will continue to pray for your safe return and the extra medical care for Katie! You are such an amazing person, you will get through this! Kirstina

Jessica said...

I'm so glad you got to meet Mrs. Jacqui, she's an amazing woman! And its great to hear you update too!