"298 still to serve"

Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen."

 

I am really at a loss for words while beginning this post.  I'm not at a loss for thoughts but once again, where to start is difficult for me.  The adoption process is going really fast...I think. Truthfully, it's really hard to tell.  We have our home study approved and I over-nighted it today to USCIS.  Once they get it, they will give Todd and I an appointment to be digitally finger printed.  Once this is complete, the paperwork will be processed and they will approve us as "adoptable" parents and we will be allowed to bring the children back to the USA as their legal guardians.  We don't actually apply for "adoption" until we are back from Uganda.  On the Ugandan side of the adoption, I have received the preliminary affidavits that will be presented to the judge for his review.  After he reviews the paper work, he will give us a referral date.  When we have that date, we will make plans and go to Uganda.  

When I think about going to Uganda I know one thing is for sure...I am not going to want to say good bye to any of the children or friends that I am looking forward to meeting in person.  All of the people and all of the children are special.  I asked Joel one day when the children weren't in the room if any of the other children were jealous of Joan and Derrick.  He said to me, "in whose heart would they be jealous?"  I hadn't thought of jealousy coming from someone's heart but guess what?  That's where it comes from,  my heart!  Ouch!  Anyway, he said not really but some of the children had asked him, "why is Amiee taking Joan and not me?"  It's a logical question.  Well needless to say, that comment has weighed heavily on our hearts.  There are not two adoptions that have the same story and ours is no different.  I know without a doubt that God has planted seeds in our hearts for Joan and Derrick. They are already our children.  As I've said before, they have friends and relationships with others that have endured the same struggles of poverty, being hungry, being sick, not having a bed to sleep in. I could go on and I probably will another time but I'll save that for another day.  If you haven't had the chance to look at the video of Rays of Hope and SOZO on the front page of the blog please watch it.  I have watched the Rays of Hope video many times and I've never seen Joan.  Today, I watched it for the 101th time and I saw her as plain as day in the middle of the children jumping up and down, probably praising God for all that she has.  She doesn't have on one of the "red uniforms" that Joel's mom "Auntie Justine" made.  I've got to remember to ask Joel why some of them have them and some of them don't.  Maybe she does and her grandmother doesn't want her to wear it...who knows.  I'm just curious.  Anyway, the more I look, the more God shows me.  How many times has God tried to show me and I haven't looked?  Probably lots!  Well now He's got my attention.  HE has put a mission in my heart for all of the children at Rays of Hope and SOZO.  God is leading us on an amazing journey and it is only beginning with Joan and Derrick.   I don't think God's plan is for all of the children at Rays of Hope to be adopted with middle class white people from the USA.  I think our God is cleaver.  I think our God is merciful.  I think our God is saving me, my soul, by giving me the opportunity to serve the "pearls of Africa"...the children and community of Kabalagala, the children at Rays of Hope and SOZO.  I can honestly say, I had never desired to go on a mission trip, out of the country or inside my own country.   This is how I know our God is cleaver.  He has orchestrated the most beautiful mission trip for my family and I that I could ever imagine.  All I have to do is be obedient and serve the most loving and amazing God I have ever known.  Part of my obedience is going to require leaving something for the 298 children at Rays of Hope that I can't bring back with something.  I don't want the children to feel like I didn't "choose" them.  I am going their to "serve" them.  I am going their to enrich their lives with the love of Jesus Christ.  I am going to make sure they know "Jesus loves the little children.  All the children of the world."   In the picture above, the children are crowded around desks that are splintered, not stable and they are about 20 years old.  The concrete floor has holes in it.  The chalk board is falling apart and their are holes in the walls.  We are praying that God will provide the resources necessary to repair the school while we are there.  We don't know how much it will cost.  We are uncertain if they have water near enough to even mix the cement to repair the floor.  We would love to paint it but we will see how much time we actually have when we get their.  Below is a picture of the desks that we are going to build.  I don't think they have "Home Depot" but I know one thing for sure...if God wants The Reeves to rebuild the walls, floors and desks at Rays of Hope, He will provide everything we need and more.  He will meet all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!

The chalkboard...

New desks we will build...

"8 Shots = Perseverance"

Romans 5: 2-5 "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us."

This may be my favorite picture from the 500 that I have from Suzanne's last trip to Africa.  She told me that this picture was from her first day there and Joan and Derrick were with them from this point on.  I see Joan and Derrick wear these clothes a lot.  They have other clothes but I'm thinking that these are either their favorites or these are their "best".  This is at "Rays of Hope" school.  This place is where many of the children get their only food for the day.  This place is where they are loved by Joel and others that are trying to make a difference in their lives one child at a time.  I have seen the commercials for years with Sallie Struthers "Save The Children" but the children never felt real to me.  The children are real and they are our children.  It's hard for me to speak to some of this because I haven't been there to see for my self how much suffering there really is. I can only see through someone else's camera lense what is happening on the other side of the world.  When I look into some of these children's eyes from pictures, I see suffering.  I know there is an abundance of hunger.  But, I also I see a purity that has to come from the Holy Spirit.  I see eyes that trust.  I see eyes that love.  I see a GREAT need!  I have seen Joan and Derrick share a piece of bread for dinner.  I don't know if they were hungry or not but they were more interested in playing with Laurel and Coleman through skype while they shared their piece of bread.  The suffering that God is producing is in me right now, not the children.  The suffering that God is producing is refining my character, (I hope) and I will persevere because of our Heavenly Father.  I will not be disappointed in the outcome of this process.  I will learn to stop relying on myself because I am powerless.  God will not disappoint me because He has poured out his love into my heart by the Holy Spirit whom he has given me.  I am praying that I am going to be obedient to serving our Heavenly Father.  I have to share with you that even though I pray that God blesses me with Joan and Derrick as being their momma, I don't think that's what this is all about.  This will just be one blessing of being obedient to Him.  I think there's more He's going to reveal to all of us through Joan, Derrick, Rays of Hope and SOZO!  I tend to put God in a box and I think "that will never happen to me".  Well guess what, it is and it's going to continue.  Please prayerfully consider what God may be calling each of us to do through this opportunity we have been given to serve Him.  It's going to be exciting I can promise you that!

I can't wait to see what God has in store for me next week.  It's Saturday morning and Joel called at 4:15 a.m. to skype.  I love to see them anytime but a nap this afternoon is looking good to me.  Joan was wearing a dress that I hadn't see her wear before and she looked beautiful.  Derrick was dancing and singing.  Joel had on his "casual" clothes because I guess on Saturday, he's not "working".  He's probably there because he has a passion for these children that is amazing and contagious.  He has told me his friends don't understand why he loves these children and why he's dedicated his life to these children.  He told me it's because he knows from God that there is hope in these children.  He's not a dad or an uncle as far as I know.  He's just Joel, one of God's faithful servants.  I am sure God had a smile on his face the day he created "Saka Joel"!

Last week we got 22 shots total in our family.  I am thankful we have that behind us.  I got 8, Todd got 8 and Laurel and Coleman got 3 each.  Our arms are bruised and we are still taking Advil but whatever we have to do to get these children home safely we are going to do.  I was thankful when we woke up this morning that the US government decided not to shut down.  PLEASE PRAY THAT DHR APPROVES OUR HOME STUDY ASAP SO WE CAN GET APPOINTMENTS WITH USCIS FOR OUR IMMIGRATION PAPERS.  Joel has a big meeting on Thursday with the lawyers.  Please pray that God will show favor on this meeting.  These prayer requests are not listed in order of importance.  Please pray for an extra hedge of protection around Joan and Derrick.  Pray that they are safe and protected from evil.  Pray that the decisions we make don't impact them in a negative way and that God will continue to show favor upon them.

God has continued to teach me He is faithful!  God is continuing to teach me not to rely on myself.  Our God is big and our God is Amazing!  Have a blessed week everyone!

In His Grip!

Amiee

"Would you like to freshen up?"

Philippians 2:1-2 "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."


I have heard the saying from those that have already been to Africa, "TIA"...time in Africa.  I am learning all about the "time" in Africa.  Every night I go to sleep with my computer beside me praying until I fall asleep for our angels in Africa.  I dream about them.  I wonder about them.  We began "skyping" them over Spring Break when Suzanne and Jon were there visiting.  It was great.  I could just watch them play all day.  What a blessing to be able to see them!  Sometimes it's hard because Joan doesn't hear and Derrick doesn't understand our Southern Accent.  Joel is usually somewhere close by signing to Joan what we are saying and telling Derrick what to say.  We LOVE seeing them! I don't really know if they comprehend what is going on.  It's hard for me to comprehend but deep in my heart, just like God prepared Todd to say "I will", I know God is preparing His children for what is going to happen to them.  When I look into their eyes, I see peace, unconditional love, and hope beyond anything I have ever seen.  I see that they trust us already.  Joel is a busy man.  He has been the hands and feet of Christ for us the past months.  He is going all over the city going to appointment after appointment so that we can bring these children to our house.  Kabalagala is 8 hours ahead of us.  It's really hard with everyone's schedule to find a time that the kids aren't at school or someone's not sleeping.  The best time seems to be early in the morning our time.  I'm an early riser.  The rest of my family isn't.  About 5:00 a.m. Joel has been calling on the computer so we can all get to see each other.  This is our drill:  The skype music plays, I jump up because I'm always afraid I am going to miss the call or the internet will fail, I press accept before I even turn the lights on, Todd gets Laurel and Coleman, they have a minute to fix their hair but by that time, I can already hear Derrick saying, "Hello Moma.  How are you?"  and I can hear Joan laughing and celebrating.  One morning this week I know I probably looked scary.  Before the video came on my computer, Joel said, "Amiee, we will skype you back in 10 minutes.  You need to freshen up."  Only Saka Joel can say that to me at that time of day and get away with it.  God Bless Him!

We have had a great week.  The children have applied for passports and I have received the contract from the lawyer which means she has determined that the children are adoptable and she is ready to proceed.  I have some specific prayer requests for the adoption if you feel led to pray for this process with us.  1.  Pray that our home study is approved by DHR ASAP.  2.  Pray that we receive an appointment with USCIS expoditiously after they receive our "approved home study"  3.  Pray that our appointments with UAB International Health Center goes smoothly.  Our appointment is this Friday and I hate shots.  I think I will probably have the most.  4.  Pray that I rest in knowing that this will happen in God's timing.  5. Pray that Joan and Derrick have an extra hedge of protection around them during this time of waiting.

When we have skyped a couple of times this week some other children have come in to see what is going on.  When they get to close or get to much attention, Joan has abruptly instructed them to get out of the room.  I had to tell her that is not nice.  One day she looked very sad.  She had seen Laurel and Coleman at the 5:00 a.m. skyping but they were at school when we skyped again at 10:30 a.m.  I asked Joel why she was sad and he said, "She is sad because she wants to see Laurel and Coleman."  I am thankful that there is some kind of a bond with all of us, even if none of us actually comprehend what this is really going to be like.

We have really been seeing Derrick's personality come out.  He used to be in the shadow of Joan's big personality.  He seems to be patient, loving and happy.  It doesn't take much to make him happy.  This week he was very talkative.  I love to hear him talk in "Lewgandan" accent.  I'm sure he will loose it after being here for a while but I think it's beautiful.  I heard him cry this week.  I don't know why because the video froze but it was a sad cry that broke my heart.  He has also danced for me this week.  He laughs at us when we dance for him. They imitate what we do.  One morning, they saw Todd give me a hug and the next thing we knew, they were hugging each other.  I really do believe they know we are going to be a family.

We are going to have an amazing trip to Africa.  Joel is planning for Pops and Todd to build new desks for Rays of Hope School.  Joel asked me if Pops could build them the "African" way.  I said, "probably not but you will like whatever he does." We are going to buy tools for them when we get there so hopefully some of the older boys can learn from dad and Todd.  There is a little girl at Rays of Hope that Suzanne has identified as needing some medical care.  If we get there before Suzanne does, mom and I are going to take her to the doctor.  Please add her, Fiona, to your prayer list.  She was born with male and female genitallia.  She is an "outcast" like Joan.  We are going to pray that God will show us how to help her.

My heart is aching to hold these children.  I don't know how I can only come back with two.  Now I know why Katie moved to Africa.  God is faithful and today I am resting in His grip!  Have a blessed weekend!

In Him,

Amiee