Uganda Trip 2013

Friday 8th February 2013

We made it here safely late last night and with all our luggage. Praising Jesus for this!!! The first flight from Raleigh to London had some turbulence which was not fun and those who know me well, know that I do not like to fly!!! In the midst of the bouncing and bumping and me crying out to God and asking for His mercy, He reminded me that He will indeed bring me through the storm. I realised something about myself; whenever the storms come in my life, I always assume that I am going to die!! But the Lord reminded me that He will bring me through all the bumps that will come! I am sure that God is going to be reminding us of many spiritual truths while we are on this journey.

It is good to be back here in Uganda. We are staying with our friends until we move into Mercy Childcare guesthouse where Mercy (presently known as Hajarah) lives. They are such dear friends and it has been wonderful to catch up and fellowship together. They are a great help and drove us around today so that we could buy a phone and a router for our laptops. We have GREAT internet and this router is such a blessing because we can bring it with us when we go out and check internet on our phones!! So this is great for Jeff needing to work. Everyone is jet lagged which is to be expected and we all slept until lunch time! Apart from the girls having colds, everyone is doing well and really enjoying Africa. There is another family staying here also for an adoption who have older children, so our children have friends to spend time with! God is so good!

Tomorrow is a BIG day. We will be meeting Hajarah! We are excited and nervous to meet her. She is five years old and therefore old enough to understand what is going on. We have spoken to her on Skype once but are so excited to meet her in person!! Please do pray for us before you go to bed that she will not be afraid but will feel 'at home" with us and that the attachment process would not be hard. If we stay at the guesthouse where her orphanage is, she will be allowed to come and stay with us before court. So we are also hoping to see this guesthouse and are praying that it is big enough for our family to stay there. We just need enough beds and Lydia has already stated that she wants to sleep with Hajarah! Please also pray for Lydia that she will do well with her new sister. We are expecting to experience some issues with Lydia especially. Hopefully we shall be able to update again tomorrow with some pictures of Hajarah. 

Saturday 9th February

Today went great!! The orphanage brought Hajarah to the guesthouse we are staying at around 11.30. We were waiting for her outside when she arrived. At first she was very quiet and shy and just stood looking at us, taking it all in.  A few hours later she was smiling and laughing! There have been no tears but I am sure at some point there will be. Lydia immediately went up to her when she arrived and held her hand and has not let go since! They are adorable together and much to our surprise, they are the same height! Lydia has been amazing too and is showing her new sister how to do things. Hajarah knows some English and communicating with her has been difficult but we have had Ugandans around us to translate during those times when we needed help. We also downloaded Utalk Luganda which has a few phrases we have been able to use. Hajarah is staying with us tonight and is sleeping right now in the same bed as Lydia. Such a picture!! I wish I could share one of her with you all but cannot upload anything yet and may not be able to do so for a few days. Just doing life here in Uganda can be challenging. Our children are loving the people and culture and are doing well.
Thank you so much for your prayers! Please pray for Caleb who is suffering from allergies here at night time. His eyes start itching and he is sneezing. We do have some medication we have been giving to him but the poor boy is miserable! He is okay during the day though.
Tomorrow we are heading to Calvary Chapel Kampala for church and then we move from here into the orphanage guesthouse where we shall stay until we have the verbal ruling. We will then be allowed to take Hajarah and Elijah and move into another place of accommodation. We are excited to meet Elijah soon also, hopefully on Monday!!

Praising Jesus for our new little girl!!!

Monday 11th February

We are so blessed by all your messages to us. It encourages us so much to know that you are all praying for our family. There are so many things that are more difficult when adopting from Uganda because life is just harder here. The stories you hear and the things you see are so heart breaking. It is so different than when we adopted from China simply because of the accommodation being so much more challenging. I will share more about our living quarters another time :)!! God is giving us the grace to make it through the hard things. But your prayers are so appreciated!!

Isaac still has a fever around 100. He is better than yesterday for sure and we have him on meds to help his temp come down. Both Caleb and Jeff are not feeling well either. Hopefully they will not get fevers too. The girls are doing great. We have had tears from Hajarah today especially when she is told not to do something. These are challenges we expect. She has been allowed to do whatever she wants and now has to learn to obey. She is a great little girl and very sweet but does want to touch things that she shouldn't. Our other four love her like crazy and are so helpful right now!! She is giggling and singing and laughing and knows way more English than we first thought!  It will take time for her to attach to us all because she is older and every day is a process. We are only on day 3 of meeting her! Keeps things in perspective! We could not have asked for a better transition with her and I only think the added difficult circumstances of sickness, Uganda temperatures without AC or fans and jet lag are making this much more challenging. Oh and Please pray that our lawyer arrives back in Uganda tomorrow after visiting the States and getting stuck in the bad weather!! Also there is a document that is still needed for our case!! Trusting everything to Him who has gone before us.

Tomorrow we are leaving for Jinja and meeting Elijah. Hope to update later. Thank you again for your prayers!!!

Tuesday 12th February

Okay so let me just say that today has been a great day because we were able to go into Jinja to meet Elijah!!  The air is cleaner and there is not as much traffic. If you thought that driving in rush hour in DC, New York or London were bad, please know that nothing compares with the traffic here in Kampala. They drive like crazy and we shall have to post some footage sometime during our stay here so that you can see for yourselves. Not many wear seat beats, children are in the front (much like in China) and the roads are so bad that you are continually bouncing around. Our car does not have AC so we have the windows down for the 'not so fresh' air, LOL!! Cars weave inbetween each other at break-neck speed, barely missing hitting each other and often there is a motorbike wedged inbetween!

Before I share about Elijah and our time at the babies home, I want to just let you know that Isaac is doing much better. (If you just want to see pics of our baby then you can scroll down now…..;) )!! But I do want to thank you all for your prayers for healing. Last night was another rough night for us because Isaac's temp went up again and Jeff ended up taking him outside and drenching him in water and fanning him down until his temp came down to 99 from 102. During this time I was emailing our amazing Pediatrician Sherri, whom we have been blessed to know and who adopted her daughter from China too. She was so helpful and advised we start Isaac on antibiotics. This should help him and we can already see that he is doing better. Tonight will be the true test to see if his temp goes up again but we are hopeful that it won't. So hence there was little sleep for us again but God is giving us the strength. It is 11.00 here and I do not feel too tired. I must be running on adrenalin right now and power berries, (those who shop at Trader Joes will know what I mean)! So thank you, thank you!!!

This morning we left at 9.00 to Jinja. It took about two hours to get there but on the way a very scary thing happened. Our driver today was driving very fast along these bumpy roads, overtaking boda bodas (motorbikes) and other vehicles and just missing many cars! Well he went to overtake a boda boda with two men riding upon it. The one on the back was carrying a huge package which looked like a picture or mirror wrapped up. He drove a little too close and hit the package and there was a tremendous bang and glass went flying everywhere!! It gave us all such a fright! We kept driving and I looked behind to see the poor men still driving along holding onto the package with broken glass behind them. We had our window open and Isaac who was in the back felt the effects of the bang as stuff hit his hand. Fortunately he is okay but we could not believe it happened. After that I asked our driver to slow down!

Going to this babies home was such a blessing. I have seen pictures over the last year but to actually go and meet Sharon and see all the children was such a highlight for us. Sharon is the director and she is just precious!! It was such a hard day for her because yesterday a baby died and it was so very sad!! As soon as we pulled up in the car, I spotted Elijah and I must say he is even more gorgeous in person! I will let the pictures speak for themselves but needless to say we are all very attached to him and love him already. He was quiet and very sleepy and so cuddly!! He is so much chubbier than the last pictures we have of him. He loves to eat and cuddle and fell asleep in my arms. Isaac and Caleb could not hold him because they are sick but Jeff and I did and so did Eliana and she did not want to give him back to me! She even managed to make him smile! I can see already that Eliana is going to be such an amazing big sister!

We do not have Elijah with us and had to say goodbye to him today after our visit. We could have brought him back with us and as much as we want to, we know that it would not be the best thing right now. Living here at this guesthouse is challenging enough without bringing a baby with sickle cell disease into it also. I know he does not understand like Hajarah does and so this is why we felt it was best for us to be with her before court. Hopefully soon we shall be able to move from here (after our verbal ruling which means we are granted legal guardianship of the children) and then we can have Elijah with us too.

Wednesday 14th February

Last night Jeff started throwing up and now has diarrhea. He feels nauseous still this morning but is trying to push through because we need to go the US Embassy for some forms this morning. Please do pray for healing for him and also that it does not spread to the rest of us. Just hoping it is something that he ate. Isaac did great last night, no more temperatures!! So thankful for this. Many of you have asked about Caleb. He is doing a little better with allergies but it is mostly in the evening when it begins. He does have a sore throat too but no runny nose nor fever like Isaac has had. The other one I would like to ask prayer for is Lydia who woke up yesterday with bumps all over her face and arms. They have not spread so we are hopeful that it is not chicken pox, (we came into contact with two children who had it who were also staying at the first guesthouse we stayed at). It may just be bug bites!!

We are thankful to be getting all this out of the way at the beginning of our time here! Hopefully the rest of our stay will be much better health wise. Court is tomorrow!! I do not know what time it is but will send out another quick update later when we find out so that you can be praying. I am very nervous already but confident in the Lord!!!! 

I can honestly say that we have never felt more covered in prayer and loved during this time. We are reading all your emails and comments and prayers for our family. You are all so encouraging and the scriptures are just what we needed to read today. We are all doing much better, especially Isaac. Jeff has not thrown up but still has diarrhea and has not eaten all day so that he will be able to make it through court tomorrow. He also started on some meds to help fight against this. Caleb's allergies do not start until we return to the guesthouse and it is evening time. His eyes and nose are very itchy but he is a real trooper and coping well. During the day he is not nearly as bad. Lydia's spots are itching slightly today and are bigger but there are no signs of any more popping up anywhere. They are only on her face and arms so we are inclined to think they are bed bugs!! Eeek!! TIA (This is Africa) after all and I think we are beginning to realise that we should not be surprised by all these little trials. In the big picture, God is at work in ways we do not see and using all these difficulties in our lives for His glory. It is easy to lose sight of this when we are in the midst of the throw up, fevers, bed bugs, crazy drivers, lack of sleep and cold showers, ha, ha……(at least we have a shower)! 

Hajarah is doing really well and is behaving exactly as we would expect from a child who is a total orphan, lived most her life in the slums and is now receiving the love from a family for the first time. She is very sweet and so very beautiful inside and out. She will say things like "Thank you daddy" that just melts his heart. She is playful and full of personality. Her facial expressions are so comical and her english is improving every day. We are also learning some Uganda words from her and it is fun to see her laugh at our pitiful attempts!! She loves to eat and will eat and eat if she could, again very typical for a child who has not been able to have much to eat. We have to tell her to stop eating and she does become quite upset about this. She does not like being told no at all…… well lets be honest who does? She will pout and become moody but we have been able to draw her out of this. Having two crazy big brothers helps a lot! Our children do love her very much already which is a work that I believe God began in their hearts but they are seeing the challenges with adopting an older child in that they do have more to work through. They are all extremely helpful and working together as a team to help us through the difficulties. Even Lydia is being a great example to Hajarah and trying to show her how things work in our family. There have not been nearly as many tears from Lydia as we were expecting. It is difficult to discipline the way you would do so at home when living somewhere else and boundaries get pushed. We know it will be so different when we are back in the comfort of our own home and able to show Hajarah how things work. I am reminded over and over again about the love of God and my prayer is continually that we will love her unconditionally with His love. We are all stubborn people who want our own way, hate to be told no and sometimes we even refuse to give in to the love of the Father. Hajarah reminds us of ourselves and of His great love and perseverance for us!! 

We are excited to see Elijah again tomorrow and to be able to bond with him more and more. We hope to be able to bring him into our family soon. Court is tomorrow at 2.30 but we know that this does not mean it will happen on time and we might even wait until 8.00 and not be seen. Court is nothing like it is in the West! We have no idea what to expect. We are hoping that He will have time to see us but preparing that we may have to come back the next day. We know which Judge we are have been assigned to. He is known as Judge M because no westerner can say nor spell his name! I am so very nervous knowing that it will be me that he will call upon to answer questions. Please do pray that God will give me the right words to say and not to be afraid but to be bold for Him. This man is a muslim and so we hope to bring the Light to him tomorrow just by God's presence within us. There is also another family who will be there also who we have never met but they live in our area!! How amazing is that? I know they shall be a great support to us because they have done this before. We shall update very late in the evening and make sure we share the outcome with you. Praying for favour!

Here is a picture of me ironing all our court clothes this afternoon Uganda style. The 220 volt electricity get the wrinkles out super fast just like in the UK!! I had it done in no time and was so glad because my back was beginning to ache!

Friday 15th February

I was just writing an update to you all about court which I will send out after this but I am really asking you for prayer for Eliana! She has a really bad case of sickness and diarrhea that came on in the last three hours and she is vomitting and has really bad diarrhea. I have never seen anything like it in any of my children and she almost passed out. We have forced her to drink but Jeff has hired a car and taken her to the hospital with the manager of this apartment complex. I am staying here with the other children and trusting my girl to Jesus! We are really struggling with all this sickness and I cannot tell you how much we would we all get on a plane and leave tomorrow if we could!! I have also just started with diarrhea and hope the vomitting does not come too. But I am not concerned for me more for my little girl. I want so bad to be with her! Please please pray!! This is so very hard!!

Well today did not turn out as we had hoped and prayed. We arrived at the
court house at 9.30 and just waited an hour until we were seen which was a
blessing. However, our Judge changed from Judge M to Judge K. Yesterday we
were supposed to have Judge M who has a reputation for being very direct
with his questions especially at the female but usually always grants legal
guardianship without a problem. Judge K is much quieter and does not ask the
female any questions but he asks many questions about the paperwork and
really wants to make sure that all the testimonies match. So we shall have
to appear again next week once all the documents are in order. Our lawyer is
confident that everything will be fine.

Jeff just called me from the hospital. They have her on an IV and have drawn blood and believe it is food poisoning. We have been so careful where we ate and washing hands and using sanitizer all the time, (almost run out of the stuff already)!! Brushing teeth with bottle water and no ride side food. It is just one of those things! Poor baby threw up again when she arrived there but no diarrhea. Thank you so much or prayers and words of encouraging. I will keep you posted.

I am now puking too. We have spoken to the Directors of both homes and they will taking the children back into their care during this. While this is hard for us to do, we know that we must get better and not put them at risk too, especially Elijah. 

Just a quick update before I have to run to the bathroom again!

Caleb woke up to throw up. I have been sick about five times and I am starting to feel very weak. Trying to keep drinking fluids. We have a friend who is American and lives here who is on her way to us to help us out. Her name is Jill. Please pray that the Lord uses her and gives us all wisdom. 

Saturday 16th February

This morning Isaac and Eliana came out the hospital feeling so much better. We are so thankful for this!! However Caleb and I are still not doing great. We were both up in the night very sick. I have never experienced anything like this!! Our friends Brian and Jill came round about 3.00 am and stayed here with us, looking after the three little ones in the morning. I finally stopped throwing up at 8.00 but Caleb continued until Jeff returned from the hospital with Isaac and Eliana. We then took him to The Surgery and they did not feel that he needed an IV, ran some tests and gave both of us something to replenish us because they told us we were both very dehydrated. It tasted disgusting and while I was able to get mine down me, Caleb could not.  I felt great after drinking it but Caleb was still struggling because he could not drink the gross stuff. We had gone back to Brian and Jill's by this time to rest. Also someone was coming from Elijah's babies home to pick him up and take him back until we feel better. We all had a little something to eat, Caleb had a few bites but then had diarrhea again and so we decided the best thing was to take him back to the Hospital and give him an IV. The Dr has decided that the best thing is for him to stay in overnight and replenish him also.  I have also started with the diarrhea again in the last hour and feel a little sick so please pray that I do not start throwing up again tonight. We have decided that I should go to the hospital with Caleb and also receive fluids.  Thank you again for your prayers. Lets hope tomorrow we are all doing well.

Sunday 17th February

Just a quick update because we are so tired and heading to bed. I came out the hospital with Caleb around lunch time today after spending the night on IV's and we are both doing better. We are all still have some diarrhea but it is not as bad as it was and no vomiting. Would still appreciate your prayers for strength for our family and complete recovery. We need to keep taking cipro for the next few days to completely remove the bacteria. We are all very weak and Eliana has had some tummy pain too after eating a little. The hard thing is that we need to eat before taking the cipro but none of us have huge appetites yet which is to be expected. We will be so glad when we feel we are on the road to recovery. Fear does keep coming in especially at night and there is such an oppression so we are so thankful to know you are lifting us up and praying in faith for us when we are weak. Keep the scriptures coming!!  God is teaching us so much which I will save for another email.

Hajarah ended up staying with is because we felt it would be too hard for her to go back but Elijah is back at his babies home which was a good thing because of me being in the hospital.

No word yet about the next court date but we are hoping it happens this week. We do not want this to delay our stay here in Uganda because at this time we are looking forward to when we can leave! I know under normal circumstances we would not feel this way. But this has been a rough week!! 

Tuesday 19th February

It has been the most relaxing day so far. We stayed at the apartment and did
not venture anywhere today. Everyone is doing much better and although we
are not completely strong enough yet, we feel so much better than we did!!
Thank you so much for praying. I am beginning to feel like we are almost at
the top of that 'steep hill' I mentioned yesterday. Perhaps soon we shall
reach the top and see the most wonderful view that God has prepared for us!!
It is such a blessing to feel well again and Lydia and Hajarah are doing
much better too. Lydia's bites are starting to clear up also after we
purchased some ointment for them. (Another thing I forgot in the rush to
pack and leave the country in just five days!!) We are also grateful that a
friend of ours is coming to Uganda soon and will be able to bring us some
supplies. We are amazed how quickly we have run out of some things. I don't
think we really had the time to stop and think about how much we would need
of certain things. We are able to buy many supplies here but somethings are
very expensive.

The apartment we are staying at for the next five weeks is such a blessing!!
God really provided for us and knew what we would need. I am still amazed
that He opened the door so quickly for us to move in here and that we were
allowed to bring Hajarah with us. We would not have been able to move in
here otherwise. God knew that we could not have handled all that sickness
and hospital visits when living at the other guesthouse! We would never have
been able to get Eliana to the hospital in time before she almost passed
out. We did not know about a private hospital just five minutes from where
we are now which would have excellent care! God also provided the extra help
from one of the managers here who had already taken a shine to Eliana and
when she saw Jeff running with his daughter in his arms, decided to go with
them right away to the hospital and help in anyway she could. God knew the
steps we would all take and went before us every step of the way!! Praise
Him!!! Please rejoice with us that God is on the throne and performing
miracles every day!

We have cleaners that come every day and also bring clean towels and change
our sheets regularly. They even do my dishes if I have not had the chance
which has been the case recently!! The Lord knew what we needed in the midst
of so much stress. I honest feel like a Princess right now and we feel like
we are living in such luxury after the last places we stayed. We are all
eating well again and gaining an appetite once more. Heinz Baked Beans on
toast went down a treat today!! Great comfort food and we were all in need
of some 'safe' protein after not eating any for a few days. We are
constantly telling the children to drink. Hajarah is the only one who does
not need to be told, she knows what is good for her!! I finally unpacked all
our clothes and put them away and actually feel like this place is 'Home'
now. Even Eliana came to me today and said it feels like home already! We
have done laundry today, some in the bath tub, the old fashioned way and
some we sent to the laundry which needed to be sterilised after being sick.
I have also washed and ironed some of our court clothes ready for court
again! You would be amazed by how dirty everyone gets here. The red dirt
will always be on the bottoms of our shoes long after we have left Uganda!!
Little feet are always red too and need to be washed every night before bed.
There are so many things we take for granted back home. Clean running water
that you can brush your teeth with is one of them. We have to remember to
use bottled water every time. The bath water is always brownish but at lead
we have a bath here!! The last two places did not and one place had a shower
but it was really just a trickle of water that came out. It really has been
good for our family to be here and see how many others live. It is so very
humbling! We cannot complain about any of our little issues back in the
West. I hope that we shall be forever changed by this experience and never
forget all that God has taught us here.

Now as for Hajarah, well first let me tell you you all that there has been
much improvement already!! She is learning how to love and be accepted just
as she is. She is responding to our cuddles and kisses but hugging and
kissing us back without been told to. She is definitely more attached to her
Dad and goes around called "Dad, Dad, Dad, Daddeeeeeee!!!" all the time. She
will climb up onto his knee without being asked and also Isaac and Caleb
too. She adores them both so much!! She most definitely prefers the boys in
the family than the girls. She will come and stand next to me and ask what I
am doing and she will call for me when she needs something but she does not
seem as comfortable with me yet. I am honestly okay with this right now
because I am glad for our sakes that it is not the other way around. It
would be difficult for me with Elijah being so clingy to me to have two
children only want me and not their Dad. I think much has to do with Hajarah
being around men (and a couple of ladies) at the orphanage. She was very
close to Wilfred who is the Director and Julius and who is the social
worker. Elijah on the other hand is mostly used to the female carers
(aunties) at his orphanage so it makes sense why each one would be bonding
more to Jeff or myself. Yesterday evening I painted all the girls
fingernails and Hajarah loved it! I let them all chose which colour they
wanted and Hajarah asked for one hand to be pink and the other blue!! She is
adventurous and will try anything. We have learned that she does not like
raisins but loves chocolate. I guess she will suck all the chocolate off the
raisins when we give those to her!! I also gave her and Lydia playdough
today while the other three finally did some school! They sat for over an
hour making all kinds of things. Lydia and Hajarah also spent about an hour
this afternoon playing imaginary games together. They came up with all kinds
of great ideas and I have a feeling that Lydia is going to really enjoy
having a sister her age. We are not without some issues with both Lydia and
Hajarah. It will take time and we are all aware of that. But we are going to
love Hajarah and teach her what it means to be in a family. She is hungry
for love and we see the treasure she is already!! She is very joyful and
energetic. She has the loudest laugh and will point at you and burst out
laughing. She loves to be tickled and she imitates all that we do and say.
Her English is improving tremendously!! We keep reminding ourselves how much
of her frustration comes from not understanding. Bedtime is the hardest
because she does not want to go to bed and that is something that we are
working on. She is used to staying up until 9.00 but Lydia goes to bed at
7.30 and Hajarah will eventually do so too. We are learning what to be
persistent in and what to let go of right now and wait until we are home.  I
think it is good that Elijah has not been with us for this time. We all feel
it is easy to bond with him because he is a baby and I am not too concerned
about attachment issues with him. But this time has been good for us to be
with just Hajarah. She keeps asking where 'baby Elijah" is which is a good
sign! Eliana is very helpful where Hajarah is concerned. She is 'little
Mummy' in our home and my extra helping hands.

We continue to wait for news about our court date. Hoping it is tomorrow or
Thursday and I will send out a quick update if we hear that it will be
tomorrow and ask for your prayers.

This is a picture that was taken last Tuesday in Jinja when we went to meet
Elijah. Afterwards we were blessed to go for a boat trip on the River Nile
and saw many kinds of birds we had never seen before, four kinds of
Kingfishers, monkeys in the trees and a huge Monitor Lizard. It was
beautiful and so peaceful. All the pictures that I have sent in the last two
days were taken before we got sick. Hopefully we shall start taking some
more this week.

Thank you again for following along this journey with us!!



Thursday 21st February

We have felt so very discouraged these last two days to be honest. But God has really been using so many of you to direct our perspective back to the Lord and keep our eyes on Him. It is so easy for us in the midst of troubles and uncertainties to assume the worst and forget Who it is that has the control!! Your prayers are truly being heard and our spirits have begun to be uplifted and we are realising how important it is that we praise Jesus in the midst of this time before the answers come. Dear friends of ours skyped us last night and spoke words of encouragement to us just when we needed to hear it; others of you have sent emails praying the word into our hearts and this has helped to renew our minds. In the midst of this darkness, sometimes it is difficult to see the path up ahead. You have all been such an encouragement to us because God is truly using you all to help us see His light, to hold up our weary hands and pray on our behalf when we are so weak. It brings tears to our eyes to know how the Lord is using His body to be faithful in prayer for us during this time. Thank you dearly!! 

We met with our lawyer today and gained more understanding concerning our case. He is very hopeful that we could have a court date on Monday or Tuesday. We are praying that the Judge will not ask for more information when we do finally meet with him and that he will be satisfied with the evidence presented. It is truly in God's hands and if He wants these children in our family, then nothing will stop that from happening. Part of our frustrations have been because we are from the West and have grown accustomed to things being done in a more timely manner :). I smile as I write this because here in Uganda, things are not carried out when you would expect but usually always take much longer. If we make an appointment to meet with someone at a certain time, you can guarantee that it will usually be a couple of hours later. It is a wonderful lesson for us to learn. We must be patient and not expect things to happen on our schedule but in His time. Much of what the Lord is always teaching us is centered upon this very principle….. to be still and know that He is God…… not to fret or to worry about tomorrow but to trust God during the wait and to know that He is never too late. There may be many 'what if's' running through our minds but it is only when we rest entirely in Him and surrender it all into His hands will we be free to wait until His prefect plan is revealed. Please do pray this for us that we will not fret about the timing of all the things that need to be done but find such a peace and rest during the wait. 

On a very serious note, we did learn today that one of the drivers we have been using called Jimmy went to be with Jesus today. We called him this morning to ask if he would take us to our meeting with the lawyer but someone else answered his phone and informed us that he was in the hospital and on oxygen. We were very concerned for him and took time to pray for him as a family. Jimmy was a very dear man. He drove us to a few places and was a very safe and good driver. He took my children to the hospital last weekend and his last words to our family were in the form of a prayer for my sick children. He wanted to lift us up to Jesus and felt so bad that we were sick. Who knows the depths of this man's prayer on behalf of our family and yet the suffering he may have been in himself was unknown to us. They suspect he died of malaria. We are so sad for his family who are left without a Father and husband. We know he had young children. He made an impression on us all because of his kindness to us and we are all blessed to have known him for just the short time we did. The pain and suffering here is so hard. Perspective comes fast when you witness life here and we have no right to grumble nor complain about delayed court dates and sickness ourselves when we are all so healthy now and have each other. Please do pray for Jimmy's family. We will try and find out more details about his wife and children so that you can all be praying specifically for them. All I know is that when Jimmy walked into the arms of Jesus, he would have heard the words, "well done thy good and faithful servant!" 

It is hard to believe that we have been here for two weeks already! In some ways it feels so much longer because so much has happened. Hajarah continues to do well and we are amazed by this sweet, adorable and funny little girl who has such character!! She has us all laughing every day which is good therapy for us right now!! I think God knows just what we need as much as He knows what she needs too! Bedtime is better and I am sitting with her and holding her hand until she falls asleep. In the morning she will come and stand just outside our mosquito net until I wake up. I never know how long she stands there for although I am a light sleeper so I do not think very long. As soon as she sees us wake up, she climbs into bed with us and wants a cuddle!! From all the things we have heard about and seen for ourselves, we know that things could be much worse! She is responding so well to love from us all. My older children are doing much better with her. The 'slapping' is not as bad as it was when she does not get her own way and she is even beginning to apologise when she does something wrong. Little by little :)! So thank you for your prayers for her. Elijah is still in the orphanage and we have not seen him for almost a week. We all miss this little guy but we have peace that this is the right thing at this time especially as we wait for the court date. 

I want to leave you all with this mornings devotional form Streams in the Desert. It really ministered to me!! Especially the part where it says, ' your desire for the thing you wish is perhaps stronger than your desire for the will of God to be fulfilled in its arrival'. 

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him (Ps. 37:7).

Have you prayed and prayed and waited and waited, and still there is no manifestation? Are you tired of seeing nothing move? Are you just at the point of giving it all up? Perhaps you have not waited in the right way? This would take you out of the right place the place where He can meet you.

"With patience wait" (Rom. 8:25). Patience takes away worry. He said He would come, and His promise is equal to His presence. Patience takes away your weeping. Why feel sad and despondent? He knows your need better than you do, and His purpose in waiting is to bring more glory out of it all. Patience takes away self-works. The work He desires is that you "believe" (John 6:29), and when you believe, you may then know that all is well. Patience takes away all want. Your desire for the thing you wish is perhaps stronger than your desire for the will of God to be fulfilled in its arrival.

Patience takes away all weakening. Instead of having the delaying time, a time of letting go, know that God is getting a larger supply ready and must get you ready too. Patience takes away all wobbling. "Make me stand upon my standing" (Daniel 8:18, margin). God's foundations are steady; and when His patience is within, we are steady while we wait. Patience gives worship. A praiseful patience sometimes "long-suffering with joyfulness" (Col. 1:11) is the best part of it all. "Let (all these phases of) patience have her perfect work" (James 1:4), while you wait, and you will find great enrichment.
--C. H. P.

Hold steady when the fires burn,
When inner lessons come to learn,
And from this path there seems no turn
"Let patience have her perfect work."
--L.S.P.

Sunday 24th February

It has been a few days since an update and I do apologise if you have been waiting to hear news about our court date. We found out yesterday that we shall have court TOMORROW and we are so very grateful!!! This court date will only be for Elijah's case because Hajarah's is complete and just needing the verbal consent and then the written. We are praying for the Judge's favour and of course we have peace that the outcome will be the Lord's and it does not matter what man says, if God desires Elijah to be in our family then He will open the door. We leave the matter in His hands and know that either way He will be glorified through this situation. We will meet at the court room at 11.00 am and hopefully not wait all day until we can see the Judge. We pray that everyone will attend who needs to be there, the witnesses and Probation officer and that no one is sick. We shall update you all as soon as we can.

I have to be honest I am getting a little weary of asking for prayers for our health but it seems like it is one thing after another and we are praying for a let up from all this sickness. PLEASE continue to pray for us and especially Caleb who is still dealing with some allergies. He has broken out in hives three times now in the last two days which only last about 20 minutes and then they went away! It is very strange!! Then today during worship at church, Caleb had a really bad dizzy spell where he lost his vision and had to sit down and went very pale. Jeff left the service with another american friend and headed to The Surgery where blood work was done on Caleb to see if he is anemic, (that was our first though because our diet has been appalling for the last week) or if he was having a reaction to the malarone. The Dr's there said he not anemic and there was nothing else to detect in his blood work and they do not think it is the malarone because we have been taking it for two and a half weeks now without side effects. The Dr did say that he was dehydrated still and needs to eat more protein so today we have been trying harder to give our children more. We have been so fearful of eating any meat and have only eaten beans, cheese and some canned tuna once.

We are so thankful for each one of you who is praying for us during this time. We have never in all our lives relied on the power of prayer as we are at this time!! We are absolutely dependent upon the intercession that you will all offer to God on our behalf! We believe that prayer moves mountains and there is such a spiritual battle here so intense that sometimes it is so hard to bear!! Please ask the Lord to surround us with legions of angels to protect us all from anything that would cause us harm. We pray for peace that surpasses all knowledge and guards our hearts so that we shall know His will.  We ask you to pray that our process will not be delayed any further but actually will move along quickly so that we can all leave as a family on the 28th March! Thank you for the prayers that have been spoken already for our family and please keep praying!! You will never know how grateful we are for your prayers! We want to stand together with you all and see the Lord do a miracle for our family tomorrow! 

What are our little crosses, our light, momentary afflictions, to that great crown, that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, for which, by them, we are being prepared? All our sufferings, as well as our faith and joy, are gifts of our Father's love. It is given us on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe, but also to suffer for His sake. Then let us receive all our grievous things from the hand of God thankfully, and ask for grace to endure them meekly and patiently, and to improve them wisely and faithfully. For not the least evil we thus receive from God, endure from men, and improve to the glory of Christ, but shall be to our perfect and eternal advantage. Anne Dutton

Monday 25th February

We really wish that we could have shared good news with you all today regarding court, especially because we know how much you have all been praying and interceding on our behalf. We arrived at the court house at 11.00 and waited until 4.30 hoping to be seen by the Judge. Unfortunately we were not seen much to our disappointment. Everything with Hajarah's case is good and we should be getting the verbal soon and then written. But Elijah's case is more complicated. It is an ethical adoption but there are issues surrounding it which I cannot really get into. I hope that you will understand and still continue to pray for us and that if the Lord wants us to have legal guardianship of Elijah that nothing will prevent this from happening. We have always held both these children very lightly knowing that nothing is a guarantee until the US Embassy grant us their visas. We could even be given LG (legal guardianship) from the Judge and still be denied visas if the paperwork is not correct. This is why things take a long time and why most families end up staying for a couple of months.

We all feel very weary this evening but trying not to lose hope in the One who is our hope. God has His reasons for allowing all this to happen just the way it has. We don't know why and we don't have the answers. Our minds have played out all the different scenarios of why this has happened but honestly we do not know. Many of you have reminded us that the things we have experienced are not a surprise to God. He knew that we would go through these difficulties and we hope He is using them to make us stronger and to increase our faith in the things that are unseen. We will continue to move forward into the unseen not knowing the outcome and guarding our hearts in case the Judge decides not to grant us LG. We have Elijah with us again and he is absolutely adorable and it is hard not to be smitten with this precious little boy. We desperately want God's will whatever that means, even if it is to leave without him. Our hearts would be crushed especially for his future with sickle cell disease but we must trust God.

The next step is to wait again for another court date. If we do not get one this week (which seriously would take an absolute miracle) then it will be in two weeks time because the Judge is apparently away all next week! So once again we are asking for more miracles and mountains to be removed! We know that with God anything is possible! We know that whatever is God's will shall comes to pass and not even man can stand in the way. Our lawyer is going to be meeting with the Judge tomorrow so please pray that he would give us favour!! Personally I am tempted to be like the widow who persistently knocked at the Judge's door until he answered her! If only we knew where he lived ……… ;) BUT we know the One who lives in Heaven and we shall continue to knock until we receive an answer from our Father. So please knock with us as we seek His will to be done!!

Caleb is doing better. He is now taking antihistamine pills that the Dr gave him for the next ten days and he has not had any more hives. We are thankful for that. He does seem a bit tried and grumpy this evening which might be the effects of the medicine. He is drinking loads now and I think that he had such a scare with almost passing out that he is afraid of it happening again. Our tummies are doing better and we are trying to eat safely but as healthy as we possibly can.

Once again, we are thankful for all your prayers and the sacrifices you are making on behalf of our family through prayer, support and even finances which many of you have given to help our family with the adoption. We feel really united to you all and hope that you know that you are sharing this adventure with us in spirit and this mission to bring these children home, should this be His will.

We look forward to seeing what God will do for these children!! 

Tuesday 26th February


We just got off the phone with our friend in the States who helps families when they get stuck in the US visa process here after they have passed court. She encouraged us and said that both children qualify as orphans and we should have no trouble and it should be okay also for us to have had two different Judges do both children. We have hope. Right now the lawyer is trying to get another Judge to take Elijah's case. It is actually the Judge who we were supposed to have in the first place. He is much more sympathetic about cases like Elijah where children have a need to be adopted because of health issues. If he agrees to see us we pray for a miracle that it would be this week otherwise he is away next week and so it will be the week after!! Then we have to wait for the verbal and then the written which can take two more weeks. We would be running out of time but if it is God's will for me to stay then so be it.  The Judge who is going to grant Mercy's case has refused to have anything more to do with Elijah's because of the lies that have been told. It is complicated and we can share more when we see you. We love this little boy. He is doing so well with us and is such a happy smiling boy!! He is congested and rattling in his chest but he is not fussy at all!! The children love him and I know it is going to break all our hearts if the Lord says no!

Please pray that God would open the door for us to have court this week…. what a miracle it would be!!




Wednesday 27th February

So much of what makes a great day is a great attitude. In the last two days since we had another 'bad' court day, we have really had to lay our wills down at the Father's feet. So much of our frustration has come with trying to be on our schedule rather than God's. From our viewpoint we see many obstacles that need to be removed and miracles that would need to happen for our family to leave together at the end of March. Panic arises and we become overwhelmed. We have finally had to just let go of our schedule and desire for things to go according to our plan and trust the Lord with His plan, (which is always better than ours). We need to get on His timeframe and not worry about the outcomes. We also need to stop looking around us and comparing our process with the other families who are here. God has His own path prepared for us which is unique for our family and it is the path that will give Him the most glory. One of our greatest failings is to compare ourselves with others because bitterness can take root in our hearts if we are not careful. So we have surrendered to Jesus and as a result we had a wonderful day yesterday!! We did not hear from the lawyer, nor do we have any idea of when court will be or if the Judge will even hear us regarding Elijah's case but because our minds are stayed on Him and not our circumstances, then we have the victory regardless of the outcome! We want the Lord glorified no matter what happens!! My friend Jenny sent me the following devotionals which really ministered to us this morning;

Matthew 9:28  “When He entered the house, the blind men approached Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe I can do this?””

We can always hope and pray diligently for a miracle.  If in God’s sovereignty He chooses to accomplish His purposes another way, let it not be that we “have not” because we “ask not” (James 4:2) or because we believe not.

If you dare to believe and yet don’t get your miracle, God has a greater one planned.  If what you desperately need or deeply desire is founded in the Word of God, don’t let anyone tell you that God can’t or that He undoubtedly won’t.  Remove the wonders from God, and you can no longer call Him wonderful.  Has He ceased to be wonderful to you?

 Mark 2:12  “As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying “We have never seen anything like this!”

With all my heart, I believe God is willing to perform outstanding miracles in our generation as we increase our faith.  I have and will continue to ask God to perform wonders on behalf of my loved ones and those whom I serve.

At the same time, I also believe that the greatest miracle of all is glory coming to the Father through mortal creatures.  If God can gain glory through the miracle I’ve requested, hallelujah!  If I don’t get my miracle but God gets greater glory, I believe I received the greater miracle with the most eternal dividends.  We are most blessed when God is most glorified.

In faith, we took the children yesterday for their medicals to a place known as IOM. The Lord had gone before us and allowed us to have a very smooth process. It was nice for something to work out so wonderfully for a change :). Hajarah had to have a TB test which was not a pleasant experience for her! Jeff had to hold her tight as she screamed the place down and shouted something in Luganda which might have been "save me these crazy muzunga's are trying to kill me!" Thankfully she recovered from her ordeal but I do think it will be a nightmare when she has to have shots back in the USA!! (Sorry Sherri, be prepared for some major screaming in your office when we come in :) ). On the whole, Hajarah continues to make great strides with our family. We had some tears yesterday, she just sat crying silently and we are not sure why but I know it won't be the last time this happens. She will really grieve when we leave her country and everything she has ever known. We know it will not be easy for her and I personally understand the depths of heartache that come with leaving your country, family and friends! But God will help us and give us wisdom to help her come through the transition.

Elijah has grafted into our family like he has always been here! We are amazed by how well he is doing. He is such a happy baby, always smiling and rarely cries, mostly when he sees me leave the room. He allows every one to hold him and the children are already bonding with him. Oh it will not be easy if the Lord says no!! He is a great sleeper although early this morning he banged himself in the crib and woke up. I took him out and held him but he was not about to let me put him down after that. I have a feeling that he realised what it was like to have a mother come to him when he cries and hold him. So he ended up in the bed with us and it is amazing how much room a 16 month old can take up in a very large king size bed!! So precious! He also has a great appetite and is not fussy at all with anything that we give him to eat. We did learn that day in court that Elijah has not been receiving the antibiotics every day like we were told. We have started him on amoxicillin  every day and also giving him something for his congestion. We shall see some improvement with his health I am sure. The Lord knows that this precious little boy needs medical care and we are trusting Him to the Lord. 

We actually feel like we are just beginning to enjoy our time here in Uganda. It was three weeks ago today already when we boarded the plane to bring us here! We are all on the mend, eating better and planning to go to a craft market today to see the wares! Caleb is doing really well and the meds are working for him. Praise the Lord!! We even had a friend who lives in Raleigh and is here on a trip, bring us some supplies over. He came to our apartment yesterday and it was lovely to see a familiar face! He has adopted a little boy from the same orphanage as Elijah who also has sickle cell and so this family have been a huge support to us and given us much advice!

Your prayers are being heard!! We must never think that God's delays are His denials, He is just preparing the stage for His glory to be revealed even more so than if things had all gone according to our plan. We are going to embrace this crazy ride we are on instead of trying to get off it! We are in the best place and we are in the very center of His will. Peace passes all understanding and right now we do not need to understand but trust and believe!!

Saturday 2nd March

This week has been much better because of our perspective and attitude and we have made the best of difficult circumstances. One praise report to share is that our IOM (medical) experience was much more pleasant than we were expecting. Yesterday we went back to have Hajarah's TB test checked and all was well. We were literally in and out in just 20 minutes which was a surprise since we had heard that families wait for hours. The Lord blessed us and we are thankful that something turned out so well after all the disappointing set backs we have had. 

I feel that it is time to share a little more about why there have been setbacks because we desperately need your prayers this weekend. We need to see some movement and I hope that by sharing you will understand the situation better and be able to pray specifically. I will not share too many details because we are trying to be gracious and forgiving. (We really need to forgive and let go of all the hurt in our hearts…… what a test this is)! Please pray for us in this, especially for me since I am the one who has had the relationship with this person more so and I now feel very let down by them. 

One of the things I have heard when dealing with Ugandans is that they will tell you whatever you want to hear. I have followed the stories of other families for two years and heard this same story over and over again. However it is a different matter when experiencing it yourself. We really do love Ugandans and I am not saying that everyone is this way because there are some very sweet people here who are sincere but many who even profess to be Christians are not as sincere especially when dealing with adoptions and 'Muzungas' (white people). Another thing to keep in mind is that everything takes so much longer than the time frame they give you. This I already knew before coming here; when we are told that we should expect to hear something by a certain day, it actually means the following week. As Westerners this can be very difficult to accept and cause much frustration. We are learning now to expect further delays and this has helped us not to get our hopes up but to know that we shall be waiting longer. It is part of their culture and to be fair, there are somethings here which do make delays more possible because life here is hard and they do not have the technology that we do in the west. So with all this in mind, it should not be a surprise to us that we are caught up in many more delays for a court date as we wait for the Judge to decide if and when he will see our family. 

We do ask for your prayers specifically for this. We were told that we would hear about our court date yesterday and around 10.00pm we finally heard from our lawyer that they have promised to give us a date for either next week or early the week after. Nothing is definite still and we are expecting that court will be the week after. We are trying to be realistic and yet still be optimistic that God can do the impossible and give us a court date next week. We are really asking for your prayers for this. You all have so much faith and sometimes it is easier for others to pray who are not in the midst of the difficulty. We love hearing about your perspective in all this which helps us to lift our eyes to Jesus and see things differently. 

I do need to clarify that our lawyer has been great and the setbacks are not his fault. He is working hard to help our family through this and he truly believes that Elijah's case is very good and ethical and that he does need to be adopted. He is a sincere man and full of integrity and his reputation precedes him. He is known to be very ethical and will not compromise just for the sake of a faster process for families which some lawyers will do. He is very aware of the problem that became apparent in our case for Elijah and he was not aware of it before we appeared in court which was part of the problem. We know that God led us to work with this man and we trust that God will be glorified through our relationship with him. 

Without getting into too many details, I do want you all to be aware of the reason why we are having problems with our court date. Our initial court date was on the 14th Feb with Judge M. He was too busy to see us and so our family was asked to return the next day. When we returned the Judge had changed to Judge K. (I do not know what their real names are and in the adoption world, most families refer to them as this). Judge K is much more thorough with the paperwork and he saw something which caused him to ask more questions. It was something that our family nor the Judge was aware of. He wanted more paperwork and so we waited for over a week to see him again but no more paperwork was provided. Therefore he cannot proceed with this case. So our lawyer has had to refile with the other Judge (who was actually the Judge we were filed with initially and should have seen) and ask if he will see our case with Elijah. Hajarah's case is fine with no issues at all but we are still waiting for our verbal approval with her and it has been over two weeks now. We also ask for prayers that we will get a date this week for her case so that we can appear before Judge K for the verbal and then hopefully wait another week for the written. The Lord had allowed these unfortunate circumstances for reasons we do not understand yet but we hope that all will end well. Our children have already been in tears with the thought of not being able to bring Elijah home. It would really break our hearts not just because we love him but because he is in need of medical care and we have already seen an improvement in the last four days since he has been on the antibiotics. The thought of putting him back in the orphanage grieves our hearts!

We really need your prayers for favour with the Judge and also for a court date next week. At this point we will only have three weeks before Jeff and the other children leave to finish all the rest of the paperwork. After the initial court date, it usually takes a week for the verbal, then another week for the written, then about two weeks for the passport and a week for the visa process. Our family also has an extra process of obtaining visitor visas for the UK for the two children from Uganda which we are hoping they will expedite for us. Other wise that would take three weeks!! So if we have court this week, we are looking at another five weeks still for everything to be accomplished and that is if there are no more delays :). Our timing is in God's hands and we hope and pray that He will be gracious to our family and move mountains so that the process moves along quickly. I am preparing myself for the possibility that I will be here on my own after the 28th March. 

Please do not share nor forward any of the information we have disclosed to you. We must be careful what we share because it could hinder our process. I have held back many more details of our case for this reason but feel that I can let you know this much so that you can all pray more specifically for us. We feel like we are in a battle and it can be overwhelming at times. We greatly appreciate your intercessory prayers!

Thank you again for standing in the gap with our family!!

Tuesday 5th March

As we wait for news of our court date, I thought it was time to have a little fun and share our experiences aside from all those adoption-related!! Uganda is a beautiful country filled with beautiful people who have far more hope than we do most of the time! For those who have not visited the 'Pearl of Africa' which was named by Winston Churchill, I hope to share some interesting facts which will hopefully paint a very vivid picture for you all. After all, you may like to know where we have been living for the past month and you may be curious about the culture and lifestyle here. So here are a few of our observations………..

1. The sun always shines, it is always warm but not too hot and there is often a breeze….. it really has a pleasant climate. 

~ Unfortunately there is often a stink that comes wafting in the breeze….. seriously you have to be here to experience that!

2. There are hills and valleys, beautiful tropical flowers everywhere you go.

~ With all those tropical flowers around, it is no wonder there are many unusual bugs to observe! I tried to sit outside on a balcony one morning for my quiet time and had to eventually move inside! Unidentifiable creatures!!

3. I am loving being on the right (well the left) side of the road again!! It feels normal :)

~ However, the traffic here is super crazy, there is no system in place, (there are laws but no one obeys them) so cars and boda bodas weave in-between each other in a fight to get where they need to be. Seat belts are not enforced and several drivers we have had, do not wear theirs either. Boda Bodas are so unsafe, Jeff rode one once and said never again! He held his breath the whole time. Our driver has seen three Muzunga's dead on the side of the road and he has lost count how many Ugandans he has seen dead! (They are a very cheap mode of transport though)!

4. Ugandans are very friendly, respectful and polite.

~ However if you attempt to take their photo, they will surely become very cross and even ask you for money! One very cross lady threw her stick bundle from her head which she was carrying and stood yelling at us in Luganda. We thought she looked amazing carrying her bundle which is why we wanted a photo, but we have since learned that they think you will use their picture against them or for money and they would rather look their best if you want to take a picture. 

5. There are many who profess a belief in Jesus Christ here. There is an abundance of scripture on buildings, taxi's and businesses. Every time we go somewhere, I am always encouraged by a scripture that I read or a phrase like, 'God is able'!!

~ However just like any other country there are also many false doctrines and false teachers here who are using others for their own financial gain. 

6. There is an abundance of smells which I can only leave to your imagination….. some which are pleasant are burning smells and the aroma of food roasting.

~ However no sooner are you enjoying one smell, another one will hit you which is not as appealing, often the smell of death or sewerage. Pollution is huge here and and if you get stuck in traffic with no AC in the car, it can make you feel sick.

7. Food shopping is actually a very pleasant experience which is a good thing since Jeff is pretty much at the store every day getting more water, bread and other basic necessities. Many of the foods we recognise because they are imported from the UK so it helps us to feel quite at home, especially since it looks like I will not be home as soon as we hoped. 

~ However, note to self, always wash any dry goods before cooking them, dried beans, lentils etc, just in case there are a few bugs…… oh yes… there always are bugs!

8. Thankful for bottled water!! Something we take for granted at home has become our lifesaver here!! We use it to stay hydrated, to brush our teeth with, to fill the kettle for lots of tea and coffee and also for cooking! We never realised how much water we use in one day!!

~ Taking showers and baths never leave you feeling clean. The water can be brown and sometimes has a sulfur smell to it. Washing my hair feels pointless most of the time :)!! But at least we have warm water where we are staying and a shower that works!! The simple things in life mean so much. 

9. It is still possible to wash your clothes just like your Granny did…… without a washing machine! Jeff has been hand washing all our clothes in the bath. He is amazing!!

~ However in doing so I think he has lost about ten pounds in sweat alone!! We have only been here a month but the thought of putting everything in a machine and pressing a button seems so luxurious!!

10. Time keeping is nonexistent here. As a result everyone is so much more laid back which is so nice compared to the busy schedules we live in the West. It has been relaxing to wake up and to have to rush out the door for anything or have to start school at a particular time. I could get used to this!

~However, it is important to keep this in mind when you are waiting for certain people to turn up for important meetings! Very frustrating if you are not prepared for at least a two hour wait!

11. In the midst of so much poverty, sickness, disease and death, there are always smiling faces filled with HOPE. In the short time we have been here, we have witnessed death for ourselves when our driver Jimmy died, leaving his wife and young children. I know the stories of the children we are hoping to adopt and they are also heart breaking. It is a constant reminder of all that they do not have and all that we are blessed with. How can we complain about anything when our sufferings are so small in comparison?

12. Ugandans love big families and have many, many children.

~However, it is usually because the men often have more than one wife and sometimes have many wives! 

13. Uganda really does have the BEST avocados in the world!!! And mangoes, pineapple and bananas!! The great thing about these is that they have peel on so we don't have to worry about getting sick from eating them if they have been washed in contaminated water. My children also love jack fruit now too. These are huge green basket ball size fruits that grow on trees and have a sticky texture inside. 

14. Isaac's loves the fact that to be called 'fat' is a compliment!! The culture here views people who are thin as very unhealthy and the fatter a person is, the more healthy they are regarded! Makes sense!!

15. Caleb's noticed that there are some really big houses here and close by are some really poor shacks and homes that would not be viewed as a house in the West. 

16. Eliana likes the people because they are friendly and there are always people everywhere in the streets. It really is nice to see people walking the streets and doing life together. We miss that community feel that is hard to find in the States. 

Continuing to believe that God has a plan in all of this!!! He has been reminding me of the story of Joseph and how many awful things were allowed to happen to him which were not his fault but the sins of others. It seemed as though everything was against him and that his dreams were all wrong! But God was with him the entire time and gave him favour and when the time was right, God moved him from the prison to the palace!! I cannot stop believing that God has a plan in all of this which is far greater than the plan we had. 

Thursday 7th March

Thank you again for all your prayers. I know that God is hearing every cry that is spoken to Him on our behalf. He is using so many of you to bring encouragement and even healing in this time. Our hearts have been crushed and our hopes deferred but we know that when the desire comes to pass, it will be a tree of life!

Today we heard from our lawyer about when our next court date will be. Monday18th March. This is not when we hoped it would be. Personally we wanted it last week, then hoped it would be this week then resolved that it will be next week, but now we know it will be the week after that.  God's ways are not our ways and for whatever reason He is allowing this, I pray it is so that He will receive even more glory through it!! Honestly, we are so disappointed and frustrated. Nothing can be done until we have court, have the verbal ruling and then the written. We cannot start the passport process until we have the written consent for legal guardianship. The entire process has been a surprise to us but it has not been a surprise to our Lord. If we pass court and all goes well that day, we have 10 days until we are supposed to fly to the UK. It is looking more and more unlikely that we will be leaving then. God can do anything before now and then and how we wish He would!! I wrote the following to a friend today;  STILL believing God for a miracle but knowing that sometimes the miracle that takes place in the heart is the one that God is wanting to do!!

As I have said before, attitude is everything. If you had talked to us earlier in the day when we found out about this date, we would have cried and vented our frustration! We are not super spiritual and struggle many times and have moments when we wonder why God is allowing all this to happen.  The Lord gently reminds us in those moments that He will never leave us nor forsake, that He is in full control and has a purpose in all of this. It is usually then I know I must accept, surrender and relinquish my plan for His even if I like my plan much better ;)! ( I am being very honest). Then a peace which does surpass all understanding comes upon me, and I am suddenly now okay with all of this when earlier today I was not! I am so glad that when we  ask God to take our hurts and disappointments that he does. Please pray for us that we will remain at peace and keep a great attitude through all of this. God will bring us through this time. He will not let us down and I hope you will all continue to remind us of these truths when we the enemy comes in like a flood and we feel defeated!  Please pray that God will be gracious and not give us more than we can bear. Please pray for my fears of something else terrible happening while we are here. I have been struggling with some anxiety since everyone became sick and the evenings are the worst when fear will rise. Please pray for Lydia who just two days ago banged her head and then threw up and now has diarrhea. I am sure the head bang and sickness are not related but it seems like the slightest sickness sends my mother heart into a worry! I have never struggled with so much fear as I have in these last four weeks. I know that fear is not of the Lord and I must rest in Him.

It was four weeks ago today when we landed at the hot, crowded airport in entebbe and made our way to Kampala. We had no idea that we would still be waiting for a court date three weeks later for Elijah's case. We had no idea it would be this hard. We have decided to make the most of next week and do some things if we can. To be honest, we have been staying inside many days waiting for news of another court date. We plan to keep ourselves busy all next week just to help redeem the time here so that we are not missing what God has planned. 

One GOOD news to share is that we did finally receive the verbal ruling for Hajarah. We are now waiting on the written but we have been advised not to move ahead with her process until Elijah's is done. I also want to share that we have decided to change her name and have actually been calling her Mercy Love for the last two weeks. We can officially announce her new name now that we have the verbal. We do love the name Hajarah but there are a couple of reasons why we felt it necessary to change it. It is a muslim name and while the meaning in Arabic is something like 'hot sunny day' the Hebrew means 'abandoned and forsaken'. We do not want her to grow up feeling like she was abandoned and forsaken when she is dearly loved by God her Father who has a plan for her! Also we learned that we were not saying her name right! The way it is spoken here is much different  than the way we were saying it and does not sound as nice. We always had a name on our hearts, 'Mercy' and when we were staying at the guesthouse where the Director lives, we asked him what he thought. He shared with us how muslims when they become Christians often change their names anyway. So he asked her if she wanted her name changed and what she thought to Mercy. She loves it! We know how hard it can be for an older child to have their name changed. I read many articles on the matter and asked many other adoptive parents for their advise. We prayed and only wanted to do what was best for her. Some children actually prefer to have their new parents name them because it helps them feel like they are a part of a family. 

We have been doing school every day this week which has been helpful to do something normal. Mercy showed us how she can write all her letters and numbers and I actually realised that she is far more advanced in her learning than Lydia! I really thought that I would be starting with the basics with her but she is well ahead of Lydia which will be so helpful when they start up school together. Mercy is a very bright girl and in many ways she is the opposite to everything I thought she would be! I assumed that she would be very quiet and shy…….. not at all, she is quite loud, very outgoing and friendly and full of fun. I thought that Lydia would be the dominant one but this is not the case. Mercy will hold her own. I saw her fly at Lydia one day and grab her because Lydia was going through Mercy's back pack looking for something that was hers! Oh boy, we are going to have fun with these two! I also thought that Mercy would not be very affectionate but she is so loving and wants to give kisses all the time. I thought she would be shy with her older siblings but this is not the case at all! She loves her brothers and Eliana and will pout and cry if she is told to leave them alone especially when they are trying to do school!  She does have a very strong will but she is certainly pliable which gives us hope!

I will leave you all with a picture of our children together. We are believing in faith that God will make a way for us to adopt Elijah. He is sweet baby and so attached to his mama, :). Still waiting for the giardia to clear up, but praise the Lord the stink has gone!! We have been told that it can take several courses of medicine for this to be fully cleared up. 

Saturday 9th March

We have been so encouraged by all your emails and words of wisdom. There have been so many revelations that God has showed us through many of you. We feel as though we open up the emails and read and say, "oh my, the Lord has spoken again to us……." and so many times the same words or scripture is given!! God is truly on the throne and we have so much more peace this morning about His timing and provision and plan.

This morning we were woken by the loudest and strangest thunderstorm we have ever heard. (I thought they were pretty bad in New Jersey and North Carolina)! As a girl growing up in the UK, we do not have huge thunderstorms like you do in the States, lots of rain though but not much thunder. Here in Uganda the sky rumbles and thunders continuously without any pause whatsoever! I had to jump out of bed and go and look out the window at the sky and view the flashes in the clouds! Awesome and how our thoughts always go to the greatness of God during thunderstorms. It is encouraging to realise that in the midst of the storm we can have peace. I began to read my emails shortly after and all your encouraging words and whilst listening to the booming above, I read these words from a lady named Meg who I have never met but who is praying for our family fervently……. You are right in the storm. I can almost see it. Do not lose faith. Nothing is impossible with God! You were right Meg, we were right in a literal storm too!! It certainly made the image much more real.


Over the last week we have received Psalm 27: 13-14 four times, mostly from you. God has been reminding us of the work He does when we wait on Him and how He binds our will to His during the wait. We can actually testify that this is what God is doing in our hearts at this time. We are excited, (much more than we were yesterday) to see His power working in our hearts. We are so excited that He is settling us and giving us His peace in this time. We have a joy that can only come from Him and a faith that everything is going to work for His glory. We don't want to miss anything He is trying to teach us, we don't want to resist His time just to have our own way only to realise that His way is always better. We are letting go of all our expectations and plans and resting without worrying.

Two words of encouragement I read this morning about worry……..

Do Not Worry
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? " ~ Matt. 6:25-27 ~

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Phil 4:6-7

I also want to mention that the fact that the Judge has agreed to hear our case is wonderful news! Yesterday we lost sight of this because we were so sad that the date was not sooner. But our children all declared how wonderful this was because it means that we have the chance to be heard and adopt Elijah!! Out of the mouth of babes! Our children are taking this so well, in fact much better than we are. They are so excited to be here and are loving and embracing the adventure they are on even in the midst of the sickness they have had. We are praising the Lord for this and know that God is using these experiences in their lives to change them too. They have actually declared that they are in no hurry to leave yet!

Continuing to pray for the gifts of the Spirit to abound in our lives!!

(later in the same day)…..

Sometimes there is only one thing which will help to make a difficult situation much better, a treat at the local coffee shop, Cafe Javas for a good cup of coffee and a bowl of ice cream!  Today was a GOOD day! We spoiled the children with ice cream sundaes and Jeff and I had affogatos (coffee with a scoop of vanilla ice cream)! It is the simple things in life which help to make our day even brighter. I have not seen our children so thankful for ice cream. Mercy loves ice cream so she will fit in well with our family but Elijah pulled a funny face as all babies do and then refused to try anymore! Hopefully he will grow to like it in time! 

We ran a few errands for more water and basic groceries and then returned home to Skype with friends back home. So thankful for Skype!! It always feels as though you literally just visited with the people you 'saw' through this amazing world of technology. If anyone else wants to Skype with us, we'd love to set up a time to do so!! 

Elijah is really coming out of his shell. When we first met him, he was mellow and very lethargic. He was quiet, barely cried, nor made any noises and he would only sit or crawl. Now he is all over the place and looks like he is ready to walk. He has already taken a few steps on his own and wants to hold our hands and cruise around. He smiles all the time and now babbles and calls me 'mama' and also calls little mummy Eliana 'mama' too! He is also letting us know what he wants and the moment he sees food, he starts to fuss. He is crazy about balls and will try to kick the ball while crawling at the same time…. very hilarious. He loves his bath now; the first two times he would not sit down in the water and when his rubber ducky came swimming towards him, he screamed in fear! It was really quite funny. We have also learned that he does not like hairy things! He about lost it entirely when Lydia showed him her My Little Pony with its wild mane and tail all over the place!  This picture was taken just after Lydia showed it to him during one of the times when we were waiting in court. I have never laughed so much! You can see he has his eye on the pony on the table.

Monday 11th March

After a visit to the US Embassy this morning our family are certainly in need of Godly counsel and prayers. We wanted to know if I could apply for Mercy and Elijah's US visas even though I am not a US citizen. They informed us that I can do this which means that Jeff can leave on the 28th with three of our children, Caleb, Eliana and Lydia. (Isaac may stay on here with me to help me out). Jeff signed some documents and they took a copy of his passport in preparation for the possibility of him leaving. We are not sure what to do and are really asking and praying for God's wisdom. We would love to know you are praying for us in this and we do value all your wisdom and counsel also. 

Our reasons for wanting him to leave are;

 ~ For our children to not endure anymore sickness. It looks like I could be in country for another 5-6 weeks after Jeff leaves in two weeks. We believe that God can do a miracle but we are also being realistic about this long, unpredictable process.

~ Financially, it costs money to change our flights and more money for our whole to family to stay on here. 

~ Our family had planned to spend 6 weeks with family and friends in the UK before heading to the US. It looks like I will be missing most of the 6 weeks we had hoped to spend there and as much as my heart aches that it has turned out this way, I do not want my kids to miss out too. (This is why we are also torn regarding Isaac. He desperately wants to spend time with his Granny and to see his Grandad again for the first time in three years. I want him to leave but I could also do with his help here). 

Jeff does not have peace about leaving. Naturally he does not want to leave me here alone to figure all this out. I know that with God's help I will be okay and will have the support of other adoptive families here too. We need to do God's will whatever that means and we are praying for a peace. We are still hoping for a miracle and that God will be able to expedite the process so that I could travel to the UK sooner. I will also miss Lydia's 5th birthday in April. (Jeff's is also a few days after hers). Our hearts are so torn and we do not like our family being separated but must do what God wants us to do. I am also struggling with the thought of my children remaining in country still which continues to cause me much anxiety. I have never been this bad and I know that I am failing to trust the Lord in this area!  I need peace to rest in the knowledge that when we are in God's will we are safe.

We would also ask for wisdom regarding proceeding with Mercy's process or waiting until we have the written ruling for Elijah. We are supposed to receive the written this week for Mercy's case and could technically begin the passport process which takes at least two weeks. We sense we are to move forward with her case just in case God closes a door on Elijah's. It could still take two more weeks after our court date next week to get the written and that is a good case scenario! Please pray for us that God will give us wisdom. 

The last few days have been trying once again as we face many unknowns and uncertainty. We are continuing to make the best of our days by sightseeing and doing some fun things with the kids, (more about that in another email), but there always feels like there is a cloud hanging over us. This is a spiritual battle for these children and if we are honest, I would say we are so very weak right now. Please hold up our arms like Aaron and Hur did for Moses as we fight the battle together!! 

Court is one week from today… 18th March. Praying that the Judge turns up, (he has a reputation for sometimes not being there for court)! We also have court with another family the same day who are adopting from the same home that Elijah is from and also live in our area!! We have never met them but plan to do some sightseeing when they arrive this week. I know that God has ordained for our families to be at court together and I believe that in the midst of all this chaos and confusion, there is a reason for the delays. We do not understand right now but hopefully someday……

Thank you always for your prayers and the scriptures that keep coming. Please pray specifically that we would know what to do regarding our dilemmas. 

Wednesday 13th March

Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement regarding our last prayer request. We have not made a final decision yet but it does seem that Jeff will need to leave for many reasons we mentioned already but also for work. God will make it very clear in His perfect time. I am feeling much more at peace and I know much of what the Lord is doing in my heart is to help me overcome fears of the unknown. He has us here for more reasons than bringing two children into our home. He is training us to trust Him in the midst of uncertainties and therefore we are in the best place. We have been trying to embrace this time here rather the kick against it (which is the natural tendency)! The Lord has been so good to us! He has surrounded us with some great families who are also in the process of adopting and who love the Lord too!!! It is a blessing to encourage and pray for each other. If we did not have their support, we would be struggling so much more. One family I would like to mention have been here a week longer than we have and are still waiting for their passports!  (Their court process went smoothly but they have been caught up in the long wait for passports before they can apply for their visas). They are also adopting two children and have two biological children and one adopted from Ethiopia with them also. Please pray for them that they will finally receive their passports tomorrow. They have been waiting for over two weeks for them!

On Sunday we spent the evening with this family at the Ndere Troup Cultural Center for a taste of African dancing and entertainment. It was wonderful and a highlight for us all. The drums were amazing and you felt like you wanted to jump up and dance the whole time….. well we did eventually!! Our children loved the entire performance and Mercy and Elijah's eyes were huge! We drank Ugandan tea which arrived in the largest flask I have ever seen…. yes we drank it all, so good. If you have never tried this while here you have really missed out!! It has a slight ginger taste and is very milky with sugar. It does sound disgusting but it really is delicious! I cannot usually stand milky sweet tea but this is just so good. We plan to bring back many boxes of tea so that we can make you some to try and prove how good it really is!!  Below are some pictures of our night.

Friday 15th March

On Tuesday we traveled to Entebbe which is about an hour south of Kampala. There is a very small zoo there which we had heard about so we decided to visit it with another family who are here adopting also. They are a really sweet family from Oklahoma and they have two daughters who are similar ages to our children. The little boy they have come here to adopt is also from the same orphanage as Elijah and it was so sweet to see them together. We wondered if they remembered each other!

The zoo is nothing like the ones we have visited in the States and the UK but it was something to do here and truly the best part of all was when the chimpanzees were being fed with sugar cane. It was hilarious to see them all fighting for the pieces of the sticks of sugar cane and once they had gathered up several pieces, they ran and found themselves a place to hide and eat them! The noise was unbelievable but very entertaining. We also stopped at a restaurant and had some of the best pizza we have had since we were here. Such a treat! The weather was perfect because it had rained the night before, bringing a cool breeze and much cloud. Reminds me of the UK on days like that. 

Mercy and Elijah loved their time there!! Only a few times did Mercy become scared of an animal which we are discovering is quite normal for her. She did not like the snakes nor the crocodile. We borrowed the push chair from our friends to see if Elijah would ride in it. He is such a dumpling and my back is getting sore. (My friend's back is also sore form carrying her two year old around…. neither of us have had a little one for a few years)! Elijah liked the push chair so we are keeping an eye open for one here. It might be a huge help to me when I am here on my own. 

We also visited the King's Palace this past week and saw the torture chambers where many people died under the Idi Amin regime.

 How many can you fit in a car? Well if you squeeze two in the front on their Dad's lap (with a seat belt so thats not too bad) and squash five in the back seat, you can easily fit a family of 8!! Of course there is no room for car seats but who needs those here in Uganda?!! We are certainly on quite the adventure!! Not sure if we knew exactly the ride we would be on but we are making the most if it! Did you know that Uganda is the pothole capital of the world? Neither did we but now we know why!

Sunday 17th March

The last two days have been a whirlwind with much activity and entertaining……. five families we had here at our apartment and Jeff made them all spaghetti sauce and we celebrated one of our friends little girls birthday who they are adopting. We visited another market yesterday, so much fun and Watoto Church here in central Kampala this morning for church! Then this afternoon we went to visit the girl we sponsor called Sylvia through Sixty Feet which was such a blessing!! I want to share more details about today later in the week but first I do need to ask for your prayers again for Isaac.

On Friday he started to not feel well again so Jeff took him to the Surgery here and they did more blood work especially for malaria which is always a concern. The only thing they found was too much yeast in his stomach. Jeff had also taken another stool sample of Elijah to see if his giardia was gone which thankfully it is! But he also has too much yeast. We are thinking that we all probably do because we have been eating so poorly since being here. We are trying to eat more probiotics and yoghurts and yoghurt drinks but honestly not sure how much goodness they contain! Isaac was okay yesterday morning but after a day of too much activity with all the families over, he began to get a temperature and feel poorly. We started him on fever reducers just some ibuprofen and this morning he still had a fever but seemed better after a shower. We have been hesitant to start him on antibiotics because of his stomach already not been great. He was okay at Watoto but then later in the afternoon while we were visiting with Sylvia he became much worse again. He has a sore throat again, chills and temperature of anything from 100-102.8. Last night it was 103. He is so run down and his body often reacts this way when he is back home. He went to bed this evening at about 8.00 and we are praying that his fever breaks and that the Lord heals him completely!! Would you all please pray with us for him? As you know we have court tomorrow and need to be there at 12.00. We will probably be waiting until the evening to be seen and the room is hot and stuffy. It would be miserable for Isaac to be endure that if he is not well. We are really crying out to the Lord for His healing touch and power upon Isaac. Jeff and I are so very weary of all this as you can only imagine. It has been a long and rough ride and we have been trying to be faithful during this time. We immediately feel the stress and weight when our children are sick and the longing to get home is only magnified!! We are now seriously considering having Isaac leave also because the weight of him being sick again is too much for me with everything else going on. Knowing that he is there in the UK with family to refresh my children and husband and help them all recover brings much peace to my heart. I want join them and I cannot look too far ahead in the future because I become overwhelmed. One day at a time. We are just hoping and praying for a break through!!

So tomorrow is the BIG DAY and while we feel peace and are ready to face the Judge, there is still much uncertainly surrounding our day. Please do pray for the following and we shall update as soon as we are able. Our hearts right now are actually more concerned for Isaac and his health. His healing is our biggest prayer right now otherwise we are not sure what our day looks like tomorrow.

1. Isaac's healing; that his temperature would go down and stay down. Complete removal of the virus or whatever it is causing this. Wisdom to know what to do for him tomorrow during court.

2. That Judge Mukiibi would turn up for court. He is known to not turn up for several reasons. I think our hearts would break if we had anymore delays at this point. 

3. That the Judge would show us favour and grant us legal guardianship AND (this is a huge prayer request and miracle we are hoping for) that the Judge would expedite our process and give us the verbal and the written much sooner than normal. 

4. That the other children would stay healthy and have endurance for the day. Good attitudes please!

5. For Elijah who will see his bio father again. He has not seen him for three weeks and every time he does (which has been three times so far), he cries for him. It is very emotional for us all. We are expecting Elijah to cry again tomorrow but pray that the experience would not be too traumatic for him and his bio father.

6. That all the witnesses would be there. Also that all the paperwork is truly done this time. 

7. For courage for me as I face the Judge and answer his questions. Pray that he is kind to our family and sympathetic. The Judge only questions the wife.  

We are grateful for you all, knowing that you are already praying and hoping for good news tomorrow. We have met many families here also going through the process and we are all in agreement that adopting from Uganda is not for the faint of heart! Some stories we have heard are unbelievable. Many here so have quick processes and can be home in five weeks but most do not. We know that one day we shall look back on this and be thankful for al that God has done. Right now we seriously just want to get out of here. It will all be worth it when we see His plan unfold and are on the other side of the Red Sea. How our weary hearts need the faith to believe that it is going to part soon!! We are trying to rejoice before it parts and believe that we shall see a miracle!

Blessings and good night from us all!

 Monday 18th March

Because we serve a BIG God!!! Before I give more details let me just tell you that Judge Mukiibi showed up at court today and saw our family and also the other family who live so close to us in NC and EVERYTHING WENT WELL!!!! For both families!!! We are humbled and in awe of what the Lord did for us all today. It could not have gone any better!

We arrived at the court house in the midst of a storm and witnessed hailstones falling in Uganda all over the car, pounding the windscreen  like we have never heard before. The streets were flooding with brown, muddy rain water as we hurried into the building! It was just after 12.00 when we arrived and we immediately saw our friends who also live in NC! They are adopting two baby boys from the same orphanage that Elijah is from. It was a real blessing to spend time with them while we all waited together. We were finally seen at 5.00 which was much sooner than we were expecting, praising the Lord that the Judge had a Doctor's appointment this evening and therefore saw us much more quickly than we hoped. Elijah had not slept well all day. I could tell he was much more fussy than usual and as soon as entered the Judge's room, he started to cry. I had to stand up and rock him and it seemed like nothing was working until I began to sing 'Jesus loves me this I know" in his ear so very softly. Immediately he began to be quiet. Elijah's birth father was asked to testify first and much we did not understand because they spoke their language. Then the Judge called for me. He is known to address the Mother and ask many questions. I had to swear on the Bible  that I would tell the truth. He asked me my name, how old I am and how long I have been married. He asked me how many biological children I have and why I want more children. He asked me if I had any adopted children and I said yes I do from China. Then he looked at me and said, "Do you like variety and are you trying to get many different species?" I answered that I am from England and my husband is from the USA and so naturally we have a heart for other nations and love each other so also love other nations like Uganda. Our family is United Nations!" Then the Judge laughed and so did everyone else in the room. He continued to ask me if I worked and I answered that I stay at home. He went on and said, "oh I see, so you add a burden to your husband by adding all these children so he has to work harder." I said, "no he wants to add to our family too and they are not a burden." He is known to be very direct and does ask very similar questions to other families. We actually thought he was great and very humorous! He is known to have a very big heart for children! Then it was over as quickly as it began! He announced that he will give the verbal ruling this Friday which is sooner than we hoped and we shall have to turn up for court one more time to hear the verdict. Our lawyer said it went very well and we are very hopeful that he shall grant us legal guardianship for Elijah on Friday!! Our lawyer is also hoping (and we are all praying) that the written will be expedited so that we can begin on the passports before Jeff leaves. God can do anything He wants and if He desires to speed up our process at this time and help me to leave sooner than we have been anticipating then we are trusting Him to do this if this is His will. Please do pray for this for our family!!

Isaac still has a temperature but he hung in there the whole day and spent some time laying down on the stone floor and watching movies which we brought, (we came well prepared with lots of entertainment and food). Please continue to pray for his complete healing. We plan to stay home tomorrow so that he completely rest in bed until he is well.

We are so incredibly thankful for what the Lord has done and rejoice that court went well! We cannot express out thanks enough for the outpouring of love upon our family at this time. We felt  at peace the whole day and sensed the prayer that was being offered on our behalf. God has done wonders among us today just as He has done for His people in the past!! Please praise Him with today for the wonderful things He done for us!! (Psalm 126:2-3)

Today we feel as though a huge weight has lifted!!!

Tuesday 19th March

Just a quick update tonight because we are all feeling tired but grateful for a day to stay here at the apartment so that Isaac could stay in bed all day!! He has not been doing well and is still running a temperature with chills, sore throat and sweats. He really needed the rest and I spend my entire day moping his brow with a cold, icy rag, giving him fever reducer and plenty of water and loving on my biggest boy! I wish I could take his sickness from him so that he could be well! Funny how my Mum used to stay the same to me when I was a little girl and I always thought she was crazy. Now I understand!  We continue to ask for your prayers for him and that tomorrow he would begin to feel well again. He has had a rough go of things since being here and even today he was saying how he cannot wait to get to England and to Granny's house! I reminded him that it will be Easter right when they arrive and they shall be able to have a lovely dinner with Granny and my sister and brother-in-law. I think the thought of this helped him to see beyond his pain. What a lesson to me of keeping my eyes on the eternal glory and joy and not to focus on the suffering we go through today.

Please also pray for Jeff and I and that the Lord will keep us healthy too as we take care of our children. Also please pray for us spiritually as we face much oppression daily. The Lord is bringing some divine appointments since we have been here and amazing connections with other families also here. We know that all this has been orchestrated by the Lord but with that comes even more spiritual warfare. We are thankful for those who are here who are walking difficult paths and able to encourage and pray for each other through this time. God continues to go before us and prepare every single day.

I hope to update tomorrow with pictures especially from Sunday. Thank you for rejoicing with us for the good that God has done for our family!! We should not be surprised therefore when difficulties arise after seeing His glory!

Wednesday 20th March

On Sunday morning, we were blessed to attend Watoto Church with two other families also here adopting. There are 10 Watoto churches altogether here in Uganda and they are wanting to plant churches in Sudan also. There were several Chiefs there in the congregation who shared how they have seen what God has done here and feel led to bring this style of worship to their country too. We really enjoyed the worship! Amazing!! The children's choir came out also and sang which was so beautiful and I wanted them to stay on stage longer! The teaching was very good but I don't think I shall ever used to a Pastor shouting as he teaches God's word. It was so hot and stuffy and we were up on a balcony for two hours. No Ac nor fans which I don't think helped Isaac either and our friends daughter threw up afterwards. Certainly worth the visit and we would try and go again if we could but maybe sit by a door. 

It was wonderful to worship with other believers from another nation and be united in spirit! I was reminded of the time we visited the International Church in Beijing many years ago. There is something so 'heavenly' about  worshipping in other countries with believers.

This is the cup I bought at Heathrow airport right before we left for Uganda. I had packed a china tea cup from NC to take with us so that I could have my tea in own cup. Always helps to make me feel 'at home'! However, it was accidentally smashed while we waited for our flight! So unfortunately I had to buy another one at the airport price which is always more expensive but I am actually glad that I did now! I love this British phrase which originated during the war in England. I am sure most of you have seen this phrase on many things even in the States. My friend who is here adopting even sent me a necklace for my birthday which said "Keep Calm and Watch Downton Abbey" which we love!

There have been many times during the last SIX WEEKS since we left North Carolina that I have made this statement. If you would like to learn how this phrase began and was discovered, click on the link and discover the true story of "Keep Calm and Carry On". It really is a lovely story to see!!

I read this today which was posted on fb from CC Padova, Italy. A great reminder that we will pass through the spiritual waters and fires but that God will see us through. We must 'keep calm and carry on' as we walk with Him through the difficulties!!!

Isaiah had a revelation of God’s great delight in us. He prophesied, “O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:1-2).

Isaiah wasn’t talking about a literal flood or fire. He was talking about what people go through spiritually and mentally. Israel was in captivity at the time. Their floods were trials; their fires were temptations; their rivers were testings. These were all Satan’s attempts to destroy and overwhelm God’s people.

Isaiah’s words were a message of pure mercy for Israel. The people were in captivity because of their own stupidity and foolishness. But God sent them a brokenhearted prophet who said, “God wants me to tell you that you belong to him.”

Right now, you may be in the midst of your own swirling waters. You may feel overwhelmed by a trial or temptation that threatens to consume you. You’ve got to understand from these biblical examples that the Lord does not always calm the waters. He does not always keep the floods from coming or put out the fires.

Yet he does promise this: “I will walk with you through it all. This trial or circumstance will not destroy you. It won’t consume you. So, walk on. You’ll come out on the other side with me beside you.”

Last year when Jeff and I visited Uganda for the first time, we went to visit the government remand centers that we heard about through the american organization Sixty Feet. It was an unbelievable experience to see precious young children living in such awful conditions. Many are accused of minor crimes and were imprisoned in the centers, often for crimes they did not do. Others were actually dropped off by their parents or relatives for many different reasons. Like so many others back in the US, our hearts were captured by these children and we felt the Lord asking us to help in a small way. We learned about their sponsorship program and when we saw the face of Sylvia some time last year in an email and heard a little about her story, we knew we wanted to sponsor her.

Here is our meeting on Sunday with Sylvia at the school where she attends and boards. I cannot describe to you how sweet this fourteen year old!! I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and love on her forever!!  She is very quiet and shy and so very polite! She has been through so much hardship and yet has come forth like precious silver! She is a treasure in a dark place. The school is really lovely and Sylvia has the opportunity to learn many subjects, her favoutire being chemistry. She want to be a Dr when she grows up! We encouraged her to continue to work hard and give God the glory. At one point she told me that she would like to visit us in America and that is her prayer. She knows how hard it is to get visas to leave Uganda. Many can never leave for this reason. We know that God has big plans for her life and we are honoured to pray for her!  

Eliana always prays for Sylvia. We picked out a Bible and journal for her before we left America and gave them to her with a picture of our family. We told her we will write and that she can write to us also and let us know how she is doing and how we can be praying. Staff who work with Sixty Feet and live here in Uganda were also there at the school. So was Mama Catherine and Ernest who are Ugandans and work with Sixty Feet ministering to the children. On Sunday it was a special visiting day when the parents of the children and friends visit them and see how they are doing. Sylvia did not have any family members to visit her which made us so glad that we were able to go and meet her. Sylvia and many of the other children at the school were in the remand centers before moving to the school. There was one girl called Angel who we met on our last trip when we brought over journals for the girls that our church had donated. It was such a blessing to see her now living at the school instead of the terrible conditions she had lived in before at the remand center. Many of the girls gathered together in a room with the staff and Mama Catherine and Ernest shared God's word and gave an exhortation and encouragement to the children to work hard. It was a privilege to be there and despite the fact that Isaac was so ill with his fever as the afternoon wore on and had to lay down, we all agreed that it was certainly a highlight of our trip!

I also want to update you all on Isaac and let you know that he woke up this morning smiling, hungry and his temp is back down below 100!! He is feeling so much better and we are so thankful for answered prayers. He is taking some medication for the yeast in his stomach which did make him feel nauseous yesterday but today he did not feel sick when he took it again. Hopefully this will remove the yeast. Today we are resting again, doing home school, Jeff is working and the littles have been making crafts with stickers and paper. Elijah is into everything and taking more and more steps on his own. He will be walking so soon. He is laughing and full of joy! We are blessed to have such a happy baby to say he is not a well child! Mercy ran into the door last night right before we had friends coming over and she screamed. The bump on her head was huge and I scooped her up and held her while Jeff ran to get ice from our freezer, (such a blessing to have ice now). She cried over and over again. "Mammy, mammy" and clung to me tightly and as much as my heart broke for her, it was a moment that I cherished. Mercy does not usually come over to me for a hug like she does for Jeff or the boys. I know it will take time for her to bond with me and I am sure that the time alone with her in Uganda after everyone has left will be when she hopefully learns to trust me. 

So thank you for all your all prayers for Isaac. Hopefully this will be the last of the sickness before they head home in a week. We have much to do in preparation for their departure and we know this next week will fly by! Still hopeful that our process will speed up now that we have had court. The poem form Streams in the desert below was such a an encouragement to us this morning. We continue to sing His praises and are learning that as we wait we will mount up on wings as eagles!!

Friday 22nd March

We received the verbal ruling today for Elijah!!! The Judge said  YES!!!! He is officially our little boy and we have guardianship of  both him and Mercy now. Praise the Lord!! We only waited for an hour and then it turned out we did not end up going in to see the Judge  because our lawyer said it would have turned into a ceremony and it  was quicker for him to just go in and hear on his own. We were fine  with that. We are so thankful for God's grace and blessing to allow us to be their parents!!!! It feels great to be finished with that stage and now we wait for the written which hopefully will not take too long. Thank you so much for your prayers!!! Wish we could give you all hugs for being such great prayer warriors and supporters!!

This boy LOVES his Daddy's spaghetti bolognese…. so thankful because we have this a lot in our home!!  Jesus cares about every detail in our lives!! Love seeing reminders like this when we are stuck in traffic jams. 

Tuesday 26th March

I have been quiet for two days while we waited to know if the Judge would sign our written court order which is needed before we can apply for the passport. Yesterday was so discouraging. Dear friends of ours offered to watch all the children except for Mercy and Elijah so that we could go to our lawyers office and run errands. Jeff and I sat for several hours at the lawyers waiting while his assistant ran over to the court house to keep checking if the written had been signed. The first problem was that the Judge did not turn up until 4.00 and Isaac's office closed at 5.00. So needless to say we ended up leaving at 5.00 with the hope that the Judge may sign it before this morning. 

We also stopped by the UK embassy to ask as few questions about the UK visas, one was regarding the possibility of having them expedited. They informed us that they could not do this and it would take three weeks. Ugh! We don't have three weeks, time is running out. There is a very slim possibility that may complete them sooner especially because our circumstances are quite unique and I am almost positive they will not have had many (if any) cases like ours. If we had a letter from a Dr in the UK stating Elijah's medical condition and an appointment, then they will expedite it for us. We would need a Dr to be willing to do this for our family so that we are able to leave sooner and have Elijah checked over by him which would not be a bad thing really. So we left the embassy very discouraged and deflated! We went home yesterday feeling really emotional. The reality began to sink in that Jeff and my children are leaving on Thursday and I do not know when I shall be joining them. It could be many more weeks and the thought of being separated from them all, brought me to tears last night when I went to bed. It is more the thought of not seeing them all for so long that is crushing me rather than actually staying here in Uganda. Oh and missing all the sweet joys of being home also after three years! I cried out to the Lord for His help and strength to get through this and I know there will be many more days that I will cry out to Him.

This morning our friends came round again to watch the children at our apartment, (they have 5 of their own btw)! They are also the couple (The Beatty's) who are still waiting for their passports and we hope that tomorrow is the day for them so please remember them in your prayers also. There is also another family we have been able to get to know who are still waiting for their verbal from the Judge and they have had some delays also. Please pray for the R family. 

We decided to pack and organise our bags while we waited again to hear from our lawyer's office. By 3.00 things did not seem hopeful once again. The Judge had not even shown up again. I decided to call the lawyer and ask him if he knew anything yet. He was just on his way to his office and said he would check.  At 3.30  we decided to just go for it and get a taxi to the lawyer's office. Our friends were still here and said to go for it, what did we have to lose? To be honest our faith was literally the size of a mustard seed! So off we went and when we arrived, the lawyer's assistant said that the Judge had finally arrived at the court house at 4.00. It seemed that it would take a miracle for the Judge to sign today because he needed time to read through it all and was also needed for other cases. We waited while our lawyer was busy with another client and then at 4.30 we went into his office and shared with him that we really need the Judge to sign and we are running out of time. He is very understanding and compassionate and truly a great ethical lawyer! So we talked for a few minutes and then he decided to go over to the court house to see the Judge himself. He added that he is not really dressed correctly to meet him so hopefully he will agree to see him. He told us to pray and as soon as he left the office we did exactly that! We knew that if the Judge did not sign today that he might not even come into tomorrow and if he does that it usually is not until 4.00. Half an hour later, our lawyer walked to his office with the SIGNED WRITTEN COURT ORDER IN HIS HANDS and we began to praise God and jump for joy. I even grabbed our lawyer and hugged him I was so thrilled!!! This truly is a miracle!! It also means that we are heading to the passport office tomorrow to file for passports and praying for another miracle that they will not take weeks but will be expedited because of Elijah's sickle cell and the need to get him home! All the way to the taxi, I was dancing like a crazy Muzunga, rejoicing that God is so great and He can do anything He wants!! I know we have such a long way to go still but we are seriously praising the Lord for this victory and for the lesson He is teaching us to be like the persistent widow who keeps knocking and asking and does not give up. All we need is a little faith as small as a mustard seed and if we are honest, that is about all the faith we had today!!

Please rejoice with us!!! Thank our father with us for being so kind to us and granting us answered prayers. Also pray that everything goes well tomorrow and that God moves mountains for our passports to be issued so that we can start the visa processes. Also pray for our hearts as the reality of separation becomes real and we make the most of the two last days we have together before they fly!!  I am going to be an emotional mess for the next several weeks as I move forward with many unknowns. I am sure the Lord will become everything I shall depend upon! 

Thursday 28th March

Our apartment is packed and we are ready to move out of here and into the guesthouse. We plan to leave here at 2.00 and make out way over to where I will be staying with Mercy and Elijah until (Lord willing) the 19th April when my flights are booked. There is a very small chance I could leave earlier but TIA (this is Africa) and things always take longer than we hope. Just hoping we do not have to change my flights so that I have to leave later. Our God is good and He knows what lies ahead and why He has chosen this path for us. We trust Him entirely and believe that there is a reason for this. I am sure when we look back we shall see them clearly. 

Jeff and four of our children will leaving the guesthouse at 9.00 for the airport. Their flight leaves at 12.45am which is really late and everyone is going to be exhausted!! Hopefully they shall sleep all the way to England. My Mum actually just landed in England early this morning after spending time with my sister in Florida for a couple of months. She will also be jet lagged but I know she will be very excited to see her Grandchildren. She has just left three grandchildren in the States so this time is certainly bittersweet for her. She is also very poorly with RA and has been so very sick while in Florida. We pray that she will quickly recover from the jet lag and that my four children are so very helpful to her. 

Jeff is scheduled to arrive around 6.00 am tomorrow in Heathrow. He then will be taking a train to a taxi then to another train and then changes to another train before arriving in Nottingham at lunchtime. It will be very exhausting for them and maybe just a little stressful for Jeff with four children in tow on his own!! So please do keep them all in your prayers and for safety too. My children are also having some fears about flying especially because Uganda is having some storms right now (it is the rainy season). They have never had fears and I do think that the enemy is really trying to steal their joy. My children keep saying how they are not excited about going because I am not with them and this is not how we thought it would be. Please pray for the Lord's comfort upon us all. There have already been tears. We all feel sick to our stomachs and very emotional but we know that God is with us and will help us. 

I will continue to update as often as I can. The internet will not be quite as good where I will be staying because of the power cuts there but I will hopefully be able to get online. Yesterday we went to the passport office for our interview and to file for passports. There is a good possibility that our files may be expedited because of Elijah's sickle cell but of course there are no guarantees. We continue to pray for a miracle. The US Embassy is closed tomorrow and on Monday and the passports office is also. We are hoping to be able to start the visa process next week so that the week after I can apply for the UK visas. This is my hope and desire and prayer.  Please pray that God will give me the wisdom and the strength to navigate through this process without Jeff. Please pray that God will prepare Mercy especially for these changes. We are not sure if she understands what is about to happen. Also pray that she will be well behaved for me and obedient. She does not do well in large crowds and there will be several other families staying at the guesthouse. She can be very stubborn when she does not want to do something and then she cries. This is not a problem when at home but out in public she can make quite a scene and you would be amazed how many Ugandans frown upon this and even come over to me to ask why she is crying. I wonder if they think she does not want to be with us. I usually tell them that she is just stubborn and will not obey. I am not too worried about Elijah because he is very attached to me already. I also know that this will be a great time for Mercy and I to bond. I am also hopeful that it will be a time for me to train her and teach in the way she should go and give her much love and attention. 

I am always so grateful for your encouraging words to us and prayers. I look forward to updating next with news that they all arrived safely in the UK!!

Friday 29th March

Praising the Lord for many answered prayers today especially regarding Gary! I was very upset today when I heard the news and felt quite helpless but our God had already moved mightily! All is well here. I am staying at a great guesthouse which is so comfortable and has a beautiful location. The views are lovely and I have a little balcony off my bedroom to sit outside and enjoy the breeze. All three meals are provided for which helps me so much right now not to have to think about what to make for dinner. Laundry service is also provided so no more scrubbing in the bath although in all honesty Jeff was the one who did the laundry.  The food is really delicious and the cook here is called Harriet and I actually bought her cookbook last year from someone selling them in the States. I have cooked many of her recipes and so it is fun to meet her in person! 

There is a lovely play area for the children which is safe and gated. Grass and gorgeous flowers everywhere. I have taken a few pictures which I will share sometime. There are also some other families here adopting who have been caught up in this crazy process too so it is a blessing to share our stories and sufferings!! Mercy has been doing really well and I am having sweet fellowship with her. We sat outside in the garden for an hour while Elijah slept and she talked more about her past than I have ever heard from her. There were many details I have not heard before. She is being so sweet and very obedient. I can hardly believe this is this the same child! There has not been one stubborn act at all! No crying nor saying no to me. I am hoping and praying that this lasts and she begins to trust me and feel secure. Elijah on the other hand has been more insecure than I have seen him be yet. The change of location has not helped and the fact that there is a dog here is difficult because he screams if it comes near. He cried on and off for most of the night and was very clingy today. I am thankful for my friends two girls who are staying here because they help to take care of him and he loves them already. I do think he is missing everyone immensely. We were able to Skype briefly with everyone today and when Eliana's face came on the screen, Elijah pointed and touched her face on the computer and begin to smile. When he saw his Dad, he began to fuss and cry. Please pray for him that he sleeps much better at night. He seems so restless and does not seem to sleep deeply.

Tomorrow I am heading over to visit with my friend whose husband also left yesterday and she has two little ones! (She is the friend we were in court with). Her Mum arrives on Sunday so we thought it would be a good idea to get together before then. She is staying at the Speke Resort on Lake Victoria so I shall be enjoying time in a very luxurious location!! I cannot wait and to see her and her two babies again because they are so cute!! And from the same babies home as Elijah!

I truly feel as though the Lord is with me throughout my day. He is sitting here with me and watching over me and I do feel His presence and comfort! I am not alone. He is with me. Praise God. 

As always, your prayers are so appreciated and words of encouragement. It is not easy especially when Jeff tells me all the delicious things they are eating there in the UK! And of course it is Easter time and there are chocolate eggs everywhere and hot cross buns!! I would so love to eat one of those right now!  But I know God has a reason in this and we just want to be found faithful!!

Here are pictures of my precious other four children safely in England! How I wish I was with them!

Saturday 30th March

Just a few pictures this morning of where we are staying. The views are so beautiful even on a cloudy day!! I think the Lord has sent me clouds today just to make me feel at home. Jeff told me that the UK is so cold and they were having some snow.  What a difference from the temperatures here! The children went out jumping on the trampoline in the snow at their cousins!  Missing my children so much this morning!! 

Here are some pictures of my time over at the Speke Resort Hotel where my friend has been staying. It was so gorgeous and I did not feel as though I was in Uganda at all. I spent the afternoon walking around the beautiful grounds, watching weddings and going swimming. Such luxury in the midst of such poverty!

Sunday 31st March

As the storms hit the guesthouse last night,  the power went out leaving me completely in the dark with a head lamp for my only source of light, I sat wondering what in the world I am doing here! Obviously I know 'why' I am here, to bring these two children home and I know it is a battle which we must be prepared to fight. But 'why' had God allowed this to be so hard? I know it is to test us, I know it is to make us stronger, these are Biblical principles and we all know that God allows circumstances to bring us closer to Him and make us more like Him. That is His ultimate goal everyday. I was totally alone in my side of the guesthouse because the other family had gone to Jinja for the night and to be honest in that moment of winds and dogs howling outside and windows and doors banging, I realised that I could not be more out of my comfort area. Thoughts of, "you must be mad, Naomi" popped into my mind and I can honestly say that I agreed with them! Why would anybody do this crazy process of Ugandan adoptions other than obeying God's call? It is not easy but then anything God calls us to is never easy. There should be hard things but the way should be open and knowing that God is opening doors gives us the confirmation that He is in this even in the midst of the hard. 

I sat in the dark thinking about this devotional I read yesterday. It reminded me once again that His way is often not the way we would choose but is always the best way. We would never have chosen this for our family but the Lord evidently has. It is the best way, even though it is hard. Isn't this what Easter is all about which we will be celebrating today? God allowing His son to enter into the most painful and hard trial ever known to a man. When God calls us on a mission there is always a sacrifice. I know nothing of true sacrifice that Jesus went through for me! Nothing at all. But I do see a very small sacrifice taking place as we choose to allow the Lord to use our family to bring broken lives into our own.  I know that Jesus called out if there be another way let this cup pass from me. It was not so much because He hoped there  was another way but to demonstrate to us that there was no other option. In my fleshy nature, I cry out, please let there be another way because I honestly want easy! Yet the Lord who knows best allows the difficult things to make me grow. 

“Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow” (Isa. 50:11).

What a solemn warning to those who walk in darkness and yet who try to help themselves out into the light. They are represented as kindling a fire, and compassing themselves with sparks. What does this mean?

Why, it means that when we are in darkness the temptation is to find a way without trusting in the Lord and relying upon Him. Instead of letting Him help us out, we try to help ourselves out. We seek the light of nature, and get the advice of our friends. We try the conclusions of our reason, and might almost be tempted to accept a way of deliverance which would not be of God at all.

All these are fires of our own kindling; rushlights that will surely lead us onto the shoals. And God will let us walk in the light of those sparks, but the end will be sorrow.

Beloved, do not try to get out of a dark place, except, in God’s time and in God’s way. The time of trouble is meant to teach you lessons that you sorely need.

Premature deliverance may frustrate God’s work of grace in your life. Just commit the whole situation to Him. Be willing to abide in darkness so long as you have His presence. Remember that it is better to walk in the dark with God than to walk alone in the light. –The Still Small Voice

Cease meddling with God’s plans and will. You touch anything of His, and you mar the work. You may move the hands of a clock to suit you, but you do not change the time; so you may hurry the unfolding of God’s will, but you harm and do not help the work. You can open a rosebud but you spoil the flower. Leave all to Him. Hands down. Thy will, not mine. –Stephen Merritt

I pray you all have a wonderful Easter!! I know my sweet ones will be heading to church which our brother in law planted over ten years ago and then having a roast lamb dinner there in England. They have been enjoying many delicious foods since they arrived. It is a sacrifice not being there with them and partaking in all the Easter celebrations but God has me here and I know my day will be blessed too because I am in His will.

Monday 1st April

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebrating our risen Lord!! It was certainly a unique Easter for me this year!! I did attend Calvary Chapel Kampala in the morning and then went out for lunch with the Beatty family who are also here still waiting for passports, (going on five weeks now)! Both our families are hopeful that tomorrow will be the day for our passports!! We have been told we should have them tomorrow also so please do pray for God's grace in this and that they will be issued to our families. I will then be able to make the US visa interview for Wednesday which would be huge achievement!! Then onto the UK visas and I have begun to fill those in online but cannot complete them until we have the passports! All in God's time. I am only just a little bit eager to get home to my precious family, ha, ha!!! 

It sounds like Jeff and the children are having the most amazing time there! I am so grateful for this and it does ease my heart even though I miss them tremendously! This has been much harder than imagined but His strength is carrying me through!! If I ever have any free time in the future, I am going to write a book about this crazy time here and how the Lord helped us through it all.

Tuesday 2nd April

Please do keep praying!! We did not receive them today but have been told that they 'should' be ready by 10.00 tomorrow! I am not sure how to proceed with with trying to get a visa interview tomorrow so please pray that God gives me wisdom because I am not sure if it will be possible to try for the afternoon now. I waited for two and half hours and it was very disappointing to say the least. But I do have hope for tomorrow and this has been the biggest lesson I have learned so far; that one must always have HOPE here in Uganda!! Otherwise you would just give up. It is no wonder that so many Ugandans continue to have hope in the midst of so much suffering.

A beautiful thing happened though this morning. I was able to meet with a lady here who is from Rwanda and in desperate need. A friend back home asked me to meet with her and after spending time with her and hearing about her life, I realised that I have so little to complain about! It is all about perspective. I hope to meet with her again and I know that she is doing me more for me than I am doing for her!!It has been a long and hot day but I am thankful to come back to the guesthouse with a warm, delicious meal and a bed to sleep in. Many do not even have this!!


Wednesday 3rd April

It is really late and so this will be brief. We could only get one passport today, Mercy's. The stories I have to share about this day shall have to wait for another day but you would not believe what happened. Today was probably my most stressful day after almost 7 hours in immigration with two tired and hungry children! They refused to give us Elijah's even though it is ready! We were told to come back again tomorrow at 11.00. But the miracle that happened is that the US Embassy are making a special case appointment for me tomorrow for an interview because they are closed on Friday which means we would have to wait until Monday otherwise. They want me at the embassy at 8.00 so it will be an early start. However, we are missing some very important documents, like Elijah's passport which we will need for the interview to take place! Also we are still waiting on some things from Elijah's home which were supposed to be dropped off today but were not. Please pray that if this is God's will that everything will fall into place. If not, I shall be back on Monday for the interview. We really need immigration to stop being difficult and give us the passport!!

Thank you so much for praying!! Here is a picture of Mercy waiting with me at the passport office. This place is so dreadful!

Thursday 4th April

Another long day but we keep pressing on. It actually started out great!! I went to the US Embassy and had the most organised and efficient meeting I have had in the last 8 weeks since being here! The officer was so helpful and walked me through the process. I was there to submit some of the file for the visas and had hoped to receive the rest of the documents today and the passport so that I could have had an interview in the afternoon. No passport came, (I'll get to that later) but I do now have all the necessary documents. Yeah for small victories. I realise how western I really am and how I prefer no nonsense, truthful, kind and respectful people! Don't we all prefer to deal with those kind of people? Being in the US Embassy today reminded me that this is truly how things work in the west;  we agree to be somewhere on a certain day and we show up; we say a time, we show up on time; we receive respect and kindness usually from those we are dealing and we leave feeling like something has been accomplished! My morning felt that way and by the time I left the Embassy, I was in such a good mood! I headed back to the guesthouse with my two little hungry children, (we had to be there at 8.00) and gobbled down some french toast and homemade sugar syrup! What could be better than than? Well I suppose a passport by the end of the day!

My lawyer's assistant was planning to go back to immigration at 11.00. I knew that it would be some time before I would hear from her. I am learning that anything you do here in Uganda takes ten times as long.The plan was that she would locate the passport and then call me to come at once so that I could sign for it and leave rejoicing!! We had lunch, I put Elijah down for a nap and waited and waited. Just before 2.00, she called me to say that they were all coming off their lunch break, (Oh and when it is lunchtime, they all go to lunch and the place closes up for an hour or two while several hundred Ugandans huddle together beneath any shady area they can find and wait silently for things to start up again). So I called for my driver, grabbed all the things I knew I would need to keep two children and a Mother from going crazy anymore than I already have, and rushed off to the passport office! Once there I was informed that the passport could not be located. Really? I thought it was there yesterday? So I was instructed to sit beneath the tent on long benches that are falling apart and wait awhile. An hour and a half later and me now hoarse from trying to keep my two children entertained with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Jesus Loves me and numerous other nursery rhymes (and the entire tent full of 100 quiet Ugandans who stared at me the entire time and must have thought me crazy especially when singing Head, shoulders, Knees and Toes, actions and all), I had finally had my fill of waiting and went in pursuit of the assistant. She was nowhere to be found but I did see the man who had refused to help me yesterday when we needed to look for Elijah's passport and he glared at me, shook his head, shooed me away and put his arms in the shape of an X, not sure what he was trying to tell me but he did not look helpful and so I left. Plus the very mean lady who had yelled at me when I was asked to enter the office to sign for Mercy's passport yesterday and told me to 'get out' with a very loud shouting voice, was there glaring at me also and so I thought it better to try and hide my white face somehow in the midst of several hundred Ugandan ones!! Not likely! By this time, I am praying non stop and asking the Lord to please help, please intervene and help them to find it so that I can just go home. I have never been yelled at as much as I have since being there. Yesterday I was asked to move to another location more times than I can count, I was informed what I must do for my screaming child who was beside the point of no return, "give him soda" was one response! I have never been so rudely spoken to and ignored when trying to gain some information. Immigration certainly lives up to its reputation of being the most 'trying' part of the Ugandan adoption process!

Finally at 4.30, the passport was located but it still needed a signature before it can be released. (I pray the man is there tomorrow to do this because there is only ONE man who can do certain jobs). I knew at this point that we were not getting the passport. So we headed for home and the assistant was told to come back tomorrow at 9.00! This assistant has been amazing. She has waited and waited at this awful place and persevered for us. She told me today she has been having nightmares about immigration and I laughed and agreed! I even dreamed last night about the scary woman who yelled at me! Traumatic is the word. I called my driver once again and stood in the hot sun and stinky fumes thinking about the contrast of my day. I wish I had been able to end the day with the embassy visit because I was honestly not in the best of moods by the time I went home this evening. I realise how thankful I am to live in a country where things are organised and run relatively smoothly. We may complain about our governments and systems in place in the west but it is only when  you spend time in a place like this, do you know how blessed we truly are! 

I am honestly afraid of not getting the passport again tomorrow. I am weary and do not want to spend anymore long hours there tomorrow. Please continue to pray that it will be signed quickly and the assistant can call me to come there and sign for it. Tomorrow is the last day for me to collect it to be able to make an appointment at the embassy for Monday. It has been a week since my family left and I have two weeks to go until my flights. I am also really needing prayer for the UK visas. I have been told to apply for the general visitor visa. So many of the questions do not seem applicable to us because our situation is unique.  Any help at this stage would be so appreciated!!

I know that God has a purpose in this. I know He is making me stronger and preparing me for what He has in the future and I also know that I am not called as a missionary in Uganda, haha!! I truly admire those who are because it is such a difficult place to live. I am so thankful for this time here to be able to reflect on all my blessings!!

You are so faithful to keep praying for us. I know that many of you are carrying the weight of our situation also and taking it to the Lord daily. We really appreciate you! I pray that deliverance is on its way!!

Friday 5th April

I just returned from the passport office and WE HAVE ELIJAH'S PASSPORT!!!! Oh I am so thankful I am crying tears of joy!!! Oh the relief! My lawyers assistant called around 10.00 to ask me to come at once. I have heard that many times so I was fulling expecting to have to wait while again! Some friends were planning to come to the guesthouse and watch Mercy and Elijah so that I would not have to take them again. I tried to call them but could not reach them so I called my driver and he said he would be there in 15 minutes. Shortly afterwards, the assistant called again and said they had called my name and I had to get there at once!! Go figure! The one time I am not there waiting for hours and the passport is actually ready to be given to me. My driver quickly arrived and we set off trying to avoid the 'jams' that are always here and make it there before they changed their mind! The assistant kept calling and telling me to hurry and I realised that my stress levels at that point could not be any higher! We arrived at the office, (which is actually a huge compound of many offices and buildings) and I took off running with baby on the hip and Mercy running after me as fast as she could! Praise the Lord that we made it on time because they had given me just 10 minutes and then that would be that! Within 10 minutes I had the passport in my hand and was doing a happy dance there in the courtyard. (They already think I am a crazy Muzunga there so I did not care)! I could not thank the assistant enough for being so faithful to help us this week! She has been wonderful. But I cannot thank the Lord enough for breaking through and giving us the victory in this crazy battle we are fighting. He is so worthy of my praise and He knew that this was probably as far as I could go in this journey to get the passports! I am ready to begin the the next one on Monday!! I shall be there at the US Embassy at 7.30 am with Elijah's passport and the rest of the documents which I now have, ready to file. They shall schedule an appointment  for an exit interview for me in the afternoon. I am praying that everything will be in order and that we shall not have any problems. If our applications are accepted then we shall hopefully receive the visas on Wednesday. I am also now able to complete the UK visa application process online today and see about appointments for these. We are another step closer to getting home to our family! 

I also wanted to share that the Beatty family who had been waiting for their passports for five weeks also received theirs this week!! I was there to see the wonderful occasion. Such a relief for them after such a long time. Please keep them in your prayers also as they move forward with the visa process so they can return home. They have been here a week longer than we have…. 9 weeks and are ready to leave also. This process is not easy and we are all encouraging each other and here for one another which is a huge blessing. It is no wonder that adoptive families make lifelong friends when they come here to adopt. 

Rejoicing from Uganda…….

Jeff sent these to me today, pictures of my children whom I have not seen for a week now. It is moments like this that the thought of being here for two more weeks without them sends me into a state of such sadness. I must press on and keep my eyes on Jesus or else I shall not make it! Jeff took the boys for haircuts today, (you should have seen all their hair after being here). He face timed me from the hairdressers which was fun to feel like we were there with them. I saw Isaac's hair and it looked so much better!! Such a handsome boy! He left and walked home to Granny's house from the hairdressers, (oh the joy of being back in the UK and walking everywhere again). 

And this is my 'almost' five year old girl wearing the cutest cupcake woolly hat for just 99p that Jeff bought for her, (and one for Mercy too).….. what a deal!!  Lydia's birthday is THIS Sunday and I will not be there for it….. that will be so hard especially because it is her first birthday in the UK too and I had lots of things planned. We shall just have to celebrate again when I get there.

Please Lord be gracious so that I return home soon!! I am so so ready!!

Hope you all have a great weekend. I know I shall be celebrating getting the passports and also someone's birthday! Might have to go and find some cake here somewhere. 

Saturday 6th April

Lydia is turning 5 tomorrow but celebrated her birthday today with her cousins and Granny and Uncle Bryce and Auntie Bethany who all live in Mansfield!! We were blessed to be able to Skype with them while she opened her presents and we sang Happy Birthday to her. I cried, of course, overcome with the emotion of not being there for her birthday and seeing all my family. I believe it is especially hard because of my longing to be with my family AND be home in the UK after so long. I know that when I get on that plane to fly to London, I shall be overcome with thanksgiving and joy. Going home to the UK will be even sweeter than it would have been if we had all traveled there together! I cannot wait. Please Lord no more delays, I am not sure my heart could handle anymore. Trusting Him to bring me to the finish line and praying that I can finish this race well! It has been a hard run but with any adoption it is always the case!!

My friend sent me a great reminder today which she had seen on fb. It was certainly a revelation and I thought, yes, that is why adoption is so hard and why it is such a battle, more than anything else we have ever done. God's heart is for adoption and redemption and it takes work and commitment!! Only in His strength! For those of you who are adopting and struggling with the wait and the difficulties in whatever stage you are in, know that this is God's will for you, His perfect plan and He is in the process of redeeming a life through your obedience! (Thanks for sharing this with me M)!!

ADOPTION IS REDEMPTION

“My friends, adoption is redemption.  It’s costly, exhausting, expensive and outrageous.  Buying back lives costs so much.  When God set out to redeem us, it killed him.”

Derek Loux

So here are some sweet pictures of my little Lydia Hope Chan Yuan who has been home with us for almost four years!! Thank you Jeff for making her day so special under such different circumstances!! Please do pray for Jeff, he is being both Mum and Dad while working also! It is not easy and I know he will be ready for me to get back.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!! We love you so much and cannot wait to be back there with you. All day Mercy has said how much she misses you and cannot wait to see you again!!

Monday 8th April

I am so thrilled to share that the US have approved us with visas for Mercy and Elijah!!! Oh praise Jesus, He is so good!!! I walked out of there and cried again. I am such an emotional wreck. I wish so much I could hug my family and share in this rejoicing time together but it will not be long until I am home!! We pick up the visas on Wednesday and now have one last mountain to climb; the UK visas!!

The bell has just been rung for dinner so I am going to head downstairs but wanted to let you all know first and thank you again for your prayers!

Wednesday 10th April

With thankful hearts we received the visas today!! Mercy was so excited to see hers in her passport and to know that she is definitely going to the US!! Tomorrow at 10.00 we have the UK visa interview and we continue to pray for God's grace. I know we don't deserve any favours but I am asking for the Lord's help and that they would have compassion on us and our situation. I hope that everything goes well tomorrow with all the paperwork and that God gives us someone to talk to who has an understanding heart!

I have also run into another problem which I hope will be resolved tomorrow. I realised that my entry visa expired on Sunday, (two months since I arrived) and we were only given 60 days. I went back to the passport office, (I cannot believe I had to go back there) and they would not issue it like they have for other families unless I filled out an application form, presented evidence of my flight home and a cover letter explaining the situation. I did not have my flight info on me so had to leave. Once again, they were most rude and refused to do anything to help me. So I called my lawyer and after the UK interview I will be heading over there again to meet them and have them assist me. Oh to be done with this crazy system. I thought I would never have to set foot in that place again. Never say never right? 

I am really blessed knowing so many great families here who love the Lord too and are walking through this trying time also. It is not what any of us would have chosen but we all know it is working out for our good. As I walked the 25 minute walk to the Embassy today along the dirty path that mostly consists of rocks and broken pavement, I realised that I could not do any of this without the Lord. There was not another Muzunga, (white person) in sight and the boda boda's constantly flew past and the taxi's were all driving crazy, (and trying to cross the road here is quite the experience)! If I did not have the Lord walking by my side protecting me constantly from the traffic and people here, I would be so afraid to walk here alone. Many Ugandans comment when they see me pushing a black baby in the push chair. I hear things like, "bless you for your hard work", "is he your baby?" " hello baby how are you, does he talk?" and "can I come with you to America?" Their smiles are what makes this country so beautiful because truthfully there is very little beauty here other than their smiles especially here in Kampala. The poverty and hardship are always staring you in the face wherever you go. But the joy on their faces laughs louder than any hardship these people endure. What lessons there are to be learned here! 

Beautiful devotion today I have to share………

“Show me wherefore thou contendest with me” (Job 10:2).

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never have been discovered if it were not for the trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too oft like a glowworm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star–not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black folds in which God doth set the jewels of His children’s graces, to make them shine the better.

It was but a little while ago that, on thy knees, thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.”

Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?–for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it. God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery; real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials.

God trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers and climb mountains, and walk many a weary mile with heavy knapsacks on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?

–C. H. Spurgeon

To be left unmolested by Satan is no evidence of blessing.

Mercy and Elijah are doing well and have settled much better in the last few days. Elijah is not waking up at night as much, he just moans now and then and I am so thankful! He still wants to be held all the time unless he is outside where he is in his element. He is going to love being in the UK and playing in the grass and going for walks!! Mercy is also doing well and she has some little friends here she loves. One family took her with them for a walk today so that I could just take Elijah to the Embassy which was a huge help. She did really well with them and honestly I was grateful for the break. It has been non-stop since Jeff left and I feel like I am having to do all the jobs that he would normally do as well as the Mummy jobs. I know that Jeff feels the same way right now too with our other four children. 

Please pray for Jeff tomorrow. It is his birthday so if you think about him, please send him a birthday greeting. He is working so hard to keep the family functioning with the help of my sister and brother in law but I know it is not easy for him. I wish I could be there to celebrate with him!! Two birthdays I have missed this week but I am hoping to be back in the UK before the 3rd May when it is Eliana's birthday!!  May the Lord really bless and encourage my husband for his love, patience and hard work for his family!! 

Thank you always for praying for us daily! I know God has His arms wrapped around us and is giving us strength because of your prayers!! 

Greetings from Uganda……

Elijah loves to take a bath in his little tub every night. The water is so brown afterwards!

Thursday 11th April

Wishing my sweetheart a very happy birthday today there in the UK!! Oh how we miss him so much and wish that we could have been there to celebrate but we shall have much celebrating to do when we arrive! I was able to FaceTime Jeff and sing happy birthday and see him blow his candles out. I also saw everyone chowing down on a table laden with English food which I cannot wait to taste once again. I felt like someone gazing longingly into a bakery but unable to go in and try anything! It was good to see them all enjoying themselves and I have no regrets about them leaving me here and returning to the UK. It was the best decision. As hard as it has been staying here alone, it would have only given me much anxiety having them here and worrying about their health. 

I thought I would give you a recap of my day here in Uganda……..

1. After breakfast which consisted of a choice of millet porridge, banana, pineapple, watermelon, pancakes and toast with homemade pineapple or homemade peanut butter, our driver arrived at 9.00 and we began the journey weaving through the traffic to the UK visa application center. 

2. My appointment was not until 10.00 and I had left earlier so that I could call into the passport picture shop and ask about the passports to make sure they were the correct size for the UK visas. They said yes they were fine. 

3. Hurried next door to the photocopying shop and presented certain documents that I needed copying to hand over to the immigration officers at the airport when I eventually leave. I also needed to copy my passport for my visa extension application. The man asked for 900 shilling, great deal but I only had 20,000 or 600 shillings. Most shop owners do not have the ability to change large notes and usually have to leave their shop and go in search of change. The man opted to just take the 600 shillings!! 

4. Walked across the road dodging bodas and being honked at by taxis who assume that I must need a ride. Entered the Communication House where the UK visa department is situated on the 7th floor and passed through the security at the entrance (which is quite common in every building you enter). Quick bag search then I headed to the desk to leave my US drivings license in exchange for a security badge. Headed to the 7th floor. 

5. Entered the UK visa dept. another bag search and body search with the wand then I was able to let them I know I had arrived and hand over my payment for the visas, (several hundred thousand shillings…. sounds such a lot but it's not)! Went straight to the interview. Everything went well, filed all the necessary documents but was informed that I needed more passports pictures. Fortunately they had a lady there in the office to take pictures of Mercy and Elijah. Also realised I needed more documents photocopying. 

6. Interview over then Mercy had her fingerprints taken which was fun because I had to hold her fingers down with my own and it took awhile for them to register. Elijah had emptied the rubbish bin by this time but of course I could do nothing about it because I had to hold Mercy's fingers down and not move.  The woman gave me a little hope and said that they always say it takes 15 days but the visas never take that long and I told her that I was praying that ours would be here by next week because I really want to go home. It is really in the hands of th officers in Nairobi and so we pray for a miracle! 

7. Just about to leave and I was informed that I needed to pay 24,500 shillings for the photocopying and passport pics. I only had 20,000 in my purse. So I promised I would be right back and took off in search of an ATM. Elijah in baby carrier and Mercy is now starting to moan about having to walk further. Dodged a few more bodas, cars, taxis whilst praying for safety and running once again like a mad woman to the ATM. More security to pass through, (it is any wonder that anyone gets anything done because everything takes so long), quickly withdraw more money and head back to the UK visa center. 

8. Enter through more security, head back up to the 7th floor, (by this time I am getting really hot) pay the cashier and head back down the 7 floors in the lift, out the building towards the lawyers office which is just across the street. My lawyers assistant had asked me to call in to fill out a form for my visa extension. She is of course not there. I call her and she tells me she is  on her way. I am not sure if it was being back in the lawyers office that did it, but Elijah had a total melt down and began to scream. Fortunately a man with a huge basket of bananas stopped into the office and I quickly bought a huge bunch knowing that bananas are Elijah's favourite. Worked perfectly. He calmed down and the assistant arrived. We checked over the paperwork and then she told me that I did not have to go to immigration but she would take my passport and do this for me. Praising Jesus!! I gave her the copy of my passport I had done earlier but then we realised we needed a copy of the visa entry, so off to the photocopy shop once again. Elijah has finished his banana and he is now very unhappy! 

9. Quickly head back to the office and notice my driver there who has been waiting for me the entire time so I ask if Mercy can wait with him while I run back to the lawyers with Elijah now having another melt down. Did I mention that the lawyers office is up several flights of stairs and there is no lift?

10. I take the copy of my entry visa to my lawyers assistant and then realise that I still have the visitor's pass from the UK visa center around my neck which means that my driving license is still at Communication house! I leave the office, run past my driver while announcing that I am heading once again to the UK visa center and take off jogging down the broken pavement trying to avoid all potholes. Back through security again and finally I am given my drivers license in exchange for the visitor's pass.  By the time I get back to the car where Mercy and my driver are waiting, I am drenched and exhausted and have a screaming baby who will only quieten if I give him another banana. And I did. I knew I would pay for it later but I was a desperate mother! Drove back to the guesthouse which took about 20 minutes and made it just in time for lunch!!!  

Fortunately Elijah went down for a nap afterwards and slept for three hours and I was able to chat with Jeff with Mercy also and celebrate his day.  I have not heard from my lawyers assistant so I am hoping that she has it tomorrow because I don't like the thought of her holding onto my passport over the weekend. Please do pray that it will be renewed without any problems at all. 

So the UK visas are in the Lord hands and there is nothing more I can do than keep emailing and calling and bugging them, haha!! Which you know I will be doing ;)! Ultimately the Lord is in control and I am trusting Him. Thank you always for your encouraging emails and prayers. There will come a day very soon when I shall finally be back with my loved ones and we shall no doubt laugh about this adventure!

Just another day here in Uganda………. :)

Monday 15th April

This past weekend has been difficult for many reasons. Really missing my family, loneliness, sickness and a very crazy experience I had on Saturday night when I went to visit a friend's home in a slum area and realised how rough it truly was (and I fell in the mud in the dark on the way to it, or at least I hope that it was not mud and not poo). But that is a story for another day. I did not make it to church yesterday because I was not well and to be honest the day dragged on and I was so glad when I pulled my mosquito net over my head and tucked the edges under my mattress and went to sleep. This morning I felt discouraged and not ready at all for the battle I shall be facing this week. We took a walk to the shops for ice cream which helped a little and I prayed there and back for the Lord to speak a word of encouragement to me today. I just needed to know that He is with me in this battle and is working on my behalf although I cannot see the end result yet. This is His word for me today which is wonderful and just what I needed to read……

“Christus Victor” is the Latin phrase the early church fathers used to describe Jesus and His atonement. Roughly translated, it means, “Our victory is not in ourselves, but in Christ.” If we defeat an enemy when the odds are fifty-fifty, we are tempted to think, “I won the battle.” But when our enemy is nine feet tall; when we have rebuked him but he comes back stronger; when we have exhausted all our resources; when we have thrown up our hands and said, “I can’t do this,” then God says, “I have you right where I want you.”

Usually Old Testament stories are taught to children not as spiritual truths but as moral instruction. For example, the lesson of Jonah is usually presented as, “Don’t disobey God or you’ll get into deep trouble.”

Most of us were taught the story of David and Goliath in Sunday school and the lesson is, “Be brave and courageous.” The trouble with this interpretation of David’s story is that we are teaching our children to do something they are unable to do. There was not a single Israelite soldier who could have survived a hand-to-hand fight with Goliath. That battle was beyond even the bravest man.

Likewise, when we are in a spiritual battle, bravery and boldness are not sufficient. David knew he was no match for Goliath. In fact, he wasn’t even a soldier yet; he was too young. The only thing David was armed with when he showed up at the battlefront was bread and cheese for his brothers. Yet the difference with David was that he knew the battle was not his but God’s. When he heard Goliath’s taunts, he testified:

“This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head . . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand” (1 Samuel 17:46-47).

Spiritual victory is never our own—it comes from our Deliverer. In this story David is a picture of our Deliverer, Christ. He cuts through all our anguish and despair with an authority no demon can stand up to. Goliath had no chance that day, for one reason: The battle was the Lord’s. David Wilkerson

There are three specific things I am waiting for now…..

1. UK visas. We need them by Thursday otherwise we shall have to change my flights again.

2. My visa extension which I have been told will be ready tomorrow. They have my passport and this makes me so nervous!

3. Our fingerprints will expire on 6th May for immigration before we enter the US on 15th May. The US Embassy requested an extension for us but we are still waiting for it and they cannot give me the brown packet for immigration once we arrive in the USA until it has been approved. 

Thank you for praying for me. Jeff and the children are heading to the Lakes this morning and this may also be why I am struggling so much today. I hope it will not be long until I can join them. Please continue to pray that all these things will be resolved by Thursday so that I can fly home on Friday morning.

The picture of this small apple tree above is the one we planted when we were running Spring Valley Christian School in the Lakes. They were all blessed to see that it is still alive! Oh the joy of new life budding and bringing forth fruit!

Wednesday 17th April

Thank you for all your encouragement! WOW!! I feel so empowered in the spirit through your prayers and ready to face whatever the next two days bring my way. I am stepping out in faith today and believing that God can do the miracle of parting the Red Sea and leading us forward to the UK if this is His will. I know it will take a miracle but I will not give up until I hear His words say no it is not time to leave yet. God can do anything He wants and this is not a hard thing for Him at all. A friend reminded me of the scripture Exodus 14:13 " Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today "  and so I am believing that God is at work and deliverance it on its way!! Oh and what a deliverance it shall be!

I have not been well and when I start with sickness, fear and anxiety comes in suddenly. But praise the Lord the migraine has gone and temperature if back down again and the stomach cramping has gone which has been coming and going the past few days. I think a few of us here at the guesthouse have not been well either. I listened to a teaching last night that the husband of my friend here had recommended and it was a blessing and a good reminder that I need to praise Him and remember what He has already done knowing that He will remain faithful this time also. Interestingly Psalm 77:16-20 was a portion of the teaching which speaks again about His power over all creation. I went to sleep letting go of all my burdens and cares and trusting this situation to Him and I woke up at 5.00 this morning dreaming that I was in Clarks shoes shop in England buying new shoes for the children! The joy of that feeling of finally being home is still with me and I am anticipating great things from the Lord however He chooses to do this!

So today I feel like Esther going in to the King to plead for His grace and help. The brown packets are ready to picked up from the US embassy at 4.00!! So thankful for this!! However I do need my passport to get in there and I just learned yesterday the visa has still not been issued and I think I heard my lawyers assistant say something about my passport being at the 'dreaded' immigration passport office which made me become so anxious!! If my passport is lost then I don't know what I shall do and I would not put it past any of those unkind power hungry men in there to lose it on purpose! (Especially after I told one of them that I would report him for not issuing me with the extension then and there like they normally do)! Prayers please that God would protect it! I shall calling my lawyers assistant this morning and telling her I need to get my passport today and if the extension is not ready then I shall have to just forget trying to get it and suffer any consequences I may face passing through the airport! They have had it for almost a week and usually it just takes a few minutes to get it stamped then and there when you go in.

I also called the UK visa application center yesterday. Not very helpful at all. I have been emailing both them and also Nairobi but no one ever responds and there is not a number to call Nairobi. Times like this I wish I knew someone who had some weight and pull for me……. but then I remind myself that I know God and He has more weight and influence than any man! So they told me to call on Thursday and see if the visas are there. I tried to help them understand that I am in quite a predicament because on Thursday I would need to when to change my flights for and therefore need to know when the visas will be issued. We don't want to change my flights for another week if they arrive on Monday! So this is also a prayer request that God will move on our behalf and give us favour that they will contact Nairobi on my behalf (I am sure they can do this) and ask for me. I plan to go in today and see them in person because the office is right by my lawyers office. I also plan to tell them my Mum who in in the UK is very ill indeed and I need to get there as soon as I can to help. My heart is very burdened for my Mother at this time who has RA and has been so ill for many months!! Her entire time in the States with my sister was practically spent in bed! Please do pray for her also, her name is Lindsey.

God's will be done!!! He already has the victory and I believe that He will bring about the best case scenario which will give Him the most glory! Pray also that I will not be discouraged no matter what this day brings my way but continue to praise Him even if it is a no!!

On Monday we said goodbye to very dear friends who have been here for over 10 weeks; the Beatty family. They finally went home yesterday and Mercy sobbed her little heart out!! Today we shall be saying goodbye to another family here and the little boy has become good friends with Mercy so there will be more tears. She is missing her family so much especially Lydia! Pray for her heart and that it will be our turn to leave soon. We had no power all day yesterday so we went to La Petite to charge my router which was dead so I had no internet. La Petite is a french restaurant which sells coffee and the most delicious pastries which I have been treating myself to and trying to gain back the weigh that has been lost! We always joke with all the adoptive families that Africa has the best weight loss plan ever! It is inevitable that everyone drops a few pounds whilst here for a long time! Praise the Lord for La Petite, they know what they are doing ;)!! Here is a sample of some goodies from yesterday.

Thank you so much for going before the Lord on our behalf! I hope to share some news later!!

Thursday 18th April

I know all our prayers have not been unheard and that God is listening to every cry on our behalf. I know just because He has not answered the way we all would have liked it does not mean He does not care deeply nor is working in the situation in ways we do not see. It has taken me all day to sit finally and write this update because I have not been able to stop crying for most of the day. I had such a peace this morning as I headed to the UK visa center and it was almost as if I knew in my heart of hearts that the visas would not be there. The Lord prepared my heart but I still broke down and sobbed in front of a whole roomful of Ugandans. I am sure I shall have quite the reputation for being very emotional by the time I leave here. I could not stop crying and they quickly rushed to help me but there was nothing they could do. That only made things worse for me. They informed me that they cannot contact Nairobi and ask when they will be ready and asked me if I had sent emails. I said yes, I had sent numerous ones and no one ever responded to me and then I kept getting them sent back to me saying their inbox was full. So they gave me another email and said they would definitely respond to that and I have sent the email this evening only to find that it was unable to be delivered! The hardest part of today is not knowing. It is the fact that we have needed to book our flights again and yet they will not give us any indication when they might be ready. I left discouraged and sobbing. Fortunately the children did not come with me and the Rowden family graciously looked after them all day!! So thankful because the rest of my day was really hard and it may have unsettled them to see me in such a state.

I left the visa application center and headed to my lawyers office to give them the $100 visa extension fee (we were told it was free and every other family have always filed for free but nonetheless….) I walked into the office still crying and handed her the money. She left for the bank at around 11.45. An hour later she still had not returned so I decided to leave and have my driver take me to the British High Commission. I told my lawyers assistant that I could not wait any longer for her and the passport office closes from 1-2 and it did not look like we would be there before then. So I told her to meet me at 2.00 at the passport office. My driver and I headed for the BHC, I was still crying and only thinking of the fact that I will now be away from my children for 4 weeks. Many thoughts assailed me if I am honest and I began to wonder if we should just forget trying to go to the UK and head straight to the US. Surely it seemed that God does not want me there in the UK at this time for some reason. Thoughts from the enemy came to discourage and I felt as though I was losing the strength to continue. I cannot describe how terribly frightening this process has been and how I have been challenged in ways I never thought possible. We arrived at the BHC at 1.10 only to discover they close at 1.00 and would not allow me to see anyone. I had no idea. I told the man that I needed help and they should be willing to help UK citizens. He was very understanding and called someone else who asked where I had been before I came there and why I could not have made it there sooner before they closed. I was at a loss for words. I pleaded my case but it was no use. I told them i just need to talk to someone in Nairobi and why does no one have a number? I was told to return at 8.45 tomorrow and I would be seen by someone so that is what I shall have to do. I left and headed, crying once again to the passport office, the most dreaded place here for adoptive families to go. It is truly like walking into a concentration camp and the mind games they play with you are like a form of torture.

I had asked my lawyers assistant to be there at 2.00 knowing full well she would not be there before 2.30….. and she was not. I waited again for an hour for her arrival, crying once again and pleading with the Lord for His help so that I might at least have success here today. Finally she arrived and we waited in line for help only to eventually be told that they would not stamp my passport and issue me with an extension even though I had paid money which I later learned I did not need to pay and my lawyer had filed for the wrong thing. The assistant handed me the file and my passport and said sorry you try. I went back to the office and pleased with the woman explaining that my flight was scheduled for tomorrow, (they did not need to know that I was going to have to change it today and leave next week) but she would not help and sent me to another window. I turned around  to look for the assistant and she was nowhere in sight. There are bars on the windows and people push and shove to get to the window first. I had several push in front of me which I am getting use to this happening here in Uganda and so you have to squeeze yourself in between the people and the body odour is not pleasant at all I might add! I know that Jesus would have loved on these people had He been in my situation. It would have been an opportunity for Him to care for them but sadly today I was not feeling very spiritual standing there amidst a place I have come to despise. Finally it was my turn and the conversation went like this……

"Sir my paperwork for a visa extension was filed last Thursday. We were told that it would take three days but it has still not been issued. My flight is scheduled to leave tomorrow around 9.00 and so I shall have to leave Kampala at 5.00. I need my passport stamping before I go to the airport, would you please do this for me."
Smile on his face as the mind game begins…… "why should I stamp this and where is the proof you are leaving tomorrow?"
"It is there stapled with the other forms" I answer and he begins looking through the file. He hands it to me and I am shocked to find it is missing and it was there when we submitted it! "Someone has ripped it out of here!" I am now very frustrated. I tell him that I don't have my router on me so I cannot show him my itinerary on my iPhone. My mind is racing. I call the assistant and ask where she is. "Back at the lawyers office" she tells me! She left me alone here, seriously? I can hardly believe that she left without saying goodbye. I tell her she filed for the wrong thing and cost me $100 and that the flight information is missing. I can hardly believe this is happening. The man whose name is Kennedy is just smiling knowing he is playing games and can do whatever he wants. "Give me you passport" he says "and go away and come back at 4.00 when I will stamp it" He tells me. I tell him there is no way I am leaving my passport with him. I want to keep it with me and ask if I can just bring it back at 4.00 and have him stamp it then. "No" he says, "if you don't leave it, then I shall make you wait until 5.00". I have no choice. I argue some more and he gets annoyed and threatens to call the police to remove me from the premises. I have to leave my passport but I tell him that I shall be keeping my eye on him and my passport. A friend arrives at the passport office who is trying to get their passport for their child. He has water for me so I decide that since I have a headache and have no water now I had better go and find him and trust my passport to the Lord. He also had a Cliff bar which I was so thankful for because I had not had any lunch. I finally make my way back to the window at 3.50 and just after 4.00 he takes my passport and file and says, "now you are going to be patient". He smiles and begins to write in my passport and finally stamps the extension in there. I begin to breathe and my heart had been racing he whole time with fear of this not being completed for me. Thankful for the victories! I walked out of the passport office smiling and thanking the Lord knowing that even though I cannot leave Uganda tomorrow, I shall NEVER be returning to this place ever again!

If someone had told me that coming to Uganda was going to be this difficult  and sacrificial I would not have believed them. I do know that our case has been much more difficult than most for reasons we do not know. The actual act of bringing these two children into our family has not been nearly as difficult as the process itself. I suppose when I finally leave Uganda, I may be pleasantly surprised by the easy transition we have had with these children considering one is over the age of five and the other has a serious disease. Maybe this is why God has allowed our circumstances to be so difficult during our time here, so that when we leave, things will seem so much easier.  At least I am hoping!

I do appreciate all your prayers so much and how I wish I could have sent an email rejoicing that I am coming home tomorrow. Believe me, I have written a praise report in my mind over and over but the time is not yet. I must be patient as that man said at the passport office today. I still need to wait and I hope that you shall all continue to wait with us and not stop praying. I hope that tomorrow the BHC will be able to help me and that we shall at least have more of an idea when the visas will arrive back in Kampala.

And please pray more for my four children who are really heart broken about another delay. The thought of not seeing them for another week is overwhelming to me and I know that they are feeling the same way. Also please pray that I am back before the 27th because Jeff leaves for France that day for two weeks. It will be so hard to not see him if I do not make it on Wednesday because the next flight is on Sunday and he will already have left. Please God be gracious!

Mercy had her hair done today just in case we were leaving tomorrow! She looks beautiful and she loves it!

Friday 19th April

I have been so very blessed by all you words of encouragement, scriptures and devotionals you sent to me through the night. Thank you and I plan to share some of them later today in another email. I woke this morning knowing that His mercies are new and then read the following devotional which I know some of you read this morning too!!

Stand Still

“Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exod. 14:13).

These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut upon the right hand and on the left. What is he now to do?

The Master’s word to him is “stand still.” It will be well for him if, at such times, he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and faithfulness.

Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part; it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.”

But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it, if you are a child of God. His Divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What if for a while thou art called to stand still; yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time.

Precipitancy cries, “Do something; stir yourself; to stand still and wait is sheer idleness.” We must be doing something at once–we must do it, so we think–instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something, but will do everything.

Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it, and expect a miracle.” But faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands.

“Stand still”–keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.’ –Spurgeon

“Be quiet! why this anxious heed

About thy tangled ways?

God knows them all. He giveth speed

And He allows delays.

‘Tis good for thee to walk by faith

And not by sight.

Take it on trust a little while.

Soon shalt thou read the mystery aright

In the full sunshine of His smile.”

In times of uncertainty, wait. Always, if you have any doubt, wait. Do not force yourself to any action. If you have a restraint in your spirit, wait until all is clear, and do not go against it.

With hope I set off for the British High Commission with Mercy and Elijah early this morning after breakfast. However on my way into the building I turned to look at the security guard to ask him if this was the way in and my foot went down into a pot hole and I fell down with Elijah. Fortunately I broke his fall and he was totally fine but my knee and top of my shin was all cut up and the blood began to run down my leg. The security guard came running over and grabbed Elijah and another woman who was behind me, helped me up and I heard "So sorry" over and over again as they helped me into the building. I was asked how I was and honestly in true British fashion, the words "it is only a flesh wound!" popped into my head. I could not believe what just happened. I do believe that what may have been intended for my harm was turned to good because they were all moved with compassion and first aid was called who came and cleaned my leg and bandaged it. A lady came to assist me with the visas and she called Nairobi but informed me that they had not reached a decision but would be doing so next week. I was grateful for the help no matter how small. They were all very kind and helpful especially because of my fall. I did mention to them that it is a good job I was not in the UK nor USA when this happened because they would be in huge trouble having a pot hole so big right outside the entrance! This is Africa after all! We left the building after about an hour and headed for home. Just as we pulled into the guesthouse driveway, the phone rang and it was the lady who had just helped me. She told me she had done more investigating on my behalf and that she had discovered that they made a decision today and the passports should be sent back to Kampala on Monday or Tuesday! Now she was not able to let me know if the visas have been issued so we will not know that until they arrive. I am thankful that we know something and that I may be able to fly out on Wednesday after all! Of course we are hoping that the visas will be issued and I can visit the UK with the children. Praising the Lord.

Please do pray for healing on my leg. I am limping around and was advised to go to the hospital or Dr to have it checked out which I may do if I feel it needs to be looked at. I do feel shaky and nauseous and dizzy but Michelle my friend here said that often the rubbing alcohol can mess with blood sugar levels and to eat some sugar!! Fortunately Michelle gave me a packet of 'Powerberries' last night from Trader Joe's that she brought with her. She wanted to cheer me up after my hard day yesterday….. so sweet of her and I shall be eating them today to help my blood sugar level. I plan to just rest and watch a movie with Mercy this afternoon while Elijah sleeps. 

Also pray for Jeff who is taking a train ride to London today to pick up the rental car. This had been the plan for a few weeks and he was then going to pick us up from the airport today. I know it will be hard for him to do this and return without us after hoping that we would have been able to fly home today. The rental car is non refundable so he has had to go and collect it.  

Thankful for small victories each step of the way. I have done all that I can and I shall now be spending the weekend resting here at the guesthouse while standing still and waiting and praying for Monday! 

Blessings to you all!!

Sunday 21st April

For the last few nights Elijah has not been sleeping well because he has been teething. He also started with diarrhea.  Last night he was up all night with a temperature of 103 which I know can be serious for a child with sickle cell. I gave him some medication and also cold rags and it came down to 100. The last thing I wanted to do was take him to the hospital and have them give him another blood transfusion!! He has had three already! Please pray for my boy because he is still not well this morning and all I want to do is get him home!! His diarrhea is very bad and I ran out of nappies this morning and need to walk to the store. It is just one nappy after another!! I feel very tired today and my leg is still sore but healing, so thankful for that. I am just so ready to be home and I pray that Elijah will be fully recovered for the flight home which we are all praying is Wednesday!

Monday 22nd April

I have been waiting a long time to write this wonderful news…….. I AM COMING HOME ON WEDNESDAY!!!! This morning I called the visa application center and to my amazement I was told that the passports were ready!! Of course I did not know whether the visas had been issued until I arrived because they are sealed tightly shut in package. I immediately opened them and found to my delight that the visas had been issued and we are coming to the UK!!!!!!!! I cannot express what overwhelming joy and excitement we are feeling right now!! Thankful to the Lord for His provision and grace and goodness to our family to allow us to bring these children into our family and to travel back to the UK to see all my family and friends!!! It has been such a difficult trial to walk through but God has truly walked with me and given me strength I never knew I had unless it had been given from Him. There were times I wanted to just lay down and cry and give up. They were days when I wondered if I would ever get to leave this place and I have even begun to forget what 'normal' life is like! Home feels so distant but very soon we shall cross the skies and experience the blessing of being back with my family AND in my homeland where I have not been for three years!!! It is going to be very emotional indeed!

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
    Blessed are all who wait for him!

Isaiah 30:18

The Lord has been so gracious to us in this time. He has kept us all safe in spite of sickness and falls and fevers and crazy trips to slums!!  In waiting for Him to reveal His perfect time and plan, I feel a very blessed woman! I hope that I will always remember the lessons that He taught me during this time. I hope that He used this time to remove many of my fears. Sometimes the Lord allows us to go through the hard times that we are fearful of to show us that He is almighty, all-powerful and able to give us the victory through them. I was honestly so very afraid to stay here in Uganda on my own but I knew that God was calling me to this. I was afraid to walk this path without my strong husband by my side who takes care of the money and all the gadgets and in whom I feel safe! I believe the Lord wanted me to learn to feel safe with Him alone and allowed these circumstances to prove that He is my Husband and Protector. 

I am so thankful for you all and the lessons you have taught me through your emails. You have never failed to encourage me daily, to uphold my hanging arms and strengthen my feeble knees. You have stood me with through it all and I am so very emotional just thinking of you all and the blessing you have been to me. A friend sent the following to me last week after I had received the news that the visas were not there on Thursday. It really made me realise that God allowed this testing to come to reveal not just my weakness which I knew was already there, but His strength and the fact that we are able to endure the storm with His help and overcome our fears!

Exodus 20:20 “Moses responded to the people, “don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear Him and will not sin.”

 I have wrestled with a stronghold of fear much of my life.  Like you, the combination of life’s challenges and a long list of loved ones provide the enemy no few opportunities to prey on my fears.

I have often heard the statistic that 90% of what we fear never comes to pass.  Those statistics have certainly proved true in my experience, but God has taught me as much from the 10 percent as the 90.  In fact, one of the ways God has cured my fears is by allowing a few of them to come to fruition.  After the crisis came and went, He seemed to ask, “Beth, did you live through it?”

I do ask for your continued prayers for Elijah. He had 103 fever again in the night but it quickly came down with medication and cool rags. It is still higher than it should be but not above 100. However he also threw his lunch up today but then straight afterwards he was smiling and laughing and he went to bed for a nap without any fuss. He still has diarrhea and I am not giving him any milk nor dairy but mostly toast and bread although he did not eat anything at lunch time today because he threw it all up. I am really praying that he will be over this by the time we fly! I also started with a bit of sore/itchy throat this afternoon which I am hoping will not turn into anything more severe. We are so close going to coming home and I pray that we can just get through today and tomorrow without any more health issues! 

This afternoon will be spend relaxing and knowing that we have just two more sleeps here under the itchy mosquito net, brushing my teeth with bottled water, being woken by barking dogs, the mosque calls and enduring the traffic and pot holes every day!! But I will miss the sunshine, especially because I am heading to the UK although cooler weather right now will be so welcome! 

Almost 11 weeks here in Uganda……rejoice with us, we are coming HOME!!

Tuesday 23rd April

We have just one more sleep here in Uganda and to be honest I am very much relieved. Elijah is not well and has thrown up twice again today and I am eager to get him to the UK for medical care and then of course to the US to see specialists. He is doing okay in himself and still smiling but the diarrhea continues and now throwing up so I have him eating just crackers which he seems to be okay with. Lunch might have been too rich him and that might be why he was sick. He ate porridge (uganda style very runny) and a banana for breakfast and was not sick after that I thought he was over it but then he had lunch. I really hope he is not sick on the plane otherwise it could be a very stressful flight! Please do continue to pray for him. He slept really well last night and did not wake up with a fever at all, in fact he has not been over 99 today so that is a relief. Mercy is very excited to see her family again and meet her new family! I know that she will feel the loss of leaving her home and I also know that God has given me compassion in that area. I know just what it is like to miss home. Elijah on the other hand will not remember Uganda and I do think he will adjust fairly well once he gets used to the climate! 

I do have one more HUGE mountain that needs to be overcome. You would think that from here on out it would be all plane sailing. Actually the worst trial of all for some is still waiting for me and I would appreciate your prayers for this. At the airport there are immigration officers who always give the adoptive families a hard time. We are required to submit all copies of our legal documents, court documents, birth/death certificates and even home study which contains personal information. They are rude (just as bad as the passport office) and have even accused someone I know of child trafficking and refused to let them leave on the plane! This woman who was traveling alone with her new son had to spend another three weeks here trying to prove she had legal guardianship of her son. They refused to even see her paperwork at the airport when she was trying to leave! I have everything in order but I am a prime target because I am a female traveling alone AND with TWO children. Another friend left on Saturday also traveling with two children but with her Mum and was forced to the basement where 7 officers demanded to read through all her documents and see originals because they accused her of faking the copies!! Seriously?!! I know that I must be bold and stand my ground because I have every right to leave with them. The US Embassy are now aware of the problem and are trying to help. I am asking for your prayers once again because I know that I need them! I am praying that God will somehow make me invisible to them and that they will not give me a hard time at all! I am praying for a miracle that I will pass through without problems and they will just take the documents that I have copied for them and allow me to come home! Please please pray with me. I shall be at the airport around 6 am Uganda time which is 4 am UK time and 11 pm  US east coast time. My flight is at 9.25 and I plan to send Jeff a quick text message once I am on the plane to let him that I made it! He shall hopefully let you all know too. 

I am exhausted and so ready to step onto that plane! Jeff told me that as soon as he boarded the plane, all the stress of the time here just left him. I am looking forward to finally feeling relief after being here for so long. There have been many joyful times here also which we shall cherish and share with Mercy and Elijah when they are older. There are some very dear people here that have been such a blessing to us and we shall never forget them. The heartache of life here is so apparent and the stories you hear every day are dreadful!!  The people here are filled with HOPE and JOY and PEACE and CONTENTMENT so much more than back home. It is no wonder that many know Jesus because when you live in a place where there is little to idolize, Jesus becomes your idol and God!!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and Lord willing the next time I update will be from the UK!!! 


Wednesday 24th April

We Finally arrived in the UK and were reunited!!! 

Thank you so much again for all your prayers, we are so grateful to you all!! Thanking our Father for the trials that have made us stronger. Thanking Jesus for the gift of two more children in our family and the blessings they are. Thanking God for keeping us all safe and showing Himself faithful time and time again! Bless the Lord Oh My Soul!! Worship His Holy Name!!

Tears of joy from Eliana! Tears of joy from us all as we celebrate being together as a family once again!!!