Adoption Update!

Yesterday in Jake’s email inbox:

Dear Jake Sullivan,

You may come to the Embassy on August 2, 2012 at 2 PM to file your I-600.

Regards,
USCIS Accra

WAHOOEY! This was one of the dates we had requested for the appointment because Jake was already going to be headed to Ghana during that time leading a team trip! He is now re-working his flight schedule accordingly to head out a few days before the rest of the team who are scheduled to depart the U.S. on the 2nd.

After filing the I-600 it can take up to 60 days to receive approval. Our social worker in-country is also simultaneously working on obtaining our girls’ passports. Once we have I-600 approval and our girl’s passports, we can then request the last step of our adoption process – the visa exit interview. Within this last step our girls will receive another medical exam which is done by Embassy approved physicians in Ghana, called the visa medical. Then, the exit interview will be scheduled in which our social worker/power of attorney will attend on our behalf, reviewing all the paperwork/documents with an Embassy official. From there we will be given a visa print date. Start to finish, the visa approval and printing takes an average of 2-6 weeks. After the visas are printed and in hand, we will then make plans to travel to bring our girls home! So, all that to say, once we receive I-600 approval I will consider us in the home stretch! We are getting so close!

Last week our girls were moved to a private foster home closer to the capital – Accra. Logistically this location is much closer to the Embassy, which is a benefit for these last steps since the girls will need to attend a variety of appointments there. We are told that their new foster mom is the daughter of a favorite auntie that has been part of AAI’s Ghana program for quite some time. And her name is Comfort, which is comforting. :) And here is an updated picture of our girls that we received last week once they were moved into their new foster home….

 Oh, take heart sweet ones! I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18).

How Beautiful the Feet

 

Back on our March trip to Ghana, we encountered probably the most heartbreaking situation that the Lord has ever crossed our paths with. I blogged about it HERE. A few days later, a happier ending – or should I say beginning – was given to this baby as we all had hoped for – I blogged about that HERE. When I received the picture of the baby getting his bath at the foster home, every single fiber of joy that has ever ran through my body was literally all pulled to the surface at once. I was in an adrenaline tidal wave that continued to scream the theme of this story: REDEMPTION!!!! On that same day, I felt an overwhelming confirmation that I was to name this child, with a name that expressed the power of him literally being plucked from the grave. I received the go-ahead from his social worker who would have normally named him, and gave precious ‘baby in the bush’ the name of Joshua, which means, 'God Rescues'. Since then baby Joshua was placed into the Ghana program of Adoption Advocates International, where he was quickly matched up with a family waiting to adopt. Not only that, but his older 2 year old brother was also relinquished for adoption too by the birthmother.

Birthmother.

And that is what this post is about today. Joshua’s birthmother. Another face and story, oceans away, that has settled in my heart and added into the daily snapshots that float through my head. Never will I forget sitting there in that hotel lobby, and feeling the heaviness of the situation floating through the air. The emptiness and hopelessness that seemed so evident. Once we return from our trips and have time to process what actually happened, it seems like action steps become so much clearer. And, in the same way that God has done with Christian and George in my heart, He started ‘bugging’ Jake about Joshua’s birthmother. Here is an excerpt from an email that Jake had sent to ‘K’, our in-country staff-member:

May 22, 2012

I need one other favor from you as God has been bugging me a lot about it lately. During our last trip to Ghana God put a young mother into our lives who abandoned her newborn baby in the bush – the baby was discovered by the workers of our hotel. Only by God’s grace was the baby unharmed, brought back to the mother where she was later counseled on the option of adoption. About a week later the mother relinquished the baby for adoption and now this little one is in the orphanage we’ve aided in Kwahu. The baby is being well taken care of. However, there is never one day that goes by that I don’t think of the mother. I want you to go and bring the gospel to her. I want you to use some of the funds to purchase five bibles (you can buy yourself one if you would like as well). I want you to give one to her, one to her aunt, one to the guy living at the house - I think it is the aunt’s husband. And, when you are standing at their house facing it, look to your left and you will see two men who are making the traditional African scarves. I want you to give them each a bible as well. Then I would like you to start a small bible study with those five people and let’s see what God is going to do. Go to ‘M’ at the hotel and tell her to bring you to this woman as she knows where she lives, and tell ‘M’ what I want you to do. I know you are preparing for your Father’s funeral but please do this as soon as possible as I just think God is up to something!

I am inserting this picture that Jake had taken on his camera of the guys making the scarves, so you can see it as I hadn’t included this on our trip pictures. I love how Jake specifically knew that the gospel was to be brought to these guys as well!

 

So, Jake sent that email back in May. Then, a little over a week ago, we received this amazing news back from ‘K’! An excerpt from his email:

June 25, 2012

P.S:

‘J’, the young lady whose child is with ‘K’ at the Kwahu Orphanage is living with her aunt at some 5 minutes walk from my house.  To God be the glory, I went to preach to she and some of the neighbors yesterday in the evening, and all seven of them, including the two guys making the African scarves accepted and confessed Christ Jesus as LORD and Savior:D!!!  They even assured me of their readiness to be baptized, continue to do more Bible studies with me, follow me to my church and requested to have their own Bible to be reading!  Thus we might be buying maybe up to 10 Bibles:D!  The LORD is really at work, Jake!  Just that her aunt and her step father (aunt's husband) came shortly after the studies, but they also promised to be part of it anytime we gather again:D.  I would now be going more often to them, study with and strengthen them and pray with them.  Jake, this is another thing the LORD has done:D!

I love it! Love, LOVE, LOVE it! THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL PEOPLE! Hearts are ready and waiting to soak up the good news of salvation. The game-changer in this one will be discipleship from this point. Now, that they’ve committed their lives to Christ, what does that mean for them – how does that look in their lives – etc. And therein highlights the ‘benefit’ of us staying put in this same village for awhile. We won’t have to sit around and wonder from afar how Joshua’s birthmother is doing. In just a few weeks when our next missions trip team takes off for Ghana, Jake and the team can actually go and visit Joshua’s birthmother. They will be able to be right there with her and the others, to work on creating a relationship with them – and more importantly, to teach and lead them in what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. Another happy beginning, all orchestrated by the Lord. And yet, I am reminded through this that He chooses to use us - His followers - in His work. If we are willing. If we are listening to His proddings. If we move when He says ‘go!’. When we do, we get to experience the tidal wave of adrenaline, the awesome high, the feeling of purposefulness in being His instruments and bringing glory to His name! 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” ~ Romans 10:14-15~

Email from a Reader

I receive emails from blog readers often, mostly with questions that central around different aspects of beginning the adoption process, and those who are in-process. These emails really keep me on my toes, and get me thinking. I love that! I am certainly no counselor. But the Bible says that the Holy Spirit is (John 14:16-17). Honestly, there are times when I have no idea how I am going to respond to people’s questions (which is how I felt initially with the one I am sharing below), and it really drives me to wait on the Holy Spirit until He instructs me on what to say back. That is definitely one of the benefits of blogging and writing in general. You have plenty of time to think, churn and listen for what the Lord is whispering. Sometimes I wish I was afforded that luxury in real-time conversation!

I feel like the Lord is prodding me to share a recent email that I received, out loud here on the blog. This one was just so transparent and genuine….I really appreciate the realness of it. And I think that’s why it’s important to share it. There are REAL people out there, going through REAL (tough) things, and I hope others will glean encouragement through our email conversation as I share.

With her permission, here is an email that I received from Maggie:

Janel,

I wanted to turn to you for advice and a bit of a “faith” refreshment. My husband and I are currently going through the adoption process and it is incredibly overwhelming. Not only the emotional piece of it and feeling like every inch of my life is exposed and under scrutiny but also the financial aspect. I’ve read on your blog how you kept the faith that the finances would come together for your beautiful girls…but how? How did you keep the faith when thousands of dollars were needed? We are doing a garage sale, taking on PT jobs, etc. but it still isn’t enough.

I guess I’m just feeling a bit of a pity party (Why me? Why can’t I get pregnant? Why do I have to go through all of this when there are drug addicts with babies?, Why is it so hard when I just want to share the love in my heart and home? etc.) and wondering if I am strong enough to make it through this process….any insight/faith renewal you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Blessings,
Maggie

So, what do you say to that, right? Exactly. I sat on this one for a few days until it all came together in my mind. Here is what I said to Maggie and what I would say to you if you are facing something similar…..

Hi Maggie~

I sincerely apologize that I have not gotten back to your message yet. These are real hurts and deep emotions that you are expressing so I wanted to ensure that I allowed the Holy Spirit some time to instruct me on what to say back to you, and it wasn’t all fitting together in my mind until today. Here are my thoughts…..

You aren’t strong enough to make it through this process. Self-sufficiency, trying to control outcomes, and hoping in what we ourselves can accomplish drives us away from our Savior and our need for Him. When we start trusting in ourselves, and our strength, it breeds a prideful heart. Rather, the times when you feel that you are completely in over your head, or facing something that feels like it is beyond your capacity to handle – those are the perfect conditions in which we learn to rely on God. Because it’s during those times alone when we are driven to our knees in complete humility and find ourselves begging God to come through. I’ve always enjoyed this definition of faith that I came across in a book a few years ago:

Faith is stepping forward as God directs, even when we don’t know what the outcome will be. It’s doing something bigger than ourselves- so big that we are dependent on God and not on our strength and ability. When we step out in faith, God gets the glory, because whatever is accomplished is done by his Spirit at work through us. (The Power of a Positive Woman by Karol Ladd)

And I’ll add that although you can’t SEE what is going to happen, you aren’t necessarily trusting blindly. Your trust is based upon God’s character. That He is sovereign and in control of every single piece and detail in your life (Acts 17:24-28). That He is powerful and can ordain any outcome in any way that is according to His will and that will bring glory to His name - that in any and all situations He works not to hurt us, but for our good (Romans 8:28).

People often wonder why if God loves us, why he would bring situations into our lives that are painful or that seem unfair (in your situation infertility). God’s desire in our lives is to teach us that true fulfillment and happiness doesn’t come from things or friends or family or status. It comes from a relationship with Him alone. All people are taught this in different ways, and in almost every story in the Bible it is shown that one of the main ways God works in us to develop our faith is through trials, hardships, suffering, and persecutions (read James chapter 1). We would never understand that the Lord is truly our comfort, strength, refuge, provider if we never faced situations in which we were hurting or weak or in trouble or in need. Through your trial of infertility, God is desiring to teach you about His character. That He is the only source of true fulfillment (John 4:13-14 and John 10:10). Perhaps He will allow your body to have a child someday. But, perhaps, right now, He’s wanting to teach you these characteristics about Himself, to bring you closer to Him, to teach you to rely on Him in ways that you have never known.

That of course, does not change the desire and longing in your heart to experience pregnancy and have a child of your own. But, the truth is that we live in a fallen world. Bodies are prone to disease and malfunction and death. Things that were meant for right, are used for wrong (i.e. drug addicts with babies). The longing and desires that you feel to have your body made right, is really a longing and desire for heaven itself – when everything will be made right. When there will be no more suffering or crying or pain (Revelations 21:4). It’s not fair. But one day, we will get to experience the fullness of perfection and fairness and righteousness that our hearts so desperately cry out for. Knowing that we will live forever with God in a place without sin and suffering (because of what Jesus has done for us) can help us live above the pain that we face in this life.

Until then, you march on in this adoption, knowing that this is the place that the Lord has brought you to, right here, right now. You can gain confidence in this adoption journey by settling your heart and mind on God’s promise that He is with you, and you face nothing alone (Deuteronomy 31:6). If you don’t feel that, then be honest with God and cry out to Him. Tell Him that your heart’s desire is to see His hand in this, and to hear His voice more clearly (if that is your desire). God reveals Himself to those who draw near to Him (James 4:8). The best way to draw near to Him is by reading your Bible. I think the perfect place for you right now would be to read a Psalm a day. The Psalms are so honest, and they also talk a lot about God’s character, which again, is the starting point for you to base your trust in Him on.

The way that I was able to have faith that the Lord would provide the finances for us to complete our adoption was by remembering the past, and how He has come through for many people before me. There is story after story after story in the Bible of people facing IMPOSSIBLE situations, and yet, God shows up and delivers them, or provides, or makes a way (ex: read 1 Samuel chapter 17 and Daniel chapter 3). The evidence stacks high of God’s desire to do the impossible, because that’s always what gets people to stop and look up isn’t it? When the odds are stacked against you, not only is your faith in God tested and grown, but this is also the way that outsiders observing your situation will stand absolutely astonished and in awe when God comes through. Glory is brought to His name, when there is no other answer of how you made it through, other than by the hand of God.

I hope these thoughts help you...

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world. ~ Jesus ~

Christian's GRACE Fund: VICTORY!!!!!!!!

I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies;
I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved.
In the place where they yelled out, “You’re nobody!”
They’re calling you “God’s living children.” (Romans 9:25-26)

That is adoption my friends. The unwanted become wanted. The oppressed are freed. Those wronged are covered in justice. Those brokenhearted are immersed in lovingkindness. Not because of anything they themselves have done. But because of God’s great mercy.

Through your generosity, we are in the midst of a story just like that. We are living - breathing - watching - part of - what God is doing for the boy named Christian.

Last night, I received an email that took us into sweet victory:

Another $500 donation for Christian just came in!!!!!

That means, we have reached our $4000 goal – and then some. The fund overflows and now Christian’s adoption case can be sent to court. Goosebumps. What a high to see God come through.

Some of you, after you donated online received an email thank you from AAI for your donation. Some words in the email really hit me…

The GRACE Fund (Generosity Results in Adoption for Children Everywhere) provides assistance to families who might not have the means to cover all the costs of adoption, with a special focus on placement of the longest waiting children, children with special needs, and children who might not otherwise be able to be placed.

Christian was estimated to be 14 years old and he is considered special needs because of his visual impairment. Already those two things put him in the category of unwanted in the adoption world - an older child with special needs. Usually these are the last ones taken, the last ones anyone wants to invite into their family. But, Jesus would whisper to Christian – “you are my beloved child”. He has not neglected to take up his cause.

Through a $5 donation here and a $20 donation there and a couple of $100 donations here and there and a few $500 donations to make up for the spaces – God has stirred in your hearts – and used you to set this child’s feet upon a rock. A child that’s only known mud and mire and a slimy pit. Now the Lord will give him a firm place to stand, and put a new song in his mouth.

Thank you friends, for being part of this adoption.

The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save,
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

 

Hatching Monarch Butterflies at Home: Day 1

Justice became fascinated with butterflies this spring. He’d been asking for a butterfly keeper so that he could catch butterflies and observe them. During one of our trips to the zoo earlier this year each of the kids got to pick out a momento from the gift shop and that’s when Justice got his butterfly cage.

Well, it just so happens that our friend and neighbor likes to hatch monarch butterflies at her home. She and her kids have enjoyed the wonder of watching the process through a pickle jar each summer for over 10 years now. She told us to come on over anytime and we could grab our first baby caterpillar off some of their milkweed and observe the life cycle ourselves. So this morning we did!

 

I can’t believe how tiny it was! Angie informed Justice of all the tips and tricks – the main one being to give the baby a fresh milkweed leaf each day (you can see the milkweed plant behind them in the picture). We actually found a bunch of milkweed right across the street from our house in an empty lot, so we won’t have to go too far! She said the baby caterpillar will eat and then double in size almost daily! We already got to see him munch a little perfect-sized hole right through the leaf this morning – just like the famous book. :)

If you want to do this at home along with us, you can find Angie’s hatching instructions and steps on her blog by clicking HERE.  Happy hatching!