See ya on Wednesday, Greensboro!

Hallelujah!  How exciting and humbling to report that the very things we were praying for have been worked out.  It is with tears in my eyes that I let you all know that the visa was granted, and that the very genuine, caring Embassy staff person was willing to have the visa ready for us to pick up tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4pm!  It was so incredible to be hearing these words.  She was very understanding that not receiving the visa on Tuesday would require the rescheduling of four plane tickets.

Thank you for patiently (or not so patiently!) awaiting this news.  We returned from Kampala at 8pm and since then have been busy tying up loose ends around GSF.  I will post tomorrow morning with pictures.  We are leaving GSF around noon tomorrow.

We are so grateful for all of your prayers.  Our biggest blessing would be to know that your faith has been grown by petitioning Almighty God on our behalf.

Love,
Kim 

And a good time was had by all

I'm committed to posting everyday, so even though it's midnight now and we're getting up at 6am tomorrow to head to the Embassy, here goes!

So, folks, it appears I was confused on the event planning side of the things.  The First-Ever GSF Bunco Game was actually held on Saturday evening, and The Big Night Out was tonight, on Sunday evening.  This is a post on both.

The GSF staff women and their daughters are some sharp ladies.  Of all the groups to whom I have explained the intricacies of bunco, this one picked it up the quickest.  And not only are they sharp, but they are competitive as well.  This makes for the best combination.  I believe a good time was had by all.

I was internally flustered after I set up the prizes and didn’t grab a photo of them to share.  While I was grouping the prizes and tying them with ribbon a few hours before playing, I mentally counted heads and realized that I would actually be playing.  (Initially I planned to sit out because I was counting 12 players without me, but I was mistaken).  So I decided that the twelfth prize I brought would be a big bunco bag item (extra prize) and I would skip on a prize for myself, naturally.  So, I set up the prizes at the end of the game and quickly counted eleven.  At that point I think my mind left me and I was quietly freaking out that I didn’t have enough for everyone.  I forgot for the moment that I did play the game and that I purposely had eleven prizes as of course I wouldn’t need one.  During the entire prize time, I am trying to think of a plan to fix this awkward situation.  Can I run back to the guesthouse and grab a half-eaten can of nuts and a Cliff bar for the twelfth person?  It wasn't until the end of the prizes when I saw that everyone had a prize, except for me, exactly as I had planned.  Which is when it hit me that I had been the twelfth player.  My hands were so sweaty by this point that I couldn't have taken a picture if I had tried.  Good gravy; get a grip, girl...

In lieu of a picture, I will tell you that some of the prizes were cookie mixes, boxed pie crusts, Heath bits, Andes bits, chocolate cake mix, frosting tub, lemon bar mix, chocolate mousse mix, Dream Whip, various nuts, Twizzlers, Swiss Cake Rolls, and fruit snacks.  I may be missing some, but you get the idea.  These things are either nonexistent or very expensive in Africa.  Don't worry, American bunco group; we won't have such prizes next month!

And on to The Big Night out...

We went to The Black Lantern, which is a beautiful resort-type area with beautiful grounds, breathtaking views, and fabulous food.  No, we haven't left Africa yet.  Such a fun, fun time was had by all of the missionary staff and their families.  It was really a special time of fellowship as we come to a close on our time here.

I mentioned earlier about getting up early in the morning.  You might remember that tomorrow is a big day for us as we have our interview at the Embassy.  Please be in prayer that the Lord will see fit for Patricia's visa to be granted and that it would be in time for us to depart as scheduled.  And that if things don't go this way, that God is still very much a good God and that we would rest in that promise. 

Praying to see all of you on Wednesday evening.

Goodnight from Uganda,

Kim

Lazy Saturday: Photos from the Week

I am washing a couple more loads of clothes now as I don't think we'll have a chance for anymore laundry before departing, Lord willing.  Tomorrow is Sunday and we don't want to inconvenience the Greer family to use their washer on the day of rest, Monday we will be in Kampala all day again for our interview, and Tuesday we hope to be flying home.

Random: Here is a picture of Patricia in her second time at the grocery store, first time with Daddy pushing her in the fancy cart.  I couldn't load it yesterday as it takes awhile to load pictures, and, as you know, we had no power so we were all standing around the computer, cheering it on, to load the four pictures that I did post before the battery ran out.

Patricia is taking to Nate especially these days.  She goes to him when she needs help opening something or if she wants someone to hold her.  We are very thankful for this as she has not, to our knowledge, ever had a father figure in her life.  No one to help her feel protected or secure or to tell her she is beautiful.  Last night when we were without power she was sitting on Nate's lap on the bed.  They were playing a game where he would pretend to be sleeping and she would say, "A cock-er-dile is coming to eat you!" and he would get all freaked out and tickle her and say whether he was scared or not.  Her British-like accent and squeaky, high voice made it the best.  Who doesn't love it when kids are belly laughing uncontrollably while being tickled?  For the record, Nate wasn't scared of a scarecrow, a frog, nor the ants.  But he was scared of the panther, the tiger and the lion.  I hope I'm not divulging too much information that might lead to the wetting of his pants if, say, his friends back home were to suddenly produce a panther during conversation or something.  You never know.

Maren has been enjoying a lot of this on the hammock of the guesthouse porch.

I also thought you all might like to see the special African carseats that they have here in Uganda.

This is one of the little guys staying at the home of one of the missionaries here.  He is a precious, chubby thing and he was wiped out while driving home from shopping in Jinja the other day.  It took him a little while to warm up to Nate, but he soon became very comfortable.  For the record, we are all about the level of safety, or lack thereof, here in Uganda.  Of course there are things here that the Ugandan kids do that make us very uncomfortable, like two year olds on the side of busy roads lugging water jugs, but there is a big part of the freedom and lack of restriction that we find refreshing.  Like not having to be in a carseat until you're 33 and 130 lbs.  We still do love you, though, if you're currently riding in an adult-sized car seat.  We'll see you in heaven eventually when you're 110 years old, thanks to taking advantage of all available precautions.

The laundry is finished, so I will close now.  Wishing everyone a restful weekend spending time with your families.

Love,
Kim 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

A small chance

I am writing in the dark as the power went off about 30 minutes ago.  Not sure if it will come on tonight or not; this is the longest since we've been here that the power has been off.  We're good, though, with one flashlight and one headlamp; we're sharin' folk.

Here is what we woke up to this morning, the view off of the guesthouse porch.

This is a time of updates.  I'll see if I can remember it all.  First, Nate returned home in one piece from whitewater rafting.  He had a blast!  And did not see any crocs while rafting, but on the drive home when they crossed the bridge over the Nile they saw a big daddy croc on a rock.  They were dumped twice but survived the biggest rapid of them all- the Silverback.  It was actually bigger than The Bad Place, believe it or not.  (TBP was not on their run as there weren't enough people in their boat to paddle for a full day.)  I thought you all might enjoy a picture of Nate roughing it in Uganda (top left).

Yesterday Maren and I went to the pavilion with jump ropes and sweeties in hand.  Remember this post?  I couldn't get the turning motions down for Double Dutch, but we did single jump roping with long ropes.  The kids also taught us a game called Jump the River where two longs ropes are lined up maybe six inches apart to start with and after everyone in the group clears the ropes in a single jump the ropes are separated until only one person can span the distance.  I'm pretty sure I saw some future Olympian long jumpers.

Then today we were up early and on our way to the Embassy.  All of the paperwork was submitted in preparation for our interview at the Embassy at 2pm on Monday.  After speaking with the representative we found out that there is a small chance that our visa will be ready to pick up on Tuesday at the close of business.  She did not say it was impossible.  We're holding out on changing our tickets until Tuesday morning.  Bigger things have been accomplished in this journey to bring Patricia home in the name of Jehovah Jireh.   

We went to the mall and did a little more shopping- February bunco prizes are now complete!  I don't think anyone is going to walk away upset.  We picked up some groceries, and while we were waiting for the others in our group, Maren and Patricia were doing some of this.  Can we just agree that some things span all people groups and nations and generations?  They didn't know the same songs, but the concept was there.

Going to Kampala (two hours away) is a full day adventure, every time.  Today was no exception as we returned home twelve hours later.  Are you surprised to hear that dinner was cold cereal and peanut butter sandwiches?  Now the decision is whether to brave the showers since the water will most likely be cold without power.  For the dirty girls, they don't have a choice.  I think Nate and I will hold out until tomorrow.  Sweet dreams!

Love,
Kim

  

Are there crocs in the Nile?

Yesterday afternoon Nate and I went shopping in Jinja town.  On the way we dropped Maren off at Kingfisher, which is a resort-type place for swimming.  One of the missionary families was there with their kids, and they all had a blast.  There was a pool, some slides, and a hot tub.  Maren's fair skin faired well!

In Jinja we got some souvenirs for our boys and I bought some prizes for the bunco game I am hosting at my house later in February.  I wish I could post pictures of my finds, but that, ahem, kind of wouldn't work if the bunco girlies are reading the blog.  You know.  No one wants to know the prize selections before the big night.

Speaking of bunco, the Good Shepherd's Fold First Ever Annual Bunco Game will be held this Sunday night!  Yours truly thought this would be a fun night for the staff ladies and older girls.  Bunco is not bunco without good snacks and prizes, so those are in the guesthouse just screaming for their debut.  I'd like to post pictures of those now, too, but if the GSF staff are blog readers, that would take away a little of the fun.  But don't worry.  Pictures and all of the details will be on the blog for your Monday morning reading pleasure.

Maren was a little disappointed this morning as I snapped out of my fog and dragged out her schoolbooks.  We had quite a bit of math to make up!  But she was a good sport and finished everything up, while this little girlie played pretend next to us.

Meanwhile, this man and his friend are somewhere right now, screaming down the Nile.  We found out last night during missionary devotions that there is a section on their rafting trip called The Bad Place.  Enough said.  I snapped this shot so that we can remember what he looks like in case he doesn't return.

Before leaving this morning for whitewater rafting, these two were listening to some LeCrae together on the porch.  Google is your friend, if LeCrae is lost on you.

Remember us tomorrow (Friday) as we head into Kampala again to drop off paperwork so complicated that I have no idea what some of the questions mean, as well as Patricia's passport, the court ruling, and the signing away of our lives, at the US Embassy.  This isn't our interview; that will hopefully be on Monday again in Kampala.  Pray for favor as the timing of everything is discussed.  I will post as soon as I get back to GSF tomorrow.

Love,
Kim

Sharing the news

Yesterday evening, we sat down with Patricia and asked her if she wanted to come to America with us.  She was sitting on Maren's lap in a chair, and she started to get fidgety.  She was picking at things on her legs that were not there.  She was playing with the hem of her dress.  She wasn't sure what to say and probably wasn't sure what to even think.   Maren was describing some of the things to see and do, and I'm sure the whole conversation was much too much to try to take in for a little 5-year-old mind.  After a couple of minutes, we changed the subject and moved on to getting ready for bed with showers and all.  She was excited about sleeping in a bed next to Maren.  She was excited about her new Princess and the Frog toothbrush.  And she was most excited about this...

The night went well; both girls slept until about 8:30 this morning when Patricia quickly jumped out from under her mosquito net and all but flew to the bathroom.  Maren has been loading her up these days with plenty of Crystal Light and juice and her bladder had probably had all it could take!  Besides the candy, one of Patricia's most favorite snacks that we brought is the Quaker flavored mini rice cakes.  It takes her two sittings to devour a bag.

There was an email from the lawyer this morning (sent yesterday) that he has received the written ruling and has filed for the passport.  Great news!

Nate is planning on attending a white water rafting excursion on the Nile tomorrow.  I'm sure it will be very exciting!  Later today we should be heading into Jinja Town for some shopping.  I'm going to try to find some African fabric for the GSF tailor to make matching dresses for the girls.

As I write we're chilling on the veranda at the back of the Greer's/Claudia's duplex house, taking in the beautiful view of the GSF campus below as well as the countryside beyond, while we run a load of clothes in the washer.  It's hot in the sun, but the shade and breeze are fabulous.  I'm thinking that the cold upon returning is going to be a pretty big slap in the face.

Goodbye for now,
Kim

And one more makes six

Hopefully this news finds you all well and enjoying a cup of coffee this Tuesday morning.  Legal guardianship of Patricia was granted to the Shaw family!  We went for our court appointment and the judge read the ruling for the family with us, granting them legal guardianship of Patricia's good friend here at GSF ,who happens to live five minutes from us back in Greensboro!  And then he read our ruling which was so exciting for us.  Hallelujah!  It was such an encouragement for Nate and me. 

It turns out that the Ugandan holiday is actually tomorrow- thank the Lord- because we couldn't have done anything with the Embassy tomorrow anyway without a passport.  The goal is now to drive back to Kampala to pick up the written ruling and Patricia's passport on Friday, and then go immediately over to the Embassy to turn those in as well as the additional paperwork I have filled out for the Embassy which will prepare them for our interview on Monday. While leaving the parking lot of the court, I called the US Embassy and spoke with the lady to try to schedule our visa interview for Monday, and she said that will be fine.  She will give us a specific time when we turn in the documents on Friday.

One issue down, one to go.  Typically it takes 48 hours for a visa to be issued after the interview.  Interview: Monday, flights depart: Tuesday at 11pm.  Folks, that's not a 48 hour time difference.  Please pray about this. 

We will discuss her coming home with us later tonight.  She'll now start staying overnight with us in the guesthouse.  We'll let you know how it goes.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!

Love,
Kim

Asking for mercy

We had a chance to sit down with Claudia, GSF missionary who works with adopting families, to discuss what still needs to take place with bringing Patricia home.  We have court tomorrow, in which we are praying to receive our ruling in writing the very day.  This is something that can go either way; the judge may say to return in a few days to receive the ruling in writing, or he may give it to us tomorrow.  I don't need to spell out what we are praying for.

If we can get a written ruling tomorrow we are hoping to be able to meet with the Embassy tomorrow.  However, the passport is also delayed until we have a written ruling, and we need her passport in order to meet with the Embassy.  To add one more thing, there is a Ugandan holiday on Monday the 31st for which all offices are closed.

The God who lights up the sky both day and night has given me a strong sense that he did not bring us this far to leave us here. 

Today has been an enjoyable day.  Maren and Patricia have spent all day together playing Old Maid, jump roping and exploring the grounds.

Tonight we went to a great restaurant called Two Friends, where the atmosphere outside is almost as good as the food!



Joyce, Patricia & Maren at Two Friends




Adam & Betsy Greer and Nate

 We'll be off at 7:30am our time for a ruling appointment at 10am (2am your time).  I'll post as soon as I can afterwards.

Love,
Kim

Beyond thankful

We got in to Entebbe, Uganda last night just before 11pm, as scheduled (this was 3pm Saturday U.S. time).  Many times while flying, and then especially after we landed, Nate and I were both praying for our luggage.  The chain saw that I mentioned in the previous post, as well as some cold, hard cash that inadvertently was not removed from a bag we were forced to check at the last minute while boarding a flight in Brussels, were our main concerns.  We had reached the point in our journey where if anyone was going to have sticky fingers, it was going to be in the transition from the plane to the baggage claim in Entebbe.  While we were waiting in the line for our visas I couldn't help but keep my eyes focused beyond the bars to the baggage claim area, the whole time asking for provision and protection.  I asked for the Lord to place on our friends' hearts at this very time these things burdening us.  For those who thought of us and prayed, thank you so much.  I told Nate that there were probably no two people who would throw open two suitcases so fast.  We did just that, and everything was there!  This is a huge miracle.  And it began with the three sweet ladies at the United check-in counter at Greensboro who talked the fourth one out of a $200 charge for the extra weight on our suitcases and wished us well on our journey.

We arrived to GSF just a little bit ago.  We were able to meet up with one of the missionary families for lunch in Kampala, and they brought along one little Cutie Pie with them.  Patricia was pretty shy around the three of us at first, but warmed up after a little bit of time.  Now she is inseparable from Maren!  They are watching a movie now in the little girls' house.  It is the sweetest thing, and something I didn't expect to happen so soon.  I am going to upload only one picture right now because it's taking too long to add more.  Here we are at the Garden City Mall, right when we saw Patricia.

   Our court appointment is on Tuesday the 25th.  Please be praying that we will receive a favorable ruling from the judge which will grant us legal guardianship.  It would be awesome as well if the judge would have the written ruling in hand that very day rather than needing to wait a couple of days to receive it.  The judge at times hands it right over and at times make you return to pick it up later.  If we can get it in hand, we can then make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy to finish the visa application process.  I'll be in touch!

Love,
Kim

Packin' partay, bay-bee!!!

The time is drawing near.  We are leaving for Uganda again next week, on January 21st.  So, this definitely calls for a packing party today!  In exchange for having worked this past Tuesday night, I am off work today until 8pm.  A Saturday where our entire family is home and I am not working?  Can't remember the last time.  What better way to spend it than getting prepared for travel a whole six days in advance!   Here is our living room now:

To the friends who contributed to an awesome chain saw for our friends at Good Shepherd's Fold- THANK YOU!  Here are the fruits of your generosity:

Can you see all of the spare parts, case, and toolbox?  The owner of the ACE Hardware on Randleman Rd was extremely gracious.  After finding out that the Stihl chain saw that would work best at GSF happened to be on sale, Nate was very excited, and things only went up from there.  The ACE-man started giving him replacement part after replacement part, to which Nate responded by saying 'Whoa, I only have $620 to spend!'  to which ACE-man said not to worry.  The grand total was just under $800, and ACE-man covered the difference.  And there are spare parts to cover everything on the machine that could possibly break.  A few times over.

Yes, it is all in that very suitcase.  And in case there are any blog stalkers airline workers out there anticipating a 5-finger-discount by intercepting this baggage on it's merry way, I will tell you them now to Get Back, Jack!  Each piece is itemized and photographed for the purpose of filing a claim with the airlines if necessary.  But the safe transport of this precious cargo could still use your prayers more than anything we could possibly do for security measures.

Some of the other items pictured?  Bunco supplies and prizes for the lovely staff ladies at GSF, school supplies for the kids, clothes and shoes for adults and children alike, many gummy vits donated for the kids, and paper for the housemoms at GSF to make the pretty paper bead jewelry.  What is missing?  Clothes and food that Nate, Kim and Maren will use while we are there.  Those items are for the carry on bags, folks.  I'm pretty sure in his sleep that I heard Nate say he wouldn't mind wearing the same pair of underwear each day in Africa, so maybe I'll put some of my things in his carry on as well! 

A day well spent.  Next to actually being present at GSF and seeing Patricia again, I can't imagine anything better than spending a day packing and purchasing items that will light up faces halfway around the globe.

Love,
Kim

Uganda in pictures

I have a few more pictures of Africa to share.  I mentioned awhile back the dual taxi modes in Uganda; the boda-boda (motorcycle) and the van crammed with passengers.  During my ride into Entebbe prior to going home I snapped some shots from the car.  Here are boda drivers trying to drum up some business.

And people cruising along in tight quarters...

I wanted to get a picture of the driver who drove me into town to show Travel Option #3, but it was too dark when we arrived.  I was going to let you vote on the transport of your choice.  However, I am feeling a boda ride coming on in my return trip.  How can you say you went to Africa and didn't give it a shot?  Live a little, folks!

Here are some wares for sale along the road.  By the way, it is a straight shot from Jinja (northernmost of the locations we travelled) to Kampala, and finally to Entebbe.  A single vertical line will connect the dots.  If it's not the same Road Most Travelled to hit all three cities, it sure seems that way.

Yes, this is furniture for sale not only placed outside of the store, but sitting in the red dirt!  The employees can be seen beating the furniture with straw brooms to get the dust off.

And finally, as we were driving through Kampala, I believe, these little ones were outside my car window.  A sight that I'm sure is not at all uncommon.

Many thanks for your interest, support and prayers for us during this journey!  I will do my best to return the favor by keeping the blog current on our upcoming trip.

Love,
Kim

The Little Black Bag & the Parting of the Waters

Lauren and Patricia, chillin

It's past time to update with our newest information.  The holidays, which were fabulous by the way, got the best of me and I was unable to write anything even though I've been home from Africa for a week and a half now. 

The trip home was uneventful.  I slept well on the multiple planes when I wasn't eating or watching movies.  The only problem was that I left the single piece of luggage that I checked, ON THE CAROUSEL.  Yes, folks.  Who does this???  I'd like to say that it might have been a combination of a) having 4 carry-on items in my arms, giving me the sensation of having all my belongings already and b) being excited to see the kids and Nate waiting for me at the end of the arrival area.  But the bottom line is that I forgot to go to baggage claim.  You should have heard me on all of the subsequent phone calls to the United Baggage Services, "Well, it wasn't really a delayed bag.  I'm sure it was actually on the carousel.  If I had looked for it."  Add to it that all of the baggage folks I spoke with were Indian so we have a slight language barrier combined with an idiotic story.  Thankfully there is nothing that I currently need in the bag because I still don't have it.  We were awoken yesterday with a phone call from United Baggage in Greensboro saying that my luggage has arrived and would I like to pick it up or have it delivered.  I sheepishly asked if there would be a delivery charge, as it's kind of tough to throw your weight around in this situation and to be insistent on your rights, and the kind lady said no.  I'm thinking she doesn't fully understand the situation, but I was willing to take her up on the offer nonetheless.  All I care is that I get the bag before leaving for Uganda again as it has my thrift store skirts inside that I need to wash so they can be reworn (skirts are a must in Jinja).

Speaking of 'Uganda again', we have our travel plans in place!  It is an honor and privilege to share with you the plan of the Father in providing our way back to Africa, in His time.  But first a little background.  When we began the adoption journey in April we did not have the funds for it.  We were moving forward in faith that God would provide for all the expenses.  As the homestudy and the Homeland Security forms and a variety of other fees became due, we had the money.  Fortunately at my place of employment I had the opportunity to work extra shifts during the spring and summer.  This was God's provision for us we feel; by giving me health, an education, and a job with extra shifts for extra pay.  But in the back our minds we knew we would have plane tickets to buy and that these tickets would combine to be the greatest expense of our adoption. 

My parents do a lot of international travel with the mission agency they work with and subsequently they have many frequent flyer miles.  However, Africa is not an area where miles are easily redeemed.  Is there an Amen from any frequent travellers?  There are many blackout dates and locations.  So much so that in order to schedule a ticket it must be done over the phone with an agent as opposed to independently on the computer.  We are also going to be taking Maren, our 9 year old daughter, over with us to be able to establish a relationship with Patricia before bringing her home.  Even with the additional expense, we felt strongly led to do this.  Our thoughts: since the girls will be sharing a room at home, any opportunity Patricia would have to 'live' with Maren at GSF and feel safe with her would be invaluable back in the States.

Over the recent months and weeks I have been excited to read about God's provision for other adopting families.  I mean truly excited!  I have read about amazing yard sales, homemade items, anonymous gifts, you name it.  In hearing of these gifts, I would tell God again and again that I believed he had a good plan for us, and I would ask for patience and belief.  Working additional extra shifts during the coming year was starting to seem like the way we would be provided for.  We opened a 0% APR/12 month credit card to put the plane tickets on, and we planned to make payments throughout 2011, with the hopes that the adoption tax credit in 2012 might complete the amount charged.  And we were resting in that being God's best for us at this point in our journey.

Until my dad called and said that he was able to get ALL THREE and ONE-HALF flights from Greensboro to Entebbe with frequent flyer miles!  I hope when you read that you can feel some of the surprise and joy that we felt with the news.  In His time and in His way.  And in case we missed the miracle, some dear friends felt led to give us an amount of money that, unbeknownst to them and to us at the time, covered the taxes on the plane tickets.

And if Almighty God had not chosen to provide for us in this way?  He would still be good.  And he would still be worthy of all praise.  For we have been given much, much more than we deserve.  But because Jehovah Jireh has brought glory to Himself in this way, we rejoice with thanksgiving! 

We will be leaving on the afternoon of my birthday, January 21st.  Can you think of a greater gift?  Our court date is January 25th.  And our return tickets are on February 1st.  You can rest in the fact that I am now trying to figure out how to make three weeks fly by as I don't think I'll be able to stand myself for too much longer!  I can hardly wait for Nate and Maren to meet Patricia and experience GSF, and to greet the boys with joy as the four of us walk down the long hallway at the Greensboro airport to be a family of eight, together.

Blessings in the New Year,
Kim  

PS  Here is girly-girl, caught in the act of dancing in front of the reflective door!