Why? you ask. Well we are going to meet with our attorney. We really feel like we are suppose to sit across the desk from him and look him in the eye and talk to him about our documents and what is important to us. Also since we are going independent we have to do all of the research and learning for ourselves. I have had great correspondence from our attorney but the language translation has me scratching my head and pulling out a dictionary from time to time. I am sure his English is right it just doesn't translate to Texan very well sometimes. ;) I am looking very forward to being in Uganda and Bryan can't wait to go back. We do not have to make this trip it is not a requirement in this process. We do feel very confident that need to GO. We will also be visiting some babies homes and orphanages as well as a couple of ministries. We will basically be rocking babies, playing with kiddos and just serving where we are needed We will meet with directors in those places to try to share our heart with them and what God has placed on our hearts. There is a possibility that we might as a result get to meet our child(ren) while we are there. We DO NOT get to "pick" a child while we are there. That would be illegal or at least unethical and besides that we don't want to do any "picking"! We are totally wanting God to do that for us. Bryan and I are praying that we leave "our" plans here and that we are totally open and receptive to God's plan for us and that He gives us discernment for each part of the trip. I am not looking forward to leaving Cole and Averie. We NEVER leave our kids. Cole is 3 and he has only spent 2-3 nights away from us and that was with my parents! They will be with all 3 sets of our parents and some of that time will be here at our house. I am positive that it will be much harder on me than them. I am working out ways to stay in touch with them. I can tell you with ALL of my heart that there is nothing short of a direct call from my Father that would cause me to leave them to go that far.
Here is what we need from you:
1. Prayers - for safe travel, for discernment, for us to KNOW what we are suppose to do, for us to leave our agendas here and get on that airplane totally open to what God has for us!, for our children to have peace, to be safe , for our families who will be taking care of the kids, and for our health as well as the kids, and for our hearts to continue to be broken for what breaks HIS!
2. FORMULA: We have been told by numerous sources that there is such a need for formula in the orphanages and villages. It is so hard for me to understand but there are a lot of babies/toddlers that do not have any source of nutrition. It has been brought to my attention also by Christie Magera of Ekubo Ministries that works in Bugabo village that there is a HUGE need in the villages as well. If a woman who is HIV + gives birth and doesn't have formula and hasn't been on meds then she has no choice but to breastfeed, thus putting her child in danger of HIV. SOOOO we plan to take a TON for formula with us to these places. We are each allowed 100 pounds before we have to pay so we would like to give up 100 pounds for formula and would LOVE to have so much formula come in that we have to arrange to pay for another bag. So if you live local you can call or email me and I will meet you to pick up formula, if you live away and would like to ship it let me know and I will send you my address or if you would rather give money and I will do the shopping ....... ALL of this would be such a blessing. AND I know some of you might have contacts like doctors with lots of samples or you might have lots of coupons, etc that would be awesome. Just know you would be a huge blessing. We are so honored to be able to be the haulers of the formula. BUT we need to act QUICK! We don't have much time...
Matthew 25: 35-40
'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
We are so honored to have your support and prayers during this time!
