PUZZLE FUNDRAISER!

PUZZLE FUNDRAISER!!!  As I’m sure everyone is already aware…international adoptions are quite “pricey”!  I’ve been reading this book, “You Can Adopt Without Debt” by Julie Gumm (great book for anyone thinking about or in the process of adopting!) and loved this fundraising idea.  I special ordered a 204-piece puzzle, and we are going to “sell” pieces for a minimum $25 donation.  When you buy a piece I will write your name on the back.  When it is completed, I will glue/matte it together and put it in Shakirah’s room as a keepsake of everyone that “put the pieces of the puzzle together” to bring her to Texas!  Several people have already generously donated and allowed us to pay for our attorney on the American side and complete our home study.  I just got the puzzle in the mail on Saturday, so as soon as I get a chance this week I am going to get it started with their names and I will post a picture of it.  I will post pictures occasionally of how much of the puzzle is completed, but I am not going to show the other side until it is done…that will be a surprise!  J  We have a profile where you can read Shakirah’s story and donate online at https://www.adopttogether.org/adopt-shakirah.  100% of your donation will go to us, and it is tax deductible because it is through Hoping Hearts Foundation. If you don’t like the online idea, you can mail a check to PO Box 2107, Van Alstyne, TX 75495 (but this method is NOT tax-deductible).  If you are not from this area, I will also write in where you are from with your name.  I think it would be awesome for her to see how even people from other states wanted to bless her! So please share this with any of your family or friends that have a heart for adoption and would want to buy a piece of the puzzle!  Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU!!! 

Adoption Status

In case you are wondering where everything stands with the adoption...we have submitted all paperwork on the U.S. side.  We got our letter from Immigration and we are waiting on our appointment for fingerprinting at a local USCIS office.  Our home study was completed a couple months ago...thank you Lord!  Anyone that has adopted knows that is one of the most tedious/longest steps!  Getting the ball rolling on the Ugandan side has been a little difficult from here.  So...a very generous family purchased a plane ticket for Jason to fly to Uganda and meet with an attorney there and visit the Ugandan Probate Court to get everything moving.  Just as important for the trip, he will be visiting Shakirah to take her a care package from us and encourage her so she doesn't think we have forgotten about her or that we are "dragging our feet".  He will be leaving Aug. 10th and returning August 21st.  So please pray for a safe, productive trip! 

Intro - Shakirah's Story

I have never "blogged" before, but we decided to start this as a way to keep everyone up to date on the status of our international adoption, and to post fundraisers and status of money for those that have already generously donated.  For those of you that don't know, Jason and I are in the process of adopting a 10 year-old little girl from Uganda named Shakirah.  Jason and I have already been blessed with 5 kids (4 together and he has a son from his first marriage); so you might be wondering, "Why in the world are we looking to adopt #6??" Jason is going to tell this first part of the story...

Two years ago I took off on my first “…and to the ends of the earth” mission trip.  This was not your ordinary mission trip, I would soon find out, due to going into some areas that seemed very volatile.  I was amazed at the Ugandan’s rich culture and was deeply moved by their great love for God!  One time when I was ministering in a church I came to the end of a prayer line.  At the end of the line were about 15-20 children.  I was then moved to bless them in the Name of Jesus Christ, anoint them with oil and kiss their forehead.  The bible says to treat people how you want to be treated and this is what I do to my children at home; I bless them, anoint them and kiss them.  During this time while I was going to each child I was on my knees.  I then started to realize there must be more children than what I thought earlier because the line kept growing.  I learned later that the children were not used to this love and after their blessing would run out of the church and go find more children and bring them back to be blessed.  I was greatly moved by this…….. Children running to the church to be loved!  Wow… This started the journey of our Shakirah. 

One day in between ministering I went for a walk to get a soda.    On my way back I was walking through a village with mud-huts and saw a little girl with a mat rolled out (meaning “welcome”).  As I approached she said, “Musumba…Musumba…please…sit, sit….”  I sat down and she had made me something to eat.  It was some cold rice, small piece of chicken and some tea in a pink cup.  After I sat down she said, “Musumba….you pray…you pray” while grabbing my hand.  I then asked God to bless the food and this precious little girl…and HE did!  A week later she came with me to visit other church plants and when we would be walking through the bush she would often hold my hand.  It is then God gave me a vision of her.  I saw Shakirah no longer 9 years old, but in her 20’s.  She was still holding my hand walking through Africa translating for me as we spread The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In this vision I also knew that my wife and I had adopted her and she grew up in North Texas with us and our 5 children.  Since I was new to having visions I was at first reluctant to know if this was really what I was seeing and as soon as the vision stopped, my friend from Nigeria spoke it out loud!  What?!  I saw it and he spoke it right when it was over.  I knew then that God had answered that prayer over that small meal, “Lord… Bless this precious little girl.”  HE wanted to do that by having my family adopt her and bring her home to Texas.