I wanted to give everyone an update around Christmas, but there really wasn't anything to update yet.
Many of you have asked me:
"Do you have a particular child in mind to adopt?"
"Do you know what country?"
"Did you get one while you were in Africa?"
First off, you can't just "get one" while you are in another country. I am sure most people know that, but comments like "bring me a couple of brown babies home" and "why didn't you just get one while you were over there?" probably aggravate the stew out of people who have actually gone through the whole process of International adoption. The process is long. And hard. And expensive. Much like pregnancy and child birth. If someone had told me to grab them a baby from the hospital while I was on the way there to deliver one of mine I would have probably punched them in the face.
I have walked along side many friends who have gone through this process on this side of the world. Now I have seen the faces of moms on the other side of the world who are desperately going from one appointment to the next in a strange and unfamiliar place, often on the back of a strange and unfamiliar motorcycle. Tackling one hurdle and setback at a time with hopes that they will soon be given the "yes" they need to travel home with the child that their heart already recognizes as their own.
But, similar to child birth, we tend to forget the terrible parts as soon as we hold that sweet child and bring them home to start a new life. It is HARD but it is so worth it. Adoption is the same. Exactly the same. Except is doesn't involve your uterus. I digress.....
So, back to me. These last few months have been a crazy whirlwind. As you know, I started this process seeking to follow the Lord in His prompting to pursue a child with Down syndrome. I originally thought this would happen through International adoption. I also originally thought that I would seek an older child (2-4) rather than an infant. But, through a series of crazy circumstances, God has sent 4 children across my path in the last 3 months. All boys. All newborns. All with Ds.
None of these children turned out to be mine, but I know God had a plan in all of it. Of course He did. One thing He showed me was that in order for me to be available to take a child who may be abandoned because if a Ds diagnosis here in the US, I would need to be a licensed foster parent. Although this is not what I had planned, I have done a lot of praying for God to make the path He wants me to take clear, and I think He has.....and His plans are always better than mine!
I will be starting the training to become a licensed foster parent next Thursday the 17th through Alabama Baptist Children's Homes! After 10 weeks of classes (1 night a week) I will be be ready to have my homestudy and get started.
I am really excited about this new chapter. Please be praying for us and I will keep you updated....as soon as there is something to update!
Blessings,
jennymo
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Thursday, December 13, 2012
I slept with a girl.....and I didn't catch HIV.
She is four years old. Her name is Leah Grace and she is the daughter of my friend Deb (the one I just went to Africa with). She contracted HIV through no fault of her own. She takes her meds every day like a good girl. Because of those meds, and the love of her family, she is a perfectly healthy normal little girl.
While in Uganda, I wiped her snot, drank after her, shared food with her, helped her in the bathroom....all of the things I would do with my own daughter. About halfway through the week we had some friends come and stay with us for a few nights, which caused us to have to do a little shuffle of the sleeping arrangements. I am no stranger to having kids in my bed and all up in my business while I sleep, so I didn't think twice when Leah Grace wanted to bunk with me.
But then right before I fell asleep, 1987 came back to haunt me ......for a split second.
What if she has a stomach virus and throws up on me during the night?
Is HIV present in urine? What if she wets the bed?
She got a cut on her nose today...what if it opens up while she is asleep?
The truth is sometimes ugly, and I really don't want to admit it.....especially since I am on staff with Project Hopeful, and our whole objective is to shine light on the facts about HIV and to advocate for children who live with it.
But then I realized, that if I KNOW the facts, and 1987 still crept in to my mind for a split second, how would my friends react in the same situation? How would I have reacted a couple of years ago?
Please friends, for the sake of this sweet girl and so many others like her, educate yourself!
Here are the fact about HIV.....most of them are very straightforward and the only thing you can do with them is read/understand them and help educate others......
....but 2 of these facts are things we can CHANGE.....YOU can change....right now.....today.............can you find them? Will you?
#14: There is no reason to fear that a mosquito or other insect could
transmit HIV from one person to another through HIV-infected blood left on its
mouth parts. Studies conducted by the CDC and elsewhere have shown no evidence
of HIV transmission from mosquitoes or any other insects–even in areas where
there are many cases of AIDS and large populations of mosquitoes. Lack of such
outbreaks, despite intense efforts to detect them, supports the conclusion that
HIV is not transmitted by insects.
#15: There are no documented cases of HIV being transmitted during participation in sports. The very low risk of transmission during sports participation would involve sports with direct body contact in which bleeding might be expected to occur. If someone is bleeding, their participation in the sport should be interrupted until the wound stops bleeding and is both antiseptically cleaned and securely bandaged. There is no risk of HIV transmission through sports activities where bleeding does not occur.
#16: No incident of food being contaminated with HIV-infected blood or semen has been reported to CDC. Furthermore, CDC has received no reports of HIV infection resulting from eating food, including condiments. HIV does not live long outside the body. Even if small amounts of HIV-infected blood or semen was consumed, exposure to the air, heat from cooking, and stomach acid would destroy the virus. Therefore, there is no risk of contracting HIV from eating food.
#17: Many scientific studies have been conducted to examine all the possible ways that HIV is transmitted. These studies have NOT shown HIV to be transmitted through air, water, insects, or casual contact.
Blessings,
jennymo
While in Uganda, I wiped her snot, drank after her, shared food with her, helped her in the bathroom....all of the things I would do with my own daughter. About halfway through the week we had some friends come and stay with us for a few nights, which caused us to have to do a little shuffle of the sleeping arrangements. I am no stranger to having kids in my bed and all up in my business while I sleep, so I didn't think twice when Leah Grace wanted to bunk with me.
But then right before I fell asleep, 1987 came back to haunt me ......for a split second.
What if she has a stomach virus and throws up on me during the night?
Is HIV present in urine? What if she wets the bed?
She got a cut on her nose today...what if it opens up while she is asleep?
The truth is sometimes ugly, and I really don't want to admit it.....especially since I am on staff with Project Hopeful, and our whole objective is to shine light on the facts about HIV and to advocate for children who live with it.
But then I realized, that if I KNOW the facts, and 1987 still crept in to my mind for a split second, how would my friends react in the same situation? How would I have reacted a couple of years ago?
Please friends, for the sake of this sweet girl and so many others like her, educate yourself!
Here are the fact about HIV.....most of them are very straightforward and the only thing you can do with them is read/understand them and help educate others......
....but 2 of these facts are things we can CHANGE.....YOU can change....right now.....today.............can you find them? Will you?
You NEVER have to fear contracting HIV through casual
contact with an HIV+ person.
HIV has NEVER been transmitted in normal family living
conditions. Never.
HIV FACTS
#1: HIV is spread in three main ways: Sexual contact, IV
drug use (through the sharing of dirty needles), and mother to infant (through
pregnancy, birth or breast feeding).
#2: Medications called ARV’s can mean the difference between
life and death. Children who receive treatment are expected to live a normal
lifespan.
#3: HIV is not found in sweat, urine, feces, tears, saliva
or snot. It is found in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. While HIV may live for a short while outside of the body,
HIV transmission has not been reported as a result of contact with spillages or
small traces of blood, semen or other bodily fluids. This is partially because HIV dies quite quickly once
exposed to the air, and also because spilled fluids would have to get into a
persons bloodstream to infect them.
#4: You don’t have to fear catching HIV through day to day
activities with people who are HIV+. You are free to share plates, cups,
utensils, food, toilets, towels, linens and other household items without risk
of transmission. –American
Academy of Family
Physicians
#5: Today, HIV is considered a chronic, but manageable
disease, much like Type II Diabetes (though Diabetes cannot be transmitted).
#6: If a pregnant mother does not receive medical treatment,
there is approximately a 30% chance she will transmit the virus to her child.
By treating mother and infant, doctors can reduce that rate to approximately
1%.
#7: A persons HIV+ status is protected medical information.
There are US laws in place to protect the privacy of individuals living with
the virus. There are also laws to protect citizens from being discriminated
against because they have HIV/AIDS should they decide to disclose their HIV
status.
#8: Social stigma is perhaps the greatest challenge an HIV+ individual
will face.
#9: A persons viral
load is the amount of HIV found in their body. Through the use of HAART
treatment it is possible for a patients viral load to become undetectable in laboratory
tests. Having an undetectable viral load does not mean a person is cured. It
simply means the medications are working to prevent the HIV virus from
replicating within the body.
#10: In 2009 the Kaiser Family Foundation conducted a study
titled “Survey of Americans about HIV/AIDS” which found that levels of
knowledge about HIV/AIDS had not increased in the US since 1987.
#11: Families should use universal precautions whether or
not someone in the family has HIV. Kids should be taught not to touch anyone’s
blood anyway! This enables them to offer assistance to injured persons in a
safe and healthy way.
#12: In the West, HIV is now considered a chronic illness
rather than the terminal disease it used to be. Sadly, this isn’t the case for
those children infected with HIV who are living in resource-poor settings,
where 50% of infected and untreated children are not expected to live past the
age of two.
#13: Today, 6,500 people will die as a result of AIDS. 6,000
of those people will leave children behind. Those children will join the
already 15 million children who have lost parents to this treatable disease.
(note: HIV is NOT AIDS. Patients receiving treatment for HIV (with ARV’s) can
be expected to live long healthy lives without ever developing AIDS. In the
U.S. ARV’s are readily available, however this is not the case in most
developing parts of the world)
#15: There are no documented cases of HIV being transmitted during participation in sports. The very low risk of transmission during sports participation would involve sports with direct body contact in which bleeding might be expected to occur. If someone is bleeding, their participation in the sport should be interrupted until the wound stops bleeding and is both antiseptically cleaned and securely bandaged. There is no risk of HIV transmission through sports activities where bleeding does not occur.
#16: No incident of food being contaminated with HIV-infected blood or semen has been reported to CDC. Furthermore, CDC has received no reports of HIV infection resulting from eating food, including condiments. HIV does not live long outside the body. Even if small amounts of HIV-infected blood or semen was consumed, exposure to the air, heat from cooking, and stomach acid would destroy the virus. Therefore, there is no risk of contracting HIV from eating food.
#17: Many scientific studies have been conducted to examine all the possible ways that HIV is transmitted. These studies have NOT shown HIV to be transmitted through air, water, insects, or casual contact.
Blessings,
jennymo
Saturday, December 1, 2012
How do you explain Africa?
I just don't think you can explain this place. Pictures,
words, and even video are just not adequate. You have to be here. You
need to get the red dirt on your feet. You need to hear the sounds of the
birds, bodas, cows, cars, music, drums, traffic, people. You have to see the
city, villages, babies, people, mountains, trees. Uganda has a smell….but it isn’t
like anything else. So how do you explain it with words? Words just don’t
suffice…..so a quick update on our trip will just have to do!
The kids have all been great. Zechariah is a little dream of
a child and smart as a whip! His English is already excellent and the siblings
have bonded well over the past few weeks. He is the perfect fit for their
family. He wants to help with everything, he follows instructions
well…..he is a tender little man. Did I mention he is smart? : - )
He says “I am” instead of “I want”. So all day long we hear:
I am chicken.
I am potty.
I am mommy.
I am get out of car.
So precious.
The LONG process is almost finished. Deb has an appointment
tomorrow afternoon at the embassy to get Z’s Visa, then once that is picked up
they are all done and ready to head home! Deb knew that I only intended to stay
10 days max since I miss my babies, and this is my VERY busiest season of the
year with work, BUT, I really wanted to be able to “complete my mission”, so to
speak, so I am sticking around to fly home with them as planned! Lord willing,
they will be home Wednesday afternoon and I will be home Wednesday evening!
We have had the privilege of going to a number of awesome
ministries while we have been here. First on the list of course was Ekisa. We
traveled to Jinja to see them, but unfortunately when we arrived we learned
that one of the children they have been caring for had passed away. It was a
very sad day for them, so out of respect, we simply left the 3 suitcases full
of supplies we had brought for them and we went on our way. I am so thankful to
all of you who made the delivery of all of those supplies possible! I know they
will be greatly blessed by all of it!
Since we had some time and we were already in Jinja, we were
able to stop by another ministry that Project Hopeful has helped out in the
past, ate a little lunch at the Source Café and headed back to Kampala!
A couple of days ago (it is all starting to run together
now) we were able to visit an amazing place called Malaika Babies Home. It
operates under a foundation out of Europe
called Child's i Foundation. I have been to a lot of ministries to children and babies in
Uganda and Kenya (side
note-the solution to every problem is NOT to start a new non-profit…there are
already plenty) and I can tell you that I have never seen anything like this place.
I didn’t take any pictures (which was literally painful for me) so I will just
have to try to describe it, but I promise my words won’t do it justice. They have a
separate room with a designated nanny for each age group (0-6 months, 6-9
months etc) with a printed sheet posted on the door with the names, details and
care instructions for each child. The clothes are all organized by size and in
their own individual cubbies. The nurses have an immaculate room with detailed
files neatly kept for each child. In each bathroom, they have a towel for each
child on a hook and labeled with their names. The whole place is that way. Did I mention they did not know
we were coming? This wasn’t “clean up for the mzungus” stuff…..this is their
normal day to day life. They have 7 social workers on staff….SEVEN! Their
mission is to keep abandoned children for no more than 2-3 months while they
get them healthy and the social workers can find their families. Then they
re-settle them back with their own biological relatives. If none of their
family can be located, then they have a list of hundreds of Ugandan families
who are on a waiting list to adopt them! So amazing. The last resort is to have them
adopted by non-Ugandan families, and even then they try to place them with
International families who are currently living in Uganda (and surprisingly there are
a lot). Malaika is a perfect example of the fact that the solution to worlds problems is NOT to adopt all of their children into the U.S. or to Westernize everything. Seriously I was so impressed. Can you tell? : - ) Please check out their
website!
Yesterday we went to a village outside of Kampala called Ssenge. It is a very rural
spot, and just 2 short years ago the hundreds of children there had no where to
go to school, much less a place to be taught about Jesus, be fed etc. We were
invited by one of Deb’s very good friends who runs the school to attend a big celebration there to
end the semester. The people from the village were there, as well as the
families of all of the students….we didn’t realize until we got there, and were
ushered to the front row (of hundreds of guests) that we were going to be
introduced over the loud speaker to everyone! This place has come a long way in
just 2 short years due to the hard work of a handful of people. The children
danced and sang….it was a beautiful thing to see!
Today we went to church. Would it be totally un-reasonable
to fly here once a month for church? Just wow. We went to Watoto church…..I
love that this place is a relatively famous church/organization across the
world, but their church is still simple. Yes it is in a big building, but they have
done little to “western-ize” it which I think is awesome. The worship was
fantastic…of course. I can’t attend Africa
church without tears.
A lot more has happened on this trip and we are
doing all of it with 3 kids in tow, so that has been an adventure in and of
itself! More pictures to come soon…..ish, but for now, I will leave you with two pics (which only took 2 hours to load) of my
first ever boda boda (motorcycle) ride with Seth, and one of Deb on the boda in front of
us, with the other 2 kids…..and of course the driver.
Blessings from Uganda!
jennymo
Sunday, November 4, 2012
In honor of Orphan Sunday...I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT! :-)
More than 1/3 of Americans have considered adoption, but no more than 2% have actually adopted.
It is estimated that there are currently over 163 MILLION orphans in our world.
There are 27 million slaves in the world. There are more people enslaved today than at any other point in history.
The statistics show that if only 7% of the 2 BILLION Christians in the world were to care for ONE orphan, there would be no more orphans. Zero.
The number of people that it takes to change the world......... and likely eternity for one child............. 1. ONE.
I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I want to be one of the Christians who not only claims Him, but actually FOLLOWS HIM and his commands. I want to be in the 7%.
That is why I am.................. adopting!
If you really know me you are probably thinking "Duh. Big shocker." Well there is a little more.....
God is leading me to a child with Down syndrome.
He has made it perfectly clear to me over the last few months that this is the path HE wants me to take. A lot of that has to do with my work with Project Hopeful ....did I mention that I am on staff with them now? :-) Seriously these ladies are all AMAZING and are an awesome source of encouragement to me on a daily basis.
So, what happens now? Well, that is hard to answer at this point. I have turned in my application with our awesome local adoption agency Lifeline and gotten the process officially started. But, a lot of....unexpected things....have happened since then, and I have been working with Lifeline as well as some other folks to discern exactly what God is leading me to do next. Unfortunately I can't share many of those details here......but let's just say that sometimes when you give God a YES He sets HIS plan in motion.....and it isn't always what you expected! :-) BUT GOD's plans are ALWAYS better than mine....so that is a good thing!
I thought about going in to all of the "I know you are wondering ______" and "what if______" questions, but decided it would be a lot easier to just say this. If you have a question about my adoption that cannot be answered by one (or both) of these statements, then feel free to ask me and I will do my best to answer (assuming that it is non-mean, non Angelina Jolie related, and non-ridiculous).
Isn't that what it all boils down to?
Aren't we all afraid to say YES to God, because deep down, we don't really believe that HE can handle the hard stuff?
Don't we think that HE can't come up with money, or space, or time, or all of the things that we use as excuses?
Well, I know that my God is bigger.....and so I say YES....and I am going to TRUST HIM with the rest!
Will YOU do me one favor? Will you pray, today, for God to reveal to you, how HE wants YOU to care for the orphan? Give Him an unconditional YES, up front, and then wait for Him to lead. My next post will detail specifically some of the MANY ways that we can ALL follow the command to care for the orphan!
I appreciate all of your prayers as we continue this process!
Blessings,
jennymo
It is estimated that there are currently over 163 MILLION orphans in our world.
There are 27 million slaves in the world. There are more people enslaved today than at any other point in history.
The statistics show that if only 7% of the 2 BILLION Christians in the world were to care for ONE orphan, there would be no more orphans. Zero.
The number of people that it takes to change the world......... and likely eternity for one child............. 1. ONE.
I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I want to be one of the Christians who not only claims Him, but actually FOLLOWS HIM and his commands. I want to be in the 7%.
That is why I am.................. adopting!
If you really know me you are probably thinking "Duh. Big shocker." Well there is a little more.....
God is leading me to a child with Down syndrome.
He has made it perfectly clear to me over the last few months that this is the path HE wants me to take. A lot of that has to do with my work with Project Hopeful ....did I mention that I am on staff with them now? :-) Seriously these ladies are all AMAZING and are an awesome source of encouragement to me on a daily basis.
So, what happens now? Well, that is hard to answer at this point. I have turned in my application with our awesome local adoption agency Lifeline and gotten the process officially started. But, a lot of....unexpected things....have happened since then, and I have been working with Lifeline as well as some other folks to discern exactly what God is leading me to do next. Unfortunately I can't share many of those details here......but let's just say that sometimes when you give God a YES He sets HIS plan in motion.....and it isn't always what you expected! :-) BUT GOD's plans are ALWAYS better than mine....so that is a good thing!
I thought about going in to all of the "I know you are wondering ______" and "what if______" questions, but decided it would be a lot easier to just say this. If you have a question about my adoption that cannot be answered by one (or both) of these statements, then feel free to ask me and I will do my best to answer (assuming that it is non-mean, non Angelina Jolie related, and non-ridiculous).
Isn't that what it all boils down to?
Aren't we all afraid to say YES to God, because deep down, we don't really believe that HE can handle the hard stuff?
Don't we think that HE can't come up with money, or space, or time, or all of the things that we use as excuses?
Well, I know that my God is bigger.....and so I say YES....and I am going to TRUST HIM with the rest!
Will YOU do me one favor? Will you pray, today, for God to reveal to you, how HE wants YOU to care for the orphan? Give Him an unconditional YES, up front, and then wait for Him to lead. My next post will detail specifically some of the MANY ways that we can ALL follow the command to care for the orphan!
I appreciate all of your prayers as we continue this process!
Blessings,
jennymo
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Remember how I said I wanted to go back to Africa?
Ok, so some of you may remember the post I wrote when I decided to go to China this past Summer. {You can read that post here}. The point in summary was that I REALLY wanted to go back to Africa, but God just wouldn't open the doors. Now I know why........
God sent me to China this Summer, because he knew I would be going to AFRICA...this WINTER........wait what?!?!?! Yeah......my thoughts exactly. So here is what happened:
When I went to Chicago to run the Chicago Half Marathon on behalf of Project Hopeful my friend Tesney and I stayed with {and finally met face to face}our BFF Deb Steiner. She is seriously one of the most amazing women I know. She is a single mom {like me}, she has two kids {like me}, she is super duper smart and a big time lawyer {NOT like me} and she is my HEEEEEERRROOOOO.
As a single mom, I KNOW how hard everyday stuff can be. So when Deb was talking to us about the adoption of her THIRD child, from Uganda {which is like a different continent}, and telling us that her parents couldn't go this time {which is a pretty big deal because she is bringing her two kids ages 5 and 6 with her} I knew I would want {need} help, so naturally Tesney and I did what any true and slightly crazy friends would do........... we volunteered to go with her!
Because sometimes just saying "Oh I would love to help!" or "I wish I could go" isn't enough. Sometimes you just have to DO.
Now let me be clear: when we said yes, we thought that this adoption/trip would be taking place in the Spring or Summer of 2013. Perfect. That will work out great for my mission trip for next year! But, as God continues to teach me, in spite of my extreme stubbornness, HIS PLANS are ALWAYS better than my plans. HIS WAYS are better than my ways. HIS TIMETABLE is better than mine. So as soon as she gets a court date, we will set HIS plan in motion!
Before i even had a chance to publish this post {that I wrote last night} the plans changed! Looks like Deb will be flying out in the next couple of days, and Tesney will either go with her, or the day after. Apparently the little guys she is adopting is very sick and her friends in Uganda said she needs to get there as soon as possible. Please pray for him, for safe travels and for the court date!
But, it is not all about the adoption. While we are there, we will be working with a small orphanage called Ekisa. I beg you to please please pretty please visit their website and read about these amazing women and the kids they serve.
What would cause two girls in their twenties to pick up and move to Uganda to serve children with special needs? Two people who know in their hearts that God does not call us to just "wish" we could help....often He calls us to abandon everything and follow Him. Not to simply say "I will pray for them" or "I will keep them in my thoughts" but to give everything away and DO.
One tangible thing we will DO for these ladies, who have become mom to many of the least of these, is bring them some supplies. We will each get a 50lb bag and we plan to fill it up with the stuff listed below! I am most concerned about the medical equipment, so if you know of anyone who might be willing to donate some of these things please let me know!
____________________________________________
Cardiac Monitor
Oxygen Concentrator
Jesus Storybook Bible (several copies) We and our kids love this book
however the one we have is in pieces.
Ink for printer – 122 HP Ink Color & Black
Match box cars
Powder paint mix
Swimming pampers – all sizes
Larger flash drives – for social worker
Glue sticks
Clorox wipes
Sensory toys (any toy that is musical, textured, vibrates, bright or has lights, etc.)
Chewable Vitamins
Glow sticks
Duct tape
Sharpies
Sidewalk chalk
Sterile gauze or sterile dressings
And for the Aunties, if you so wish, here are our American cravings:
Cheez-itz
Crispix Cereal
Funfetti Cake and Icing
Parmesan Cheese
Pepperoni
____________________________________________
These children would literally be discarded and left to die if not for these ladies. I hope to bless their socks off with every single thing they ask us for!
So, to sum it all up, I will be taking the coming home end of the journey. I will fly over, stay for 5ish days, and fly back to help Deb with the kids on the trip home.
I am not asking any of you for money, because I know I wore you all out with the marathon! ;-). BUT, we do need to raise $ for flights, supplies for Ekisa etc. All money that is donated goes through Project Hopeful and is totally tax deductible. So, if you know of anyone who is rich and needs a tax deductible way to give away some money, please share this blog with them!!!
I can gladly take donations to purchase stuff on the list as well. And if you would like to donate some of the items or would like to send a check, feel free to mail them to me at 6166 Eagle Point Circle Birmingham, AL 35242 {make checks payable to Project Hopeful}.
What an amazing blessing to be a part of this redemption story.
P.S. Buy this book. As soon as I finish it for the second time, I am going to write more about it. But the guy who wrote it loves Uganda and that is no coincidence....I am pretty sure we will all be BFF's by the time this is all over with. Bob, you are going to love being friends with the 3 of us.
God sent me to China this Summer, because he knew I would be going to AFRICA...this WINTER........wait what?!?!?! Yeah......my thoughts exactly. So here is what happened:
When I went to Chicago to run the Chicago Half Marathon on behalf of Project Hopeful my friend Tesney and I stayed with {and finally met face to face}our BFF Deb Steiner. She is seriously one of the most amazing women I know. She is a single mom {like me}, she has two kids {like me}, she is super duper smart and a big time lawyer {NOT like me} and she is my HEEEEEERRROOOOO.
 |
| Tesney, Deb and Jenny (aren't we cute?) |
As a single mom, I KNOW how hard everyday stuff can be. So when Deb was talking to us about the adoption of her THIRD child, from Uganda {which is like a different continent}, and telling us that her parents couldn't go this time {which is a pretty big deal because she is bringing her two kids ages 5 and 6 with her} I knew I would want {need} help, so naturally Tesney and I did what any true and slightly crazy friends would do........... we volunteered to go with her!
Because sometimes just saying "Oh I would love to help!" or "I wish I could go" isn't enough. Sometimes you just have to DO.
Now let me be clear: when we said yes, we thought that this adoption/trip would be taking place in the Spring or Summer of 2013. Perfect. That will work out great for my mission trip for next year! But, as God continues to teach me, in spite of my extreme stubbornness, HIS PLANS are ALWAYS better than my plans. HIS WAYS are better than my ways. HIS TIMETABLE is better than mine. So as soon as she gets a court date, we will set HIS plan in motion!
Before i even had a chance to publish this post {that I wrote last night} the plans changed! Looks like Deb will be flying out in the next couple of days, and Tesney will either go with her, or the day after. Apparently the little guys she is adopting is very sick and her friends in Uganda said she needs to get there as soon as possible. Please pray for him, for safe travels and for the court date!
But, it is not all about the adoption. While we are there, we will be working with a small orphanage called Ekisa. I beg you to please please pretty please visit their website and read about these amazing women and the kids they serve.
What would cause two girls in their twenties to pick up and move to Uganda to serve children with special needs? Two people who know in their hearts that God does not call us to just "wish" we could help....often He calls us to abandon everything and follow Him. Not to simply say "I will pray for them" or "I will keep them in my thoughts" but to give everything away and DO.
 |
| The Ekisa kids |
____________________________________________
Cardiac Monitor
Oxygen Concentrator
Jesus Storybook Bible (several copies) We and our kids love this book
however the one we have is in pieces.
Ink for printer – 122 HP Ink Color & Black
Match box cars
Powder paint mix
Swimming pampers – all sizes
Larger flash drives – for social worker
Glue sticks
Clorox wipes
Sensory toys (any toy that is musical, textured, vibrates, bright or has lights, etc.)
Chewable Vitamins
Glow sticks
Duct tape
Sharpies
Sidewalk chalk
Sterile gauze or sterile dressings
And for the Aunties, if you so wish, here are our American cravings:
Cheez-itz
Crispix Cereal
Funfetti Cake and Icing
Parmesan Cheese
Pepperoni
These children would literally be discarded and left to die if not for these ladies. I hope to bless their socks off with every single thing they ask us for!
So, to sum it all up, I will be taking the coming home end of the journey. I will fly over, stay for 5ish days, and fly back to help Deb with the kids on the trip home.
I am not asking any of you for money, because I know I wore you all out with the marathon! ;-). BUT, we do need to raise $ for flights, supplies for Ekisa etc. All money that is donated goes through Project Hopeful and is totally tax deductible. So, if you know of anyone who is rich and needs a tax deductible way to give away some money, please share this blog with them!!!
I can gladly take donations to purchase stuff on the list as well. And if you would like to donate some of the items or would like to send a check, feel free to mail them to me at 6166 Eagle Point Circle Birmingham, AL 35242 {make checks payable to Project Hopeful}.
What an amazing blessing to be a part of this redemption story.
P.S. Buy this book. As soon as I finish it for the second time, I am going to write more about it. But the guy who wrote it loves Uganda and that is no coincidence....I am pretty sure we will all be BFF's by the time this is all over with. Bob, you are going to love being friends with the 3 of us.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sunday School, Plastic toys, and other random stuff that is currently ticking me off.
I just feel the need to get some things off my chest. None of these things necessarily have anything to do with each other. Enjoy.
The words "You deserve". I hear those words in what seems like EVERY commercial on T.V. and radio right now.
"Come to us and get your teeth whitened for the smile you deserve!"
"We will get you the money you deserve"
"Drive this car because you deserve more!"
"Don't you think you deserve a better cell phone company?"
Makes me want to poke my eyeballs out. Know what we deserve? Hell. Because we are sinful people before a sovereign and just God.
The words "You Need" or "I need". I wish we could all strike this language from our vocabulary and that of our kids. We need a Savior. We need food, water and shelter. We don't need a new iphone. We don't need a new car. We don't need a new outfit for the weekend.
The words "I am starving". Trust me when I say that if you have ever laid eyes on real people, who are actually starving.....to death....then you would stop saying that. I know that because I used to say it all the time.....I don't anymore.
The phrase "I just don't feel called". I find that people throw this phrase out most often when they know in their heart that God is calling them outside of their comfort zones. But we American Christians can't like that. So, in order to avoid following a call that might alter our cozy lives, we say we don't "feel called". We say there are plenty of ways to serve God! I don't have to adopt or care for widows! You do that and I will just go to church and be on the greeting team. Because...you know....the body has many functions and .....stuff. So mine is greeter....every.single.Sunday. And I give my 10%. So I am good. You guys adopt a kid (I am not called but if I was I would adopt locally because what about the kids in our country?), or foster a kid....right here in our country (oh well....maybe I will look in to it but I just don't think I could take care of a child and then have to give them up), or sponsor a kid (I can't afford that), or care for a widow (I don't know any!), or go on mission trips (not my thing.....plus what about the people right here in America?), or go to low income neighborhoods and serve the poor (I have to work on.....that day), or financially support people who are adopting or going on mission trips overseas (aren't there are grants and stuff for that?), or advocate for the overlooked (I am busy advocating for people to...... go to church)....do I need to go on?
The Bible calls us ALL to so much more than church attendance....and I am over the "I don't feel called" excuse.
For some reason it has really been bothering me lately when people talk about kids being in Bible class, as if Sunday morning attendance is the only way they will ever become Christ followers. If people go off the reservation and stop attending church at a church building, friends and family freak out. "What about the kids and Bible class!" Other people say "I just really wish _______ would get those kids in to Bible class on Sunday mornings.....". PARENTS, it is OUR JOB to disciple our children. I know I need to do a MUCH better job in this area....probably why it is bothering me so much right now....
When did Halloween become all about dressing up girls of all sizes as sluts?
It is Christmas time. Oh don't get me started. I was cleaning out toys the other day and looking for stuff to donate. So we can make room for more stuff. More plastic toy stuff. Don't get me wrong.....we have cut WAAYYYY back at Christmas time. We give away the same amount we spend on Christmas to urgent physical and spiritual need around the world (more on that soon). BUT, I am so tired of all the plastic toys that are in our house. We feel like we "need" a bigger house so we can have more room for all of our plastic stuff.....while others in our world have no food, water, shelter OR Savior.
Politics.
That's about all.......for now. :-)
Blessings,
jennymo
The words "You deserve". I hear those words in what seems like EVERY commercial on T.V. and radio right now.
"Come to us and get your teeth whitened for the smile you deserve!"
"We will get you the money you deserve"
"Drive this car because you deserve more!"
"Don't you think you deserve a better cell phone company?"
Makes me want to poke my eyeballs out. Know what we deserve? Hell. Because we are sinful people before a sovereign and just God.
The words "You Need" or "I need". I wish we could all strike this language from our vocabulary and that of our kids. We need a Savior. We need food, water and shelter. We don't need a new iphone. We don't need a new car. We don't need a new outfit for the weekend.
The words "I am starving". Trust me when I say that if you have ever laid eyes on real people, who are actually starving.....to death....then you would stop saying that. I know that because I used to say it all the time.....I don't anymore.
The phrase "I just don't feel called". I find that people throw this phrase out most often when they know in their heart that God is calling them outside of their comfort zones. But we American Christians can't like that. So, in order to avoid following a call that might alter our cozy lives, we say we don't "feel called". We say there are plenty of ways to serve God! I don't have to adopt or care for widows! You do that and I will just go to church and be on the greeting team. Because...you know....the body has many functions and .....stuff. So mine is greeter....every.single.Sunday. And I give my 10%. So I am good. You guys adopt a kid (I am not called but if I was I would adopt locally because what about the kids in our country?), or foster a kid....right here in our country (oh well....maybe I will look in to it but I just don't think I could take care of a child and then have to give them up), or sponsor a kid (I can't afford that), or care for a widow (I don't know any!), or go on mission trips (not my thing.....plus what about the people right here in America?), or go to low income neighborhoods and serve the poor (I have to work on.....that day), or financially support people who are adopting or going on mission trips overseas (aren't there are grants and stuff for that?), or advocate for the overlooked (I am busy advocating for people to...... go to church)....do I need to go on?
The Bible calls us ALL to so much more than church attendance....and I am over the "I don't feel called" excuse.
For some reason it has really been bothering me lately when people talk about kids being in Bible class, as if Sunday morning attendance is the only way they will ever become Christ followers. If people go off the reservation and stop attending church at a church building, friends and family freak out. "What about the kids and Bible class!" Other people say "I just really wish _______ would get those kids in to Bible class on Sunday mornings.....". PARENTS, it is OUR JOB to disciple our children. I know I need to do a MUCH better job in this area....probably why it is bothering me so much right now....
When did Halloween become all about dressing up girls of all sizes as sluts?
It is Christmas time. Oh don't get me started. I was cleaning out toys the other day and looking for stuff to donate. So we can make room for more stuff. More plastic toy stuff. Don't get me wrong.....we have cut WAAYYYY back at Christmas time. We give away the same amount we spend on Christmas to urgent physical and spiritual need around the world (more on that soon). BUT, I am so tired of all the plastic toys that are in our house. We feel like we "need" a bigger house so we can have more room for all of our plastic stuff.....while others in our world have no food, water, shelter OR Savior.
Politics.
That's about all.......for now. :-)
Blessings,
jennymo
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Crazy Quiz. How crazy are YOU?
(this post was written for the Brook Hills women's blog)
When I was asked to write a blog post for Brook Hills Women, I thought about a lot of "normal" things I could write. Something about single parenting. Something about finding peace in divorce. Something about using your singleness for God's glory. But, God has really laid a burden on my heart lately to live my life in such a way that other Christians around me will think I am crazy......and maybe they will start to get crazy too.
What do I mean by "crazy"? You know. "Those people". The ones who have giant multi-colored families. The ones who have perfectly good American lives, but choose to move their families to some unknown place in the Middle East for the sake of the Gospel. The ones who choose to adopt a child who is HIV+ or has another special need. The ones who just refuse to live like "normal Americans" because they are on the Jesus crazy train.
Let me clarify one thing: I think there is a big difference in a Christ FOLLOWER and a BELIEVER.
F=Follower. Followers are typically the crazy people. They take what is in the Bible and actually apply it, in tangible and visible ways to their lives. Their lives look different to the world. They stand out. They get labeled "do gooders" or "Bible beaters".
B=Believer. Believers are those who claim Christianity. They believe the Bible. They believe in Jesus. But, unless you catch them at church on a Sunday, you likely won't see them living out what they believe.
{Disclaimer: This part is important. The answers in this quiz are based solely on my experience and how I THINK a follower or a believer would answer these questions. Neither of these are my answers. I want to be a follower, but I don't claim to be one. And I don't think I will ever fully arrive, and neither will you. Because the only perfect follower was Jesus.}
So, now that you have the picture in your mind of what crazy is, let's find out how crazy you are:
F: Yes. If you are not actively working to create disciples then you are being disobedient. That is the whole point of being a Christ follower. We are called to be like Christ, and making disciples is what He did.
B: That is what missionaries are for. I am not called to be a missionary, so I give my money to the church each week and I am sure they are making disciples because we get new members all the time.
B: I think missions are great but I just don't feel called to actually go anywhere. I don't feel called to adopt either. But I will write a check to those who do feel called to it. I don't know any widows, but if I did I would certainly try to care for them!
B: I don't think God would send someone to Hell just because they never heard of Him. That doesn't seem fair or merciful at all.
B: I know that everyone will die someday, but I don't WANT to die. I like my life and although I know it will come to an end someday, I am not looking forward to it.
B: I think as long as I am going to church and being a good person, I shouldn't have to worry about suffering. I think God loves us and wants us to be happy and have good lives while we are on this earth. I got saved so I know I am going to heaven......
I could go on and on with this quiz. Actually, I did in my first draft. But, the point of this post is not to provide an exhaustive list of answers that will make clear whether you are a believer or a follower. The point is simply to make us think about our faith and if it is evident in our lives.
I struggle daily with the knowledge that the Gospel is so lacking in many places in this world, but it is so widespread here in America. But what do we do with this great Gospel? How do we live as Christians in America? Do we really believe that Jesus actually meant all that stuff He said in our Bibles or have we created our own version of Christianity that suits us and our culture? Have we decided somewhere along the line of history that being a Christian in America means simply going to church on Sundays and spending the rest of our time focusing on ourselves and our stuff?
The Bible tells us that even the demons believe.
So I don't want to be just a believer anymore. I want to be a follower.
So...............who wants to hop on the crazy train with me?
Blessings,
jennymo
When I was asked to write a blog post for Brook Hills Women, I thought about a lot of "normal" things I could write. Something about single parenting. Something about finding peace in divorce. Something about using your singleness for God's glory. But, God has really laid a burden on my heart lately to live my life in such a way that other Christians around me will think I am crazy......and maybe they will start to get crazy too.
What do I mean by "crazy"? You know. "Those people". The ones who have giant multi-colored families. The ones who have perfectly good American lives, but choose to move their families to some unknown place in the Middle East for the sake of the Gospel. The ones who choose to adopt a child who is HIV+ or has another special need. The ones who just refuse to live like "normal Americans" because they are on the Jesus crazy train.
Let me clarify one thing: I think there is a big difference in a Christ FOLLOWER and a BELIEVER.
F=Follower. Followers are typically the crazy people. They take what is in the Bible and actually apply it, in tangible and visible ways to their lives. Their lives look different to the world. They stand out. They get labeled "do gooders" or "Bible beaters".
B=Believer. Believers are those who claim Christianity. They believe the Bible. They believe in Jesus. But, unless you catch them at church on a Sunday, you likely won't see them living out what they believe.
{Disclaimer: This part is important. The answers in this quiz are based solely on my experience and how I THINK a follower or a believer would answer these questions. Neither of these are my answers. I want to be a follower, but I don't claim to be one. And I don't think I will ever fully arrive, and neither will you. Because the only perfect follower was Jesus.}
So, now that you have the picture in your mind of what crazy is, let's find out how crazy you are:
The Crazy Quiz
1. Do you believe that all disciples of Christ are called to be disciple makers?
F: Yes. If you are not actively working to create disciples then you are being disobedient. That is the whole point of being a Christ follower. We are called to be like Christ, and making disciples is what He did.
B: That is what missionaries are for. I am not called to be a missionary, so I give my money to the church each week and I am sure they are making disciples because we get new members all the time.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age". Matthew 28:18-20
2. How do you feel about missions? What about orphans and widows?
F: I believe John Piper said it best: "There are 3 types of Christians when it comes to missions. Zealous Goers, Zealous Senders, and Disobedient.". Everyone doesn't have to move to a village in Africa, but we should all give our time to serving and spreading the Gospel in a different context (i.e. outside of our comfort zones) whether here in the US or overseas. I think the same holds true for orphan care. You don't have to adopt to care for orphans, but many Christians are called to adopt and don't. Adopt or care for those who do. And that means a lot more than writing a check. If the church was more supportive of those who do adopt, maybe more Christians would step up and follow the nudge in their hearts to adopt as well.B: I think missions are great but I just don't feel called to actually go anywhere. I don't feel called to adopt either. But I will write a check to those who do feel called to it. I don't know any widows, but if I did I would certainly try to care for them!
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
3. What do you think happens to the THOUSANDS of people who die every day in our world without ever hearing the Gospel?
F: Unfortunately, I believe they perish eternally. God is loving and just. That is why the call to take the Gospel to the nations is so important and urgent. Jesus died so that all may have eternal life. The church needs to step up and do what it takes to get the Gospel to the nations because that is our job.B: I don't think God would send someone to Hell just because they never heard of Him. That doesn't seem fair or merciful at all.
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal
power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:16-20
4. Do you want God's kingdom to come?
F: This world is not my home. I desire to be with God and spend eternity worshiping Him! There is so much pain and suffering in this sinful world, and I long for the day when Jesus will return for His bride. That is why I am so compelled to be a part of taking the Gospel to the nations.B: I know that everyone will die someday, but I don't WANT to die. I like my life and although I know it will come to an end someday, I am not looking forward to it.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations,
and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
5. Do you expect to suffer as a Christian or do you think Christianity guarantees you an easy life?
F: Here in America, being a true follower of Christ goes against everything that our culture believes. Culture says get more stuff even if you can't pay for it. Culture says you deserve freedom, and happiness, and prosperity. Christ says deny self, and follow Him. I don't think we will all experience the same types of suffering, but the Bible seems to say that suffering and persecution go along with following God. So if you aren't suffering, maybe you aren't truly following..........B: I think as long as I am going to church and being a good person, I shouldn't have to worry about suffering. I think God loves us and wants us to be happy and have good lives while we are on this earth. I got saved so I know I am going to heaven......
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. II Timothy 3:12
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. John 16:33
________________________________________________
I could go on and on with this quiz. Actually, I did in my first draft. But, the point of this post is not to provide an exhaustive list of answers that will make clear whether you are a believer or a follower. The point is simply to make us think about our faith and if it is evident in our lives.
I struggle daily with the knowledge that the Gospel is so lacking in many places in this world, but it is so widespread here in America. But what do we do with this great Gospel? How do we live as Christians in America? Do we really believe that Jesus actually meant all that stuff He said in our Bibles or have we created our own version of Christianity that suits us and our culture? Have we decided somewhere along the line of history that being a Christian in America means simply going to church on Sundays and spending the rest of our time focusing on ourselves and our stuff?
The Bible tells us that even the demons believe.
So I don't want to be just a believer anymore. I want to be a follower.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he
does and not by faith alone. James 2:19-24
So...............who wants to hop on the crazy train with me?
Blessings,
jennymo
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