We just got word from our agency…who got word from the government orphanage…who got word from the government social worker—that Isaac’s birth mom is IMPROVING IN HEALTH! They said they think she may be well enough to travel this weekend for our court date on Monday. BUT. There is always a “but” in the adoption world;-). The “but” is…elections which happen in Ethiopia every 5 years is on Sunday. And they think it could be unsafe to travel on Sunday…which she would have to do to be in court Monday morning. Please pray for God’s will to be done. If it is time for Isaac to come home, please pray that God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Pray that we would trust in God’s timing and wait upon Him. Pray that his birth mom would continue to heal—and that truly…whatever is best for her and Isaac will happen this weekend. My heart, yet again, surrenders to His will. (This is a miracle itself for this mommy who is desperately longing for her son to come home!)
The Young Family Farm »
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So many exciting things are happening in Zambia at Wiphan and I just HAVE to share! We love sharing how the Lord is working at Wiphan, and we are so thankful to all who help us spread the word and who have joined us in supporting Wiphan. Never underestimate how the Lord might use your voice in sharing—and please feel free to share as you just never know who might be reading your blog, Facebook status (you can link this post to it!) or listening to your share and become interested in learning more and joining us! For those of you who might just be tuning in and haven’t heard of Wiphan before, visit the website and if you’d like to learn more or get involved–you can fill out the “get involved” form on the Wiphan blog, sign up for the montly newsletter and also sign up to follow on Twitter and Facebook! AND if you have a blog, you can ask for a button for your blog there too! Here’s the latest… As most of you know we have 450 orphans and 150 widows in our program. Zambia has been hit hard by AIDS, malaria and poverty—yet only 9 children were adopted from Zambia last year (Ethiopia was 2,277) so although it has been hit just as hard as many countries in Africa, more than 99% of the orphans there will remain in Zambia. To say there is a huge need there for supporting organizations like Wiphan that provide an education, a safe haven and Biblical support and teaching…is an understatement. But with your involvement even MORE children and widows can be reached. Widows? Yes. Absolutely. We were called to serve orphans AND widows…and often the widows are overlooked…and that’s where we often miss where CHANGE and HOPE can really happen! Who is loving on the children in these countries? Who are the people housing the orphans really? Who is able to cook, hug and look after these children while we send in our monthly sponsorship donations to children? Yet, who are the people so often overlooked in the verse James 1:27 (“…look after orphans AND widows in their distress…”). Yep…the WIDOWS. One thing I just love about what Wiphan is doing is we are doing BOTH of these. And you can even SPONSOR the widow program on the website! They NEED our support. They need YOUR creativity in taking this program to the next level. And they NEED us to pour into them. We watch individuals here in the states do big things for orphans across the world—but just think what could happen if we started to pour into the widows who are ALREADY there! WOW! They are making cement blocks to contribute to the new building at Sinia center… Check out the building in progress… The widows are rocking in their skills training! Check out some of their latest skills… Knitting class… Jewelry making… Tayloring lessons… Just a few years ago, these ladies didn’t have this. But today–they are learning skills that will bring in an income and guess who can teach these skills to the orphans? Guess who can help provide for the orphans in their community? Guess who can better afford to have 2, 3, 4, even 5 additional orphans under their roof as they learn these skills? YES! These widows! Amazing! We also love some community love at Wiphan…and at our Mapalo school (we have 2 compounds with schools Mapalo and Sinia)…we have a water pump where all are welcome to come get water! Just a couple of years ago, we had fewer supporters and were struggling to keep our feeding program…but today we are growing (although we continue to need growing support!) BUT check out these happy faces that get a daily meal! Our dream would be to one day have Wiphans all over…but first—we need Wiphan Zambia to thrive. We want to do something well before spreading and we want our kids and widows to impact their community…and one day–their world! For you, it may just start by sponsoring our widow program or a child—or maybe you feel the Lord calling you to do more like become a monthly contributor. Maybe you want to help us spread the word and be a voice. PLEASE feel free to blog about Wiphan! Or even just share a link to this entry. God has done wonders through the voice of others…and maybe it’s YOURS He would like to use! One thing is for sure…Wiphan has not only changed our hearts—but it continues to change our family. And for that, I couldn’t thank the the Lord, our orphans and our widows more. I had no idea what I was missing…and what a JOY it would be to love this ministry and these precious orphans and widows day in and day out! May He lead, guide and bless your heart as you step out to serve…where ever that is…I pray you follow with obedience and courage–and know just as the community who comes to drink water at our well…you are always welcome at Wiphan;). Please keep the Wiphan USA team in your prayers as they leave NEXT WEEK to go love and minister to Wiphan Zambia! They will be giving Biblical training to some of the staff, training to the teachers and of course loving on our 450 orphans! I will be blogging some of their fun…and also more specific details and prayer requests! Please pray for this group as they prepare to travel and as many of them work out the details of leaving their children with grandparents and friends. Yayyy for Wiphan! So stinkin’ EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, and, I didn’t know you could adopt from Zambia…why don’t more people do that??? Technically Asher, the Zambian government asks you to live in country for 3 months and it can be up to 1 year before everything is final. I think this is REALLY hard for most families, soooooo…the adoptions that did take place from U.S.Citizens are some times people who work there for the U.S.Embassy or missionaries. Because it’s hard to adopt from there, they need our suppport all the more! The adoption situation in Zambia is so frustrating. As I began researching adoption, I realized similar situations exist in Kenya, The Dominican Republic, and many other countries. It is so crazy to think that there are those of us with extra room in our homes and food in our pantries but because of arbitrary government restrictions, children are forced into lives of poverty. I love what Wiphan is doing. I pray my family will be able to support them soon. Okay, it’s probably not odd that you posted this today, but it is in my head because of some stuff…I’ll have to email you about it later. 🙂 Wow! I never knew! I thought you just couldn’t adopt from Zambia because of the government. I actually have what could be some close connections to the government there. A close family friend here in Asheville led someone high in government there to the Lord a few years ago and keeps in touch with him still…he is involved in US Government and has offered to make the connections for me…I just didn’t really see the need. Also, he is very good friends with a Zambian woman that runs an orphanage there. Just interesting. My wheels are turning. If you have never had peanut butter naturually–then you are missing OUT! I had my first batch in Zambia in 2007 when the Wiphan widows made it in their wooden churns for us. I went right to the market and bought our family a wooden churn to bring home—only when I bought it, Kunda informed me what a prize it was. This is the gift that family and friends will put all their money together to give the bride on her wedding day. A. Very. Big. Deal. Making it yourself is not only SO YUMMY…but it is quite a workout too…and I like to let the kids have at it on a rainy or too hot to be outside day. One thing that Africa has really changed me in–is how I parent. No joke. When you see 5 year olds raising their baby brothers and sisters, you realize how much your squirts are capable of. First we got our peanuts ready. You can buy your peanuts already roasted–or roast yourself. We do it both ways, and I’ll tell you there isn’t much of a taste difference. It’s fun to roast yourself with the kids the first time. But after that–I just buy them preroasted and get them to shell away… After the peanuts were all creamed—we add honey and a bit of peanut oil. You can add some kosher salt also if you used the unroasted natural peanuts too. I just add enough honey to make it as creamy as I like it and a bit of peanut oil (you can also use canola oil instead) until it was the right consistency. AND WA-LA! Approximately 1 Tablespoon of honey Approximately 1/2 Tablespoon of peanut oil (you can substitute with canola) pinch of Kosher salt (optional–only add if peanuts are NOT already salted) Seriously…if you are a peanut butter fan—you will NEVER buy store bought peanut butter after you taste this. It’s easy peasy, and if you ask me—our kids could use a little old school labor instead of being handed everything on a silver spoon. NOW…if anyone has a trick for keeping a 4 year old out of your flower bed…lemme know. My garden is in full bloom but it might not be for long if I can’t get this girl of mine out of it. BUT…flowers are for picking and enjoying…and how could you say no to this face when she says, “Momma, I picked you this!” Hope you all have a great Wednesday. Please pray for our upcoming court date between the watches of the night on Sunday and Monday. He’s got the whole world in His hands…including Isaac, His birth mom…and YOU. And look what’s brewing in the veggie beds…I can just taste the fried green tomatoes now…YUM… oh, I wish that I had brought home a wooden churn from Yemen! Do you know where I can get one here? I love fresh peanut butter – and would love to have the kids entertained and get exercise at the same time!:) Yum! We make our own peanut butter too….only I just stick the nuts in the juicer…and wha-la! I have my great-grandma’s butter churn…gonna have to try it out one day! Your garden looks beautiful! I giggled when you said “Frank is a machine!” How adorable. You have a great spirit. You will be in my prayers Sunday evening. Pretty soon you will be commenting on Isaac’s guns 🙂 wow! that churn is a lot bigger than i thought from the first picture! YUUUUM! i am a peanut butter addict and this looks delicious!!!! I loved this whole post!!! Your children are so cute!! And your Frankie reminds me of my youngest with literally no hair!! So cute!!! Your garden looks like quite the garden!!! And the lady I used to clean house for showed me how to make peanut butter one time but it would be so cool to have a churn from Africa!! We will be praying again for your family knowing that Gods will is the best!!! LOVE home made peanut butter- we usually get the natural stuff!! Your kids are soo cute. Watching Little House on The Prairie and realizing what used to happen all the time- yep- they are capable of sooo much more than we even think of! Oh my goodness, that looks sooo good! I love, love, love peanut butter! Looks so much better than the reduced-fat Jif that we buy! Ha! Have never even thought about making my own peanut butter…will have to try it sometime! oh wow my friend…that looks SO yummy! I have had natural peanut butter from the stores but NEVER made my own! Lord willing, if I get to go to Africa next year I want to buy one of those things! that peanut butter sure looks yummy! :)) This whole post just made me smile.. and I simply *must* try making peanut butter with my girls this weekend, looks like fun. I LOVED the picture of little Laney when she had had enough & was just flat out pooped! 🙂 and little FRANK?…. oh, what a little machine he is. 🙂 LOVE it…. TOTALLY made me smile!!!!… Praying for you hard over here & just wanted you to know…. and I won’t stop until that sweet baby is in your arms. ((hugs))… A couple of weeks ago, Parker’s class had butterfly day in his Pre-K class. They had fed caterpillars for weeks…watched them build their cocoons and finally the date was set to let them go. We all met at the park to let them go home where they belonged…and one by one his teacher—who had help strengthen and nurture them…held them out to let them go. Finally, they would get to be where they belonged…where they would thrive…and although they were raised for some time in unideal conditions—they were loved on tremendously while they were in that preK class…but they needed to be let go so they could fly. The kids got louder and louder–and we realized they were not going to be distracted–and we were going to have to let them cheer him on. In that moment—I felt my kids watching and began to think, “Oh no–this might not be good.” But the kids didn’t know any better…they just knew to cheer and believe. And their belief was starting to rub off on me…only I know too much and thought the worst. And just hoped that little butterfly would do the unexpected…only I think I was the only one standing there that didn’t expect him to do anything. The children not only expected him to fly, but the longer he took…the more belief they had…and the more excited they got. And then he did the unexpected…he flew. Matthew 18:3-5 “And Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this welcomes me.” So fantastic for those little ones (kids), more so for the bigs ones! Loved reading your thoughts! Wow, what a beautiful analogy… Yes, a perfect analogy!! Love your writing. Our school does the same thing and last year I was waiting in my car for school to get out, sunroof and windows open, reading my book and hearing the Kdg class get all excited in their butterfly launch. The butterflies took off, the kids went inside, and the next thing I knew … I had a butterfly on the passenger seat of my car!! LOL!! I opened the door and the breeze got him excited to exit. Glad the Kdg class did not see. =) Reminds me of some of our children. People said- they won’t fly…..the odds are against them…..why try to hope, but with GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! LOVE THAT ILLUSTRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU! Just wanting you to know I’m praying for you right…. NOW! love this and it brought tears to my eyes! Thanks for moving my heart. once again, another time I just needed to hear your words today! Such a great message of HOPE! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS POST and the analogy it represents for your littlest one waiting for you all. I am cheering and believing from Hong Kong! … ALL IN GOD’S TIMING. This story melted my heart, and as reading it.. I, too had hoped the butterfly just took off and soured into the sky. But, have to admit that when he said he plopped down on the ground, just the way you wrote it made me giggle out loud. 🙂 I knew he would do it…. if anything else, because of FAITH from those precious children that know no different. Praying for you friend.. harder than you know. I will standing up during prayer request tonight at church and asking for prayers. GOD IS ABLE… and He is at work RIGHT NOW to make the impossible.. POSSIBLE. (huge-huge hugs, because everything is going to be okay!!)….. Life in the Young home is keepin’ on keepin’ on, and no matter how upbeat I sound in my blog entries as of late—I have gotten a few emails from some of my close blog/adoption friends asking how I really feel right now. I don’t even know how to describe how I feel–and I’m doing my best to trust the Lord for the 24th. We got new information today, and all I can say is that his birth mom is sick and really needs our prayer for healing. Our God is able! Right?! I mean, don’t I trust Him? I’m learning it’s quite easy to trust when things are good–and it’s funny because health unknowns…my heart trusts Jesus so much in. It’s easy to trust the Lord to help me love a beautiful baby. But what about when it’s hard and doesn’t make sense? I’m an old school hymn girl at heart–and today I’ve been reading the lines over and over of Louisa’s Steed’s hymn ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. I keep reading, and my heart is trying to sing them. Just to take Him at His word; Just to rest upon His promise; Just to know “Thus saith the Lord.” Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him! My heart is trying to sing and trust. Yet at the same time my heart is also singing this… Adoption is such a beautiful picture of how the Lord LONGED for us—never gave up on us and even fought for us dispite our sin and difficulty that had to be overcome to finally have us as sons and daughters. I am overwhelmed that the Lord longed for ME this much! Needless to say, my heart and mind are very distracted–and no matter how much I rest…my mind often drifts back to our next court date, the health of Isaac’s birth mom and what is really happening all over the world. Dispite the heaviness of my heart—I continue to give these things over to the Lord and open my hands with readiness to do whatever He calls me to do. I was thankful for this weekend to be spent with family. Laney had her gymnastics keeping us on our toes—Parker his last baseball game…Frank–well, he was of course as always along for the ride. My sister brought her girls out to support Parker…and I was so thankful to have time with them…because these girls always crack me up… Their momma is my older sister by 14 months–and it was her genious behind everything crazy I did as a child…and of course her idea to have all the kids pose like P’s trophy…the girl isn’t right… Love this face P’s cousin is making…I think she just might adore her older cousin—she looks so proud of him! Then family left. And on came Monday. My heart is daily doing the countdown to Sunday–and as much as I know I need to rest…I am trying to keep my mind and hands busy. SOOOO…today we decided to retwine an antique chair that my mom handed down to us. It was given to her by her Aunt Lizzy when she was Frank’s size—and all of my children have sat in in…and it was time to redo the seat… Frank, Laney and I did this job while P was at school. They had a blast cutting the old twine off. Laney wanted to see what it was like to sit in it with no seat… She giggled and thought it was funny. AND THEN…Frank wanted a turn. I knew it wouldn’t have the same effect…and his sweet little 18 month old mind didn’t get that the chair would no longer work without the twine…and—well, it hurt his feelings… I found new twine at ole faithful Hobby Lobby Then phase 2, Parker got to help with! He wasn’t as impressed as Laney was with helping…but after a few tight wraps and pulls…WA-LA! Laney tested out the chair first. And then for good measure…Parker sat on top of her… We asked Frank to forgive us again for not insisting earlier that he REALLY SHOULDN’T sit in the seatless chair—and to please give it a try. He declined at first, but then he agreed. But his feelings were still hurt and he only did it because we ALL BEGGED…”Are ya happy mommy?” Thankfully, a bit more cheering from us…and we were all forgiven! Then finally tonight…we enjoyed a beautiful evening with dinner outside… And although the memories we make each day are as sweet to my soul as any…with each memory–there is an empty seat I see and I long to have it filled. There are no doubts sweet Isaac, how much you are loved. Your siblings pray for you every morning and night…at EVERY meal…and we just can’t wait to have you home with us. Each night a special mother at Hannah’s Hope rocks you and puts you to bed…and I just can’t wait to be the one doing that! So many are praying you home sweet boy. May the Lord’s hand rest upon you as we put our trust in Him.
Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him! Praying for your heart. It is so hard when it feels like everything is out of your control and there is nothing you can do. Trust me, I know those aches and I am sure they are magnified by having a face to go with them. on a lighter note, that picture of Frank sitting on the chair for the second time before you got him to smile, um…cutest thing ever. That is adorable and hilarious. What a cutie. I love that thought of how God longed for us that much. Who are we…who am I that he would long for me? I’m nobody. I’m SO imperfect…I mess up CONSTANTLY. Really shows his love for us. Thank you for your wise words in the midst of your hurting. I would be falling apart if I was in your shoes…I’ve fallen apart for less, that’s for sure. I admire your perseverence. My heart hurts for you! I did love your pictures though. Redoing that chair looks like it was a tedious process – probably the kind of thing your need to keep your mind occupied these days. Praying for you – All i can say is that I wish I lived next door. I’m with Kim…wished I lived next door so we could share some sweet tea, a cry, a laugh and some hugs. Praying for you sweet sister. LOVE the pictures of Frank…totally cracked me up! In my prayers~ Shannon |
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By their helping build, they are learning to make a difference in their OWN community. Often, ministries will have groups come in and build. This is great–but they are learning to be the ones to make a difference as we encourage and support them to do so!
by admin
Praying for a PASS!!!! Lifting you all up – to the One who chose you for each other…..
Isaiah 40:31 – You are going to SOAR!!
We are praying for you.
Praying, praying! And so thankful that his Bmomma is improving!!!
Definitely praying for you guys!!! God’s timing is PERFECT!
Thank you, Lord, for the continued step by step signs of Your never ending love!!! That is great news that the birth mom is getting stronger and improving. Praying for your settled heart this weekend, and that Isaac continues to be surrounded in love while he is waiting for you.
We are praying! Andrea, your situation has opened our eyes and hearts even more. Our family has talked about your Isaac and how sometimes a mommy can’t feed her little baby (and can’t run to the store for formula) and therefore the baby needs to be cared for by someone else so he can survive! Your family’s situation has also helped us to pray specifically for the helpless, very ill widow who needs to heal in order to care for her children. Your post are always an inspiration! Julie
Covering you all in prayers!!!! You are soooo right about the “buts”. I hope one day I can look back and joke about them 🙂
Praying!!! ~Gini 🙂
praying :)) What great news that Isaac’s birth mom is improving!!
praying girlfriend..praying hard, kj
Thinking and praying for all of you!!!
Sending happy thoughts and many prayers for your new little one to join you all soon! God is good and will provide a way! Many hugs for your family and his bio-mom.
On my knees for you, for her, and for him from Hong Kong!
Love & Blessings,
Kim
Still praying here!!!
Jenn
Praying for ya’ll, sweet baby Isaac and his birth mom!!
Yeah….God will make the passage safe,restore her health for travels and it will all be happening soon…our prayers are without ceasing ! Our God can not be anything but delighted in your love and obedience…to hear Him and Trust Him! Pax !
GREAT NEWS! Praying of course for God’s perfect timing…but for your hearts sake I really hope that this time around IS His timing!! =)