Hello Everyone
PRAISE GOD  I have new furniture.  I will take a photo later. Planning a Church Planting conference for my church in Nairobi. Taking the next step with the adoption. Half way finished with the second to last class of my program.  Quick note for an extremely busy time. 

JUNE 2012

The months are going very fast.  This past month of May has been very full with activity.  I was thrilled to help teach the KAIROS mission course at NIST in Kenya. Over 20 students learned about the Biblical, historical and strategic plans for global mission tot he least reached people groups for Christ.

I am still working with CCCEA small group leaders.  I conduct training for 20 small group leaders as they develop their small group ministry.

School is still very taxing but coming to an end.  This August I will finish the classwork but start my thesis.
This week I have three major papers due on Friday.  PRAY!!!

Waiting patiently on the approval for the adoption.  I have asked them to submit my file in July.  I can finish my classes before taking on a child.  I am very excited.

Pastor Gloria from Nairobi Chapel has asked me to help lead an upcoming conference for church planters next month. SIX weeks away-- I and the team of volunteers and staff will help organize the conference layout and flow, recruit and train volunteers, and give overall leadership to everything including of the program on stage.  PRAY!!! This is our first Church Planters conference.

Thanking God for my new stove.  Now praying for furniture. Struggling at times with waiting, depression, excitement and looking forward to what is next its all in the same mind bouncing around.  Keep praying I need it. I am adjusting to Kenya's weather.. It is getting cooler these days and the nights I have to wear socks.

HOME VISIT DONE!!!!

This past Thursday I completed the home visit required for my adoption process.  Now is the wait until July that my paperwork will be turned in to be approved for adoption.  During this time I will complete the last few classes for my Master's degree.  Pray with me as I look into which little girl will be mine.  Which medical issues will not be a problem or hindrance to traveling?

In the core of my spirit is feels a little unreal.  I am getting advise from moms who have adopted.  I know that God has prepared me for the next level of learning- to be a mom.  What I will do on that learning curve !?!?!?!

Keep praying

Visa-IN HAND

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

My Pupil pass (student Visa) is FINALLY in hand and in my passport. It came through without any EXTRA support but the prayers of the saints. THANK YOU!  The visa expires in two years.  Enough time for me to finish everything I need to do.  I will continue taking classes to support the visa.

This THURSDAY the 17th is my home visit for the adoption.  They will look over everything to makes sure I have a home good enough to house a child.  I do:). After the home visit my paperwork will be submitted in July.  Lord's will if there are no delays I will be prayerfully selecting a child late July or August. The first month is visits in the home and afterwards she will be able to come home with me.  I am praying for the first part of September.   

School- down to my last three classes and thesis.  The process to finish the thesis will be demanding.  I have submitted my proposal but haven't heard from the school.

Mission teaching week- Praise God just finish teaching and leading small groups for the Karios Mission Course here in Nairobi.  We had 18 students and 8 teachers and leaders.  I love teaching this class.  Chris and Nadine from Australia lead the courses. 


Small group teaching- I have been assisting Christ Covenant Church with starting their small group program.  We have done two training sessions and I am praying to meet with the leaders monthly to establish their program.

Children's Ministry training with Friends Church (Quakers) in Satellite Nairobi.  Over 20 members joined us in learning about serving children in the church and community.  The photos above.

Had a great trip to Mombasa a vacation spot with Carla from Chicago.  2 days of pool, sleep and food :).

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY!!!!

round 2

This week I visited an adoption lawyer to review if I should proceed. I have lived here for four years, but two of the years were as a tourists. I wanted to know if that that would work. I was here continuously and would meet the three years requirement. Anyway she stated since I can show that I was here with rent stubs it should not be a problem. Now next week I go back to the adoption agency and see if they will proceed, call the US embassy and finish my paperwork.

School- I really am nervous about this thesis class. It is very frustrating and its the class I most dislike. Not the class, but the thought of writing a thesis. No joy at all.

Let the process begin....

Today I have an appointment with the Little Angels Adoption agency to start the adoption process. This meeting will let me know what I will need to do, start asking me about myself and understanding why I want to adopt a child. I was reading an article that stated you will feel exposed with all of the questions that you will be asked. I do pray that I don't say something dumb. I am excited about accepting a child into my life. Lord teach me to love on such a different and deeper level.

Today I start class number five for three weeks. My research design class. I want to write about training international workers in cultural adjustments after you have lived cross culturally for 3 to 5 years.

Road to Adoption and finising school.

Greetings wonderful people,

I pray that all is well with you as you start this New Year. I know 11 months from now we will say again how fast the year has gone.

This year will be a whirlwind of new life changing events for me. (1) I should finish my master degree at NIST in Kenya, (2) I am in the process of adopting a child in Kenya, (3) I am settled with the reality that I will stay in Kenya for another 3 to 5 years and (4) throw in a few trips around East Africa. The order does not mark the importance just the order of when they will happen.

I want to blog about the journey of adoption and finishing school. Two things that seemed so far away just a few months ago.

School:

I have five classes to finish and a thesis to write. By the end of September I should be finished with both. The main concern is that all if this is happening as I am completing my paperwork, interviews and counseling for adopting a child that will change my life and heart forever. I have really enjoyed learning in Kenya at NIST (Nairobi International School of Theology). Studying in a classroom of leaders from all different sectors of life has been very interesting, frustrating and exciting. Being the only American in class has been a cultural exchange that has produced lots of debates. I have gained many new friends and a few I will not miss if I do not see them in the future. But I am excited that I will have earned a master's degree in Organizational Leadership.

If anyone is reading this let me get your input. I have two options for a thesis. (1) Researching why Christian women convert to Islam and (2) Investigating the retraining of missionaries who have served cross culturally for 3 to 5 years. What is in place to make sure they are proceeding in ministry correctly, tools that can help retain them on the field, and what is in place to help them evaluate their heart and cultural attitudes. Which one?? Any input???

Adoption:

"When I get married I want to adopt a child." I have said that for the last twenty years or more. My family have hosted children and families throughout my life. I knew I wanted to help a child who didn't have a family. I just didn't think it would have taken this long. Sorry to say I was waiting for marriage, for a stable home, to finish traveling so much, and for life to seem normal. Well, those things didn't go as planned but the desire to adopt is still very real. Since I am staying in Kenya for a few more years, I think I have 2 of the four. Anyway I am embarking on the journey to adopting a little girl. Because I am single Kenya will allow me to adopt a girl.

I have turned in about a third of the paperwork and collecting the rest over this month. I am excited and in shock. This is real. I could have another life in my hands in less than 11 months. WOW. I do feel my heart growing to accept the possibility of being a mother. I am also nervous about going through the process and being rejected. OUCH.

There are so many questions, too many unknowns and what ifs. This is a serious step of faith. Bigger than moving to Kenya. I do know that God is opening this door and have given many affirmations so far. But you know us humans we still need to keep checking to see if we are going in the right direction and not ahead of God. His will and timing must match. Keep praying for me.

Well, this is my first note on this journey. More to come.