The first six months.....and 31 years

Greetings and blessings to all.

WOW on April 1st I will celebrate two major milestones in my life.

#1 The 31st anniversary of my salvation!!!!!  Praise God  I could not imagine any other leader to follow on this journey than Christ.  Thank you Lord for keeping me sane, saved and stable.

#2 The first six months as a mama to Mwende.  This too have changed everything! Only God.  It has been an excellent and challenging six months.  I know there are many years and events to go.  But Thank you Jesus for the first six months.

The legal side of the adoption has hit its first delay  Because of an administrative error my paper work was mixed up with another person (or group) problem.  So it was delayed until their file was cleared.  Now I have to repeat the three month foster care period to clear up the missing dates.  This is not so bad.  It gives me time to build up funds to cover the lawyer fees and stuff.  Keep praying that no other problems or confusion will appear.

 I am driving in Kenya  At first I thought it would be so difficult but the weariness of carrying a child on the bus won out.  It is so much nicer driving!!

TImE of TrANSiTIoN

Over the last six months I have stopped everything to learn to adjust to Mwende.  Now I am praying to God on how, when and which ministries to re engage with for this season of ministry.  Because of time and traffic I will not have the same amount of time, so I have to be more intentional and strategic about where I serve God  Yes, I am here as a missionary and will continue in full time ministry.  But now it has time, funding and energy level differences.  PRAY that I will know where to re engage for ministry.

Finishing my Thesis is still on the horizon somewhere.

Mwende has started school and this will help in freeing up my time to serve and write.

Still learning...and growing

WOW I am a mother

Hello everyone,
WOW I can not believe that it has been almost four months since Mwende has come home.

The first two-three months was a period of complete shock, excitement, rejection, screaming, crying, police station visit and joy.  We spent two and half months in the house on complete lock down. Very few visitors, lots of hugging, singing, drawing and crying trying to get to know each other.  The process of establishing a relational connection was very hard and emotionally draining.  I do praise God that great progress has been made. I feel like we are connecting well.  I am sure there is a long process that is still to come, but we are on our way

Now, I have taken a driving course to get  a Kenyan license. God has provided a car that I need to pay for and nerves to drive on the wrong side of the road  I did learn to drive a manual.

The thesis is on life support  I could not even think about a thesis until about a week ago.  Now I have to regroup and think about how to get it done. Lord help.

Well, life is going on and I am praying that God will give me wisdom in being a mom, relational connections with adults, increase my driving skill. I take the driving test next week

Blessings and grace
Esther

IT'S A GIRL!!! and she's hoome.

Greetings.  I am so excited.  Mwende (beloved one) Johannah Alberta Hall is home.  I met her on Sept. 11th and Springs of Hope Children's home.  After a two hour meeting I just prayed that God would open my heart to  this new life who will be a part of my life and family forever. At our first meeting she was delightful, talkative and very social.  She did become angry with me because I didn't let her hold on to a doll while she was on the see-saw.  She cried and won't come near me for a while.  But I was okay SHE"S TWO!!!

The next week I was hosting the Willow Chicago team and wasn't sure I would be able to visit her again that week.  Praise God the team went on their safari and I went to visit Mwende.  It was a blessings to interact with her and her housemates.  After the fourth visit the director asked if I was ready to have her come home.  WOW I took the weekend to shop for clothes (thanks Agnes), toys and a coming home dress.  It was more overwhelming because for so long all of this has been paperwork, plans and what ifs.  October 1st it became very real when I drove off the compound with my new daughter.

Mwende is Swahili speaking only and I English.  I am happy to report she speaks openly and I just nod.  I ask my friends later what was said.  The little Swahili I know is being used.  She is getting adjusted to her new surrounding without complaint. She loves chapati ( a fried flat bread) and yogurt. So far thin pancakes are working well as chapatis.  She will be three on Oct. 9th but I will wait to celebrate and have a dedication service in November when Carla from the states is here. Thanks everyone who has welcomed her so warmly on the net and here in Kenya.

She sleeps well and cries only when she is angry with me, for not doing as she commands.  By the grace of God I know this is just the beginning and God will show us the way to become a solid family. Several friends have asked "Does this mean you do not want to be married?"  NO WAY, the blessed brother will have to seek God on how to love a single mom and her child.  Thanks for your prayers.  Keep it up.

Also the first three months I am listed as her foster mother.  After that time frame, the agency and children's home will submit a final report then I can seek full adoption.  Until that time I can not post pictures of her on the Internet.

SCHOOL
I promise to think about school next week.  I am waiting for my thesis proposal to be approved and I will do the research.  Finished all of the classes and paperwork.  JUST THE THESIS and then the finish line.

HUGE STEPS at School and in the adoption process

My ILU Journey

      Learning in a cross-cultural environment has been both challenging and rewarding. Having served throughout East Africa for ten years, my desire was to learn more about the African leaders’ mindset and cultural background. I wanted to learn this in an academic setting outside of the United States. I am glad that God provided that opportunity at NIST now ILU, to learn in an intercultural setting amongst current and potential leaders. But it was more than I bargained for or planned to encounter. In order for me to grow in my faith and in the purposes God has for me, He put me in situations of learning that stretched, affirmed and caused me to die to self. This educational journey has been just that.

      The meeting and hearing from others of different cultures about their leadership values has been an excellent experience for me, though it has been extremely challenging to encounter leadership weaknesses. John Maxwell talks about self-leadership being the most important leadership skill.  That has been affirmed throughout my learning adventure in life and at NIST/ILU.  There are also three other values that have shaped my leadership that have been affirmed throughout my studies.

I LOVE BEING AN AMERICAN: We are shaped by the values of our heritage and upbringing. During my studies I cherished learning about the many cultural backgrounds that made up the student body. I pray it has enhanced my worldview and understanding as an American. Each nationality has good and bad traits and practices. We have to own them, repent and change. My goal in studying in a cross-cultural environment wasn’t to deny or forsake my heritage, but bring it to the learning table and add to the discussions.

I LOVE BEING A WOMAN: Okay this was the hardest struggle in studying at NIST/ILU. Thank God for a praying mother. In a male-dominated society, the respect that should be given to fellow female students at times was lacking. Women leaders desiring to learn and grow in their craft are not trying to displace men, but grow to be more available to God and His kingdom. We offer a unique God given perspective that God intended the body of Christ to benefit from. Without it the Church cannot complete God’s work on earth. Bravo to the women who are learning and growing. MEN MAKE WAY! The Bible states that God made man, male and female, in His image. That means both equally carry the DNA of God. Only when we are united in Christ can we show the full picture and character of God. God is not one-sided.

I LOVE BEING A CHRISTIAN: Where else can you receive grace, healing and forgiveness that can cancel out the effects of injustice, abuse, sin and neglect. Christ died so that we can fully live the life He has intended for us. Through our cultures, genders and backgrounds God will show us who He is and who we can be in Him. We have in our possession the Word of God which can set people free spiritually, physically and emotionally. The desire to help others to know Christ is the saving grace that unites us to learn how to be better leaders and servants of Christ. The experience of learning in a cross-cultural environment has enhance the ability to adjust to those who are different. The gospel is for all people and cultures as they are.

The journey at ILU has enhanced who I am as a person and as a servant of Christ in the world.  It has affirmed the guiding values that has and will continue to influence my leadership. I will continue to learn in many different cultures as a world citizen and global leader.

ADOPTION!!!!!

It is real! this past Tuesday Sept. 11th I visited little Evelyn in Machokos, Kenya at Springs of Hope Children's home.  She is two years old, healthy, talkative (Swahili), leader of the group and stubborn.  Does that describe someone you know??  I am really excited that God has given me peace and I am pursuing the adoption of Evelyn (name change later).  I have a ministry team coming next week but after that time I will start my visits.  Those two weeks will help me to bond with her, understand her and the staff to feel that we are connecting and comfortable with releasing her to me. I can not take any pictures yet.  She is beautiful and remains me of my niece Amani back home. 

Lord have mercy!!  Tomorrow I taken my final exam and turn in a term paper which I haven't written yet.  I will be up very early.  Next week will be very busy with the team and the final week of Sept will start my life as a mom.  First at a distance but soon in my home.  WOW! This is really real.

It's on , It's off and it's on again

Adoption

WOW the difference a few hours or days can make.  On August 17th, the adoption agency approved my adoption paperwork.  this means that I can stay to search for a child.  On August 22th, I met with the social workers thinking I was going to receive a list of available girls age 18 months to 3 years.  In a few moments I was told there are no available girls that age and I will have to wait for three months.  I just sat there kind of numb.  Glad that those who needed adoption was received into families, but shocked that now everything is on hold.  I prayed that God would direct the timing and process.  On August 24th, I received another phone call that there is a little girl about two hours away and was I willing to travel there.  YES!! So now its back on again.  This week they will submit my paperwork to the home and the week after I can visit. 

Now this is where I will freak out.  The thought of selecting a child is a little intimidating.  I hate the feeling that i will say no to a child or yes.  Based on what.  I know there are medical and emotional issues that might rule out the possibility of me parenting a child.  Pray that I will hear from God about who to consider and move towards adopting.  


School

I FINISHED MY LAST CLASS!!!  Project Management was good but my mind was so DONE! Beside that I was going through the adoption stuff mentioned above.  During the last class I brought snacks to celebrate with another student Jackson and our class, we both started together. I am so excited that this part of the master's program is over.  Now I am freaking out about the thesis.  I have the director of our department and the deputy vice chancellor of the school as my supervisors. This is the part that I along with thousands of other HATE this process.  Believe me, I have learned a lot, lets just leave it at that. Please pray that I stay focused and complete the thesis at the same time I will be adjusting to being a parent.

Birthday
Also had a great birthday celebration with fellow student who shared the same day.

Okay that think that's most of the news so far.  Be blessed.

Two weeks will tell....

In the next two weeks my world will change forever.  The adoption board is to meet and review my paperwork for my adoption process.  The first week of August I will start my last class for my masters and have a thesis meeting for my final paper.  Life will be very different in both areas.

Just finished the VIRAL conference for church planters. Over 175 church planters gathered for instruction and encouragement. Nine excellent main session and 11 workshops.  It was an amazing feeling to help plan a conference again.  I was thrilled to see the ideas come to life on stage and in the workshop rooms.  THANKS to all who spoke and pitched in to serve.  GREAT JOB.  We do it again in August.  Can we start this time in Feb 2013. It would help to settle this American mind for planning.

At the end of this month two small groups from my church will do a mission trip to a remote area in Kenya near Voi, to serve at a kids camp for three days.  40 adults, 300 kids and teens.  Looking forward to it.  Pray for us.

It's my birthday in 2 days finishing 48 years.  If you know me I celebrate for one month.  Each week doing something that I enjoy.  This year is weird.  Can't really put my mind around what I want to do, that doesn't include eating. NO money to travel.  I will find something to do.  It will involve theater, movies and friends.

I miss my family, my church, and sailing on Lake Michigan.

Speaking at a Women conference in Kibera. A wonderful visit from my boss Mark and his daughter Madeline with my friends Janice and Estelle.

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.