Update on Allan

This is Jamil. We thank God for Jamil, for without him none of this would be possible. Jamil is 25 and lives in Uganda. He works with the orphanage, training and teaching the children traditional song and dance. He also makes their instruments and they're amazing to hear and see. We were fortunate enough that Jamil was assigned to stay in our home with the boys in October. We spoke with him while they were here of our desire to have Allan come back and he said once he got back to Uganda he would work on that. Well, work he has! He has done a lot of traveling to secure the documents necessary for Allan to return and live with us. He even traveled 100 miles to the village Allan was born in, to get permission from the local village officials. They have now given their approval and the final documents will be signed and stamped tomorrow. Then Jamil will travel to the Embassy to secure the proper paperwork for us to gain guardianship. Things are happening so fast, much faster than we thought they would, but we're thrilled.

Mark and I had known that this was something that God had placed on our hearts but we obviously knew that it would cost a lot to get Allan here and there would be additional expenses once he got here. Sometimes knowing how all those things will work out is something you can't see at first and truly taking a step of faith means just that, stepping out to see if and how God will provide. That's what faith is, trusting in something you cannot see. God did not make us wait long to see how he would provide.

I had called Mark a week ago this past Sunday to ask him if it was alright if I mentioned what was going on during my Sunday school class as a prayer request. We were very mindful to keep this to ourselves until we knew that we were walking with God in the right direction, so no one at church knew of our desires. Mark said, that, yes, he felt this was the appropriate time so I did ask for prayer support. Well three days later someone from our church called Mark and asked if he and his wife could take us to lunch that Friday. We of course said, yes and were anxious to meet with them. They had hosted us in their home during the pastor search and we have been fortunate enough to get to know them on a more personal level. They have been extremely generous to our family and are very dear to us.

Mark and I knew this was a path God was leading us down as a family and that it was not right to ask for church support. So we did not want to solicit help from church members. We prayed fervently the night before that if this family wanted to ask us about Allan that they would bring him up, not us. We were not sitting down at the table more than five minutes when they said, "now listen, we want to speak to you about Allan." I think both Mark and I were holding our breath. They immediatly said that they wanted to help however they could to get Allan here. We never expected such a gracious gift! To immediatly feel a sense of relief that absolutely we were doing the right thing was something I cannot describe. As parents of four children, we know the costs of maintaining our household and things are always tight. God always provides for our needs and we're so thankful for the amazing ways in which he's done that over the years. This was no exception.

These two people are giving Allan a chance at a new life here with us. They are a wonderful family, full of generosity and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. We praise God for them and their willingness to embark on this journey with us. I look forward to having them get to know Allan more and watching him grow as a human being. Our God had moved a great mountain right before our very eyes that day!