Blessings for Leila - Two Surprise Showers

Surprise! Boy, did God bless me with great friends. Two weeks ago, Geoff and I were headed to take the kids to Aunt Lem's house (Emily) so that we could go on a day date to the VCU vs. UVA basketball game we were invited to attend with some other friends. While driving into the driveway I started to see cars - my mom's, my mother-in-law's, April's...What was going on?! It's not my birthday nor my anniversary. What are we celebrating?! 

Well, you can see they blessed my socks off from the pictures below. Many tears were cried (not just by me, though I contributed quite a few), and I experienced a taste of that unconditional lavish love Christ has for us. What a picture of love for our family and this sweet girl who doesn't even know how many people have been praying for her and love her already. My dear friend, Brandi, who is such a cheerleader and encourager for me orchestrated a wonderful event with the help of some other friends and family. It was a sweet picture of friends from years ago and friends I've only known a little while, church friends, college friends, girls dinner friends, family and all those in between. Leila - you have so many people that love you, and you now have so many beautiful clothes, girly things like dolls and nail polish and stuff for your hair that this momma is going to learn how to use!

I think my favorite part was just remembering how we are all connected as each person shared how we met and a memory or fun thing about our relationship. I loved it! And I now have a scrapbook with pages made by each person that is ready for pictures of Leila's arrival, her first Easter, her dedication, her first trip to the zoo, first trip to Starbucks and Busch Gardens, etc. It's beautiful! God is so good to us, and isn't it His way to bless us when we least expect it or deserve it. Wow.

AND THEN, to top it all off...my amazing women's ministry team that I have served with for the last 6+ years treated me with another shower that was so sweet. I walked in to a beautiful bike and helmet just for Leila, which of course led to more tears. And a beautiful cake with our family tree, and then they blessed me with beautiful blessings and words of prayer they had written for our family. Pass the tissues, please! These women have championed me and my faith and family, and I know I wouldn't be who I am without them.

It was such a blessed weekend. "I thank my God every time I remember you." (Phil. 1:3)

Good News!

We received notice today that our lawyer received the legal documents we've been waiting for that states we are Leila's legal parents in Niger! Thank you Lord, and thank you prayer warriors. Y'all are amazing! This sweet daughter of ours is getting closer to coming home. Joy joy joy!

Next steps:

Wait for these documents to be translated into English and file I-600 with the US government and wait for the go ahead to go get her!

Our Niger friends are also working simultaneously to establish their official Nigerien nationality. 

What an amazing Christmas gift!

Pictures to come from my 2 surprise adoption showers. Wow, we are blessed.

Leila Pictures

What a blessing for Geoff to be able to see Leila again (he hadn't seen her since last February - the trip we felt God telling us to adopt her) and for my dad and Geoff's brother, Kameron, to meet her. All reported back that she continues to be incredibly sweet and generous - trying to give things we gave her to other people. She also wouldn't eat all her food so that she could save it for later - after many years of not knowing when they would be fed this is understandable, but hard to accept from a momma perspective. 

Geoff was able to sit in on her school (they have a teacher come to the orphanage), and he said she was incredibly studious, focused and content singing while she worked. I love it! He was happy to spoil her with pizza, ice cream (which she saved to take back to the orphanage so her friends could taste it - it had melted, but no one seemed to mind) and soda. 

Geoff returned home with a lot of paperwork for us and our friends that are adopting. We are waiting on verification that we are her legal Nigerien parents (woohoo!), and then we can file the I-600 form with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. They are the ones that will approve us to go get her. Come on, we are close!

In the meantime, we are setting her up with English lessons in Niger. This will be awesome for her to have a base before she even gets here, and the fact that she's eager to learn is a true blessing. 

Please keep praying for this process and for her emotions and questions, as I can't imagine what she must be thinking. She asked Geoff when Momma was coming, and he had to explain that I wasn't coming this trip and that he would have to leave, but we would both be back to pick her up as soon as we could. Tears.

2014 LINK™ LiveTen24 Men's Service Mission Final Update | Departs Niger

THURSDAY

So, our last day here has arrived and what we've heard from most is, "I wish we weren't going home today". It's not that we don't want to go home, but it's hard sometimes to leave one great situation for another! It was a busy day, significantly so, as compressed into it have been debriefings, future plans, hopes, and commitments of a sort. Russ noted that a review shows that 8 out of 10 people coming home from a mission trip such as ours simply go back to their 'old ways' instead of following this transformative experience with a true change of heart and a change of life/lives. We've been reminded by TJ that the morning debrief Russ chaired was really significant for all of us, bringing up much that was close-to-the-heart. Some of it painful, but all of it born of a trust-to-speak that has grown up between us as we have shared so many experiences over these days, grown close and expressed many of our struggles, our losses, as well as our hopes and faith growing stronger from all of it.

Afterwards, we had a good meeting and discussion on servanthood between ourselves and the men who staff the LOC. This included testimonies of service to our communities and to our families, prayers for one another, and fellowship with many shared pictures within this broader group that now will span between continents.
 

Then there was the packing and cleanup which included leaving clothes, funds, and health care items for the LINK™ Niger staff and the LOC. The Lightys also prepared to leave tonight with Emma who is now officially their daughter. Emma is full of fun though we all wonder how she will take the cold weather when we get off the plane at Dulles tomorrow afternoon. A missionary family, The Johannsons, joined us for our last dinner tonight. They have been serving over here full time for some 4 years now. No doubt about it, just as we have grown to do, they love the people of Niger.

It has been a day of reflection, a bittersweet one at that. However, many of us plan on returning to Niger to continue carrying out our mission to minister to the people of this impoverished, but beautiful nation. God has been with us this whole time, and as believers, we know He will continue to be with us during our travels and when we return home. Lives have been changed, hearts have been softened, and great memories have been made. However, our mission is not complete. We have work to do when we get home and we're excited about continuing God's work within our own homes and communities. We will miss the great people of Niger, but will strongly remember their faith, their smiles, and the fun times we had here.

For our friends and families, we cannot wait to reunite with you. Please pray for safe travels and for Niger. God bless this nation.

**According to Air France, the team's flight has departed from Niamey.  If you wish to track their flight, you may do so at Air France's website; Niamey to Paris (AF547) Paris to Dulles (AF054). For your convenience, you may wish to consider using Flight Track (this free smart phone app is available by clicking here).

The LINK™ 2014 LiveTen24 Men's Service Mission Update Five

WEDNESDAY

Every day is a new adventure here. Many of the best days have involved getting together with kids, as was, again, the case today. First we visited MGD, a preschool day care and school. When we walked into the courtyard, the 3 and 4 year olds were busy carrying out 'hop, skip, jump' type routines and having a ball. We watched a bit before 2 tubs filled with water were brought out and we had the opportunity to wash the hands of each and every one of the 20 some children.
 

Then it was inside to observe the teachers (who are very well respected and listened to by every child) who had the children practice the alphabet by pointing a stick at the wall-mounted letters when she called out the name of each letter.
 

All the schools we visited today were very well run and the kids well clothed. We then went over to a second classroom where other very young ones were learning their basic numbers.
 

From there we headed over to Banifandou, a large preschool through elementary and middle school (over 1100 students) in large part built by Schools for Niger, Africa (an extension of Effective Ministries, Inc.) - what an incredible commitment they are making through the many schools they are building and/or improving. We were welcomed wherever we went by children with no attitude other than love and acceptance. It is really special to see and experience such unconditional affection. Escorted by the Principal, we visited almost every single classroom and in many were asked to say prayers over the children. We also prayed over teachers surrounding them and laying hands on them.
 

In addition, we handed out 'Not Just Ordinary' tee shirts to some of the older kids, courtesy of Chick-fil-A.
 

It was all quite out-of-the-ordinary for this small group of Christian men from America. This year will see the first 8th grade graduating class of those who started preschool here and went on from Kindergarten through 8 grades here!
 

We then headed to Effective Ebenezer High School which is still under construction though classes are in session there. Schools for Niger, Africa is also responsible for funding for this school's construction. It is soon to graduate its first high school class, many of whom will then go on to a University. Again even these older kids are so respectful and sincerely open and interested in us. All students have a mission to learn - learning is serious business and essential to a better future for Niger. Again we observed, spoke with, and prayed over several classrooms of kids.  And as we left, a staff member had a large soft drink for each of us. As Matt noted: "Why did they do that? They have so little and that was for them a lot to give."

We returned to the LOC for a nice luncheon put on by the Lightys for the staff and for us as we all are soon to prepare for departure Thursday night. The LOC staff presented each of us with a small but very nice gift of a tassled key ring and a small brass giraffe, noting that we are all friends now and this is a memento of that friendship. Such wonderful people, Fati, the dancing cook and Halima, the head cook, Adam, Edem, and Ibrahim, our drivers, and the many others who have loved us and served us over this past week all rejoiced with us.

And let the shopping begin! A half a dozen of the city's best vendors were brought in. They set up their wares and man, did we shop. Lots of bongo drums, jewelry, textiles, and carvings were bought.  20% of whatever price we paid for an item goes to support the LOC, so though there was bartering, I think everyone paid a fair price.

After a short break, we drove out through the city to a small, worn, and bumpy dirt road that took us down to the Niger River where there was a low, slung, wood African longboat that was taking on water but had an engine, a backup engine, a mate to bail out the water, and a captain to run her plus 4 well-armed police to escort us. We climbed in under the grass mat awning and lounged on old but comfortable pillows, then headed upriver.
 

It was quite beautiful and the river quickly took us upstream out of an urban setting and in to semi-wilderness where we saw the partially emerged heads of one pod of 3 hippos and another of 6. Rich grassy estuary islands and lots of birds (Kingfishers, Shrikes, Egrets, Herons, etc.) on a quick flowing wide glassy river--that was some nice solitude for us. After an hour of upriver motoring we landed on the south side of the river where the vehicles were waiting to drive us a bit up the road for our camel ride. What great fun riding a camel up to the top of a large sand dune and once up there and disembarked, spending an hour marveling at a near biblical scene (Phillip noted as he looked across this vast vista of hills, escarpments, dry river bed and dunes that he could envision Moses and the exodus taking place here) with a setting sun over all. Some went off a short ways to sit and think about our recent journey, others stayed together and talked, but all were pretty well awed by the 20 mile views.
 

Upon return we ate on some pizza before another time of prayer and worship. As men, we continue to grow together and in Christ during this special time on the roof which we all cherish. Soon we will be leaving which is bittersweet for all.

The LINK™ 2014 LiveTen24 Men's Service Mission Update Four

TUESDAY

Our morning began with breakfast followed by a devotional with the LOC staff led by Paul, a LINK™ Niger staff member, and our own Josh Harper. Josh's message was on the story of the paralytic man's friends lowering him through an opening they had made in the roof of a building where Jesus was teaching so they could bring him before Jesus to be healed. The effort friends will make on behalf of friends led us to focus on the fact that we have all truly become friends (The LINK™ Niger Staff and our mission team). After devotions, we headed out by van and cruiser to the new National Christian Church.

 

The church, about the size of a small town American church, is set within gated walls. Under construction are the offices next door in the traditional mortar and block motif. Unfortunately, the sand needed for laying block and pouring supports was not there and so the crew and architect went on to another job, leaving us with the 'what do we do next' syndrome. However, the President and Vice President of the church came to meet with us and after prayers were said, we continued on moving piles of rock and rip-rap, being used as filler before the floors were poured.

 

Hot and dusty, we wheelbarrowed load after load up makeshift rickety ramps and loaded, dumped, and spread the stuff all morning. Geoff and Pastor Paul attempted to hire a piece of heavy equipment but that didn't work out. Fortunately, some local men were hired which gave us a lunch break.

 

After lunch, we headed out and over just a mile or so to the Good Samaritan Orphanage. We pulled into a very large courtyard and proceeded to be entertained and hugged by nearly every child there. Like all young children, the kids are so open to sharing their love and affection with you that it makes one think - hey why can't I be more like that more often?  So what do they love besides us? The cell phones with all their picture and video making, soccer in the hard dirt courtyard, and sleeping in your lap.

 

We were able to spend three hours with them and observed them in the classroom when school came back into its 3:30-5 PM session--there are 3 separate classrooms. We saw where the boys live and opposite from them, where the girls live. The new director has already made a lot of improvements including new plantings, re-roofing an abandoned building and making an apprentice shop for future tailors, complete with two sewing machines.

After our visit to the orphanage, we returned to the LOC for dinner, followed by prayer and worship. Impromptu fellowship followed on the roof as it has become a meeting ground for us guys where we can reflect on our lives, on one another, and our different walks with God. Our mission is close to concluding, but our team is eager to make the most of the rest of our time here. We are sincerely grateful for the continued prayers of our friends and family back home. Thanks be to be God.

The LINK™ 2014 LiveTen24 Men's Service Mission Update Three

MONDAY

God is good! We continue to sing praises to our Lord for the blessings our team has witnessed and for His blessing over our safety and our mission. Today our group headed out to paint and restore a church on the outskirts of Niamey which had been destroyed by arson.
 

The pastor of this small church lived in an apartment adjoining the chapel which was also damaged.
 

All around the very simple, clay, block-laid structure were partially burned pages of children's Bibles among church documents.
 

After we divided into two teams, we went straight to work tackling the cleaning and painting together. We worked all morning and into the afternoon with Pastor Malik, a couple of older and younger men, and even small children who came from surrounding communities to lend a helping hand in our work.
 

Everyone really pulled together and 'got it done' with an unshakeable determination exemplified by these children as they painted without taking breaks and successfully carried full wheelbarrows of sand.
 

A small group of little girls were so willing to pitch in that they transformed their shirts into carrying pouches to move sand into the chapel to create a level sand floor.
 

After lunch (brought to us by the LOC staff), more and more children came running to our side to help and be a part of our project. Loads of them, many in old, worn out clothes. who once they get over their initial shyness, became eager to play with us. And who is consistently the great 'playmate'? Philip Beethoven, with his brawn and size, spent 45 minutes tossing the small 4-13 year olds high in the air, and, along with Matt, Josh, and Tex, would have them dive off the top of the sand pile into their waiting arms.
 

It was really something to watch the love flow so easily and openly both ways. Matt, Kameron, Dave, and Josh walked uphill from the church as Matt was determined to ride one of the three donkeys he saw up that way. The kids followed and helped him with his wish. Those kids, they didn't want to let us leave. Wonder if they know how much they gave us in return for the attention we gave them. We were overly impressed by the courage, strength, and resiliency of the church's leaders as they continued to live out their vision of restoring and reviving this once inhabitable place. They were truly grateful for our work there. Pastor Malik even invited a friend and church planner, Apollos, to return to our work-site to see "Jesus at work"; truly something incredibly special. The newly white-painted walls represented a cleansing and renewal of this church body as well as a reminder that the enemy may try, but God's glory will still prevail.
 

Upon completion, the team returned to the LOC for some rest and a dinner that was highlighted by celebration and praise for God's work. Prayers were answered and now the Lightys are cleared to bring their newly adopted daughter, Emma, home to Virginia with our team when they depart later this week! They have been waiting here in Niger for 11 weeks for the proper documentation to go through to finalize this arduous process. Their daughter Emma ran upstairs waiving her passport with a visa inside and immediately the team and the LOC staff rejoiced in this special moment.

After dinner, the team gathered for yet another time of praise and worship upon the roof where we reflected the goodness and grace of our Lord as many prayers for healing and miracles have been answered. The team has formed a brotherhood that continues to strengthen by the minute as we worship, pray, work, and laugh together. Our band of brothers formed here in Niger cannot believe the time has passed so quickly, however, we acknowledge that our mission is not complete. God's grace and blessing continues to surround us and work through us. How great is our God!