I can finally post pictures too!
Pray for our transition as Anahi adjusts to our life and rhythm, different foods and craziness!! We can't God enough for this indescribable gift and we also continue to thank you for lifting us up in your prayers.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
She's Ours!!! (with pictures)
We just got a call from our lawyer saying that the judge has signed the resolution for our guardianship and we can bring our little girl home!!! Since we have to teach today and tomorrow, we will be traveling most likely on Friday morning to Asuncion to get Anahi. We are so excited!!! This long process is finally coming to an end and it's such a joyous time in our lives.
I can finally post pictures too!
This is when we first met her in July for the first time ( 9 months old).
This is one of our visits to Asuncion when we went to a children's festival and she bounced in the globo loco (moonwalk). (10 months)
Anahi at 11 months. Look at those big brown eyes!
Feeding our little girl.
Hanging out with big brother
Peek-a-boo with Papi.
Pray for our transition as Anahi adjusts to our life and rhythm, different foods and craziness!! We can't God enough for this indescribable gift and we also continue to thank you for lifting us up in your prayers.
I can finally post pictures too!
Pray for our transition as Anahi adjusts to our life and rhythm, different foods and craziness!! We can't God enough for this indescribable gift and we also continue to thank you for lifting us up in your prayers.
Heart of Stone
When we walked into the judge's office yesterday the judge had a look on her face that could kill. She did not greet us or smile. She simply told us to have a seat. I gulped and said a quick "Oh Lord, help us" type of prayer. This was the judge that everyone warned us about. The one that throws young children out of her courtroom. We had been praying for weeks that we would be salt and light to this woman and when we walked into our office I knew we would need a miracle.
She started asking the normal questions...our age, our nationality... Then she asked why we wanted to adopt. We explained that we had always wanted a big family, but due to infertility problems, things hadn't gone as planned. We told her that we have been praying for a child for years and that we truly believed that Anahi is the answer to our prayer.
In that moment, something happened to the judge's face.
She smiled, then she looked down and started to weep. She broke down and shared with us that she also suffered from infertility. She told us that Anahi came to her office when she was just a few days old and that she herself gave Anahi her name and that she slept with her in bed until the paperwork and vehicle were ready to ship her off to Asuncion. She asked our occupation and while we were hesitant to tell her our *real* work, we told her that we work with the church. She asked if we were pastors and we said, "yes." She was delighted to see the family that Anahi would be in and she told us that she would do her best to get the papers finalized within the week. The judge wept two more times as we were conversing and sharing about our visits with our daughter and the way God was building our family.
We encouraged her that God has plans for her family as well and that although many times we don't understand His ways, they are for our good.
When we walked out of the courthouse our lawyer looked at us and said, "I've known this judge for 15 years and I have never, EVER seen what just occurred. It is obvious that God was at work due to the prayers of His people. I am absolutely shocked."
This is what God does to a judge that always takes her time, is critical, cold, and didn't seem to have a heart for children. Ezequiel reminds us of this promise, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." -36:26.
We were overjoyed to see your prayers made such a huge difference in the heart of the judge. Thank you for interceding! Will you continue to pray for Judge Evelyn that she would seek God's face and that HE would answer her prayers as well?
She started asking the normal questions...our age, our nationality... Then she asked why we wanted to adopt. We explained that we had always wanted a big family, but due to infertility problems, things hadn't gone as planned. We told her that we have been praying for a child for years and that we truly believed that Anahi is the answer to our prayer.
In that moment, something happened to the judge's face.
She smiled, then she looked down and started to weep. She broke down and shared with us that she also suffered from infertility. She told us that Anahi came to her office when she was just a few days old and that she herself gave Anahi her name and that she slept with her in bed until the paperwork and vehicle were ready to ship her off to Asuncion. She asked our occupation and while we were hesitant to tell her our *real* work, we told her that we work with the church. She asked if we were pastors and we said, "yes." She was delighted to see the family that Anahi would be in and she told us that she would do her best to get the papers finalized within the week. The judge wept two more times as we were conversing and sharing about our visits with our daughter and the way God was building our family.
We encouraged her that God has plans for her family as well and that although many times we don't understand His ways, they are for our good.
When we walked out of the courthouse our lawyer looked at us and said, "I've known this judge for 15 years and I have never, EVER seen what just occurred. It is obvious that God was at work due to the prayers of His people. I am absolutely shocked."
This is what God does to a judge that always takes her time, is critical, cold, and didn't seem to have a heart for children. Ezequiel reminds us of this promise, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." -36:26.
We were overjoyed to see your prayers made such a huge difference in the heart of the judge. Thank you for interceding! Will you continue to pray for Judge Evelyn that she would seek God's face and that HE would answer her prayers as well?
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Big Day!
Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in Encarnacion is our big interview with the judge for the adoption of Anahi!!! Thanks for your prayers that we can be salt and light and that God would show us favor.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Walking by Faith is a Tough Road
The last three days have been some of the most difficult and exhilirating of my entire adult life. They were full of joy, fear, sadness, doubt to name just a few of the emotions that gripped my heart while I was with our daughter in Asuncion.
I took an overnight bus to be with her when she got up in the morning. In order to see her beautiful morning smile I needed to face my fears of walking in the same terminal where I was assaulted in 2008- my purse knifed by three thugs. I arrived safely and I walked into her foster caregivers home at 6:00 a.m. and saw her there sleeping and in perfect peace. Thank you God for this amazing gift!
I spent the next days learning about our daughter's daily life and routine with the family that so graciously cared for her and helped her to understand the love of a family, a real home. I was so humbled by their hospitality. They are a modest family yet they gave me their bed, and their bedroom while the children slept in the living room. They would not let me pay them for the food I consumed, I was their guest and I as Anahi's mother am the most important person to them, they told me. Such loving people.
I learned so much about my daughter in the past few days. She loves music, she loves nature and children. She greets everyone who walks in the door with sweet coos and ahs. She needs her time after waking up to just breathe in life. She knows what she wants and what she doesn't want and she knows how to communicate through grunting which toy she wants to play with. Her skin is ultra sensitive and even the slightest wind chaps her little cheeks. Totally focused time with her was God's grace to me.
When I went to her 11 month doctor's check up is when I broke down. The doctor told me that when she was little she wouldn't keep her tongue inside of her mouth. They checked her thyroid and ruled out an issue there. She suspected she could have a mild case of Down Syndrome. I froze inside. I was paralyzed and I wanted to burst into tears, to scream. NO. There is no way that the beautiful little child that God brought into our lives has a special condition. I couldn't sleep that night. Every time I felt her breath on mine in the bed we shared, I let the fear of a possible diagnosis paralyze my thoughts. The "what if" questions that took hold of my night were endless. All I wanted to do was call off the adoption and take the next bus home. I wasn't ready for the implications of a special needs child in a nation where there is NO infrastructure for children who have DS.
God, what are you doing?? I asked him as I held her in my arms. I began to doubt my capacity to care for her, to love her, to give her the future that God wanted for her abundant living. I called Norberto and had him research DS and what type of mental and emotional delays she might have. I called our lawyer and told her I was thinking to cancel our interview on Tuesday that took so long for us to get. I called the doctor and had her order me the Trisomy 21 chromosome test. I told myself we were crazy to even think of adopting in the first place.
Walk by faith, and not by sight.
That's what I heard Him whisper into my heart.
Just an hour before leaving on the bus to the capital, our Bible study talked about the 12 spies of Israel. Remember, the ones that were to bring back a report on Canaan (the Promised Land) to Israel. Regardless of the bounty that they discovered there...including grapes so large that three men had to carry the clusters... they couldn't get over the size of the giants. Having forgotten how God had always provided for them and always delivered them from their enemies to that point, they let the possibilities of defeat control what they knew all along.
God is bigger than the giants.
For 24 hours I dealt with a fear so crippling and so real that I was THAT close to throwing in the towel on our adoption process. There was a very intense battle going on in my mind and I am quite sure that my Enemy wanted to see me walk away from Anahi during those dark hours. I am convinced that those fears and doubts did not come from the God who answered our prayers of many years to build our family, to allow us to love and raise children who call Him by name. They weren't from the One who chose this beauty for us from a long list of 90 waiting families. They weren't from the Father who loves the orphan and who has grafted us in as His own in spite of our flawed genetic material.
I prayed and cried out to God and asked Him to renew my faith and guide me through the desert. I know that God's plans for us are to prosper us and to give us HOPE and a FUTURE. After that long night, I opened up to Anahi's foster mom and told her that I was more than a little scared to hear the doctor's words. Without my knowing, she called the social worker and she came to talk to me and show me all the rigorous testing that our little girl has already endured and she helped put my mind at ease. She ordered the Trisomy 21 test to be done and she listened and told me my fears were normal. I am grateful for those listening, non-judgmental ears.
I hate to admit how fragile I am. It shocks me to admit how one person's possible diagnosis could strike a blow to bring me crashing to the ground. I scared me to see how I cower at the giants instead of seeing the abundant fruit right in front of me. I am grateful for the prayers of those around me that were interceding while I was battling my own fears and inadequacies and lack of trust.
Yesterday as I looked into her eyes and saw her joy and her innocence, I knew God was growing my faith in Him. As I got into the taxi and waved yet another painful goodbye, I felt physically ill. The truth is I can't live without her.
I don't know the results of her test, but we are going into Promised Land, dear friends. We are going forward because this is what God has called us to. He has called us to rest in Him and walk in faith. It's a harder road than I anticipated, with many bumps and detours, but He's going before us and we're not going to let someone else enjoy the delicious grapes that were meant for us.
I took an overnight bus to be with her when she got up in the morning. In order to see her beautiful morning smile I needed to face my fears of walking in the same terminal where I was assaulted in 2008- my purse knifed by three thugs. I arrived safely and I walked into her foster caregivers home at 6:00 a.m. and saw her there sleeping and in perfect peace. Thank you God for this amazing gift!
I spent the next days learning about our daughter's daily life and routine with the family that so graciously cared for her and helped her to understand the love of a family, a real home. I was so humbled by their hospitality. They are a modest family yet they gave me their bed, and their bedroom while the children slept in the living room. They would not let me pay them for the food I consumed, I was their guest and I as Anahi's mother am the most important person to them, they told me. Such loving people.
I learned so much about my daughter in the past few days. She loves music, she loves nature and children. She greets everyone who walks in the door with sweet coos and ahs. She needs her time after waking up to just breathe in life. She knows what she wants and what she doesn't want and she knows how to communicate through grunting which toy she wants to play with. Her skin is ultra sensitive and even the slightest wind chaps her little cheeks. Totally focused time with her was God's grace to me.
When I went to her 11 month doctor's check up is when I broke down. The doctor told me that when she was little she wouldn't keep her tongue inside of her mouth. They checked her thyroid and ruled out an issue there. She suspected she could have a mild case of Down Syndrome. I froze inside. I was paralyzed and I wanted to burst into tears, to scream. NO. There is no way that the beautiful little child that God brought into our lives has a special condition. I couldn't sleep that night. Every time I felt her breath on mine in the bed we shared, I let the fear of a possible diagnosis paralyze my thoughts. The "what if" questions that took hold of my night were endless. All I wanted to do was call off the adoption and take the next bus home. I wasn't ready for the implications of a special needs child in a nation where there is NO infrastructure for children who have DS.
God, what are you doing?? I asked him as I held her in my arms. I began to doubt my capacity to care for her, to love her, to give her the future that God wanted for her abundant living. I called Norberto and had him research DS and what type of mental and emotional delays she might have. I called our lawyer and told her I was thinking to cancel our interview on Tuesday that took so long for us to get. I called the doctor and had her order me the Trisomy 21 chromosome test. I told myself we were crazy to even think of adopting in the first place.
Walk by faith, and not by sight.
That's what I heard Him whisper into my heart.
Just an hour before leaving on the bus to the capital, our Bible study talked about the 12 spies of Israel. Remember, the ones that were to bring back a report on Canaan (the Promised Land) to Israel. Regardless of the bounty that they discovered there...including grapes so large that three men had to carry the clusters... they couldn't get over the size of the giants. Having forgotten how God had always provided for them and always delivered them from their enemies to that point, they let the possibilities of defeat control what they knew all along.
God is bigger than the giants.
For 24 hours I dealt with a fear so crippling and so real that I was THAT close to throwing in the towel on our adoption process. There was a very intense battle going on in my mind and I am quite sure that my Enemy wanted to see me walk away from Anahi during those dark hours. I am convinced that those fears and doubts did not come from the God who answered our prayers of many years to build our family, to allow us to love and raise children who call Him by name. They weren't from the One who chose this beauty for us from a long list of 90 waiting families. They weren't from the Father who loves the orphan and who has grafted us in as His own in spite of our flawed genetic material.
I prayed and cried out to God and asked Him to renew my faith and guide me through the desert. I know that God's plans for us are to prosper us and to give us HOPE and a FUTURE. After that long night, I opened up to Anahi's foster mom and told her that I was more than a little scared to hear the doctor's words. Without my knowing, she called the social worker and she came to talk to me and show me all the rigorous testing that our little girl has already endured and she helped put my mind at ease. She ordered the Trisomy 21 test to be done and she listened and told me my fears were normal. I am grateful for those listening, non-judgmental ears.
I hate to admit how fragile I am. It shocks me to admit how one person's possible diagnosis could strike a blow to bring me crashing to the ground. I scared me to see how I cower at the giants instead of seeing the abundant fruit right in front of me. I am grateful for the prayers of those around me that were interceding while I was battling my own fears and inadequacies and lack of trust.
Yesterday as I looked into her eyes and saw her joy and her innocence, I knew God was growing my faith in Him. As I got into the taxi and waved yet another painful goodbye, I felt physically ill. The truth is I can't live without her.
I don't know the results of her test, but we are going into Promised Land, dear friends. We are going forward because this is what God has called us to. He has called us to rest in Him and walk in faith. It's a harder road than I anticipated, with many bumps and detours, but He's going before us and we're not going to let someone else enjoy the delicious grapes that were meant for us.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Worth It All
We had the BEST time with our little girl this weekend!! We bonded with her so much and she just kept giving us sweet little kisses. Leaving her behind was just the PITS. Thankfully, we won't have many more goodbyes. However, we have to continue the relating process with her so the social worker can give a report to the judge on how Anahi is dealing with her new family (that would be us). So, I (Julie) am leaving on an overnight bus for Asuncion and will be with her until Friday night. Norb is holding the fort down here (and teaching my classes) while I'm gone.
Our big interview with the judge is in one week, on August 30. If all goes well, we will be named Anahi's legal guardians until the adoption process is complete. We aren't sure whenthis long process will end the adoption will be complete, but we're grateful to God for our little girl and recognize that all these sacrifices are totally worth having her in our arms.
Our big interview with the judge is in one week, on August 30. If all goes well, we will be named Anahi's legal guardians until the adoption process is complete. We aren't sure when
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The Judge Signed!!!
Those were the happiest words we heard all week when our lawyer called on Wednesday. That means we now have the opportunity to make contact with our daughter in her foster home!
Thursday night we made the trip to Asuncion and yesterday we spent six hours with Anahi! We got to feed her, change her diaper, play with her and put her down for a nap. We were supervised the entire time by a government social worker. Thankfully, we had a great day and unbelievably she didn't cry even once!
Today and tomorrow we will spend the day with her again (unsupervised) and then we will wait for our interview with the judge on Tuesday, Aug 30. If all goes well with our interview, we will be named legal guardians of Anahi and we will be able to bring our little girl home. Then, we'll post all the pictures that we're dying to show you of our little princess.
Thursday night we made the trip to Asuncion and yesterday we spent six hours with Anahi! We got to feed her, change her diaper, play with her and put her down for a nap. We were supervised the entire time by a government social worker. Thankfully, we had a great day and unbelievably she didn't cry even once!
Today and tomorrow we will spend the day with her again (unsupervised) and then we will wait for our interview with the judge on Tuesday, Aug 30. If all goes well with our interview, we will be named legal guardians of Anahi and we will be able to bring our little girl home. Then, we'll post all the pictures that we're dying to show you of our little princess.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A Day Late and a Dollar Short: Guest Post by Ken Hagerman
Usually we shy away from those things that look a little too self-serving. For this reason, we don’t often talk of finances or of needs, especially the physical ones. However, recent events in the financial climate as well as our first-hand knowledge of how these events are dramatically affecting ministries operating here, have necessitated my writing this informative piece. Many times we Americans don’t know a whole lot about how the world functions outside of our borders. Even if we are seasoned business travelers or vacationers we only experience the other countries we visit from the small window of opportunity those things offer. Today, I wanted to take the time to tell you a little about exchange rates.
Many of you may support ministries outside of the United States and if so I want to share a little bit of how those financial blessings operate once they leave the good ole U.S. of A. While there are several countries outside the USA that use the U.S. dollar for their official currency (Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador etc.) and while there are many places that accept the dollar for payment, the majority of countries require the exchange of that dollar to the local currency in the event you care to make a purchase. The United States is a world power economically. Being such, when the economy is poor or shaky in the States it filters down throughout the world. Locally you may experience higher gas prices or a slight bump in food cost. Pay raises may be slower and smaller. Interest rates will be higher or the requirements to get a loan will become more stringent. All these things as well as the general “doomsday” morale being perpetrated by the media lead to a general “woe is me, we can’t make it” feeling.
Now let’s think about the missionaries and ministry organizations you support. They have to take that dollar you give to the local exchange house and turn it into whatever currency they need to operate. I will give you the specifics of Paraguay since we live here and I know it best. The Paraguayans as a rule aren’t bothered with the fluctuating dollar. It does cause some prices to climb on imported goods but their general life and livelihood are hardly inconvenienced by it. The missionaries and ministry organizations that operate here who have funding coming into Paraguay from the USA are bothered by it. In fact many are downright harmed by it. For instance, in October 2010 the rate of exchange here was Gs(Guaranies)5000 to $1. That meant when someone exchanged $1000 dollars they received 5 million Guaranies. Way cool huh?! This also meant when a ministry went to the local market and bought a kilo(2.2 lbs) of ground beef for the kids in their children’s home for 25,000 guaranies, it was the same as paying $5 for that meat. Or let’s say that a ministry went to fill the gas tank on the mobile medical office they use as a tool to enter communities and share Christ, and they bought 40 liters of gas at 6500 guaranies per liter (260,000 Gs total) . That’s $1.30 per liter, $52 for 10 ½ gallons. Yep, we are paying a little over 5 bucks a gallon for gas here.
Today we were in town and I saw a sign for an exchange location that boasted a rate of 3900 **guaranies to one dollar. In less than 6 months, the dollar has lost 22% of its purchasing power here. Let’s take the two examples above and rework them with the new rate. First the children’s home ministry buys 1 kilo of ground beef for the same Gs25,000 but now they have to use $6.41 to buy it instead of $5 dollars like before. Next the medical missionaries fill their van’s gas tank. The same 40 liters of fuel that was $52 now costs them $67. These changes occurred over less than 6 months.
The point to this exercise is to point out that while we are all feeling the pinch of the downturn in the economy what would it feel like for you if everything you bought suddenly went up 22-25%? I bring this up not to “drum up business” for the Hagermans in Paraguay but to mention to the good people, the world-wide donors, who support ministry in foreign lands to take notice. If the ministry you support is something that is close to your heart then ask them how things are going for them financially. I don’t know the state of exchange rates in all the countries where God’s people are working, but I suspect that their purchasing power has been dramatically affected of late. It may be a time in your life that giving more is just not an option for you, but you may be able to lead a campaign to raise finances for that children’s home or those medical missionaries or whatever other ministry God has put on your heart to partner with. I know firsthand that the missionaries we have met in the field think of the word partner as more than a check. They regularly lift their partners to the Lord in prayer, they think of each person as a vital part of the ministry, and they love when those people can come to see the work with their own eyes. If you are partnered with a particular ministry, engage them and pray that God blesses their work and ask HIM to show you your part in their work.
**Editor's Note: Since the writing of this post, the exchange rate lowered to 3600 and is now slightly up to 3800.
Ken shares his thoughts on his blog "Rambling with the Barba." He along with his beautiful wife Christie and their two dynamic daughters live and serve as missionaries in Itaugua, Paraguay. You can learn more about their ministry on their family blog.
Many of you may support ministries outside of the United States and if so I want to share a little bit of how those financial blessings operate once they leave the good ole U.S. of A. While there are several countries outside the USA that use the U.S. dollar for their official currency (Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador etc.) and while there are many places that accept the dollar for payment, the majority of countries require the exchange of that dollar to the local currency in the event you care to make a purchase. The United States is a world power economically. Being such, when the economy is poor or shaky in the States it filters down throughout the world. Locally you may experience higher gas prices or a slight bump in food cost. Pay raises may be slower and smaller. Interest rates will be higher or the requirements to get a loan will become more stringent. All these things as well as the general “doomsday” morale being perpetrated by the media lead to a general “woe is me, we can’t make it” feeling.
Now let’s think about the missionaries and ministry organizations you support. They have to take that dollar you give to the local exchange house and turn it into whatever currency they need to operate. I will give you the specifics of Paraguay since we live here and I know it best. The Paraguayans as a rule aren’t bothered with the fluctuating dollar. It does cause some prices to climb on imported goods but their general life and livelihood are hardly inconvenienced by it. The missionaries and ministry organizations that operate here who have funding coming into Paraguay from the USA are bothered by it. In fact many are downright harmed by it. For instance, in October 2010 the rate of exchange here was Gs(Guaranies)5000 to $1. That meant when someone exchanged $1000 dollars they received 5 million Guaranies. Way cool huh?! This also meant when a ministry went to the local market and bought a kilo(2.2 lbs) of ground beef for the kids in their children’s home for 25,000 guaranies, it was the same as paying $5 for that meat. Or let’s say that a ministry went to fill the gas tank on the mobile medical office they use as a tool to enter communities and share Christ, and they bought 40 liters of gas at 6500 guaranies per liter (260,000 Gs total) . That’s $1.30 per liter, $52 for 10 ½ gallons. Yep, we are paying a little over 5 bucks a gallon for gas here.
Today we were in town and I saw a sign for an exchange location that boasted a rate of 3900 **guaranies to one dollar. In less than 6 months, the dollar has lost 22% of its purchasing power here. Let’s take the two examples above and rework them with the new rate. First the children’s home ministry buys 1 kilo of ground beef for the same Gs25,000 but now they have to use $6.41 to buy it instead of $5 dollars like before. Next the medical missionaries fill their van’s gas tank. The same 40 liters of fuel that was $52 now costs them $67. These changes occurred over less than 6 months.
The point to this exercise is to point out that while we are all feeling the pinch of the downturn in the economy what would it feel like for you if everything you bought suddenly went up 22-25%? I bring this up not to “drum up business” for the Hagermans in Paraguay but to mention to the good people, the world-wide donors, who support ministry in foreign lands to take notice. If the ministry you support is something that is close to your heart then ask them how things are going for them financially. I don’t know the state of exchange rates in all the countries where God’s people are working, but I suspect that their purchasing power has been dramatically affected of late. It may be a time in your life that giving more is just not an option for you, but you may be able to lead a campaign to raise finances for that children’s home or those medical missionaries or whatever other ministry God has put on your heart to partner with. I know firsthand that the missionaries we have met in the field think of the word partner as more than a check. They regularly lift their partners to the Lord in prayer, they think of each person as a vital part of the ministry, and they love when those people can come to see the work with their own eyes. If you are partnered with a particular ministry, engage them and pray that God blesses their work and ask HIM to show you your part in their work.
**Editor's Note: Since the writing of this post, the exchange rate lowered to 3600 and is now slightly up to 3800.
Ken shares his thoughts on his blog "Rambling with the Barba." He along with his beautiful wife Christie and their two dynamic daughters live and serve as missionaries in Itaugua, Paraguay. You can learn more about their ministry on their family blog.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Our Signs of Spring
The puppies are playing... (.thank God that they all sold, but they're so cute who couldn't resist!)
and her clothes are hanging!!.. in the anticipated arrival of our daughter. We are expecting to be able to bring her home in the next 2-3 weeks.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
CMA Paraguay Aids International Rally
This weekend is the International Viajeros Motocycle Rally. It is being held in our town and our CMA chapter is heavily involved with the event. Bikers have come from neighboring countries Brazil, Argentina, Chile and as far as Europe.
There was a biker parade today and Norberto registered the bikers and was asked to give the opening prayer. I handed out flags and Timmy was the cute biker kid.
These events are ALWAYS interesting to meet people!! There were over 250 bikers present for the parade.
There was a biker parade today and Norberto registered the bikers and was asked to give the opening prayer. I handed out flags and Timmy was the cute biker kid.
That guy in front of the caravan is from Germany and is biking from Argentina to Alaska!!
Right before the caravan has about to start, a drunk guy's bike tipped over on ours. Then two bikes down, a guy jumps off his bike as it goes up in flames. Thankfully, we were able to put out the fire. Never a dull moment with bikers!
We're hoping to have more opportunities to talk with them tomorrow and use opportunities to share about our faith journey.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
August is the Month of the Child!
Here in Paraguay we celebrate Mother's Day (May 15), Father's Day (second Sunday in June) and Children's Day (August 16)! However, the entire month is full of children's events.
This past week some local churches and businesses sponsored a special concert with Biper, a Christian children's group from Argentina. The stadium that was rented was packed with 4,000 children/adults!!
Timmy still can't stop talking about the concert. He was especially happy to have a dream come true and eat cotton candy!
On Saturday, Aug 20 our church is sponsoring a big party with a moonwalk inflatable, and an afternoon of fun and games in a poor neighborhood about 10 minutes outside of town. We are looking forward to serving the children and telling them about God's love.
We continue to pray that August will be the month that we bring home our sweet daughter as well. We still don't have any news from the judge. Our attorney says that she hasn't signed the papers yet and to keep praying. Thanks so much for praying for our daughter and for all the children of Paraguay!
On Saturday, Aug 20 our church is sponsoring a big party with a moonwalk inflatable, and an afternoon of fun and games in a poor neighborhood about 10 minutes outside of town. We are looking forward to serving the children and telling them about God's love.
We continue to pray that August will be the month that we bring home our sweet daughter as well. We still don't have any news from the judge. Our attorney says that she hasn't signed the papers yet and to keep praying. Thanks so much for praying for our daughter and for all the children of Paraguay!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Puppies for Sale...or Creative Ways to Pay for Adoption
Thursday, August 4, 2011
All Good Things Come to Those that Wait...and Pray!
I just talked with our attorney (we were not at the meeting) and she said that the judge wanted to review our case and will give us an answer on Monday. Ah, Monday seems so far off! There are two judges for the children's sector in our state and the one assigned to our case happens to be the more difficult (as in takes her time, is critical, and skeptical).
However, that does not intimidate us. We know that so many folks are praying and we believe that God can even change the heart of a judge who doesn't have any children and doesn't understand the heart of a mother. I am asking God for patience and the trust in Him that His timing his perfect and His ways are perfect.
After Monday when we receive a favorable response, we will need to present ourselves in front of the judge and she will interview us on why we want to adopt. We want to be salt and light to this woman. Would you please be in prayer for her (Evelyn) and for us? We really, truly appreciate your intercession. We are convinced that adoption is at the heart of God and the Enemy does not want to see orphans put into loving, God-fearing families. So, difficult judges are just part of the process and we look forward to sharing with you our victory soon!
However, that does not intimidate us. We know that so many folks are praying and we believe that God can even change the heart of a judge who doesn't have any children and doesn't understand the heart of a mother. I am asking God for patience and the trust in Him that His timing his perfect and His ways are perfect.
After Monday when we receive a favorable response, we will need to present ourselves in front of the judge and she will interview us on why we want to adopt. We want to be salt and light to this woman. Would you please be in prayer for her (Evelyn) and for us? We really, truly appreciate your intercession. We are convinced that adoption is at the heart of God and the Enemy does not want to see orphans put into loving, God-fearing families. So, difficult judges are just part of the process and we look forward to sharing with you our victory soon!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Going Before the Judge Today!
Today is the day that our lawyer will represent us before the judge in our state to present the "juicio de adopcion" or to legally consider us as Anahi's parents!
Will you please pray with us that the judge will sign our little girl over without a flinch or a glitch? If everything goes smoothly, we will be able to start our visitation with our daughter this weekend! The agency requires 3-5 visits to build trust and a relationship with her before bringing her home.
Will you please pray with us that the judge will sign our little girl over without a flinch or a glitch? If everything goes smoothly, we will be able to start our visitation with our daughter this weekend! The agency requires 3-5 visits to build trust and a relationship with her before bringing her home.
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. -Deut. 10:18
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