Luko's Graduation!

I just received an email from the 60 Feet sponsorship coordinator that is worthy of

BIG PRAISE!!!

Ben meeting Luko while in Uganda last March

Our boy, Luko, that we have sponsored through 60 Feet has just graduated from

the U.C.C Vocational Training Institute.

He is one of the first ten graduates of the sponsorship program and we are so proud of him for sticking with it even when the going got tough. 

Several months back, we received word that Luko was struggling in school and had been suspended.  Thankfully, he was given a second chance and was allowed to return to school.  The 60 Feet team prayed with him in Uganda and we prayed for him from Minnesota.

Praise Jesus that our God is a God of second chances (and third, and fourth, etc).

Luko now has a degree in catering and we were able to bless him with a graduation gift of several cooking supplies that he'll need to get his career started!  Here he is with his boxes of cooking supplies!!

It has been such a blessing to be a part of this young mans life from across the world.

Sixty Feet did a great job keeping us connected with how he was doing in school through emails and letters.  We are so thankful for this, because it brought tremendous 

Life,

Purpose,

Intention, 

and Reality

to the entire sponsorship process for our entire family.  

Here are a few words from the 60 Feet interns in Uganda about graduation day:

"It's not every day that you get to attend the graduation of formerly imprisoned kids in Uganda.  It rained all day, but that didn't stop the celebration.  There was a DJ, a traditional dance, and about 200 smiling graduates.  It was so encouraging to see 10 of our sponsored kids among them, proudly wearing their caps and gowns.  These kids have defied the odds.  Some of them had spent a lot of time away from school before they were given this chance, so they had to struggle hard to catch up with the other kids.  Some of them had to push through being looked down on for being poor or because they were in prison.  But they made it.  They have earned not just their certificates, but also the respect of their friends and family."

Please join us in praising God for His work in Luko's life!

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

Aaaaggghh!

Well.....it's been one of those weekends.  

You know the type...

Dad's gone,

kids are fighting,

Mom's patience is wearing thin,

snotty noses, 

fevers,

teething,

did I already mention the pathetic example of patience displayed by Mom?

All I can say is that I am beyond thankful for new days,

fresh starts,

forgiveness,

and Jesus.

It's through the tough days that I learn that I can do nothing on my own.

It's the tough days that I find myself crying out to God for strength.

It's at the end of those tough days

-when the kids are asleep-

that those difficult moments seem so small

and my reaction to them seems 

so BIG

so disproportionate.

I am thankful that all of this brought about a great teaching moment for us.

I shared with the kids that I asked God for His forgiveness last night for my behavior.

Then I asked for forgiveness from them.

We talked about the fruits of the spirit:

Love,

Joy,

Peace,

Patience,

Kindness,

Goodness,

Gentleness,

Faithfulness,

Self-Control.

I am thankful that today was a better day.  

Devotional/prayer time/singing with the kids to reflect on Orphan Sunday.

Making handmade "Get well soon" cards for Great-Grandpa in the hospital.

Enjoying taco-in-a-bag that benefitted an amazing family.

Afternoon movie with popcorn at home.

Sledding and hot chocolate.

Watching Avery help Sawyer with his sight words.

Pizza.

Tucking my freshly bathed kiddos into warm beds.

Choosing to see the positive in today.

Childlike Faith

I just have to share something that made my heart smile this week!  It's a song that was written by my oldest daughter, Avery.  She's seven years old, but has a faith and understanding that far exceeds her years.  I am so thankful that God has grabbed ahold of her heart at such a young age and I can't wait to see how He uses her!  

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." 

1 Timothy 4:12

A "bump" in the road!

Remember in that first post when I said that we expected to face some bumps during this process??  Well.......we have hit our first real bump...and you can find it on me!!

To say we were surprised would be an understatement!  Upon finding out we were pregnant, we experienced a whole series of emotions from confusion, sadness, anger, disappointment, and loss.  I know that sounds crazy, but you must understand that we were so focused on our adoption path that this unexpected fifth pregnancy made all of those adoption hopes and dreams come to a screeching halt.  A good friend of mine put it into perspective as we were grieving the loss of Baby Burundi--she said that it was normal to feel that way and compared it somewhat to the feelings of loss and grief one experiences with a miscarriage.  We had been praying/dreaming/talking about this child for quite some time and now God was re-routing our path.  But when we really thought about it...what a gift...loss wrapped in life.

As we journeyed through our emotions, we felt God pouring out His peace and love.  It wasn't for us to understand the why of it all.  Why we started the process only to have it stopped so suddenly.  Why God wouldn't want us to adopt a child that needed a family.  Trusting that we're going to look back on this time and see so clearly why God re-directed our path.  Trusting that this is all going to make sense and that he has an even better plan for our family.  

On a positive side---we are extremely humbled, blessed, and thankful for this newest little life God has entrusted to us.  It just took us a good week or so to wrap our brains around the reality that I was really pregnant!!  We are now full of excitement and anticipation at what God has in our future!  ALL life is precious and we hope you can understand where our mixed feelings came from at the beginning.  This whole experience has really taught us a lot about trusting God when life doesn't make much sense.

So, what does this mean for our adoption, you ask??  Well, according to our agency policy we had to close our file for Baby Burundi and we have the option of resuming once our youngest child is one year old.  This does NOT mean that we have closed the book on adopting.  We feel that God has laid this on our hearts for a reason and so we are using this time as a gift to really pray, discern, and research where God is leading us.  Perhaps Burundi was just not where God has our child?  Maybe He is just saying, "slow down"?  What we do know is that we are completely at peace with this redirection.  His plan will be revealed in time.

As far as those of you that have supported us through the purchase of OH or Wild Olive gear....those purchases were not for nothing.  Not only did you support a couple of amazing non-profit organizations that give back, but by wearing those shirts you will be raising awareness of the needs of the orphaned....and we THANK YOU for that!!  So much awareness needs to be raised......so please, continue to wear those shirts proudly!!  We plan to gift our OH funds to an awesome Grand Forks family, The Adams, who are adopting from Uganda and also fundraising through OH.  To follow their journey visit their blog @ www.walkinghumblyinlove.blogspot.com.   We plan to gift our Wild Olive funds to another adoptive family as well and again we can't thank you enough for your kind words and prayers of support and encouragement throughout all of this.

Oh, and baby Horken #5 is due around April 6th!  :)

Sixty Feet

Last winter on our mission trip to Uganda I experienced something that shook me to the core and affected me in such a way that I want everyone to know and be aware of the immense suffering and injustice that is happening to children, God's children, in Uganda.

I personally invite you to come and learn about the ministry of Sixty Feet as two of their founders share a documentary film about what this ministry is doing to improve the lives and restore hope, in the name of Jesus, to the imprisoned children of Africa.  The work that God is doing through these ordinary men and women is nothing short of amazing!

WHAT:  Showing of the 60 Feet film, Beloved

WHERE:  Hope Church Grand Forks, ND

WHEN:  Sunday, September 16th at 7:30pm

(childcare available)

Open to the public

The things I saw, experienced, and felt while working with this ministry will forever be etched into my mind and heart.  Holding a too small for her age 18 month old in my arms that has been "imprisoned"for almost a year....feeling the smooth, raised areas of burn scars that covered her little body....wondering what could have happened that would have caused those scars and what kind of "scars" is she holding onto from within.
Just sitting with this little one as she melted onto my body and rested her little head on my shoulder.  Allowing her to lay on me for a couple of hours, knowing that it's been far too long since she's felt a mothers love.  Feeding this precious, emotionless child her posho and beans with my bare hands while sitting on the concrete floor surrounded by far too many other children.    Again, letting this same sweet child sleep longer in my arms once finished with her meal.  I almost couldn't let my thoughts run free for fear that I would break down sobbing.
As our team leader said it was time to say our good-byes to the children, I looked around to see who would take my spot in holding this perfect little girl as she slept so soundly.  It was then that I realized that once we left-so did all of the available and eager arms to embrace these children and tell them how loved they are.  Reality hit when not only was there no one to hold this child, but there was nowhere to lay her down to sleep.  I felt a lump forming in my throat when a child, no older than 8, was instructed by one of the far to few caretakers to take the child from my arms and lay her down with the others.  I knew what this meant as I walked away....she was not being taken to a cozy crib to sleep...no...no...she was laid in the corner of the room in which we ate, on a cold, concrete floor along with about 5 other children her age all slumped together.  As a mother, my heart broke!  The thought that this was daily life for these children!  Naked little bottoms exposed, wearing only rags of clothing on top and sleeping on a concrete floor....unimaginable!

This place is only one of several places like it in Uganda where children are often wrongfully "imprisoned",  abandoned, and forgotten.  Sixty Feet is working to remove the most vulnerable children, restore hope, share and show the love of Christ, provide clean water, sanitation, medicine, and provide educational opportunities.

Come.  Listen.  Learn.  And see for yourself how ordinary people can make an extra-ordinary difference for God's kingdom!  We'd love to see you there!

For more information on Sixty Feet visit:  www.sixtyfeet.org
    

An Exercise in Trust

     Since we don't have anything new or exciting to share in regards to our adoption I am choosing to use this quiet time as a gift to just "be still and know that He is God". ---Psalm 46:10.  Now, this is very difficult for me to do because I have a terrible habit of needing...wanting...demanding to know what the next step is and what is coming around the corner.  However, when I really sit back and think about what it means to TRUST God, it means the exact opposite.
     Merriam Webster's definition of the word trust is, "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; one in which confidence is placed."
     My constant desire to know what God's next move is actually me not fully trusting God and His perfect plans for my life.  The truth of it is, in our culture, how often have we really had to TRUST God?  I mean really trust Him.  For most of us (me included) we can say we're trusting God, but in reality we're  pretty good at being self-sufficient.  Our cupboards and freezers are fully stocked with a variety of foods to last us way beyond a few weeks of no trips to the grocery store.  Our closets are over-flowing with clothing options.  Our homes function more as entertainment centers (full of toys and electronic gadgets) rather than a shelter to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  What I'm trying to get at is that although God has given us all jobs that enable us to have these luxuries-we have them in excess.  And because all of these things are at our fingertips whenever we want, we've excessed our way out of relying on God for life's necessities.
     I think that's why I am struggling with trust right now.  Because when I think back on how many times I have actually had to blindly trust God when things are out of my control.....those times are really very few.  I am really good at playing tug-of-war with God when it comes to control----constantly pulling back against Him, so that I feel more in control.  So, I am choosing to be thankful for this time of uncertainty and unpredictability because it is causing me to exercise my TRUST in our Heavenly Father.
     Proverbs 3:5-6 keeps coming to mind,
     "TRUST in the Lord with ALL your heart, on your own intelligence DO NO RELY; In ALL your ways be mindful of him, and he will MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR PATHS."
     I mean, let's be real, whose intelligence is it better to rely on---mine or God's?  I think the answer is pretty obvious!!

A Very "General" Timeline...Subject To Change!

One of the main questions I've been asked lately is, "When will your baby come home?"  Oh, if only I had my Magic Eight Ball from childhood that I could ask that very same question to!!  I have a feeling that more than likely it's response would be (after giving it a real good shake)... "ASK AGAIN LATER" or "YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT"

Thankfully, we don't operate based on the answers of a foolish toy!  Our agency has given us a breakdown of a very general timeline for the whole process.  Keep in mind, in the adoption world things can change very quickly-especially when dealing with a country that is new to international adoption.  Here is a rough look at what's to come:

1.)  At this moment-working on the mandatory 10hrs of pre-adoption education.

2.)  Mid September-go to St. Paul for one day on-site training.

3.)  Begin home study process after training completion----that process takes 3-4 months.

4.)  After completed and approved home study-begin & submit Dossier---2-6 mo.

****A dossier is a compilation of paperwork said to demonstrate your "fitness" to adopt.**** 

5.)  Receive Child referral

6.)  Upon acceptance of referral--wait 2-3 months before traveling to bring our child home!!  

7.)  Once in-country we expect to spend 7-10 days in Burundi and then an additional 5 days in Kenya to complete the U.S. Visa processing.  

8.)  Then, home to be a family!!!  

Join us.....

Now that we're getting the word out that we've decided to adopt we'd like to ask each of you to join us on this journey.  I can speak from personal experience that something changes inside of you when you move from just hearing or reading about someone's adoption journey and actually take part in it.  Suddenly, you become invested in the process-the journey-and you care about the outcome.

A simple way to join us is to pray.  It's just that easy.  "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."--Matthew 21:22

Another way you can take part in this process is by participating in one of our fundraising efforts.  You'll see along the right side of the blog two "buttons" that are links to online stores that we are using to assist us raising some money.

The first one, Ordinary Hero, is a nonprofit, 501c3, child advocacy organization.  Their goal is to encourage and provide a way for every person to make a difference in the life of a child in need, through adoption, missions, or local outreach.  They also strive to bring worldwide, public awareness to the orphan crisis.  They believe every child needs a hero, wants a hero, and is looking for a hero.  We believe that hero is you!

By clicking on the OH button, you will be directed to the fundraising store.  Simply select some fun and fashionable gear for yourself and your family and select my name from the drop down list under "affiliate" during the check-out process.  Forty percent of every purchase will be sent to our agency and put directly toward our adoption costs!

The second "button" will direct you to the website for Wild Olive Tees.  You MUST check out these adorable women's and children's tees---so cute!  Not only are these t-shirts awesome, but you will be spreading the Word of God just by wearing them!!  A win-win!  In order for us to receive a portion of each t-shirt sale, you FIRST need to shop the Adoption Fundraiser Tees.  These are designed especially for us fundraising folk!  Again, during the check-out process simply enter our "family code"  HORKEN719 to ensure we receive the credit!

We would greatly appreciate your support throughout this process-whether through prayer or by purchasing and wearing our fundraising apparel.  Many thanks and happy shopping!!

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build-up) one another, just as you are doing.--- 1 Thessalonions 5:11

Burundi In The News

Here is a brief video clip of a news report that was done on our agency, Lutheran Social Services of MN, and the Burundi adoption pilot program.

Northland's News Center: A Story on Burundi Adoptions

Seeds planted and watered over time

****My apologies in advance for the length of this....I wanted to make sure I documented all that God has done in our lives to lead us to this point before I forgot the details :) ****

As I look back on this past year, I can see God's hand all over it.  I see His fingerprints on the hearts of my children and husband.  The way our vision and plan for our lives has been completely turned upside down can only be attributed to God.

Looking back, we were very proud of the fact that we were "young" parents and that we had cranked out 4 kids within a matter of 5 1/2 years.  We thought we were SET!!  We were DONE....the kids could grow....we could take them on nice vacations....we could remodel the house....maybe even put in that outdoor kitchen that Ben had been dreaming of!  Our vision was set on living a comfortable life and acquiring the financial success necessary so that we could retire early, relax and live the good life!

Don't get me wrong~NONE of these things are inherently wrong!  No, no!  What was wrong (for us) was that WE were pushing aside our convictions from God in regards to our purpose on earth and how to utilize our blessings.  We were so focused on our comforts being met and living the life WE dreamed of and planned--we weren't taking into true consideration where God wanted us, how He wanted us to be living, and how He wanted to use us, as ordinary and everyday as we were!    

This whole journey towards adoption began back in October of 2010 when I heard MaryBeth Chapman (married to Christian music artist, Steven Curtis Chapman) speak at a Women of Faith conference.  She spoke about her family and their journey and briefly discussed how God had called them to open the hearts to adopting from China.  After the conference, I purchased her book, which described more about their adoption process and something stirred within me.  A seed was planted.

My curiosity grew, but I wasn't actively looking into adoption at this point....I mean, I was just about to give birth to our son, Grady-our fourth and "final" child!!  Seriously, I thought anyone that had more than 4 children was absolutely crazy or at least much more organized than myself!

It was about this time that I began to hear more about a friend of mine that was growing her family through an adoption from Ethiopia.  She was bold in speaking up for the orphaned and often shared her thoughts via her blog or through scripture or video postings.  I truly believe that God used her to plant some more seeds and begin watering.

I also began to dig into the Word more and God used that time to speak His truth to me.  I began feeling  convicted in certain areas of my life and started hungering for a life with eternal purpose.  I thirsted for a life that was not centered around me and my desires as much as it was centered around Jesus and how He could use me-average me-ordinary me-sinful me-flawed me-willing me to be His hands and feet here on earth.  I began to understand that each of us was put here on earth for a very unique reason and that we all had purpose.  My eyes were opened to extreme poverty, sadness, brokenness, and hunger in the world.  I realized that the only way for Jesus' presence to be known on this earth was for hearts to be willing to step out in faith--step out of that comfort-zone and into the unknown--trusting God every step of the way.

It was in April of 2011 that I brought up the topic of international adoption to Ben.  And surprisingly (remember-we have a 4 month old at this point) he said he thought it was a "neat thing" and that he'd be "open" to it someday.  An open heart---that's where it all began!  Fresh, fertile soil in which God began to work over, plant seeds, and water.

After that conversation, we danced around the topic from time to time and I began to pray about it more and that God would reveal His plan for us more clearly.  I prayed that He would lay it on Ben's heart as well if that was His will.  I also began asking that He would begin to soften and prepare our children's hearts for adoption.

In June of 2011, I traveled to Virginia for ultrasound training through my job and I was given the gift of time ALONE with the Lord to really discern some things.  It was such an amazingly peaceful time....no kids, no work, no meal preparing/planning-just being surrounded by other like-minded people that love the Lord and serve Him through working at crisis pregnancy centers around the U.S!!

During one of my quiet outings I stumbled upon a cute little shop called Under the Mango Tree that was owned by a sweet, older woman.  I couldn't help but notice that most things in her shop were handmade by various people and that many of the items had scripture on them or spoke of FAITH and TRUST.  After visiting with her for some time, I learned that all of the items she sold were to benefit those in need around the world.  We had a sweet conversation about American wealth, world poverty, orphans, widows, and what we are to do with the abundance of blessings that God has bestowed on us.  By the end of our conversation we were both in tears--totally 100% recognizing that God had made our paths cross that day and that we had both been a much needed blessing to each other!  She then instructed me to stop back at her little shop tomorrow during my lunch break because she had a book that she wanted me to read.  I agreed and the next day she handed me the book Radical, by David Platt.  
Reading that book opened my eyes to so much and made me even more "on fire" for wanting to change the way we were living and step-out in faith.  I felt God nudging me to go on a mission trip to Africa, but I still needed some convincing.

About mid-summer a vey dear friend of mine went on a 2 week mission trip to Uganda and returned with her heart broken for what she saw and experienced.  She shared so many amazing stories about her time there and about the various ministries that she worked with--giving all the glory to God for enabling her to GO, serve, and share to love of Christ.  I witnessed the faith and trust that it took for her to go to Africa and obediently follow where God was leading her.

By fall of 2011 and after significant prayer, discussion, and research, Ben and I signed up to go on a mission trip to Kenya and Uganda at the end of the year.  I knew in my heart this was something the Holy Spirit was nudging me to do, but I also wanted to experience this with my husband.  I felt that it was important that we both experience and witness the same thing, so that we could both return home on the same page.  Thankfully, God was also working on Ben's heart, and he was more than ready and willing to go--feeling those same convictions.

We also joined a couples small group in the fall and the book we began studying together was Radical--the very catalyst that got my wheels turning!  What a blessing this amazing group of people have been in our lives!!  God sure knew what He was doing in connecting us to them.  We challenge each other, hold each other accountable, and love each other all while studying God's word and sharing some amazing home-cooked meals together!  God is good!!

In October of 2011, the ministry of 60 Feet came to Grand Forks to show a documentary film about the imprisoned children of Uganda.  Again, God completely broke our hearts for the orphaned, oppressed, and suffering children in Africa.  He also used this time to connect us with some now very special people in our lives--the founders of this ministry.  They (Scott, Dan, Gary, Judd, and David), and their wives, have taught us so much about what it looks like to really serve, really love, and really trust.  This amazing, Godly group of people and the ministry they work with is worthy of it's own blog post some time.

December FINALLY came and we left our 4 children at home-along with a very detailed calendar of what family member was watching them on which day-and departed for Africa.
Again, our time spent serving there is completely worthy of it's own post....so I'll leave the details for then.  The one thing I will say is that Africa affected us waaaay more than we affected Africa!  Extremely humbling!

Upon our return home we were both surprised that we did NOT feel strongly that it was the right time to adopt.  We assumed that we would come home with an intense desire to bring a child home and provide a forever family, but we both felt like we needed more time.  Time to pray and discern where God was leading us.

We experienced ANOTHER amazing, spirit-filled weekend in Atlanta in February with our fellow small groupies.  Sixty Feet was premiering their 2nd documentary film about the status of the children's prisons in Uganda and the work God was doing through their ministry.  To say that God showed up would be an understatement!  He is doing mighty things through this ministry!

In March of 2012, Ben and his cousin/best friend, Joe, left again for Uganda on a mission trip with Visiting Orphans.  This trip was unique in that it's purpose was primarily serving the ministry of 60 Feet and the imprisoned children.  Let me just say, that this is when I knew that God really had a hold of Ben's heart and that he was breaking it for the orphans of the world.  Ben would be the first to admit that in the past he was always dreaming up where we'd take our next vacation and what kind of hotel we'd stay in.  To watch God change the desires of his heart and make them outward has been beautiful!  I'm not saying he was overly selfish before, but now there was something obviously different about his priorities, his thinking, and his loving.  It was no longer about him, but Him!

As we continued to pray about adoption together as a couple and individually, I could feel an intense desire growing, but I was hesitant to share it with Ben right away for fear that he would say that the time is not right.  From every angle that I looked at adoption I could see that God had provided for us in such a way that it would be selfish and disobedient of us not to adopt.  We love God and believe in what His word says about speaking up for, caring for, and loving the orphaned and oppressed.  We have a tremendous support system of family and friends.  We belong to an amazing and supportive church/school.  We have a strong marriage centered on Christ.  We have 4 healthy and loving children.  We have financial stability.  We have made connections with others whom have adopted.  We are pro-life~not just the lives of the unborn, but the lives of the born that are abandoned and abused.  Again--all of these things, health, stability, and support are gifts from God meant not just for us, but for others!  Suddenly, any excuse or reason I could come up with against adopting seemed unworthy and selfish!
I decided to finally truly share my heart with Ben over dinner one date-night in early April and spilled everything I felt God was lining up in our lives to make this possible and necessary.  He sat quietly and agreed with what I was saying and we ended our conversation with the conclusion that more prayer was needed.

Apparently he had been spending some serious time with the Lord because on our 9 year anniversary on May 17th I opened the sweetest card from him.  In it he wrote about our future and of letting God be in control.  (Now, for those of you that know me well,  I often wear a special necklace with 4 silver discs engraved with each of our 4 children's names.)  Taped to the bottom of the card was a shiny, blank, silver disc with these words written next it, "This is my answer".   That small seed that had been planted back in October of 2010 and continuously watered throughout 2011, was finally sprouting it's first bit of green life from the ground in our our hearts that God had so carefully worked over!  He is so good and His ways far exceed our own!
 

Never say NEVER!

I'm pretty sure I said I would NEVER be a blogger!  I also NEVER thought that I would try sushi, or go to Africa, or ever grow our family by any other way than the good ol' fashioned way!  Well, looks like it's time to EAT...MY...WORDS!!  I have decided to begin blogging as a means to journal--to chronicle "the journey" towards bringing our sweet baby #5 home!!  (I'll get back to baby #5 in a minute!)  I want this to be a space in which I can document my feelings, fears, worries, joys, sorrows, and God-moments.

One regret I have in raising our 4 small children so far, is that I haven't taken the time to sit and reflect on ALL of the awesome...challenging...laughable...frustrating...and truly here and gone moments often enough.  So many times I have thought, I should really write down that funny thing that Sawyer just said or get out the camera to record that creative, slightly jerky dance routine that Avery just created.  Reality is, LIFE just seems to be passing by and I need a way to capture and FREEZE these precious moments before they are long gone and all too often...forgotten.

I have been a fan of the blog world for about a year now and I am certain that God has used the words of other women-many of them mothers like me-to speak His truth in a powerful, direct, and real way.  My prayer through this blog is that God would use my words to do the same for other women.  I pray that I would have the humility to share my struggles, doubts, and convictions just as readily as I share the happy, perfect moments of motherhood and life!

More than anything, my prayer is that through this blog I am able to share this adventure with our closest family and friends.  I hope that it answers questions, opens hearts, and starts a dialog that is centered around speaking up for those without a voice....the orphaned, abandoned, and unborn.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; defend the rights of all those who have nothing. Speak up and judge fairly, and defend the rights of the poor and needy."  Proverbs 31:8-9

So, back to baby #5......we are extremely excited to announce that we have begun the process of adopting a child from Burundi!  I know what you are thinking....Burundi?!?  Where the heck is that?  I've never even heard of that place before!  

Well, here are a few quick facts on the country of Burundi:

1.) Located in East Africa-bordered by Dem. Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Kenya.

2.) Country population is 8.7 million people and is one of the most economically impoverished countries in the world.

3.) More that 558,000 orphaned children with 77,000 double orphans (having lost both parents).

4.) Nearly 1 in 5 children are orphans in the country (17%)

5.) More than 1 in 5 children die before their 5th birthday due to preventable illnesses such as diarrhea and malaria.

6.) Average life expectancy is 42 years.

7.) 230,000 children have been orphaned due to AIDS

8.) 1 in 12 women die in child birth.

Burundi experienced similar unrest as Rwanda during the 1990's, but what was labeled as genocide in Rwanda was considered a Civil War in Burundi.  

We are part of a pilot program through Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota and understand there may be many bumps, detours, and changes along the way.  Trusting that God will go before us through all of this.  We are in the very preliminary stages of the process now, as we just submitted our application paperwork to the agency last week.  The general timeline that we have been given is to expect to have our child home in roughly one year.  Again, due to this being a pilot program--that timeline may change and we are, again, choosing to trust God and His perfect timing!  

Now, off to the reality of life with my four kiddos!  It's 8pm and I've managed to sneak in an hour of quiet computer time thanks to a movie that captured the attention of the kids, but bedtime is calling!!  I will continue my next post with how this whole CRAZY journey began, but in the meantime--my husband and I would appreciate any and all prayers!