The Watoto Children's Choir

We had the amazing privilege of having the Watoto Children's Choir at our church this past weekend. The choir is composed of orphaned children from Uganda, East Africa. It was a wonderful concert. It was very encouraging to hear about the work that is being done there to help children whose parents have died of AIDS. (To learn more go to watoto.com)
We then were able to host 2 children and one adult from the choir. They stayed two nights with us. Their caretaker, Uncle Steven, made us a traditional Ugandan meal of rice and beans. It was delicious. The boys were able to ride bikes around the neighborhood...a rare treat, we were told.
The experience has been very impactful for our kids...it has really touched them emotionally and opened their eyes in a very personal way to the plight of orphans around the world. (Cade is earnestly praying for an African brother...)

Good news!

The girls' new passports were released on Monday. Emily and Ashley were able to fly home to Cebu on Tuesday after completing all of their medical evaluations. (No tuberculosis!) We received word this morning that our social worker in Manila has applied for the visas for the girls. She is expecting to have those visas in hand in about 2 weeks. Once she has those visas we can get our plane tickets! Our case worker here in the states thinks we will travel on June 18th! Praise God!

Waiting...again

I wanted to give a quick update regarding the adoption process. The twins have been in Manila this week doing visa related stuff. They were supposed to have had their medical exams and appointment at the embassy to apply for their visas. Well, all is on hold right now because it was discovered (when the girls went for their medical exams) that the govt made a mistake with the girls' passports. They switched the girls' names/pictures so they must be redone. They are unable to proceed with the visa application until they have the new passports. We haven't heard what that means as far as a time delay. They may have to go back home to Cebu and then fly to Manila again once the passports are done.
We, of course, are sad about this delay, but are praying that the Lord would sovereignly work in the situation. There have been lots of tears this week, but I've been encouraged by Psalm 33:20-22 "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

"Big Truths for Young Hearts"

I've had the opportunity to read a couple of chapters from this book by Bruce Ware. He is a Theology professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are looking for a good book to go through with your kids during the summer this one of my recommendations. It is a systematic theology book, but is written in a way that is easily understandable for children. I had the privilege of reading portions of it to my children this past weekend and they said it was understandable and they loved the way he explained the doctrine.

Piper Defines the Purpose of Money

What keeps Christians from doing hard things?

Adoption news

We received good news today...The twins have been scheduled for their embassy appointment in Manila on May 18th! During this week long trip to Manila, the girls will have medical exams and will apply for their visas. If all goes well, we will travel several weeks after that! Please pray that the girls will not have TB. If they do, they will have to stay in the country several months longer for treatment.

Craigslist

I love Craigslist. Today I sold our kitchen table and a filing cabinet. I sold the table in five minutes and the filing cabinet I received calls within 15 minutes. The family usually complains that I price stuff too low. "Aah, you could have got more for that!" I'm just happy to have it gone. : )
We get a new kitchen table delivered tomorrow. It will seat all 7 of us plus several more with all the leaves in it. Dinner anyone?