{"id":752,"date":"2012-03-11T22:22:32","date_gmt":"2012-03-12T02:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stearnsinafrica.com\/?p=752"},"modified":"2012-03-11T22:23:47","modified_gmt":"2012-03-12T02:23:47","slug":"much-overdue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.stearnsinafrica.com\/?p=752","title":{"rendered":"Much overdue!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi! \u00a0I can’t believe how quickly the days are “running.” \u00a0So much has happened since our last post, it is hard to know where to begin. \u00a0I will try to give a brief overview of the last 2 months and then Dave will give a more detailed account of ways the Lord has been working with his ministry.<\/p>\n

About six weeks ago, Zambia won the African Cup soccer tournament. \u00a0This was so exciting for the country! \u00a0The couple of weeks proceeding the victory, was like being in Athens on a game day. \u00a0Cars were decked out in the Zambian flag, horns were being blown, and everyone was dressed in Zambian jerseys. \u00a0It was fun to be in the midst of all the activity. \u00a0The final game didn’t start until 9:30 pm on a Sunday night. \u00a0Sadie Grace and I bailed out at half time with a score of 0 – 0. \u00a0The game ended up going into a 30 minute overtime and then a shoot out that I think went through 10 players. \u00a0Needless to say, the rest of my family stayed awake and were on pins a needles waiting for the game to end. \u00a0When Zambia scored the winning (and only) goal of the entire game I think the entire country erupted in cheers. \u00a0Our little walled in area was filled with children and adults screaming, tooting car horns, blowing bullhorns, and lighting off firecrackers. \u00a0I am glad that the kids were able to witness this event! \u00a0\u00a0I think our house didn’t get to bed until 1:30 that morning. \u00a0Everyone was a bit tired the next day at school and we all went to bed EARLY that Monday evening.<\/p>\n

Since we have been living in Kitwe, we have frequented a tuck shop that we call “the red stand.” \u00a0It is across the street from CCM and sells things such as bottled cokes, fantas, cookies, chips, lollipops, and bread. \u00a0There was a sweet lady there that made her living by sewing. \u00a0She was crippled in one foot and walked with a cane. \u00a0I would exchange greetings with her daily on my walk back from taking the kids to school. \u00a0We would pass ways on the path leading towards CCM. \u00a0I heard about a month ago that she died of malaria. \u00a0I think this has had an impact on me because I have heard of many people dying of malaria since we have been here, but she is the first person that I knew. \u00a0When Dave and I first heard the news about her death we were asking our friend how this had happened? \u00a0She was in the hospital, being treated for malaria, how could she have died? \u00a0Victoria just looked at Dave and me (with our American fix it all, nothing bad should ever happen mentality) and said, “It was just God’s time for her to die.” \u00a0Because death is so common, so expected here in Zambia, I think the people have a better understanding of completely accepting God’s will without question. \u00a0I have reflected on her few words, as well as the kind sewing lady who died, and just felt that God has been reminding me that life here is about bringing Him glory and remaining faithful to Him.<\/p>\n

The last thing that I wanted to share was that we have purchased 7 plane tickets! \u00a0For so long it was up in the air about when we were coming home, and then Samson entered the picture and it became even more up in the air. \u00a0Unfortunately, we are not all coming home at the same time. \u00a0In fact, we are flying home in 3 phases. \u00a0Lydia, Mary-Frances, and Virginia are actually coming home in about 2 1\/2 weeks! \u00a0With ticket prices, their responsibilities here winding down, and the opportunity to spend quality time with their grandparents, the rest of my family, and their friends, \u00a0Dave and I decided to let them come home before the rest of us. \u00a0They will leave Ndola, fly to Johannesburg, then to Dulles, and then to Atlanta. \u00a0I am excited for them to have this time together to readjust to the States. \u00a0I will follow with the younger 3 children on May 1. \u00a0Our 90 day pre-adoption phase is up on April 23 so we are praying that we will be able to go to court the last week of April and make the adoption final (on the Zambian side). \u00a0We are fervently working on the USA adoption paperwork. \u00a0I never imagined how much paperwork was involved in adoption!!! \u00a0Our hopes are that the USA adoption paperwork as well as the Zambian adoption certificate can be mailed to South Africa by the end of the last week of April. \u00a0Dave and Samson will return to the States as soon as the USA side of the adoption is complete. \u00a0My prayer is that they will be home by the last week of May.<\/p>\n

Now what? \u00a0I am sure you all are wondering what impacts this journey has had on us permanently. \u00a0As of now, Dave and I do not feel that God is calling us to the mission field. \u00a0We do however feel that He has called us to help serve with missions especially where orphans are concerned. \u00a0We are not sure how this will all be manifested, but we do hope to be used by God to help awaken in people the needs of the world, specifically the needs of orphans in developing countries. \u00a0Our desires would be to serve Christ by facilitating trips where others can serve and help meet the needs that are so clearly felt all over the world. \u00a0As I have heard Dave say many times and our family has been \u00a0able to witness, God’s hand is evident when you are in the presence of orphans. \u00a0You can sense God’s favor upon them and that He truly is Father to the Fatherless.<\/p>\n

Thank you for your faithful love and support of us. \u00a0As we are “wrapping up” we would covet your prayers that we would finish strong, that we would share Christ with those that we have met and know that they don’t know Jesus, \u00a0that God’s favor would continue to be on our adoption of Samson, and that it would be complete in a timely manner. \u00a0One more thing, we had Samson’s uncle over for lunch (Lydia, Mary-Frances, and Virginia cooked an entire Zambian meal) last Sunday. (This is the only relative that ever visited Samson when he was in the orphanage). \u00a0As he was leaving, he completely gave us his blessing on the adoption. \u00a0He wished us well with “our son” in “our home.” \u00a0It was such a gift from the Lord to have this man’s blessing. \u00a0I am glad that Samson was able to see him and we were able to video tape him telling Samson some about Samson’s heritage.<\/p>\n

Much love,<\/p>\n

Shelley
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