It has been quite a bit of time since my last post. I have been guilty of updating our FB page and forgetting about this blog. I apologize for that because quite a bit has happened since the last time I posted here. Where do I start?
First, in September, we received word that our family has received a $5,000 grant from a foundation called ShowHope. ShowHope is the foundation started by Stephen Curtis Chapman and they are known to give big grants to families, especially those adopting special needs. But it always depends on how many families apply and whether they deem you needy enough for help. I guess we were deemed needy enough which in this case, I guess, is a good thing.
Second, we spent a good bit of time this summer fundraising. It was a lot of work but well worth it. We also had a lot of friends helping us out and that was so appreciated. The great news about that is that we are now almost totally funded, except for plane tickets to Burkina Faso. So in less than one year, with the help of many others and God's blessing, we have raised a little over $20,000. We look back and are amazed at what has been accomplished.
Third, back in August, US Customs and Immigration finally gave us permission to adopt. We never thought it would be a big problem, but realized that because we had lived in so many places since we were 18 years old, we had to have background checks for each place. That's not easy from a 3rd world country, but we finally jumped thru enough hoops and were approved.
Fourth, I saved the best for last, we have a beautiful baby boy that is now waiting for us in Burkina Faso. He will be 2 years old in February and his name is Harouna(which, in English, is Aaron). He has Cerebral Palsy but has lots and lots of potential for improvement. We don't really have any experience with Cerebral Palsy, but are stepping out on faith believing that God is going to guide us thru and take care of the details along the way. We are very excited about introducing him to you and we have a video to show instead of just a picture. Here he is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0Ku6DrjTYw&sns=em
He's adorable, eh? I guess I am a little biased now.
We will keep you posted on any other news and if you don't see anything posted here, our FB page is updated more often, if you want to check there. It is under the name: Journey of Hope.
Prayer requests:
1. Speed in the paperwork going thru the system in Burkina Faso. They don't usually speed up the process for special needs, but please pray that someone there realizes how desperately he needs to start with therapy and would expedite the paperwork.
2. That Harouna would stay healthy and continue to eat well. He's not very big right now and has just recently started eating pureed food.
3. For the rest of the money to cover the plane tickets to Burkina. We would like for Robert, myself and Haley to be able to go pick him up, since Haley was born in Africa.
4. That we would be able to collect clothes, furniture, equipment that is needed for a 2 year old with Cerebral Palsy. And we would be able to get his room set up in plenty of time before he arrives.
Thank you so much for reading this and praying for us. Please don't post his video publicly, but you are welcome to send it to others that know us.
