Getting to Africa

One of the biggest struggles for me in this journey has been vulnerability.  I do NOT like to feel like I'm not in control.  However, I am learning through this journey what Paul meant when he wrote this in 2 Corinthians:

"That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Now, don't get me wrong...I'm not going to get all melodramatic on you.  I know that adopting a child is not even close to what Paul meant here by insults, persecutions, and the like.  However, I am really embracing the last portion of this verse: For when I am weak, then I am strong.  This adoption has made me feel weak.  So much is totally out of my control!  And, though we have been floating in bliss over our little guy, the fact remains that we are weak and vulnerable, but Christ is our strength and He is sustaining us.

One of the areas of weakness and vulnerability that has arisen since we started this journey is in the area of finances.  We have adjusted and reprioritized, but the fact remains that we still have two trips to Africa that we need to finance that are coming up REALLY SOON!!  It's exciting and scary all wrapped up into one that we will be traveling half-way across the planet in the next month or two.

We will be taking some donations with us and, if that's where your heart is, please be praying about donating to our little man's transition home or orphanage.  I will be giving more information on that in the coming days.

However, if your passion is helping us bring our sweet baby Bekele home, we wanted to give you that opportunity as well.

Another adoptive family, the Masers, {who were able to take some pics of our baby boy and let him know he had a family waiting for him when they visited Africa to bring their little boy home!} blessed us with 13 Africa-shaped cookie cutters for a fundraiser. 

*Would work great as a Christmas tree decoration, too! :)

In trying to decide how best to do this, I wanted to give anyone and everyone an opportunity to share in our blessing.  So, here's the plan:

1. Click on the Donate {Paypal} button on the side of the page.

2. Make a donation in ANY amount.

3. Ensure your address is correct.

4. Wait 2-3 days.

5. Receive your Cookie Cutter in the mail.

The first 13 people to donate ANY amount will be the proud new owners of an Africa Cookie Cutter, our way of saying "Thank You" for supporting our adoption.

No amount is too small {or too large;)}.  We are anticipating a total travel expense of $8,000-$10,000, so every little bit helps!! :)

Thank you for loving us and for loving our son,

P.S. If you don't have a paypal but still want to donate, just leave me a comment and I'll E-mail you our address!