Greetings dear Christian friends, (Enclosed is an older picture of young Blaza with a Down Syndromes friend)
I had a great meeting with Miss Jin and Grandma and Maggie and we discussed the best way to get the kids to the US. Miss Jin feels I should work with Holt and also work with some other entity who can bring the kids as a group to the US. I am leaning toward approaching "Shepherds" in Wisconsin. (http://www.shepherdsministries.org) Due to the fact that Blaza, who is now 19 years old and mentally challenged, will need special educational and special vocational training, as well as professional supervision. I really like the idea of all them going to Alaska but the Lord may be leading me to settle them in Wisconsin. I only just today through discussions with Miss Jin came to this thought. I will be the first to admit I have no idea what the LORD has planned as for how I can get them to the US but with professional help, I know God will direct me. Pray for me and if you have any advice, please send it my way. As for the other 9, they would also be cared for in a home setting with me and or others who will assist me.
I know the kids want to be with me and I want them to remain a family too. Pray for wisdom, God has a master plan and all we need to do is see Him direct us in His ways. I am only making these comments as thoughts and suggestions but Miss Jin informed me that the way the regulations and laws go, I could never be allowed to adopt all 10 and even Holt would have a hard time approving me of this. I think this is sad in some ways because I know I have done a good job in raising them and the kids have not only done well but are a godly, loving family together with me. Pray for me and the kids. Miss Jin also believes I can eventually have them all adopted but I need the method to get them to the US first. Originally I thought Alaska would be the most logical plan but it seems to be looking more like Wisconsin or some other State where I can bring them in as a group with some other entity. Holt will work quickly if I have the right entity to do this. I don't even know what I call an "entity" as this point. Miss Jin couldn't come up with the right words either but I will check again with her. I think she is talking a foster home or some kind of a place to get them to the US as a group. I am not fond of the whole "institutional" idea, but if it is needed as a "stepping stone", I could work with it. God knows what is best. Pray for HIM to lead me and the kids.
Grandma is also getting "cold feet" on the whole idea of traveling to the US. I just thought it would make things easier for the kids to adjust to the US. All these things can seem so confusing but I know God is working. Even though that leader was nasty to Maggie, there are still leaders that will be open to something they can approve or at least resemble something they are used to.
After Church, I went with grandma to the "protection" center again to try to get word into the kids. They don't like this but I am quite pleased that the kids were stirred up and know I am working on getting them back. I can't stand the thought of them oppressed with no information on me. They would be over joyed to know I am still fighting for them and I will continue to do so. This all seems like an impossible "balancing act" but I am letting the Lord lead through my thoughts and prayers daily. Pray also the leader will follow through with their promises about seeing the kids if they get moved to an orphanage to start paper work. All these promises are worthless if God doesn't "cause the flow of water" to go in "our" direction. (Proverbs 21:1)
I had a great study with "Da Boys" again and they are already looking kind of down knowing I am going to leave for a while. I encouraged them to stay in contact with Samuel and we are setting up cell phones to talk on Skype. This is the best way to keep encouraging them and to show them continual love. It's a beautiful thing to see orphans receive love, appreciate it and to look to receive more. Amen?! I also encouraged them to stay in the word, we are all one big joyous family now and nothing will be able to separate us from the love of Christ. I will see them one more time next week.
Jiang Jia Yi continues to improve and it is such a blessing to know she is seeing now! Think of how far she has come. Think of God's grace on her life. Knowing God has done this for Jiang Jia Yi and her parents, I know the 10 are in safe Hands too. Amen?! It is heart breaking though to no be able to see my lovely 10 babies for this long. For those of you who can remember your children from infancy, you know my attachment is great, raising 10 of them from just days old. My heart also still aches with the loss of Phoebe and I want so bad to talk with the 10 about that situation. What is God's plan? Will I see them before I leave? I keep asking, knocking and seeking His will. My prayer the last two days has still been from Psalm 40:17
"Since I am afflicted and needy,
Let the Lord be mindful of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God."
I hold out hope of them getting moved early next week and that the leaders will allow me to see them. David's 13th birthday is on Friday July 1st. I leave on the 2nd.
Ray and the faithful 10, "Da Boys" who are also growing and learning more about the whereabouts of the "Gold kids", more on that later.
I had a great meeting with Miss Jin and Grandma and Maggie and we discussed the best way to get the kids to the US. Miss Jin feels I should work with Holt and also work with some other entity who can bring the kids as a group to the US. I am leaning toward approaching "Shepherds" in Wisconsin. (http://www.shepherdsministries.org) Due to the fact that Blaza, who is now 19 years old and mentally challenged, will need special educational and special vocational training, as well as professional supervision. I really like the idea of all them going to Alaska but the Lord may be leading me to settle them in Wisconsin. I only just today through discussions with Miss Jin came to this thought. I will be the first to admit I have no idea what the LORD has planned as for how I can get them to the US but with professional help, I know God will direct me. Pray for me and if you have any advice, please send it my way. As for the other 9, they would also be cared for in a home setting with me and or others who will assist me.
I know the kids want to be with me and I want them to remain a family too. Pray for wisdom, God has a master plan and all we need to do is see Him direct us in His ways. I am only making these comments as thoughts and suggestions but Miss Jin informed me that the way the regulations and laws go, I could never be allowed to adopt all 10 and even Holt would have a hard time approving me of this. I think this is sad in some ways because I know I have done a good job in raising them and the kids have not only done well but are a godly, loving family together with me. Pray for me and the kids. Miss Jin also believes I can eventually have them all adopted but I need the method to get them to the US first. Originally I thought Alaska would be the most logical plan but it seems to be looking more like Wisconsin or some other State where I can bring them in as a group with some other entity. Holt will work quickly if I have the right entity to do this. I don't even know what I call an "entity" as this point. Miss Jin couldn't come up with the right words either but I will check again with her. I think she is talking a foster home or some kind of a place to get them to the US as a group. I am not fond of the whole "institutional" idea, but if it is needed as a "stepping stone", I could work with it. God knows what is best. Pray for HIM to lead me and the kids.
Grandma is also getting "cold feet" on the whole idea of traveling to the US. I just thought it would make things easier for the kids to adjust to the US. All these things can seem so confusing but I know God is working. Even though that leader was nasty to Maggie, there are still leaders that will be open to something they can approve or at least resemble something they are used to.
After Church, I went with grandma to the "protection" center again to try to get word into the kids. They don't like this but I am quite pleased that the kids were stirred up and know I am working on getting them back. I can't stand the thought of them oppressed with no information on me. They would be over joyed to know I am still fighting for them and I will continue to do so. This all seems like an impossible "balancing act" but I am letting the Lord lead through my thoughts and prayers daily. Pray also the leader will follow through with their promises about seeing the kids if they get moved to an orphanage to start paper work. All these promises are worthless if God doesn't "cause the flow of water" to go in "our" direction. (Proverbs 21:1)
I had a great study with "Da Boys" again and they are already looking kind of down knowing I am going to leave for a while. I encouraged them to stay in contact with Samuel and we are setting up cell phones to talk on Skype. This is the best way to keep encouraging them and to show them continual love. It's a beautiful thing to see orphans receive love, appreciate it and to look to receive more. Amen?! I also encouraged them to stay in the word, we are all one big joyous family now and nothing will be able to separate us from the love of Christ. I will see them one more time next week.
Jiang Jia Yi continues to improve and it is such a blessing to know she is seeing now! Think of how far she has come. Think of God's grace on her life. Knowing God has done this for Jiang Jia Yi and her parents, I know the 10 are in safe Hands too. Amen?! It is heart breaking though to no be able to see my lovely 10 babies for this long. For those of you who can remember your children from infancy, you know my attachment is great, raising 10 of them from just days old. My heart also still aches with the loss of Phoebe and I want so bad to talk with the 10 about that situation. What is God's plan? Will I see them before I leave? I keep asking, knocking and seeking His will. My prayer the last two days has still been from Psalm 40:17
"Since I am afflicted and needy,
Let the Lord be mindful of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God."
I hold out hope of them getting moved early next week and that the leaders will allow me to see them. David's 13th birthday is on Friday July 1st. I leave on the 2nd.
Ray and the faithful 10, "Da Boys" who are also growing and learning more about the whereabouts of the "Gold kids", more on that later.
