clair027

Blog post written over the course of the past few weeks... When families adopt, there is great anticipation for the "homecoming."  No one forgets greeting a family returning home with their adopted child.  The child walks through the gate in the arms of or holding the hands of his/her parents.   I'll never forget the day we came home with Godwin!  As I typed this blog post, I watched our Homecoming video amazed by all of the friends and family who greeted us at the airport.  Of course I shed a few tears remembering this amazing day and seeing faces from home - family, friends from church, friends from downtown, students from my classes, etc...  I was also amazed to see all of the families in this video who have since adopted children of their own.  Since this day at the Knoxville airport, seven families have adopted children and three more are in the process!  Wow!   Our God is able! (To watch the video, click the "Watch on You Tube" link.) I...

Guest Blogger:  Franklin Beebe, age 14 years               It seems like only a week ago that we were boarding our flight to come here.    For me, my time here has flown by so quickly.  Although, it has been pretty rough at times we have to remember why we came and what we came to do.  God has been so faithful to us and blessed us in so many ways. One of those blessings is everyone in the U.S.A that loves and prays for us. When we receive a care package from friends and family back home, it is refreshing for us and also reminds us that our family is loved and prayed for.  Hearing from home is a great encouragement.   It is crazy for me to think that we have lived in Africa for over eight months now. I miss my family, friends, milk, smooth roads, and cold days outside. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like Ghana though. Sometimes I am thankful for the heat and bumpy roads. I love living in Ghana. Ghanaian people are us...

Recently there has been news in Ghana for the rationing of water throughout 2013.  This means that the water supply will be controlled by authorities.  The system of who will receive it and how much will flow is uncertain.   Currently, we receive water flowing to our house for about four days over a two week time period.  On the flowing days, our family attempts to do all of our laundry.  If not, we can drain our tank quickly of water supply.  In Teshie, two of the orphanages we visit only receive water one day per week.  However, since January, there have been a few weeks when the water has not come.  A missionary friend on the coast here went for a few months without any water flowing to their house.  At all.  They had to pay trucks to come fill their water tank so they could cook, bathe, and wash.  Filling tanks with water becomes very expensive quickly.  Additionally, even though the water flowing through our pipes is not s...

Last week, I was touched by something some of the boys shared last week when they came home from school.  Three of our boys battled malaria and did not attend school.  However, Mason and Weston remained well and were able to be in class.     On Wednesdays, various teachers lead the weekly chapel service for the students.  Godwin's teacher, Miss Victoria, shared with the class about God's instruction for us to give without expecting anything in return as we love our neighbor as ourself.  Her example of seeing this lived out came from an adorable four year old in her class, Godwin.  (Yes, this little boy happens to be our son.) Miss Victoria shared that Godwin always shares his snack with the other students who don't have anything.  When he opens his pack of biscuits (crackers), he gives all but one away making sure everyone who needs one receives.  He never expects anything in return but simply shares what he has with others who are without. G...

Our family has faced some struggles recently.  The only way I know to describe them is that we feel “pressed in upon.”  Circumstances and conversations recently have left us wrestling through some negative feelings toward other people.  We are praying for the “heart of Christ” toward every person we encounter.  We are praying to have “His eyes” in every circumstance.  We are praying to “forgive as we have been forgiven.”  We are praying for “patience and perseverance” to run the race well - finishing strong. Emotionally, I felt a downward spiral toward the end of last week.  I cried often.  Most of the time without a reason I could put into words.  My mind battled to “take very thought captive,” but often I failed.  My heart longed for comforts from home - friendships, family, familiarity, etc...  Even within our own home, I felt so alone.  Completely isolated.  Everything FELT SO HARD.     On Sunday morning, I w...