Dreaming Big

I have a frame sitting in my kitchen that reads "Dream Big…Remember, dreams do come true". In the frame I see three sweet faces. Three faces of children who I will always consider to be "my kids", my kids in Africa. But these kids aren't only my kids, I share them with their mother, a mother who loves them and a mother who now has the chance to watch them grow into the people who they will become. Since I got that frame my dreams have changed. My "Big dream" has evolved. It used to consist of my dream to be the mother of 4 children. To have a house full of noise and energy. To face challenges brought on by learning who my children really are and wondering where they came from. Yes, my "Big Dream" has changed. I now know who "my children" are and where they came from and I know, where they are is where they belong. My "Big Dream"  has become, a dream consisting of their mother being able to raise them knowing she isn't  alone and knowing she has support. It seemed so big at first. We met many obstacles, and so many times we wondered if it would always be, just a dream. Prayers were said. Big Prayers. Miracles happened and now a mother in Africa, once again has all of her children to kiss goodnight. Now we move on to the next phase. A phase of support. We have a chance to continue to be involved in the lives of "our family", this will involve support, education and empowerment. We begin by providing initial support to the family. Again, we move forward in faith. We know it is complicated, really complicated. But we also have learned that following God into the unknown, while it seems terribly complicated to us, only requires the willingness to follow. The willingness to be led. We are once again, stepping out in faith to see where this leads us. We have partnered with an amazing organization, Reunite. Reunite is based out of Uganda and they are making such an impact in the lives of birth families and their children. Families whose children unnecessarily  ended up in orphanages. Families who saw their situation as hopeless. Now theses families and these children have hope. They find hope in Reunite. The organization focuses on helping families get back on their feet after being separated by orphanages, empowerment of the parents and sustainability through job training, giving the parents a way to support their families. We are excited to have Reunite give us guidance and direction as we work to provide all these things to this family. We are setting up a fund, through Reunite where we can help with providing assistance with housing, daily necessities, food, medical care and school sponsorship for all of the children. We are also raising funds for team members from Reunite to travel to Congo to provide one on one support to the family. If you feel led to be a part of this exciting new step in the lives of "our family in Congo" you can make a donation via the PayPal button on my blog or visit Reunite to make a tax deductible donation directly from their page, via their PayPal button or mail a check to their US office. When the donation is submitted just specify it's for "Our family in Congo". Please continue to pray for our family, both here and overseas. As we work to make a difference in the lives of this family and for them as they learn what it's like to be a family again. I remember back to the last time I saw my Grampa before he passed away. I had a conversation with him telling him we had decided to adopt from DRC, a place where he had once traveled as a missionary. I remember so clearly his words, "what a good mission". At the time I didn't realize the significance of his response, now I see that's exactly where God was leading us, to a place to help the helpless, to advocate for those without a voice, and to bring light to the darkness. Isn't that what it's really all about? Yes, this Big Dream is nothing I ever could have dreamt up on my own, it's been filled with our shattered dreams and broken hearts, but I realize it's not about my dreams, it's about being willing to see what is possible if we only are willing to Dream Big...

Please take a few minutes to learn more about Reunite and read their blog here. I also want to share a song that has brought me so much peace and has helped give me strength as I’ve stepped out onto the water…  Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)