God Blesses Those Who Don’t Deserve It!

I don’t know what’s got me all caught up in my feelings these last several days…the last couple of weeks have been so heavy and draining emotionally, so maybe that is it? But I cannot get over how blessed my life is. The Lord does not owe me anything, yet I owe Him everything. I do not deserve this beautiful life. But God! He is so good to give His children gifts that they do not deserve because He loves His children.

Emmanuel Alexander

Ras

I do not really know how to categorize what kind of Mom I am…I cannot legally adopt here in Kenya so I do not think I would be considered an “adoptive Mom” (although I definitely adopted in the states). This is not a true foster care setting because we know most of our kids are here until they at least finish high school, but likely we will always be involved at some level, so I don’t think I have the “foster Mom” title. I am not biologically their Mom or even their aunt or Grandma. But here is what I do know…I am Mama to a lot of kids. Many of these kids have chosen to allow me to be their Mama (meaning they are older) and the blessing of that is not lost on me, especially these days.

Sanchez

Ollie

As my older kids walk by and give me a quick wave and flash their sweet smile or come up behind me and cover my eyes playing “guess who?” or come and give me a hug and tell me “I love you and good night” it hits me like a ton of bricks. It does not have to be this way and it has not always been this way. 2024 was a year of change, the Lord stretched us, worked on hearts, and deeply connected hearts. Life has not been the same in the best possible way since. I love how when in a crowded place their eyes light up when our eyes meet. They are known and loved and they know and love us. Life is so different in the best possible way.

Sharon

Susan

Pre 2024 and at the first part of 2024 I often asked myself hard questions like “Are we even having an impact here?” and “Are we wasting time and God’s money?” and “Where is the real life change?” Of course while answering my own questions in my overthinking and negative brain it was all bad…(according to me and my thoughts) we were definitely wasting time and we were never going to get to see real life change. I can be such a mess and my feelings can convince me that I am doing everything wrong really quickly! But I was really grappling with not physically being able to see real life change (according to me and my ideas of course). I often felt burned out and I longed to see real life change in our children, but life was not meeting my expectations.

Joseph Ryan

Juma

It has been a fast and furious 8.5 years. It has been incredibly hard at times…remember when Jeff and I went to jail? But there has been so much joy, and without the pain we would not have so much joy. I was talking with my sweet Caitie the other day and we both agreed we would walk through the hardships and pain over and over again to experience this joy, to know these children, for our hearts to be so connected. In 2024 when God connected hearts so much life change happened, not just for our kids but for me personally. My heart longed for and needed to be connected to theirs in such a real way and God did that.

Boaz

Elias

From the bottom of my Mama heart, thank you for loving my children through prayers, standing in the gap for them, and providing for them in so many different ways. This amazing team (which you are a part of) that God has created and caused to happen will always be my favorite team to be a part of. Our children are so blessed to have you on their team!

Sylivia

Sylvia