Traveling in July

When we left Liberia last summer, there were a few of us on the trip that absolutely knew we would be drawn back during the summer of 2011. Not surprising, the "few" included Michal, Hezz and myself. It's amazing that the year has passed and we're now making plans for our return and asking God how he can use us. I've learned so much over the past year about allowing God to use me in the areas where I'm personally inadequate, which is such a departure from my daily life where I operate, and am quite satisfied, by excelling where gifted. But I know that incredible and otherwise impossible things happen when we're not in command and God is allowed to perform His work through us.

Speaking of feeling inadequate and letting God have his way with us, I want to digress for a few minutes and provide an update on our "growing" family. Last summer we began construction on our home to create space for God to use. We thought that the space (which included an expanded living area and bedroom/bath) would be used for visiting family and friends. Shortly after it was built, a dear friend from Liberia, Pete Williams, came to stay with us for a few months. During that time, we also opened our home, and more importantly our family and hearts, to Momo's cousin, Steve. Steve was one of the first boys we meet from Liberia and was significant in prompting our initial travel in 2004. Long story short, Steve moved in with us in January. Eric (also from Liberia) then joined our family in early May after a fairly quick and unexpected series of events. Neither have relationship with their original adoptive families and God so prepared our hearts to receive them. We know with confidence that they are our sons. It's all been good but we've had, and continue, to learn how to become family. We are trusting God each day as we find our way with each other. So we now have three sons and Liberia has sooo arrived in our home. While Michal, Hezz and I travel to Liberia - Dan will maintain Liberia on the homefront. (Photo: Eric on the left and Steve on the right).

Our plans for Liberia?

• Michal and Hezz have had a strong leading to reach out to the young women of Liberia to confirm that they are valuable and worthy of respect and purity. They hope to hold two to three sessions in various communities while there.


• I'll spend the first several days in Liberia shopping and preparing for the July 26th Independence Day party at Daniel Hoover Village and then plan to conduct a women's workshop speaking around faith and parenting. I believe parents, specifically mothers, can greatly impact their children and there is such an opportunity to influence their lives.


• Our friend, Pete Williams, is planning to build and open a school in a predominently Muslim community. We plan to visit the community, learn to know the people and begin preparation with Pete to support the vision of the school.


• We continue to have a heart for Rufus and I plan a visit to the U.S. Embassy to attempt an approval for a student visa.


• Of course, several days of our trip are spent visiting friends and the family of our sons. We so look forward to this time. We're praying about whether to have Momo's brother, Adama, stay with us during our time there. While we absolutely enjoy time with him, we want what is best for him.

The verse on the right is one that challenges us. There is so much that God has revealed and placed in our hearts that we have responsibility to. Traveling without Dan, Mama Dee and an extended team is a bit unsettling, however, we know our uncertainty will be filled by God with confidence and peace. More to come...