245 and 580

245 and 580....just numbers. No, these two numbers represent the people with whom I had the privilege of spending time today.

I was conducting a foster parent training in Butler County, Ohio today...nearly 50 foster and adoptive parents attended this all day event. As I met them and listened to their stories, I realized the beautiful treasure sitting in front of me. It was a treasure of loving, sacrificial people who have given their time, talents and resources to meet the needs of abused and neglected children. I felt humbled in their presence.

IN THE ROOM TODAY - THERE WAS 245 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF FOSTERING AND ADOPTING. THINK OF WHAT THAT MEANS!

What does the 580 represent? I bet you can guess.

THIS IS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY THESE PARENTS.

Most of our blogging has been about the needs overseas because a lot of our focus is there. But today, I was reminded once again, that in this country, in this state, right next door, so to speak, are thousands of people who are making life changing commitments to children right here. They live by a higher principle of life. Let me share a story.

KEVIN AND CINDY
Sixteen years ago, Kevin and Cindy felt called to become foster parents. Shortly after going through the licensing process, they received a phone call from the agency, asking if they would take three-month-old Katie. Katie, theagency told them, was a medically fragile baby, born prematurely to parents who could not care for her. They responded immediately — yes!

Delicate and petite Katie was placed into their home the next day, right from the hospital. That first evening, had Kevin not known infant CPR, Katie would have died in his arms.

The weeks turned into months, the months into years, as they continued to care for this extremely ill child. Trips to the hospital were part of their weekly routine, not to mention doctors’ visits and hours of in-home care. Finally, the agency decided to move forward and seek permanent custody, thus opening the door for Katie’s adoption.

As an adoption worker, I was required at that permanency hearing to testify as to Katie’s “adoptability.” The attorney for the biological family got down in my face, nearly yelling, asking me, “Who would adopt a child like this? What’s wrong with these people? Why do they want to do it?” I simply responded to him by explaining that Kevin and Cindy love her deeply. After the hearing, I went back to my office. A message my pastor and husband,David, shared recently in our church, came to mind. I sat down and wrote that attorney a respectful letter. Here is what it said:

Dear Sir,
I didn’t reply adequately in court to you today as to why Kevin and Cindy are choosing to make Katie a permanent part of their family. Let me tell you why. Kevin and Cindy live by a
higher principle in life. It is called VRS.

V stands for Voluntary. No one is forcing them to make this lifelong commitment to Katie. They are doing it out of supreme love for her.

R stands for Redemptive. Redemption means to restore dignity to a person whose life situations are difficult, painful and heartbreaking. Such were Katie’s.

S stands for Suffering. Suffering means the loss of something for the sake of another. Kevin and Cindy have paid a high cost. Emotionally, physically, financially — in every way they have
suffered. They would not call it that, but that is exactly what it is.

This is why Kevin and Cindy are adopting Katie. This is their life principle — Voluntary Redemptive Suffering.

Respectfully,

We recently joined the family to celebrate Katie’s sixteenth birthday. What a glorious day it was as we reflected on the incalculable ways God had provided for this precious child and encouraged the family in uncertain times.

Those parents today, just like Kevin and Cindy represent the thousands of people coming forward to foster and adopt. They are among those who live by a higher principle of life — VRS — the law of Christ. Again, I was humbled in their presence.

Live creatively, friends. . . . Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. (Galatians 6:1-2, MSG)

Please visit our team's blog: http://www.lambinternational.blogspot.com/

Also, please visit our new adoption blog: www.jayneschooler.blogspot.com

Kids Against Hunger – Food Packing Dates in Southwestern Ohio

Just last Saturday, David and I had the opportunity to spend a few hours at The Factory – the food packing location for Kids Against Hunger in Blue Ash, Ohio. It was an incredible experience. We left deeply moved and even more deeply committed to “getting our hands dirty” wherever God might lead us.

Information about this international relief group can be found at http://www.achildshopeintl.org/HomePage.html



Larry Bergeron, director of A Child's Hope International, explains the packing process to the group of volunteers.

In light of the immense and unspeakable tragedy now unfolding in Haiti, KAH has expanded their packing days this coming week. If you have time – two hours will do it, consider registering and joining the team to pack emergency food packets for Haiti. If you do not have time, but have resources, (and they are very much needed) consider a financial donation.

Here are the packing dates:

Session 1: Sunday, Jan 17, 1 PM to 3 PM

Session 2: Sunday, Jan 17, 3 PM to 5 PM

Session 3: Monday, Jan 18, 1 PM to 3 PM

Session 4: Monday, Jan 18, 3 PM to 5 PM

Session 5: Wednesday, Jan 20, 1 PM to 3 PM

Session 6: Friday, Jan 22, 1 PM to 3 PM

Session 7: Friday, Jan 22, 3 PM to 5 PM

Session 8: Saturday, Jan 23, 1 PM to 3 PM

Here is where you can register http://www.achildshopeintl.org/Haiti.html

Hope you can join this incredible effort to reach the devastated people in Haiti.

Even children can do it!

Two hours per person will feed one child for a year. It is really easy, fun and life saving!

From packing to clean up - it is a ministry making a difference.

Our group packed 16, 416 food packets in two hours.

Could you be in the next picture?

Here is where you can make a donation to the feeding program for kids and adults in Haiti and all around the world. http://www.achildshopeintl.org/DonateNow.html

This short video captures the heart of Kids Against Hunger

Follow Me

From David:


Greetings to each of you. It is a wonderful and awesome truth to be able to declare that we are in Christ and that we are a part of the Body of Christ. We are here for just such a time as this—and these are truly unusual times.


Upheaval is a word that describes these times. We see this not only in the news sources around us, but, also in the cries of people around the world who are going through very difficult times. The best news is that the Kingdom of God is not in upheaval nor is He in confusion nor are we alone.

Allow me to briefly share two life-changing words that those of us who follow Christ have heard and heeded at one time in our lives. Those two words are the words Jesus spoke to Matthew in Matthew 9, FOLLOW ME. Everything in life changes when we hear these words, push our chair back, and follow Him. He did not tell Matthew where they would be going or what they would do when they got there. The word was just to follow—He would fill in the details as they moved on. Jesus did give a clue, however, as to where they would be going in verse10 through 12 of Matthew 9. He said they would be going to “sinners” and “sick” people. There it is—those who follow Him will be going to sinners and sick people.


Who are they?


All of us.


Where are they?


Everywhere.

Jayne and I have captured a little of our journey to sinners and sick people in the pictures that are included in the short video below. This is our journey for now. You have yours and we bless you in it. We would love to hear about it. If granted that opportunity, we will listen to you and rejoice with you in the journey on which you find yourself as you FOLLOW HIM.

NOTE: for our Facebook friends who pick up the link there, scroll down to where you see "see original post." Click that to see the entire blog and video.

FOLLOW ME

Someone Inquired

I wasn't quite sure how to get this information to the person who asked about speaking in California...other than on this blog :)

We are speaking in Sacramento, CA area on February 5 and 6. For more information, please feel free to email me jayeschool@aol.com

Thanks for asking...

While We Are Home - Ministry Continues

Greetings to all of you …. Your interest in our journey means more to us than you can know. Jayne has kept you updated about our work in Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine. As you know, we are home now and will be until middle of March.

When we are home, much happens, too. Jayne continues her speaking, teaching, writing work and ministry across the country. She goes to California in February, Urkaine and Poland in April, and New Zealand in June. I plan to accompany her on those trips. Her latest book, Wounded Children, Healing Homes: The Impact of Traumatized Children on Adoptive and Foster Families, published by NavPress comes out in paperback in January, 2010. You can click on the book for more information.


While home, I continue to preach, speak, teach and counsel. Also, I am preparing for three classes that I will be teaching at INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Jayne will be teaching two classes along with the other ministries of which we are a part there.

Presently, I am working at the SHELTER, one of the churches that was started while I pastored West Carrollton Church of the Nazarene. While pastoring there our District Leadership decided to close two churches on the District. I asked the District leadership if we could take responsibility for these two churches and they were happy to let us. Now, some years later, these are two of the most dynamic churches in southwest Ohio. I say that not based on their numbers, though they are strong, but on the lives that are being changed, the addicts that are being set free, the families being strengthened, and the inner healing that is happening in many lives.

These two churches are LIVING HOPE in Centerville, Ohio, and the SHELTER in Dayton. One wonders what makes the difference between two churches that are slated to be closed and now two dynamic churches making a huge difference in the lives of hundreds. I have my opinion that I often share where and when I speak.

In closing, let me pass on two words the Lord spoke to me just before 9-11. He said, “GET READY.” The “get ready” message has to do with the coming “upheaval” in the world. I have shared this message everywhere in the world I have the opportunity.

Thank you, once again, for being our friends, prayer partners, and co-workers in these days of darkness and discouragement. As we have said for years, “The journey continues….”


Please visit our team's blog: http://lambinternational.blogspot.com/

These Stories Will Touch Your Heart

Our dear friends, the Wrights are deeply involved in humanitarian work in the Central Asia country where we spend much of our time. We got to know them well over the past 18 months and so enjoyed being a part of what they do. We also became friends with many of their friends/workers on the ground there. This season's gifts from people from all over the world have allowed them to minister in incredible ways.

May I invite you to visit their blog this week and see what has taken place. It will be a meaningful few moments. Here is there address: http://actofkindness.blogspot.com/
Blessings to you - our friends

Moments and Memories of This Past Year

As the year’s end approaches, I think one of the things that many of us do is to reflect on those special moments and memories behind us. This year has been a God–given incredible year as we think of those special times of our friends in a very far away place in Central Asia.


Not a day goes by that we don’t talk of our precious friends there…from little Anita to Natalia to Valera and Luba. All of our friends hold a very special place in our hearts. We deeply appreciate and love Lynn and Ruby Johnston and Don and Johanna M. Buchman, our team founders for the invitation almost two years ago to "show up and see how God leads."

Don and Johanna, in front Lynn and Ruby behind them.

It has been and continues to be exciting - a great adventure as we serve together. When we are a tad perplexed about what to do about a situation or need, our group's motto has become "it just isn't time to know yet." We are learning the fine art of waiting on God and His leadership for the days ahead.

We have come to embrace this country as our second home. While we are home here, a part of us is still over there. Thoughts of the people and work are never far from us. Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog throughout this year. Here are some special memories and moments with the people who captured our hearts in this Central Asia country this past year.




The Children

To me, this picture captures David's heart and love for the children of this Central Asia country. This is Islam and Ruslan.




What do you have when you put 20 some children together and some childlike adults? FUN! These remarkable children from one orphanage where we spent a great deal of time knew just how to get our heart's attention. We can't wait to get back and reconnect with them.




Being in country for these many months has given us the opportunity to get know people of all ages and have the time to build relationships. This young man is especially important to us and David spent a lot of time with him.





Natalia is not only our translator, but our very special young friend. There are many funny stories we share as a result of our experiences together. One of the most delightful is the day we went on a picnic. We, along with John and Julie Wright were walking to meet the children near a river bank. I think Lynn and Ruby were there, too. The children saw us and came running. Of course, we thought the children were running to us....but breezed right on by to embrace Natalia. All the children love her and we think that is great. That's how it should be.



The Remarkable Young People


A door of opportunity opened for both David and me to be involved in the newest univeristy in this county. It is the new International University of Central Asia. Both of us are on the faculty and we will be involved in a greater capacity when we return in March. One of our favorite places to be is on the campus. We have so enjoyed building relationships with these fine young and dedicated students and the faculty there.

David with a group of 2nd year psychology students.

This is a picture of the first year of the university. Starting off with 40 some students, the school tripled in 2009 and we are looking forward to continue growth of this excellent university.


THE VISION


This is a group of social workers who are commited to building a foster care program in this country. This group represents a portion of the heart of the work of LAMb in child welfare. We are working with a number of opportunities to assist in the develpment of a child welfare program - on many government levels, including the work at the Humanitarian University in the capital city.


As this year draws to a close, we do reflect on the life changing experiences we have been so privileged to have while we minister at home and overseas. We look to the open doors in 2010, desiring God's leadership in all that we do. The next blog we will be sharing about our work while home and our anticipated plans for overseas. We will be returning to Central Asia on March 14, 2010 and will be there until late May.

May your new year be a time of new adventures and experiencing God in new ways.