Just a Very Brief Word

In sharing the work we do in Krygyzstan, we are often asked, "how can we support what you are doing?"  That is a question that is deeply appreciated. We see so many needs every day.  Realizing that we cannot touch every life, we simply ask God to direct us to the one that He wants us to see. Lynn, Ruby, and the Wrights share a common theme with us - "Stop for the one in front of you as God directs."  It might be a senior citizen, a destitute family, or a college student at the university who only has one pair of socks. Handing out "a cup of cold water" looks different  to us every day.

In light of the cost of doing ministry, it is now possible to support the work through online giving.  On the right of the screen, there is a donation button.  Simply click on that button and follow the prompts.  If you feel led to support us personally, we are listed at the bottom of the list.

We are so thankful for your interest in what God is doing among the beautiful people of Krygyzstan.   We return in a little over two weeks.  We will be posting a little before we go, but to give you a little preview, please visit the blog of our team partners:  lambinternational.blogspot.com

One of David's greatest joys is to love the children. These youngsters live in a village with one water outlet for a village of over one hundred and twenty people. We will be visiting with them again this spring and look forward to seeing how they have grown.

A Powerful Day Surrounded by Powerful People

He hid his face in his grandmother's shoulder....a beautiful little boy.  He just arrived home to his new family just three weeks ago.  This little one is from Haiti.  We met this precious youngster at the Maimi Valley Adoption Fair in Dayton, Ohio, this morning.  This was the start of a very powerful day. I have been surrounded the last fourteen hours by giving, loving, sharing people who are giving themselves to the lives of children all around the world - the truly powerful people.

After seeing old friends and meeting many new adoptive parents at this adoption conference, my daughter, Kristy and I went to Springfield for another powerful moment surrounded by people giving sacrifically. It was the "Kids Helping Kids" Haiti Benefit Concert. The beauty of these moments for me was that my precious family was a part of the "giving today." Here are some pictures that tell the story....

These talented children helped raise nearly $2000 for a girls' orphanage in Haiti. The young girls in Haiti were safe, but their orphanage was totally destroyed.

My granddaughter, Lissi in the middle with new, special friends. She has a beautiful voice like her grandmother - her other grandmother.  :)

                                    My grandson, Micah...a gifted young musican.

My son-in-law, Rick and daughter, Kristy both have a tremendous heart for ministry.  We hope someday they will be able to join us in Krygyzstan or where ever God may lead them in their own adventure.

Lissi and two very special new friends, Korene and Kailyn.

These sisters shared in a dance routine.

Children in our world are learning about the suffering of children around the world and are stepping up to do something about it.  If their hearts are "divinely ruined" at this young age, just think of the potential for ministry in the future.

I thank God for this powerful day, surrounded by powerful people.

We are just four weeks from leaving for our second home in Central Asia.  In the coming days, I will be sharing more about our plans, our hopes and our needs as the journey continues.

It All Works Together for Good

One of the greatest joys of our time overseas is working with our partners. We have shared alot about our dear friends, Lynn and Ruby and also about the Wrights - John, Julie, Emma and Bekah.  We all have different roles and  functions which complement and enhance our mutal love and vision for the people of this Central Asia country.

This week, John offered to write about our newest book project and is usual John - he ties everything together beautifully.  Please visit his blog to find out just how....http://www.actofkindness.blogspot.com/ .

We leave in just five weeks and in the days ahead, we will be sharing what we will be doing...thank you for sharing our journey.

Hope from Haiti - Nephew on Navy Comfort Ship

These have been amazing days as we have seen the overwhelming humanitarian response to the needs in Haiti.

May I share a family story -

David and I have an outstanding nephew - Matthew Goetz. Matt has served in the Navy as a junior officer for four years and recently returned from Liberia following a humanitarian mission. He was, as we say, "divinely ruined" and plans to return there to teach. He leaves the Navy in June and he begins a one year master's program in urban education at the Univeristy of Pennsylvania.

When the Haitian crisis hit, he immediately volunteered for duty and was deployed on one of the Navy's medical ships, the Comfort, where he is currently. The Comfort has been in the news a lot.

More to the story

My older sister, MaryAnn (Matt's mom) is a nurse at Northland High School in Columbus, Ohio, a school of many international students, including many from Haiti. The student body banded together to make a "Chain of Hope" to send with Matt and in doing so, raised money for relief efforts. My brother-in-law, Herb, with a day's notice, flew to Balitmore to get the chain to Matt so he could take this message of hope with him.

It is so wonderful to be in a family who are all "divinely ruined" and see life as we should -serving and loving those precious people God places in front of us.

Here is a heart-warming picture from the Comfort.

These precious babies were born on the Comfort. Matt is the tall, handsome young man in the back row on the right. Notice the chain behind the group.

From the Students

This is the note from the students at Northland High School in Columbus.

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