A long time a comin'.

Single mommy-ing it up...with eight children!  Leaves little time for blogging.  But, I did manage an update "newsletter." Please email me if you would like a digital copy.

A slight delay.

After six hours in a sweltering courtroom, listening to fourteen other cases {murder, rape, land disputes} the judge was handed our files...there just was not enough time in the day...he still had ten plus inmates that were awaiting criminal trials...tears began to spill...but our lawyer pushed..the judge showed compassion and invited us to another court...to be seen in two weeks...apposed to waiting until April...It was recorded that I was present, as was Elyssa's birth father and our social worker...I will be leaving Sunday...counting the days...before three more children are "home."  Pray with us for the upcoming hearing, February 21st...

The last two weeks have been beautiful...fellow missionaries found us a little two bedroom house...where we have enjoyed much laughter and joy...the Lord is truly protecting their little hearts...

Did I mention...

...that three children, namely Elizabeth, Elianah and Ezra are home!!!

They landed on US soil Christmas day.

What a gift.

Thank you Jesus.

Bad photo quality...beautiful children.

Another court date!

We have a court date set for the next three children...February 6th.

Enoch

Elyssa and Enoch both have a life threatening blood disease, sickle cell anemia. So this court date can not come soon enough.  Please pray for these three, that their hearts would be prepared to go before the judge, be seperatd from their siblings and the traveling thats involved...much of the work is done in the city once the adoption rulings are granted.

P.S. Zane and the first three kids arrive Christmas night, please intercede for Zane, that there would be clearance at every exit and entry point!

You must also help us by prayer...

"You must also help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many."  2 Corinthians 1:11
Dear Saints,

Thank you so much for "helping us by prayer."  We would ask that you continue to lift up our family as well as the ministry in Kitgum.

Kitgum:
The Goodens have arrived, with all eleven totes....and five children! Thank the Lord with us for their safe arrival.  Please also pray for the Goodens as they settle into a new life, vaslty different than anything they have ever known.  And for Jennifer as she deals with 100 degree heat, pregnant.

Lift up Ryan as he takes on extra ministry needs while Zane is away.

Elise spent two months with us this past summer.  The Lord opened a way for her to spend her Christmas break {she is in her last year at University} with our children in Kitgum.  Please pray for strength and wisdom as she looks after Elyssa, Ethan, Enoch, Elijah, Ephraim, Eli, Eden and Eston.

Julius and his family have been part of the ministry team since we lived in Entebbe.  Zane was recently able to complete a hut for Julius's family on the Kitgum compound.  Please pray for this family, that they would grow in the Lord while living amongst the other team members.

Elyssa and Enoch, two of our children that suffer with sickle cell anemia, have been fighting one illness after another.  The judge has once again delayed in hearing their case, therefore, it does not look like their adoptions will be finalized until the end of January.  It is hard to be so far from them knowing that their suffering.  Please pray for the hand of God to touch their bodies in a special way.

Oregon:
Summer continues with her lyme disease treatment.  Due to the complexity of her illnesses, the doctor is trying to boost Summer's immune system before starting IV antibiotics. Please pray for healing, medication side effects and continued provisions as insurance does not cover naturopathic medicine.
Zane, Elizabeth, Elianah, Ezra and Brianna Garrett will be arriving Christmas night!  Please pray for safe travels, clearance at immigration and rest.

To date, the Lord has provided over $25,000 to cover adoption fees.  Praise the Lord with us as He has done great things.

We will be settling into our new home on Jan. 3rd.  Please pray for the transition.

With grateful hearts,
The McCourtney's

Our battle is not against flesh and blood...

There is a lot going on in U*anda that I can not share on the web...

Lies. 

Accusations.

Fiery darts.

Yuckiness...

I am reminded once again that this is a spiritual battle.  By golly, the enemy does not want to let these kids go....and

Because we all believe that God us up to something much bigger than we could ever imagine.

So, would you intercede for us.

That a mighty hedge of protection would surround our children and Zane.

For documents to be processed.

Passports to be issued.

Court dates to be secured.

Safe passage.

And supernatural strength.

If you would like to know more details.  Please, email me {address on the right side bar}

Us...last Christmas

Future "plans"...our most recent newsletter.

Please follow this Link.

Rejoice with us!

The first three adoption rulings have been granted!

Zane is on his way to the US Embassy to begin the immigration process.

That's three down, eight to go...

Yes, we understand that there is much, much more set before us.

It could take six months, or two years.

Redemption is costly.

More reasons to rejoice to come...

Where are we at...

"Count it all joy my brethren when you meet trails of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness..." James 1:2

Dear Partners in the Gospel,

What lessons we are learning as we walk through "trials of various kinds."  Quite honestly, trials that we never could have imagined.

Zane just returned back to Kitgum after a quick two week visit to Oregon...it was a last minute decision after a delay in the adoption rulings...a window of opportunity that Zane took full advantage of. We likened it to a soldier coming off the battle field for a quick reprive.  Zane was able to be filled up spiritually and encouraged emotionally as he took part in several staff/pastors meetings at Roseburg Christian Fellowship.  He shared at two Calvary Chapel schools as well with the Jr. High kids on Wednesday night.  The children and I had a hard time saying good bye, again.  Please pray for Zane as he continues to press forward in the unpredictablity of the Ugandan courts system.  Elizabeth, Ezra and Elianah's court rulings should be delivered by the beginning of next week.  Zane is planning to head straight to the US Embassy to begin the immigration paperwork as soon as he has the rulings in hand.  Please pray for the judge, that he would be true to his word {this will be the third date we have been given to receive the rulings}  The lawyer is set to submit Elyssa, Ethan and Enoch's adoption files sometime next week in hopes of recieving a November court date.  Speaking of Elyssa, she was very sick last week.  A misdiagnosis led to a severe drop in her hemoglobin.  We are thankful for Therese, a fellow missionary, who rushed Elyssa to Kampala.  Praise the Lord that with a correct diagnosis/treatment, Elyssa's hemoglobin is rising on its own and a transfusion is not needed.  Its been very hard for me to hear of our children suffering when I can not be by their side.

One of the things we did while Zane was in Oregon was complete a homestudy with a private adoption agency.  We feel like we need to be 110% prepared for whatever the Ugandan court system throws our way.  It was such a huge praise to be able to write down that we have a home large enough for a family of fifteen.  We have been offered to rent the home of very close friends as they are being called to minister in Sitka, Alaska.  The home is massive in our eyes, compared to 18 foot mud huts.  It sits on 20 acres, has 5+ bedrooms, three bathrooms, a great room and a large kitchen.  We are absolutely amazed at God's provision.  Right now the plan is for myself, Eryn and Ezekiel to move out in January {once the house in available} and Lord willing Zane and atleast six children will follow close behind.  Also, it sounds like Brianna will be traveling back with this first group.  Please pray for the transition.

Where are we at? you may ask.  Walking by faith and not by sight.  We know that we know that God gave us each of our children...and we will not leave them as orphans.  We will fight until each and everyone is home here in Oregon.  It could take another six months or it could take a year, we do not know.  The Lord is faithful, that we know to be certain.  And we too want to be faithful. Please pray for Zane as he "fights the good fight" in Uganda and myself as I minister at Calvary Academy a ministry of Roseburg Christian Fellowship.  I would also ask that you pray me next Wednesday as I will begin IV therapy for the lyme disease.  Not a whole lot of progress has been made as far as my health goes.

With overwhelmingly grateful hearts we want to say THANK YOU to the churches/individuals who have been obedient to the Spirit's leading and have given towards the children's adoption expenses.  Right now we have the funds set aside to pay for the next three children's court fees, as well as the immigration fees for the first three children.  We would ask that you continue to pray with us for both adoption provisions as well as provisions to be living in two seperte places.  

How wonderful that "He who called you is faithful." 

Please, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!  It is our desire that the Lord be glorified, the church be strengthened and unbeleivers see God's goodness through our lives.

Fellow Ambassador's,

Summer {for the McCourtney's}

P.S. The family from New York, the Gooden's, are still planning to join the ministry in Kitgum.  Although they had wanted to be in Kitgum by November, the Lord continues to open doors for them to share at various fellowships in/around New York.  Please continue to lift this family up in prayer.

Waiting...

for the Redeemer to make a way...

Callling all intercessors.

PRAY!

Zane is in Gulu...awaiting tomorrow's court date...with Elizabeth, Ezra and Elianah in tow.

PRAY!

Most of you know that the judge did not show last month...but our social worker did...it was recorded and the social worker does not need to show this time around.

PRAY!

That the new judge will be present...hear our "cut and dry" case...and give a favorable ruling.

PRAY!

For our lawyer...that she will be well versed in all our children's situations...and present our case with wisdom and understanding.

PRAY!

That a court date will be officially set for the next three chilren...Elyssa, Enoch and Ethan...and that Elyssa's birth father will be present {he already gave up his parental rights when we obtained legal guardianship of Elyssa back in 2009}.

PRAY!

That we will be united, at least partially, very soon.

Adoption update...as of recent.

"So that your faith might not rest on the wisdom of man but in the power of God."  1 Corinthians 2:5

Dear faithful partners in the gospel,

The above verse is one that we continue to go back to as we watch the whirlwind of our life unfold.  Indeed the Lord could have prepared us to leave Uganda a year ago, but He chose not to.  Instead, He is asking us to have faith in His power.  And already we are seeing that play out daily.  

Ministry in Kitgum:

A year ago God was already preparing a family from New York to take over the ministry base in Kitgum.  Tyler, Jennifer and their five children are in the middle of "gathering" a support team.  It is their hearts desire to be in Kit*um by the end of this year, if not sooner.  Please pray for this family as they too step out in faith, relying on the power of God to settle them in a new land and a new culture.

Adoption:

Our first court date proved to be dissapointing as the judge did not show...very typical in Ug*nda.  A new court date of September 19th has been set.  The first hearing is for the full and final adoption of Elizabeth, Ezra and Elianah.  Our lawyer is going to be submitting Ethan, Elyssa and Enoch's files within the next week or so, Lord willing.  Ephraim's case is being handled by a lawyer in Ka*pala.  That leaves four children who still need legal documents for traveling.  At this point we are waiting and praying about the best route. However, their files are complete, with every legal document that we need for legal guardianship/adoption.  This is no easy feat as we have to meet the lawful requirements for both Ug*nda and US adoption laws.  Our faith rests in the power of God, as He moves on the hearts of all that will be involved in these cases.  We would ask that you continue to intercede on behalf of our family.  Too many, this seems next to impossible, but the Lord asks us to do just that...this morning I was reading about Joshua and the people marching around the walls of Jericho...it seemed crazy to march around a city for seven days...but it was their faith that God was interested in.

For those churches who are taking part in raising the funds to bring our children to the states, please note that we are setting aside those funds and using it solely on adoption expenses {i.e. lawyer fees, documents/processing fees, etc.}.  Once the adoptions are finalized, we will use the remaining funds on immigration fees and airfare costs.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Life in Oregon:

Summer, Eryn and Ezekiel have settled into life in Oregon...as much as they can.  Eryn and Ezekiel will be attending their first ever "school."  Roseburg Christian Fellowship has opened Calvary Academy, a small {20 students} Christ centered school for children within the fellowship.  Please pray for them as they adjust to something else new...there have been so many firsts for them.  Summer's health continues to be a battle.  She has still not put on any weight, has frequent joint pain and fatigue.  She is working with a general practioner in the area as well as naturopath in a bigger city an hour away.  Please pray that both doctors will have wisdom and insight into Summer's case.

We are excited to watch the Lord work in our lives...in ways we never expected.

Fellow Ambassador's,

The McCourtney's

Life goes on.

 Being seperated has been the biggest test in our faith thus far.  As much as we want to be together as a family...life goes on.

The first earth bag dome hut is complete...

Construction on the earth bag huts in the village...

Adding a second story to the guesthouse...

The new living room...

The East side earth bag fence is complete...

A store made of earth bags...located in the village...before, the people had to travel 20 kilometers to buy basic nessecities.

Getting breakfast with daddy...fried bread and cassava...

The next post will be an update on where we are at in the adoption process...and what life looks like in the middle of this whirlwind...

He met me.

"That night he arose and took his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.  He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else he had.  And Jacob was left alone."  

Genesis 32:22

Did you read what I read?  Eleven children...coincidence, never!

The past few days have been full of sorrow.  

My heart longs to hold my eleven children in Africa.  I miss their laughs...their smiles.  I miss their daddy.  His strength...his passion.

Honestly, I wanted to go back to "Egypt."  To throw this whole walk by faith thing to the roadside.  In my grief I was willing to give up my life just to be together as a family again, even if for a season.

Then the Lord met me.  

Personally.

Jacob was on a journey with his family.  Eleven children, not ten or nine, eleven children. 

And I knew it was for me.

He then sent them across the stream and met the Lord alone near Jabbok.

Jabbok; a place of passing over.

And there Jacob wrestled with God.

"Beloved, this must ever be a typical scene in every transformed life.  There comes a crisis hour to each of us, if God has called us to the highest and best; when all recourses fail; when we face either ruin or something higher than we ever dreamed; when we must have infinite help from God and yet, ere we can have it, we must let something go; we must surrender completely; we must cease from our wisdom, strength, and righteousness, and become crucified with Christ and alive in Him."  Streams in the Desert

And so here I stand.  On the other side of Jabbok.  Having wrestled.  Wondering if God has a new name for me.  

Either way, I saw God face to face this morning.  Today was my Penial.

P.S. This song has ministered to me in my sorrow.

Because Marci asked...

"How can people help?"

We are thanking God that He is going to do a miracle.  

Just like Jesus thanked God for raising Lazarus from the dead before the fact.

Thank you God that You are going to sway the hearts of...

The Judges.

The US Embassy.

USCIS.

The local officials.

Thank you God for providing for every cent that will be needed to pay for...

The lawyer fees.

The court fees.

The immigration fees.

Plane tickets.

Thank you God for burdening the church.

And He is.

Our sending church has been amazing.

The support.

Love.

Compassion.

And, listen to what the Lord is doing...how this is being used to strengthen the churches all over America.

A fellowship in Hawaii heard our story and were moved.

Not only have they committed to meet the financial needs of one child; they are sharing our story with other churches.  This was a total move of the Spirit.  We are not "fundraisers" nor are they!

So Marci, how can you help?

PRAY, INTERCEDE, OFFER THANKSGIVING.

If the Lord leads you to give.

GIVE.

There is a paypal link on our sidebar.

OR

 A link to our supporting church.  

Giving through the church is tax deductible.  Just follow the link, find the mailing address, write a check and address a note that it is for The McCourtney's adoption expenses.

WE ARE THANKING GOD.

 Through our story the church is going to be strengthened, God is going to be glorified and unbelievers are going to see God's goodness.

Because each one is worth it.

People keep asking us "are you going to bring all of the children back?"

Would you leave your child in a foreign country?

These are OUR children...we will do what we have to.

"I will fight for you." God

We face the Red Sea.

"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today...The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent"  Exodus 14:13-14

It is our desire that the church be strengthened, God be glorified and unbelievers see the goodness of the Lord.  Please follow this link to read about how you might join us in the "fight."

Fellow Ambassador's,
The McCourtney Clan

What I can share.

What I can share..."this was not the plan."  Summer being in Oregon while Zane and eleven of our thirteen children remain behind in Northern, Uganda.  What we thought would be a short term separation has turned into something much more.  The Lord has not revealed all of the details, but we would ask for your prayers and intercession. Mountains, huge mountains, are going to need to be moved.  The cattle on a thousand hills that God speaks of in Psalm 50:10...well, he just might have to sell about 100 head.

What I can share...hearts will need to be soft towards our families unique situation, from the High Court Judge to the children's living relatives.

What I can share...it was determined, through a series of new blood tests, that Summer does indeed have Lyme's Disease as well as Vitamin D deficiency.  There is also suspicion that she is still being plagued by parasites.  Right now she is taking two different antibiotics and high doses of vitamin D.  Side effects are common.  In three weeks time Summer will return to the Naturopath for yet another drug to be introduced, this one is meant to target the Lyme's Disease spirochetes.  Would you please pray for Summer's body, she is very weak and frail.

What I can share...we are surrounded by an amazing church family. There is so much love and compassion.

What I can share...we will continue to minister the word "to the ends of the earth" no matter where we call home.

What I can share...Zane is leaning hard on the Lord.  Summer is the one who usually takes care of all the children's files/court documents, etc.  Explaining all of this over on-line chat can be challenging, especially to a man who is busy pastoring two churches, preparing for a team and functioning as a single father.

What I can share...we know that we are loved by the Lord.  His plans are not our plans.  And even though none of this makes sense right now, He will reveal all things in His perfect timing.


What I can share...we need your prayers, encouragement and support.

Please feel free to email us if you have any questions {email address on the right side bar}.

"I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."  Psalm 50

Life here and there.

Life here {in Oregon}:

Summer has her second appointment with the Naturopath this Friday to go over recent "abnormal" blood results.

There has not been a lot of change is Summer's overall heath.  She is still suffering from fatigue, mild joint pain, nausea/lack of appetite.

Eryn and Ezekiel are enjoying swimming, camping, family and friends.  They are looking forward to VBS at the end of the month...and Summer is going to be taking part, too!

Summer is finding great encouragement through amazing fellowship.

Life there {in Northern Uganda}:

Zane is recovering from malaria.  His body is run down.  Please pray for renewed strength.

A month of one guest after another has come to an end...until September. Please pray for one guest in particular.  Tyler and his family are praying about joining the ministry full-time.

The children are learning that God answers prayer through taking their final exams.  Having the children enrolled in a local private school in order that they can take "exams" has been a stretch for all of us.  Pray that we would have good attitudes towards this entire situation.

Zane met with our lawyer today.  He submitted three more files for Elyssa, Ethan and Enoch.  Please pray for continued funding, we will need another $1500.

There are a lot of unknowns in our future.  Thankfully they are not unknowns to God.  We are courageously waiting for the Lord to show Himself strong and faithful.  

A well-rounded update.

"And the Lord said to him, " I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me...My eyes and my heart will be there for all time."  1 Kings 9

What an encouragement this verse brought to my weary soul yesterday.  Feeling so lost.  Defeated.  Overwhelmed.

So where are we; what's the update?

In Kitgum:

All is well on the Northern front.  Zane has been busy with guests, and will continue to be throughout the next few months.  Its quite amazing how the Lord brings people into our path...and if they are willing to sleep in a hut, they are welcome to stay!  I guess when you live communally, and you understand that all you have has been give by God, you are more willing to open your home..."the more the merrier."

The church in Kitgum continues to see new faces each Sunday!  Zane's zeal for evangelism is amazing.  Would you please pray for him as he expends himself in so many ways for the sake of the gospel.

Brianna and the kids are doing well.  Brianna has been spending extra time in school with the children {we homeschool all year round} preparing them for their final exams.  The word on the street is that the children enjoyed their first mid-term at the local school...six tests over six days.  And our first graders took the first five highest marks!  More importantly, the children are growing spiritually.  Brianna taught them the cutest little song which helped them memorize the 12 disciples.  Before I left, many of the older {6-9 years} children began reading through the Bible.  Elijah is already in 1 Kings.  I am so excited to see what God does with these amazing children!  Would you please pray for the children as mommy is away, that they would continue to know and feel my love for them.  I am so thankful for video chats multiple times a week.


My Health:


"The never ending story..."  So far I have been to two doctors.

The first doctor is a GP who has diagnosed me with Post Infectious Immune Syndrome.

Too many parasites/diseases have run my immune system down to nothing.

Treatment, rest and nutrition.

The second doctor is a Natureopath.  After  a very length consultation, many, many questions have been answered.

The mysterious bumps on my hands...bone spurs due to my body seeking out vitamins and minerals from my bones.

Joint pain...toxins from the parasites and the myriad of "poisons" the doctors in Uganda have used to rid my body of these nasty boogers.

Fatigue...also from the toxins.

Weight loss/inability to gain weight...I have developed malnutrition due to malabsorption due to multiple parasitic infections over the past 8 years.  My stomach is mess and therefore no longer absorbs nutrients properly, leaking undigested food/toxins into my blood stream.

This is new information...the cyst the CT scan and MRI found in Kenya months ago {which is growing}...is more than likely a parasitic cyst.

Treatment, lots and lots of supplements to rebuild my stomach wall.  As well those which rid my body of toxins.  A more whole foods/organic diet.  Rest.


What does this all mean for us?  For our future?  We are seeking, pleading with God.  We want to be in the center of God's will.  There are HUGE mountains that need to be moved. But in this moment, I must focus on healing, getting back to my husband and children.  To the place we have called home for over eight years.  Would you please pray with us in this season of many unknowns.  I just loved the picture I got from the Lord yesterday as I read that "His eyes and His heart will be with me for all time."  I know He sees what we are going through and He loves us so much.  I know that His heart is for us and not against us.  Not to mention that we have the "heart" of Christ within us.

What love, support and encouragement we have received over the past eight years from so many faithful warriors, fighting alongside us in Uganda. Would you please continue to fight on our behalf, on the behalf of the gospel and its going forth.