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.