"... for them that love Him."

Over four years ago, God crossed our path with the opportunity to foster-to-adopt two brothers (you can read the beginning of that story here ---> Adoption). We went through all of the steps, became certified as foster parents in Virginia (case-specific to bringing these two boys from Arizona), and in the end, after months of paperwork, meetings, interviews, classes, and a lot of money spent, it fell through. The judge was surprised at the final court date to find out that we had been certified as foster parents. There were multiple communication mistakes during the process. The boys stayed in Arizona.

What was God trying to teach us through that experience? Why had we gone through it? Among other things, He used it to turn our hearts towards the need of the orphan.

Recently, God asked us to pay off our final debt: our house mortgage. With that in our rearview mirror, we wondered what God was going to hand to us next. Not having a house payment frees up money at the end of each month, but it also frees up time. Where before, we couldn't afford to take extended time off and still pay the mortgage, now we have flexibility; opportunity.

My favorite place on earth is Little Haven, Wales, and I crave the change of scenery and opportunity for short-term luxury that travel brings. Matthew, my husband and favorite person in the world, has no interest in travel. For years now, I've been casually mentioning that I want to go to Europe and show him around some places that I enjoyed seeing (plus see some places I haven't been myself!), for our tenth anniversary. He didn't want to mess with the passports or plane tickets, and was stressed about the idea of traveling to another country.

Then, a week ago, some missionary friends came into town, and played this video in front of our church. It's seven minutes long and worth the watch! ----> Bergeys in South Africa

Their heart for orphans, teenage mothers, feeding the hungry, and healing the sick touched me as I listened. They sounded like Jesus' hands and feet to the people in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I knew we were going to be involved in their ministry. A number floated to the top of my thoughts, and I was confident that when Matt and I talked about it, God would have brought the same monthly amount to his mind. God is always knitting our hearts together in that way.

We climbed into the van, after buckling the girls into their carseats, and I turned to him, "What are we going to do?" I could already hear his answer, "We're going to give..." but instead he surprised me by beginning with, "We're going to go..."

Next year, God willing, we're going to take our girls and go to South Africa to be God's hands and feet to those people for a month. 

Imagine my surprise when my husband, typically unwilling to leave America, suggested this trip. I couldn't convince him to go on a pleasure tour of Europe, but serving the fatherless in Africa: Sign him up! I can't explain how close I felt to Matt when he told me that he felt like God was asking us to do this. Attracted to the max. I love to follow this man as he follows Christ!

God has given Matt this verse since then; His new life verse:

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

In addition to the visit next year, we also want to help the Bergey's raise the funds they need to continue to expand their reach to more unwanted children and people in South Africa. They recently completed raising the money to buy 40+ acres, and now they are working on raising the money for ground clearing and building larger facilities to house more children and helpers. You can donate here and every penny will go towards the work there in South Africa. I love watching God's people work together! Be as generous as you're able, even if that just means $5! paypal.me/ahelpmeetforhim

We'll keep you updated as we take these steps. Thank you for following along for all of these years! Y'all know that I never ask you to share my posts, but I'm requesting it for this one. The more eyes we get on the ministry in South Africa the more opportunity there is for Christians to give to the expansion of the work being done there! Share away!