He Will Act!

Hello dear friends and family,

This update comes late again! I know I always say it, but time is flying by. We have been here 9.5 months already! Due to Miltons adoption we are going to be here longer than planned, which even though comes with its challenges, allows us plenty more time to invest in the farm here. You guys you thought smoke in the Okanagan was bad, have you ever seen the skies in Zambia during dry season? Whatever and wherever they can burn they will, and the skies are evidence of that. The photo above is actually a very clear day, where Karl captured a rip roaring fire blowing in our direction. In other news, I have been able to spend some time training a new nurse to take on all things medical here at Grace. Having hired this Registered Nurse full time has lessened my load and allowed me to stay home full time with my kids, which is such a blessing, after many busy months tending to the kiddos up at Grace. We were hit with a terrible illness recently that really wiped us out, but we are recovering now and excited at the new found energy we have after days of none haha! So let us dive in!

Miltons Adoption

Milton has been bonding with us for nine months now. The social welfare system is terribly corrupt here and has been pushing our case for months and months. To sum up the corruption, I was just recently in to speak to one of the head ladies at the social welfare office, trying to get our case pushed to court and when I said what happens to Milton if this doest get done? He goes back to the orphanage? She replies, “Yes, he’s totally fine there.” Whattttttt? A big loving family here and ready to take him in and because you do not want to do some paperwork you are going to potentially deny him of a family? Its pretty messed up and a real heart wrenching walk these days. But, the latest we’ve heard is that our case will be presented to the court on Monday and we will potentially get a date then. We’ve been lied to so much so first we trust God to work, but we don’t trust the lady telling us this whatsoever. To be honest its been a real test of faith for both Karl and I. We have spent many hours on our knees praying as a family that God make a way for Milton to legally join our family. We pray believing wholeheartedly He can do it, but then He hasn’t…yet. Why? Not sure exactly, but we know whatever the reason it is for our good and Miltons. Have you ever felt that way though? Like you pray and you know God can do it the very next second, but He doesn’t and so you keep on praying knowing He can and surely will, but at the same time we don’t know His plans and so don’t know what to do, but to just keep praying and wait. Its a real test of patience and faith...somewhat of a twister of emotions. Psalm 37:3-8 was shared by a friend and what an encouragement it is. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust Him and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself it turns only to evil. When I start fretting and wondering why the corruption seems to be winning, I am to remain faithful, delight ourselves in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, He WILL act! Satan has no power over Miltons well being, the Alpha and Omega knows Miltons life plans and tends to His boy and so we will walk in faithfulness and obedience. Please pray with us, Lord, please act this Monday and bring us to court to obtain legal custody to foster Milton, in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen. Once we obtain the legal custody to foster him we will foster him for three months and then go back to court for full legal custody. We can then apply for his Canadian documents and bring him home. 

Farm Update

The farm has now become very streamlined. Karl is able to step back a bit and allow the local manager to take the lead on operations. He is still plenty involved in day to day work, but it is nice to see the local manager stepping up and taking charge. The maize we harvested is now being milled into mealie meal. The crop was 50% of what it should have been, but considering it being a drought year we are grateful to God for the bounty he provided for the kids here at Grace. The piggery is almost done. The first pigs have been moved into the finished pens and we are beyond excited to see this part of the farm thrive. Karl and I have spent time practicing breaking down full size pigs into all the different cuts and even making delicious bacon and so we are feeling very excited to share these new learned skills with the guys here. The outdoor and greenhouse crops are growing well, we thankfully have had enough water to keep them growing strong. Thank you God. Moving forward Karl is going to be writing up protocols for each area of the farm so that when the next manager comes to work here he can step into a streamlined operation with clear guidelines and steps. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and support as we work out here.

This is too good not to share. When you are stubborn and will not accept you need new boots.

Praise Items:

God continues to provide all of the needs for the farm to produce abundantly for the kids here.

We have been protected from malaria despite it being rampant all around us.

My sister and brother in law from Aus have booked flights to come visit! Our first family visiting in 9 months! Wohooo 

Prayer Requests:

God will move Miltons adoption through next week.

That our spirits may not be dampened by our experience with social welfare here.

Health and protection over our family.

Attached is a video we made for my sisters church in Australia to explain what we are doing out here in Zambia. Its long, but we hope it shines more light into the work happening out here on the farm at Grace Academy.