Our Uganda Adoption::a testimony to God's faithfulness, and provision.
++ July 31, 2009 our visas were approved Praise God! All glory and honor go to HIM...it was the Father to the fatherless who set our children free. We waited for airfare to go down in price...from $25,000 in August for all 7 to $6800 for all 7. It gave us lots of time to finish some odds and ends on the house/yard and prepare the boys for the HUGE adjustment that lay ahead. It was actually a big ol' blessing that we had these few months just the four of us. We had no clue how hard our first few months home would be, and now that I look back, I am thankful for our lazy summer between July-Sept.
The Source Cafe, Jinja, Uganda
So. Looks like this will be going out on Sunday at church. Our Pastor said it was fine with him, and said he will ask Jeff to come up to the podium and say his little "thing". ;o) We'll have a letter for each family sitting in the pews. The boys are going to stand at the front and hand out our prayer cards to all who enter.
Folks. Would you look at those faces?! That flower in J's hair cracks me up. I look at that and think, "Oh to kiss those cheeks!" And Daniel looks like a sprite of a fellow, and I want to just scoop him up and squeeeeeeze. And Alan! man oh man he looks like his ready for a good tickle and romp in the grass.
Here's the letter, I know it's long in a blog format, however, would you please read it and tell me how it sounds? Thanks.
{Update Letter}
DODSON FAMILY ADOPTION UPDATE:
Hello from the Dodson family! How are you? We hope well! Thank you so much for praying for us. We appreciate it more than you know. We are nearing the end…or rather, the beginning. Update below!
************
When we began our adoption process back in November, it was for the purpose of expanding our family.
As each month passed, however, we began to see that this journey was not about expanding our family. Instead, it became more about bringing family to the orphan. Will our family’s size increase? Certainly, and for that we are thankful! However, our adoption is no longer self-centered, but Christ-centered.
We realize that, as a family, we have been called to minister to those in need…in need of a Daddy, Mommy, and two big brothers. How can we say, “No” to that call? We cannot. How can we say, “No” to Alan, Jeremiah, and Daniel? We cannot! Our 3 boys were abandoned as babies. Thankfully, their Mothers loved them enough to leave them where they could be found, and cared for. (Unfortunately, this is not the case for the majority of orphaned children. Commit to pray for these children. Ask the Lord what He would have YOU do concerning them. James 1:26,27)
Why Uganda? Uganda is the country to which God has called us. He has used the ministry of our church family (Lifegate) to help us see a need there. Uganda’s orphans are no more special than those in America, China, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Russia, or anywhere else in the world. They’re orphans all the same. God has said, “Uganda.” That is where we are going.
God has been truly faithful during our process. Adoption is expensive. We certainly did not have the sum of money necessary to even begin the process, and yet, we were and are certain that this call to adopt, to care for the orphan, is of God. It is our mission. What did we do? We prayed and continue to pray! We prayed that the Lord would “supply all our needs according to His riches in glory”. Philippians 4:19
And do you know what happened? He has and He is! Through several families in our church who have given sacrificially, through family members, and friends in our community, He has supplied us with everything we have needed to this day! Moreover, He will continue to do so! God has not brought us this far to leave or forsake us. He is faithful! To God be the glory, He is so good.
Why this letter? We are still in need of travel fare. It will cost $8000 ($600 has already been donated) in order for us to travel to and from Uganda. We are leaving for Uganda in about 3-4 weeks!!! J We have been hesitant to ask for contributions from our church, family, friends, or our community. Money is especially tight these days for everyone. We certainly have no desire to cause anyone any financial stress. However, in Scripture, God tells us to ask. Luke 11:1-13, John 15:16, I John 5:14,15
So we are asking, would you please consider giving towards our airfare? Would you consider being Jesus’ hands and feet? Would you please consider helping us bring family to Alan, Jeremiah, and Daniel? If you are unable to give financially, would you please consider lifting us up in prayer before our Holy, Heavenly, Loving Abba Father? He is ever faithful! “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3: 24,25. Financial gifts can be given directly to us, or to Lifegate—please put Dodson Family in the memo. (Lifegate Church, 395 Lifegate Lane, Seguin, TX 78155)
***Prayer Needs: airfare, good health (sewage contaminated water, malaria, typhoid, parasites, etc.), and solid attachment/bonding with boys in Uganda, safe travel, and smooth adjustment in USA.***
“Now to HIM who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to HIM be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20,21
Thank you.
Much love,Jeff, Laura, Joshua, Caleb, Alan, Jeremiah, and Daniel Dodson
Jeremiah
Would you look at that SMILE!?!?! Mandy told me that when he arrived at the orphanage as a baby, he was very sullen and withdrawn. It doesn't look like that now, does it?
Daniel
He had a bo-bo on his nose. ;o) He's one little guy, isn't he? Mandy says that he has more clear words than he did her last visit (which I think was Oct. 08). I am so excited about that. I cannot wait to see these guys.
I'm sure we'll be getting some of Alan as well. Internet is patchy over there, so I feel like these pics are a huge blessing. :o)
I'm starting to think that maybe I will take my laptop. She bought a simcard for guests to use on their computer. She is doing this in the evening and I think that might be a good time for me to update as well. We'll see.
(Our funky photoshopped family.)
Yippee Skippee! This happens to be the receipt from Homeland Security telling us they got our stuff, and have a fingerprinting appointment scheduled, and to look for the appt. card in the mail.
He'll be 5 in July. We are so excited, a bit nervous, abundantly blessed.
*****
Update.
Why we decided to add Alan to our family...the short story. When our homestudy came through, and we were approved for 3, I called our director to let her know. Her first response was, "Oh don't worry, you can still just have the two. Unless...you were thinking otherwise?"
Ha ha. Yes. I was secretly thinking otherwise.
I asked, "Is there another child?" She told me of Alan, who recently had a bit of a hurtful experience. She conveyed the story and my heart melted. But what about Jeff. What about the boys?
So I approached Jeff cautiously. He was open. We continued to talk and pray tons.
What about J and C? Well, little did I know, they overheard the entire conversation with the director. Over the next week, Alan was center stage. They had so many good questions. They were very concerned for him. And. They continued to say, "Too bad we can't adopt him, too." Or, my personal favorite from Caleb, "Mom, if God can provide for us to adopt two boys, do you think he could provide for us to adopt three?" Good Lord. "What do you think, Caleb?" "Yes. God can do it. He made the world. He can do it."
And yes, I cried. (and am doing so now.)
Alan tipped the scales to joy overflowing in Joshua. That was huge. Joshua was always excited, but I think very nervous about the whole adoption and how it would change our family. But when he heard about Alan, those feelings subsided.
When we asked them what they thought (after about a week of prayer on our part), Joshua responded, "Well. I think I would really like him to be in our family."
Caleb said, "If Alan could be my brother, my heart would burst."
:o)
So we called the director, and told her the news. "It's unanimous. We want Alan!" Her sweet response, "Thank you Jesus. You've made my day."
Sooooo, I am now Mom to 5 boys. I am still a bit nervous about handling all this energy, but I think in time we'll find our groove and settle in nicely.
Yay God!
