Well, I have to start out by apologizing for the long delay in blogging. I have been home from the World Race almost three months now, and I haven't written a thing. I haven't let you know we made it home safely, I haven't let you know how life back in America has been, and most importantly, I haven't thanked you.

So let's start with the most important one. I cannot thank those of you who supported me throughout the past year enough. Whether it was prayerfully, financially, or through reading this little blog, thank you! Knowing I had support coming from literally all parts of the World kept me going at times, and constantly humbled me. On many occasions God used your encouraging comments to truly give me a push when I needed it most. By believing in me as well as the calling God placed on my life for this season, you not only impacted me greatly, but countless lives around the World. You were there with me in when I was ministering to teenage boys who fight addictions daily. You were there with me in the homes of widows just listening to them and loving them. You were also with me as God used me to love on numerous orphans in almost every continent, and to even deliver a baby! You, my supporters, along with the grace of God, made my World Race experience possible, and for that I am forever changed . . in a good way I think.

Since being home it feels as if I have been going non-stop. After resting up, getting semi- used to being an American again (over the course of many meltdowns) and catching up with my family, I have traveled most of the South to catch up with friends, which has been both refreshing and exhausting. At first, the pace of things around here almost stood up to my World Race way of life! Near the beginning of the race we would joke that, "In my real life . . . " meaning that our real lives were in America. Slowly but surely though, the race began to not only feel like real life, but we began to accept the fact it had been all along. The same thing is happening to me now. In a weird way, I feel like this past year never happened, and it is as if I suddenly woke up from a dream which I remember snippets of here and there. I tell stories from the past year and I catch myself living vicariously through them, longing for this "dream world". I am caught between two worlds. The past, and the present. Both of them reality, neither of them actually a dream. You see, I don't want to forget the things I saw God do this year, how He so graciously used me to do His work, the faces of those whom He put in my path, or the good times I had. We aren't called to forget the past seasons in life though. However, I'm learning that, as Christians, we must cling to God more than we cling to them. I want to live in the present, being completely led by the Spirit, while having been transformed through my past which makes me see life in a new way. I am slowly learning to incorporate these two as one, and it's a strange feeling, which makes for some very bittersweet emotions. 

As you can see, it is difficult being home some days, and at the beginning, most days. My entire life and way of living have been completely flipped upside down. While I see some of these differences as being easily adaptable (toilets, my bed etc.), some of them are not so easy to get used to. I am no longer in constant community, which is something I so deeply desire now. It is also difficult when God places those people I met this past year, whether on my team or through ministry, whom I love so dearly, on my heart. Those days I would give almost anything to be with them, but realize I must fight for them from a little further distance now. Even though I was so exhausted some days on the race and felt as if I had nothing left to pour out, I miss it. I miss the ministry. Other days, I am reminded that I have been given this season with my family and it is so good. I am getting to be in the daily lives of my niece and nephews, whom for most of their lives I have witnessed through pictures, over the phone, or Skype. I am building new relationships with both my family and the Lord, and this time is proving itself to be so sweet. I am finding my place while resting assured I am exactly where God wants me.

So, what's next? Where will I be going now? What will I be doing? These are the questions most people have been asking since I have been home, and I'd be willing to bet you are too. What I can tell you is that the things I have seen God do and the ways He has radically changed my heart this year will most definitely have something to do with it.

Be praying for me in this area, and I will be sure to update you on that soon! 

I have never felt more loved than I did during my time in India. Walking through the gates at Sarah's Covenant Home each morning, welcomed by hugs, kisses and sometimes face pinches (normal to the Indian culture) by the "Ayaas", who are equivalent to house mothers. Next are squeals from non-verbal children, attacks of hugs and children attaching themselves to whichever part of you they can grab holt of, out of sheer excitement . . to see you, to see me, to see anyone. No words can describe the feeling of sitting with a child who is bed-ridden each day of their life due to Cerebral Palsy or paralysis, as they are looking up at you with a glimmer in their eye and a mouth wide-open smile on their face, not able to say a word. Or when a child who is blind jumps, laughs and smiles at the mere sound of your voice calling their name. Even without words, you can know. You know that while they may not be able to physically do much, they can love. They love without reservations, and no matter how horrible the things they have been through in their short pasts, or the battles they fight each day are, they remain joyful.

Each of these 82 children has a unique story, just like you and I. Their stories have something in common though. They have been rejected by their families and society, due to the unfortunate beliefs of the Hindu religion. If someone is born with special needs, physical or mental, they are believed to have done something in their past life to deserve it. Therefore, they are seen by their families as a curse. What do you do about a curse? You try to get rid of it, and that's exactly what most of these children's families did with them. They got rid of them. They put them on temple steps, in cemeteries, in train stations, at hospitals, wherever they could in order to "get rid of the curse".  From there, the children are usually taken to government orphanages, if they survive. Don't be fooled though, because the conditions of the orphanages are not much better. Here too, they also face rejection.

Sarah, who began Sarah's Covenant Home only three short years ago, stays in contact with the government orphanages, and accepts any child with disabilities who comes through. Her children have been known to do 180 degree turns, in terms of health, after entering her home, due to appropriate care and attention. Children who had no hair, do now, after being nourished properly. Children receive simple surgeries, completely reversing their inability to function. Children can now hear after receiving hearing aids. Children are attending school for the first time, and excelling. It's not as easy at it sounds though, because it takes a lot of money and a whole lot of faith. Caring for a child with disabilities is a life-long expense. Unlike an able-bodied child, some never grow out of diapers or needing Pediasure. They need medication for life. It is expensive for one child, not to mention, 80+. This ministry is run by faith through and through, and no matter how tough times get, God always provides for their needs. I was inspired by the faith present in this place throughout the month, and my eyes were opened to just how vital the "little things" are, but also how quickly they can add up.

It was a blessing to have the opportunity to spend a month loving on these 82 children, and I left India with a heart to help them in whatever way I could. As I said in my previous blog, God told me to be a voice for them, to raise awareness to those who go unnoticed. As you are reading this, would you do me a favor? Even more-so, do these children a favor. Don't just scroll over these photos. Take time to look at each of their faces, and try to receive the joy they are emitting, because I guarantee they would give it to you if you were there with them. I promise you will be blessed from it. If you want to hear more of their individual stories, see more pictures and/or video, or even sponsor a child, visit http://share11.org/.

(Photo credit for above photos: Kody Zenger)

(Photo credit for above photos: Ginger Larson)

Be in prayer for the home as they are in preparation for 20 more beautiful children! 

16 days of the race are left, and month 11 has brought us to India.  I love it here and couldn't imagine a better way to end this amazing, challenging, life-changing year. After our three-month stint in Africa, India was something new, something exciting. With all of it's spices, chai tea, cheap food, color, and beautiful people, how could one not love it?

Our month began with a day or so of getting into the swing of things, being briefed about the new culture, discussing ministry options with our contact etc. We were presented by the team leaders with the task of individually praying into what we felt the Lord wanted us to do in this final month. For the past month or so God has been speaking to me to raise awareness to those who go unnoticed, the populations of people He has placed on my heart both before and while on the race . . persons with special needs, the homeless, and widows. While praying, that was all I could think about. Then I came across this:

"When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." -(Luke 14:12-14)

That's all I got, whatever that meant. We were then proposed with the two ministry options for the month . . church planting, and working at a home for children with special needs. Now, while I may have both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Special Education, you must know I don't love teaching. I mean I came on the World Race because after five years of education classes, I didn't feel called to teaching. My passion for persons with disabilities hasn't diminished though. If anything, God has not let me forget it this year, and has only strengthened it. At the end of various months, squad-mates have come to me saying, "Christy, we thought about you this month because we worked with children with special needs!" It has happened numerous times this year, and each time I find myself asking God, "Why is my team not receiving ministries like this?" Maybe we haven't, but God has placed people in my life throughout the year to remind me of the passion He has so purposefully placed inside of me.

Cindy Palmella, a girl with Down Syndrome whom I fell in love with in Honduras.

Maria, a widow that stole my heart in Nicaragua. 

In past months I have prayed into whether God wanted me to continue working with persons with disabilities after the race, maybe in a non-educational setting. Maybe this could be in the form of missions, an organization, or even adoption in the future. I believe He is going to answer these prayers this month. For now, all I know is this month is such a blessing to my life, and God is so good to have given me this opportunity before finishing the race. His timing is so perfect. Myself, plus four others are working at the home each day, while our teammates are in a nearby village. Be in prayer that we are Jesus to these children and love them in a way they have never been loved before. Pray for a revival in the village as our teammates are planting a church. Meanwhile, here is a video of what is going on in the village, and as far as the children's home . . 

Plenty of stories to come! 

The past week of my life has been completely awesome, yet exhausting. My squad and I were blessed to have the opportunity to finish off our month in Uganda with a visit to the Nile River for camping, bungee jumping and white water rafting! I love spending time with these sixty awesome people, and my heart is so full when I am around them.

After two refreshing days at the Nile, we began our travels from Uganda to Tanzania with a 20-hour bus ride requiring us to cross back through Kenya. We slept through the night and the next day went by surprisingly quick as well. Maybe I am just finally getting used to these crazy travel days! After a dinner break, we soon realized the bus sounded suspicious, so we made our way back to the restaurant where we had just eaten. Our driver realized the bus was missing a part and it would take a few hours before we could get a replacement. However, since it is not safe to drive in Tanzania past 10:00 p.m., we would need to sleep at the restaurant. So there we stayed . . tents inside, tents outside, sleeping on the floor, sleeping in the bus. Such is life on the World Race, and once again God protected and provided for us. At 5:00 a.m. the next morning we were gone again for another 6-hour bus ride, a two hour break, and then four more hours to Morogoro where my team and I are for the month. That's 50 hours if you didn't keep count.

Upon arriving, we dove into ministry and have been quite busy this week. Each morning we walk to a village about 30 minutes away, where we are partnered with Pastor Jonathan. For the next three hours we do evangelism door-to-door, which was no surprise to us. Our month in Uganda definitely prepared us for this month. We walk around in twos or threes, accompanied by a translator, approaching people as they are doing daily chores. The routine is most times very predictable. One of us takes the introduction . . our names, where we come from, what we are doing, asking what their names are, do they have children etc. etc. The next asks whether the person is a church member, or if they go to a church. After that it could go a number of ways. Either people have no more time to talk because they are miraculously too busy, they seem disinterested/disengaged while still welcoming us, or they respond to our prying questions to find out where their faith lies. We have seen that in countries outside of America, few conversations are mutually interactive. On our walk back from our morning evangelism we typically share stories from and ponder the conversations we had. By this time each day my brain generally feels fried and I am both mentally and physically exhausted. We are blessed with an amazing lunch and break until around 4:00 p.m. when we walk back to the village for church services.

Even though this week has been tiring, it has been awesome. We have heard God's voice and seen Him begin to work through us already. We have met amazing people and have had powerful conversations. I have felt His empowerment and must rely on His strength daily. I thank Him for bringing me to a point, 10 months into this crazy journey, where I see I can't do it without Him. There has been a shift within my heart and attitude, and I am feeling joy in this type of ministry, which I know must come from the Lord.

On Sunday, our team along with another will head into “the bush”, where we will visit three villages for three days at a time. In each village we will be camping and doing on-site ministry, which will most likely be evangelism, preaching, and fellowshipping. However, we truly have no idea what it will look like! By this point in the race thinking of the upcoming nine days excites me, while it would have scared me in the past. I can see how God has been preparing us each day for our time in Tanzania. I can't wait to share stories of our time in the bush with you. Bare with me though because we will be without electricity for a while!

Let love explode and bring the dead to life

A love so bold to see a revolution somehow

Let love explode and bring the dead to life

A love so bold to bring a revolution somehow

Now I'm lost in your freedom

 Oh this world I'll overcome

My God is not dead, He's surely alive

And He's living on the inside, roaring like a lion

Let hope arise and make the darkness hide

My faith is dead, I need a resurrection somehow

Let heaven roar, and fire fall,

 Come shake the ground, 

With the sound, of revival

"Like a Lion"- David Crowder Band

View of Lake Victoria from our home

Pastor Alex, our contact, has told us from day one that we have a message inside of us to bring the church, and that he is expecting a revival while we are here. Although he is totally allowing us to seek God and let the Spirit lead us in what this looks like, there is some set ministry. We preach each Wednesday and Sunday, and of course bring some "specials" to worship. I have also found myself being the "evangelist missionary" I never wanted to be. In the past, I have purposefully not answered my door if these people were on the other side of it. We began the month going into the surrounding community daily, with church members as translators, to spread the Gospel door-to-door. Even though they are polite about it, people usually don't want to talk to us because they have heard it all before. Quite frankly I can't really blame them because it can be very awkward at times. I have found that while Ugandans are nice, they sure aren't following us around and asking us into their homes for tea as we have found in past months. Catholicism, Protestant, Islam, witchcraft and "born-again" are the common belief systems present in the area. Upon greeting a person, we are told to either ask questions in leading them to salvation, or if "born-again" to give a word of encouragement. Let me be blunt and say, this is not how my team and I work, or used to work that is. We love people. We love relationships with people . . . that is what we do. There is no time for that in our three-hour daily slot though.

However, God is teaching me about different kinds of love this month . . . He has called me to a deeper love for Him, to a completely new love for my team, to love people I don't want to love, and to love people so much that I plead for their souls. I don't want to love my translators when they make me do/say things I don't want to. I don't want to love how we do things everyday. In the past, I would have never been able to grasp the ability to deeply love a stranger. What God has shown me though is, "Why would we not show people the love we have received?" This is so true, because I am aware that I am not so easy to love all the time myself. So, I choose to love when I don't feel like it, and God is making it easier by filling me with love I have never felt before. Needless to say, things are picking up and I have a brand new attitude this month.

We are excited about what the remainder of this month holds, and are enjoying our time here more and more each day. Pray we would clearly hear from the Lord what this church needs and in what ways we can empower them. Pray that leaders would step up in the church and take action. Also, pray against spiritual warfare in this area, as we have already been targets of it. We are on the frontline as we are doing evangelism, so of course we would be attacked first hand. 

I am excited to share specific stories with you of what happens within the next week! In the meantime, check out this song of which the lyrics above are from. It is truly powerful and I see it as our theme for the month.

If you haven't read my previous blog, I encourage you to do so first!

Some difficult moments this year have been knowing I am missing out on "milestones" in the lives of my family and friends. Obviously I knew coming on the race these moments would come, but that doesn't make it any easier as I see them pass on without me there. Some of these have been as small as my nephew's graduation from Kindergarten or as big as weddings of my closest friends. I never thought I would be involved in such moments on the race as well though. In the Philippines, we attended a wedding. Now in Kenya, I find myself celebrating the birth of a baby as if it were my own.

Being it is our last week in Kenya, I have spent as much as time possible with Adrienne, keeping her company, encouraging her and attempting to ease her mind and duties this week. I have also prayed countless times that I would meet her baby before leaving this country, even that I would receive him/her as a birthday gift on the 27^th. The week began on Sunday when Adrienne and Nelly invited our team over for lunch, which little did they know we would turn into a baby shower. I wanted her to experience how we do things in America, but most of all show her she wasn't alone in this. Although many people close to her have left her during this difficult time, there are people excited about the birth of this precious child. We came bearing small gifts for the little guy or girl. I was so excited as Alex, Amanda, and I were at the market picking gifts up, truly feeling as if I were on my way to one of my best friend's houses at home. The women from my team joined Adrienne, Nelly's children and husband, another cousin, and neighbors for lunch. It was such a fun time. Not to mention they made our favorite dish, chapatti, and killed a chicken for us. I felt so honored. We gave Adrienne the small gifts we had bought and she was thrilled! Her reactions to the few items we brought were priceless as well as truly humbling. The items we brought were not much at all, especially in comparison to that of which I have brought to past baby showers in America. Pictures paint a much better description than my words can.

[Adrienne placing the blanket around her belly, "showing the baby" it's new things.]

[The women of my team and I with Nelly, Vanessa, and Adrienne after the baby shower.]

So there we were Thursday morning. Alex, Amanda, and I went to Adrienne's because she had a scheduled check-up at the doctor's office. With Amanda being a nurse and all, she accompanied Adrienne while Alex and I played babysitter for Nelly's children. Adrienne and Amanda returned from the doctor with nothing but good news. I spent the entire day with Adrienne, really just trying to keep her from doing anything, which is a job in itself fighting her strong-willed personality. She also made me read a pregnancy chapter from a book titled, "Where Women Have No Doctor". Around 1:00 p.m. she began experiencing pain, but nothing too serious she said. At around 4:30 p.m. I left knowing her cousin would be back any minute. Not even two hours later, her cousin Nelly comes to get Amanda to check on her. Of course most of the women from my team accompanied. Amanda did her nurse thing, checking how dilated Adrienne was, confirming that we would in fact meet this baby before morning. Adrienne's pains were getting stronger and she was restless. We paced the yard, we sat in inside, we laid on the ground, and we had tea. Any time is a fitting occasion for tea in Kenya.

[Adrienne and I hanging out earlier in the day . . can't you tell she is in labor?]

The baby was coming, and since Adrienne says it was my fault due to all the prayers I had been praying to bring the baby in, I received the brunt of the pain by way of the cliche "hand squeeze". The girls and I willingly took turns with this. Let's not forget, Amanda has been praying since month two of the race she would get to deliver a baby. Both of our prayers were being answered! Since we knew the baby would come sometime within the night, Amanda and Ginger ran back to get some things from our home, leaving Alex, myself, and a few neighbors behind. Only a few minutes later, the baby was coming with Alex and I as unprepared as two people could be to bring a baby into the world. Alex did a great job staying by Adrienne's side and being aware of her needs. By this time it was dark out, so Alex told me to grab a lantern from inside. Upon being in the light, we unexpectedly got the first glimpse of the baby (the head), so I grabbed the first thing I saw to place under Adrienne, which was a burlap sack from the yard. I was barely able to flatten the bag out in time, because not even two minutes later there she was. Alex about ripped my head off in attempt to get my scarf, and at the sound of the first cry, ran back home in the dark to get the others. We can't even say we delivered the baby, because the baby literally delivered itself. The first fact I recalled from the book I read earlier in the day was that we needed string. So that's what I said. "We need string and scissors!" A mother from next door came to the rescue and that is when things begin getting crazy. Everyone was in a million different directions as the mothers and I wrapped the baby, tied and cut the umbilical cord, and got Adrienne in the house. However, I was so distracted by the screams of Nelly's three children and Nelly herself, that I don't recall what I actually did within these few minutes. Ready or not, we welcomed baby Amira into the world, and the poor thing was probably frightened to have my white face be the first thing she saw upon opening her eyes as I was holding her.

[Photo by Ginger Larson]

Amira came a few hours before my birthday, at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2011, and let me tell you it was the surprise of a lifetime. I never thought I would experience such things on the World Race, that I could be filled with such love for a child belonging to another person, or that I would ever play a part in delivering someone's baby, let alone in a front yard in Kenya.

 [Photo by Ginger Larson]

It was a beautiful night as my team and I had the amazing privilege of spending the first few hours of life with this beautiful child and to be able to support Adrienne. We were able to celebrate with neighbors and family inside the home, taking turns holding Amira, as Amanda nursed both mama and baby by the light of two small lanterns. I was so excited that I didn't sleep at all that night. It is all still so surreal, but all I know is God is so good. He is good to have provided such an easy birth knowing what the circumstances would be. He is good to have answered our prayers and allow us to take part in this miracle, and He is good because I know He has a perfect plan for both Adrienne and Amira's lives as long as they choose to follow Him.

[Photo by Ginger Larson]

Well, my joy was stolen the following day as Amanda, Alex and I went around 6:00 a.m. to check on mama and baby, hearing they would be leaving to stay with an aunt nearby. What awful news this was to receive on my birthday. I never dreamt I would have to send her off, it is supposed to be the other way around. So here we were on Saturday, just two days after the birth, saying goodbye to Adrienne and Amira. Throughout the morning we reminisced on countless conversations and funny moments we had throughout the month, as well as replayed that wondrous night a hundred times in our minds. We basked in one another's presence, taking it all in. We passed around Amira, as I divided my time staring in awe of her and loving on Adrienne. We sent them off in a van, and my heart broke in pieces knowing it could be the last time I ever see them, or even talk to them for that matter. After taking part in the first few days of a child's life, I may never know the person she will grow to become. I may never know the future God has promised Adrienne. I truly hope this isn't the case. Needless to say, I will be leaving more than just a great friend in Kenya, but a huge piece of my heart as well.

I could have posted many more details in this blog of how things on this night happened, but that isn't the point I want to make. If you want that, numerous teammates of mine have blogs including those. Instead, I want you to see God's faithfulness in all of this, how He answered countless prayers this month, and broke my heart for something, someone, again . . which hadn't happened in a long time. We have known for six months we would deliver a baby on this race, and He worked it out so perfectly. He gave us time to enjoy this special moment with our sister we have grown to love so much. God had a plan for my team to be in Kiminini this month, even though we wondered at times. He divinely placed Adrienne in our lives, and I could never voice my gratitude enough. He provided me with an immense amount of love when I needed it most. He led me through a valley and placed me on the top of a mountain. I have seen God answer so many specific prayers this month, and even this week alone. Join with me in continuous prayer for both Adrienne and Amira. They will be staying with their aunt for at least one month, until they are both stronger. Adrienne's tentative plans will then be to come back to Kiminini to stay with Nelly, as well as look for work. I am so excited to see what the future holds, and am confident this isn't the end of my relationship with Adrienne and Amira.

We will be in Nairobi at debrief for one week and will then head to Uganda on June 5^th for month 9 of the race!

This month has looked very different ministry-wise than any month prior to now. My teammates and I have been in different outlets, some of which we have not loved, making this month very mundane at points. I can only speak for myself though and share with you what ministry has looked like for me this month. I started off teaching at the school run by the church we are partnered with here. After only a few days I realized I seemed to only be there because the Pastor knew teaching is what I had been trained to do. Little did he know the reason I was intrigued by the race is because I felt called away from teaching, not even enjoying it much anymore. I was miserable and knew I couldn't do it for a month. I battled with whether or not I needed to suck it up and serve in this way, while also feeling confident this was not why I was brought to Kenya. Don't get me wrong, in past months we have taught as our main ministry, and that is fine. However, this time it was different. I knew God was calling me to more, but I just couldn't seem to figure out what it was.

Something I have grown to love over the past few years and even more so since being on the race is building relationships with other women and discipling those younger than I am. I have begun to see the importance of ministering to other women and encouraging them through trying times. We all have a story and each of us are called to use it for God's glory, bringing others to know Him and be strengthened in their faith. God has been so faithful this year in providing me opportunities to do this, and yet again in Africa He has done so.

What a blessing that our month in Kenya is our longest month yet on the race. God provided us with extra time to find our outlet of ministry this month. While teaching one day, I met Adrienne, who God soon made it clear to me would be my ministry this month.

Adrienne is twenty-three years old, and is one of the most beautiful, strong, fun-loving women I have ever met. I struggle with even calling my time with her ministry, because it is more of a blessing to my life than anything. Adrienne is currently living with her cousin, Nelly, due to an unfortunate relationship with her mother and the passing of her father a few years ago. Adrienne has four year-old twin daughters who live with her mother a few hours away, whom she does not see often. Due to her young age at the time of their birth, her mother decided to care for them. She and her mother have never had a healthy relationship, but when Adrienne became pregnant a second time, her mother wanted nothing to do with her. She came to Kiminini a few months ago to stay with Nelly for the remainder of her pregnancy. She is now in the last week of her pregnancy and we have not so patiently been awaiting the arrival of the baby!

I have become very close to Adrienne and have had ample time to get to know her and share life with her. God has used her life as an encouragement to my own, as well as mine for her. She has gone through many trials in life, everything good seeming to be taken away from her. I am saddened at the difficulties she has faced in her young life, the circumstances she was brought up in, how people in her life have overlooked her and used her. We are the same age, and while we do have many similarities, our upbringings couldn't have been more different. Even through all of this, I see who she is today, her joyful countenance and intelligence. It is obvious that God brought her through everything in her past. It is obvious He was there with her and had a better future for her. It is obvious He is still with her today with an offer of a better life.

Each day Adrienne cares for Nelly's eighteen month-old twin son and daughter while Nelly is teaching. Nelly's husband, James, currently works as a mason in a town far away and is only able to visit on weekends. They also have a daughter, Vanessa, who is four years-old. I spend time with Adrienne and the children throughout the day and cherish every moment of it. I have truly begun to see these people as my family, and have been the recipient of their familial love as well. They have accepted my entire team into their home on a daily basis and truly care for us.

Nelly, Victoria, Vanessa, James, David

Adrienne is struggling with fear of the near future and feels pressure of providing a good life for her three children, currently single and seemingly alone. She sees and feels God's presence during this time even though it isn't always easy. She has given it up to God and truly seems to be seeking Him. I have had a rough month myself with being sick and having a difficult time finding joy some days, but God has shown both of us His unfailing love and faithfulness through providing us with a priceless friendship. Adrienne put it this way, "There might be hard times and times when you are sad, but God gives you times to be happy, like now. He brought you here for some reason, maybe for me to be happy." I truly believe He brought me to Adrienne for a time such as this. Only God could orchestrate something with such perfect timing. Communication this year has been very difficult at times, making conversations exhausting. For the first time, I have met someone who I can just share life with, and this is such a blessing.

I strongly ask for your prayers for Adrienne during this time. Pray that she would cling to God more each day, that He would use these circumstances to bring radical change to her family, and that her dependency on Him would increase her faith, bringing her closer to God. Pray for strength and peace in the new stage of life she is entering, as well as for a healthy baby.

Things have changed since I first began writing this blog, so check back for updates!