Life With Janaa

This is Brent writing to you.  Well, I'm heading across the ocean on Friday.  I got the call from Ky at AAI a little before 1pm to let me know that we did have a confirmed board appt of November 7th.  SO....I guess I'll be trying to get everything together tonight and tomorrow night.  I haven't slept worth a flip in the time that Rachel's been gone.  Partly cause I miss her....ok I miss her alot....I miss Janaa, even though I've never met her in person (isn't that crazy?), but I think that this last week I've been on pins and needles about whether or not we would get the Nov. 7 date. 

I didn't know that I had suppressed this impatience and worry so much.  Honestly, I've been very confident that we would get the Nov. 7 date, but there's always that little bit of doubt.  I guess being tired this week has made it harder to will my worry away.  But it's gone now....

My flight leaves Friday a little after lunch.  I can't wait to get over there!

Have you ever wondered what you'll tell your child about the first moments of their life?  Have you ever wondered where your child's beautiful eyes came from?  Have you ever wondered where your child is from?  Ever wondered what their life could have been?   Ever stared at every face around you looking for your child's eyes, nose or smile? Ever realized how amazing it is that your child is in your arms? 

We spent the day visiting the hospital where J was before she was brought to the orphanage and the village she is from.  We learned so much about where she was from and were able to understand more about her first days of life.  The village is pretty small so we were able to narrow the house she was born in down to 6 different houses. Many of the houses didn't have numbers.  Because the adoption isn't final it is too risky to ask. 

After being in the village my heart is even more burdened for her birth mother's salvation.  Every little village has a Buddhist temple.  I'm not sure that they have ever even heard of Christ.  Each day that passes I realize what a miracle it is that J is in my arms.  She's alive.  She made it to a hospital an hour and a half away.  She managed to live still and was transported to an orphanage about 3 hours away.  Out of a room full of babies God had J on Rachel's heart.  Seeing this is amazing to me. 

Please pray that doors would open and opportunities would arise for someone to be able to share Christ's love with her mom.  Because of the situation Rachel really can't go visit right away.  If her mom learned everything about J's life...what a testimony of a living God who watches over us even when we seem alone in the world.  Buddha is just a material statue that is incapable of watching over our children when we are not able to.

For some of you who have not heard the "whole" story and are curious...

1996 I went to Australia and Papua New Guinea on a mission trip.  While there I met another pastor's kid, Rachel.  We became friends and kept in touch over the years.  By 2003 Rachel was living in Thailand and I was teaching.  I was checking my e-mail between classes.  There was an update from Rachel asking that everyone pray with her as she was looking to foster a little girl.  She didn't think the government would allow her to do so, but the baby was very sick and would not have made it in the orphanage.  Not long after the initial update she brought home the most adorable baby girl, Janaa. 

Brent and I had discussed adoption about a year or so before we began to pursue Janaa.  We had been following Rachel's kid's lives and God began to work in our hearts to move toward adopting.  We never dreamed we could adopt Janaa though.  We had glanced at Thailand adoptions, but they seemed rare, difficult and expensive.  We were also told that you cannot request a particular child.  You just got the child assigned to you.  We settled with China, but it would be at least 6 years before we could've adopted from China.  We really wanted to adopt before we had other children. 

Over the next year Brent and I began to send small packages here and there.  Rachel and I began to chat online instead of just e-mailing.  Not with the intent of adopting one of her kids, but God was obviously at work in our friendship.  There were times that the thought of adopting Janaa came through my mind, but I would quickly push them away knowing that it was an impossibility.  Or, at least that's what I thought.

In November of 2005 Rachel happened to mention that Janaa's papers were moving and she would be up for adoption.  Still thinking it was impossible, we decided that we had nothing to lose by inquiring about adopting her.  Because she was sick as a baby she was labeled "special needs".  That was what it took to request a child.  Only special needs children can be requested.

The easiest decision Brent and I have ever made together was to adopt Janaa. We never thought twice about it.  We knew from the very beginning that this is the child that God has for us.  We have wondered why us?  Of all the parents in the world, how can it be that we are the ones blessed with our precious Janaa? 

Daily Update...

We went to the mall this morning to play in the really cool play area they have for kids.  We had lunch in the food court.  Why mention that?  Because it's very different.  We spent the rest of the evening at home.  I was able to meet another friend, Amy.  Janaa is so funny.  She has 2 mommies now with the name Rachel.  We both have friends named Amy.  Rachel has a friend living with her named Becky and Janaa knows that her grandma's name is Becky.  So she'll say there are 2 Rachel's, 2 Mommies, 2 Amys, 2 Beckys, but there's only 1 Kosharah. 

Tomorrow I may not get to update.  We are traveling to the town where she was born.  Please pray for her mother's salvation.  We are only going to see the sites as now is not a good time to share who we are.  Our prayer is that through Janaa's adoption her mom will also come to understand God's love for us and that He never leaves or forsakes us as evidenced through her child.

(Please excuse my grammar.  I'm pretty exhausted and heading to bed.)

One of my favorite things about traveling is being with fellow believers.  There is something awesome about being miles away from home, yet being home with brothers and sisters in Christ.  It was a sweet time of worship. Today was Janaa's last day at church in Thailand.  What a great church she has been part of.  She is loved by so many people.

The kids are all doing well now. Aree is cutting teeth.  Pretty painful it sounds like.  I finally figured out how to get my curling iron to work.  It was a good morning.  It's the first time I've used it in a week. Vain, yes, but I still love it.  The ants over here are vicious.  I have 2 bites from the park at the beginning of the week.  They swell and itch like crazy.

We hung out at home after church.  A couple of Rachel's friends came over for dinner and all the kids played for awhile. Well, I do believe I better head to bed.  Mornings come much earlier than I'm accustomed to.  Though it is hard to get up...I was right...It's not so bad when you have the most precious reason to get up. 

Please continue to pray for our board meeting date.  I am praying for God's will and the ability to be accepting to whichever date we get.  I know that God has perfect timing and a reason for each thing in our lives.  Although, it's not always easy to accept.  The board will meet on Wednesday.  I am praying we will find out an answer on Wednesday.  We still have so much hanging on the dates.  Brent will have to confirm his flight on Thursday so we do need to know what to do.

In some ways it seems as if I just arrived yesterday, but in other ways I feel as if I've been here all along. I'm excited to visit church tomorrow.  Today Rachel, Janaa, Aree and I went to ballet then on to the falls.  They have some amazing waterfalls here.  We hiked to the top...kids and all then stopped to have a picnic on the way back down. It's really nice to have so much to do all located within a few minutes drive. 

This is for you Marj!  Last night Rachel, Becky, Kosharah and I went downtown and enjoyed a 2 hour Thai massage.  Marj you so would've loved the experience.  You should travel this way just for it. I'll come with you.  Movie nights are highly overrated.  We need to just travel the world for massages.  I slept through most of it, but it was still great. 

Please continue to pray for the kids' health.  So far everyone has had a fever, but not a real sickness.  Janaa will have to get a shot in this next week, and she does not want one.  Those of you who know me well know I understand my child on that issue!  I'd rather take my chances with the flu than to get a flu shot.  I told Rachel that we'll see who cries first.