(From Heidi)
Hello all,
Finally got some interent connection but I don't know how long it will last. We wanted to update you to give you the info we know at this time.
When we went to court yesterday, the judge gave her consent which is good and means we dont' have to return. However, MOWA had not gotten their letter of approval to the judge in time so they couldn't put all our papers together and stamp it 'done'. That would have completed it and said that Moses was legally ours and that we could apply for an embassy date. Since the paper was not there, hopefully it should come that day or the next week. For some reason we had to apply for another court date and they woudln't be able to put all the documents together and stamp it done until Feb 21st. Needless to say, we were very discouraged because now we cannot even apply for an embassy date until after Feb. 21st making it about a month later than we had thought. We did get to go back to the orphanage yestereday after court and spent about 2 hours with Moses. I cried on the way out knowing it might be 2-3 months before getting to see him again. We came home and read James 1 again and poured out our hearts to the Lord, asking for help to trust in his timing and not ours.
It is good that we leave for Soddo today as it will keep our minds preoccupied. And it will be nice to get out of the city. I'm finally doing better with my blood pressure. The high altitude is still effecting me quite a bit, but it could be the pollution too. Yesterday we went to the markets and found Ezra's hair cream. We bought 9 jars so it will last us a long time.:)
Thank you for all the prayers- we are needing them especially as of late. Our hearts are a bit heavy but we want to be an encouragement to the Bowers in Soddo so we're praying for strength and faith in the Lord to beleive that He can still work miracles. We love you all and miss you,
God bless,
Heidi
(From Dustin)
Hello all,
As you might have seen from our facebook post, court hearing went ok...but not exactly what we were expecting. We now have to wait 3 weeks until the Ministry of Women's Affairs updates 1 document and the judge reviews the case. They assure us this is just a 'non-issue' but it delays Moses becoming our son by 3 weeks...so likely won't be coming back to Ethiopia until April sometime. Hardest part is the journey of waiting. 3 of the 6 families got their court appointment approved, which we are thankful for...though it was hard not to be one of the 3.
Heidi and I had some serious tears yesterday, but James 1:2-4 and the whole chapter was where the Lord brought us. We are thankful to Him that He desires that our hope be sure in Him, and that our joy would be in Him and not in circumstance.
We have much to be thankful for and are continually forced to set our mind on giving thanks in all circumstances. Pray that we would set our minds on God, His Faithfulness, and that His timing in perfect in all things.
It has been a priceless treasure to spend time with Moses each day, hold him, smile with him. Without a doubt a piece (big piece) of our heart will be stay here with him while we are back in the States.
We are headed to Soddo (Southern Ethiopia) this morning and will be there through Tuesday morning. This is the time we'll be spending with a few missionary families. Pray that we'd be a great source of encouragement and help in whatever ways possible.
We had people praying that God might allow for the Embassy appointment to occur before we left, but our Good and Gracious Father has seen fit to receive glory in testing our faith to make sure our hope is not in our timing and circumstances, but in His. Waiting is very hard...but it refines our heart and soul far more than if everything went smoothly like we were hoping.
Pray Hebrews 11 and 12 for us...that we would consider Jesus, keep running toward & with Him, and our love and affection would be set on Him!!!
Love you all,
Dustin and Heidi and family
We got to talk to the other kids this morning. Such a joy to hear their voices and good to see them helping and loving each other and encouraging one another when daddy and mommy are gone.
