Clarity

This post is going to be a bit more direct and I apologize in advance if it hits you the wrong way, however there is a need to post this for clarity. Please read to be updated and clarified:

We have learned that a few people back in North Carolina have, unfortunately, heard some mis-information about our return to the US and have also passed on incorrect information to others. Before I offer information from the horses mouth, let me address this because it's implications are vital to this ministry and our lives. If you did not hear the information directly from me, my wife, this blog, or an email, then please refrain from passing on anything to anyone else. I'm not sure about what all is being passed around, but I can assure you that if you want to participate in causing discredit to our ministry, you will succeed if you continue. We ask that you return to the person who told you something contrary to what I am about to share, and ask them politely to stop. I implore you to go back to whatever "well-meaning" individual thought they would take liberty to purport about our lives as if their "interpretations" were correct, and correct them in the name of Jesus. (Lay hands on them if need be) This is very important to me that you speak to them to clarify what they are sharing. Gossip looks like a harmless thing, but can damage so much. I don't think anyone intended harm through their words, but nonetheless, it cannot be allowed to continue.

Here is what's going on in our ministry:

Lindy and I have moved from adopting in Kenya to adopting from Rwanda. The door has closed in Kenya for American's to adopt for right now. God began to open the door and show us Rwanda long before we knew there was an impending problem. In the coming weeks, we'll share more about the changes in our adoption and how you can pray, specifically, for it. If you would like to be part of our "invite only" adoption blog please email us.

As the door to Kenya closed, so did the longer stay we were planning here. As you adopt from Kenya the time required to live here is lengthier. We would be allowed to stay under a pseudo "adoption visa." Well, unless you have a work permit, any "visitor" or guest in Kenya has a maximum length of 6 months they can remain in country before having to leave. (you are only required to leave for 72 hours, so we could possibly go to another country for a short visit- but it has to be OUT of East Africa).

Of course we are excited about seeing family and friends, but that's not the main reason for our decision to return to US for a shorter visit. Since we switched adoption countries, we lost some of the funds we invested with a different agency. We can't get those funds back. Lindy has an opportunity to work in the hospital for an indefinite period of time which will gain us some funds for adoption and for our family's future needs.

In early January I will be returning to Kenya with a couple of our accountability team and continue the various ministry projects here. I will probably remain here for only a short time as I don't want to be a part from my wife for very long. This couple has served in Kenya with this ministry for years and are quite capable of continuing them for a few months.

We are planning on returning to Kenya TOGETHER before the summer begins as God has some very very exciting things in store for next year.

Lindy will work until we receive a referral from our new agency or the summer months approach. WE will then travel to Rwanda together and return to Kenya with our 1/3 larger family (or 1/2 larger). We will remain in Kenya for an indefinite period of time continuing the ministry as we have been. Teams will come. Guests will stay. Street Boys will be reached. We may seek another part of our ministry team to consider coming and taking the responsibilities of the guest house so we can focus on our family for those first critical months together.

Everything else from there is merely speculatory since God has not shown us that far in the future. What is most important right now is my family, THEN this ministry. The decisions we make are out of obedience to God and considering our family first.

Now, if you heard anything different than this from someone else, ... act accordingly and respond to them soon with this clarity. We love you all and seek your help in this.