What a week!

In the past week:

...we have HAD A BABY! (Ezra Lewis Thompson joined our family and ministry Friday night at 7:40pm.)

...the container has finally arrived with the food.

...Lindy's parents arrived.

...all the boys have had medical check ups.

...the boys started a photography class led by a friend from Wales.

...Ebenezer Farms has found a potential new partner!

Ezra's eviction started Thursday night about 10:15. Over 24 hours later he joined our family! It was an amazing God glorifying event! We are unbelievably blessed!

As you can see, it has been one busy week! Ezra came Friday night then we were pushing to get out of the hospital by Saturday at lunch. My parents were due to come in Saturday night, but were delayed an entire day. But the important part is that they are here and loving on Ezra.

Chris is trying to sort out the container right now as I type this. This can be a bit really frustrating. The crane was to be at the site to unload the container at 7am. It is now 1pm without any sign of it. Chris is still there waiting on it. 2 hours ago he was told it was 3 miles down the road, but somehow I don't think that was the truth. So hopefully before the day is done the container will be offloaded.

The Hope Center had a medical clinic and all the boys were checked out and dewormed.

The boys are loving their photography class (as is my Dad). Our friend Su Davies from Wales is leading a photography class every thursday afternoon. Su's father donated a digital camera for each of the boys. We are hoping the boys will be able to tell their story through photos by the end of the course. So far- they are LOVING it!

To My Wife...

Dear Bride,

I am writing you this letter in public fashion as a declaration of my awe of you. When you said, "Yes" to my date request years ago, did you ever imagine that we'd be here? Did you dream of yourself living in another country with your family while serving Christ? Did you think then, that you'd be married to this guy? I'm so glad that I'm no longer simply infatuated with you. My feelings for you were so weak back then. True, they did lead me into a deeper relationship with you, but if my connection to you were simply based on "feelings", then we'd have a big mess on our hands! Mrs. Thompson, you bring me more honor and joy in being your husband than any office I have ever aspired to or ever would aspire to.

Tonight, our son will look you in the eyes for the first time. I don't want him to "see" me first. I want him to know the woman who honored her God, husband, and family enough to ache for your presence after years of silence. I want him to know the servant who sacrificed herself for him. I want him to know the mama who endured pain of his birth, endured the agony of 2 failed adoptions, endured the failures of her husband, endured the questions from others, endured the loneliness of years waiting on God. I want him to know this woman so that he will recognize what godliness looks like.

You will make our training up of our son so much easier. For I will have a model to say, "Son, just watch your mother...." The bright days ahead will make those hard ones of the past look so small, yet so worth it.

In the days leading up to our wedding, you told your mom, "I'm not as excited about my wedding as I am about my marriage." Lindy, in many ways I feel the same about our son and his arrival. How I look forward to growing our family with you.

Mr. Ezra Lewis Thompson, please allow me to introduce you to the brightest part of my walk on this earth. "Her husband also rises and praises her saying, 'Many daughters have done nobly but you excel them all'." (Proverbs 31:28-29) ... and she is your mother who loves you deeply.

Your husband and admirer,

~Thomas C. Thompson

Who can find a wife of noble character? ... (me)

Update from the intern (gk)

Since Linders and CT decided they wanted to have a baby in the next day or so, I thought I would fill in with a blog update for them! I wish I had pictures to use for this blog, but I don't. So you'll just have to read my words. Lots and lots of words.

If you don't know who I am, I'm gk. I'm the intern this summer. I’ve officially been back in Kenya for 2 weeks. I’m over the jet lag, I’ve learned to drive, and I’ve started working with the Saint Boys again. Now I just need to slaughter a chicken, and I think I’ll be completely settled!

My main responsibilities this summer are with the Saint Boys. It seems like they’ve all grown up so much in the last year. Most of them are taller than me now (no real shock there) and are continuing to grow into Godly young men. I’m so excited that I get to be a part of it!

I spend every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the school with the boys. I’m teaching the oldest four and helping them prepare for their KPC exams in the fall. To place into a school, they need to do well on that exam! I cover mathematics, science, English, composition, and reading comprehension with them three days a week while Pastor Deo covers the other subjects on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For some reason, no one trusts me to teach Kiswahili…

While I work with the oldest four boys, Pastor Deo and Issa are freed up to work with the younger three who require more one-on-one attention. So far, so good! I want to give an update on each boy so you can know how to pray for them specifically as the summer continues:

Brian
Brian, in some ways, is exactly the same as last year- he works hard, he smiles often, and he can ALWAYS make me laugh. He’s very encouraging to his brothers and he is determined to teach me Kiswahili. Brian is a good math student, though he sometimes makes careless mistakes. He’s working on memorizing his multiplication facts but the six, seven and eight multiplication tables still trip him up sometimes. So far, he has done very well in science. I’m pretty sure he remembers every single thing we discuss, and he’s gotten full credit on all his science homework and quizzes. Brian’s spoken English is very good, but he struggles with reading and writing. I’ve seen some improvement in his writing skills since we began talking about what a good composition looks like but he still has quite a bit of ground to cover before he sits for the KPC exam. As you pray for Brian, pray that he will not get frustrated as we continue to work on reading and writing. Pray that he will not get discouraged or lose his love for learning!

Patrick
Patrick still has the best smile I have ever seen! He takes meticulous care of his possessions and is always clean and dressed nicely for school. Patrick enjoys coming to school and is always willing to help when one of his brothers does not understand something. Patrick’s biggest struggle is that he does not like to study outside of class. When homework or quizzes are assigned, they do not usually receive his full effort or attention. Because of this, he has not been as successful as he could be on some of his assignments. But Patrick is very good at writing! I love reading his compositions because I know he will throw in a lot of details and funny descriptions. Just like Brian, Patrick makes careless mistakes in his mathematics but overall does very well! He is also working on memorizing his multiplication tables. As you pray for Patrick, pray that he will continue to work hard. Homework and studying are just as important as the work done in class- that’s when you get to put what you’re learning into practice! Pray for discipline and a desire to learn to grow within him.

Julius
I didn't work with Julius much last summer, so I feel like I am still getting to know him. But I am convinced that he is capable of doing absolutely anything. He is usually very focused and he learns quickly. Julius’ English has improved greatly since last summer. I have yet to have an issue explaining things to him- initially, that was one of my biggest concerns! But he has definitely proved me wrong. We've been working on long division during math, and it finally clicked yesterday! It was awesome to see him grasp a difficult topic. Julius' English vocabulary is somewhat limited. I know it will continue to grow as he learns, but for now, it makes reading comprehension a little bit difficult for him. But he's getting good at using a dictionary and thesaurus! Julius does well in science, especially if there is something hands-on involved. We've been learning about plants and he LOVED having the opportunity to dissect flowers and point out different parts for me. He can also correctly identify the monocotyledons and dicotyledons in his lunch- just ask him! As you pray for Julius, pray that he will continue to be excited about learning. Pray that our friendship would continue to grow, and that he would never hesitate to ask me questions!

Johnny
Lindy and CT have posted a couple different updates about Johnny. Right now, Johnny is really struggling with choosing between the life of a street boy and the life of a Saint Boy. I have only had him in class with me once, and that was over a week ago. In class, Johnny is SO focused. I'm pretty sure a plane could crash into the school building and it wouldn't break his concentration. He seemed to like being at school and learning new things- he caught on quickly and worked diligently. Right now, Johnny needs to realize that his family loves him regardless of the decisions he has made, and we want him to choose to stay home! He should be back at school tomorrow. Pray that he will catch up in his studies quickly. Pray for his the decisions he is making, and that he will choose to live like a Saint Boy! Pray for his brothers as they encourage him and love him, and pray that Johnny will realize where he really belongs.

The above 4 boys are the ones I teach, so I know the most about them. But how could this blog EVER be complete without an update on the younger 3 boys as well?

Nicholas is starting to read much better than he did last year and is so polite! He is always smiling! He always offers me his chair when I come to sit with him. When we play soccer, he always passes me the ball gently, just in case. He's very considerate and loving!

Dan is still super ticklish and laughs easily. He is starting to really take-off in school, and I am excited to see the progress he will make over the next 2 months! He especially likes math and his English has come so far!

James is MUCH faster now and his soccer skills are crazy! He's easily keeping up with the bigger boys these days. Because his hearing is impaired, James struggles sometimes in the classroom. But with lots of patience from Deo, he's learning more everyday!

Alright. That's all from me for now! If you actually made it to the end of this, I will give you 5 of the brownie points I've earned as the intern. In reality, I don't think I have any brownie points at the moment. CT takes them back when things go wrong, even when it's not my fault. But once his son is born, I think he'll feel more generous. So how about a rain check?

Sunday Supplications...

Praises!

The chicks are alive and well! Many have been sold so the incubation is going much better. Thank you for your prayers!

Grace is here for the summer interning with us. Her first week she was eager to get going. She is doing remarkably well.

Ezra is safe and sound inside Mama.

Lindy's parents are coming in 1 week!!!

Prayer Requests:

Johnny, as mentioned before, has been struggling with his addictions recently. The street life continues to call him back to old habits. Unfortunately he has been gone from school since Wednesday and then was arrested this past Friday. Please pray this will be a wake up call for him and that he will see God's grace in how we believe the Lord wants us to handle the situation.

Pray for the Rollins' traveling this Friday the 17th.

Deo's mother passed away this past Wednesday. He is on his way back from Uganda. Lift up his family as they go through this difficult time.

Grace as she teaches and prepares several of the older boys to sit for their KPC exams in the fall. This will be the test that will determine them getting into school.

Ezra as he will be making his appearance in the next 10 days!

To My Sons... (Part 3)

This is part 3 of a 3-part letter. Please scroll down to read the first 2 parts.

"Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, 'Abraham! Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. 'Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.'"

Genesis 22:10-12

My Sons,

I love you very much. But the only way I can possibly love you to the fullest, is by loving God before you. All I have ever wanted was to know you, love you, and be with you. Yet even the noblest of intentions can become idols in themselves without purposing them to be. Because I am growing daily in my love of Christ above all else, I am simultaneously growing to love you as you need. I hope that you see that the name I give you drips with adoration of Him. Only then, can you love your friends, your future wives, and your future sons properly!

When people state that God does something "ironic", it is actually evidence of their limitations in seeing the master plan. When we are surprised or in awe of God as if He has just performed a magic trick in our presence, our surprised look usually reveals our lack of faith. But when God does something that seems "unexpected" in our story, we do not like it! WE think WE know better than God. WE think the story of our lives should happen this way and not the way He is writing it. Disappointment in God is the number 1 reason that atheism exists.

The amazing part of the story is that, He doesn't disappoint! For those who are called; who are his elect, He graciously and abundantly blesses us beyond fathomability! (Yes that's a word my sons! Trust me, I'm your father!) What we think we have to "give up" in order to "follow Christ" is microscopic when compared to the lavishness with which he pours back into our lives. This lavish outpouring takes on so many shapes and sizes that it would cheapen it to only consider it in material terms. He is not limited to material blessings. And we can't get hung up on that.

On that day that Lindy and I realized that we already had a family with 8 boys in it, we began looking at family and ministry quite differently. I am convinced that no greater ministry exists than the one in the home. In our case, unto each other and these 8 boys. If my ministry unto my wife is unhealthy, then soon every other part of my life will be infected. When I put Christ first and love her as He declares, then I need not worry about the "success" of other ministries. Because I'm operating in the right frame-work.

Boys, what I am trying to say to you is this: God did not grant me merely what I hoped for AND THEN I realized that He had to be first and my wife had to be loved properly. No! When I realized that He is first and then started loving Lindy properly, He showed me what was already there: His blessing. You! You were there all along!

The moment that I became content that 'God is enough' was the very moment that I became satisfied with all He had already given me. I finally saw clearly. And that's not all!!!

My Heavenly Father knows how to give good gifts! I am evil. Yet, I seem to manage to give and bless others with "good things" from time to time. So, if I, who am evil, can manage to bless someone else with good things, just think about all the innumerable ways He can AND DOES bless us!!!

I have thought about those great and innumerable gifts. You were not the only gift He showed me. We found out we were pregnant with Ezra Lewis Thompson, your brother, in October of last year! I don't have words to describe the beauty that He brought to us from the ashes we felt covered by. It was from the very ashes of 6 years of infertility, 2 failed adoptions, and a total surrendering of "my will be done", that God, my gracious Father, gave him to us. The smoke had not even settled from Rwanda and our bitterness. How great a Father is He!?!

So I want to tell each of you just how special you are to me, and I want to give you my blessing from this day forward. You are my sons, and I will always love you...

Johnny Garavu

Johnny, you are sharper and more keen than you realize. You see things so quickly and understand things well. I know the life in the streets forced you to be hard. I am sure that you had to "grow up" quickly, but God IS turning those days of hardship into something for your good! Johnny, you have an incredible way of focusing in on what you want. When you play football, you are under control because you are focused. Not many people can boast of that ability. Your focus has also helped you in the classroom. In such a short period of time, you've demonstrated a profound growth in your education.

Johnny, stay focused. Keep your eyes on Christ and NOT what this world tells you. You cannot ever make your name great on your own. You will always fail. Be honest before the Lord. Trust that He will guide you in the way He desires you to go, and KNOW that His way is ALWAYS better than your own. You may not believe that now or you may find it difficult to believe, but as your father, I know from experience. If you cannot be honest before yourself, you will find life hard. Use your ability to focus on Christ, His Word, and serving Him, then you will find more peace, blessings, and satisfaction than you will ever imagine.

I love you Johnny Garavu. You are my son and no matter what happens in your life, I will love you and be proud to have you as my son!

Christopher Chingi

Chingi, you are so much like me that I am nervous! You have more jokes, quick retorts, and cleverness than any Kenyan boy should have. Yet, you have worked so very hard to get back to school and finish. I am so proud of that. I am proud that you recognize that Christ loves you and you have surrendered your heart to him. None of your accomplishments in the classroom or on the football pitch will be as special to me as your acceptance of Christ in your heart!

Now Chingi, I want you to grow that relationship with Christ more. Pursue Him because He is pursuing you. His knowledge of you is only overshadowed by His love for you! Study His Word each day. You have demonstrated an awesome ability to memorize His Word, so keep going. Hide His Word deep in your heart. It is ammunition for you against the devil and this world. The more you Know of His Word, the more you will be able to discern Truth from lies in the world.

I love you Chingi. Every time I see you I am reminded that each of your brothers can now follow in your footsteps. No matter where you go, you will always be my son whom I love and boast about unto others!

Patrick Thuku

In the past year, I've watched you mature into a fine young man. You carry yourself well. You take good care of the things you have which demonstrates a great deal of responsibility on your part. Your brothers notice that and will follow you. I want you to continue to make good decisions. I want you to set an example as their brother. They will follow you, just make sure you are leading them down healthy and proper paths. You may not realize it Patrick, but you are a leader. You are careful with your words and careful with your behavior. This shows me that you are a thinker! I enjoy watching you work out problems and situations in your mind.

Your walk with Christ, which you professed this year, is more important than all the other relationships you have. I pray that you see the example of my life and follow where I chose to be obedient and avoid the areas where I wasn't making Him my first priority! He loves you more than anyone you will ever meet in life!

Thank you Patrick for your soft-spoken and careful ways. I cannot wait to see where God takes you and how He uses you in your future. You will always be loved as my son!

Halt "Brian" Maichi

Just like Jacob, God has revealed to you that you couldn't continue pretending to be someone else. The moment Jacob realized that God would only bless him when he admitted who he truly was, his life starting taking on a new path. This time it was the right path! No more running for Jacob. The same is true for you. I love you and am so grateful that you have opened up your whole life to us and let us be a part of yours. You have so many natural abilities and such a warm personality. Everyone you are around is encouraged by you. You easily make others smile. Everyone wants a friend who does these things to them!

Brian, make sure that you are building your life off the Truth found in God's Word. Never return to hiding who you are or pretending the lie is the truth. God is not honored in that. You will go and do more things than you can possibly imagine IF you totally and obediently trust His ways and NOT your own! Listen to me, I've tried these same things before. It will never work!

I love you Brian. I am always glad to be around you. You serve with such a willing heart and that makes me smile! Athletic abilities and talents do not impress me as much as a humble and servant-like heart. You possess this and I am so encouraged by you. Thank you son!

Julius Andrew Saidi

Few people have been blessed with the natural abilities that you have. God has richly blessed you with talents that others only dream of! This is even more impressive to me because you have a humble and sincere heart. I wish more adults were as sincere and humble as you! Do you know what humility means? It means, "power under restraint". And you exemplify this sir! You are a good young man and I love you so much. I am drawn to you because of your kind heart. It seems so easy for you to serve others. I think it seems easy because it's simply your nature. This is not common in the world. I hope you recognize that!

Julius, I have no doubt that your name will be known in this world because you have learned to place others ahead of yourself. Everyone desires to be associated with people like you! I will never ever forget the day that my heart broke for each of you. I thought no one saw me with tears, yet you did. And you came, sat beside me, placed your arm around me,... and cried also.

Julius, you are special. I am amazed as I watch you grow. You are growing into an incredible young man. I often dream of how God will use each of you specifically, but I struggle limiting my imagination of you to just one thing! Stay close to Christ. He is the best friend you will ever ever know! I love you Julius.

Nicholas Mutonga

If your smile was any larger, you wouldn't have a face. I know people who haven't faced the difficulties you have, yet they smile far less than you. Your smile is infectious and inviting. The only thing that shines brighter than your smile is your laugh! When you laugh, everyone smiles and laughs along with you. This comes from a good heart. Mutonga, I think you have a good heart. You desire to do what is right. Not many people do. As you grow, I hope that this natural inclination draws you closer to Christ. I want you to know Him better than you know anyone on this earth. He helped create you!

Mutonga, God said that David from the Bible, was a man after His own heart. I hope you will stay close to God, study the Bible, pray often, avoid temptation, and serve often so that He says the same about you!

I love you Nicholas Mutonga. Whenever you have doubts about yourself or your abilities, let these words be a reminder to you: I pray for you like a warrior in battle. I pray that God silences your doubts with the reminder of scripture to your heart. He loves you and always will! So do I!

Dan Dangware

Dan, you are a man's man! That means, you enjoy the things that most guys do and that makes me smile. You love sports, good meat, playing games, and being a guy! This may sound silly, but I love greeting you each day because you are so full of life! You seem ready for anything the day brings. If we needed to switch something or build something, you would be the first to volunteer. You are always up for an adventure! You are my adventurer. I love going camping with you and having you by my side because of your vitality. It rubs off on this old man!

Dan, God's Word is full of men who did great and mighty things for the Lord. They had strength and honor. Do you know why they had these gifts? They loved God first and put Him first in EVERYTHING they did, so God blessed them. He blessed them with incredible abilities and opportunities. You have this same potential. But each day you must put God first. You have to do it!

I love you Dan. I love the fun we have and the excitement you have for each day. Work hard in all you do my son. Do it as if you were doing it for the Lord. Then you will know what true happiness is!

James Kamau

Oh James. I am so glad you don't have a twin! You have more life, energy, and glow than 100 boys! You do not have to be encouraged to have a good time or laugh. The amazing thing is that your positive nature rubs off on everyone around you. Everyone loves James Kamau! I remember walking together through the streets with you and the other boys. It seemed as though everyone knew you. "Hey James," one would say. "James, how are you?," another would say. You make friends so easy. And then you find your way into their hearts. I understand how difficult it is to leave Kenya after spending time with you and your brothers. It's not easy leaving after you've been touched by James Kamau. Your life just isn't the same!

James, you will always be loved by hundreds of people. Some of these people you have never even met! They love you because you are special. They love you because they see so much of God's love in your smile. They love you because you are James Kamau.

I love you and wouldn't want you to be any other way! I will always love you James Kamau. And I will pray for you everyday. I will pray that God takes your limitations and uses them as your strengths! Now that would just be awesome to see!

Ezra Lewis Thompson

Ezra you have 8 brothers who love you. At the time of my writing this, they hadn't even met you. I want you to know that my love for you is strengthened because I've been growing my understanding of love as I loved your brothers. They have taught me so much about sacrifice, service, and God's heart. I hope I demonstrate to you how deep my love is by my adoration of God.

Ezra, I pray that you fulfill your name's meaning: "Helper". I desire for you to be a helper to my Father. I cannot imagine a greater honor than you growing under my love so that you serve Him with your entire life. I am striving to make you proud of the name you bear. My name should be a stepping stone and not a stumbling block. I make it my ambition to love my Father, His Word, your mother, and service unto His purposes every day so that I can be the father you need me to be.

I have awaited you for years. Now, I am excited to use the lessons I have learned to walk with you for many many many years to come. You are loved my son. I am so thankful for the path God has led me down. I wouldn't trade a single moment. All the successes and struggles have served to prepare me to be your dad.

My Sons, whether you are 25 or 75, I hope this letter can be read when you need to be reminded of who your father was. If I am still drawing breath or called home, the truth of these words will never lose their life. Stand tall Thompson men, for the Kingdom needs mighty warriors, helpers, and servants.

After all, We are all only servants...

He is enough,

Your father - Thomas Christopher Thompson

To My Sons... (Part 2)

Part 2 of a 3 part letter

"But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' The man asked him, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.'"

Genesis 32:26-28

My Sons,

As you read on in this letter, know that your father only took pride in one area that ever really matters: the name of Jesus. I've tried making a name for myself on my own, but it was in vain. My mistakes are many, yet I boast in only one true victory. That victory is in my surrendering to Jesus and His plan. You all are results of that true victory.

Surrender is not a popular word in America. It's especially shunned in the male population. In fact, we'd rather continue a facade that appears to give us what we desire, than surrender to another that truly brings freedom.

When your mother and I surrendered Our plan to take up His plan, God opened up a door for us to be a part of something absolutely remarkable. Kenya has served to break us and remold us time and time again. However, the remarkable part was being enlisted in the front-line of His campaign to reclaim the lost of this world. Now, we were naive, yet again, but obedient. Neither of us had been to seminary, let alone spent vast amounts of time in cross-cultural ministry. Yes, we went to Honduras, Dominican Republic, India, and other places in between, but we had never relocated to another people group.

We found ourselves taking over a ministry that a very Godly couple began in Nairobi. These two Saints dripped with humility. They boasted in seeing lives changed for the Kingdom. They were infectious. And we were trying to pick up their mantle and discover God's purpose for us at the same time. It wasn't easy, yet it was right. For the first time in many years, this feeling of being "out of control" of our own lives seemed proper. And we were definitely out of it's control!

From street evangelism to chicken farming, Bible Training to guest house services, street boys ministry to pastor's conferences; we were involved in so much! It was cool, yet difficult. No one in ministry would ever pretend it easy, because it's just not true. We had a lot of growing to do! A lot! In fact, we are still growing. Our hearts had to grow to include a team of Kenyans who became family to us. Our minds had to grow to understand leadership of a ministry. And our passion grew to care and advocate for a group of boys who had no one else to care for them.

Something else remarkable happened along the way. It began as simple curiosity, but soon grew into a committed plan. In December of 2008 we started going through the process of adopting a Kenyan orphan into our family. After seeing the hurting children in Kenya and even working with several, God moved in us to start this process. There was a lot of learning to be done! There was a lot of frustration and confusion involved. For the next 7 months we fought an uphill battle. Every small step, even obtaining paperwork, was an epic battle. Our resolve was tested so many times during this process. God taught us so many things about ourselves during this time. We had no idea how painful it could be, yet the quiet voice of God chided us, "I went through more pain to adopt you!"

We began to realize how significant adoption was. This is a tangible way we could model God's love for us. The reality of abandonment in this part of the world pained us in many of the same ways that the lives of our young people in the Student Ministry pained us to see. That's what the deterioration of this world has begat. But our Father loved us to the point of an unfathomable sacrifice being made, just to bring us into His family. Couldn't we do the same? Shouldn't we consider it?

In August of 2009, the United States government closed adoptions for it's citizens with Kenya. We might have been devastated but a month earlier we had begun sensing God tell us, like Abraham, "time to move." We migrated our adoption from Kenya to Rwanda in obedience to Him without any doubt. A month later the decree became public. We were encouraged that we had made the right choice. Now things would get easier... right?

Rwanda proved to be even harder. So much of our paperwork had to be re-done. At one point we were even advised that we'd have to go back to the US for a specific finger-printing that could ONLY be done in the US. During this time doubt crept back in. The ghosts of the past came back. It seemed that everyone we knew was adopting around us. They were having success while we struggled in the earliest stages. One family even began their process after us, then had their child within a year. What kind of cruel joke is this? How were we failing? What did we do wrong? We simply didn't understand.

Lindy and I sat in the car one evening while in the US and confessed that we were hurting. Before, we had had dreams of our future children of another culture. Now, we couldn't even see their faces in our minds. We used to talk about what names we liked. Now we couldn't even talk about them in front of one another. It was one of the most painful things in my life to see my wife hurt for children she couldn't touch, couldn't talk to, couldn't care for, couldn't bake cookies for, couldn't read books to, or even put them to bed under her protection. We cried often.

The other shoe fell on August 27th, 2010. While returning from visiting our special friends in Tanzania, we sat in the airport in utter disbelief as we read a difficult email. "Mr. & Mrs. Thompson, The Rwandan government has closed all adoptions from its country to bring it's processes into Hague compliance until further notice...." ... What do you say? What do you think? "WE SURRENDER GOD!" We surrender...

The next few days were lonely.

A week after that news, we were in Kawangware spending time with the Saint Boys. There had been some continuing struggles with their former life. Some wanted to run back to the street. A few of them didn't know if they wanted to stay and felt like outcasts. So we had a time of confession. We ALL sat in a circle and talked. Lindy and I sat with them. "This is a time for us to confess to each other. This is where we talk like a family." As they went around the room sharing their fear, frustrations, and anything else on their hearts,... something began to well up inside of me. I was sitting in a circle of young men whom the world had turned their backs on. No mother was out looking for these boys, yet my wife was praying each night for their hearts. No place was set at a table for them in hopes they'd return, yet we had written their names on cups and plates and told them that 'this was yours.' No one was worrying about their future; their college; their salvation. Well, almost no one.

The more we talked, the more my heart crept up into my throat. After everyone had shared... I spoke up...

"My wife and I have no children. We haven't been able to have our own biological children for many years. In fact, our second attempt at adopting some child who needs a family has just ended." ... "You are all my sons and I have just realized that. Boys,... I love you. I WILL go look for you when you run away to the streets. I WILL provide food, shelter, a family, education, and acceptance in this place. I WILL worry about you, pray for you, and plan for your future. I WILL give you whatever is attached to my name... if you want it. You each will be as much my heirs as any son I bear."

My Sons,

I think you realize what all this is about. This story is about you. This is about the depth of my love for you. I write this so you will always have a reminder that your father and mother, though flawed, loved you without question. I now know that we went through all the things we did in order to see what God had plainly put in front of our faces. My greatest success in ministry in Kenya is finding you! It is also among the greatest successes in my life.

My name may not ever be great, but I hope to make it solid enough for you to be proud of wearing it. You are all Thompsons. And that makes me very very proud!

Tomorrow I will address you with something I've wanted to say specifically to each of you. Like Jacob, I know who I am and need not attempt to be someone else or pretend to be someone else. I am your father who loves you and wants you to know my Father. The lessons I have learned (and still am learning) do not make me see God as a cruel father, but an extraordinary teacher and dad who needed me to understand what love really looks like and how much it costs. I am getting that lesson.

To My Sons... (Part 1)

"A good name is more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver or gold." - Proverbs 22:1

My Sons,

I am writing this to you so you will know who I am and, thus, who you are. You carry my name so you should know what that binds you unto. This is part 1 of a 3 part letter that I write for you all and the others who have awaited you for many years. You will understand...

... soon.

When I was in high school, I went through about a week of my last year thinking about my future. I wasn't sure which college I wanted to go to (if any). I wasn't even sure of what work or career I was passionate about. However, one thing I did desire above all else (which is strange for a young man of 17 to think) was to become a father. I really can't tell you where or from what point that developed. I was sure that I wanted a family one day. I wanted to play basketball with my son and teach him why we say "yes sir" and "no sir". I wanted to hold my daughter's hand while we walked through the store to pick Mom's present. I literally dreamed of the dumb games I would make up and play with them after dinner, riding in the car, or when you were bored but stuck inside on a rainy day.

That feeling never left. Even after college, through dating relationships, and various places I've lived, I knew that I wanted to become a father.

Lindy and I met in the summer of 2000. Not long after that we started dating. When you start dating, you're trying to share as much as possible with the other person to find as much commonality as possible. We both loved sports. We both loved our families. We both loved missions. And we both wanted children one day.

Before Lindy and I progressed in our relationship I admitted to her most of my faults, mistakes, and struggles because I wanted her to truly know who this man was that she was becoming connected to. That wasn't easy. But it was easier than having her "discover" my faults later on, which, sadly, she did. Yet this woman chose to stay with me and grow our relationship into something holy.

Over the next 10 years, our relationship grew into something beautiful. Now, I cannot take much credit (if any) for it. A desire for Christ's preeminence in our lives produced a healthy relationship between us. We married in May of 2004. I thought I was ready to marry her sooner, but realized that the 2 years we waited were so significant for us both.

Oh, I was continually trying to "put away childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11), yet seemed to create new frustrations for myself and walk along the way. How Lindy chose to stay with me in spite of these, again, was nothing short of God's purpose for us! (Thanks God! Sorry Linders!) My life hasn't been one marked with great successes in personal achievement, profound influence to masses, notoriety, or accomplishments in the corporate world. Even my walk with Christ and service to the church has been marred by my own inconsistent discipleship. Yet, Christ continues to be glorified IN SPITE of me. Which is so reassuring!

Nonetheless, my new bride and I strived to work as a team in all we did. We enjoyed being with one another's families. Her family was as special to me as my own. My dad would call Lindy and never even talk to me! Both of us found our way into serving within the Student Ministry at our church. We taught Sunday School, lead classes on discipleship, chaperoned trips, and became quite attached to numerous young people. Several of these we still consider like our own family!

These times of growth and service stirred that longing for a family inside of me. Practice, you could call it. Being the encouragement to a young man who was struggling was just as important to me as being the only authority figure in another who needed a parental-type to redirect their waywardness. I was only effective, if at all, because God was growing me in my similar weaknesses at that same time I was speaking Truth into them.

But I did burn for my own son or daughter. It is quite painful to watch a young man that you love go through life without a father being involved in his life. It's tough when they fall on their face and then have to endure the mocking "dad" who only speaks when it's ridicule and scorn. Oh I just ached for them!

Something else was taking place along the way that, at first, seemed to be a cruel joke. Lindy and I began trying to start a family within the first year and a half of our marriage. We weren't

naive. We knew it didn't happen over night. But then a year past. And then another year passed. And then another year passed. Friends were getting pregnant. Family was getting pregnant. Some people who were married years after us were getting pregnant. You try to stay low-key about it all, but then you get anxious. "Is something wrong with us?" "Is something wrong with Me?" You can't help but ask yourself these questions. So you go and get tested. That comes back "inconclusive". You try again and even have your spouse get some tests. Somehow those tests become contaminated and are discarded without even the slightest consideration of your dignity. And then another friend gets pregnant. You tell yourself, "I'm going to simply trust God and His timing." Yeah right! What you're really saying is, "God, I am ready! So what are you doing???"

Yet, our faith compelled us to listen a bit more. Maybe God was doing something and I was just too ignorant, immature, and self-absorbed to see what it was. One thing that was revealed to me during this time was the fact that I still didn't fully understand what spiritual maturity was. They say that hind-sight is 20/20, but I found that my hind-sight is x-ray quality! Often I am embarrassed when I look back and see the profound stupidity of my erroneous choice. And then doubly embarrassed when I see how adamant I was about it's right-ness. Others saw it and even counseled me. The kind words of a mentor are so important.

Yes, God WAS doing something. This is the part of our story where God chose us to come to Kenya and serve Him. This is where I gave up MY way and chose HIS way. This is where I began to grow like I should. All the years of our individual walks with Christ and our few years together while walking with Christ would be put to the test. But it came with another cost...

... I had to give up my stubborn pride in demanding a family from God. Does God really ask us to give up such noble things like the desire for a family? When it stands before Him, He does! Is that hard to believe? Let me ask you this: "Has God ever asked someone to sacrifice their child for Him?" Yes! Genesis 22.

But the question you should be asking is this: "Did God require you to finish the sacrifice of your family?" (He would be totally justified if He did) I think you know the answer, but the story has more to it. It certainly wasn't the end of our journey from immaturity to discipline. And there were more dark days ahead...

My sons, as you read on tomorrow, you'll understand more of this story; for this is YOUR story and I want to be clear in my telling of it to you. You carry my name... and I want you to know what that means. I want you to know your father and his Father well.

(Part 2 tomorrow. Or maybe Friday)