Adoption Day

We were already in week 3 of my stay in Ghana and foolishly I compared it to last year's time frame - which meant I thought I would be on my way home already :)

Having lived in Ghana for 5 years, having been part of the adoption family circle - yes, I should have known better. Also I tried to do things my way instead of waiting, leaning on the only source during a process like this - GOD!

I tried to "bargain" with God in my quiet time, Samuel was really missing his family and he had already been sick the whole time with a tummy bug, but nothing happened. No surprise there :)

I took this photo of Mariette & the boys dancing on the Thursday morning, thinking of how much I have to dance for - I felt ashamed at not trusting God for all we needed for this process.

Already God had provided an amazing family with whom we stayed - they showered Samuel with love; supported me in so many ways and opened their home unconditionally. We had friends and prayer warriors across the world praying with us for all aspects of the process.

Shortly after the dancing photo, literally minutes, the lawyer phoned and asked us to come to court immediately as the judge had reviewed our file & will hear our case if we could get there within the hour.

Laughter, tears, chaos all in one as we got everyone dressed; phoned everyone we knew whilst sitting in the traffic to start praying & ran around at the Circuit Courts trying to find Court 10 - no, they are not in an orderly "line". Again God was good - we found the court, Fati found us just as I thought we were in the wrong place and in we went.



Mariette & I sat scarcely breathing, quietly praying throughout the presentation of our case.
The boys must have known "this was it" as they were equally quiet.
And then the order: "Adoption granted, travel outside of Ghana granted" - words cannot explain, you have to be there.
By lunch time we were home, in awe of how our planned quiet day at home turned out!!

At LIFE group that night, we celebrated a God that loves us beyond words.

Michael's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday Michael !

What a privilege to be there for our son's 1st birthday! We received Samuel into our home as a foster child 2 weeks before his 1st birthday, so it was important for us that I be there for Michael's big day too.

And following his older brother's example, Michael also had a super delicious Bake Shop Classic Teddy Bear cake. Anyone who lives in Accra can tell you that that is the best cake shop in town :)

We celebrated with his BH family on the day after the big day - the children made this day very special with their singing & dancing.

At the end of a big day.

Ghana here we come

On 24 July we started our "2010 adoption journey" with a car & trailer loaded to capacity - enough school material to keep the girls busy for at least a month; enough clothes for 3 teenage daughters for the same time frame & everything I could think of that either they or Samuel & I would need for our time away from home - yes, pretty much everything except the kitchen sink!

The first week we spent in South Africa getting the girls settled with my parents and finalizing our Ghana trip. Despite not having a court date, George & I decided that Samuel & I would travel to Ghana on Saturday 31 July. This is definitely not the way it is normally done, but we wanted me there for Michael's 1st birthday (3 August) and we also felt that we needed to show our commitment to our new son. The absolute leap of faith part is that we booked return tickets for the end of August, trusting that all court orders, passport, etc would be finalized by then.

So on 31 July Samuel & I boarded the plane to Accra, he is truly a seasoned traveller. He had no trouble entertaining himself or others on this his second long flight (6 hours). Of course our biggest bonus was that the Paul family was also on the flight - they fostered Samuel for 4 months - and as they sat in the same row as us, Samuel really had a super fun trip!

I do admit that stepping off the plane was an emotional experience, it was as if bringing Samuel "home" - despite knowing that it would not be easy - was like coming full circle. I absolutely love the way God has used Samuel even on this trip to bring joy & hope.

After church on Sunday, 1 August, we met up with Romana & the BH family and were introduced to our new son / brother. I must admit Samuel was a little apprehensive and the fact that Michael was initially not the "cuddle" type, did result in very few smiles for the camera. Mommy though was overjoyed.

We did get some hugging towards the end of our visit when Samuel realised Michael was not leaving with us - my heart was broken. To me it is still amazing how God can fill one's heart with love for a forever child in the instant that you see them the first time.

Michael Versfeld.....

We serve an awesome God!!

Today we became the proud parents of Michael Ayinbota Atua Versfeld, a handsome 1-year old from Ghana.

Although our journey to this point has been a roller coaster of emotions, hearing the words "adoption granted" has made all the sacrifices worth while. Being apart from his Dad & sisters has been difficult for Samuel and is still coming to terms with sharing Mommy, but already loves his little brother.

More later about Samuel and my time in Ghana as we will be travelling to the northern part of Ghana to meet Michael's family.

As for now ....... only prayers of thanks from a family who feels so blessed to have a new baby brother.

"In waiting"

This month has been rather hectic. Apart from the home school responsibilities - yes, I still hate doing the Progress Reports because doesn't matter how well I prepare, its still stressfull :) - I was also running around to get our paperwork sorted out.

Our dossier finally went off to Ghana, another document was needed and that was sent too. Passports have been dusted off and visa applications collected.
Now we are officially "in waiting" :) - trusting God for his perfect time in growing our family.

To try and explain emotions as you wait to bring a child home is very difficult.
My friend at BH calls it a rollercoaster ride and she is spot on.
Court dates, paperwork, passports and visas all make for wild ride - BUT it is so worth it, each time!!

The day I handed over the dossier at the DHL counter, I was an emotional mess - the prospect of another son was so exciting, yet there are so many still waiting to be part of a forever family and I prayed that many adoption dossiers would be leaving DHL/UPS counters that day.
Also we had never thought that we would be blessed with a son, soon we would have 2 :)

God is so amazing. He moved us out of our comfort zone in South Africa to start a work in us that is ongoing each day. He has blessed us far beyond what we could ever deserve.

Tim & family

After being in South Africa for almost a month for his cancer treatment, Tim was initially given the all clear to travel home. Unfortunately final tests done last week revealed that the cancer has spread to his spleen and some of the surrounding glands - at this stage it is inoperable.

This has delayed their plans to return home indefinitely. The doctors want Tim to start chemo treatment as soon as possible, but are unsure of how Tim's body will react.

Apart from all the "normal" side effects of cancer treatment, Tim's medical team & family has to deal with the fact that his type of cancer is rare and they have no historical cases to refer too.

Please join us in praying for a miracle.

" Lord, we bring Tim, Felicity, Natani and the rest of Tim's family before Your throne.

- We know Tim is precious in Your sight and we pray

that he will experience Your love & presence daily.

- As they grow weary and homesick, please renew their strength.

Surround them with mighty prayer warriors.

- We pray for peace in this storm.

We pray that they will keep their eyes fixed on You

as You enable them to "walk on the water" whilst the storm is raging.

- We pray for the availability of the right medication and

medical support both in South Africa and here in Zimbabwe.

Lord,

we know that it doesn't matter what the doctors say,

how bleak they paint a picture,

You are the true Healer and You are able to save.

Ps 139 says "that all the days ordained for us were written in

your book before one of them came to be "

and we thank you Lord for each of Tim's days,

those he had and those to come.

We thank you Lord for our precious brother in Christ and his family. Amen"

1st Anniversary of Samuel's Adoption

It has been 1 year already, unbelievable!!

It feels like just the other day, yet it also feels like a life time ago.

From the moment George & I set eyes on this little man at

the gates of BH, I knew he would always have a place in my heart.

What a blessing and privilege to have him as part of our family.

He spreads so much joy each day and teaches us so much.

God has used him to change our lives forever.

Happy 1st Adoption Anniversary Samuel.