Great 24 Hours

Beau here.

So the last 24 hours have been a lot of fun for me. Two highlights.

First, we booked a last minute vacation to Puerto Vallarta today. We leave Thursday. We have continually delayed or canceled family vacations all year because of adoption stuff. So this weekend I decided we needed to squeeze in a week on the beach. I am pumped..especially because the resort has a sushi chef.

Second, I got to get my preach on last night. I have been hanging with an African (primarily Kenyan) church here in Dallas for the past few months as we at Watermark try to discern how the Lord would have us serve and learn from this great local church. So on Wednesday I was given an opportunity to preach at their church last night. It was their annual married couples Christmas dinner, and they needed someone to do a 40 minute sermon on something related to marriage.

So here is my David Letterman Top 5 list of why I know I was at a Kenyan church and not your typical American church.

5. The event was supposed to go from 7-9pm but ended up lasting until after 11pm. Reminds me of my first visit to Africa and church went 6 hours...never in a rush.

4. See point 5 above. They told me to preach for 40 minutes, so I went for 60 minutes :) If the event was supposed to be over at 9pm, and I didn't get up to speak until after 9pm then what the heck! And nobody got antsy and walked out...definitely not an American church. I taught on the tie between the gospel and marriage. I have been listening to Piper for way too long and now feel like the gospel needs to be preached in every message :) If you want to see a copy of what I did, ping me at bfournet@hbk.com

3. Main components of the dinner was goat and chai tea. The sweet lady who set up the room did an incredible job of making it very formal. She had fine china for all 50 of us. So all the Kenyans, who absolutely love their chai tea, were complaining about the small china coffee cups because they had to keep getting up to refill their coffee cups. As the master of ceremonies, on three occasions between introductions she kept telling people she knew they were disappointed with the small cups but that they needed to enjoy using fine china. This was apparently a big deal.

2. When I was introduced to this lady later in the evening by the Senior Pastor, she asked me how I was enjoying myself. I said, "I am having a great time, but my coffee cup is too small." Hey, I couldn't help myself...when in Rome...

1. I was sitting beside a great guy who moved to America from Kenya four years ago. He asked about my family history which I shared. I then asked how many siblings he had. So he says "I am the 9th of 13 kids." I am thinking "holy cow." Then he says, "but my father was a polygamist." (note: in rural areas of Africa, this is not uncommon) So I am thinking "okay, so at least it was two women who bore the 13 kids." Then he says, "My father's other wife had 10 kids, so I am one of 23 children." I went to get another cup of chai tea.

I should be speaking at the church again early next year on stewardship. Looking forward to it. But right now, I am really looking forward to the beach in Mexico...

Delayed a 5th time

We still do not have what is needed to pass court on Monday. I am tired. sad. still hoping. longing to be with my babies.

We should know more on Monday or Tuesday about what is next. Thanks for your incredible support and prayers. We know God is good and we are reminded by each of you!

are dants....our dance

The kids made invitations to a dance party. I grabbed my camera and laughed until I cried....like only a Mommy can.

One week

One week until our 5th attempt at court...please be praying with us that we will have all that is needed to have success next Monday!

Isn't this the sweetest little hand?

December 15th

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

While we still need "the document"....we are hopeful and are prayerfully trusting December 15th to the One who has it in His hands. Please be praying with us for the document and this upcoming new date. This is a surprisingly quick new date...we are humbled, nervous, hopeful, excited, and praying:) This is our 4th (I think) official court date...our kind of 6th attempt at court....we soooo appreciate your prayers!!!!

No other big thoughts tonight...those of you adopting already know how hard and how up and down this is. Thanks to everyone for your support!

Delayed Again

Beau here.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)

We learned yesterday that we are still waiting for one document and won't be able to pass court Monday. We hope to hear Monday of a new court date, which should be six to eight weeks out from now.

This is obviously not what we had hoped for, but we are resting in our confidence of the Lord's sovereignty, mercy, compassion, wisdom, and holiness. We are confident that the Lord will glorify Himself in all of this, and we look forward to hopefully seeing some of those ways.

We also know that the Lord promises not to give us any more circumstances than we can handle, so we are humbled that He trusts us to live with this in a way that honors Him and points others and ourselves towards the only One who can truly bring peace in our fallen world.

In my quiet time this morning I read and prayed through Psalm 103. The passage continually said of the Lord's character that it is "steadfast love" and "compassion" and said of His people's character that it is "obedience" and "reverence."

We are grateful for Job, Ruth, Hosea, Micah, Nahum, and others who have gone before us and pointed us towards a right response in the midst of circumstances we had neither hoped for nor expected - faith, trust, obedience, humility, and authenticity.

To God be the glory.

THANKS

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Received this message today from a worker in Ethiopia....

Where do I begin with these two…it seems like every week they are up to something! This week, it was running and laughing, avoiding the caregivers who were chasing them around. Naturally, B was without pants, which fits his boyishness well. Everyone who comes by the center comments on how big B has become! "Dense" is the word that many people use, because he really does feel like he weighs 100 pounds. Make sure to buy a heavy duty stroller! Y's fourth tooth is coming in, and though she may be smaller than her brother, appearances can be deceiving. She is really fast! She can outrun many of the kids that are much older than she is. Both are looking great, and still thriving in the toddler room! I hope you enjoy the photos, though the only ones B would give me have his tongue sticking out! Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
Weight: B – 11.3kg (24.9 lbs) Y – 9kg (19.8 lbs)”

You turned my wailing into dancing, You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever.

We are prepared with the strong possibility of not passing court on Monday. The needed document is still not as or where it needs to be. Words can not express...the sadness we feel of waiting more....nor the peace we have in God's perfect timing. We will keep waiting as long as we need to...to bring these precious children home!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...we know that God is able...go read Daniel 3 and the faith of 3...we are praying for that kind of faith and trust....and we are still praying for the Lord to "part the sea" and make a miraculous way for the document and the judge to have a lovely meeting on Monday:) Pray with us as we deal with the uncertainties of this world and the emotions that brings to us today. And pray for our babies as the continue to wait too:(

Praying with you all for an already blessed Thanksgiving!

And thanking God for spunk and attitude and fun every day...

Congo - Rape, Murder, and Other Terror

Beau here. As many of you know, I have had the privelege of going to Central Africa a few times to teach and minister to people. The most striking place I have ever been is Goma, Congo. It is on the eastern border of Congo in North Kivu province along the Rwanda border. There has been a sporadic battle in the region sicne 1996, and it has taken the lives of 5.5 million people. 75% of the world's rapes happen in eastern Congo where over 80% of women have been raped. The number of small children living on the streets is striking. I had the privelege of preaching in a church where well over half of those in church were less than 10 years old. Nearly every one of them was an orphan. I have included a photo of some of them in front of the church.

As my friends and I have received e-mails and phone calls from people in Goma over the past week, it has become clear that things are deteriorating. I would like to challenge you to help with this situation. Here are some ideas.

1. Write your congressional leaders. I have incuded my letter at the bottom as an example.

2. Pray for the courage of God's ambassadors in Goma to stand firm, for the end of violence, and for righteousness to rein in Goma.

3. Watch this video from CBS to get better educated. Or watch this video from our church yesterday to get some ideas on how your church can respond collectively.

4. Contribute funds to provide for food and basics until a more sustainable solution is reached.

5. Grow your understanding of and empathy with those struggling to eat daily by fasting or restricting your diet to basics like rice, beans, and flour.

Praying,

Beau

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Mr. Sessions,

I am writing to express my concerns about the atrocities in Goma, Congo and our lack of response to the horrors taking place. Over the last decade, nearly 5.5 million people have been killed in this horrible conflict along the Congolese border with Rwanda, Uganda, and Sudan. In addition, it is estimated that over 80% of women in eastern Congo have been raped. Think of all the women in your family and the magnitude of 4 out of every 5 of them having been raped. Yet, much like with Rwanda, we as a country have not done anything to meaningfully end the violence.

I have been to Goma, Congo twice in the past twenty-four months. There are fine people in Goma, hard working people who want peace. Yet, they are being murdered, beaten, raped, and robbed by a small group of ruthless rebels and thugs.

We have got to do something about this. They don't have oil we need or border a strategic military location or have enriched uranium, but that is not an acceptable reason to turn our eyes on this situation.

Mr. Sessions, I am a follower of Christ, and with that incredible privilege comes a great responsibility. Through the Apostle John, the Lord tells me "if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Let us not just love in word or talk, but in deed and truth." I have a responsibility to do something about this. I can go, and I have. I can pray, and I have. I can give money to help, and I have. I can tell those in positions of authority like you, and I have.

Mr. Sessions, I don't know if you are a follower of Christ or not. If you are, I pray you would be faithful to your calling and proclamation. If you are not a follower of Christ, I pray you would call me, so I can tell you about Him. Then, I pray you would be faithful to the call of justice.

I have been receiving e-mails from friends in Goma in recent days, and it is heart-breaking. How many more women have to be raped? How many children orphaned?

And Mr. Sessions, please don't rely on the UN troops. I have seen them in Goma each time I have gone. They aren't doing much of use. We have seen the UN fail enough in their "peace keeping" efforts to know we can't rely on them.

Esther 4:14,
Beau Fournet

I'm anxiuos

I have to admit I am anxious today. Our court date is one week away and we still do not have what we need. We are hoping and praying that we soon receive word on the document needed...I'd love to hear some good news today:) I would covet your prayers for peace for me as I wait....and prayers for the work needed to be completed in country to be completed in time and in correct order. Many thanks friends!

Hoping

I have received several emails from you sweet friends asking about the document in question for the twins. The kids and I were praying this morning for this document and I was wondering myself what is happening in Ethiopia today with this document. I think it is amazing that you all are praying right now, that the Lord is sharing our burden with you all and that you are being such faithful friends to help us carry this burden in prayer. We do not know what is happening "today"...but we did receive an update a couple of days ago. This week is possibly a big week for our case as the final document will hopefully be in the right hands by the end of the week....we are praying that this happens!!!! December 1st is still our court date, so we are continuing to lift that date in prayer as well.

There are some Gladney families traveling this week to meet their children....and some Gladney families that have found out bad news this week regarding postponements of their adoptions. To all you families out there with joyous news and those with heavy hearts...we are praying for you and hoping for wonderful days ahead for your families.