Delightful Detours

We're on our way to northern Texas to celebrate my niece Amanda's high school graduation (The party is  later in the year because Amanda's family is just finishing construction on a new home).

We made two fun stops as we traveled yesterday. First, we stopped briefly at the home of Samuel, one of the young men who stayed at our home during the CollegePlus! gathering in early July (see CollegePlus! Gathering). Samuel's mother, Brenda, graciously laid out a beautiful spread of fresh fruit, cookies and ice cold drinks.

An added bonus to our stop was getting to meet Samuel's lifelong friend, Andrew, who is also a CollegePlus! student. In the short time we were together,we enjoyed plenty of laughter.

We then stepped onto the porch for a quick group photo.

Our next stop was at the home of the friends who've recently adopted from Rwanda. (See Adoption: Long-Awaited Daughters) It was a delight to turn our "web" friendship into a face-to-face friendship. We relished the chance to meet their new family members so soon after their adoption. Their Rwandan-accented English is precious!

Elizabeth is another CollegePlus! friend. The program's flexibility has allowed her to work on her degree while also being at home as her family has grown through adoption.

Elizabeth's mom, Sarah, had a delicious frozen desert waiting for us...

...which we enjoyed while fellowshipping with the family.

We're grateful to the Lord for our new friends!

Orphan Care Video: Meeting Long-Awaited Daughters

"I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord."

- Ezekiel 38:23

It's an odd thing to have friends whom you've never met. But in today's media-driven culture, it's definitely possible. Through the CollegePlus! forums, Tessa and Lissie became friends with a fellow student whose family was also in the midst of adding to their family through adoption. Since then we moms have also become friends.

Just a few weeks ago--after a 14-month wait--they were able to bring their two little girls home from Rwanda. I wish my technical skills were equal to displaying the video here. Instead, please click here to watch the video of the family's first few minutes together:

Together Day Video

We often talk about the negatives of the media, but a powerful good made possible through blogs is that we can learn about other nations and people groups. Our hearts can be stretched to be more like our Father's as we learn to hurt over their struggles. And we can develop mission-minded hearts that yearn for Christ to be shared around the globe. Let me please encourage you to visit Steps Directed. Page through our freinds' past few posts. You'll see some marvelous photos of their long-awaited daughters, but you'll also have the opportunity to learn about Rwanda. And please pray for Rwanda. As far as our friends know, not a single adoption has moved forward since they received their court date in February. In addition, elections are scheduled for August 8, and there may be a destabilizing of the government.

~Mrs. Beaver