On our honeymoon in 2004, Kim and I went to one of the natural wonders of the world – the Grand Canyon. Seeing the Grand Canyon was spectacular and majestic. Now, seven years and two kids later, we went to another of the natural wonders located right here in Zambia – Victoria Falls. Measuring at 360 feet high (not that we ever saw the bottom of the Falls!), Mosi-o-Tunya (or as well call them, Victoria Falls) is the largest waterfall in the world. If the Grand Canyon reveals the majesty of God, Victoria Falls reveals the power and might of God. It was truly awe-inspiring. I’m not even sure how to capture in words what it was like to experience the Falls. Maybe the pictures below will capture what I can’t. But I can say this: it was one of the most fun, enjoyable and incredible experiences of my life. Thank you God for the opportunity to experience Victoria Falls.

One quick and funny (now) story. Baboons run free throughout the national park at the Falls. We were just standing there, taking a break, when one of the baboons ran up and tried to rip Kim’s skirt off! She, of course, screamed. Jeremiah panicked that it was after his fruit snacks. With the screaming, the baboon ran off. A few seconds later, park security came up to us, having seen what just happened. One of the guys looked at me and said that if it comes back, and then, with a hand motion, demonstrated a punch. At first, we thought he might be joking. Nope. That was his recommendation. If the baboon came back, he wanted me to punch it in the face! Fortunately for PETA, it never came to that.

PS> My favorite of the pictures below is the one of Kim and I with our feet in the Zambezi. We were, literally, just 30 feet north of the Falls with our feet in the river. What a cool experience.

Victoria Falls

On Friday afternoon, our friends, the Larkins told us that the previous day, they met the women’s soccer team from Eastern University at House of Moses! Now, Eastern is the school where I am pursuing my PhD (yes, the dissertation will get done… eventually). But how cool is it that they are in Zambia at the same time as us?

Yesterday (Saturday) the team played an exhibition game against the Red Arrows, a professional women’s team here in Lusaka. We went to the game, me with my Eastern hoodie on. As the team was warming up right in front of us, I shouted, “Go Eastern!” Surprised does not do justice to the look we received from the girls to see people their to root for them! It was a good game with both teams earning tough goals in the second half and the game concluded with a 1-1 tie.

After the game, I asked the coach if I could address the team briefly, which he kindly permitted me. I introduced myself and Charis. I thanked them for their ministry at House of Moses, the place where we met our daughter. Who knows how their ministry of playing with the kids is even now preparing other of these kids to join their forever families in the future. Thanks again girls! On behalf of my daughter, thank you!

The Eastern girls are here for another week. They left today for Livingstone where they have another game schedule plus, I’m sure, a trip to Victoria Falls! You can follow their trip here.

PS> As a bonus to this post, here are what everyone really wants to see: a couple of pictures with Charis!

One of the joys of this adoption journey was when God suddenly moved that our good friends, Luke and Kelley Larkin (along with their 3 kids) would accompany us to Zambia and we would go through this adoption adventure together. Yesterday was an incredible day for them as God moved in a most unexpected way to drop a 2 month old boy – which they have since named Samuel Lukas Larkin – into their laps. It is their story to tell, so we will leave it to them, but it really was amazing. What a joy to see God bring this beautiful little boy into their family. After two weeks of our families being here in Zambia with both families feeling as if little (read: nothing) happening, it was a great encouragement and an unexpected blessing. Congratulations Luke and Kelley! We are privileged to share this journey with you and delighted that we are the very first to meet this precious baby boy of yours. May he grow up to love and fear the Lord. May he never know a day apart from Jesus.

First, thank you all for your encouraging comments. We cherish every one! Most of the time, we can see the comments, but we aren’t able to connect to the Internet to be able to respond. We are so blessed to know that you all are crying out to the Lord with us even though we are halfway around the world.

This morning was very emotional again. Today was Steve’s birthday. We had imagined that by this point in the trip, we would be fostering our child. So, while we did celebrate tonight, there is still someone missing. First thing this morning, we received news that one of the babies at the orphanage had passed away overnight at the hospital. We had all grown to love this little one. Please pray for this family. Thankfully, this is not a common occurrence at HOM, but it does happen. Already, her crib was moved aside and her name removed from the front of the crib. This only makes us that much more eager to rescue our child from those realities.

On a high note, this morning we were able to attend the dedication ceremony for the new preschool building at the Bill and Bette Bryant House, which is the home for children ages 2-5 which is connected to HOM. It was such a neat celebration and we were encouraged to be able to spend some time with a team of women from Atlanta who made the preschool possible. There was a unique joy for me in getting to celebrate the ways in which the children there are being well cared for, but also in knowing that our daughter won’t ever go to this orphanage and her life will drastically change direction very soon.

Here’s the other reason why today was very hard. We are pretty sure that we know who our daughter is, but this morning we received some very sad news about her past. Our hearts grieve for her. She has had experiences that no child should ever have. We held her for hours at HOM today, but then we had to leave her there, with only a promise that we will come visit her until the day that we can hopefully bring her home. This is not the first day I have had to do this and it is gut-wrenching. Precious child of mine, we already love you more than you can imagine and we are doing everything in our power to bring you home to be with your forever family!

Enjoy these pictures of our travels so far: Sarasota to Orlando, Orlando to St. Louis, St. Louis to Boston, Boston to Philly, Philly to London and, finally, London to Lusaka.

Zambia

In the Philly airport…ready to embark on our great adventure! Our friends, Luke and Kelly Larkin are also adopting and brought their three kids, Kate, Will and Hudson In the Philly airport…ready to embark on our great adventure! Our friends, Luke and Kelly Larkin are also adopting and brought their three kids, Kate, Will and Hudson	By the River Thames and the London Eye By the River Thames and the London Eye	Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Big Ben Big Ben	Westminister Abbey Westminister Abbey	The wedding viewing area set up across the street from Westminster Abbey. It was pretty funny stuff…this was Wednesday and people were already camping out with their tents for Friday’s wedding! The wedding viewing area set up across the street from Westminster Abbey. It was pretty funny stuff…this was Wednesday and people were already camping out with their tents for Friday’s wedding!
Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey	Outside of Westminster Abbey. We couldn’t go in because this was only 2 days before the royal wedding. Outside of Westminster Abbey. We couldn’t go in because this was only 2 days before the royal wedding.	Inscription on the outside wall of the Westminster Abbey. Inscription on the outside wall of the Westminster Abbey.
This was quite a pilgrimage for Steve…his first visit to one of the key historic sites in reformed theology. The Westminster Confession of Faith was written here. This was quite a pilgrimage for Steve…his first visit to one of the key historic sites in reformed theology. The Westminster Confession of Faith was written here.	J checking out the map of London…Mommy’s son for sure! J checking out the map of London…Mommy’s son for sure!	Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace
J with the Harrod’s bear at the airport…yes, you could purchase this bear for only 1,600 British pounds! J with the Harrod’s bear at the airport…yes, you could purchase this bear for only 1,600 British pounds!	Our arrival in Lusaka! Our arrival in Lusaka!	The welcome to Zambia sign as we entered the airport building The welcome to Zambia sign as we entered the airport building
The welcoming sight of our driver and Pastor Zozi! The welcoming sight of our driver and Pastor Zozi!	In the mini-bus (we don’t all fit in a regular taxi!) In the mini-bus (we don’t all fit in a regular taxi!)	View from our mini bus View from our mini bus
Playground at the Baptist Mission compound Playground at the Baptist Mission compound	That is our apartment…literally right next to the playground…J’s dream place! That is our apartment…literally right next to the playground…J’s dream place!	The mini-bus The mini-bus
In front of House of Moses. We aren’t allowed to take any pictures inside, but this is the outside wall. In this picture is also Abby, a student at the University of Zambia and now a wonderful friend! In front of House of Moses. We aren’t allowed to take any pictures inside, but this is the outside wall. In this picture is also Abby, a student at the University of Zambia and now a wonderful friend!	Outside the elementary school at the Chowama compound where we attended church on Sunday Outside the elementary school at the Chowama compound where we attended church on Sunday	Steve teaching the Bible study, translated by Pastor Zozi Steve teaching the Bible study, translated by Pastor Zozi
Sunday school Sunday school	The classrooms at the school The classrooms at the school	Worshipping with the people of The Lord is Peace Church Worshipping with the people of The Lord is Peace Church
J enjoying his spaghetti. Quite the mess! J enjoying his spaghetti. Quite the mess!	Lounging on the couch in our living (and dining) room. Lounging on the couch in our living (and dining) room.	Sleeping under the mosquito nets Sleeping under the mosquito nets
Crosswalk over Addis Ababa and Great East roads by the Manda Hill Mall Crosswalk over Addis Ababa and Great East roads by the Manda Hill Mall	Traffic on Great East road Traffic on Great East road	Outside look at our little cottage at the Baptist Mission of Zambia Outside look at our little cottage at the Baptist Mission of Zambia
Mwauka Bwanji – Good Morning Mwauka Bwanji – Good Morning	See-saw See-saw	Luke and Kate Luke and Kate
Putting sprinkles on Daddy’s birthday cake Putting sprinkles on Daddy’s birthday cake	Happy Birthday Steve Happy Birthday Steve	Big J eating cake with Daddy and MomMom Big J eating cake with Daddy and MomMom
We love you, Larkins! We love you, Larkins!	Love Will’s tongue! Love Will’s tongue!	Our family – before Charis Our family – before Charis
Riding the giraffe Riding the giraffe	playing the drums playing the drums	Yup, that tomato will do Yup, that tomato will do
Shopping carts just his size Shopping carts just his size