Walking Through the Doors God Opens...

Good Morning All!!  Well I am finally finished with my spring semester! I had such a busy schedule with 7 online classes and with volunteering in my 2^nd grade classroom, but it was a very successful and rewarding semester!  I am looking forward to having a little more free time—or at least doing other things besides school work!:) I have one summer class that I am taking but 1 class compared to 7 won’t be bad at all!

I again apologize that it’s been such a long time since I last blogged! Now that my spring semester is done I plan to blog more often. So many things have been happening and I am so excited to share with you!  I will jump right into it because I’ve been just itching to share with all of YOU!!!  This past Tuesday, May 15th, I received an email from Amani Baby Cottage.  They informed me that my application to volunteer for a week this summer has been ACCEPTED!!! It is FINALLY CONFIRMED that I WILL BE VOLUNTEERING AT AMANI!!! I can’t even begin to fully express just how EXCITED I AM!  I fell in love with Amani right away when we got there!  Their atmosphere of loving and serving God while caring for His precious children is absolutely beautiful!!! And…of course, for those of you who have been following my experience this past year—Sweet Richard is at Amani!! I can’t even comprehend what it will be like to SCOOP him up into my ARMS again!!!! :) I am so excited to love and care for all of the precious children at Amani, but the fact that I get to spend a full week with Richard brings tears to my eyes.  

For those of you who might not know or remember my Love Story with Richard, I will quickly recap.  Last summer, I traveled to Africa. Before going to Africa I had so many close family and friends share that they thought I would return from Africa as a mom. When they mentioned these things, I smiled—but in my heart I just didn’t think that would ACTUALLY happen. Yes, I have always wanted to adopt! I’ve had this passion in my heart since I was in middle school…I always knew I wanted to travel to Africa and I wanted to have a RAINBOW family! But before I left for Africa last summer…I really didn’t think I would fall in love with a child that I would feel so strongly about. First, Patrick and I aren’t even married yet…I always thought we would start looking into the adoption process AFTER we were married. Second, I was still going to school—how could I possibly adopt a child and still have to finish school? These two main things were big and important to me…so I just didn’t think anything would happen.  I told myself, “Maybe within the next year or two, Patrick and I would really look into adopting…but not right now. We aren’t ready or prepared.”  But, at night…I would pray about this.  I would pray about our upcoming trip and I would pray that if God actually wanted me to be a mother and experience a love like no other while I was in Africa…I needed Him to show me.  After all, we will be visiting SO many children—hundreds of children who need a mommy to love and care for them…how could I possibly know which one I was supposed to have as a child? So yes God, please SHOW me and make it obvious…that’s all I ask. If you have this planned for me either way—I will follow Your leading, but I need to know WHICH CHILD it is so that I can be confident in Your will. 

So, this was my prayer for so many days and nights before going to Africa. But let me remind you…I really didn’t think it was going to happen! So we arrived to Africa and I was IN LOVE! Absolutely taken away by the beauty of this continent and its people…And to be honest, it wasn’t like I was just SEARCHING and LOOKING for that one child that would capture my heart…I actually sort of forgot about it and was just taking everything in. But, it was on our 3rd day in Africa that we went to Amani Baby Cottage…we arrived and as I walked on the sidewalk, I stopped to admire some children that were on a mat playing with some toys.  We had JUST arrived about 5 minutes ago—and I wanted to be respectful for the children and for the staff. I didn’t want to just run right up to these children and come across disrespectful to the nanny that was sitting and caring for them.  So, with all my might…I stood there on the sidewalk smiling and thinking how precious these children were. Then all of a sudden, I turned my head and looked straight out in front of me…and wouldn’t you know it…there was this little boy in a yellow onesie walking RIGHT FOR ME!

He had a little smile on his face and was seriously just staring at me and walking directly towards me! I looked around and was like, “Oh my goodness—where did he come from?? How come I didn’t notice him right away?”  I wanted to walk towards him and meet him half way…but I reminded myself to be respectful, plus I thought, “If he comes to me I can pick him up right? That would be alright, wouldn’t it?” So he continued to walk…taking one wobbly step at a time. I wasn’t sure if he would fall down or make it the whole way to me…but HE DID.  He walked RIGHT to me!  All of the girls on the team said, “Shanna!  Look! He is walking RIGHT to you!!”  I scooped him up in my arms and no lie…I felt this instant connection.

It is so hard to explain really—but we shared a bond instantly! I remember holding him and telling my team leader, “Ok…I am complete!”  So, to be quite honest…when I picked him up and felt the connection…and when I realized that he found me first…I was thinking, Wow…is this the child God? Is THIS THE ONE?  I felt certain it was but I didn’t want to get overly excited. So I continued to hold and play with this little boy.  Next I asked the nanny what his name was…and she looked at me and said, “Richard” and I just smiled and thought…you are already named after your grandpa!  My dad’s name is Alan Richard Bahn…and so when I found out that his name was Richard I couldn’t get over it.  I was seriously freaking out!! WOW—Was God really leading to Africa to find my son? To fall in love with Richard?? Sometimes it’s so hard to fully understand God’s ways and His plans…but I simply reminded myself to pray and to follow His leading…which was exactly what I was doing.  Then I had to set Richard down and can I just tell you that we BOTH cried our eyes out.  It really is crazy because I’m one that doesn’t like to cry or always show my emotions…but when I set Richard down it absolutely broke my heart…and he lost it and was so upset—the nanny looked at Richard like what in the world are you crying for? Why are you making such a big deal about this? So many people come and visit and hold you and set you down—but why are you having this type of reaction?  And so when I saw how great his emotions were…I lost it as well and began to cry like I had never before. It was so crazy really—because I had no idea why my emotions and feelings were so strong over this one child…after all, I had just met him. 

So, that is our little love story. I met him on the 3^rd day I was in Africa and the rest of the trip I fell asleep looking at the pictures I took of him on my camera and praying that God would show me the next move…the next thing I was supposed to do.

I came home and honestly felt different—I felt like a mom. I cried and prayed over this so many times…Some days I wasn’t sure if Richard was seriously my child…and other days I woke up knowing without a doubt that I was a mom and that I was just waiting for my child to come home! I came to the conclusion that if God’s purpose was for Richard to be a part of our family, He would guide me and He would continue to open up doors…I also decided that maybe Richard might not officially become part of our family…But I couldn’t just make the decision without fighting for him…I strongly believe that in order to find out, I have to keep praying and keep following God’s leading.  I decided that I would fight for him—after all, mothers do this for their children…they fight for them no matter what…so this is exactly what 

 I would do for Richard. 

I have been laughed at when I tell people the connection Richard and I had…I have been told that I was crazy—believing that God would actually arrange an appointment like this…I have been told that it is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to adopt Richard since his grandmother would need to sign off on the paper work and she simply will not do that. When I hear these type of comments, I remind myself that GOD CAN…DOES…and WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS to bring RICHARD HOME if this is HIS PLAN.  I do not pay attention to what some have to say about our Love Story—because I know that God’s IN CONTROL of this situation and that His timing and plans are ALWAYS perfect…not just sometimes…not just when it’s easy…but ALWAYS. So, yes, maybe God’s plans don’t have Richard in my future—but until I know this and fight for him 100% I will keep walking through the doors He opens…And just think—maybe this is His plan for Richard to be a part of our family…how will I know for sure if I just give up?

One of the things Patrick and I have been praying for is that God would lead us to Richard’s grandma.  Richards mom passed away and his dad abandoned him even before he was born. But Richard does have a grandmother that lives in Uganda so although he doesn’t have parents to care for him—he is not considered a complete orphan since his grandma is still living. So, when I called Amani and tried to get more details about Richard and his situation, I was told that I would have to connect with his grandma and she would have to sign-off on the papers—which is pretty much impossible! I also found out that since his grandma is living he is technically unadoptable but still has to live the rest of his precious life in the “system.” When I heard these words I felt sick to my stomach… “What? Richard has a family—here in the U.S. please don’t make him live the rest of his life without a family…we are right here…waiting for him to come home” is what I thought. When I found out that it was impossible I reminded myself to have faith like a child and that if God wanted Richard to be with Patrick and I He would certainly MAKE IT POSSIBLE. So, as I said, since returning from Africa, our prayer has been to somehow…someway connect with Richard’s grandma.  I wondered, “What if they don’t even know who she is?  Or where she lives? How in the world am I going to find this lady??”

A few months ago I had a friend send me a message and said, “Shanna, I follow this blog and I think it’s about your Richard!” I read it and was like “hmmm…there are how many children in Africa—what are the odds that this blog is about my Richard?”  I clicked on the link she sent me…and OH MY!!! OH MY OH MY!!! YES! …This blog was ALL about my RICHARD and his Jaja (Grandma!)  I couldn’t believe it! …Actually, YES, yes I could believe it!  God’s ways are perfect—certainly He heard my prayers and knew how important it was for me to learn more about Richard’s grandmother!!!!  I was JUMPING with JOY and in TEARS as I read this blog.  I found out that Richard’s grandma lives about 35 minutes away from Amani in a small village. She also loves Richard so much that in order for her to fully and completely love him, she has to let him go—meaning, she understands that he is better off at Amani, even though she would love to have him live with her in the village. Here is the link of the blog to read more about it!!!!  This was a HUGE thing!!! I woke up the next day and I was in Target ready to purchase a whole bedspread for Richard—so that I could have it ready for him to come home!!:) This is seriously how BIG that blog post was and is to our love story!!

http://healministries.blogspot.com/2012/03/jajas-heart.html

Another door God has opened was leading me to Amani this summer.  I knew right away that I wanted to go back to Africa, but this time I wanted to go for longer than 2 weeks.  I was also torn because I wanted to go back to Kenya to visit the precious kids at Fiwagoh and to see Duncan and Grace…but I also wanted to go to Amani and visit Richard.  My heart was torn and I didn’t know what to do…I prayed about this and God confirmed that I needed to go back to Kenya. So many of those kids have blessed me and I know how important it is to go back and visit them…to show them I haven’t forgotten about them. I was (and AM) so excited to love and visit them again! But I couldn’t imagine going all the way to Africa and being so close to Richard and not even getting to see him! So, I signed up for the Kenya mission trip and prayed that of it was God’s will that He would open the doors needed and would bring me to see Richard.  I emailed Amani and explained how I would love to volunteer at Amani on July 28—August 4. The lady replied back and said they were full, but since I was going to be so close she would see if she could make an exception. I thought, well if this door closes and they are full, I know God doesn’t want me to visit him this summer…but I thought, if it’s meant to be Amani will reply back and say yes—there is room.  I prayed and prayed…having peace in God’s plans that no matter what happens, He is in control.  Tuesday night I received the email and it is CONFIRMED! God opened this door for me to go visit Richard and the rest of the children at Amani…and I couldn’t be more thankful for His marvelous ways!!!

If you could pray for Richard and our love story I would greatly appreciate it.  I am so excited to see him this summer but I know my heart is going to break having to say good-bye to him again. I also would love to try and somehow connect with his grandma. I don’t know what this would exactly look like—but if you could keep this in your prayers that would mean so much to me!! Here are a few more pictures I have come across of sweet little Richy!!:)

 Haha! This picture just makes me LAUGH! He always has the one finger up!:)

  

Eating my crackers!:)

Thank you ALL for your LOVE, SUPPORT and PRAYERS!!! I want you to know that your unconditional love and support has truly meant so much to me!! I am confident that if this is God’s will…it WILL happen!! …So, I will continue to PRAY HIM HOME!   

 

Projects to BUILD HOPE!

Whew! It's been such a long time since I've been able to blog! I'm so sorry it's taken me such a long time to get a new post up!  With taking 7 classes, doing Mary Kay Bridal Parties, teaching Sunday School, speaking at several churches about my time in Africa, helping Shelby with her wedding and just life in general--I have been quite busy!  I've been counting down the weeks until this semester is over--7 weeks left!  I keep telling myself that this too will pass...and my life won't be consumed with school and homework anymore!:) 

As most of you all know, this summer I will be returning BACK to AFRICA!  I leave July 15^th which is less than 4 months away!! =)  Boy oh boy, am I ever excited!!! On my trip I’ll be working with a team of volunteers, through a Christian non-profit organization called Visiting Orphans.  We will be traveling to Nakuru, Kenya to serve at several orphanages.  Our mission will be to invest our time and earthly treasures and BUILD HOPE in those we encounter there.  During our time in Kenya we will be based at an orphanage named FIWAGOH – a mission, home and school to over 180+ amazing kids.  I was able to visit this orphanage last summer (this is the one where Duncan is!) and I absolutely fell in love with all of these children.  We stayed there for two nights and this time we will be living in the orphanage for 12 days - cooking, cleaning, singing, studying God’s word, going to school, playing, loving and completing several projects … right alongside of these children who have become “family!”

At FIWAGOH we will be constructing a playground for the children to enjoy some much needed exercise.  First, let me just explain this to you.  Last summer the children got so excited over BUBBLES and SILLY BANDS!  I can’t even imagine how they are going to get over this playground!! They are going to be SO JOYFUL!!!

We will also be partnering with two smaller, nearby orphanages.  Haven of Hope is home to over 30 infant – 6 year olds.  We will be brightening up their nursery with fresh paint and wall murals.  I’m super excited about this because I love art and painting…plus I have always wanted to participate in a project like this!  We also have the opportunity of taking shifts - holding, bathing, playing and rocking little ones so that Nelly (their mama) can get some much needed rest! I can't WAIT to snuggle and love on all of these children!!!!:)

In addition, we will be providing and installing a new water holding-tank at VISOI Children’s Home located in a village where there is no running water. God has brought together this team from all across the country with different skills and abilities, yet one unified purpose - to bring LOVE and HOPE to these amazing children. 

Our trip is just less than 4 months away.  We are excited to go build hope but still together as a team have some funds to raise in order to do this.  Our whole team has faith that God will apply these funds.  We are reminded constantly that His heart is for these precious children and that we must do what He calls us to—Visit Orphans!

Please consider joining us in what God is calling each of us to do by supporting our team.  Your love, support and prayers would be very much appreciated. I also want you to know that 100% of your money will be going directly to these projects!!  No matter how big or small your donation is, you will certainly help give HOPE to these children—along with a SMILE on their face!:)  

Also, if you know of any businesses that might be interested in donating please let me know.  ALL and ANY of your help would be greatly appreciated!

Donations Needed:

·   Playground at FIWAGOH – all building material, delivery and additional labor – approximately $8,000-10,000

·   Painting Project at Haven of Hope – all supplies and equipment – approx. $500

·   Water holding tank at VISOI Children’s Home – approx. $500

ALL donations through Visiting Orphans are tax-deductible and can be made one of the following ways:

If you are interested and would like to make a donation to help us BUILD HOPE with these projects, please let me know. I can give you my mailing address and you can send me a check. 

Or—You can send a CHECK made payable to:

Visiting Orphans

P.O. Box 668

Nolensville, TN  37135.

Please make a note in the MEMO line designating July - Kenya Projects.

You can also donate ON-LINE at www.visitingorphans.org

·   FUND CATEGORY choose our trip - “Kenya  - July 2012”

·   SPECIFIC MINISTRY - enter July - Kenya Projects

 

Visit Orphans: It's Pure. It's Simple.

Over Christmas break, Patrick and I had the opportunity to go to Orlando, Florida. As most of you know, Patrick was in the Army for 7 years and on June 8, 2005 he experienced a day that forever changed his life: He was wounded due to an explosion from a rocket.  Thankfully, by God’s grace, Patrick survived this terrible explosion. However, ever since this day Patrick has never been the same since.  He suffers a great deal of pain in his back on a daily basis and has a heavy heart every day for those soldiers that were lost. 

The event that we attended in Florida was for Wounded Warriors and is called Tee it up for the Troops.  It was such a great event…It was so nice for Patrick to see his friends and to meet new guys who have all experienced and deal with similar situations. As we were there my heart couldn’t help but smile. I’m SO proud of Patrick—All that he has done and experienced in the Army…As well as how he has handled everything since getting out of the Army.  

 Blackhawk Helicopter...These are the ones Patrick used to jump out of!

 The color guard.

 Some of the Wounded Warriors

 This Bald Eagle was getting a little too close!:)

 Going out for supper with Kent, Diane & Noami!

Supporting our Go.Be.Love/MAN UP & Simply Love Orphans t-shirts!:)

Patrick spent a majority of the day golfing with all the guys, so I had a lot of downtime—Which was really nice! And as I sat there, I kept thinking how great it is that God has blessed us both with things that we are so passionate about.  Patrick loves helping people and really wants to reach out to soldiers and veterans as much as he can. This is his passion…This is something he enjoys…and quite possibly, this might be something that he’ll participate in for the rest of his life.  As you all know, I’m passionate about children in need and orphans around the world…And I too hope this is something that I can do for the rest of my life… I don’t exactly know all of the details…But I do know that God knows my heart and that He sees how I long to do this…so I’ll continue to wait on Him until I can better understand exactly what His plans for my life are. 

As Patrick and I were flying to Florida I was so excited. This was our first time flying together, so that was fun for us!:) …Plus we were going to Florida for a few days and would be staying at Reunion Resort, which is an absolutely beautiful place.  But as I sat there in my airplane seat, my heart quietly longed for Africa…I sat there thinking how great that would be if we were on our way to Africa!!  …I felt bad that I wished we were going to Africa….since we were going to be attending a great event in Florida…But again I can’t help what my heart longs for..and it’s simple… it longs to be back with all of those precious kids in Africa.

As I had time to hang out I finished reading Kisses from Katie.  This book was SUCH a BLESSING but continued to make me miss Africa even more.  I strongly suggest that you all go out and purchase this book! By purchasing this book you’re supporting Katie Davis and hes sweet girls…as well as her Amazima ministry. 

Here is a quote from Katie’s book. This passage in her book really tugged at my heart…and tears grew in my eyes because I couldn’t agree more. 

Many days, I am still overwhelmed by the magnitude of the need and the incredible number of people who need help. Many days I see the destitute, disease-ridden children lining the streets in the communities I serve and I want to scoop up every single one of them, take them home with me, and feed and clothe and love them. And I look at the life of my Savior, who stopped for me. 

So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian. I can do only what one woman can do, but I will do what I can. Daily, the Jesus who wrecked my life enables me to do so much more than I ever thought possible. 

People often ask if I think my life is dangerous, if I am afraid. I am much more afraid of remaining comfortable. Matthew 10:28 tells us not to fear things that can destroy the body but things that can destroy the soul. I am surrounded by things that can destroy the body. I interact almost daily with people who have deadly diseases, and many times I am the only person who can help them. I live in a country with one of the world’s longest-running wars taking place just a few hours away. Uncertainly is everywhere. But I am living in the midst of the uncertainty and risk, amid things that can and do bring physical destruction, because I am running from things that can destroy my souk: complacency, comfort, and ignorance. I am much more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus than I am of any illness or tragedy. 

Jesus called His followers to be a lot of things, but I have yet to find where He warned us to be safe. We are not called to be safe; we are simply promised that when we are in danger, God is right there with us. And there is no better place to be than in His hands. 

Isn’t this passage just POWERFUL? She is such an inspiration and I feel like she is my BFF after reading her book!!:) I read this book every day we were in Florida and each night I went to bed DREAMING BIG…PRAYING BIG…Praying for God to USE me and to LEAD me to His LONELY, HURTING and DESPERATE children.

Life is a little scary, isn’t it? There is so much hurt and pain and negativity in our world. So many “what ifs” that can drive your mind crazy…But as Katie said, God encourages us to step UP and step OUT…and so I will continue to do this. Yes I wonder if I can figure out all of these funds?! Yes sometimes I wonder if He really WILL provide?! But before I start to let this stress me out, I am reminded that God holds my world in His precious hands…He really is in control of EVERY single detail in my life—No matter how big or small.  I KNOW that He CAN…He DOES…and HE WILL. 

I’ll be going back to Africa for sure for 2 weeks…BUT, I’m still looking into a few other options. If it works out, I’d LOVE to spend a month in Africa this summer. SO, I’m praying for God’s direction more than ever!  I’ll be doing a few speaking engagements coming up over the next few weeks about my experience in Africa.  When I go to these events, I’ll have some Acacia Necklaces set up on a table in case anyone wants a unique necklace from Africa—As well as help and support my trip.  I did do this fundraiser about a year ago, but thought I would try it again.  Please don’t at all feel pressured to buy one—I only want you to purchase one if you truly do want to. But, if you do, I’d like to say thank you so much! Fundraising is SO hard—I don’t want to bother or bug anyone…But the more God tells me I need to go, the more I know what I need to do. Plus, God has placed it on my heart that by fundraising I am able to help spread the word about the orphan crisis in our world and that maybe, just maybe, I can bring Glory to God by encouraging others to take a leap of faith and to live out James 1:27: to care and visit orphans. 

If you at all interested in purchasing any of these necklaces, just let me know!! Feel free to send me a message on Facebook or shoot me an email!:) 

Here is a video that just BROKE.MY.HEART. I watched it in Florida before we had to head down to one of our events. I tried to hold back the tears as well as I could…I didn’t want to go down stairs a crying mess. But I couldn’t help it. My tears became bigger and bigger with each sound of this child’s cry. And as I sat there with my eyes glued to this video—I thought of Katie, and how she deals with children just like this on a daily and weekly basis. SO sad, SO heart-wrenching…I didn’t want to go down to supper where I would see people throw away places of food and classes of clean water…All I wanted to do was sit there and cry my eyes out. I went to bed this night thanking God that Katie was in Uganda and is stopping for one child at a time…and is saving more lives because she simply let Him use her.

Visit Orphans: It’s Pure. It's Simple.

Jesus IS the REASON for the Season...

Lately I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about Christmas…and what it means…and how I can become a better faithful servant for my Heavenly Father…I think of baby Jesus…and I think of His life…How He was…IS…and WILL ALWAYS be faithful…true…perfect…and love.  I think of how He gave SO much—He literally GAVE HIS LIFE…for us…for HIS PRECIOUS children…You and I…we are His precious children—No matter what we have ever done.  He holds nothing against us and loves us with His WHOLE heart—His WHOLE life…he laid down to die for you and me.  He is with us always…and wants so badly to be a part of our lives…all we have to do is invite Him in…He wants that personal relationship with us…He wants to bless us…so that we can bless others…and pass along the GOOD NEWS of our Savior and King!! Oh, won’t you please invite Him IN?!?! ….He is so patiently waiting for you!!!

I think of the need…the GREAT NEED…around the world…around the United States…and here in my own community… I look around and I see the pretty decorations…and I see all of the goodies…the piles of food…the expensive presents… and I find myself torn…I’m here in America…Where as a college student without a full-time job and with the cost of college… I laugh and consider myself a “poor” college student…when really, I am considered to be RICH to more than half of the people that live in this world.  Yes…I have plenty of debt due to my college loans…but I am considered RICH—simply because I have the basic needs to survive…I have CLEAN…WARM…RUNNING WATER right in the next room…As much water as I want—not need…But WANT…I have it…I have MORE than enough….Then there is the food…It never seems to phase me…I get sick to my stomach when I think about this…I have more than enough food—I have PLENTY of food…I have a variety of different kinds and types and brands of food all stocked in our cupboards, fridge and freezer…but yet, there are MILLIONS of children around the world…literally STARVING to death…? I don’t get it…I don’t understand it…and to be honest and real—this upsets me more than ANYTHING! It gets me mad…upset…but more importantly…DETERMINED…  I have GREAT health…and I have GREAT doctors here in America that are ready to care and serve me if and when anything ever happens….I have a HOUSE to live in…with PLENTY of room.  My own bedroom is bigger than the mud houses I visited while I was in Africa…I have a big plush bed and nice soft carpet….while they sit and sleep on the cold dirt….Wow….we have SO much here, don’t we? 

And although the statistics of the number of children that die each year due to malnutrition are very overwhelming…I have made a promise to myself to DO what I CAN.  Yes—I might not be able to save or feed or provide for all of these millions of children—But I can PROVIDE for ONE….I can FEED ONE…I can SERVE ONE…I can LOVE and SUPPORT ONE! ….And I pray that God leads me and uses me to bless more than one child…but either way, I know I CAN—WILL be a HERO to ONE!! 

I have always had these ideas…goals…and BIG dreams of how I would like to help God’s precious children…I’m not sure what God has in store for me…But I do know that I’m going to keep praying about my future and about His plans for me…and I pray that if it is in His will…He would use me to help make a difference to the “least of the least” that are hurting and that are lonely and that are in desperate need of food, water, health care and love. …Although I am going to school right now to become an Early Childhood Education teacher, the walls of my heart hold a bigger…more deeper dream.  I pray that God uses me somehow…someway to help these precious children on a daily basis—as my fulltime job.  You might be wondering what this looks like…I am too….But I have no idea…All I know is that God sees the desires of my heart…and I’m confident that no matter what my future holds—His plans are the best, so I will continue to always follow what He places on my heart and what He calls me to do. Maybe He has something else in store for me--? I don’t know…and all I can do is pray about it and to have an open heart!

Ever since embarking on this journey to Africa last summer I have prayed for God to use me...For God to open up my eyes and heart to the desperate need so many of these children face on a daily basis… And I prayed for God to help use me to bring hope and to be love to the many children that I met…I also prayed that God would use me after my trip…as a way to advocate for these helpless and voiceless children…I strongly have had it in my heart that now since I have gone and seen with my own eyes and with my own heart…I am responsible.  I am responsible to share about my experience…to share the great need that these children have….I am responsible to encourage others to HELP…PROVIDE…LOVE these children…I believe the more people that are aware of how great these children’s needs are and what they can do to help…the better!  After all, these trips are not about me—they are about HIM and about THEM. They are about being faithful to God and doing what He has told us to do…What He has called me to do…to visit orphans… I’d like to share a quote from the book called: Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care. This book was great—VERY powerful and this passage explains just where my heart is. 

“My heart hurts when I think about the thousands who don’t have a mama and a papa who are coming to rescue them. Sadly, thousands of orphaned children face that reality every day. They are among the most vulnerable people walking the face of the earth. They have little option to provide for themselves, and the force of darkness that would prey on their plight for selfish gain are around every turn. God has called us to be a defender of the defenseless because that IS who HE IS. We are returning worship to God when we SHOW HIS CHARACTER to the world by championing the cause of the least of these.”

As I started this passage, I was explaining how my heart has been torn lately—(Well not just lately…more like ever since returning from Africa!!) …But even more so lately since Christmas has been approaching. We have so much here…and others have so little…why is that so? How is that fair? What can we do? …I love Christmas…I LOVE everything about this wonderful season.  Yes, I do love the Christmas Lights…and I do love the Christmas Trees…and I do love baking Christmas cookies with my gramma and sister…and I do LOVE ALL of the beautiful Christmas Songs…and I do love shopping at the mall and I do love GIVING presents to others…and I DO LOVE spending time with my loved ones over this special holiday…But… I LOVE Jesus more. I love Jesus with my whole heart….I love that I have a personal relationship with Him…I love that I can pray…talk…and depend on Him at ALL TIMES! ….I love that He HEARS me…and that He KNOWS my heart even better than I do myself! ….I love that no matter WHAT happens…Jesus IS WITH ME….I LOVE knowing that Jesus sees, cares and LOVES the many precious children around the world…and I LOVE that He has placed this great desire in my heart to GO…LOVE…and VISIT them.  I love everything about Jesus!!! ….And although there are SO many fun things that I love about Christmas…I pray that I continue to always remember the TRUE reason for this season….I pray that I always am thankful for the BIRTH of JESUS CHRIST…His LIFE has SAVED mine!! ….He died on the cross for ME.  And yes, it is important that we DO take his death personal.  He died on the cross for YOU and for ME! I know this is so hard to comprehend!!! But, it’s TRUE---So, take it personal and remember it! You ARE LOVED! Jesus gave HIS LIFE for YOU my friend!!!…And for that, I will always be excited about Christmas…because it is much, much more than just the presents and the decorations…It’s about the birth of Jesus and His perfect life that He lived.  I pray that I always remember this and that I never get too tired of living for God and for seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus.  Yes, it gets hard…yes, it isn’t always easy…but it is SO worth it.  

So, this Christmas, and every day….I am praying for these precious babies around the world…I am thinking of them as I sit there and eat my plate full of food…I am thinking of them as I sit in my warm bubble bath full of clean-fresh water…and I am going to be thinking of them Christmas morning—while I’m surrounded by my loved ones…and they are all alone.  They are left abandoned…they are left to care for themselves….they are left hungry…they are left without love…I am going to be thinking of them.  And as I think of them—not only on Christmas morning, but on every day…I pray that God keeps breaking my heart…I pray that He keeps the reality of these children in my heart and in my mind at all times…For the more I am aware of how great their need is…The more I am determined to help and to give….Which I believe is what CHRISTmas is ALL about—Giving and Helping others…Just like Jesus came to GIVE His life for us.

…As I mentioned before how I pray that I can help encourage and spread the word about the great need that these children face on a daily basis….And while I was in the middle of writing this blog, I received a phone call.  Two years ago I lived in Mankato and was a nanny for a family there in Mankato.  It was such a joy getting to know them when I first started babysitting for them…and, now…this family that I started to baby-sit for is now some of my closest friends!!!  They have blessed my life greatly and I am always so excited to go back to Mankato and visit them when my schedule allows me to.  Patrick and I both love hanging out with them! …Tonight, their mom called and said she just had to quick share a story with me.  She said that the boys were just sitting down and were writing their letters to Santa.  She said she was calling because she just had to share what Parker wrote to Santa.  She started reading his letter to me and it said: “Dear Santa, please bring Christmas presents to the children in Africa…” When she read this to me my heart got SO heavy! I told her that just brought tears to my eyes!!...I’ve been praying this whole time to make a difference in the lives of the precious children in Africa—which I so desperately want to do…But at the same time I want to make a difference on a daily basis to the people and children that surround me here in Minnesota.  After she read the letter to me she said, “Shanna! They do listen to you!! They hear you and they remember about the kids in Africa!” ….It was so cute!  It just made my heart so happy! Plus, Parker & Jack are so precious to me...and seeing how they too care about others just melts my heart! 

   

Christmas will be here and gone before we know it…So, friends, I pray that we continue to GIVE and HELP and SHARE and SERVE and LOVE on a daily basis—throughout the WHOLE year.  I pray that we remember what the TRUE meaning of Christmas is ALL about and I pray that we keep it close in our hearts….I pray that we continue on with this spirit of giving and continue to bless others! I pray that we each do what we can….and I believe; you and I will CHANGE the WORLD.  We can do it—If God is for us…WHO can be against us? NO ONE! …And trust me, when we reach out to HIS orphans and widows around this world…God is most certainly for us…After all…this is something that He demands us to do! Keep giving…keep loving…and keep helping wherever and whenever you can!! God will bless you!! And you will be a Hero to One!! 

I realize I still haven’t shared the NEWS on my blog about the Ordinary Hero Fundraiser!!!  Just click on the link below to check it out!!!:) Was I ever HAPPY and EXCITED!!! Thanks AGAIN to ALL of you for HELPING ME and for HELPING the LEAST of the LEAST!!!

http://ordinaryheroblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-grant-winners.html

Blessings to you ALL this Christmas!!! Let’s be thankful and appreciate ALL that God has blessed us with!! …And please, remember to pray for the lonely ones around the world... 

God is GREAT!!! ...And Forever Faithful!

Wow…So, as you ALL know I am working at fundraising for my next upcoming mission trip to Africa this summer.  Before deciding about making this final decision and committing on going on this trip, I had questions…and I started to doubt God’s plans for my life.  …Going on a mission trip does take time…It does take money…It’s expensive—How in the WORLD will I be able to come up with this amount of money…again?  I have already asked for donations…I have already done fundraisers…I don’t want to bother people…I don’t want to annoy them and I don’t want to bug them…

But still in my heart I could hear God telling me to “Go….Go visit the orphans…go visit the precious children in need…Go…I’ll provide.”  So, I decided that if this was God’s plan for my life He would most certainly follow through and provide for me…I wasn’t sure how He would do this? I wasn’t sure when He would do this? But I just believed in my heart that HIS WAYS are BEST and that if I want to live out my faith and my love for Him…I needed to GO! He would certainly take care of the rest.  

At the end of November I had received an email about the Ordinary Hero Fundraiser.  Right away I thought—Maybe I could do this?  …But then those doubts and negative thoughts would start coming back into my head… “I’ve already fundraised…I don’t want to make people feel like they HAVE to…I don’t want to keep bugging people…” Then, God softly put this fact on my heart… By fundraising I can advocate for the lonely children in Africa…I can ENCOURAGE others to HELP and to GIVE…and Maybe there are people out there that can’t exactly get up and come to Africa with me…Maybe they can’t leave their job…their kids…or maybe they physically just can’t get up and go on a trip to Africa…So This is how I can have them be a part of this trip.  They can pray and support me…With their help I am able to go on these trips. With their help…support…prayers…love…and encouraging words I am able to GO and to OPEN MY ARMS AND HEART to all of these children…I am able to DONATE items to them…and I am able to remind them that they are NOT FORGOTTEN! …Yes…it’s a simple fundraiser…but it’s a way to encourage and invite others to get involved….And with their involvement they will help bless the many children that I go see…and they will also feel blessed in their own hearts…Knowing they were a part of this trip too.

So I decided to jump on board with the Ordinary Hero Fundraiser! …God reminded me that I needed to do this…This is a GREAT fundraiser and there is a chance at winning a $500 GRANT! I decided it would just be silly of me to pass this up…and so I didn’t!  I started fundraising on December 1^st and I’ve been praying about this fundraiser ever since…Praying God would continue to BLOW ME AWAY by His faithfulness…Praying God would help provide these funds for me…Praying He would use others to GIVE and to make a difference…Praying for the children in Africa…Praying for God to be with them…Praying for God to use me…Praying for God to help me bring them HOPE.

For some people…they might think this is just something that I want to do…Yes…I DO want to do this…but more importantly…GOD wants me to do this…He has CALLED me to do this…I strongly believe that and until I hear otherwise I will continue to follow what He has called me to do. What I do know is that if I didn’t follow His calling I would miss out on many blessings…These trips are GREAT—yes! They are very powerful and super inspiring and they remind me of what is important in life…They encourage me to help and do as much as I can with what I have…because the NEED that these children all face is SO great and that I can’t hold back any longer…the need is too great…the reality for many is life or death.

Along with the many joys and blessings that my heart receives while going on these mission trips…There is also great difficulty in taking these trips. Of course the BLESSINGS outweigh these difficult times by far!! But still…there are those moments when I feel as though my heart it literally being TORN out of my body and being thrown and stomped on…The things that we saw the last time I was in Africa…are horrific…the lifestyle some children have to live…how children are abandoned and left alone…at such a young age…how these children are looked at on the streets as if they were a stray cat…they are ignored and looked at with disgusted…how these children endure extreme pain on a daily basis…all because no one wants to take care of them??? …All because no one wants to SHARE FOOD and CLEAN WATER with them??? WHAT! …There are SO many people here in the United States that I know of…that as soon as a baby or a child walk into the room their faces LIGHT UP and they all fight for this babies attention…smothering and wanting a chance to hold them! …I love this…and this is EXACTLY how I am too!! …And what gets at my heart is…There are MILLIONS of children in this world…MILLIONS of children in Africa that long for this sort of attention…But somehow it doesn’t match up…does it? So many loving people here that long for a sweet child…long to add to their family…but don’t…even though they might like to…they simply decide not to…While there are SO many precious and lonely children…that DREAM and PRAY to be noticed…just by ONE person…so that they can be reminded that they ARE  IMPORTANT…and that they are LOVED.  And maybe we can’t all adopt…and maybe that’s not God’s will for your life…But I do believe we can serve…and go where he calls us to go.  You might be thinking that a short-term mission trip doesn’t really last that long…and that after I go and visit they are still left there….Yes…I know this…and it tears my heart apart when I leave…But it IS important…and I have proof that I would like to share with you…

Today I received one of the BEST GIFTS in the mail…And because it’s Christmas time and there has been a lot of online ordering going on…You might think I received a favorite piece of clothing…or a favorite CD…or Book…a favorite t-shirt or necklace…or some sort of package filled with lots of goodies for this holiday season…BUT no…I received a letter from DUNCAN!!! J Do you all remember the story about Duncan?  How I met him at Fiwagoh when we went to Kenya…And that Shelby, him and I all felt this special bond…and that before we left we all decided that he was our NEW BROTHER in AFRICA!! …And that he now had a family in the United States! ….This past October was his Birthday and I made sure to send him a card.  So I went to Wal-Mart and I was trying to find the perfect card for him…but I wasn’t really having any luck…But then I saw a traditional Happy Birthday Card that played the Happy Birthday Song.  It sort of looked a little “kidish”…but knowing how excited they all got over ONE SILLY BAND…I thought—He’ll LOVE it! So I purchased this…along with a pack of stickers…2 Minnesota Post Cards…and I wrote him a letter as well as sent him a picture of our family…So he could see what his mom and dad and other sister in America look like!;)  Well today I received his letter along with 3 PICTURES of him!!!!  One picture was of him and his friend, Emmanuel, at their garden…another picture was of Duncan in his garden and the last picture was of him in the kitchen…holding some stuff in his hands—what looks to be like the birthday card and picture that we sent him!! J He wrote us ALL a letter…He wrote to Dear Sister Stephanie…Dear Sister Shelby…To Dear Brother Patrick…to Dear Dad Al and to Dear Mom Gina. Wow…I saw this writing and my heart got instantly HEAVY! ...Here is what he wrote to me:

My Dear Beloved Sister Shanna,

Hopefully you are fine, I am doing great but miss you so much that mostly I always look at the photos you sent me for a long time. Greetings from my brothers and sisters here at school.

I take this golden opportunity to give you my heartfelt thanks for the photos and the birthday card you sent me.  For sure it has made my life turn around 180 degrees. For sure I give my thanks from my bottomless pit of my heart for your love and kindness to me for being so mindfull about me. Having not made it to this place but sent an encouraging love through the letter. God is going to open up ways and we shall meet soon. Hopefully at “home” by His will. And more so wishing terribly to be with me in my birthday but never mind because the Lord will do His will upon us.

For sure the birthday card was neat and played music that really brought me joy and I knew that someone cares for me. I enjoyed it sooo much.  It had really brought the bubbles of joy and a river of happiness in my life.

Thanks for introducing me to mom and dad and Patrick and Stephanie. I have written them letters. For sure I long to meet this brother, sister and these parents once but sure God’s timing is sure and perfect as you claimed in your letter. But they are always in my prayers.

You people have made my life a steep ahead both spiritually and physically. I remember days that I was angery and even didn’t get to shower and had to eat poorly but now praise the Lord that I have people who care for me.

For now, I need to learn and hopefully go to a medical institution to get lessons on health. Then I can help the people of perishing souls and show them the light. I am still going on with my health and education from the books that we have.  I am very much fine and for the children that were sick by the help of the Lord they are better and most children are well again. Their sickness came from a result of one of the children coming with a disease and it spread to more children.

Thanks for letting me know that you love, care and are ready to help me whenever possible. Thanks for also accepting me into the family and that there is love and unity and protection.

Please will you share with me about the pouring of the snow since I have never seen it but in pictures. Tell me about the challenges that are faced and what is fun about it and tell me how the university level is going on and how it is. Is it like the normal schooling? Tell me about mom and dad, Steph and Patrick. Let me know how they do worship.

I know that it expenses you much to write me and send me some things but thanks for your love Shanna. I am really praying to meet you and the rest of the family members as soon as God wants me to. Say hi to your friends, neighbors and tell tham that there is one in heaven who will not fail them. Thank you and love you. I hope to hear from you.

Your Blessed Hope Brother,

Duncan

Wow!! Can you see how a short term mission trip CAN and DOES make a HUGE DIFFERENCE!! I am beyond grateful that God led me on that trip last summer…and that God led me to Duncan!  I do love and miss him and I do look at him as my brother!!  AND—Guess what…When I go to Africa—I’ll be VISITING HIM!!!! My team leader, Diana, had messaged me last week explaining that she’ll be leading another team over to Africa this summer. We are still working on the details but she said for sure that we’ll be going to Fiwagoh—will be staying for a longer amount of time there…and we will be visiting 2 orphanages that are in NEED of visitors and for people to come LOVE on their precious babies….UM…OK! J She said that the one orphanage has about eleven 1 year olds!! Oh boy….I can feel my heart breaking already!  I’m SO SO SO excited to go over there and to go back to the children at Fiwagoh—they need us...they need love…and they NEED HOPE so that their lives can change…and do as Duncan said…an eighty degree turn in the right direction!

Ok…SO that was my GOOD news that I got ALL excited about!! …BUT…I have more.  This afternoon I had just received a message from a lady that is in charge of the Ordinary Hero Fundraiser.  She sent me some more GREAT NEWS!!!  There is just 5 ½ days LEFT of this contest in having a chance to receive the $500 GRANT! …There are 150 people doing this fundraisier…AND….as of today I’m in the TOP 5!!! WHAAAAT!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I seriously started jumping in my room when I called and told Patrick!!! J This extra 500 dollars would get me one step closer in being able to go see and surprise Duncan!!! And what’s even crazier…is that there have only been 9 people who have order items for me…What 9?!? And I’m in the TOP 5?!?!  This says a lot because these people’s items have been VERY generous and I am again BLOWN away at how God stays true to HIS WORD…He will provide. Of course He will provide…In James 1:27 He CLEARLY tells us to go visit orphans…so of course He will provide!!

Wow you guys!!! I cannot THANK YOU enough for all who have helped purchase items from Ordinary Hero!! There is just 5 ½ days left!!! And, although I’m in the TOP 5 I don’t want to play it safe and act like I’m going to win this grant…I know the fight is INTENSE with everyone else that is in the TOP 5…so if there is anyone out there that would be willing to HELP and possibly purchase any item I would appreciate it SOO SOOO much. And, you can look at it this way, your $25 item is helping me with the 40% …But it’s also helping me reach my goal at earning the $500 Grant!

One challenge that I have started is to see if anyone would be willing to purchase the Donation Combo Pack that is under the items that can be donated to children in Africa.  Each Combo Pack is $55 and includes 2 Raincoats, 1 pair of Aqua Shoes and a Warm Fleece Blanket.  My goal is to have 100 people purchase 100 of these combo packs!  Do you know why?? Yes—It would strongly help get me into the TOP 3…But not only this—This is a GREAT way to GIVE this Christmas season. We could bless 100 children in Ethiopia with 100 of these combo packs!! These children will most likely not receive a Christmas present this year…BUT, you could change that!!! You could CHANGE the WORLD to ONE child in Africa!!!  

Here is the Ordinary Hero Website: www.ordinaryherostore.org I pray that you would please consider making some type of a purchase and that you would continue to pray for all of God’s precious children.  If you do purchase something with Ordinary Hero, please remember to click on “Shanna Bahn” under the affiliated drop box so that I can receive the 40% credit. Thank you all!! I have the BEST family and friends in the WORLD!!! We are CHANGING the world!!

I’ll be praying for you…I’ll be praying for your heart…and I’ll be praying for God’s will and His plans for all of the many children that will be without a family this Christmas.

Here is a beautiful adoption video that I'd like to share! Ps. Notice all of their Ordinary Hero shirts that they are wearing!! :)  To view the video, just push play but before starting it you will need to go to the bottom of my page and mute my music! :)