Our Boatload of Dreams.....

Welcome to Our Place Called Simplicity.

We invite you into our lives with one goal in mind: that you would be encouraged to live simply and truly love one another.

Married for 33 years, we are the parents of many. Eleven {so far} children. Eight of whom are adopted. We also have four sons and a daughter that we are parents of in Uganda as well. They were raised on the streets and had no parents until we "adopted" them 3+ years ago. So we really have sixteen children total {with more on the way}.

After 7+ weeks in Uganda, Emma {18} and I recently returned to the United States with our newest addition - a baby girl named Ruby Grace. Dw and Emma were leading a missions team in June 2011 where they had the privilege of meeting Ruby - a tiny 11 month old gem weighing only 6 lbs.

Our oldest daughter Abigail and her husband finally{!} allowed us the privilege of being Mimi and Jaja by bringing us our very first grand baby {from Uganda}...making us now, officially, a multi-generational adoptive family. Proof that adoption is a very, very good thing!

We've had the privilege of adopting our treasures from all over the world, some dubbed "special needs" we are convinced that the only TRUE special need a child has is to have a family.

Our peers are empty nesters, but we are certain that given this option to any orphan - "old mom and dad" or "no mom and dad", all would still vote for the old ones. So here we are - the old ones....doing it again....

If you are need of encouragement or wonder if God is able to move your mountain, please head over to the sidebar where Special Posts are listed. Start at Our Wild Adventure Part 1. You will be reminded of Almighty God's deep love for the orphan and how He will move mountains on their behalf....we call Him the Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God!! Yippee Jesus!!

I am humbled beyond words and ever so grateful that the Lord is fulfilling a promise He gave me way back in 1982..."making the barren woman to be at home - the joyful mother of children" (Psalms 113:9). How I praise His name!!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The "GO" Arm....

As God has continually been stirring our hearts for the orphan, we knew that He was calling us to 'step it up'.  We are convinced that He is stirring the body of Christ around the world for the orphan.  Never before in history has the plight of the orphan been moving those in the body of Christ like it is today....People are feeling compelled to do something, anything,  for the orphan....

Our hearts desire is to provide simple ways to minister to the orphan...

simple ways to do something on their behalf....

simple ways to do minister daily {even with your young children} from your own home...

simple ways to serve that will change lives forever....

simple ways to see God move on behalf of the orphan....


Yippee Jesus!

I wrote about one of the arms of the new ministry we are beginning here.  If you missed it, please read about it.  We have had quite a bit of interest in it -  the 'crafting for the orphan'...and we are thrilled by that.  Ordinary people spending their 'free' time making things to sell so that orphans around the world can eat!  How amazing is that?  We are continuing to "tweek" how exactly it will all work...and you will be amazed {as we are!} at what God is doing on that front!!

 My plan is to write more about the "selling wares for the orphan" soon.  

But today I thought I would share a second arm of our new ministry.  And by the way, I cannot wait to share the name of our new ministry, but the web site is not done yet...but soon!!  Seriously, it is driving me crazy not being able to introduce you to it yet.  


The second arm of our ministry I am excited to share today is:


the "GO" arm.  

Many of you know that Dw and Emma have been leading mission teams on a regular basis....and the "GO" arm will be part of our ministry.  Sending teams {regularly} to minister to the orphan.  On that page of the web site will be the application to GO with the teams and information about each trip.

Lord willing, there will be at least two teams each year.  {I may even be leading a team!}  As the ministry expands, the countries we minister in will also expand.  Over the years Dw has led or been part of missions trips to countries like:  Nicaragua, Guatemala, Haiti, Uganda and Mexico.  He loves to lead teams and watch as God moves on the hearts of those he has the privilege of leading....

We will also have a Paypal account on that page so people {who cannot go on a missions trip} can give to those who can GO!  How cool is that?

Dw and Emmy are leading a team that leaves on Sunday.  They will be ministering to the orphans of Uganda, the street children of Kampala, Uganda and serving those who serve there.  It's going to be an amazing trip!

We are convinced that when people GO to minister in other parts of the world, God does amazing things in the hearts of those who GO.  Each trip Dw and Emma have led to Uganda has resulted in orphans finding homes.   Another committed to going to minister in an orphanage for an extended period of time.  And still another has since led trips of their own!!  Good things happen when people "GO"!

If you have never gone on a missions trip - pray about being one
who will "GO" soon or help sponsor one going so that you, too, can share a part of the "GO" arm.....

23 Simply Sweet Words:

We Are Family said...

AWESOME!

Shauna said...

You know we love this! In 33 days I will be taking 9 women to Uganda because my hubby answered the call to "GO" with your hubby almost 2 years ago!

May this light a fire for "GO" teams allllll through out the year!

Praise God!

Blessed Mom of Four, Now Five said...

Awesome! I am feeling God calling us to do more, to share more, to tell more....

Josie-Tatum and I have felt the call to GO back to South Africa this summer.

Then, several weeks later, my sweet husbanad and I felt the call to adopt again.

I've been asked more than once...since you're fundraising for your adoption, are you still planning to go to Africa?

And, my answer is, "The LORD hasn't told me I'm NOT going."

Taking GIANT leaps of faith,
Robbie

Sally-Girl! said...

I love your get up and GO girl!!!

What exciting things you have GOing on for all things orphan!!!

Can't wait for the big reveal!

As for me I hope to GO in 2 weeks for Gracie Mae, praying for TA tomorrow!

Holly said...

Simply...AWESOME!!

Jen said...

What wonderful news. I am so wishing I could GO. Can;t seem to find connections in Australia to do this sort of thing. Would DW have an contacts? If so I would love to know of them. This has been on my heart for sometime and I am sure it is something the Lord is leading me into.

Our Family said...

I can NOT wait. I really, really want to GO and will be praying about it starting NOW.

cindy said...

i love this!!! Praying about all things "GO"! <3

Sara said...

Awesome! I have been praying that my hubby, a pastor as well, would be led to join your hubby on a trip at some point. He has a real heart for missions and orphans (since we adopted or Hope)... we will see how the Lord leads:)

I will be praying for this upcoming trip... my sweet friend Abbi from Wisconsin is going with you all. She is such a ball of fun... I know the kids will love her... Thanks for letting her join you all... she has been praying for an opportunity like this for a while! Can't wait to hear updates!
SAra

Mama in Uganda said...

Thank you, thank you!

May the Lord bless you, and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you.

Blessings from the North,
Summer

Scrappy quilter said...

AWESOME!! You know my heart is with you through all of this. Love what you doing. Hugs

valerie in TX said...

Love this! I will be going to Uganda on my first mission trip in June with Visiting Orphans, and I am so excited and nervous at the same time. :) Would so love to travel with you guys someday!!

Amy said...

I love your ministry ideas. I have been following a blog called Micah Six Eight.

http://www.covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/

Could the Lost Boys be added to your orphan ministry?

Amy

Staci said...

SOOOO awesome!!! Amazing! Can't wait to hear more about this! :)

Our 7 Blessings from God said...

This is so awesome!!
Blessings,
Karen

Amber said...

Linny, my hubby is a pastor too and we want to help! Maybe we could coordinate groups from this area. We've both done international mission trips before. In fact, we have a contact already about a need for a Christian orphanage to be built, staffed, and funded. Email me if you get a free minute (*yeah right!... I know!*).

I love watching you guys follow this journey to love on orphans as the hands of Christ! We are praying and following behind you!

Tina said...

so looking forward to that website. ideas for the orphan are flooding my mind. super exciting!

Heather said...

what a wonderful ministry!

Nancy said...

YES!!!!!!!!!!! The cry of my heart...to "GO!" Finances are always tight, but I could GO...and someone who didn't feel compelled to GO, but had funds...see, we would be a TEAM...both ministering together! Oh, YES!!!!

I am excited!!!

Nancy in CT

Mike and Barb said...

I love this second arm of your ministry. We would love to GO with our family. Just trying to figure out when and where and how.
I just threw out invitations for our two oldest to participate in a People to People forum. No way, if we spend that kind of money, it will be on a missions trip. But we just came home with our newest 8 year old, so we're getting settled.
Okay, I'm rambling......

Love, Barb

Ladyblog said...

I dream of going on a missions trip.... can't wait to see this arm of the ministry!

Lexie said...

LOVE THIS. I want to go again with y'all SO BAD. Please keep me updated on any trips coming up this summer (and I'll keep a look out for the new website!)

I can't wait to GO again.

~Truly Tina~ said...

Fantastic vision! Can't wait to learn more about this arm of the ministry!