MORE "Barbers"

I don't have great shots... BUT... these three kids call Holt and I their American mother and father so I thought I better mention them because they ARE a part of our family!!

You can't see it well and I'll post her next picture but this is Slivia.... she is from Zambia.

Holt "adopted" Slivia before we were married so she became part of my life when I started writing to her.  Many times it's hard to get involved in these organizations because you don't know where your money is going.  Holt was on the Board of World Vision, so this one felt ok.  Little did I know, I'd get hand written letter, photos, pictures from this sweet girl that lives so very far away.

Here is my little guy...Duvan.  Duvan is from Columbia.

His picture is up-to-date and that is the one I currently have on my desk at work.  He's struggling a bit in school but I know his parents are staying on top of things.  We too write every few of months (by the time you write, it gets over there and translated, then the same thing back to you...)

I'll post the next letters they send so you can see.  What always amazes me most is ... for Christmas, they get a blanket, some shoes, a notepad, soap, toothpaste - ya know... the stuff we take for granted... and they are SO thankful - they feel SO blessed.  It's sad to look at my life, at my closet and realize how pathetic I am when I don't have all that I WANT... versus the basic necessities in life.  Shame on me.

And finally, this is Josephine Namu.  Josephine is from Uganda.

Josephine is our most recent "kid" and she was stuck... no way to go to college.  Deb learned about her in the process of getting her daughter from an orphanage in Uganda.  I have her email and I'll get getting to know her through that.  Unlike Compassion International or World Vision, she doesn't have a "sponsor" but Holt and I were looking for something to do with out tithe... and when we heard that the amount we were asking God what to do with was the SAME as her entire SEMESTER at college... we knew.

So, that's that... Josephine is off to college!!!  HURRAY!!!  We also had another month of tithes (we are searching for a new church) so we took care of her second semester too!    HURRRRAAAAAAAAAY!!!  We asked her what she wanted if she could have anything and she said a USB. REALLY? That's it... I had 3 extra at work so that took care of that - wow! Now we are trying to find a used laptop to send her off with.


I'm not telling anyone this to get a pat on the back, no, no, no.. in fact, biblically we are to do these things in "secret" and not seek the glory of "man" but I wanted Tristan to know of her... I wanted YOU to know of her...and encourage you to ask God who YOU can help. 
 
Soooo T... meet your siblings that God assigned!  For the rest of you... say hi to your other family!
 
Love, Holt, Julie, Tristan, Slivia, Josephine, Duvan, Alsan, Simba and for this week... Penny :)