Today Ed, Robin and Alex (Losha) arrived home. Some friends and family threw them a “welcome home” party. Although tired from the long travels and change in time zones, they had enough energy to eat lasagna and cake. They took the opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.

We rejoice with them as God has proven His faithfulness and graciousness to them during this long journey.

God be praised.

This is an update from Joel Foster, as of Saturday evening:

Thank you all for praying, Mom and Dad will be able to stay in Penza through their court date. They were also able to pick Losha up yesterday, and he will be able to stay with them through the court date, instead of at the orphanage. Those are both big answers to prayer. They will all be going to a Baptist church tomorrow at 3:00 in the afternoon, and will have an interpreter going with them. Losha was at the hospital for a full four days, and has not really been able to see his friends yet; Mom and Dad plan to take him to see them sometime next week. He was a little nervous coming back to Mom and Dad, not having seen them for a while, but is ok now.

The court date is the next big problem - 2:00 Tuesday. Pray that all goes well.

Thank you.

Joel

Joel spoke with his parents today and forwarded me an update to share:

“They (Ed & Robin) went to Nishi Malov (I don’t think that is spelled correctly) on Monday and had an interview with the Director of the Ministry of Education, the director of the orphanage, and a social worker, all of whom endorsed them. All went well, they had a safe but wild ride they said! They are having an interesting time trying new foods.

Losha might have to stay at the orphanage until the court date because he has lost so much of his russian language, but Mom and Dad really want him to be able to stay with them. I think he is kind of nervous. They would appreciate prayer for that. They also need prayer that they will be able to remain in Penza until the court date. There is some ten day restriction they are trying to get past.

On Tuesday they visited eight doctors, had an amazing nurse who helped them get through, they are all done with their russian medical checkups. They say they are doing fine, just waiting now. They hope to be able to do a little sight-seeing.”

Let’s continue to be praying for our brother and sister as they are in Russia.

Corban was born yesterday (9 January), and Bob and Jennie and Patience were able to take him with them when they left the hospital today. The Lord’s providential timing and miraculous intervention were so evident. Thank you for praying for them.

Hannah’s Heart has seen a little over $2,600 come in toward alleviating the estimated costs ($8-10,000) of the Bixbys’ adoption. We praise God for the great things He has done these weeks to bring Corban into this family.

Learn more about how to help: THE CORBAN PROJECT

Read the Bixbys’ story in detail on their YouBelong journal:
REQUESTED OF GOD [email to request password]

Beth Murschell is home now in Florida with the Murschells’ new family member: Chloe Jane Yoon Jin Murschell

Read more about the Murschell family and Chloe Jane here:
http://juxtaposition.wordpress.com
http://www.murschell.com

Also, please continue to pray earnestly about the Bixbys’ adoption situation, especially over the next several days.
Bob’s weblog
Bixbys’ YouBelong journal (password required)
The Corban Project

For those of you who have been asking about the Murschells’ little girl, Chloe Jane, for whose adoption referral fees Global Grace / Hannah’s Heart helped to raise financial support, here is an important update: Beth Murschell is on her way right now to get Chloe Jane and bring her home! The Murschells couldn’t afford to take the whole family to Korea (although they’re already seeing some possible reasons God in His providence did not permit that - for one thing, Andrew got hit with the Christmas flu that’s been going around). So Mick and Chloe’s siblings-to-be have gone to South Carolina to celebrate Christmas, and Beth boarded a plane on Christmas day. She is en route to Korea (by way of an unexpectedly long delay in Japan). You can keep up with the Murschells’ latest news at either of the following websites:
http://juxtaposition.wordpress.com
http://www.murschell.com

And Bob and Jennie Bixby left for South Carolina a couple of weeks ago to attend Bob’s sister’s wedding and to await the arrival of little Samuel Corban. After a couple of false alarms, they are just praying Corban will arrive soon. Bob flew back to Rockford for Morning Star’s Christmas Eve services and is now back with Jennie and Patience in South Carolina, awaiting Corban’s imminent arrival and enjoying the company of their family members. Please pray for the Lord to continue to work out the details for Corban’s adoption, and pray that the Lord would use this time to prepare and bless the Bixby family. You can keep up with their baby updates at either of the following websites:
http://www.youbelong.net/requested (password must be requested)
http://weblog.wordcentered.org
http://rbixbyfam.blogspot.com

In addition to continuing work in Mississippi and helping out a more local widow’s family with some building needs, Global Grace and its adoption-financing part, Hannah’s Heart, have undertaken yet another project. Not surprising. But this project is particularly close to the hearts of Morning Star Baptist Church members.

In His providence and perfect timing, God has given our pastor’s family another opportunity to adopt: The Corban Project

“With the addition of little Corban, the Bixbys will become a multiracial family, and they are exulting in that prospect. They are not perfect people, and they would not claim to be perfect parents. But Bob and Jennie believe this opportunity is God’s answer to their prayers for another child. Not only do they want to bring Corban into a loving, healthy, two-parent home, but they want to teach him about the one true God Who adopts sinners into His own household, both for His glory and their good.”

Bob and Jennie have had very little notice to prepare for this little boy (they just learned about him three weeks ago!), but they have been praying for him for years. They have taken out a loan to cover the immediate costs and are already in South Carolina waiting for Corban’s birth. Hannah’s Heart has taken the initiative to consider the Bixbys official “applicants” for whatever aid we can raise to contribute toward Corban’s adoption costs.

Chris Metras, the new director of Global Grace, wrote that

“as Morning Star Baptist Church’s missions and disaster relief arm, we believe the financing of Christian adoptions is one way to live out the love of Christ by addressing both physical and spiritual needs of people with whom we come into contact. Because of this, Global Grace has officially embraced Hannah’s Heart, an adoption-financing endeavor that originally began in August 2005 as the burden of Morning Star’s single adults fellowship.” (Read the rest of Global Grace’s endorsement of Hannah’s Heart here.)

With Global Grace’s help in handling the funds, Hannah’s Heart has been able to help a couple of other Christian families with their adoptions. But now we have an opportunity to help our own pastor with an adoption opportunity that has been materializing over the last three weeks. It is an especially joyful privilege for those of us who have prayed with Pastor and Jennie for a long time to be able to contribute toward their needs. Please visit “The Corban Project” page to learn about the most recent developments.

52 donors have contributed $4,077 so far. We are praising the Lord for providing both the money and the willing hearts that have given so far.

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. ~ I Chronicles 29:13-14

Based on the generous gifts that have come in so far, the Murschells have been encouraged by their agency to keep pursuing Chloe. They have till the end of this week to come up with the remaining the remaining $2,748.

We would appreciate your prayers as we travel today and tomorrow down to Lafayette, Louisiana. Here are some photos from last night’s commissioning service and the “downsized” reception following.

These cuties are our twin nieces, Bethany and Brianna. The kids liked the lizards Henry brought back from the work trip to Mississippi.

We are in “downsizing” mode, and we figured some “downsized refreshments” were in order. So, following the evening church service, we served mini-cookies and mini-drinks and gave tours of the RV.

Praise the Lord! Today was a busy but encouraging day. We were challenged by the Word today as Pastor Bixby preached on helping the poor and needy. It refreshed our zeal to go down to Louisiana and help in any way we can! (Want to be challenged too? See his blog for October 4th!)

We had a meeting with the board of Global Grace today to work out some details. Make sure to check out the Global Grace website to find out more about this Mission Organization that was started just a few weeks ago by MorningStar Baptist Church. We’re excited to see how God will use this ministry to further His Word. In a later post, I’ll explain a little more about this ministry and how we are a part of it.

Today we found out about a $4000 donation to Global Grace for our support as well as MorningStar taking up an offering that came to $3100! The Lord is providing!