Next Chapter in Layton Family Congo History

Jaime and I have tickets and will be flying together back to Congo very soon to see Matteus Samuel Bonheur (soon-to-be-Layton we pray)!! Yes, we have a name (actually Jaime already came up with the name 3 weeks ago but it took Phil awhile ;) Matteus is a variation of Matthew and means "gift of God" and Samuel in the OT was dedicated to God. Bonheur is his birth name and French for "happiness" (also very fitting). At some point in October, Lord-willing, "Layton" will also be added to his name!

Jaime will just be in country a couple days for the court hearing and judgment of adoption while I will stay longer. Due to some unique workings of Providence, Matteus may be legally our son within a month of me first seeing him! We were praying this could all happen before the end of the year, but our God is able to do exceedingly beyond what we ask or think, to Him be the glory (Ephesians 3:20-21).

With the gracious recommendation and support of my Elders I will stay in DRC until the process is complete with embassy and exit process / immigration, etc., probably 20 more days. Then Lord-willing if all goes well, before the end of October, Matteus may be on an airplane across the Atlantic in his new dad's arms!

Please continue to pray earnestly for some dynamics in the country and complications beyond what I can share here but not beyond the power of our God who has already moved mountains to make this much possible and can complete our journey. This is just the introduction to the next chapter in the Layton family Congo history ... to be continued.