Day One in Lubumbashi (at least for Jaime)

ALL our flights went very smoothly! It is a LONG trip to the other side of the world!! Ours was Sacramento to Long Beach to D.C. to Ethiopia to Malawi to Lubumbashi!! All with long and short layovers in between.

Lubumbashi airport was no problem. Didier has a friend who met us and took us through customs. All 5 of our bags were accounted for and nothing seems to be missing. Praise the Lord! If you have been reading this blog in past weeks, you understand how big of a praise this is, for things like this we take for granted in America.

When we got to the car Matteus was waiting for us. He recognized Phil and said, “I go with them.” He was content to sit on my lap the entire way home. He talked almost the entire time, I wish I knew what he was saying, but for the most part it was a running commentary on every “moto-ka” (motor car) we passed. He loves them! A definite boy! This will be good when we get home, he will have no problem getting in our van and going away with us. We don’t know if he ever rode in a car before Didier picked him up a month ago. We wonder what he will think when Friday he and his dad go to l’aeroport to board one of this big flying things to go to the capitol?

He is a very sweet boy, I could tell he loved the one-on-one attention because when we got back into the orphanage he became very quiet. When we were leaving he started to cry, so of course I had to bring him with me!!

He sat content on my lap while we ate dinner (he had already eaten.) Didier told us to only give him small amounts at a time. The children were so used to being hungry that now they do not know when to stop eating. They are so well cared for here. Three full meals, and lots of love.

The children were enamored with my blonde hair, blue eyes and many freckles and moles on my skin. Each took a turn petting my hair and arms and giggling with delight and saying “soft”. They probably would have touched my blue eyes if I’d let them. They are a happy bunch, we held, tickled and just loved them. They all remembered Papa Phil and were excited to see him.

God granted us a good rest (minus the perpetual mouse sounds). Phil got up more than once after midnight with a big stick ready to smash any intruders, but alas … no sightings of the phantom rodent. He said the game is on, tonight! The guest house is actually quite nice, many more western touches than any other home in the area, and our gracious and hospitable hosts do such much to make us feel at home. We do feel at home here.

This morning we are going to meet with the judge at his office and later should receive the court judgment, at the end of the day Lord-willing. More on that later, but for now we know you’re anxious for us to stop writing so you can see pictures so here you go!

Sweethearts in the sky

Landing in Lubumbashi

First few moments with Mama Jaime

Matteus happy to sit on Mama’s lap for hours. We’re not sure who’s more happy – us to be with him or Matteus happy to see so many “motorcars”:)

Matteus giggling (last time Phil was here he couldn’t get him to smile … this time the sweet guy is smiling a lot along with the other new kids to the orphanage who have already changed so much with the loving environment here)

Arriving in Africa Soon

We left mid-Sunday afternoon for Sacramento airport, and are finally touching down in Africa in Ethiopia at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, Ethiopia time. Our layover is brief (thankfully after a 7-hour layover in Washington D.C.) and just one more 6-hour flight that goes through Lilongwe and arrives in Congo at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday Congo time. It’s kind of weird for me to retrace my steps from this exact same journey just 5 weekends ago under different circumstances, but I come with a joyful heart this time, and am so glad I’m coming with my sweetheart Jaime! On my first trip I sure missed my bride as I sat “alone” (at least not with people I knew, as Josie and Gabe’s seats weren’t right next to mine) but this time I feel complete with my perfect complement and helpmeet and best friend by my side, holding my hand, sleeping on my lap, snuggling, cuddling, eating out with me – it’s like one big date without kids, almost a 2nd honeymoon :) Ok, so the food and lack of sleep and lodging in the African may not be the most romantic, but still … no person I would rather be with than my favorite person on the planet!

We don’t often get to spend this kind of time together continuously, and I’ve calculated we’ll be with each other for at least 120 hours in a row before Jaime flies back Friday, which by then will probably be enough for her :) We will be apart again for nearly 3 more weeks after Jaime leaves while I stay to complete the process, so we’re making up for lost time in advance. To be together without interruptions from kids or distractions from our digital world for a few days is a gift we thank God for.

But of course this is not a vacation from kids – it’s a trip we’re on because we have a heart for kids beyond our culture! A sleep-deprived journey with snoring garlic-breath guys next to you can actually be a blessing in the end because it is taking us to a place where we will get to see kids when we land in Congo, the beautiful kids and people that Jaime has known by face for months, she will soon see in person. She’s especially eager to see a little short kid who just turned 20 months while we were flying to Africa (birthday 2/3/2010)! She got to hear him jabber on the phone almost exactly 4 weeks ago, and now she’ll get to meet him face-to-face and hear him jabber in Swahili in person. Last month was a bitter-sweet month for Jaime and me, and mixed emotions are to be expected, I’m sure, and it’s difficult to know what’s going in this little guy’s mind, but we look forward to this journey with him, whatever that looks like in God’s providence.

Though we miss our other kids in America very much, we are so thankful they are in good hands with my sister Lisa and other friends from church, and we are grateful for this time to bond as husband and wife and with family in Congo, those who are already our family spiritually. Family is a precious thing, I have been learning in many ways in recent days, including non-biological family and spiritual family. Perhaps as soon as Wednesday, one more little guy will become a part of our family legally!

Awkward Moments We Plan to Avoid This Time

This won't be the most spiritual entry but is a blog Phil wrote up to share a month ago about his initial trip through D.C. and Ethiopia to Congo, that never made it to last month's blog somehow. Gabe told his version of these accounts on his blog, and Phil is posting his rendition now as awkward moments they plan to avoid the second time as we’re travelling the same route and talking with people about our trip.

Awkward Moment #1. As the Laytons and Wilmarths were checking out of our hotel in D.C. on 8/28 to head to the airport, Gabe and I were shuttling 11 or 12 bags on a hotel rolling cart into the elevator, and a nice lady joins us in the elevator. “Wow, those are a lot of bags,” she says in a British accent. “Yes,” I explain, “most of this isn’t ours – we’re bringing gifts to an orphanage in Africa.” She smiles and makes a nice comment in small talk, and then Gabe adds smiling “yeah, we’re adopting twins.” She looks at me and I smile too instinctively, and she looks at both of us and doesn’t seem as excited for Gabe as I thought she would (I think she said something like “ohhh, ok”). Only after she exited the elevator did I later think why she seemed so … awkward.

Awkward Moment #2. In Ethiopia while we’re waiting in line at the airport the next day, we strike up a conversation with 2 African men from 2 different African countries about their different languages and cultures, and we tell them this is our first time in Africa. One of the men comments that he can tell some ladies who passed by were Kenyan, and then Josie naturally and innocently asks, “Oh, maybe you can tell me, why is it Ethiopian women have thin and smooth hair and black women from other African countries have … well thicker hair, that’s not as smooth … but it’s also beautiful,” she quickly added. Both of the somewhat gruff-looking men stared expressionless at her, and neither said a word to interrupt the awkward silence, but I think the one who was a policeman in his country was thinking something like “did that tall white girl really just ask me that?” … awkward.   

Reminds me of a time when Jaime asked a black lady about how to do the hair of little black boys, explaining our adoption and that we didn’t know how to do “different” hair. The lady looked at her and then looked at her friend, and said with her head to the side, “different … did you hear her, she just said ‘different’” … the black lady was laughing but still … awkward.

The white guy writing this blog had an awkward moment our first day in Congo when he said inadvertently “Buenos Dias” to Peter who speaks French but no English (or Spanish!). Actually he had a lot of awkward moments attempting French, which he hopes not to repeat, with his wife to help keep him from speaking Spanish, and with a means of grace in a French phrase book I have now and an app on my phone that helps me with French. Awkwardness and embarrassment is actually a good remedy to pride and the illusion of adequacy we have at times.

I look forward to seeing how God will grow us and humble us outside our comfort zone again, as we depend on Christ, knowing we are never adequate in ourselves, only Christ is (2 Cor. 3:4-5).      

May This Journey Bring a Blessing

Phil and Jaime are on their way to Congo.  As I type, they are on an airplane headed to Washington D.C.  From there, they will fly to Ethiopia and then on to Lubumbashi, Congo.  It is a LONG trip.  They go with happy hearts, though.  God has been so gracious, as you know. 

They carry with them 7 huge bags... but not because they are taking much of their own belongings, but because so many of you have graciously given gifts to the orphanage and Pastor Didier's family!  It is so exciting to see the body of Christ be so generous.

Georgia and Adam said good-bye to their mom and dad just before they headed to the aiport (Ella and Annalee were staying at a friend's house).

Driving away...

They hope and pray that their "journey will bring a blessing" as the words say in that Getty song, "Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer."  Phil said they have been humming this song today as they started their journey and asked me to post the words. 

Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labor thro' the storm
You have called me to this passage
And I'll follow tho' I'm worn

May this journey bring a blessing
May I rise on wings of faith
And at the end of my heart's testing
With Your likeness let me wake

Jesus guide me thro' the tempest
Keep my spirit staid and sure
When the midnight meets the morning
Let me love You even more

May this journey be a blessing
May I rise on wings of faith
And at the end of my heart's testing
With Your likeness let me wake

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go
And at the end of this long passage
Let me leave them at Your throne

Jesus draw me ever nearer
Jesus draw me ever nearer
Jesus draw me ever nearer to You
To You

One Month Ago

Exactly one month ago today I buried my son Mark Joseph Layton in Lubumbashi. It was a simple graveside service, not the type of memorial service one might have in America where pictures might be shown in a slide show. What pictures would I have liked to show of this precious boy we'll never forget? Here is a short picture tribute:

When he received the last name Layton (5/22/2011)

Coming home from the hospital, held by Annie

With Didier's family that first week

At 2 weeks old

With Mama Angelique and Kara

At 2 months

Being cared for by Annie

Tomorrow I get on a plane to fly back to Lubumbashi, something I could not have imagined at the time. As I knelt and kissed and embraced the little coffin, it was as if the Lord knelt and did the same for me.

 
To be continued ...

One of Many Answered Prayers!!

Passports back in our possesion!! With Visa stamp inside.  Done. check!

Prayers and Praise

First off, we want to share praise to our great and gracious and generous God for His incredible provision through His people in every way to bring us to this point. We don't have time to write thank you's to everyone but want to thank you and thank God for amazing kindness.

Besides final packing and preparations, we would also ask you to join us in prayer:

- Please pray with us that our VISA and passport will arrive in the USPS express mail Saturday (we hoped they would today but this is a good test of our faith :). Without these we won't be able to fly out Sunday night to arrive in Congo in time for the adoption hearing for Matteus, the 20-month old we're adopting, and things are on an extremely tight timeline.
- Please pray also for the adoption hearing and travel arrangements Phil still has to make while he is in the capitol of Congo from 10/7-10/18 before returning to Lubumbashi where Didier lives, and that all the documentation completed next week will be acceptable to the embassy as well as the Congolese exit agency.
- Please pray for safe travels, for Jaime as she returns next weekend, and for Phil while he completes the process solo with Matteus over the next 2-3 weeks, and for our children as others care for them while mom and dad are abroad.

African Sights and Scriptural Reflections

Matteus and me doing some bonding

Below are some of the slides and Scriptures I shared with our church Sunday night of my first trip to Congo. Click on file dated 9/25 (there are also slides from 6/28 for VBS that show more of the Layton family history in Congo).

http://goldcountrybaptist.org/site/outlines.asp?sec_id=1477&secure=&dlyear=0&dlcat=0

It may take a little time to download the big 9/28 presentation first time but I trust it is worth the wait for cuteness ;)  Push the right arrow or Page Down button to advance the pictures. At some point if I have time I hope to upload more of Sunday night's presentation, including some of the video clips. Thank you for everyone's prayers - God has already answered and provided beyond what we could ask or think for so many details of our upcoming trip.

Monday in San Francisco

Life with the Laytons today was a day-trip to San Francisco. We needed to drive there to get Jaime's passport processed in time for our trip to Congo. We made it a family outing with my parents and all the kids. After Jaime's new passport was issued we then mailed our VISA applications from there which we pray we will get back asap.   We still managed to get in several hours at the waterfront, seeing the sights, eating fish and chips, watching trains and cranes, 2-story buses, saw the famous Lombard Street to the Golden Gate Bridge (aka The Golden Great Bridge) and the tunnel (Adam was equally thrilled about).  It was the first time kids saw wild seals and trolley cars and other things unique to San Fran. We made a home-school field trip out of it, complete with stories we're not sure they believed about why kids who don't obey their parents end up on Alcatraz.

It was the nicest sunniest warmest day we've experienced in San Francisco (or as one of my girls calls it, "San Cicisco"), and the wonderful day was complete on our way home with a stop for dinner at our kids' favorite "restaurant," Costco! The highlight of the whole day was their grandpa and grandma taking them on the merry-go-round at the end of Pier 39 and then talking dad into taking them on it one more time before we left.

Jaime's highlight was getting to lie down for a little nap on the drive back. Phil's highlight is being done driving after about 7 hours driving today and relaxing with his wife at home with a Monday night movie.

One step closer to our next trip to Congo (actually two)!! We appreciate your prayers Tuesday as the court hearing in Congo may begin that day in Congo, and will conclude with adoption judgment Lord-willing when Jaime and I are both in country.

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.

The Layton's Latest Prayer Requests

Here is a picture of the beautiful reunited Congolese children who all 4 lived together with Didier at the orphanage for a number of months before Stuart and Jennifer brought Jamie and Jordan home (seen from left to right below). Josie and Gabe Wilmarth and the twins Brandon and Kara who used to go to church in Congo with their friends on the left now go to the same church with them in California (Grace Bible Fair Oaks) and it is a joy to see how God has weaved these families together.

Here is a quick update to what I shared at the end of our 9/13 blog below on how you can be praying for our family adoption journey, which we should be able to share more about later this week, but for now would appreciate prayer support in relation to the little fella pictured in the 9/14 blog ("Last African Sunset ... for now") who we are pursuing adopting.
- Please pray as Didier meets with the judge and court tomorrow that we can get a court hearing soon and that the judge will accept all our documents and be able to do our judgment by mid-October as we have a narrow window of time and resources to complete the process for reasons too complicated to share here
- Please pray for wisdom as Jaime considers travelling to D.R.C. for a short trip in early October, which will potentially save some money on court costs and help expedite the process
- Please pray for timing of Phil's travel in relation to Didier's schedule and the timing of elections in November and other dynamics in the country beyond what we can share here
-Pray that Phil can return to DRC by mid-October to take our son to the US embassy in the capitol and that all the legal docs done in country would be acceptable to embassy so that he can come home to CA by early November!

God's favor has already been on this process but Thursday and Friday are especially crucial as court fees and appointments are made. We appreciate so much your prayers for God's continued favor on this process.

Blessed be the God of All Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

25 days ago this morning I heard the sad news of the death of our 3-month-old son, Mark Joseph Waleza Layton.  Days before I was going to see him and bring him home, God did. God did, to borrow words from the hymn by William Cowper, what was “unfathomable” to my “feeble sense…a mysterious way”? I couldn’t trace the foot-steps of God on the water or see His face behind the dark clouds of what Cowper called “frowning Providence.” In the initial moments there was disbelief, shock, confusion, stabbing heart pain, disbelief again … and waves of emotion that began to roll in, as another line of another hymn says “when sorrows like sea billows roll …”

That day, after praying and weeping with my family and friends, as the calls and visits settled a little, I picked up God's Word. But where would I turn? The Psalms? The place God led me, the book I didn’t leave or read from another book for a long time was 2 Corinthians. What Paul wrote to the Corinthians many years ago, I felt as if God had written those verses in this book directly for me on that day. I couldn’t leave this book. I lived this book, especially 2 Cor. 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I pray today this Scripture is fulfilled in our hearing, as it has been happening in my life, I pray it would happen in your life today, tomorrow, in the future, everyday, through Christ, for the sake of others who need the comfort of others, including you. God has been growing me, and I pray He is growing us in what this text is talking about, for the good and growth of us all.

That's how I began a message this morning from that passage of Scripture where I shared how God has ministered to me through His Word in the last 3 1/2 weeks, and I hope that message will minister to others beyond our church. In the message I also share some of what Didier and I shared with each other by email as we went through this together, and how God helped us, how the Lord gives and the Lord takes away ... and how sometimes the Lord gives again. Whether He gives or takes or gives again, we can bless His name.

Click below for the rest of the message:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=9181119465510
To listen to it, click the "Play" button or to read, click on on "View PDF"

Videos

These are some videos captured from my friend Stuart a few weeks back that I figured out how to imbed more recently. Though these are not new they help give more of a feel than pictures can for the church, and people. If a picture says a thousand words, videos can say ten thousand

Tuesday Choir Practice at Church, with Kids Spying In

 Daily Pre-Sunrise Service on Compound (6:00 a.m. prayer/worship)

Young People's Choir Special Music

Pastor Peter Preaching in Swahili, Pastor Didier in English

Last Sunset in Africa ... for now

"The Lord watches over the sojourners; He upholds the widow and the fatherless"
(Psalm 146:9 ESV)

He Giveth and Giveth and Giveth Again

I have had this hymn in my head for the last week. 

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!!

http://nethymnal.org/htm/h/g/hgmgrace.htm

I praise the Lord that I grew up in a church that sung hymns, and am at a church that STILL does.  But like the blessing of hiding God's word in your heart is the remembrance of great theology set to music.  So glad to have Phil back home and doing our family devotion time again.  We sung this last night, I hope someday it ministers to our children as it has to me.