One of the greatest benefits up to this point, outside of the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, has been educating ourselves on the Democratic Republic of Congo and it's people. Many have expressed interest in the continuing issues that plague this nation. The video posted below will help connect the dots in regard to rebel groups and how they exploit natural resources and the people of Congo to build up weapons caches that perpetuate the cycle of violence and control in the DRC. I will adamantly state, that I do not agree with the assumption in this video that Americas insatiable appetite for technology and electronics has anything to do with furthering this conflict. The responsibility falls on the Congolese government and international peace keeping organizations to make sure the proper supply chains for precious mineral distribution are secure and free-flowing. When these channels are disrupted by militant / rebel groups, as they currently are, we must continue to develop a checks and balances system (see Conflict Minerals Trade Act) that keep the mineral wealth from ending up in the hands of those who fund the violence. We have a responsibility to do our part, but anyone who thinks America is a direct source of the problem is clearly mislead.
Currently Julie and I are doing our best to raise dollars to move our adoption process forward. The first step is completing a "home study". The home study costs approximately $1,700 to administer and it serves three purposes: to educate and prepare the adoptive family for adoption, to gather information about the prospective parents that will help a social worker / adoption agency match the family with a child whose needs they can meet, and to evaluate the fitness of the adoptive family.
As we begin the home study we hope to be a source of information for those that are soon to adopt a child of their own. The blog should become much more active in the weeks to come. We thank God for his provision and opening new doors as we continue this process.
The journey continues.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Understanding Conflict.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a nation of proud and honorable people. I think what saddens my heart the most is the seemingly never ending warfare that plagues this great country and it's people. The residual effects have caused hundreds of thousands of people to flee, in turn subjecting them to even greater violence and many times death.
Much of the United States is unaware of the depth and breadth of this conflict. I hope this video will open your eyes to some of the despair that haunts the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Maybe the most tragic stat of them all is the 5 million orphans facing this destiny alone.
Be informed. The journey continues.
Right click on video, and select "toggle fullscreen".
Isaiah 55: 12 "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
Much of the United States is unaware of the depth and breadth of this conflict. I hope this video will open your eyes to some of the despair that haunts the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Maybe the most tragic stat of them all is the 5 million orphans facing this destiny alone.
Be informed. The journey continues.
Right click on video, and select "toggle fullscreen".
Isaiah 55: 12 "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
First Fruits.
I want to take a moment to praise the outpouring of prayer, love, and support that has been so graciously offered to our family in the early stages of our adoption process. So many of you are asking to do more, this is how you can help.
Prayer is the greatest weapon we are equipped with. Continue to ask God for provision in the coming months for our family. Pray too that God will wrap Malachi in his loving arms and offer him protection and care.
Financial Gifts are of great need. The adoption process fluctuates between $25,000 to $30,000 dollars from start to finish. If you are interested in providing monetary donations to help bring Malachi home please mail checks to: 12212 Monteith Grove Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078.
Fundraisers are going to serve as a major avenue to reach our monetary goal and we can use your help. More information to come in the following weeks.
Finally, I'd like to take a moment to thank a very special lady who has found it in her heart to donate to Malachi's journey. This donation came within the first day of our announcement and I thank God for her and her giving spirit. I'd like to share with you the card that accompanied the donation.
"Justin & Julie - You are brave souls to take on the challenge of this calling. I am very proud of you both. I'm also very proud of you for listening to that still, small voice. We spend a lot of time talking to God, but not enough listening. You listened and answered the call. One of my favorite quotes is 'Your life may be the only Bible some people read'. Your witness of love and faith will touch the lives of so many people you don't even know - but one day it will be revealed to you. Our prayers are with you. May our faith and hope strengthen you as God walks beside you and keeps you safe through out your journey. Peace and love to your soon to be family of 3!"
This is so encouraging and I hope she knows how much we appreciate her love and support.
The journey continues.
Hebrews 13: 15-16 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Prayer is the greatest weapon we are equipped with. Continue to ask God for provision in the coming months for our family. Pray too that God will wrap Malachi in his loving arms and offer him protection and care.
Financial Gifts are of great need. The adoption process fluctuates between $25,000 to $30,000 dollars from start to finish. If you are interested in providing monetary donations to help bring Malachi home please mail checks to: 12212 Monteith Grove Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078.
Fundraisers are going to serve as a major avenue to reach our monetary goal and we can use your help. More information to come in the following weeks.
Finally, I'd like to take a moment to thank a very special lady who has found it in her heart to donate to Malachi's journey. This donation came within the first day of our announcement and I thank God for her and her giving spirit. I'd like to share with you the card that accompanied the donation.
"Justin & Julie - You are brave souls to take on the challenge of this calling. I am very proud of you both. I'm also very proud of you for listening to that still, small voice. We spend a lot of time talking to God, but not enough listening. You listened and answered the call. One of my favorite quotes is 'Your life may be the only Bible some people read'. Your witness of love and faith will touch the lives of so many people you don't even know - but one day it will be revealed to you. Our prayers are with you. May our faith and hope strengthen you as God walks beside you and keeps you safe through out your journey. Peace and love to your soon to be family of 3!"
This is so encouraging and I hope she knows how much we appreciate her love and support.
The journey continues.
Hebrews 13: 15-16 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The journey begins.
Every life is significant. Intended to impact. Engineered for purpose.
Long before my wife Julie and I shared last names we shared a passion. A passion to touch lives, a zeal to influence, an infatuation to give of ourselves. God has instructed us that our time is NOW and this blog is designed to glorify his name through documentation of our journey.
Our passion is manifested in our decision to adopt. Julie and I have spent many hours in the first year of our marriage discussing the option and seemed to have an unspoken understanding that we would have our biological children first and adopt our last. God had other plans. After much prayer and supplication we are excited to inform the world that the Simpson household will grow by one in 2010. We will welcome a son, a son of Africa. His origin the Democratic Republic of Congo, his home here with us in America. His name will be Malachi which translated in Hebrew means "God's Messenger". Words cannot express our joy, but there too is pain.
Ravaged by a bloody civil war that continues in parts of the country to this day, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a country of 5,000,000 orphans and functions as what most analysts would deem a "failing state". 45,000 people die each month in the DRC, the government is ineffective, and sectarian violence / tribal clashes have led to the death of 5.4 million people since 1998. It is a portrait of instability. Disease, erosion of infrastructure, sexual violence, civilian casualties, child soldiers, wounded refugees and malnutrition — there is no shortage of suffering in DRC. Some reports indicate that almost half of the individuals killed are children under the age of 5. The need is immense.
We will respond to that need. The adoption process, baring any major setbacks will take between 6-9 months. We know God has a special plan for us and we understand that it will not be easy, in fact anything but. International adoptions are laced with pitfalls, delays, and governmental red tape; not to mention the arduous task of raising $25-$30,000 to fund the adoption.
All that being said, we know that God is our refuge and strength, he is power and he is protection. This is an exciting time for our family and we are privileged to have the honor of sharing it with all of you. We have so much to tell. And so the journey begins.
Leviticus 19:34
"The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God."
Long before my wife Julie and I shared last names we shared a passion. A passion to touch lives, a zeal to influence, an infatuation to give of ourselves. God has instructed us that our time is NOW and this blog is designed to glorify his name through documentation of our journey.
Our passion is manifested in our decision to adopt. Julie and I have spent many hours in the first year of our marriage discussing the option and seemed to have an unspoken understanding that we would have our biological children first and adopt our last. God had other plans. After much prayer and supplication we are excited to inform the world that the Simpson household will grow by one in 2010. We will welcome a son, a son of Africa. His origin the Democratic Republic of Congo, his home here with us in America. His name will be Malachi which translated in Hebrew means "God's Messenger". Words cannot express our joy, but there too is pain.
Ravaged by a bloody civil war that continues in parts of the country to this day, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a country of 5,000,000 orphans and functions as what most analysts would deem a "failing state". 45,000 people die each month in the DRC, the government is ineffective, and sectarian violence / tribal clashes have led to the death of 5.4 million people since 1998. It is a portrait of instability. Disease, erosion of infrastructure, sexual violence, civilian casualties, child soldiers, wounded refugees and malnutrition — there is no shortage of suffering in DRC. Some reports indicate that almost half of the individuals killed are children under the age of 5. The need is immense.
We will respond to that need. The adoption process, baring any major setbacks will take between 6-9 months. We know God has a special plan for us and we understand that it will not be easy, in fact anything but. International adoptions are laced with pitfalls, delays, and governmental red tape; not to mention the arduous task of raising $25-$30,000 to fund the adoption.
All that being said, we know that God is our refuge and strength, he is power and he is protection. This is an exciting time for our family and we are privileged to have the honor of sharing it with all of you. We have so much to tell. And so the journey begins.
Leviticus 19:34
"The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God."
Friday, January 8, 2010
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