Heart for Africa Swaziland-our journey. their story

Jamie and I are blessed to call Jeremy and Raelenna friends. This young couple have 4 children of their own and both work more than full-time jobs. Raelenna read the book, "It's not okay with me", by Janine Maxwell, last year and got "wrecked", they haven't been the same since. I read the book at the same time last year but the difference between Raelenna and I, is that she emailed the author after she read the book. She wanted Janine to know it was not okay with her either! Raelenna is now the orphan sponsor coordinator for Heart for Africa. Yes, she went to Atlanta, met with Janine for a weekend and now gives of herself, she volunteers, for this full-time position. She and Jeremy also led a group from our church last summer on a 2 week mission trip to Swaziland. The children they met in Swaziland stole their hearts and the LORD continues to ask them to, "feed HIS children." Raelenna just could not go back to life as normal once she returned home. She could not forget the faces of REAL children, children whom, when she recalled them, reminded her of her very own four children. She really felt that the LORD was asking her to step out boldly! She knew HE was asking her to commit to raise $100,000 to build the first children's home (orphanage) on Project Canaan. Yes, she double and triple checked with HIM to make sure she had indeed heard HIM correctly. She heard the evil one whisper doubts in her ear, " how can you raise $100,000 in just a short period of time?" "Everyone will think you are crazy, plus you'll never be able to do it." If you know Raelenna, then you know she loves kids, especially beautiful brown ones who are considered the least of these. And if you really know Raelenna then you know the one person she loves more than these is, the KING! So here we are, officially a month before CELEBRATE HOPE, the event that I wrote about earlier (go read my previous entry and visit, www.celebratehopecape.com) and we are right on track. Because of the trust and faith of my friend, God has ordained this project. You do not want to miss this awesome evening of fun. You want to be there, I tell you the truth, if you are looking for purpose and meaning in your life, if you are searching for evidence of God here on earth, you WILL find it here. I am so blessed to serve along side a team of dedicated Christians who have all personally accepted Raelenna's vision as their own. I love how God works, He is truly amazing and powerful. My own life has been stretched, and we as a family have stepped out boldly in faith when we adopted the twins. I tell you the truth, it is really crazy sometimes, but all of us feel so full, so focused and purposeful, happier then we have ever been, fully trusting in HIM and HIS plan for our family. I am so thankful we chose to step out in faith and allowed the Lord to lead us. . . we are so very blessed.