The Hangover

From Mid-June till last Sunday, we have been on an absolute whirlwind.  I have had to breathe a little bit since returning from Summer Camp.  Here's a few quick hits:

•  I have seen some of the best immediate follow-up and action steps this year after our Camps.
• Janelle and I had a little date with Harry Potter Tuesday evening.  It was nice to get away with just the two of us.  As far as the movie, Janelle LOVED it.  I really liked it.  I've read the book three times and listened to it a couple... so it was pretty much impossible to turn the book into a completely acceptable movie.  There are 3 things I wish they had stayed more true to the book on; invisibility cloak, memories from Snape, and final fight scene (trying not to give anything away), but in the end, I won't complain.
• Our family of four is adjusting extremely well.  Moses (I'm calling him Mose or Moze... not sure how to spell it) is smiling and laughing a lot.  Katylynn took a while to overcome jet lag, but is doing great.
• We still have a lot of travel ahead of us till mid August.  Next week, we head up to Ludington for a little family time, just the four of us.  Then, August 4 I head up to Brown City Camp in Michigan to speak at their Senior High Gatherings.  Janelle and kids will join me for 1/2 of the camp.  This wasn't necessarily how we pictured our first month as a family of four (we thought it would happen no later than the end of May).  At the same time, we're trusting God knew the timing and have a feeling the positive out of this is that the constant in Moses' adjustment will be us rather than a place.

We're soaking up the moments.

Saturday Night Session

I HAVE COUNTED THE COST.
FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR I SUBMIT TO GOD'S WAYS OVER MY WAYS.
I WILL NOT BE GRIPPED BY FEAR.

If you wonder what the words above are all about, ask a Senior High Camper when we get home tomorrow evening.

God met with us tonight. As we came near to Him, he came near to us. It was powerful.

Crud Wars

You ever want to take part in a giant food fight? That's pretty much what happened at "Crud Wars"


Round 1: Oatmeal
Round 2: Maple Syrup
Round 3: Mayonaise
Round 4: Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Round 5: Applesauce
Round 6: Shaving Cream
Round 7: Dog Food

Kind of Crazy.
Extremely Disgusting.
Great Memories!

Friday Afternoon/Evening Pics

On the Schedule for Today

• Students are currently in TAWG (Time Alone With God).
• Worship and Session including an introduction to the ministry Claim Your Campus and a time of dreaming with God.
• Lunch
• Crud Wars (oooooh ya!)
• Free Time (Lake time, Cornhole, Basketball, naps, finishing up boats)
• Boat Races!
• Supper
• Group Picture
• Evening Session
• Campfire
• Goodnight

Praying God will be all over it from beginning to end!

Pictures from our TAWG Experience

8 stations focused on the God's Greatness or the call to let God be the Greatest in our lives. 15 minutes at each station examining God's word and responding creatively. In that end, a powerful response in worship mainly initiated by the students.

It was a great morning.

We had more fun than should be legal at Cedar Point Yesterday. Students laughed and played together. In the process, some new friendships were forged.

Day 2 Morning Session

Our theme at this Camp is GREATER THAN. The ultimate point is to catch there is nothing/ no one, GREATER THAN our God. We will walking through various thoughts in the process.

This morning's focus was on the fact that we together, we are GREATER THAN we are alone. Ultimately we are not alone. Through some unique ways of sharing, laughing, and even crying together, I think we all came to grips that the reality is that we are not alone in our struggles, our backgrounds, our hopes and our dreams. Maybe the biggest thing that is holding us back from seeing this is our pride.

As we closed out praying together, I could see that we are going to have a fantastic time at Cedar Point connecting with each other, and we may get on a few roller coasters in the process.

Some Pictures from Day 1

A Prayer for Senior High Camp

God

You are near.
I know that every single person is at this Camp for a reason. As we have prayed through the names and the process, it’s been very clear that you are bringing us together in this place for a reason. As we head into this day, may every second be blessed. May we not waste one.
Breakfast
TAWG
Session
Lunch
Cedar Point
Let what seems so simple, make it extraordinary.
What seems frivolous and fun, bring purpose and intention.
For the one who is doubting if they should be here, confirm that they should be.
For the one who has done this far too many times, make it fresh.
For the one who is just looking for a friend and the one looking to be a friend, collide.
For the divine appointments, the moments of joy, the moments of perspective, the GOD MOMENTS… may you simply be God.

You are here.
Amen.

Chosen Generation

1st session. Singing, "We are a chosen generation. Rise up holy nation. God we live for you." BOO. YA.

A Quick Update: We Are Here

We have arrived at Beulah Beach Camp.  We're pretty sure we didn't lose anyone along the way!
In all seriousness, it was a great trip.  New friendships are already being formed.  Supper is in 90 minutes, followed by a giant game of capture the Flag with greased up watermelons as the flags.

Tonight's kickoff session starts at 8:00 p.m.  Be praying for Geoff as he sets the table for where God wants to take us over the next few days.  I truly believe He is ready to do some very special things here.

Beulah Beach Camp

My view for the next five days.

Good Stuff From Junior High Camp

I'm hearing great stuff from the Staff at Junior High Camp.  It sounds like it's been some great fun, some great times in worship, and a GREAT move of God.

Check out Geoff Cocanower and Chris Lehane's blogs for some more details and pictures.  I'm praying that these 4 days of perspective on the mountaintop will translate into growth as our Junior Highers head home today.

A Change in Blogging Focus

As Moses mentioned, he will be on a bit of a hiatus from the blog.

At the same time, there's plenty more to be blogging about.  One thing in particular is our NMC Student Ministries Summer Camp.  The Junior High is currently at Beulah Beach for their Summer Camp.  From what I'm hearing from Chris Lehane and Geoff Cocanower, they are off to a great start!

Senior High will be leaving on Wednesday.  I'll be doing some posts and updating here (as well as on the NMC Student Ministries Parents page) on what's happening and how to pray.

ON A PERSONAL LEVEL
I'm a mix of excited, overwhelmed, and confused as we march toward Wednesday.  I have obviously had my attention elsewhere over the past 3 weeks.  Much of the work I needed to get done in preparation was completed before departure.  I need to put the finishing touches on a few things and prep some messages, but for the most part, I just need to get on my face before God and seek direction from Him on what He wants to accomplish.

Janelle and the kids will be joining me for the last part of Camp.

More to come...

A Note From Moses

Hello everybody.

You know, after two weeks with my Mama and Daddy, I've substantially progressed.  I felt in appropriate for me to take a moment of your time to write a quick update on everything from my perspective.

I spent the night in my new home last night, and I'm very excited to get acclimated to my new life.  As I do this, I just wanted to make sure you all are aware of a few things.

• It's time for me to lay low on the blog for a while.  Daddy wanted to make sure those back home got to know me a little bit and were sure to lift us up in prayer while we were in Uganda.  He and I had a little talk this morning, and we decided my life doesn't need to be on display for everyone to see every little detail.  Daddy will probably post some pics of me and updates every once in while.  He'll definitely be blogging about other topics (NMC's Summer Camps, for instance), so feel free to stop by and see what he has to say about that stuff.
• I'm excited to meet you, but please give me some time.  Mama was telling me there are to be a lot of people that look and talk like her, Sissy and Daddy who are saying they can't wait to meet me.   I'm excited to meet you, but I would really appreciate it if you gave me a little time to get acclimated to all these new sights, sounds, smells (I saw a horse on the road... they don't even do that in Uganda).  I guess there are some other key family members and friends my parents want me to meet first. If you see me with my Mama or Daddy at church (and it may be a couple weeks before that happens), it may be best to keep from crowding around me.  Don't worry, I'm going to be around for a while now.  I'll come around in a few weeks
• Please keep praying for me, as well as my family.  I really think I like my new bed, my new toys, my new town, my new home, and my new family.  But, it's just a lot of new.  I'm kind of confused by it all.  On top of that, in the next few weeks, I'll be traveling to two different Summer Camps Daddy will be speaking at.  I have to go visit some doctors to check on my health. 

Thank you for praying for me and supporting my Mama, Daddy, Sissy, and Gran Gran as they came to get me.

With Love,

Moses Andrew Prenkert

Heading Home

We are on our way home from Detroit airport. After a lengthy but fairly pain free immigration interview. Moses met his Nani and Bubby.

Thank Yous

"It takes a village to raise a child."

-African Proverb

No, this is not a quote by Hilary Clinton.  It is an African proverb she wrote a book from.  The quote is actually quite profound and true.  In my role as a youth pastor, I've seen what can happen when an entire community (family, church, school officials, neighbors) can come around students and get hands on in their lives.

"It's takes a village to adopt a child."

-Derry & Janelle's Proverb

There have been so many people that have been key in making the journey to Moses Andrew Prenkert joining are family that I couldn't name them all.  But, we want to try anyway by highlighting a few by name or by group or category.

1. Our Parents and extended families:  Thank you for unashamedly welcoming this little guy as your grandson, nephew or cousin.  Thank you for standing with us through this whole process.  Specific thanks to Jeanette, my mom, for journeying with us and making the time here much more kid focused than dish, laundry and cleaning focused.
2. NMC Student Ministries Staff (Chris, Geoff, Kristy, Megan, Jessica, Anna, and the SOAR Interns):  Thanks for your continued flexibility through all the uncertain travel times. Thanks for picking up what I could not carry over this time.  Thank you that you have been more than simply co-workers in this process.  You have been co-laborers, feeling the pain and holding my arms up in prayer, laughter, and encouragement through it all.
3. Our closest friends:  Who allowed us to take the mask off at times and speak openly and honestly.  For your encouraging texts, your prayers, your excitement & anticipation over the whole process.  I would name you, but I think you know who you are, and I wouldn't want to leave any out.
4. NMC Student Ministries:  For taking up a challenge to address Kids In Need worldwide, and forcing Janelle and I to practice what we preach.
5. NMC Staff and Leaders:  For stirring our heart for the nations and for orphans.  For allowing me the flexibility to travel and be completely a part of this process.
6. NMC Family:  For your continued prayers, encouragement and support through the whole process.
7. HOLT International:  For all your help in getting us connected to Moses.  For making the process as smooth, legal and clear as possible.
8. AFC Uganda & the QE Care Center:  For finding Moses and caring for him until we could.  He will forever carry your investment forward!
9. HOLT Uganda Group:  Only you know exactly what we have been walking through.  You have been a source of insight, encouragement, a fantastic venting spot, and we look forward to seeing your kids grow in their forever family as ours does as well.
10. Lifesong for Orphans:  For your incredible matching grant.
11. Show Hope:  For your gracious grant.
12. Prayer Warriors:  To go through and name you all specifically would be very, very hard.  It will be very exciting to recount the ways your "gap standing" opened and closed doors, guided paperwork, and fought off the enemies schemes.
13. Anyone who bought a T-shirt, Cards, Wallet, or Auction Item:  Your funds were key for bringing him home.
14. Anyone who gave me a coke cap, 12 or 24 pack code:  Again, you help get the funds to bring Moses home.
15. Those who gave freely:  So many financial gifts we never sought, but God brought through you.  We don't name you because we would hate to take away from your heavenly reward that is coming!
16. Candy and Emily:  For allowing us to see the joy of adoption, and confirming in us that God has a different plan than normal for building our family.
17. Katylynn:  For being the voice of God more times than once in some of our darkest times.
18. Hands, Mouths, ears, and shoulders: Hands that wrote encouraging words.  Mouths that encouraged, prayed and challenged in appropriate times.  Ears that listened.  Shoulders that let us cry when needed.
19. Jesus Christ:  In him we live and move and have our being.  For calling us toward the least of these, and the promise that every time I look into my son's face, there's a little glimpse of You (Matthew 25:40; Matthew 18:5)

We say Thank you and God Bless to the "village" who has moved this family from 3 to 4, and we look forward to stewarding the precious soul that God has entrusted us with!

With Love and Appreciation,

Derry and Janelle

I Know He's an On-time God, but This is Ridiculous!

We were supposed to get a call at 3.
At 3:10 we started calling around to everyone we needed.
At 3:30 we were in utter confusion.  At risk of no Visa and not going to be able to change our tickets.

I posted on Facebook and Twitter:

I cannot begin to describe the spiritual attack that is happening right now. Pray against confusion, chaos. Pray for a car. Pray for a call.

You all must have started praying!

At 3:45, a car and driver loaned to us by another person at the apartment.
At 4:00 p.m., a call from the Embassy while stuck in traffic... "Your Visa is printing now."
I hop on a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) and head to the Airline office to get Moses ticket printed.
Janelle stays in the car heading to the Embassy.
Janelle gets to the Embassy at 4:30 (15 minutes before close) and picks up Visa.
After a credit card rejection, a broken ticket printer, and an amazingly kind KLM and Kenya Airways agents assistance, I get Moses' airline tickets 5 minutes before office close.

WE ARE ALL HEADING TO THE AIRPORT IN ONE HOUR!

Thank you to all who are praying.  God hears and answers prayer.  He fights for us.


Pray for our travel home.  Some specifics:

• Immigration from Uganda.  Lot's of paperwork to be shown and cleared.
• Smooth flights and connections.
• Rest for the kids during the flights.
• Immigration & Customs in the U.S.  We've been asked to leave 2 hrs after arrival for an interview at immigration.

Lord willing, we land in Detroit at 12:50 and will be home in Nappanee Friday evening!

Update from our Embassy Interview: So Far, So Good

We returned from the Embassy about 30 minutes ago.

Everything was in place and our Visa request was accepted!

This means that we will have his Visa no later than Friday.  They are aware that it would be very helpful to us if we can get the Visa by 3:00 p.m. tomorrow (8:00 a.m. back home) so we can get on our Thursday evening flight.   They couldn't promise this could happen as paperwork has to be submitted and run through (a lot of computer processing that can't be sped up).

If the Visa is not available in time, we have decided that Katylynn, my mom, and myself will still return Thursday evening.  We will move Janelle and Moses' tickets to Friday evening (as of yesterday, it will cost us $1500 to do a ticket transfer for just one ticket).  Katylynn, mom and I would stay in Detroit Friday Night and all come back home Saturday once Janelle and Moses lands.  This is not ideal, but we're confident this is the wisest path.  It would be very hard for Mom to go alone with Katylynn, and if I were to travel alone with Moses, there would be significantly more hesitation by airport security and customs to have a male traveling with a foreign child.

Please continue to pray that the paragraph I just wrote will be a moot point. 

It would be much better emotionally, financially, and familialy (just made up a word) if we were all on a plane tomorrow night.

God's favor has very clearly been on us today (from our emotions, to Moses' spirit during the interview, to having a very smooth interview).

The great news for now is we will all be home by this weekend, and this little guy will take his first steps on U.S. soil!

We're heading out for a feast of a celebration!!!

Praising God and continuing to trust Him, 

Derry and Janelle

A Little Twist to the Day

Late last night, or early this morning Kristy Mikel and Amanda Yoder arrived on a bus ride from Kenya to spend a couple of days with us.  For those not in the know, Kristy is spending a year and Amanda 2 months in Kenya at the AGC Baby Center.  Amanda graduated from our youth group last year and Kristy, well the ties to our family are many:

1. She graduated from NMC.
2. She worked as my administrative assistant at NMC for 8 years.
3. She is one of Janelle's best friends.
4. She is also one of Katylynn's best friends.

Katylynn didn't know that she was going to get to see "Twisty" (as she calls her) until Sunday night.  As she woke up this morning, she ran out to the couch where Twist was sleeping and gave her a great big hug and a kiss.

As I posted in our Call to Prayer, Katylynn has been extremely homesick.  Emotional meltdowns have been a multiple-times-a-day occurance.  Today was night and day difference.  Both Kristy and Amanda have been able to play with her, read to her, hold her, and simply brighten up her day. 

They have also been a huge breath of fresh air to Janelle, Mom and I.  There's just something nice about having familiar faces around.

Our day consisted of...

• A beef and noodles and mashed potatos lunch extravaganza a specialty we packed from home just for the Kenya gals... but I must way we also enjoyed it thoroughly.
• Souvenir shopping at the national theater.  We got a lot of very cool things including a purple outfit and a purple bottle cap purse for Katylynn.

•  A visit to the KLM office by me.  We reserved a seat for Moses (on Janelle's lap).  I also walked through the various scenarios we may be running into if our Visa is delayed.  As the lady behind the counter pulled up the screen to see the current cost difference if we are to have to change tickets, she did some typing, then looked up at me and said, "I really hope that you don't have to change."  Let's just say the ticket costs have gone up significantly over the weekend!  All the more need for prayer.
• Lots and lots of laughs and cuddling from Moses.  The little guy is really getting comfortable with us.  He is calling us all by name... Mama for Janelle, dah-dee for me, Diddy for Katylynn, Gamaw for my mom.

•  We ate supper at the most Mzungu (African word for white people) place we can find, The Spur Steakhouse.
• Twisty reading to Katylynn for bedtime.

Tomorrow is the big day for the Visa Interview.  We are getting picked up from our apartment at 1 p.m. (6 a.m. Indiana) for our 2 p.m. appointment.  It's crazy to think we could be 48 hours from boarding an airplane to head home.  It's unnerving to think we really don't know what will happen.
We are anxious & uncertain, but also knowing we have an awesome God who has blessed us with an awesome family and some awesome support people back home.

A Call to Prayer

A 24 hour window for prayer.

• Our Visa Interview is set for Wednesday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m.
• There is an adoption investigation by the US Embassy that has to happen for our Visa to be processed (when there last Wednesday, the investigation was not done.)
• There is a Visa Medical exam that has to be submitted for us to be able to go (when there last Wednesday, it had not been submitted).
• IF all goes well, they are telling us we need to leave 48 hours for the Visa to be issued. That is IF all goes well. Visas have been issued as quickly as the same day as the interview.
• We have return tickets purchased for Thursday, July 7, returning to Detroit July 8.If you know your math, Wednesday 2:00 p.m. + 48 hours does not add up for us to board our plane Thursday night.
• If we have to reschedule our tickets we are looking at a $350-$1000 per ticket charge (when I checked on a one day switch, it was $450 increase).
• Katylynn is very homesick. She is a trooper. She understands we cannot go home till it’s okay to bring Moses with us, but it’s getting tougher and tougher.
• Junior High Summer Camp leaves the day after we are set to return.
• Senior High Summer Camp leaves July 13. I’m supposed to go.
• July 13 is Moses’ 2nd birthday. If we can’t travel by then, we will have to purchase a ticket for him as well.
• God is our refuge and strength, but we are emotionally thin.

So, there’s a bunch of what’s going down.

Here’s the Bottom Line…

We have about a 24 hour window that is crucial for this process from Wednesday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m. (7:00 a.m. back home) to Thursday, July 7 at approx. 2:00 p.m. (7:00 a.m. back home) where we need a successful Visa interview and an actual Visa issued.

We are asking if there would be an army of prayer warriors who would commit to fast and pray on our behalf over this period of time (7:00 a.m. Wednesday to 7:00 a.m. Thursday).

Our God is Greater,
Derry and Janelle

Pictures from our Safari Time

Sick Before Better

Woke up this morning to our little guy tossing up his breakfast and then some.  Pretty helpless feeling.  Doctor told us to expect this over the 48 hours after seeing him.  It's actually a good thing.  He has to get a little worse before he gets better.  He's napping soundly right now. 

There is a good chance we will be able to go on our Safari tomorrow through Monday.  Aside from the very awesome opportunity, this would be a great chance to get out of the apartment and the city.  Our apartment is nice, but outside of a very small balcony, there is no outside area for the kids to roam around.  To get anywhere from our apartment, we have to take a taxi.  It can make you a little stir-crazy at times.

Please be praying for Moses' health.  Pray for Katylynn's too. She's had a little stomach trouble, but nothing that has slowed her down.