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

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

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.

It Was Bound to Happen Sometime

Today was pretty low key, but encouraging.  Outside of some potty struggles, the fever was not present and he was very sweet and jovial.  We were also contacted twice, once from our main contact here and once from the Embassy, and both gave us optimistic reports concerning the potential for our interview going well on Wednesday.

We took a walk in the a.m. then after lunch headed over to the Country Club we have access to through our apartments.  There is a playground area there were Katylynn and Moses had a blast.  We also went swimming, and again both kids loved it.

It was while we were in the playground that it happened.  I knew it would happen sometime.  He was a 7 year old boy named Stallone (yup, that was his first name).  He was a sweet little guy who was quick to introduce himself to me and ask me my kids name.  After introducing Katylynn and Moses, he looked at Moses, then to me, then to Katylynn, back to Moses, then to me.

"Why is he brown and you are all white?"

I started to explain that we were adopting him, but he interrupted, "Is his mother brown?"
I started to explain again.  He interrupted again, "Did you change his color?"

I took a different slant.  I explained that his mom and dad who had him were not around anymore, and we were going to be his mom and dad now.  He seemed to understand. I looked at his mom and shrugged. She said, "Very good lesson for my boy.  Thank you, and God bless you for what you've done!"

Many have asked us if we have thought through the "race issue" as we adopt.  The answer is yes, we have thought about it a lot, and we don't know what lies ahead, but it's worth any insult or obstacle we may face.

Some have called us "color blind".  We are not color blind.  We are quite aware of the amazing colors God has created on this earth.  We just happen to love all those colors and would love to see them present in our family.

The fact is that the question, "Why is he brown and you all are white?" has likely been asked multiple times already, but just not to our faces.  I'm sure it will be asked again.  I doubt every time the response will be, "God bless you for what you've done!"

To say we don't care would be incorrect.  I think we care deeply.

I think the correct thing to say is that we refuse to let skin tone deter us from seeking to live out God's call to look after his children.

To Our Aarons and Hurs

I sent an email out to several of my teammates at NMC updating them on our situation. In that email, I asked for continued prayer and included this line:
"We need some Aaron and Hur's to lift our arms right now in battle"

Here's the story in reference to that line:

Exodus 17:
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.


Last night upon hearing our news from yesterday, we received two different messages (from people who did not receive my email mentioned above) referencing their intent to be our Aaron Hur.

I can't tell you how encouraging the simple phrase "I'm praying" or "we are praying" has been to us.  To know we are arms are being lifted up through those who are praying for us allows us great confidence in the fact that we are in a position where our steps will be guided by God.

To our Aarons and Hurs out there.  Thank you.  We deeply need, value and appreciate you!

A Tough Day

Today started with promise and anticipation. It has ended quite differently. 

Our Visa Appointment at the Embassy was set for 2:00 p.m. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we arrived at the Embassy was 2:30. It looked very much like weren’t going to see us because of our tardiness, but with some major apologies and the look of shock on Janelle’s face, the assistant we were working with asked us to wait and see what she could do.
So we waited. Moses was super fussy and seemed pretty overheated while we waited. After about 20 minutes, we were called back in.

It was not good news.

• There were two important pieces of paperwork that had not arrived yet for our interview to take place.
• There would be no way we could do our interview today.
• Visa interviews only happen on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• July 4, Monday is a holiday.
• The earliest we can come in again for the interview is next Wednesday.
• If all goes well then, it will take up to 48 hours for our Visa to be issued.
• Our Flight is set to leave next Thursday Night.
• The math doesn’t add up.
• Oh, and as a little added bonus… one of those pieces of paperwork has a chance to not be ready even next week.

As we explained to this amazing assistant (seriously, she was so helpful and gracious) our situation with the timing, she took some steps to see if she could potentially speed up the process to make it more likely the Visa would be issued by next Thursday. No promises, though.

We walked out of the Embassy deflated and defeated. We drove over to the location where one of the missing pieces of paperwork was coming from. We were profusely apologized to and assured it would be sent expeditiously.

As we drove back to the Apartment to break the news to mom and Katylynn, our host here affirmed us to not be discouraged. The Visa can be turned around. We were struggling, but holding on to hope.

Moses had slept in my arms for much of the drive back to the apartment. He was burning up in my arms. We got into the apartment and I broke the news to Mom & Katylynn while Janelle took Moses’ temperature.

102.1

We called our host back, and he was showing enough other symptoms that she decided it be best to take him to a Doctor. After 3 hours of tests, examination, and tears (man that kid can cry) we were informed of multiple issues that were coming into play that needed addressing. For the next 48 hours, that little guy is going to not be feeling well as he takes the necessary medicine.

We were planning on going on a 3 day safari to Queen Elizabeth Park tomorrow. The Doctor said we should not do this with how Moses is feeling. This was our big surprise for Katylynn (fortunately we hadn’t told her about it).

And Strike Three. We’re out.

As we sat in the Doctor’s Office, I stared at Janelle and she back at me completely dumfounded. What just happened? I had mentioned in a previous post that everything was going so smoothly that I could see the Enemy throwing a wrench into things, but this was an entire Stanley Tool Shop.

To be completely honest, I haven’t had a more heart-breaking, frustrating, emotional roller coaster of a day since the day my dad died.

So, what now? Well, as some who I've already been in contact with have reminded me...

1 Thesalonians 5:24
The one who calls you is faithful, and HE will do it.


2 Corinthians 4:15-17
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.


Ephesians 6:12-13
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

We're going to continue to stand.  We are grateful for those who have been standing with us.  Right now we need you to continue to stand.

Pray:

• That both reports will make it to the Embassy asap.
• That Moses' will sleep well and that his little body will heal up quickly.
• That something miraculous might happen over the next couple of days, and we may see unexpected progress before the weekend.
• That Katylynn will stay healthy.  She has been a feeding post for mosquitos.  They are not bothering her, but when she gets bitten they turn into massive bumps.  Also pray for her emotionally.  She's having to adjust to having a little brother enter as a toddler as well as deal with Culture Shock.  She's doing so well.
• That we will keep our eyes on Jesus above all else.

Today started with promise and anticipation. It has ended quite differently.  
It has ended with uncertainty.  

It also ends with 
FAITH in the One who has brought us to this point. 
HOPE that the miraculous may take place, and 
LOVE for a little boy who is, at the end of the day, still our son! 

2 p.m./ 7 a.m. MUCH PRAYER, MUCH POWER NEEDED!

We would love a little prayer at 7 a.m. EST tomorrow (2 p.m. Uganda).  That's our appointment time with the Embassy.  Everything seems in order, and it has been a super-smooth process so far, and judging by those who have gone before us, this should be the easiest part.  Yet, I can't help but think the Enemy would love to throw a wrench in the whole process right at the end.  We would love  a huge covering over us as we head in.


Pray that:

• all paperwork will be in order and present.
• our nerves will be calm, our hearts speak, and we will shine the light of Christ.
• those interviewing us will have a peaceful, and light-stress work day leading into our interview.
• Moses will be in a great and sweet mood for the trip.
• Mom and Katylynn will have an enjoyable time
• we will have an okayed Visa by 7:30 a.m. EST (the process should only last 30 minutes).

 Moses' first stroller ride.  HE LOVES IT!

A Collection of Thoughts from Uganda

• It's been a week since we left the U.S.  Lot's has changed.
• I think I'm going to nickname my son "Duke."  I've never seen so much poop come out of a kid.
• My mom has been a huge blessing on this trip.  She has helped us with Katylynn in times where we need to focus in on Moses, she's helped with food and dishes, and it's just been awesome to have her be able to bond with her grandson.
• There are fewer better things known to mankind than taking a nap next to your kids.
• One thing that may be better is watching Janelle be a mom.  She's the bomb as a mom (yup, I really just wrote that).
• There have been so many people who have made this experience possible.  At some point, there's a long post coming concerning that.
• Moses is a little sponge.  He's always watching and mimicking.  Today, I sat and said word after word which he in turn repeated.  This afternoon, he tried to put his seatbelt on after watching us do this several times.
• Speaking of seat belts, there are no car seats here.  It's not going to be fun to retrain Katylynn and to get Moses acclimated to a car seat for the first time.
• Strollers too.  No strollers.  However, I took the two for a test walk on our sit and stand, and Moses loved it.  The whole time he was making motor noises.
• It's still a little surreal to be honest.  We know we've got him.  We're loving every minute of it, but we're anxious to get tomorrow's Visa Interview done.  From there, it's smooth sailing.

Our Sabbath: I Lost It

We were all a little slow getting up this morning.  Our taxi was here at 9:15 to take us to church.  Watoto Church is fairly famous worldwide.  Chris Tomlin featured their Children's Choir on the Hello Love Album.  A few things that struck me about this church:

• We got there 30 minutes early for the 10 a.m. service (they have Saturday night, then 8, 10, 12, and 2 on Sunday).  There were a swarm of people lining up outside waiting to get in.  Those in the current service exit to one side, then those heading into the next service file from the other side.
• They are a church with eight sites in Uganda and one in Capetown, South Africa.
• The service was very African, but in English (Kampala speaks mainly English).  They have also been clearly influenced by the Passion and Hillsong Worship Movement.
• It was very Connection-esque (our Video venue at NMC) in it's worship style.
• We were sitting in the 3rd row.  As I looked behind me, every seat was filled.

There was a Children's Ministry available, but because we didn't want to freak Katylynn out, and we're working on the bonding deal with Moses, the kids joined us.  They did great (we only had to take each one out once).  Katylynn loved the music.  So did I.

Janelle handed Moses over to me after her arm was falling asleep.  We started singing the song "Mighty to Save."  As I began to process the lyrics and think through all that was happening in that moment, I lost it.


I serve a Savior who is the hope of Nations.  As I stood in a church that was started in 1983, at the time when the country was war torn and many would be running, I realized how true the statement is.  As I worshiped alongside my Ugandan brothers and sisters in Christ, many with needs very different than mine, I was reminded at the heart of it all, our greatest need is for a Savior.  He is all our hope.

My Savior Can Move Mountains:  There have been a lot of mountains in this process.  Whether financial, emotional, political, or mental... there have been no hurdles to big for my God to overcome.  It was at this point the tears really started to well up.

My God is Mighty to Save:  I always look at this line through the salvation experienced by death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross. Although the song clearly seems to point toward what you may call "spiritual" salvation, our God is not limited to simply that.  My God saved my little boy from dying when he was abandoned.  He saved him from a life on the streets as an orphan.  He saved him from a life spent in an institution.  He saved him so they he could become a part of our family.  At this point, I was gone.

Fortunately, I was sweating a lot, so I could simply wipe my forehead and then make a sweep of the eyes so as to not let too many know what a wreck I had become.  Yet, every tear was filled with deep appreciation for the reality that MY GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!

The rest of the day included lunch, some grocery shopping (this kid likes to eat), a couple of good naps, and Moses' first exposure to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Katylynn loved explaining each character to Moses.  Moses sang along to the songs and had a huge smile on his face!

Katylynn has been amazing!  She has been key in helping warm Moses up.  He clearly loves her, and she loves her baby brother back.  They have laughed together a lot, and already had a couple of good disagreements!

Some key ways to be praying:

• Janelle/Moses fun bonding.  Janelle was the first of us that he found comfort in, and we're thinking that he gets somber when he is in her arms or near her.  I think we all know Janelle is not a very somber mommy, so just pray for lots of giggles and fun times together.
• Visa Interview.  It doesn't happen till Wednesday, but it's key that it works on Wednesday.  One little misprint, a missing document, or some missed step could cause for delay.  Everything seems to be in perfect order, but the adoption law and process in Uganda is an ever-evolving deal.
• Key Visits tomorrow.  Tomorrow we visit the place where Moses was found as well as the home of a lady who took him into foster care for a few months during a time where he was not developing well.  These are huge parts of his story that we want to capture and understand so we can share with him years from now.

Saturday Pics

Our day has been pretty relaxing.  We went swimming and had lunch at a Country Club that our apartment grants us access to.  Moses and Katylynn are playing "ball" with Grandma right now.  He's talking and laughing a lot; clearly getting more and more comfortable around us.  His countenance has changed.  I really think he gets that he has a family.  He calls me "dada" and Janelle "mama" every once in a while.  It's still mind-boggling to think that we are all together.

Praying For Our Adoption: The Weekend

Some simple ways to pray:

• Rest:  We're all very tired.  Pray especially for Katylynn that she would get adjusted in time.
• Moses Adjustment:  The changes for him are drastic.  Pray that he will know and see love from his new family, and that will surpass all other things lost.
• Family Time:  We're moving from a 1 to 2 kid family.  Grandma is a huge blessing to have along.  Pray we will simply bond together.
• Health:  We are all feeling well.  Pray it will stay the same.
• Culture:  While here, we have an opportunity to become more aware of the country and culture Moses is coming from.  Pray God will give us insight into this world.

Some Pics from Today

 The Probation Officer who worked our case.

 Katylynn thought it was really important that Moses get a Mickey doll since she had a Minnie doll.  She gave it to him this morning.  He loves it.

At lunch.  We went to the Food Court where we ate with Moses the last time we were here.  He clearly remembered our previous time together.  The minute he sat down, he started tapping his hand on the table and looking at Janelle and I.  When we were there the time before, we played for a long time a mimicking game where I'd tap the table and then he would as well.

 Our little guy.

Katylynn was such a great gal today, we gave her a little playground time at the play place.

Praying for Our Adoption: The Layout

We still have two weeks till we arrive back home, and there is a lot that needs to happen. Things look to be in decent order, but we have several key appointments and steps that need to take place between now and heading home.

• Embassy Appointment – Tomorrow we go to the Embassy to talk through our process to this point, get a key document for the Visa Medical appointment (read below) and set up our visa interview time.
• Visa Medical – We hope to go to the Doctor on Monday to run a physical and necessary tests to get him permission to travel to the U.S. One test is a TB test which can’t be read for 72 hours.
• Various Key Contact/ Landmark Visits – This does not have to happen in order for us to get home, but we plan to meet with several people who factor into the story of Moses, and visit the area where he was found and taken into the care of those at the Care Center.
• Embassy Interview – This is the biggie… the final step to gaining permission to travel home.

If all goes totally smooth, the entire process could be done by next Friday. We are praying for that, but we also know that things rarely go “totally smooth.” As you can see, the Embassy Appointment, Visa Medical and Embassy Interview all build off each other.  If a wrench gets thrown in early on, it makes for delays on all fronts.  Fortunately we have a few extra days built in to account for that, BUT we also have some very exciting plans if all goes smoothly.

Join us in praying as we seek to bond as a family and do our due diligence to finish up this process.  Pray through that bullet list above.  We'll let you know how to pray as time goes along as well.

A Little Rundown of our Day

It’ 9:10 p.m. here as I type this. It’s 2:10 p.m. back home. My daughter is sleeping in the room she is sharing with her Grandma. My son is sleeping in the room that he is sharing with Janelle and I.

Yup, that last sentence really just happened. Our son, Moses Andrew Prenkert is in our custody.

For traveling with a 3 year old, our flights went really well getting here. Katylynn slept for at least half of 2 out of the 3 flights. On our second leg (Amsterdam to Nairobi) the KLM staff loved her. We got in to Uganda at 11:00 p.m. last night and somehow fit all our luggage into the car.

Our main coordinator here, Dorah, then informed us that our first two choices for housing had no availability, and our third choice was going to be $50 more per night than originally planned. She had arranged another option and we decided to go for that. It’s a nice little 2 bedroom apartment with open main room. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a pool like the others did. Fortunately, we get free passes to a country club that has a fantastic pool, play area, workout machines, hot tubs and saunas.

We crashed then had to get going very early to breakfast (about a 5 minute walk from our apartment). We were then picked up by Dorah and headed to the Action For Children Headquarters for Orientation and laying out the agenda for our remaining 2 weeks (hopefully) here. It was there we were informed that the plan was for Moses to come and be with us today! From there, we hopped in the vehicle and made the trek to Moses’ home for the past year and 10 months.

Katylynn and mom were both a hit at the Care Center. The kids were incredibly intrigued by Katylynn’s pale skin and light hair. They also found about everything she said to be absolutely hilarious. Mom was a hit, I think, because those her age are a rarity in Uganda… and I’m not saying my mom is ancient. A Civil War, AIDS epidemic, and Malaria will do that to a country.

We had a great time with the staff and kids at the Care Center. When we got a quiet time together, I let Katylynn know that all the boys and girls we were playing with didn’t have Mommies or Daddies. She struggled to understand this, but when I told her that was why people like us are coming to be mommies and daddies to the kids, I think something clicked (actually I know it clicked, evidenced by the fact she prayed for all the boys and girls that we met, that they would all get mommies and daddies). We have the most precious picture of Katylynn walking hand in hand with a little guy who is actually named Junior.

Grandma and Katylynn kept a decent distance from Moses while at the Care Center, just to make sure he could get reconnected to us and to not freak him out. He cried right when we arrived, but calmed down quickly and was good to go the rest of the time.

It came time for us to leave the Care Center. Tears were not at a shortage, on either parties ends. The staff at the Care Center cried mixed tears of joy and sorrow.

Tears of joy to see “One Less”.
Tears of sorrow to have to say goodbye to one they had loved, cared for, and parented for the past 20+ months.

Our tears were mainly joy. Yet, there is a level of empathy an deep appreciation you have to have for those who have stood in the gap to allow today to happen.

Both kids slept the whole ride back to our apartment. When we arrived, Moses was awake and good to go, but Katylynn had another 1 ½ of sleep. Mom and Janelle took off to do some grocery shopping while I got a little one on one time with my boy. When Katylynn woke up, the two had their first play time together… rolling the ball and coloring. Moses was extremely comfortable with her and really livened up through the afternoon. We started talking back and forth (he in Lugandan and I in English).

Janelle and Mom arrived back after a 45 min. drive to the grocery store and a 5 min. drive back (traffic, T.I.A.). We ate our first supper as a family (Spaghetti) and then the kids zonked out. We’re trying to actually get a little more settled in now.


So, to summarize... in the past 24 hours, Katylynn has spent her first moments in another country, mom met her grandson for the first time, Katylynn met her brother for the first time, we saw Moses for the first time in two months, and at the end of the day, the Prenkert family became in the flesh what we have been emotionally and spiritually for quite some time... a family of 4!

Brother Sister/ First Play Date

It was too cute not to post immediately!

Meet Prenkert #4

I am honored to introduce you to Moses Andrew Prenkert.

We arrived in Uganda last night.  

We visited the care center this morning.  

We took custody this afternoon.  

He is sitting on my lap as I type this.  

I'll post a lot more details later, but for now, wanted you all to hear the update, know the name, see a face.

Praying for Our Adoption: General Specifics

As we head into trip 2 to Uganda, here are some ways you can specifically be praying over our trip in general:

• Travel:  Four of us going.  2 Connections on the way there.  Lots of luggage.  Customs.  Time Change.  3 1/2 year old.  We are praying for smooth and event free travel.a
• Custody: We will go to visit Junior at the Care Center until the staff at Uganda feels he is comfortable enough to come into our custody.  This could take a day or it could take a week. We are praying it will be closer to a day.
• The Embassy Appointment:  The thing that has to happen some time between June 23 and July 6 is an appointment at the Embassy to get Junior's Visa.  We can't set the appointment till we arrive.  We are praying for a quick and event free appointment.
• Katylynn:  A 3 1/2 year old is traveling on 3 planes to get to Africa.  She is going to be welcoming a new member to our family.  She is going to see poverty and orphans up close.  We are praying God will move in her little heart and also guard her little heart.
• My Mom:  I'm so excited my mom gets to enjoy this experience with us.  It's been about 10 years since she traveled out of the country.  She's leaving her business for 2 1/2 weeks.  My dad's birthday is July 4 while we are gone (my dad died in 2009).
• Health:  Janelle got sick last time. It wasn't fun. It would be less fun if Katylynn got sick.
• Bonding: We get the chance to be a family while in Uganda.  We are praying God will quickly and supernaturally place a bond in all our hearts.
• Kristy:  There is a chance Kristy Mikel will be able to come over and visit us while in Uganda.  A few things need to come into place to allow that to happen.  We are praying that will happen.