ONE YEAR

So, this past month marks 1 year since we were called to bring Victory home into our family.  So much has happened in that year's time it is a bit overwhelming to think of it all.  But God has given us the next turn in this narrow road to Victory, little by little, knowing that we couldn't handle it all at once.  Here we are, actually in Africa, with our FIVE kids, for an extended period of time, really doing this thing!  I have been and continue to be fully confident in God's calling and promises for our family regardless of the difficulties that we have faced so far.  I know, that I know, that I know, that Victory IS my daughter, I AM her father, and we ARE her forever family.  My confidence doesn't come from the adoption agency, the local probation officer, the lawyer, it comes from the Lord God Almighty whose power made the sun stand still and made the walls of Jericho tumble to the ground.  It is with this same power that Victory will be able to get on that airplane with her forever family bound for Kona.
We are now in the the big city and life is easier here for sure with things that I have always taken for granted like HOT water and enclosed showers (most African bathrooms do the combo thing shower/toilet  in one room that I call a "showilet" so you can really take multitasking to the next level!)- I apologize for that mental image that most of you cannot get rid of now.  We are in a 2 bedroom house that sits on a large compound with 4 other houses, with a large garden and cafe.  It is very comfortable for Africa standards and very safe.  We are within walking distance of a market and bakery which really dissolves the feelings of isolation like we felt in the rural area.
The process has been "slowly by slowly" as Africans say and waiting is hard, especially when you away from all your normals.  We are learning that God has purpose in the waiting as our kids mature and become more confident in who they are and what they are capable of through Christ.
There has been major delays in the courts as more and more judges are shying away from adoption cases here.  It is a strange cultural, political, spiritual battle in this country that is very hard to begin to understand even as we are in the thick of it.  We are hopeful with moving our case outside of the city we will be able to finally move forward with the legal process that we have been waiting for for so long.
You know, patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit and it is one of the most difficult to bear day in and day out.  Especially when you don't see progress with your own eyes.  But that's the precise environment where our faith can grow exponentially.  There is so much uncertainty in our lives at the moment as we look into the near future.  How long will we be here?  Will our kids stay healthy?  Where will the resources come from?  And I think that it is okay to ask those questions and plan as much as we can.  But there comes a point where there is only so much planning one can do in their own power and at that point we have one of two choices: will I fear or will I trust?  Fear is an incredibly powerful tool of the enemy to disrupt and destroy and recognizing that as it creeps up is so important.  We are on the frontlines of a major battle for a little girl's life as a family.  As the bullets zip by our heads we can tremble with anxiety and deep fear.  Or we seize the moment and fight with all of the powerful tools God has given us, one of which is unconditional patience in Him which translates to faith and trust.  The enemy hates this as Joy, Peace, Gentleness, Self-Control, and Love can then flow from this firm foundation of patience.  Do I have this all figured out as I lead my family 12,000 miles away from all we know?  Absolutely not.  It is a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute choice as the bullets fly by and we sit in the trenches.  As God refines each of us in our family through this, we become stronger and more resilient against the next attack and we increase our ability to see the blessings in the storm-- as there ALWAYS are.
Thank you to everyone who is supporting us with resources and prayers- we would not be to this point without each and every one of you.  Love to all.

Music class with Teacher Oliver

I think this is Cowboys & Indians Ugandan style

Indere Cultural Center- A night of Ugandan food, drums, & dance

Micheal Jordan has got nothing on this guy- clearing 6 feet from a stand still

Victory needed another transfusion to improve her anemia and reduce her risk of stroke.
This time she had the perfect donor- Mama.

Not a big fan of ice cream- it is just too stinkin' cold

Communal washing machine- really makes you think twice about classifying an article of clothing as dirty.

Our gourmet chefs attempting American meals with Ugandan supplies

Not too sure about our island bound voyage

Slightly packed boat with 80 people and supplies heading to a medical mission

Very underserved and needy island community 

Medical outreach to about 200 people under a mango tree

(Very) Young pharmacists- hey in Africa you can be anything!

Birthday Boy at the local "water park"- really good times.  Victory's first waterslide!

It doesn't matter how old you get, one can never resist a good ol' bounce house...

We ran into the best face painter on the planet!

Frisbee time in the compound- a new favorite

"You are welcome"- our front lanai

Our home away from home

Best. African. Sign. Ever.

Making memories!


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Aloha & Mahalo,

The Russells