Details of our adoption.

There have been many questions you guys have emailed me concerning how our adoption could affect our move to Kenya. I thought I would take some time to help you understand how we've been led to this place and where we are going from here.

To make a very long story short, I truly feel that TJ and I were led to this very point in our lives not by our own doing. I'm sure many believe in "the moons lining up" or "stars shifting" or whatever-but I truly believe that God has set HIS timing in perfect rhythmn for us to struggle, grow, and take great joy in knowing how HE knows every second of our life and has the path laid before us. All we need to do is obey.

Obeying is NOT easy. At times, it doesn't make sense. But TJ and I believe that if we feel led, even in the moments of "seriously.....SERIOUSLY...what about???....." remember, that's putting God in a box!

And I've thrown my boxes out, remember?

So here we are.

We are adopting from Uganda.

Why Uganda?

See, Uganda has a very special place in our hearts. About a year and a half ago we took a journey that changed us for the rest of our lives. We toured villages and a baby home that loved on kids that came out of the LRA. The LRA pursues and terrorizes children to do the unthinkable. I cannot mentally go there as I get a huge lump in my throat thinking and remembering the kids we hugged and listened to stories of that lived that life for several years.

Kenya is not an option for us to adopt from at this time due to laws that make it very difficult for us to do at this time. So, for now, we will call Priscilla our Kenyan daughter and Daniel our other beloved.

From my learning about the Bukedea community who's kids are literally starving to death and falling in love with little faces and souls who need parents, we could not hold it in any longer.

How did you come to decide that adoption was the thing for you?

Through reading scripture about the responsibility, I believe, we as Christ-followers have to "the least of these" ADOPTION is the way we feel our family is feeling called to act.

From traveling and learning about the need, globally, it seemed like an easy decision. Life is a whisper in the scope of eternity, right? Making a difference in a life of a child in a culture we love seemed like a good fit.

Our goal is to have money raised by June to travel to Uganda for about 6 weeks with our entire family to live with our future child (ren?) and go through the legal process of adoption. We hope to also visit Kitale, Kenya and see the Mattaw kids along with Bud and Kimberly.


Isn't international adoption expensive?

Yes, but it doesn't have to be. There is a fabulous woman I have never met, but feel as though I know her well that has helped us through this process. She has created a website/blog to help others adopt from Uganda. The site can be found here.

I can't adopt now, but I want to help you, how?

There are ways that you can help us. We have started a fundraising website where our family will receive $5 per bag of coffee sold to go towards our adoption costs. The website is:

www.justlovecoffee.com/TheErhardts

Please consider purchasing and following us in this journey. We need to be saturated with prayer in this, guys, and I know many of you have been praying and that means the world to us!

Another option is that we will have a supply of Ugandan paperbead necklaces-much like the ones we sold for the launch weekend for Bukedea we will have available for purchase for about $10-20 by the end of February. If you are interested in me reserving a specific color, leave a comment or email me at tlkenya (at) yahoo (dot) com.


What about Kenya?

We are completely surrendering this to the Lord. God knows the desires of our hearts and we are trusting that if we keep the "step by step" prospective, what is meant to be will fall into place. Certainly the move to Kenya is not happening in June but there are several other factors that are in the works at this time that will give us some guidance as to what those next steps are!