Spirit Lead Me

With grateful hearts we share that we have been offered an initial two year term to serve with Kids Alive in Zambia, Africa.  We are so excited about this new adventure that the Lord is taking us on.

We are overwhelmed with joy and so expectant to see how God can and will use us in this beautiful picture he is painting.   We feel humbled knowing that He is writing our story and working with this ministry in Zambia is part of it.

He has been preparing us for such a time as this.  We still have a long road ahead as we prepare both spiritually and financially for this journey.   We know that He is faithful.  We do have to raise funds as full time missionaries. We are working right now along side the staff to figure out the exact budget and expenses it will cost to get there and get set up with housing as well as to sustain our family monthly.  These costs will not just cover our living expenses but will also help to contribute to the ministry we will be doing there. To do this we need people willing to lock arms with ours while serving. 

In Zambia we will be filling many roles and will be working along with national staff to fill areas of need.  Some of the areas we will be ministering is; mentoring and working with the youth, construction as well as maintenance, and assisting in the office there.  Brandon will be taking on a full-time role/position.   I will be homeschooling and helping to acclimate our children  to a new culture as well as volunteering.  We look forward more than anything to being hands on and our children loving on people right along side us.  If you would like to know other ways in which our family will be involved you can check out the Kids Alive website.  There are many different programs they have in Zambia in which we will could be involved in.  Within the next week I will post a link where you can directly go to support financially if you feel led.
 (http://www.kidsalive.org/around-the-world/africa/zambia/)

We are in the process of putting together our first newsletter so you will be updated as we are preparing for departure and also when we step foot on Zambian soil.  Would you please email (or message through fb) with your  home address as well as email so we can add you to our mailing list. 

Soon we will be starting a few fundraisers to raise funds to help us get there.  We have also been simplifying for months trying to prepare for a sale to start selling items in our home.

We do plan on continuing to foster while we are on US soil.  We want to be available for God to use to minister to whatever children he sends us while we are here. 

We have also have been given favor with our (Brandon's) current job that they will allow him to work right up until we leave.

As far as a time line.  We are really not sure what to expect as far as just how long it may take to be fully funded in order to be able to leave.  Once we are 90% funded we can set our date for departure.  We will then go 3-4 week to a cross-cultural training and once 100% funded we will be on our way to Zambia.  We will be updating and keeping everyone in the loop as far as how things will go. One thing that we are sure of is that the Lord knows exactly when and in what season we are supposed to be there.  So we are trusting Him with that (whether we will be moving in a year or longer).

Thank you so much already for those who have been praying and also for continued prayers as we walk by faith into what we know the Lord has been calling us to.  Thank you also for praying and asking the Lord what part He would like you to play to help us get to Zambia.  Your prayers above all are so appreciated. 

                                                                                         
                                                                                           In His Service
                                                                                           Love,
                                                                                           
                                                                                           The Fullers

Prayer Requests:

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

• God would give us wisdom in the decisions we have to make up until departure.
• God would provide people to partner with us to a through prayer and/or financial support.
• That he would prepare the hearts of the kids we will be working with.
• That the Lord would prepare our hearts to minister to whoever we cross paths with.
• That he would prepare our children to minister and this would be an easy transition for them.

Kids Alive International

Our Vision
Kids Alive International envisions a world where every child grows up in a loving family, reaches their full potential, and has the eternal hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
Kids Alive International reflects the love of Christ by rescuing orphans and vulnerable children, nurturing them with quality holistic care, and sharing with them the transforming power of Jesus Christ so they are enabled to instill hope in others.
Our History
Kids Alive International began in 1916 in Shantung Province, China, when missionaries Leslie and Ava Anglin began taking in homeless Chinese children.
From those humble beginnings, Kids Alive today has expanded worldwide, helping care for thousands of children through residential homes, care centers and schools.

A Mother to Another Mother's Child

 　

Even as a young child, I dreamed of being a mother. You know, the kind of mother that is "perfect." That has an endless reserve of patience. Whose children always listen. Who never tell her, "no."   For some, the aspiration of having children fades with time or experience. However, after years of caring for other peoples children, this desire was only reaffirmed and I knew that children were an integral part of my ‘calling’ and purpose in life.

I became a bride at 18 and after only nine months of marriage my husband and I decided it was time to start a family. At the age of 19 I became a mother.

Our first child was an adorable little boy who graciously introduced me to joy that is motherhood: the crazy days, the sleepless nights and the almost mechanical routine of changing diapers. We added two little girls shortly thereafter and they multiplied the joy in my life and the love in my heart; and the diapers I had the joy of changing. Over the course of that time, my husband and I had been praying and felt called to bring another child into our home though this time through a different avenue. A child who needed love, a sense of security and stability.

Shortly after completing required coursework and becoming licensed to foster to adopt, we found out that we were expecting our fourth child. Nine months later she was born and over the course of the next year we enjoyed her so much. But were we still willing: Yes. Were we still called: Yes. We were supposed to adopt. I could do that. But to love and let go? I wasn't so sure I was capable of opening my heart knowing it could be broken so easily. How do you prepare to say hello knowing that inevitably there could be a goodbye? I wasn't sure how anyone could prepare for that.

Was I crazy to feel this calling to bring another child into our home? A child with a broken past and a hurting heart. Who may have: emotional scars, come from a place of being severely abused or neglected, be withdrawing from drugs, have trust issues, attachment disorders, and wounds so deep. Was I prepared? Even after hours of training and reading. Yet, inside knowing that living the hands on is so much different. Living the day in and day out the joys and the really hard parts. Though the peace I had was overwhelming. I knew that His grace was really enough.

The time had finally arrived and we welcomed our very first placement. Little fingers. Little toes. Yes, he captured my heart. I never knew I could love so deeply a little one who didn't grow under my heart but in it. The first glance. The first feeding. The first song that I sang. Yes, a joy and a love so deep as I did my own. It broke my heart watching his little body go through things a little body should never have to go through. The time came to let go; my heart broke. Could I open my heart again?

Not long after we welcomed two little ones into our home. Broken pasts. Hurting hearts that only God could heal. Days full and long nights: advocating, being their voice, building trust and loving them so deeply. I taught them how to pray. I taught them about the one Who promises to never leave or forsake them and will never fail them even when people do. They taught me what the true depth of His love for us is like; complete, unconditional, unfailing, and persistant, love. Things I thought I completely understood but really found I never did grasp completely. They taught me about living in the here and now. That tomorrow may come but living for today is what matters. They taught me so much. They came and they left. Lord, I don't understand your plan? Could I ever open my heart again?

The answer is yes, as much as it hurts and as much as I cry. He is my comfort. He is my strong tower. He is my strength when I feel I can't possibly do it again. My heart breaks. He heals my heart. He gave it all for me, And I willingly lay down my heart, my desires, and my heartbreak to be used to fulfill His plan. Yes. I will continue to do it again and again and again.

The stages of grief are hard. It hurts. I felt like I’ve lost some of my children and in reality, I have. My family has grieved as well; little ones they have loved. I feel honored to have a family that loves these little ones as if they were our own. Who welcomes them with open arms. I am also so proud of my children as they grow. Yes they have experienced love and loss but more than anything they have learned Christ's love. That not every child is treated and cherished the way they should be. Incredibly, they've learned what being Jesus' hands and feet looks like in a very tangible way.

I have now come to the realization that being a mother was never really about being perfect or never making mistakes or raising children to be perfect. It's about showing them His Grace and how to love others and be compassionate people who want to be the change they want to see in the world as Gandhi put it .

God has a plan it isn't always what we want or what we think we want. It's really not about us to begin with. It's about Him and His children; the ones that He entrusts to us to love. It's about a child who in their little life has not known just how much they are treasured. It's about showing them it is possible to trust again. It's about showing them His love. Showing them just how worthy they are of that love and being vehicles for the demonstration of that love.

For any of our children they are only given to us on loan; they are really His.

For these children we may only hold them for a little while in our arms but will hold them forever in our hearts. I will forever be their praying mama.

People say often, " I could never do this, my heart would just break." So I say this from all of my beloved friends that are Mothers to Another Mothers Child, " Our hearts break too. We just know the one who can heal hearts." He is the one who restores and redeems lives. He laid His life down for us and we are called to do the same for others.

So most of all as we celebrate this Mother’s Day I want to encourage you. If you feel your heart being tugged to be a Mother to Another Mother’s Child. Take the first step. Do something. I promise you the little or big ones who are sent to you will impact your life more than you can ever hope to impact theirs.