Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Really Big Fib

I tell my children you can lie by omission, and that is what I have done here. I have omitted to mention that my husband, Allen, has been in the states since mid-October, with the exception of a couple of very short visits to Honduras. I just didn't feel that announcing this news on the internet was such a very good idea. I kept wondering if anyone was going to call me on it, and ask a question like, "Why are only you and your children doing all the ministry work? Is Allen just swinging on a hammock, or something?" But, thankfully, no one ever did!

The reason Allen spent this time away from the family has to do with the fact that David (our BucketBoy) can't go to the US. Because he isn't actually adopted, he doesn't have papers to travel. Since he can't travel, our family can't take a "furlough," which is the traditional time (usually a year, after about 4 or 5 years living overseas) to live in the states and raise additional support for the work.

Because we cannot take a furlough, Allen goes back occasionally, and works for a few months. This is the second time he has done this, the first being in 2005. We are very blessed to have friends in VA who let him live with them, while he works. In that way, most of the money he earns is able to be used to support our family.

With Allen earning the money for our family needs, we are able to use the money which is donated to our ministry solely for direct ministry purposes, such as purchasing the food for the Special Needs families, funding the monthly Bible Training School, building churches, etc.

Today, we are delighted to announce that Daddy is back home with us again!

I feel much better, now that I've confessed my really big fib!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad Allen is home again.
We keep you all in our prayers.
Love Beth

Patty said...

God Bless you and continue to give you strength. I admire you so much, and hope when we finally get in country that I can meet you. Maybe La Gringa and I can make a road trip to Gracias.

Patty - Trujillo soon

ShelleyD said...

Awe... that is so sad that you guys have to be apart that long. We are going to be separated for about 3 weeks in May for a medical issue getting taken care of in the States. I was really sad about that... and cannot imagine the timeframe you guys are talking about! Glad your family is together again! Hope you can somehow get some sweet couple time.

Honduras Sprout said...

Glad to hear! I didn't know that about bucket boy. Well...that he couldn't travel. So you can't get a visa for him? This just seems so odd. Praying a visa may be in his near future or better yet - an official adoption!