Putting the Icing on the Cake
Talk about on HUGE adventure! We just cannot believe that it is already over, what an incredible blessing it has been to be able to study not only the culture, but also the lifestyle of another country! We became part of the countries that we lived in and those places and people will always hold a huge part in hearts and in our daily lives. It really is insane the amount of times this experience pops up in conversations. Also, the lessons that we have learned from it have changed us as individuals and has obviously played a huge part in the people that Jesus Christ is molding us to be! We faced stuggles, laughed endlessly, cried in sorrow and in happieness, have seen God's miraculous hand move an entire nation from genocide to justice and forgiveness and have in our own hearts been convicted and refreshed by the beauty of many African people. We cannot begin to justly describe the emmense transformation that has taken place in our lives. This was not the "Typical" missions trip, but rather a time to focus on where God has us on our journey with Him and a glance into the direction that He is leading us! We gained wisdom that can be used in any area of our life no matter where God places us in the future!

Speaking about the subject of "us", as many of you know, Leah and I are now engaged! I know that all of you are sitting on the edge of your seats to hear how I asked! Well...here it goes! From before the time that we left to Africa I had planned to ask Leah to marry me! From the first time that we went to Africa I told myself that if Leah and I ever had the chance to return that was where I wanted to purpose! I bought a diamond ring prior to leaving for Africa and purposely left it in the States in hope that I wouldn't lose it or have it stolen! I had it all planned out. I wanted to ask her at an orphanage and have all the kids help me! I told a couple students from the Go-Ed Study Abroad program my plan and asked if they could help out as well. Whenever we arrived in Uganda, our house parents told us of an orphanage that we would be going to alot! Ironically, the name of the orpanage was The Jordan House Orphanage! I knew from the moment that I heard that, that this was the place I always wanted; and it was! Leah and I gained a huge relationship with the children and the orphanage parents knowing most by name! At the end of the four months, when Leah and I were getting ready to leave in a week, I decided it was time! A few weeks prior I went to the orphanage and brought some computer paper and crayons! I wrote one letter of "Will you marry me?" on each page. I told the kids what I wanted to do and asked if they could help! They said "yes" and each one of them colored a letter the way they wanted and wrote their names on the back of the paper! Also, I told them the song that I wanted them to sing to us right before I asked her. -Fast forward a week- ( "the" engagement) I asked my Go-Ed friends to leave early with my Video Recorder, camera and the papers! They arrived at the orphanage about an hour before Leah and Me. She had no idea! We finally arrived and the kids were singing and dancing. Leah and I joined in and after two songs they sang the song that I asked them to sing. Meanwhile, they were each holding a papers in their hands. Leah did not even catch on! During the song, I turned to Leah holding her hand and said. " Leah there was actually another reason why I brought you here today! I wanted to bring you here because this is a place where both of our passions and desires lie. God gave us a heart to work with children and people that are impoverished and because of that I felt this would be the most perfect place to ask!" Still having no idea she responded, "oh, yeah?!" Then I told her that I had the children help me out a bit and by that time the song had just finished and the children flipped the papers to the other side and Leah read, "will you marry me?" She looked back at me and by that time I was on one knee and I asked with all the excitement swelled inside my heart " Leah will you marry me?" Then she screamed "YES, of course"! It was the most perfect moment! Here is a picture of that!

Of course, she began to cry and the children began to dance around us! We had so much fun with all of it!

So now here we are back into the norm, Branson, Missouri! Living the same type of life with all the same people and trying to figure out exactly where we stand in the middle of all this! Alot of things have changed with Leah and I! Many of our ideas have been transformed and, as funny as it is, alot of the ways that we interact with people even has changed! I remember the first week when we returned, Leah and I had to go renew our liscence and when I had to interact with the people there at the office I was so nervous because I had lost much of that type of interaction. It has been a very interesting adjusting back, but we are doing just fine! There is not much left that I can think to say, but I will end by sharing with you a little bit of what we learned in the four months we were gone.

Leah reading her Bible!

Prior to leaving, Leah and I both agreed that our ideas of poverty were very similar; hunger, no shelter, no money, (you know) the child that has nothing and sits on the streets begging for food or money. Well, because of this semester our idea has been brodened! No longer do we define poverty upon the appearance of a situation, but now we understand that it lies in each one of us! Africa, India and many other developing countries are given the title of being poor because it is very obvious to the eye that they are suffering! But I would like to challenge everyone that is reading this blog to look below the surface. Not all forms of poverty are that obvious. People are stuggling with mental poverties, spiritual poverty, social poverty and etc. And if their needs are not being met their poverty will only get deeper! As cleishe as it may sound, Jesus Christ is the only cure for ALL poverties! There is not a doctor, councelor, or enough money to cure even the most obvious of poverties! It must start with us recognizing the Great physician, Jesus Christ!

Picture of Jordon holding baby Jordan at the Jordan House orphanage!

I want to end by thanking every person who helped with support and also spent time to pray for Leah and I! We are both very excited to see where we will end up! And If any person has any questions or comments about anything! Please, just ask or write us at: jordonleah@yahoo.com ! We would love to respond to them!

Have a GREAT day and God Bless!