Stuck, A Documentary

When our family entered the world of international adoption, we were clueless. The pictures painted in my mind were those of tearful first meetings and videos of awaited children coming home to huge crowds of anxious family and friends. I was completely unprepared and ignorant to the long and arduous process it takes to make it to those moments.

It wasn’t long before Ryan and I found ourselves tangled in a mess of bureaucratic red tape. Ignorant, we are no more.

Enter STUCK. Both Ends Burning has produced a film that uncovers the real-life stories of children and parents navigating through the international adoption system. You will meet four international orphans from Haiti, Vietnam, and Ethiopia, all of whom were forced to live an institutionalized life while their adoptive families fought, sometimes for years, to gain custody. While there are 4 stories highlighted in the film, the reality is there are THOUSANDS of children living in orphanages while expectant and willing families sit on waiting lists.

In 80 days, the STUCK tour bus will roll across the country, taking the film to 60 US cities. Next Friday, March 15, STUCK will be rolling into Austin! AMC Barton Creek will show the documentary at 7pm with a Q&A session following.

One objective while on the road is to gather over 1 million petition signatures asking Congress, global leaders and President Obama to take specific actions to change the landscape of adoption. The petition will be hand-carried to members of Congress in the Step Forward for Orphans March in Washington, D.C., which will coincide with the last day of the bus tour, tentatively scheduled for May 17.

This people, is a fantastic way to be a part of orphan care. It’s a great way to support your friends or family who are trudging through this process, a great way to educate yourself.

If you are interested in going or have any questions, shoot me a quick email. I would be happy to arrange a carpool to the theater. Wouldn’t it be great if Austin blew the other cities out of the water!!??

Hays Hills Baptist Church, will be offering limited childcare if you are interested. Space is limited so call quickly!

You can watch a short video on STUCK here.

http://www.facebook.com/STUCKthedocumentary?fref=ts

https://bothendsburning.org/

BUY TICKETS HERE: http://tickets.samuelgoldwynfilms.com/

Children’s Hope Chest APC Part II

From the moment we began our decent into Colorado I was in awe. As the mountains came into view the lyrics to Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable” filled my head, “Creation reveals your majesty” which of course led into the old hymn “Majesty”. I couldn’t help it, God’ handiwork was breathtaking.

There was no snow on the ground initially but as the day went on we began to hear rumors of a snow storm! That evening at dinner the restaurant was playing “Let it Snow” and other Christmas songs. Ryan and I were giddy with excitement as neither one of us had ever seen REAL snow. I mean, if the locals were making a big deal out of it we knew it was gonna be good.

When we woke up the next morning it was a winter wonderland! 8-10 inches had fallen overnight and schools all over the area were shut down. Ryan was itching to get out and play but I was being a bit of a party pooper as altitude sickness was kicking my butt. He finally gave up on me and ventured out like a little school boy! I was thoroughly entertained by his redneck “snow shoes” (which consisted of Safeway bags tied around his feet) and watching him attempt to weather the cold…brrr!! You MUST check out some of his fun I shot for the kids here!

After a few hours, we cautiously ventured out and spent the day as Colorado tourists. If you are like us, and have never been to the mountains, you must go. I can’t believe we waited as long as we did. I could take up this entire post telling you all about the glorious sights we took in! We have always considered ourselves beach bums but now we’re thinking we could definitely be mountain people!

When we arrived back at the hotel there was a gift bag waiting outside our room. It was filled with fabulous gifts made by African artisans and the most precious Africa shaped cookies! Attached to the bag was a note from Juree, the Partner Relations Coordinator for Ethiopia. As I read her powerful words I was reminded what brought us to Colorado in the first place: “The struggles facing those whom we work with cannot be solved by only one. It is only through like-minded souls who have responded to the call of God that we can accomplish the great work before us. It is my hope and pleasure to become partners with you.” It felt as if we had finally “arrived”.

Ryan and I were the odd men out as we had not officially signed on to be partners with Children’s HopeChest but we couldn’t have asked for a better way to acclimate ourselves with the organization. We learned detailed information about business operations and current state of the ministry. The senior program director cast the vision for the future, we heard testimonies and saw first hand the amazing work HopeChest is doing in Uganda, Swaziland and Ethiopia. We had the opportunity to meet both the African (I felt like I was with celebrities!!) and US staff and felt we were able to see into the character and heart of each of them.

The amazing people who make up the CHC ministry are the real deal. From the community and church partners to the staff, there is was a genuine love for God and the world’s most vulnerable. We were surrounded by people are passionate about orphan care and work endlessly and JOYFULLY on behalf of each of the children they serve. Ryan and I were amazed at the evidence of God’s overwhelming favor on their work. He is clearly going before them and behind them on each mission, it was truly incredible.

Our time in Colorado was unforgettable! I wish I had your attention long enough to fill your mind with every little detail, it’s hard to condense it all into such a small space.

Never in a million years would have guessed that God would take Ryan and I on this journey. So many times I have listened to testimonies and been guilty of spouting words like “whew, I’m so thankful God hasn’t called me to that”. God sure does have a sense of humor. We thought our part in caring for the orphan would end with adoption but God hasn’t stopped there. This call He has placed on our lives is so much stronger than anything we have ever felt and we feel honored to be a part of something so much bigger than us.

For months I have felt like a crazy person, completely worthy of commitment. I’ve walked around feeling like my head is going to explode and yearning for an outlet. I run my mouth often, my poor friends victims of long and passionate ramblings on all the ways we are failing as a church and serving the least of these. Ryan and I have been desperate for like minded people, desperate for somewhere to channel all God has been dumping (yes, I said dumping cause we’re buried deep, people) on us. Well we found what we’ve been looking for in Children’s HopeChest! I look forward to telling you more about our plans in the weeks to come!!!

We love you much,

Ryan & Brit

Children’s HopeChest APC Part 1

Hello blog world! Long time no see;) I was hoping to get this written in the beginning of the week but, as you all know, life happens…well, in my case surgery happened! Which brings me to my disclaimer: I may or may not be writing under the influence of Percocet. I’m not sure if this is legal in the state of Texas but this blog can’t wait another day. Just keepin’ it real, folks!

If you’ve followed our story, you know that we have been looking for a way to serve long-term in Ethiopia. It began as a means to stay connected to Little Krause’s homeland but over time God has taken it much deeper than that. He began to break us for the people of Ethiopia and I mean, break. It is a heavy, physical weight we feel deep in our souls. You can read more about one of these God interventions here.

Through prayer and circumstance, we found ourselves invited to Children’s HopeChest’s Africa Partners Conference.

The APC was being held in Colorado and there was just no way we would be able to afford it…right? Out of curiosity I got on Southwest and checked the flights. $48!?! The conference itself wasn’t expensive and it included meals…“Lord, do you want us to do this thing?” As I have mentioned before, I have become certifiably crazy and even though I am married to the frugal Ryan Krause, I did it. I booked the flights and the conference. Then, I kid you not, 5 minutes later I got a text from Ryan saying, “This is CRAZY. I just got a Groupon for the hotel where that conference is being held! $50/night with meal credits!”

Of course this made it much easier for me to confess my impulsive actions just prior to his text. Once again, God WOWed us. He left no room for doubt that He was sending us to Colorado for a divinely scheduled appointment!

Before I knew it the trip was upon us. All of a sudden I started to freak out about flying without my kids. I’d never done it before…ohmagosh, what if we crash and leave our own kids as orphans! It was ridiculous, I was ridiculous. I even left letters to each of them. Just.in.case. I sat in the airport early that morning completely and irrationally anxiety ridden. Ryan must have seen through my distracted head nods and distant laughs. He lovingly reminded me that this was God’s idea and I needed to get a grip.

Oh yeah. This WAS His idea. It’s in times such as these I know God rolls his eyes at me. I grabbed my phone and opened my YouVersion Bible app. Have you ever flipped open your Bible in hopes of receiving a quick “word” from the Almighty? Well, I did it IPhone style and HE DID NOT DISSAPPOINT!!  This was the Verse of the Day for February 20, 2013:

Defend the weak and the fatherless;

uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 82:3-4

I became a bumbling, hot mess right there in the Austin airport. Who in the WORLD am I? What have I ever done to deserve such intimacy with my Creator? It blows my ever loving mind. He reached down from His throne and reminded me of the call He has placed on our lives. He didn’t mince words or beat around the bush, He gave a holy command.

The peace that washed over me was immeasurable. This is how God loves and this is how He equips those so unworthy of such a call. This is why our answer will always be yes. As I’m typing this, I just realized I was humming: “Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful! And my song shall ever be: Oh, how marvelous! Oh how wonderful, is my savior’s love for me…”

Ok, I’m fading…Part II coming soon!