Koenig Adoption: The Ugandan Journey
Welcome back everyone!
The Koenig family we discussed last time are now in Uganda! Your contributions and prayers have been received and they are now in Africa with their three children! It has been such a blessing to everyone involved, especially Jena and Travis Koenig. These two have explicitly heard God’s calling to adopt. Their calling is backed by several biblical events,[1] commands,[2] and pleadings from other believers[3] pertaining to their community and/or nation as seen throughout Scripture. They have not taken this lightly, yet have meticulously planned this out for the last year, awaiting the day they would be able to bring their three children home.
That time has come!
Travis and Jena Koenig are now in Kampala, Uganda, which is located off to the right of central Africa. They have seen and have been with their three children for over a week now! It has been a busy, but amazing journey for this new family. The courts have been somewhat compliant, but they are not readily available as they would be in the States. There are a lot of fees and court dates coming up that need to be settled, as well as passports applications that need to be reviewed and accepted before the children are allowed to come home.
Due to these slight setbacks from Uganda’s responsiveness to the case they are still in need of financial assistance, because of additional time they need to stay overseas. Along with finances, they need our prayers for several things as they continue onward:
- The next Ugandan court date for the adoption is tomorrow, November 18th, 2015. Please pray the country continues to allow the adoption and finalizes the Koenig’s effort with a firm approval.
- With a firm official approval they can then apply for the children’s passports. This allows the children to legally come home with them. This process can also become lengthy in some countries. In Uganda it can take at the very least a week. We want to pray that God can move the process forward with ease, so further financial assistance is not needed as much, as well as the stress upon them and all of their children would not be extended.
- Simon, one of their adopted children is getting sick. He started out with a fever, but it has been progressing. We need prayers for his condition and pray that he will get better. His current known condition is at 102.5 temperature and the doctor is traveling to them tomorrow morning (11/18).
- Culture shock can be a very realistic drain on someone visiting other countries that are not their own. Please pray that Jena and Travis can experience their children’s culture and allow it to influence them in beneficial ways.
- Lodging has been a bit of a struggle for them in Uganda. Please pray that Koenig’s caretakers, host family and drivers remain godly in their transactions, conversations and servitude. It appears better lodging has been provided, but continue praying that they will be cared for physically and spiritually while there.
- Money has been a stumbling block for them as they are held there in the country longer than expected. Please pray that finances can be donated as the bills here in the states come in, as well as other fees come about in Uganda.
- Their four children here in the states are being cared for by family and friends, while the Koenigs are overseas. Please pray that their biological children are accepting of their temporary guardians and behave while their parents are away. We want them to know that their parents still love them and will be back soon.
- The temporary guardians of their biological children also need our prayers. They are out of their comfort zone in addition to their own homes doing godly work. This can be taxing and hard. Please pray that they will continue to do this godly work and help raise these children up in this hard time.
If you read this and feel the desire to give, please follow the link to their fundraiser at Koenig Adoption. You may also choose the secondary fundraiser set up to help them at Friends Give Tens. Thank you for your contributions and prayers. They are needed and appreciated very much!
Your brother in Christ,
Derek Cozine