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Seeking First:
An update from Mike & Marianne Botting 
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Waiting with Expectation
Last month, the Child Welfare officials in Soroti mandated that a foster family be found for Elias. We were brought to them to start filling out the paperwork, and on May 2nd, they came for a home inspection - the last necessary step for obtaining a care order from the court for fostering a child. We are very happy to share with you that through prayer, we had a very positive visit, and the officials told us we passed the inspection! And so, we are just waiting for the call that will say, "Come and get Elias!" We don't know exactly how long it will take for the order to come, but we're preparing for as early as next week.
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We were surprised and delighted to be asked by the officials (as this care order is only to secure our status as foster parents) what Elias' full name will be. We'd like to publicly share for the first time the name we will call him when, by God's grace, we bring him home:
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ELIAS OGEN JEREMIAH BOTTING
Elias - a form of "Elijah", meaning "my God is Yahweh"
...pronounced like the start of "Elliot", but with "as"
Ogen - an Acholi name, meaning to have hope or trust
...pronounced like "again", same stress, but with "oh"
Jeremiah - "Yahweh has uplifted" (also see Jer 1:5)
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Becoming a first-time parent in this way is both wondrous and strange. When waiting for a biological child, there are physical signs and a set period of time to wait. But this kind of waiting is full of stops and starts, and nobody can know we are "expecting a child" unless we tell them. And when is right to tell? For there is great uncertainty over whether the birth parents of the child you are "expecting" will suddenly turn up, and you need to release that child and trust in God's plan, for you and for that child.
Now, it seems Elias' arrival is imminent. And so we have started telling a wider circle of people here in Pader, because just showing up with a baby would give many people quite a shock (quite understandably!). Our news has been received with great support and excitement, and prayers of blessing.
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School Discipleship Expansion
Our family is not the only thing soon to be expanding! As we shared during our home visit, the Understanding True Love (UTL) course that was piloted at Pader Girls Academy last year is moving into 2 other secondary schools. The plans have now been made, and we are preparing to launch in the 2nd school term. The School Discipleship ministry is also wider than just UTL. You can read up on more details on our blog here:
http://seekingfirst.weebly.com/journal/wordy-wednesday
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