GOTCHA

Amy and I are in Russia again(3rd trip), so much has happened over the last few weeks not sure where to begin. Thankful for God being God and I am not!!! our second trip, July 11-16 was to update our medicals that had expired, and go before the judge on the 15th. We also had another meeting with the inspector and Vanya, so many times so many ways God showed up, as Amy and I set there watching God do his thing! We passed our medicals again, and the meeting with the inspector was just great, we visited with Vanya for about an hour before the meeting and came back that evening and spent 2 more hours with him. Amy and I were so excited about how this day went. Thursday the 15th was our court date, Amy and I were nervious to say the least, As Amy read the petition that we wanted to adopt Vanya, could'nt help but think about this journey God called us to. God called us to adopt this little young man from Russia who stayed with us last summer for ten days, but that wasnt the only journey God called us to. This year for Amy and I was a journey to grow us into a deeper relationship with Him,we learned how to really trust Him, He took this whole process out of our hands. It was amazing to watch God handle all of the little details down to the very big ones (in my eyes), how he stirred people to give funds that Amy and I did not have, from family, friends to people Amy and I didnt know very well. My God is Mighty to SAVE!!!!! God has taught me so much more about being a father, not just to my new son, but to the three wonderful gifts he has blessed me with already. After answering all of the questions they had for us, Amy and I sat on the edge of our seats, listening to what the inspector and the director of the orphanage had to say, i guess this was about half way through when i had this peace come over me and i sat back in my chair and told Amy, Vayna is ours. So Vayna's GOTCHA date is July 15, 2010!!!! Best part of this trip was how much God has drawn Vanya's heart towards us, as we left court German said he was going to take us back to the orphanage to see Vayna. We visited for about a hour, as we were leaving we got to watch God once again do his thing!!! Vanya's room was probably 75 yards from where we had parked, so Amy and I watched him walk back to his room. He turned around about ten times before he reached his room, every time waving and saying bye. Not till we got home and was showing our kids the pictures, Haley zoomed in on one of the pictures that Amy had taken of Vayna, if she had'nt zoomed in you would'nt have seen it, Vayna was smiling from ear to ear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My God is mighty to SAVE!!!!!!!!!!! thanks to all for your prayers, to Him be the Glory!


in His service Charlie and Amy

We landed, just wanted everyone to know we are here!!!! It's amazing what a few month's will do, Russia is great in the summer time!!! Amy and I didn't sleep any on the flight, so we decided to do all of our medicals today half asleep. We can sleep in and shake off the jet lag tomorrow. Will head for Ryazan wednesday to spend time with Vanya and the inspector, please keep praying for him, Amy and I. I know she will have a bunch of new questions for us! Thanks to everyone who has been praying!!!!! Isaiah 30:21 Your ears will hear a word behind you, This is the way, WALK IN IT," whenever you turn to the right or the left!!!!!!

I know it's only been a couple of hours since our last update, but I wanted to share something with you. Just got off the phone with a friend who informed me of a young man that lives in Russia, and graduated from the same orphanage that Vanya lives at. This young man will be coming to Huntsville to stay for 2 months, what a blessing this will be for the Benson's. He knows Vanya and will be able to communicate with him. I am just amazed how God knows when the time is right. I have to be honest, Amy and I had become frustrated with all the delays we have had over the last 3 months, now i sit and ask God to forgive me for doubting and being impatient, because His timing is always perfect! Victor is 22 and at the age of 12 he choose not to be adopted, he came to faith in Jesus Christ later and now is a light that shines in Russia! He has been wanting and trying to come to the States for a long time, and God knew when the right time for him to come would be. I'm sitting here in awe that no matter how much doubt and unfaithful I am, my Lord and my God is faithful always! Collossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and adopted us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.



in His service Charlie and Amy

court date set

Well it's been awhile since we updated this blog, we have been playing the waiting game. All of our medical's and criminal clearences expired so we are trying to get them all updated, which creates more finanical burdens on Amy and I, but God has been faithful in providing for us! He is so good! We are excited to tell everyone that word came today our court date has been set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! July 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please continue to pray for us. Thanks to all our friends and family who have been earnestly praying for this.


in His service Charlie and Amy

hey everyone Amy and i got some much needed rest last night, all went well with the medicals. Headed to red square tomorrow, then TEXAS on sunday. First stop..... three wonderful kids and some texas bar b que. thanks for all your prayers, and please continue to pray we still have some hurdles to overcome........... Colossians 1:12-14 giving thanks to the father, who has QUALIFIED us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For he RESCUED us from the darkness, and TRANSFERRED us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have REDEMPTION, the FORGIVENESS of sins........

well we are back in Moscow, had a fun day playing in the snow with Vayna!!!!! Sure hated to leave him there, please continue to pray for him. Tomorrow dr. visits....... yepee!!!!!!!!! thanks for all of your prayers and support, we are exhausted we will post more tomorrow!!!!!!

well it was a long day, we only got see Vanya for about 20 minutes, we are going back in morning to spend the day with him. It was great to see him again, great to hear him say our names when the inspector asked him if he knew us. continue to pray for all of us, GOD IS GOOD i will say it again GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!