He moved in two weeks ago today.  Seventeen year old kid.  Son of a man from Daoula who frequently stays at Shiloh as part of an evangelistic team.  Overnighting on their way back home after yet another outreach to a particular village.  We don't know Dad individually and personally, but as part of the greater whole.  His wife has stayed at Shiloh a couple of times a long time ago.  Recognize her, but can't say we know her.  Their pastor, into whose extended family we were "adopted" over nine years ago, approached us about the possibility of permitting this teenager to stay at Shiloh while attending university here in Yaounde.  

Objection number one:  We're not running a dormitory for Christian university students. Could fill Shiloh many times over if we were.

Objection number two:  Off and on throughout the year, Shiloh is filled to the max.  There's not room to put another person sideways.

Objection number three:  This is a poor family.  They cannot afford to pay what it costs to stay at Shiloh.  Not even the greatly reduced spiritual retreat rate.  The small contribution they could make would not cover our out-of-pocket expenses for taking in their son.

While "No" was the obvious answer, we have learned a long time ago to let God have the final decision.  After considering this request from every angle, after spending time in prayer, after including our entire team in the discussion, we all felt at peace about it.  Clearly this was of the Lord.  We would say "Yes".  With some conditions.

Condition number one:  The son would stay in our only downstairs bedroom which is our least used room.

Condition number two:  He would move to a mattress on the floor of the living-room any time we needed that room. 

Condition number three:  He would clean his way out of the room and leave it "guest ready" every time he moved to the living-room. 

Condition number four:  He would attend our church and NOT the crazy church (which is closer to Shiloh).

Condition number five:  He would meet with Mama Alice once a week for a Bible study.

Condition number six:  If he was at Shiloh when we were eating, he would eat with us.  Otherwise he would prepare his own food or buy food on the street.

Condition number seven:  His parents would be responsible for all his expenses, including medical and a generous reduction on the price of staying at Shiloh.

Condition number eight:  This offer is good until Christmas break at which time he returns home for the holidays.  If this has been a mutually compatible relationship, the offer may be renewed.  If not, the parents will find other living accommodations for their son.

Dad and Mom were so grateful for this wonderful answer to their prayers.  They brought their son to us two weeks ago today.  It did not take an entire week for us to realize that he is a gift from God.  Polite, respectful, eager to pitch in and help out wherever needed when not in class or studying, a strong Christian, serious, brilliant, neat, clean, tidy, orderly, obedient.  In short, a real credit to the way his parents have raised him.  He's out the door at 6:45 Monday through Friday and back home around 5 p.m.  We have very quickly come to love him.  And are already wondering how we ever got along without him before we knew him.   

And thus our hearts have enlarged to include yet another son. What a blessing.