I Want You to Meet Her …

Allow me to introduce you to my friend, Virginia Dunn.

I was introduced to this sweet friend almost twenty years ago!

She and her husband are very good friends, I would say “framily” to my sons. They own a record label and signed my sons’ band to their label, Facedown Records. Back in the day. They quickly became much more than label owners. Their hearts knit together by music and faith. Jason and Virginia are precious saints.

West Coasters, now residing in Hawaii, and us East, our paths have crossed here and there. Mostly, when they came east and it coincided with our sons traveling through. Once, my husband and I met up with them on a trip to California.

We had the awesome privilege of meeting their daughter Mercy, her first few days in America: an answer to prayer before our eyes!

Virginia decided to put their story of international adoption in book form. She has often retold the story, but as we all know a “telling” cannot contain all the details. Virginia published her first book Finding Mercy in the Heart of Africa a few weeks before I published my first book this year! We didn’t know about each other’s books, but we’re happy our journeys collided.

I knew a lot about Mercy’s adoption and journey. Our son updated us and keep us praying for all three of them while it was happening.

But, oh how blessed I was to read the entire story!

From the Back Cover …

This gripping memoir details an American couple’s quest to adopt a young girl from Uganda in the face of overwhelming adversity. What started as a simple prayer to be parents soon became a life they weren’t expecting. Their journey leading up to this moment and their faith in God prepared them for the spontaneous decision to move across the globe and persevere through the struggles they faced along the way. Through the narrative, readers will embark on an emotional roller coaster, experiencing the highs of hope and the lows of uncertainty. Virginia shares their challenges, triumphs, and profound moments when navigating through the intricate landscape of international adoption. Despite efforts to return home as soon as possible, they soon realized this journey was about more than an adoption.

A little more about Virginia …

Virginia Dunn grew up around the world in the nomadic rhythm of military life and developed a keen sense of adaptability and perspective. After graduating from high school, she married at twenty, ran a Christian hardcore record label (Facedown Records) with her husband, and mentored teenagers in her spare time. She loves dogs and is passionate about rescuing shelter animals. Rooted in a love for Jesus, Virginia’s faith is a guiding force that fuels a desire to make a positive impact in the world. She never planned to be an author, but she loves sharing stories, especially the one about how Uganda changed her life.

Finding Mercy in the Heart of Africa is inspiring, heartwarming and illustrates a tenacity to hold tight to God’s purpose when nothing in this world is cooperating! Virginia shows us the disappointments, the heartbreaks, the courage and fortitude it takes to pursue an international adoption: particularly one in Uganda!

I highly recommend this read. I admire Virginia and Jason so much for their relentless perseverance in bringing Mercy home. God’s call does not guarantee ease: Gin and Jason show how committed hearts proceed anyway and fight for their calling, in this case, their daughter.

Finding Mercy in the Heart of Africa is sold on Amazon.

Proceeds go to the organizations YES Uganda (https://www.yesuganda.org/) and Bringing Hope to the Family (bringinghope.org).