We made it!

Last night we arrived at ~7pm local time (10am for our Cali family!). Faith and Roger were waiting for us at the airport. As soon as we cleared customs with our 2 carry-on bags, 2 packs with all our clothes and 3 boxes full of gifts, Faith ran UNDER the ropes lining the sides to give us huge hugs and help us to the car! It was a quick drive to the house where we were greeted by 6 beautiful little faces. Some were bold and came right up, giving us the best of hugs. Some were more timid, hiding behind their Auntie Faith and Uncle Roger. Before long they warmed up to us! The more timid ones were curled up with Kelly, petting her red hair. The bolder ones were in a full-on tickle war with Tara, running around the couch. After dinner we were quite exhausted, and retired to our rooms to fall asleep under our mosquito nets :)

This morning we awoke to the sounds of the rooster, a local church doing Praise and Worship in the native language, and the children laughing in the living room. Over breakfast we found out why there was such a sad mood around the house -- the day before we came 2 of the kids were "reclaimed" by their family and taken from Faith and Roger. Faith and Roger lost their children, and the other children lost a sister and brother. It was legal, but heart breaking. Before long 5 adults and 6 children were packed into the car and on our way to church. Faith and Roger go to a very multinational church, where children stay with their families for praise time, then leave for Sunday school. How fun it was to sing and clap and dance to the music with the beautiful children holding our hands or sitting on our laps. After church we ran and played out front with the children, talking to other Americans and keeping the children occupied.

 Kelly playing with Patrick after service!

  

The girls playing around the church grounds!

 Lunch was back at the house, where we dug into the big boxes we'd brought for Faith, Roger and the children. The squeals of excitement would have brought smiles to your face! Kelly taught some how to throw a frisbee. We attempted to teach them Chutes and Ladders, but they couldn't count past 10, which means they couldn't go any higher than the first line before they'd move their piece back to the beginning, haha! We quickly changed to a simplified version of Uno on the rug mom sent (see above).

Keep the prayers coming!