SDA AOK

November 29, 2007

Today we were a bit adventurous. Our main task was to see the SDA representative and get our referral. This was so much less eventful than we were expecting. We got out a little late and went over to a little cafe not far from our flat and had a little snack with one of our facilitators, B (our body systems are still adjusting the time zone). After that we trekked over to the mall and did some light shopping - another metro ride. While I'm thinking about it - public transportation rocketh! We met another of our facilitators, S, to accompany us to the SDA. He was to drive us there. Not more that a couple of blocks. Some dude had parked his land cruiser in the middle of the street and almost made us late. We did arrive on time and walked up to the office and met with a very pleasant lady who asked us a few simple questions. We narrowed it down to our D. She walked out and came back with a couple of pieces of paper - the "file". On one side had D's photo from a few years ago. What an innocent little girl. You could see the fear and hopelessness in her eyes. It was for me, a very stirring moment. The lady could see my emotions and she very politely stated that she would give us our referral tomorrow afternoon. It was evident that we had been preceded by our heavenly advocate. S is good, but HS is the best. So once we receive that, we'll be on our way to the region. We are expecting to be there on Sunday morning.

Later tonight we met with B's wife, at the dva goosya restaurant. We had heard a friend rave about it. It was very good. We spent a little time browsing through the Mac store and comparing it to the one near our home. Such a contrast in the cultures here. Much space between the have's and the have not's. And some of you (Nichols) will be happy to know that our conversation over dinner was all about the local "body of believers" and what that is suppose to look like and how we do life with one another. Again, we could see that we had been preceded by HS. So here we sit at another little cafe called "Chocolate" very appropriately have the most incredible hot chocolate ever! I leave you with the passage that my mom shared as we left home - "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" ~Dt 31:8. Here is G's take on the day.....



Well, I am sitting here going into my "chocolod" coma and reflecting on our day. My stomach is still settling from last night and I'm learning to ease into the culture. Even though I am mentally prepared to jump in feet first, my body is not. There is the cold, the walking, the hotness of the inside and then it is time to put on your coat and walk in the cold again. My grandmother would declare us all sick from going to the cold to hot, cold to hot. As Chris said, there is a vast contrast here. We can walk down the street and see shinny light fixtures hanging from inside the expensive stores. On the same street and especially in the metro, you will see beggars holding out there hands for money. It is really a little confusing. I would love to go out with my camera and take pictures of all that I see to share with all of you.

All in all it has been a great day blessed by God. When you have an appt. with the SDA it is a good thing to have no surprises...and that is exactly what we got. Things went so smoothly we were a little taken back. We should have our referral to visit the orphanage tomorrow and we will board the train Sat. night and arrive Sun. morning. It may be Mon. before we can see D. We have been trying to reach her by phone and cannot get her phone to ring. I think she knows we are here because she sent us a text from her phone to ours.

I enjoyed meeting our facilitators wife and it seems that we have many things in common. They have been so good to us and it is so nice to have them here to help us with communication. We hope to meet up with them again tomorrow.

K has been great although I think the hot chocolate is getting to her now. There is so much more I would like to share, but with a squirming 8 year old I think I need to wrap it up.

Much love to all of you that are back home praying for us....especially to the unknown couple who has made this adventure possible financially. We think about you and thank God for your obedience to Him who is able to do exceedingly above and beyond what we ask or imagine. To Him be all glory and honor and praise forever and ever.

Mama