In the meantime we are still about $12,000 short of that which we need to raise in order to be fully funded. While we were there, a precious friend of mine and the ministry she and her husband founded, The Shepherd's Crook, decided to come along side of us and began fund raising on our behalf. In less than a week, over $8,000 was donated to the children's account! We were overwhelmed with God's goodness and everyone with us that night was in tears.
We had the blessing of being with another couple who could have been nothing less than a God ordained appointment. Their lifestyle, beliefs and plans for the future are very much like ours. It was wonderful to spend time with them and talk about the mighty hand of God and the amazing journeys we call life!
The children are in two different regions/orphanages about 6 hours apart and we could only pick up one referral at a time. We when to Katie's orphanage first, visited her, heard all about her medical needs and how she is delayed. (She is, but mostly because of her being in an orphanage. She'll catch up quickly once home.) She's about the right size for a one year old which is good. Now we just need to get her some cute little girly clothes!
We then went back to the countries capital, picked up Dalton's referral, who we are going to name Hunter, and then took the over night train to his regions. Nine sweaty hours later with very little sleep we arrived, went to our hotel to freshen up and then off to the social workers office and then to the orphanage. We heard all about his medical needs, visited with him and then ran around doing his paperwork. His needs are nothing that we hadn't already figured out from pictures we had received. He's doing well though. Wears about a size 2T. We'll have to buy a few things for him, but with lots of good food and lovin' he should be in the size 3t things we've been saving for him. After filing for a court date and doing some more paper running around, we had dinner at the hotel restaurant. A short night's rest later we were up very early and back on the train to the capital. One last night there and then we flew home.
It was one fast, exhausting but productive trip! The food was great, the team was exception, the kids are beyond words and our God reigns! I'm glad we're home with our little ones here, but we sure miss our little ones there. Soon, soon we will all be together.
Here are a couple picture from our first meetings.
They are amazing and we are very blessed!
