More Snow

Another light dusting of snow last night, but still not enough to entirely cover the grass.

N was back today (PTL). She had gone to a nearby village with the aunt she is staying with to visit another relative. It seems the aunt wants to give N a chance to say good-bye to her family before she goes. I don't know if it is an attempt to change N's mind or just a genuine gesture to help N as she prepares to leave. Either way N is still determined to come with us :-) Sveta took her to have her passport photo made while we are on the internet. Before all is said and done N will have received 3. That's beaurocracy for you.

Gideon's orphanage gave their Christmas show today. There were several local dignitaries there and even some TV coverage. I was struck again at how good the orphanage is. The children do cry when they are unhappy (a good sign) and most of the care givers had at least one child on their lap at all times. While it still has the problems of an orphange, for what it is, it seems pretty good.

Bruce got the whole show on video. The kids were all very cute, but it was also sad, knowing that most of these kids will never have a home. Gideon's orphanage is for those with "severe" health problems. Although many seem just as healthy as Gideon, many others do have obvious problems. There is one little girl with severe fetal alcohol syndrome and 2 brothers that have some sort of genetic skin disorder. It looks like eczema so severe that it bleeds and scabs over. We also saw a couple of kids in the next age group down with Downs Syndrome. It is heart breaking.

Our evening sessions with Gideon continue to improve. He didn't cry at all last night. As strange as it may sound, I am looking forward to the day when he will cry when we leave. That will mark a significant step in the bonding process.

We are hopeful that the US paperwork will be in Bruce's parent hands by the end of this week. Please continue to pray toward that end.

We love each and every one of you!

Peace of Christ,
BLN&G