Reinforcements

Last month, as we approached our 9 month anniversary living Here...we had a welcome group of travelers join us. These dear ones have been our friends for over 10 years and many, many times He has intermingled our paths. This visit had been planned, even before we left There, but the purpose of the trip took on much more significance than was originally intended.

The photo above is of our first day back together. The shot is of Magpie, embraced by her dear friend and The Bug, with her dear friend...a ministry of mercy to our two who have missed friendship so badly during this first year Here.

We have been asking Him for the past year to raise up team members for us Here. Most cross-cultural families like ours are sent out with a Team, a group of like-minded souls who commit to working together toward common goals in the new culture. In our situation, we were initially sent out alone. At the school there are two other foreign teachers,both single...but as yet...no Team.

During our visit in Thailand over Spring Festival, we met with some friends who are connected to our home Meeting group back There. They have worked since 2000 outside of Bangkok. They went out as a group of 3 families. While visiting with them they impressed upon us again the need for Team Here. Before we left their company, it was a request we all lifted up together.

Very soon after our return from Thailand it seemed that supernatural pieces were beginning to "fall" into place. We knew of our good friend's long time heart for Here...and that they were open to going...if they received confirmation that this was His plan, not theirs. Our story of His leading to this place is a fantastic one...especially for those who believe that divine intervention is the thing of fairy tales...or that some impersonal deity exists but doesn't care about the details of our lives. Our experience profoundly refutes those ideologies.

At the end of February, we began to see the Master's design for our two families to work Here together. In a series of developments, seemingly unrelated, the door opened to TWO tailor-made opportunities for this family to come Here and to work alongside us. He, the husband of the family, having had 22 years of facilities management...will be managing facilities for the corporation that funds the school. She, the wife, having owned a commercial bakery for 18 years, will be fulfilling a request to open a bakery and coffeehouse here on the grounds of our Living Quarters. Two of their daughters, who will accompany them, will be enrolled in our school. Their presence, for Magpie and The Bug, a clear answer to our requests.

Above: Two of our chosen children, back in the country of their birth, now with their families...

***For those reading who have never considered adoption...please, do not limit the blessing in your life by remaining closed to the idea...the significant growth we've experienced as we've come to understand that we are likewise adopted in the spiritual realm...beyond description!

Above: Check out these wild Tour Guides...they loved carrying the guide's flag all around Xian...and of course, posing for photos!

Above: A shot of part of our travel group to Xian...funny to note...you can't see the Terra Cotta Warriors behind us...funnier still...it appears that Daddy and I have received some illumination from Above!

Above: the first ice cream of the season...(and sunshine that made The Bug sneeze!)

Above: This is our entire travel group...we took a few teachers with us from our school...we had our Local Family along with us as well as some new friends touring from California...what a crazy crew!

Over and over again in this first year of living Here we've experienced His mercy...and His favor. The challenges are great at times...but His grace is greater! Our Father has given us more and more understanding that He is not one that simply "regards" us...but truly, He loves us. So we say with confidence:

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are FILLED with joy." Ps 126:3