Change of Plans.

Dolly is sick this morning but, Luci was here. She took us to the school where she teaches. The children played and Steve and I were introduced to 2 Colombian English classes. We sat in the classes while the children asked us questions. This was to practice their English. Dolly will be here this afternoon and we will talk with her about the upcoming processes. Attached are pictures from the school We are to go to Luci's house this evening. Also, Luci has arranged for the children to attend school there to help them with their English. They will go 2 days per week from 8:00AM to 12:00PM. We will go and "teach" other classes. We have been invited to a school BBQ on Thursday.

Feeling better!

Yesterday I continued to feel bad most of the day. I stayed in the hotel and slept until about 5pm when Luci and her family picked us up. We went for a tour around the city. It is much larger than I imagined. There were people everywhere palying loud music and dancing in front of there houses. There were kids swimming in little rivers. There were areas with many kids playing on electric cars, blow up slides and moon walks. We stopped and let the kids play for a while. The houses and environment is soooo much different than the USA. It really reminds me alot of Mexico although the people are very friendly here and no one is trying to sell you things. We forgot the camera although I had taken a few pictures with Wendy's cell phone. I just have to figure out if I can transfer them to her computer.

Earlier in the day Wendy and Luci took the kids out. They wanted to buy me something for fathers day. They each made me a card and Maria picked out a T-shirt for me. The kids behaved much better yesterday. Hopefully as time goes by it becomes easier.

This morning I woke upfeeling much better. We will visit Dolly, our attorney at 9:00. We thought we may go to the pool afterwards and I will swim with Juan while wendy paints Marias nails and does her hair. The sun is shinning and it looks like it will be a beautiful hot humid day justlike the rest of them.

We have been in Colombia for over a week now. I leave next Sunday. Continue praying that things get finalized here and Wendy can travel back to Bogata with me. After the judge finalizes things we recieve the Sentencia. Wendy will then travel with the kids to Bogata and visit the US embasy. The kids will have to have a physical and passports and visas will be issued. This takes about 3 days. She can then come home.

Fathers Day in Colombia

Yesterday was a difficult day. The kids are getting very anxious being couped up in a hotel room. With Maria's arm in a cast she cant go swimming. There really isnt anything else to do here in the hotel so this makes it very difficult to occupy the children. We played several games although Juan wasnt to intrested and was into everything. Gladys the hotel manager had taken us out after lunch for a little while. We went shopping for new zappatos (shoes) for the children. We went to a park on the side of a river afterwards. There were many people swimming and barbequing. Wendy started feeling very sick when we were there. She had flu like symptoms. Shortly after returning to the room I became sick. We spent the evening running to the bathroom. Luci came over and had taken the kids down for dinner. She said they ate very well. She went to the grocery store to pick up some things for us and stayed the night to help out. It was a big help.
Today I feel better although still not up to par. Wendy feels much better. She is going to take the children down for breakfast and bring me back some food. We woke this morning and watched our worship service as it is broadcasted live on the internet. The message was great. Pastor Mark talked alot about children and it was very appropriate for us. Amazing how god talks to us when we ask for guidence.
Well this is my first fathers day so hopefully it will be a great day. Luci went home to clean u and has returned with her two youngest sons. She will be back in a few hours. Hopefully we will be able to take the kids out for a while.

The first trip to the doctor

The kids wanted to go swimming so bad yesterday. I had taped a plastic bag over Maria's arm using medical waterproof tape. Well.....it didnt work. Her cast was soaked and began falling apart. The hotel doctor looked at it said it need to be replaced. We were sent to an orthopedic center. X-rays were taken and a new cast was put on. She is not allowed in the pool. This is going to be so difficult because this is the only thing that thay can do here is swim. She had so much fun yesterday while swimming. It's gonna be rough telling her she can't go in anymore, especially with the langauge barrier.

There is another couple from Italy adopting who will be leaving in several days. They invited us yesterday to go to the Exito. We didnt go because we had just returned from the doctor. This is like Walmart. We had gone shopping there on the first day here. There is two of them in town. The one the family went to yesterday has a second floor which is a childrens playground. Hopefully we can start going there as a substitute for the pool. Also there is an area walking distance from the hotel where the kids can drive electric cars. The italian familty had told me about yesterday. We just need to find out if this is safe for us to go.

Jennifer, who runs our office is pregnant and due on June 28th. She had some complications and the baby had to be taken yesterday. This is going to make it difficult for everone working to keep things going as steady. We need prayes for the safety of Jennifer and the baby along with office to continue to run efficiently. Pray that the judge makes a speedy closure of our case so we can return home to get things back in order.

We are on our own today so I dont know what we are going to do. I'm sure there will be another adventer. Hopefully tomarrow will be all about good news! Hasta luego.

We are all alone today

We actually had our bonding meeting yesterday. I think Dolly (our attorney) had presented everything to the courts although Im not too sure due to the language barrier, sometimes it's difficult to interpret. Not too sure where we are. Dolly had driven last night to Aguachica to get the original birth certificates. I understand she will return next week. We met with her about 3 pm yesterday and the social worker and psychologist were still working on thier reports at 3:30. Not sure how late the courts are open and if this was completed yesterday. Initially Dolly was planning on presenting today. Maybe her assistant will present it today!

We had several meetings yesterday and did alot of walking. We went back to the ICBF and have recieved official custody of the kids while in Valledupar. We can go back and get permission to leave the area but must remain in Colombia. We are planning on staying for now. Keep praying that Wendy and the children will be able to travel back to Bogata with me on the 22nd!

Today we have no meetings. We will spend the day, hopefully relaxing at the pool (La placina). Luci asked that we remain at the hotel. She has a seminar today and tomarrow and will not be with us. Last night we went to her house. She has 3 boys and one girl. The kids had a lot of fun with them. It was a good break for all of us. It's been difficult for them in a hotal room.


Things are much differnt here. The roads are very narrow. No stop lights. Motorcycles everwhere and constant beeping. People walking out in the streets. Sometimes I think they are going to be ran over. Most cars and houses have no A/C. Cars are very small. We have been walking alot to all the meetings. Several blocks from the hotel. I feel very comfortable on the streets. No ploblems and people have been friendly. You cant put TP in the toilet anywhere in Colombia. The food has been good. Breakfast consists of Arepa, empanada, queso (cheese), fruit and Hurvos (eggs typically with ham). I have papaya juice and 1/2 cup of cafe leche (coffee with milk).Lunch and dinner i have had baby beef, fish and several varieties of chicken. We have eaten at the hotel everyday. I'm looking foward to eating out soon. Wendy eats Arroz con pollo everday. Juan eats like a horse. He was hombre (hungry) last night night at Luci's. Manual, her husband warmed up Pollo and platonos (chicken and bananas) for him. He ate a large dinner earlier, Spagetti pollo (chicken) plus half my carne (beef). This can be good for me. Maybe I'll drop a few pounds. We neen to go for breakfast now so Hasta Leugo (see you later). Steve

PS. Thanks for the posts. It's nice to hear from everyone. Makes us feel closer to home.