We End at the Beginning

Were you wondering if Paul and Miriam ever made it back? They did indeed (and so did my luggage). We all, including Paul's parents, were at the airport to greet Miriam. We have a great photo--which I will post as soon as I locate the cords for the camera from among our mass of dirty clothes and Congolese souvenirs. We came home to have dinner together with my sister's family. She has a girl who is Miriam's age, and they became fast friends. Sometimes language doesn't matter.

She slept great last night, not coming out of the bedroom until I went in to get her. It might have had something to do with the fact that she's terrified of our dogs. Hopefully it won't take her too long to adjust. My exuberant German Shepherd is dying to get in her face.

Today I registered Miriam for school, so she will begin Monday. We toured the school with the ELL teachers, met her first grade class, and went to the grocery store. How's all that for culture shock? Tomorrow I will be joining her on the bus, in order to get her acclimated to the big yellow thing that will be her new transportation to school. She was beginning to tire this afternoon until Jacob came home from school. He's made it her personal quest to teach her as many words as possible.

I have been thinking that this blog would be drawing to a close since Miriam is finally here. It's rather ironic, because now we are merely at the very beginning.

I am so grateful for the thought and prayer that you have all put into our lives. It made all the difference in the world. Please continue to remember us, and especially Miriam as she adjusts to her new life.

With sincere thanks,
Andrea

p.s. Don't forget to look one more time. I'll find that camera cord soon.

Homecoming Interruptions

I got home yesterday with one small snag. My luggage didn't arrive with me. There's no telling where it is. I just hope it gets here soon. I was expecting to be picking up Paul and Miriam on the same flight today. They checked in with their e-tickets at the Nairobi airport. The took their boarding passes to the gate, but were not allowed on the plane because Miriam has a Congolese passport, which means she needs a transit visa to be able to enter the Amsterdam airport (be thankful for your American passport). Northwest/KLM would not budge in any way to change the routing of their tickets to London instead of Amsterdam, where a visa would not be required. They had two options: Stay over night in Nairobi and go to Holland's embassy in the morning or buy new tickets home, via London. Since the process of acquiring a visa normally takes a few days, and since they would have had to buy new tickets anyway because they had to forfeit theirs, there really was no option. They bought new tickets, flew to Heathrow, took an hour long bus ride to Gatwick (never heard of it) and flew from there. They are due home at 3:20 today. I'll believe it when I see it.

Miriam's arrival just happened to coincide with a class trip that all 5th graders go on. Charis really wanted to stay home to be at Miriam's homecoming, but I sent her anyway. They will have to wait until Friday to meet.

Surreal

Hi Friends,
I'm in the Amsterdam airport waiting for my flight back to Minnesota. Paul and Miriam will leave Kigali in about 5 hours.

I've been keeping a journal for Miriam for about a year. I wanted her to know how it was that she ended up with us. I read through it yesterday, feeling so amazed at how God led us step by step through the whole process, from beginning to end. I am so in awe of it and tremendously grateful to God for how near He has been through it all. Yet even in the midst of this feeling of thankfulness, it almost seems as if it never really happened--like it was just a dream. Here I am, returning home empty-handed. It's very strange.

Paul just texted me to let me know that Miriam "put him to shame." They had just eaten breakfast and she asked him, "Why don't we pray anymore before meals?" She's very sharp. She'll be very tangible to me soon.

I'm about to run out of time on the computer, so I better post this now. Thank you for praying for us.

LONG JOURNEY HOME

Miriam and I began our long trek back to Minnesota yesterday. It’ll be another 32 hours before we actually get on our first International flight.
As you know, we began our Sunday morning at the crack of dawn, with the three of us in Kinshasa. Miriam and I boarded an 8 AM flight for Goma, while Andrea waited for her 10:45 flight to Nairobi. It was a very different flight from the one we had taken just a week earlier to Kinshasa, where Miriam cried for her mother for a good chunk of the trip. On this last trip, she asked lots of questions (she’s very inquisitive and aware of her surroundings). Hearing that were would land in Goma, she asked a few times if her mother would be there to meet us. When I informed her that would not see her, she seemed to accept it without any problem. (I had spoken to her birth mother the night before, and we both agreed that even though we could make it happen, emotionally it would make things harder for everyone).
We arrived in Goma about noon, and Jo and Lyn Lusi from Heal Africa assisted us in getting thru the border, to an awaiting cab. The cab took us on a 3 ½ hour ride to Kigali, where we spent the night. I connected with a Congolese family friend and his American wife and family in Kigali for dinner, before retiring for the evening.
As much as I would have loved to have stayed on the same itinerary as Andrea, in some ways this time alone with Miriam has been a blessing, as we are able to spend extended time alone getting to know each other. She spent most of the day with her little head nestled in my chest, or her hand firmly planted in mine. The trust that she is developing for the two of us is very apparent, and although we know there will be challenges ahead, we are savoring the gift God has given us in Miriam.

Out of Congo--Not Yet Out of Africa

Wow, what a wild few weeks it's been! Thanks for coming along with us.

Paul (with Miriam) and I left Kinshasa this morning. I went to Kenya. My layover was 32 hours, so I'm at a guest house in Nairobi. I just had a big glass of passion fruit juice with my dinner. It was heavenly.

Paul and Miriam flew to Goma, crossed the border after getting a visa into Rwanda for her (she has a Congolese passport), then got in a van for a 3 hour drive to Kigali. I don't know any details, but I got this text message from Paul:

"Things are really good w/Miriam. Goma was not hard. She asked about her mom a few times, but it's different from before. More questions of curiosity than anything. There will certainly be grieving, but I think she'll do okay."

Paul will blog more details after Miriam goes to sleep tonight. You'll probably read it before I do.

Yesterday Miriam's uncle who lived with her family until last December came to say farewell to her. We hadn't told her he was coming. She was elated at the sight of him. He told us that all of his family was very moved that we wanted to adopt her, and they saw it as a gift from God. After he left, we let her call to say good-bye to her mother. She cried a little bit at both farewells, but something changed in her. It seems like she understood a little better what was happening. She went to sleep in a cuddle.

We got it -- Praise God!

I got another one of those 3:00am text messages reading "We got it!" In the middle of the night (their day time) the visa application came through at the embassy in Kinshasa. The woman that they had been working with at the embassy went in on a Saturday to look and see if it had been sent from the U.S. God has truly been orchestrating things for Miriam' trip home to the U.S. They will be leaving as scheduled, Andrea on Monday & Paul and Miriam through Goma on Tuesday. I think they both are exhausted and ready to return home.
Please continue to pray, now for safe travel and especially for Paul & Miriam. They will have to go through Goma which may upset or confuse Miriam. Even though they will hopefully be going straight from the Airport to the border, The volcano that devastated the city in '77 & 'o2 makes it look like no other place on earth. She will most likely recognize the city. Please hold them in your prayers.
Even though the trip home is happening on schedule. Please pray for no snags as they go across the border in Rwanda, fly through customs in Amsterdam, & U.S. It's still a really long trip and it can seem even longer when you're waiting to sleep in your own bed.
Everyone here in the Blomberg/Tshihamba homes is not so patiently waiting to meet the newest member of the family.
Praise God the Author and Creator of all things (including adoption)! Who but God could have made all of these incredible miracles happen. If you didn't believe before, Know now, that He is Sovereign!
Blessings on you all,
~Billie Blomberg
noahsbigboat@gmail.com

Keep on Praying.....NOW!

Today we showed up at the embassy for the interview at 9am. It went very well. We paid for the visa, leaving Miriam’s passport to be processed. We told the head of the department that we were waiting to buy tickets to Kigali until we knew the visa would be available. She told us to go ahead and buy the tickets. She said the visa normally takes a few days, but she would rush it to be ready in time for a Monday flight. She would call us when it was ready to be picked up.

The visa had to be approved in Washington, DC—it’s all done electronically, but Kinshasa is 7 hours ahead of DC— 3pm is 9am in DC. 3:00pm came and went. At 4:15 we called to inquire. She told us she would be at work for one more hour. If it had not come, she would return to the office in the morning (the embassy is not even open on Saturday) to see if it had arrived over night. She didn’t call. 5:15 came and went. We had to hang around the area of the embassy all day, just waiting for the call, because transit is so congested and going anywhere takes a very long time.

Miriam is officially a Tshihamba. The visa is the last piece of the puzzle, and it’s missing—Don’t you hate when that happens? If it doesn’t come tomorrow, we incur the cost of changing 2 tickets to Goma, and 2 tickets back home. We also have to worry about there even being two open seats in all of the flights.

So we wait and we pray. My faith feels weak. How could that be, just one day after I saw a miracle?

Miriam is delightful, has a great sense of humor, and she's laughing a lot now. She and Paul are very funny together.

Thank you for holding our situation before the Lord.

I’m still leaving on Sunday, arriving in Minneapolis on Tuesday.

Miracles Happen!

The man who is hosting us used to work at the embassy. Yesterday he
told us that we need to change our flight plan. He said it is
impossible to be able to leave so soon because of American Embassy
"red tape." We seriously thought we would have to, but decided to
wait one more day to decide.

Now I wonder why I was so worried yesterday. We went to the embassy
this morning to pick up medical exam papers, and were armed with USCIS
(U.S. Dept. of Immigration) documentation that proved we didn't have
to pay the $670 again,
and also proof that we only were required to have a copy of our
marriage license.
The woman we've been working with was very friendly today, and things
turned around. They told us we have an interview next Tuesday. I
asked if it was possible to get one tomorrow if the medical results
came back today. She said yes, but doubted that could happen.

After that, we went to the clinic. Paul's uncle Ditu has a relative
who works at the clinic reception desk. He had been informed of our
situation. and was
asked to help. Along with us was an attorney who is a close friend of
Paul's parents and from the same home town. We all walked into the
doctor's office when Miriam's name was called: Paul's parent's friend,
the attorney, the relative from the reception desk, Paul, Miriam and
me. The doctor just happened to be from the same region of Congo as
Paul's family. The relative established the connection, the lawyer
stated our situation. They all conversed a little about
commonalities. The doctor initially told us that the shipment to the
embassy (3 blocks away) goes out first thing in the morning and had
already left, but he could send it tomorrow
morning. We thought that was the best we could get. Miriam had necessary
vaccinations and a very basic exam. The doctor filled out the papers and
called in the nurse to take it to the embassy right then.

So the medical exam went to the embassy about two hours after we had been
there. I called to confirm our appointment for tomorrow at 9am.

I don't really know what happens in the interview, and I'm not worried about
it. We will get the visa in the next couple of days. We all leave Kinshasa
Monday. I go to Nairobi for a little over 24 hours, then Amsterdam
and Minneapolis. Paul and Miriam (unfortunately) will have to fly to
Goma to get to Kinshasa. You could pray or Miriam when she is there.
She will surely recognize the place, because it looks like no other
place in the world. The whole city is black with lava. They will be
picked up at the airport, taken straight to the border,
then get on a bus to Kigali. Paul is trying to make the Goma part as short
as possible.

So the whole day seemed miraculous, and surely we saw the hand of God. I've
had a verse from 1Samuel that I've hung onto through this whole process.
I haven't told anyone but my sister and Paul, because I was taking it
so out of context from the whole story. I have to share it now
because
it seems so true about what's been happening, and especially about
what happened today.

Within it's context, Samuel performed a miracle, which led the people
to believe that God was present and real. The miracle was followed by
central theme given many times to Israel in the OT. It summed up the
way they were to live their faith. They were called to serve the Lord
with all their heart. This is my prayer for Miriam as she grows up.
It's my prayer for myself. I long to become more devoted because of
what I have experinced today, and through the whole process of this
adoption.

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do
before your eyes!

Redeeming the Pain

Today was another hard day. The good news is that we have Miriam's passport. The bad news: we didn't get it until 5pm, so we didn't get to the medical examiner today. We need to figure out if we need to change our tickets again. That's another $400. Please pray for wisdom for us. I am exhausted and don't feel like writing much. Let me say just a little about Miriam.

We're starting to recognize the sad, pensive face she gets when she's thinking of home. I saw it tonight as I put her in bed, so I laid next to her, her back against my stomach, and put my arm over her. She turned to face me, putting yer arm across my side. She put her face right on my face, her lips barely touching my cheek. She fell asleep like that, breathing into my face.

As I laid with her, I prayed not that God would heal the pain of the loss she is experiencing, but that God would redeem it. That He would make something beautiful out of something very sad in Miriam's heart. If I believe anything about God, I know that He always redeems. That I can trust.

It seems like Andrea & Paul's faith are really being tested today. Things are coming down to the wire, and miracles need to happen. Please pray with urgency that God would intercede and get the passport done, the embassy to cooperate, the doctor to be available, and the test results be expedited. Also Andrea (and probably Paul too) is really feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with the issues that are still pending. Pray for the peace that she has had, to be in abundance for them, today, tonite and for the rest of the trip. I think she's feeling a little homesick and ready to just bring Miriam home. Please remember them in your prayers.
Thanks
~Billie Blomberg
noahsbigboat@gmail.com

The Last Leg

Getting picked up soon to go get passport and then go to medical examiners. We have a connection (relative) at the doctor office who may be able to facilitate rapid results. Please pray it can all be finished by Friday (which would be a miracle). The Consulate/embassy just informed us that we owe $670 filing fee, which we paid months ago. I just sent a letter to Summit, who did our home study, asking them to contact the embassy to vouch for us. Please pray that Mrs. Groth at the embassy takes their word as proof.

I will try to post again tonight.

Running in Place

Did you ever have one of those days when you worked hard to accomplish something, but nothing seemed to change? Today was one of those days, except that all our effort was in the form of mental/emotional energy (aka: stress). Our hands are tied until we get the passport, now promised to come tomorrow, supposedly between 11am and 4pm. It will be a miracle if we get everything done before it’s time to leave.

We are required to leave from Kigali, Rwanda. The flight goes next to Nairobi, and we were hoping to fly directly from Kinshasa to Nairobi, but Northwest Airline won’t allow Paul (my ticket is changeable) to pick up the flight except in Rwanda, which means they have to leave Kinshasa the day before (Monday) in order to make the connection. The only progress since last night is that we found a ticket for Miriam on Paul’s flight for $2,700. It seemed pretty reasonable compared to $5,000. With all this in mind, and the feeling that we’re standing still, my faith tells me that there are things happening behind the scenes that I cannot see. It’s in God’s hands.

Here are some prayer ideas:
***The passport comes early enough for us to be able to make the medical exam tomorrow.

***The medical examiner speeds up the results

***The results arrive at the embassy in time for Paul and Miriam to leave on Monday

Here is more about Miriam:
Each day she opens up more and more. This morning she was still planning on leaving today. She told Paul to call her mom on her cell phone (everyone, almost literally, has one here). Later when a woman we were visiting left her cell phone on the couch, she asked, “Is my mama’s phone number in your phone.” The woman, not knowing our story, was very confused. We ended up calling her mom and letting Miriam talk to her. It was a short conversation, but it pulled Miriam out of talking about going home.

We realized last night that a little physical activity could go a long way toward contentedness. We’ve been doing the “Hokey Pokey” and “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes” (from Barney), and a goofy counting/jumping game that I made up. Before today she mostly watched us do it, with very little expression (probably thinking, “who are these crazy people my mother gave me to?”). Today she asked me to do the H P with her—she told me by dancing it herself, then taking me into our room and closing the door so no-one could see. After the HP, we did the jumping thing. I had forgotten “HSKT,” but she reminded me by doing the actions. We did it several times, speeding it up as we started over, and for the first time, she laughed with me. It was good

Have you got any other goofy songs like that? We’re having a hard time remembering any others (except “Father Abraham,” which didn’t hold her interest yet). Post on the blog if you do.

An All-Around Hard Day

It’s been a very frustrating day, and we really need prayer! We began early with a trip to the embassy. We received approval from the U.S. Immigration over a month ago. The approval notice was sent to the embassy in Kinshasa, where the immigration process will take place. We turned in all of our adoption paperwork (the adoption occurred in Goma), and they wanted our original (not a copy) of our marriage license. We had a copy that was used for the adoption in Goma, but that stayed in the court files there. We got my sister to find our marriage license and send the document by email. We’ll try to use a color copy and hope they don’t make a deal of it, but she also sent the original by DHL (takes 4 days).

The passport photos for the embassy needed to be retaken (wrong color background). We went to Kenya Airways (there is no North West or KLM) to change our tickets. Stood in line, only to find out their power was out so there was no computer access…went to the other Kenya Airways office, stood in line forever, only to find out we can only change them through North West (unfortunately by phone). Paul was on the phone for well over an hour, ending up having to route us on two different days (we were scheduled to return the 7th, which wouldn’t give enough time to complete immigration), and discovering that a one way ticket for Miriam would cost $5,000. I’m leaving next Monday, and Paul is leaving Tuesday (with Miriam, so at least she can have someone to be able to communicate with her).

Poor Miriam spent the third day with us, being dragged all over the city, in and out of cars, very bored, hot and exhausted. When we got back to our hostel, she took a bath, packed her suitcase, took her photo out of our family photo album, and told Paul she wants us to take her home tomorrow. It was so sad.

Then after dinner, we found out that her passport, which was supposed to be delivered to us tonight, won’t be ready until Wednesday. The reason we were told is because it rained today, and “everything shuts down in Kinshasa when it rains.” Well, we were all over the city today, and it didn’t look like anything shut down to me.

The problem with the passport is that we can’t get her medical exam without it, and we can’t have our interview with the embassy without the results of the medical exam (which take at the very least 2 days.

So, prayer for Miriam’s heart, prayer for a more affordable flying option, prayer for her passport, prayer for her medical exam, prayer for our marriage license, etc, etc, etc. I feel like it would be good to assign prayer items like a potluck: If your last name is A-F, pray for Miriam, G-K cost to fly….

Really, I don’t think God is limited by any of this, so I hang on to the belief that your prayers will indeed make all the difference in the world…I don’t understand it, but I believe it.

Urgent Prayer Request

I got another of those 3am texts last night. Andrea and Paul had been at the embassy and were told they couldn't bring Myriam home without having their marriage licence as a one of their documents. So right now I'm at their house digging through files to find their marriage certificate and then I will be sending it DHL to The Congo. I'm waiting on instructions for where to send it and anything else they may need.
Please pray that the licence would arrive there quickly and that the immigration process would continue without snags. Thanks
~Billie Blomberg
noahsbigboat@gmail.com

Hurry up and wait

I'm posting again today because Andrea & Paul couldn't get Internet access. Hopefully tomorrow they'll be able to tell you something new. The text messages I got today were mostly about the concerns for what will happen with the immigration medical exam. There are alot of maladies that can hold up or even stop the process. Obviously HIV status, (which Myriam has already tested HIV neg.) but something like TB could throw a wrench in things. Please pray for true health and a quickly scheduled exam for Myriam. They will be going to the embassy tomorrow, Monday, around 8:00am (7hrs ahead of us) so please pray for a quick wait and easy maneuvering in the navigation of the immigration process.
Andrea described Myriam as a little sad and confused about where she's going. I've been thinking (worrying) about all the things that will shock her when she's finally home. Starting with her long plane ride, a huge airport in Amsterdam, meeting this new family, a cousin who is the white haired image of her, a new house, a new room, new siblings, new school, The Big Yellow School Bus. I'm just praying that God will hold her tightly and help her to be excited and not scared about the adventure He has prepared for her. We're so excited for her to come home, but trying to remember this is going to be so overwhelming for her. Please continue to pray for her little heart. Thanks!
Billie Blomberg
noahsbigboat@gmail.com

Kinshasa Kindness

Kinshasa is very hot. We had a long day of eating way too much food, as we visited relatives and were treated to hospitality like none I’ve ever experienced. We were toured all over the city by a family friend, and I enjoyed watching every minute of the scenery that's so different than what I usually see. It was a busy day, so we were very tired when we were returned back to "home." It was actually refreshing to take a cold shower tonight. I hope the gecko didn’t mind that I invaded its space.

Even on Saturday we've made progress with immigration. We need a Congolese passport in order to have an appointment with the embassy, which was supposed to be “in the works,” but has yet to produce a passport. Today we made headway through another source, and we should have the passport by Monday. We aren’t supposed to get an appointment until Tuesday or Wednesday (the days they work on adoption cases), but we’re going to the embassy on Monday anyway. We’re hoping to at least get a referral to a doctor that the embassy has endorsed. The required medical exam is said to be very thorough, but takes a long time (we heard it’s about 3 days) to get results for HIV testing. We already know she’s negative, but the embassy has to do their own exam, because people aren’t allowed to immigrate if they are HIV+. With all this in mind, please pray that the immigration procedure falls into place, and for the sake of my kids at home (and my sister), that it goes more quickly than usual.

A little about Miriam: Kinshasa is a good "soft landing" for her. It's not exactly like Goma, but it's also not a stark contrast like it will be when we get back to Minnesota.

She’s seems to be very in tune to social cues, watching and following what we and others do in a variety of settings. She loves to write her name, the alphabet and the vowels, combining consonants together with vowels to form words. I’m not sure if she’s reading them yet, but she mimics the sound that letters make as if she’s already been learning the concept. She’s already memorized the names of all of our extended family, and enjoys looking at the photos that we brought. She’s small, but she won’t be for long if she keeps eating as much as she has. She’s eaten more than me at every meal.

Even thought I’m not her mama, she has been very attached to me (and us) today, probably since we’re the only thing that’s familiar. She has been run back and forth all over Kinshasa, meeting scores of people she’s never met, so she stays close to me, often touching me or holding my hand. We had an exhausting day, eating way more than we needed to. She fell asleep on the way back to the place we're staying, and now she’s sound asleep in bed. She didn’t cry for her mama today, but she continues to talk about Goma as home. That will take time.

That’s all for now. Hopefully I can write again tomorrow. By the way, that was my sister who wrote the last two blogs. Our access to the site wasn’t working yesterday, but it seems to be now.

I finally got a picture of Andrea and Myriam. so this is a quick post. Haven't heard much since they arrived in Kinshasa. I'm sure they're very busy with family and caring for Myriam. Please continue to pray for them while they navigate immigration. Please also pray for Myriam's adjustment to her new family.
~Billie Blomberg
noahsbigboat@gmail.com

Arrived in Kinshasa

Andrea & Paul went to the Goma airport Friday morning, to being their trip to Kinshasa and finish the immigration and passport issues left before they can bring Myriam home. There was a bit of confusion and chaos at the airport because Myriam had no ID for making the flight, but within a few hours and some intervention by the right people (And God), they were on their way to Kinshasa via Kisangani. Myriam cried most of the way but eventually did fall asleep on Andrea. When they arrived at the Kinshasa Airport they were given VIP treatment. Paul's parents have set up amazing contacts for them; from people who met them at the airport, to drivers, to passport help, & people with legal connections. That will hopefully make the process go much smoother. Tuesday & Wednesday are the days that the embassy will see adoption cases and there is much to do before then. Myriam will need to see a specific doctor to be cleared for immigration, and there are relatives that they will be seeing, but they are one step closer to the finish line.
Andrea asked that we would be praying for Myriam to feel comforted by God and by the care & love that they are giving her. She's fairing well, but is missing her mom. Andrea said she loves to write and draw. Please pray for her little heart.
Also, there are many potential immigration issues that could become complicated. While it seems that they have the right contacts and that things have gone well up till now, this is the place where they will need to have all of the t's crossed and i's dotted. Please pray that things will go smoothly with the immigration process will continue with no outstanding issues for which they are not prepared. And lastly, that you would give Andrea & Paul strength and energy to walk through this last piece of the process so that they can bring home the newest member of their family.
Jake, Moriah & Charis are doing great and are happy to have today off of school. Jake has a retreat this weekend and the girls are going to their grandparents this weekend. Pray for them as well since they are missing Andrea & Paul.
Hopefully Andrea will be able to post a picture of them soon. I'll try to keep the blog updated until they are able to tell more of the ongoing story.
~Billie Blomberg
noahsbigboat@gmail.com

First Impressions

Driving down the bumpy lava road toward Miriam's home, I could hardly believe this moment had come. Paul had been there twice by then, so we were able to borrow a car instead of being driven by one of the Heal Africa drivers. There are no trees on these lava streets, just black rock as far as one can see. The rocks have been made into walls and fences. We parked in front of the store where we were to meet Godelive. She was just arriving there with her younger brother who lives with them, walking Miriam home from school. We walked down the lava path into an area of tiny wooden houses until we came to theirs. We all sat in their main room on wooden chairs.

Godelive was very gracious, twice expressing her thanks to God for having provided this for her daugther. I asked many questions, with Paul doing the translation. They had not always lived in this house. Before her husband had died they lived in a larger home that cost $100 a month rent. Now they pay $15. Her brother has lived with them since the children were born, assisting with the children when he was available. He just graduated from high school.

AIDS had brought them to poverty with the death of her husband. Godelive had also acquired the disease and has been very ill. She is now on ARVs and is feeling much better. She looked well. She's a beautiful, petite woman. Despite her diagnosis, she hopes to live for many more years. She will be able to provide better for her younger son, age 4, without the need to feed and pay school fees for both of them. School costs about $10 a semester, which is a hardship for most families. It would be so easy for any of us to make a difference...but that's another subject.

Miriam was shy, but very curious. She was bossy toward her little brother, trying to take the tennis ball we had brought for him. Her mother talked to her about leaving on Friday with us, that she would fly in an airplane, and that she will come to our home. I fought back tears as she talked to Miriam, partly of thanksgiving for what God had brought about, and partly for the pain both Miriam and her mother would feel losing each other.

I marvel at what God has done. All I did was to say "yes" to what seemed as a call to my heart. I did not choose a particular child, but if I had to give a description of what kind of girl I was looking for, it would have been Miriam...a girl with few opportunities, who was smart, curious and loved to learn. I would have looked for a girl who came from two loving parents, and was not a victim of the violence of war. I would have chosen a girl from the region of the country that Paul is from. I would have asked for all of that, but I explicitly surrendered my desire for a specific kind of child to God. I was willing to take what God was willing to give to me. She is everything I had hoped for.

I don't say this as the secret to some kind of formula for getting what you want through prayer. I only want to recognize that there is some Great convergence that is happening in our lives, and that God is soverign over it all.

I hope to post a photo of Miriam and us in front of her house. The computer situation is a little cumbersome, but we're working on it.

Thanks for your prayer. We leave tomorrow afternoon for Kinshasa. The Congolese airlines scare me. Please pray for safe travel.