We are here!
Recap for the past few days:
We all faired quite well in the journey, despite the late/early departure on Saturday morning. Personally, that first long flight of 15 hours and 50 minutes went by remarkably fast. And while things were a tad tight, we had a much more orderly transfer in Taipei this time than last year. Must be the absence of any typhoons in the area!
We were welcomed at the airport by Esther! She was "standing in" for the fact that Suradet and Yupa could not be there until after Sunday morning's worship service. Eventually, we were all there, glad greetings, hoisting all but one of our suitcases into the back of the truck. Yes, one suitcase did not arrive with us, but we were assured of delivery to our door the next day.
We received a warm welcome when we arrived Sunday afternoon. Two of the children were posted as lookouts waiting on the driveway. Then a shout and out they came from whatever else they were doing, following the car up and around in front of the guest house. We step out and... There's such a lovely lifting of the spirit when many children run at you waving, and as they get closer arms open. Happy little hugs all around. Exclamations about who's grown up so much, or how long their hair is now.
They took it well yesterday when we told them one of our bags didn't make it and we would have to hold off giving out their Sponsors' packets until everyone's had arrived. It wouldn't be kind, we said, and they completely agreed. By God's goodness, we had some brand new T-shirts and hoodies, and a few caps, along with some wrist bands that were donated, which made for a fun handing out at the end of our first night's worship time, just the same. And this way, they had something to forward to at the end of their first day of school.
And then, yes, we received the wayward bag and were able to celebrate all the goodies our Sponsors had sent us.
Sponsors, you really have no idea how much this means to the children. My little lesson that night was about how much God must love us to help us find each other, and be in each others' lives!
Monday and yesterday we've just taken it easy. Even with the smooth travels (thanks to everyone who prayed for a 'boring' trip!), we are grateful for these first few days to recover, slowly unpack, sort ourselves out a little, and let the afternoon jet lag nap fall upon us without resistance.
Still, we've managed to do a bit of letter recognition assessment, and Cheryl has already sorted out our learning groups, to begin on Thursday after school. At least, that's the plan. Already we are experiencing the need for adaptive flexibility. We remind ourselves that we come with all our expectations and intentions, but leave them entirely in God's hands, being sensitive always to how Suradet and Yupa and the children themselves guide our interactions.
Our big outing today will be to Pao Pao, a large discount warehouse that I sometimes describe as a Dollar Store on steroids. :) We have some teaching supplies on the list, as well as some incidentals. For example, there are pens there that come in a tub that I really love for their 0.7 fine point and writing flow. Imma gunna get me some and bring those home for sure.
And oh, probably a trip to Amazon is in order. Of course!
We are open to whatever the day might bring. Grateful for God's obvious provision and presence in these first few days.
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