Under weight and out of shape

We have arrived as many of you know.  We began our trip rather quickly and under duress.  Our girls were in the hospital with malaria.  There was a possibility that they would die if they were not here in the capital of the DRC.  God was with us on this one.  

We spent our 1st full day in the hospital playing and getting acquainted with our girls.  They open up almost immediately and became somewhat bonded to us.  As we have begun to learn who they are, we see signs of severe trauma in their eyes.  They are bonding with us, but they often hit each other and talk about beating us in Swahili. They did not come with any of their toys or belongings we sent them.  (Mom it looks like we need new blankets made.)   However, they are very beautiful and loving girls who desperately need a home that will show them love.  

We were discharged early today with no translators and no way to call our contact.  We felt desperate at points.  The girls were discharged with multiple medications for malaria, a blood infection and pneumonia.  So here we are now in a guest house called Sunny Day.  

This is no vacation.  We smell.  We are tired.  We are mentally fragged.  We are finally with our two daughters.  That is all that matters.  We are going ahead with the process and and are praying that enough people have been through that all of the bugs are worked out.  I will stay by myself if a month passes.  Please continue to lift us up.  This is truly a hard place.  Our hearts break for the average person here.

Tomorrow is a big day.  We go for passport pictures tomorrow.  We need the passports to be done by Thursday.  This is a giant God prayer here.  This never happens.  Those who have been here can attest to this.  If we get this done, we have our embassy appointment Friday.  We need this.  These girls need this. They have been through so much trauma, and they need to go home to our home.  This has already been a traumatic trip for us.  We are doing well, but this is probably the most tired we have been in a long time. We could still have a longer time without any of God's intervention.

Let me end by posting pictures.  Oh, by the way, the foster mother changed their names.  They are Katie and Judith.  Please don't ask who is who.  I am not sure at this point.  I will clarify in postings to come.  I believe Marie Paul is Katie and Marie Jose is Judith.  Rather confusing at this point, especially for a dad who already had a hard time.

The name of the blog comes from our longstanding joke since arriving.  We are probably going to drop 10 pounds, but not because we are working hard for the Imogene run, which lends it self to the out of shape comment.    Here are the pics.

Katie

Judith,Katie and Valerie

Judith,Darren,Katie

Judith

Katie and Judith