For my first post I (Katie) would like to thank everyone who has been praying for our three-year-old son Liam during this trip. Many of you knew, his health and well-being was our biggest concern as we considered taking this trip after he has only been out of the orphanage for nine months. So praise God! He has done amazingly well on the flights and on the ground! This trip has just been one big adventure for him, and besides a few mild issues here and there he has been a healthy, happy kid. While in Germany, our hotel was right next to a nice walking/bike path that led to a little lake, a playground, two restaurants, a sheep field, and Liam’s favorite- a log with a caterpillar on it! 😉 So on the days that we did not go with the team, we enjoyed our time exploring the area on our own. The day we did go to the refugee camp, he jumped right in playing water games with Campbell and the other kids.
The process of getting to the small village of Parot, South Sudan, was a very long one with many flights in large and very small planes. But all went well, and as you know, we have been here in South Sudan for over a week now. Just hours after we arrived on our compound, a storm blew in, turning all the dirt around the houses into wonderful mud puddles! Another first for our little guy! I wish I could post pictures! He did end up a little sick (from ingesting a little mud?) and kind of eaten up by sand flies, so we learned our lesson. But that has been the first of many firsts for him (and us!) since we have been here. One thing we learned about him very quickly after his adoption is how much he is game for new experiences.
He has thrived here! The people love him and are so sweet to him, and he has been super friendly with them. The first day we all went out after our first language lesson, Liam went around saying “cheobak” (hello) and shaking hands with everyone we met. 😁 One time he had had enough of the crowds around him. So he just came to me, and I carried him for a while, and he was happy.
We are all learning so much. The kids are all making friends with the neighbors and at the school. Julie has been teaching me a ton, and has been so gracious to answer my millions of questions. Josh has had encouraging meetings with some of the leaders from around here. He and the girls have each had a bout of sickness, but right now all are well, or close to it. 😉
Please continue in your prayers for us. We have so much to learn and so much to decide…and we need grace to deal rightly with the kids that keep shouting at us all day long from the fence every time we step out of our house!
We’re still unable to post pictures on this blog. Please send me or Josh a WhatsApp message and we’ll try to get some photos to you that way.
I must go. The drums from South Sudan Community Church are calling us to morning worship. I’ll post more this coming week as I’m able.
6daysjourney 