A trip to the Dentist

I am amazed at all the ways God brings blessings. BIG Blessings! We were able to take all the children to the dentist - all 23 of them and the 2 African Chaperones. It was so great. Dr. Mills did everything - he cleaned their teeth, did fillings and extractions and even did a root canal. He donated all his time. The children have been having trouble with their teeth, so it was really great to get them into the dentist. We couldn't have asked for better timing. It is the beginning of tour so we are now set to go. I don't think some of them would have lasted much longer with the pain in their teeth.

The children were such troopers. Some of them were really scared, but they still sat in the chair and had their teeth cleaned. It was strange to see how much they trust us. A couple of the children asked to have us sit with them while they had the work done on their teeth, but most of them seemed to know that we were doing this for their good and they went in with no problems. I'm so proud of them!

On the Road...Finally!

It's been a busy two weeks and I think I'm finally getting the hang of this thing called tour. Life on the bus is going to be interesting, but I think I'm going to really enjoy it. I am getting to know our children and the other chaperones and I'm realizing that this year is going to be about relationships. It doesn't matter how much paperwork I need to get done or the detail calls that need to be made - if the relationships fall, then so will all those other things.

It has been wonderful to be back with the children. I am so glad to finally be back into the thick of things. I truly enjoyed my time in BC, but I'm glad to feel like I'm being productive and that I actually have a goal to work toward. I arrived with the choir on September 1 and we've been going full steam ahead since then. I had a wonderful time in Monroe, which was my first host church. My host family was amazing. They were so warm and inviting and they blessed me so much. I was blessed to use their vehicle for the week which made things so much easier as we were without our bus. Alesha and I were able to run errands and not feel like we were imposing on someone. I did get lost :) But thankfully Robin was able to guide me back to my host home - an hour and a half after I left the church after the concert...oops!

Since Monroe, we've been to Seattle, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Hayden Lake and we're currently in Spokane. We'll be here for a few days. I have had great host family stays and I'm enjoying seeing the children interact with the American families that we stay with. I am proud of the way they have been adapting and when I stop to think about it, they are doing an amazing job. My children are only 7-10 years old and they are doing things that I would have never thought possible. They are very adaptable and willing to try new things (well, most of them!). We have been overwhelming blessed by the churches we have stayed with. They give so much to the children and the chaperones. We just had a church donate 23 Children's Devotional Bibles and the children were so excited. We also have had people donate toothpaste, toothbrushes, water, lotion, books and many clothing items. I am always amazed when we ask for things on our wish list, how quickly we have been blessed in receiving them.

On Labour Day Monday, my host took me and the 2 girls I had for the stay to the Seattle Aquarium. It was so much fun. Amy and her 3 girls also joined us. It was a blast to watch them as they discovered all the creatures of the sea. They enjoyed it so much.

Now that we are in Spokane, I get to spend some time with Marci, my choir manager. She is going to be moving on from the ACC, but I'm so thankful that we were able to have this time before we make the big switch to David. She is an amazing woman with a huge heart for Africa. I love her and have learned so much from her in the short time that we have been friends.

We are still praying for Mel and Vic's Visas to be granted. They are the last link to our team being complete. I can't wait for them to join us. I am being stretched in ways I never thought possible and joke that our team is so flexible we are practically contortionists! We are learning to adapt to every possible situation and it is amazing how much you can actually give when you don't have any other options.

I am grateful that God's strength and grace continue to be poured out. There is no other way we could do this. Even when I am tired, God's strength is there to carry me through. Such an amazing blessing.