Packing out - Day #1

Tuesday morning at 9:00am the packers showed up ready to pack us out.  It is crazy how fast these guys worked.  By the end of the first day they had our entire porch and living room pretty much packed up.  The guys were crazy fast like a whirl wind of bubble wrap, cardboard and tape.  It was so different then our last move.  They guys built boxes out flat pieces of cardboard so they fit around odd things like chairs perfectly.  John and I started calling it cardboard oragami. 

John was home with supervising the move which was a really good thing because my type A personality would have probably gone postal.  The movers did not exactly work concrete sequential and it appeared to me to be very inefficient which probably wasn't but just not the way I would choose to work.  Boxes are totally a mix of whatever they decided to grab.  Let just say my Mom has already offered to help with the unpacking because she knows it going to make crazy that their is no rhyme or reason where things are.  Bath towels, pencils, football, a pair of socks  and mixer make the contents of a perfect box, don't they? 

Thursday all three kids participated in Rumbai's Got Talent.  They did an amazing job.  I am hoping to upload video soon.  Kade was in the grade 3/4 bubble gum skit.  Kade loves physical comedy so it was perfect for him.  Sydney performed in the middle school dance routine.  Brooklyn and Kade did an animal act.  Brooklyn was supposed to be a Sumatran Tiger but there was a communication lapse between myself and our sewing lady.  She turned her into a zebra which did not work with our skit so we turned her into the very rare Sumatran White Tiger.  I know...I know it was a stretch.  Brooklyn did a great job selling it.  She was an amazing little tiger. 

 Brooklyn the White Sumatra Tiger

Brooklyn's costume from the back!

Kade getting his hand unstuck from the bubble gum.

Happy Mother's Day!

Just in time for Mother's Day the Mega Bats are back.  They visited two years ago and we thought they would return after we left. I am so glad we did not miss them. They are the neatest things.  They are HUGE. Many have a wing span over 6 feet.  Right now they are roosting on the trees by the golf course so after church today we made the mad dash home hoping to see them leave for the night.  We got there just as the first few were taking off.

Platypus walk

Answered Prayer

Our God is faithful.  Happy is on her way to Bible school.  On the last day, at the last possible minute, her tuition came through.  Thank you to the person who heard the call to help her out.  We are getting close to having all the kids sponsored.  Four more to go!  It takes such a load off my shoulders to knowing the program will be up and running before we leave.  I am excited to see what God has planned next for the orphanage. 

This week was quite the week.  Sorry for the lack of posts but I have been beyond busy and am pretty much exhausted by 9:00 pm. I got to babysit Samuel a few evenings this week, which was super fun. Samuel is the youngest child at the orphanage and he is absolutely ADORABLE.  He is going to be 6 months on the 18th.

The reason he was busted out of the orphanage was because he needed a medical evaluation and some TLC.  We found out he is doing really well.  He just a tiny bit behind but with some more tummy time he should catch right back up.  He such a good baby.  I could seriously just gobble him up.  Oh...Indonesia why won't you let me bring him home?? 

Tomorrow, I can sum up in one word "PACKING".  We have a lot to do.  I am feeling a bit behind so tomorrow the plan is to get most of it done. It should be a busy but productive day.  If we get a good start we are hoping to go to town and pick up the last few things on our list.  I have a hot tip on a rug that I am hoping to bring home.  I will keep my camera with me so you can see how it goes.  Wish me luck!

A God of Miracles

A huge thank you to those of you who have been praying for the sponsorship program and of course those who have heard the call to get involved.  All I can say is that we serve a God who is in the business of miracles.  The funds are coming in and I believe we may be fully funded by the end of the week.  To Him be the glory!

Please continue to pray the additional sponsors will come forward.  Also, please pray for Happy.  She is scheduled to leave tomorrow and her funds are not totally secured yet.  I know God will provide for her needs.

Prayer and Party

Prayer:  The sponsorship program launches today.  Please pray that God would open the hearts of those that can help these kids.  I have been a basket case all day.  I must have re-worded the orphanage newsletter 50 times.  Asking people for support is never easy.  However, I know that this exactly what God wants us to do.  It's now out of my hands and in His.  I will update you in the next few days to share how it is going.

The Party: Yesterday afternoon Sydney attend a birthday party for one of the younger girls at our school.  I have told you many times that birthday parties in Rumbai are a HUGE deal. The theme of this party was "Breakfast at Tiffanys".  This birthday party blew my mind. The kids were served caviar and received Tiffany jewelry as a party favor.  Yes, you read that right.  The kids ate caviar and inside the gift bags was Tiffany Jewelry.  Sydney got a really cute charm bracelet.  It is a good thing Brooklyn's birthday is not till June.  I would really have to step up my game to compete with these Moms.

Prayer Request

Tonight we made a quick trip to the orphanage to finish up the last of pictures.  Thank you, Paul!  I think they turned out amazing.  Tonight I have to share two prayer requests.

The first is for Happy.  Happy is in the photo below in the light gray shirt.  Happy is an orphan.  She has lived at Insan Permata for most of her life.  May 8th, she is scheduled to head to Bible school.  She is short tuition. Would you please pray that God would lay it on someone's heart to help?  She needs $300.00 to pay the school fees.  If you want to help let me know and I will tell you how.

The second prayer request is that we will be launching the sponsorship program early next week.  Please pray that God would provide the needed funds.  Pray that He would open the hearts of those needed to fully fund the orphanage.

Thank you for your prayers regarding these things.

Getting Ready to Pack Out

I can't believe that it is already time for us to pack out.  Each night John and I do a little something to get ready.  The last few weeks have been spent taking pictures and inventorying items with a value over $100.00.  We are about 80% done with that project and all we have left our storage areas and kitchen.  I though you might enjoy a sneak peak at a few of the things coming home with us.  Most of the items have a story that go along with them.  I will have to save that for another post.

The official pack out day will May 23rd. It will take them about 4 days to completely pack us out.     The 23rd will be day the movers show up at the house and start boxing us up.  I have no idea how long it will take for our stuff to make it back to the States.  I keep teasing John that shipment will probably arrive the first week of school since we physically have to be at our house when it arrives.  

I have to admit this move is really bitter sweet.  We are excited about being home, but leaving Rumbai is harder than we ever imagined.  We are so thankful that God gave us this opportunity and are excited to see what the next adventure will be.