We've Made It

Just a quick update for everyone . . . we have arrived in Central Asia and are glad to be here.  In many ways it feels familiar and good to be home.  There is also the list of things that aren't quite as I remembered it being when I left; it seems dirtier, the smell seems stronger, my mouth is so much slower to get out what my mind/heart want to say.  I know culture shock and a good dose of jetlag/exhaustion are also to blame.  Jet lag with 3 small children and no electricity during the night seems quite challenging, so I'd appreciate your prayers in that regard too.

Yet, we have been received by our sweet teammates and the warm faces of national people.  That makes it feel so good to be back!

Change of plans!

Since I last posted, plans have drastically changed!  We had already loaded all our large luggage and sent it on a truck to the airport.  We were 5 minutes out from loading up and heading to the airport ourselves when a blood curdling scream came from the front yard.  Ethan had tried to jump the fence, in an exciting game of hide and seek, his flip flop caught and he instead landed on his arm.  Nurse Aunt Jenni quickly assessed him and we determined something was seriously wrong; either a dislocated shoulder or a broken arm.  With a departure time of t-minus 2 ½ hours, we headed to Immediate Care hoping  for immediate care and a possibility to still catch our flight.  The afternoon progressed in a roller coaster of emotion; “yes we’ll make it” to “no, we shouldn’t go.”  Ethan broke his “Radial Neck,” the top of his radius up close to his elbow.  Luckily it was not dislocated, eliminating the need for surgery.  But we needed to see a Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist, which was not possible before 4:50 p.m.  

This captures how we felt at the end of Tuesday; exhausted, overwhelmed and somewhat in shock. 

We had an 8:30 a.m. appointment with the specialist on Wednesday.  It was determined that he would need to be in a cast for 3 ½ weeks.  The Dr. felt comfortable with us traveling back and having the cast removed and the break re-xrayed in country.  So after a flurry of phone calls, we are ticketed to leave next Tuesday.  Exactly a week later.  We are back in the house we've been living in in Wichita and are trying to keep Ethan's arm elevated, unpack as little as possible, and keep from further injury!  Here's some shots of his casted arm.

Ethan saying "Go Piggybacks (Razorbacks)"  He's a fan, thanks to Uncle Dan

 The boys taking it easy on the couch.  Ethan thought it was funny that Elias was resting his arm just like big brother!

It's fun to think what good friends they will become!

We are hoping and praying we'll be on the flight next Tuesday, March 29th, afternoon.  We don't have internet at the house, so I can't guarantee how many trips I'll make to the library to blog!  But wanted you to know about this BIG change!

Raring to go!

This only captures a fraction of the excitement and anticipation that has been bubbling forth from the hearts of my kiddos.  We are headed back to our Central Asian home!!!  So the boxes are packed and were picked up by the air freighters yesterday.  The suitcases are packed and, as you can see, the backpacks are lined up and ready to go!  The adventure is before us.

If you read this anytime in the near future, would you pray for us.  28 (ish) hours of plane travel, a handful of days in the capitol recovering from jet lag and getting the documents/stuff we need and then it's over the mountains to our Valley home.  A home we've been away from for 11 months (to the day).

It will be a while before we have internet set up, but I hope to have pictures and be a little more consistent on the blogging network.  Until then . . .