dirty little feet.

Eleora sweet dreaming on Dadda's lap.

                                    
   Kids are dirty in general. These days, Eleora is filthy. Especially her chubby little feet. Gross filthy, other people's filth and raw chicken gizzards filthy, not the earthy, forest, kid friendly kind. I think I'm OK with it though. I think... I'll decide for sure when my brain starts to fully function in the proper time zone.


 I recently found myself thinking, "raw sewage doesn't smell so bad, I kind of like it." I'm interpreting that as God's grace. We are so blessed. Everything from 30 plus hours of travel feeling like a flight across the USA, to easily finding plain chicken and rice to feed Eleora and Abby. It's really comforting knowing you are where God wants you even if you don't know why He wants you there.

We made it.

   
   Pattaya is a desperate place. You can't turn a blind eye to poverty, pain or perversion. There is no where to run. As I sit here in the stairwell of our room I can hear a European man conversing with his Thai prize. Ugliness has won some major territory in this town, but not all of it! 


  We met with the Thai Staff of "Bridges to the Nations today".  I have tears in my eyes and goosebumps just thinking about these darling people and their testimonies.  They are full of hope and are doing something about Ugliness that has tried to ruin each of their lives and the lives of their people. I have so much to say about Bay, Zhangy, Ying and Ying's mother (Everyone calls her Thai Mother Teresa so I haven't picked up on her name yet).  I want to share their visions and stories with you all. I will as soon as I get my facts straight and a picture of them:) 

Best buddies. Reunited for the 1st time since the womb.

   Our prayers have been answered and we are empty of ourselves right now. We are feeling pretty useless actually. Really wanting to be helpful servants but waiting patiently- trying to at least- until we can do what will be most useful for our Thai friends. Letting go of how we think things should look, how WE think we should be serving. It's really good for us white control freaks. It's awesome to be in a land where all we have is dependence on God's provision and direction. The kind of awesome that is uncomfortable and piercing. You know you will survive and be more refined when it is all over but in the moment you just want some whole grain toast, a nice mattress and clean little feet.
-Jade

Our jet lagged little chicken resting on her
new buddy who arrived 4 days before us.

Abby sharing her trolley w/ Eleora (who she calls
"Sweet Hawt" in her darling British accent).