So now the Journey is not one to bring Sam home but to bring Ana Isabel home. Ana Isabel is a fourteen year old girl in Ibague, Colombia. She has been waiting for her forever family for six years. As many of you know, this has been quite a journey of faith for our family. We have seen God's provision so many times -often by those of you reading this. Therefore, we would be remiss if we did not begin this blog with a big, "THANK YOU!" to you who have prayed and supported us - and of course to our gracious God who upholds us. Thank you!!


We arrived safely here in Bogota late Sunday night. As we walked out of the airport, it was dark, crowded, a bit frightening, and completely unfamiliar. Sights, sounds, smells --all so very different. We have traveled extensively, and still, we weren't quite prepared for this abrupt change in environment - just a small insight into how Ana Isabel will feel when she comes home.

Among the sea of signs in the crowd, we were so very happy to see our name on one. Thankfully, our driver, Johnny, a very kind gentleman, needed no instruction from us. His English was about as good as our Spanish. He drove us through the busy streets to our hotel, which in the dark looked nothing like the Internet pictures we had seen. There was a small army waiting for us at the door, and they quickly ushered us in off the street and bolted the gate of our little fortress behind us. We settled in to our dark, somewhat gloomy looking room and noticed that there was only a rotting frame around the hole where the bathroom door should be. Interesting. Where's a can of Lysol when you need it? Before retiring we all took a wet-one wipe down. The final blow of the evening came when, just one second too late, I read a little sign, hung low on the bathroom wall: "Please do not put toilet tissue in the toilet." I donned my best Scarlet O'Hara attitude and told myself, " I will just have to think about that tomorrow."


Oh what a difference morning makes! His grace and mercies are truly renewed each morning! In spite of the fitful night's sleep, we awoke in a different room. Yes, the carpet was still worn, the bathroom door frame still MIA, the bedding still musty, but the sun was shining in and the coffee was the BEST I've ever had!!! In the daylight the hotel was cheerful and not the least bit scary. It was even familiar, like so many of the German guesthouses we've visited. The staff, although not fluent in English, were eager to please and not annoyed at our lack of Spanish. We met two other American families who are at different stages in the adoption process. Just to be among other believers is such a blessing.

So yesterday all went well until last night. Both Chip and I (thankfully not Sam) got the Colombian Crud. Although unpleasant, mine passed quickly and I drifted off to sleep. I was awakened in the middle of the night by a crash from the bathroom (still no door). I ran in and found Chip laid out on the floor with blood on his head, face, neck and arms.

Ever the compassionate one, I asked (in my confused-suddenly-awakened-state), "Why are you on the floor?"

"I don't know," was his groggy reply.

Within a few minutes we had his wounds bandaged and he was feeling much better. Apparently Chip passed out and fell against the shower door. The shower door broke his fall, but also scraped him up as he slid to the floor. We were awake much of the night making sure Chip was OK. He seems to be fine today--except he looks like he was in a bar fight.

In spite of the Crud and other adventures, we are all well. (Really, Mom and Dad, we are doing well.) We are in great spirits today and spent the morning visiting with the other families here. Children freely roam our compound and Sam has many playmates. We are happy and excited. Of course, we still appreciate your prayers for our health and for a little less drama. If the rest of our trip is boring, that would be fine with us. However, we are totally trusting that He who brought us this far will bring us home...

love, Kristin