Events of today

So much to write about tonight!  Our hotel takes us on an outing every Friday. Today we went to a small museum of Natural History. We got to hear an abbreviated version of evolution in Spanish.  Then again, I didn't need a tour guide to enjoy the displays of the wonders of God's creation here in Colombia. The biodiversity He spoke into existence here  is more remarkable than anywhere I have ever experienced. Really enjoyed the museum.  Then we had lunch is a small cafeteria there.  I had about half an hour to share with Yolanda my faith in Christ , and the many ways God has worked in our lives over the course of these three adoptions. I think God used this testimony to touch her heart.  After that Yolanda, our host, took us into the children's section of the library that was in the same building as the museum. She came and told me that Jose had  asked the librarian to show him where to find the books about God! She said she was impressed with how the children were doing with us. Gave me a chance to talk to her about there being nothing special about us, but rather is was about God who is in us. People down here cannot fathom the concept of 15 children, we keep using this to point to the great God whom we serve and what he can do with a willing heart. Pictures tonight include one of Jose and the first book he picked out today.

We were watching a movie tonight and Anyi tells me about a friend from the orphanage who was bitten severely on the head  by a dog.  she obviously had very positive feelings and memories about the time at the orphanage.  I did a quick search for a utube video Betty and I had watched when we learned the name of the orphanage several months ago. I found the video and we watched it together.  A couple of minutes into the video she got very excited "mi hermano, mi hermano Hamilton"  I did a rewind and then paused. The video had Hamilton playing soccer when he was 11 yrs old. This is the same older brother Betty and I met who we wrote about several days ago. So then we rolled the video again, and Anyi is naming all the people in the video . Then she tells me it is me it is me!  there was a clip of several girls sitting on a floor clapping and singing. I pause and sure enough there was my Anyi! She said she was 6 in the video. Facial feature told me - absolutely my Anyi! She told me many things about the people in the video- always with a sparkle in her eyes. She was obviously very well cared for there and has good memories of her friends.  Probably a dumb thing to do, but I google translated and asked her if she was happier to be in a family now.  Much to my relief, I got a very enthusiastic YES!!! The patriarch of the orphanage was the daughter of the founder of the orphanage. was in he 80s or 090s in the video. Clearly LOVED by everyone in the video, and she clearly has a special place in Anyi's heart.  Then Anyi told me she went to be in heaven a few months ago, on a Sunday.  We will somehow copy this video for them when we get home. If there is anyone out there that God burdens to raise up support for an orphanage- I have a recommendation.  Oscar Scarpetta Orphanage in Cali.

We continue to covet your prayers. Likewise I pray God's blessing on you.

Jim