Greetings from Otutulu!

I am your host tonight, Adam Jacobus, and I can tell you it has been an amazingly, head spinning experience!

We safely arrived last night after dark at the MOM orphanage here in Otutulu, which means about 1:30 or 2:00 pm for those of you keeping score at home! We are 6 hours ahead of US Central time, but worlds away in other ways! Our internet service is limited to the times that they can run the generators here to provide a limited amount of power to the 3 main buildings of the orphanage, and then Crystal's house (Crystal is the american missionary teacher friend of Julie's.) Basically, when the generators go out, every goes black!! All of us are carrying our water bottles and flashlights with us where ever we go!

Although our flights were simply long and uneventful, we landed just before 9 am local time, got through customs, and waited just a short while for Julie to show up with our vehicles. She brought a chartered multi-passenger van, and the smaller station wagon that belongs to M.O.M. We stuffed a good portion of the luggage into the station wagon, along with Paul in the front seat, while the rest of us jumped into the van. The bigger issue was the amount of luggage - 24 checked pieces weighing between 40-70 pounds, and then 12 carry on bags, plus a few other pieces. The only item lost was an umbrella stroller - go figure, a gate checked item for Hussan Styskal!

We shortly found the inspiration for Walt Disney's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - when the steering wheel and horn are used more than the brakes, you are in for one adventure. Going to the Lakoja baby orphanage was not that big of a problem, but there were only 13 passengers in 12 available seats. After lunch and the baby orphanage, we added the adoption families and Daniel, so we lost some of our luggage in the station wagon, repacked some bags, and headed out with now 15 passengers. We got to visit the new orphanage construction, and then back tracked to pick up some of the 12 year old students from the MOM orphanage who were testing in Lakoja. So, our passenger list totaled at 19 for the next 4 hours of so, again, still on Mr. Toad's wild ride!

Our arrival at the orphanage was precluded by the last stage of road, which isn't so much as road as much as "dry river bed" mixed with roller coaster. Up and down, left and right, inching forward, backing up, and preparing to meet Jesus at any moment. We offered several times to get out and walk, but our driver just kept on going! We finally rolled into the orphanage after dark, and were mobbed by kids, our van cleared out of all luggage, and then we were a little bit lost (and in the dark!)

So far, the majority of conversation with the children has been "What Is Your Name?" with emphasis on each word! The universal language of the smile and handshake has been unmistakable.

Today was a new experience for everyone involved, because it included church service here at the orphanage. Some of us got to sit in with the children's Sunday school, and all of us were able to participate in communion. It was fun to sing the old hymns in English out of a small hymnal, sitting alongside Nigerians singing in Igala. How awesome is our God to be worshiped in a world of languages and cultures!

Today, with the exception of the adoption sendoff, was a day of rest. Tomorrow, we will be hosting a medical clinic, and having 200 children surround us at all times, asking "What Is Your Name?"

Our posts will most likely come during these evening hours for us, or early afternoon for you! Thanks for your prayers while we are here. Currently, we are all in good health and spirits, and look forward to the adventure God has brought us on.

Tammy Maisano and others that were asking about Baby Ann, who has hydrocephalus. She is still alive, and doing as well as possible. The care that she is receiving is remarkable.

Alright then, I've written a novel. More tomorrow after more rest, and more water to drink!