Hi again:

The internet has been cutting in and out since Wednesday so if you don't catch it while its hot tough luck I got on for a couple of minutes Thursday Night and again Friday Night. Neither time was I able to complete what I wanted and the connection dropped. Hopefully by the time I finish writing this post it will be running again.

Yes it is true we have custody of Maija-Sitota. As I type she is playing on the floor beside me with her blocks. She is still adjusting and so are we it will take awhile to get used to one another. Satu's visits to her in the foster home really helped to make the transition smooth. She was very listless at first and completely mesmorized by the busyness of the city, noise. Almost in a trance. As far as we know she had only been outside of the walls of the compound maybe 1x for a medical exam. As the day progressed she came out of her shell very quickly. In the evening on Thursday we went to Yod Abbysinia a traditional cultural Ethiopian restaurant with music, dancers, actors...tons of excitement and great food. Quite a few from the guest house went along with Marku from the music school and few of his family. So it was a big nite. Sitota loved the music and before you know it she was clapping to the tunes. She was very tired but she did not want to miss a minute. It was a wonderful celebration together and one that we will never forget. If we can get a few minutes of decent airtime we will send a couple of pictures.

Flashing back to Wednesday the day started with the news that we could pick Sitota up on Thursday so that gave us a very nice edge that day. The boys went off to music school and Satu and David went to Lillata (with Marsha). This women's rehabiltation program help`s the girls recover from a life on the streets. As we arrived the morning worship was winding down ready for the morning devotional from one of the leaders. Marsha made sure they sang one traditional song with a big drum for Satu and David. It was moving to stand in the middle of this circle and and have the girls sing their song of hope and deliverance. After devotions in Amharic (Marsha translated a little for us) we had an English lesson. For David it was the reverse his first formal Amharic lesson. It was cool Marsha was working on family relationships using a family tree of sorts. Mom, Dad, Brother Sister, Cousins, daughters sons... We had to break into small groups and practice answering questions. Who is my brother, Dad.... my brother is Stephen... It was very effective and we learned alot and were encouraged to have visited with the girls. After that Satu took David on a whirlwind tour of Addis that was a real eye opener and finally we settled for the night to be ready for the Thursday with Maija.

Friday was a take it easy day trying to settle Maija in and adjust to her routines. Back to diapers and bottles. Here you have to very careful when making a bottle as the water has to be boiled and cooled before anything can be done. Satu has bounced back to mothering an infant like an old pro and David is still winning Maija`s confidence. She is a lovely bright girl and we were honoured with a coffee ceremony hosted by Kiddist to commemorate the occasion. That was very special. The boys spent the day recording with friends from the music school and helping out with the Worship team for Sunday morning. As you can see it is busy and the time is rapidly approaching for our departure and return to Canada. I am sure we will leave here with mixed emotions. There are so many opportunities for us to be engaged as a family and yet we also have many ways to be involved at home.

Greetings to all of you and thank-you for your prayers, and notes of encouragement.

David and Satu.