Day 8 in Review

Crystal's account of day 8 (Tuesday March 25th)

• I couldn't sleep again last night so I sent a text message to Chrissie at 3am. She called back right away and read me all of your touching comments from my last post. I was surprised to hear that my blog had over 320 hits yesterday. It is comforting and heartwarming to know that all of you are experiencing this journey along with me.
• The rats still won't die which is why I lay awake most of the night. I just know that if I fall asleep they will poke a hole in the ceiling and come falling out on my head. I am so exhausted. Mrs. Miller thinks that they are slowing down, I hope she's right. Not that I am looking forward to the smell of dead rats in the walls....but I think it maybe better than the all night soccer match.
• Brother Gentry's dog, Princess gave birth to 5 puppies yesterday. She sat on one so now there are four. Lobo is the proud daddy and has been barking like crazy to announce to every dog in a 50 mile radius that he is a daddy again. Lobo also has 3 puppies from Brother Gentry's other lady dog, Mozambique. Lobo is the Big Daddy of the neighborhood. Savannah-Hope has met the dogs and seems to like them. She has learned to say "woo woo" her attempt at "woof" "woof".
• I forgot to mention yesterday that the Kindergarten teacher from Good Samaritan, "Aunt Barbara" gave birth to a baby girl. She named her "Favor Ruth". I am so happy for her. This is her second child. Her first child, Worship died of Malaria.
• At 5am God answered a prayer. I have prayed this prayer multiple times a day for the past 8 days. Mrs. Miller has prayed the same prayer. And just when our standing water reserves were about gone....it happened. The water turned on! I still can't believe it! We have not had running water in this house since we have been here. Mrs. Miller and I quickly grabbed the hose and filled up the 4 large plastic containers. And then we each took a shower! A real shower! I washed my hair with water coming out of the shower faucet! The water shut off at the end of my shower. In the process of this water miracle, I had an encounter with a HUGE fuzzy black spider with green spots. It was really something.... and even though he got away and is lurking somewhere just waiting to jump out and get me.....he couldn't steal my joy. I took a shower! Thank you Lord!
• Wilson is the name of our main guard. He is also one of the Good Samaritan Pastors. Brother Gentry has been a missionary in Malawi for 7 years and has started over 411 churches. Wilson brought his wife and 6 month old daughter Hannah to the house early this morning for a visit. She is 4 months younger than Savannah, but about double her size. I was able to give her the blanket that Michelle made her and some clothes. And I took lots of pictures.
• At 8am I called the U.S. Embassy in Malawi. They told me to call back on Wednesday because the person in charge of Adoption Visas was off today. The appointments are only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am hoping we can still go this Thursday. Please be in prayer for this process.
• Thandie stopped by the post office on her way to pick us up today. We were hoping that Savannah-Hope's "visa medical exam" paperwork would have arrived, but it wasn't there.
• Then we headed off to the Under Five Clinic for Savannah-Hope's well baby exam. She weighed 15 lbs 6oz. She has lost two ounces since her well child check last month.
• We went on search for Wi-Fi network or Internet cafe. No electricity today at home or in town. I was disappointed because I know how much everyone would love to see some more pictures. We will try again another day.
• We took naps this afternoon.
• After our nap I called the Embassy to ask if they would re-send the medical form. They have not received my paperwork from the National Visa office, so they will not schedule a Visa appointment with me. We are running out of time. Please Please Please pray that the paperwork will be taken care of.
• Savannah-Hope's birth certificate is missing. Please pray that we can get another one issued quickly without delay.
• We are now going to eat dinner. Not sure what the plans are quite yet for tomorrow.
• Did I tell you that I took a shower today?!? WooHoo!!!!