Update from Crystal

Crystal tried for over an hour to attach pictures to an email. She was only able to attach this one....but its worth it...so cute!

Embassy Appointment:
The U.S. Embassy in Malawi is located in Lilongwe which is far far away from where Crystal is staying in Blantyre. The embassy is closed today for Good Friday and Monday for Easter. She will be calling the embassy on Tuesday to schedule an appointment. Appointments are only granted on Mondays and Wednesdays. This appointment could not be scheduled ahead of time....she tried. Crystal has been told prior by the Embassy that they will not schedule an appointment until Johannesburg South Africa has received Crystal's US Immigration paperwork directly from TN. It is still unclear if this paperwork has been sent, but we are doing everything we can to insure that this paperwork has been sent and logged in. I will keep you updated. At this point, I would say it is very unlikely that Crystal will be coming home early. Please be in prayer for the paperwork to arrive where it needs to go and for the adoption visa to be granted without complication.

Roughing-it:
Crystal has not had any running water at the house where she is staying since she arrived. She has not had a shower since she left America. Crystal is able to heat water for baths as long as the electricity is on....which comes and goes. She has not seen any snakes...thank God! But can hear little critters running around on the roof while she sleeps.

Savannah-Hope:
Savannah has completely attached to her mommy. She wants no one but Crystal. She wants to be held constantly and is very snugly. Savannah-Hope doesn't like to get on the floor and play, she just wants to be hugged, kissed and loved on. She has tried a few finger foods but she wants them placed in her mouth for her. She refuses to pick them up herself. Crystal says she has another little princess on her hands. Crystal is making a few adjustments to her eating and sleeping schedule and Savannah-Hope is responding well. Crystal couldn't be more thrilled with how Savannah is doing.

Transportation:
Please be in prayer for a hedge of protection around Crystal and the baby as they travel about Malawi. They have been having trouble with the vehicles breaking down. The roads are so bad in Malawi that the cars break easily. The Malawians also do not grasp the concept of preventive maintenance on the cars...which is a long story.....but leads to broken vehicles. Even the walk ways in Malawi are dangerous. Crystal has fallen once (at the airport) and nearly fallen two other times. Thandie showed Crystal the spot where I fell and broke my leg last August. She told Crystal be very careful on this corner. You must step across from the curb to the street, do not step in the gutter....step across....do not put your foot down. Crystal says no problem, I got it. She goes into the bank, exchanges some dollars into kwatcha....comes out of the bank so convinced someone is going to rob her that she gets distracted, doesn't pay attention and steps down instead of across. She went to fall but them some how jumped up and made it to the street. It is a miracle from God that she didn't fall to the ground and break her leg.