(#6) "We're In Delhi!"

(Yes, the 3:30 AM time stamp is correct...my Nathan awoke screaming a little while ago. From there I was wide awake and so I had to see if there was word from India. And alas! An email written by Vonda received at 11:20 PM our time last night. Incidentally, E&V saw all of our blog comments, and noted that they are 10.5, not 12, hours ahead of us. Vonda has been sick, but other than that, it sounds like things are going beautifully. I'm crying tears of joy! Thank You God for good beginnings! Again, feel free to leave them comments here):


Hello, dear ones!
Sorry for the communication gap these past couple days. Our dear hosts at SKB were conducting a conference on adoption, and hosting their son's family at the same time we were there. They were so sweet to make time to answer all our questions and accommodate us - but there was no access to email there as we had expected.

I woke 'early' this morning, our first morning with our precious Eva Prathibha. (Early is relative as we have all slept about 10 hours after a really full day of travel yesterday). Eva is curled into her Papa's chest, her beautiful, small brown fingers laced over his arm. In the morning half-light, their profiles look similar, beautiful brown eyes under sleepy lids...

There is no question she is ours - it was obvious in the first 5 minutes. Within 30 seconds of our meeting, she moved from crying softly to finding shelter in her daddy. Since then, she has bonded closely to both of us, showing healthy wariness of strangers and clinging to us in crowded places. Our daughter is incredibly strong and courageous. Not only has she embraced us as her 'Mummi' and 'Papa', but she went through an entire day of travel yesterday (difficult travel) with calm and good humor. She is truly amazing.

On the ride down the (thoroughly lush and beautiful) mountains from SKB into Cochin, she got sick 3 or 4 times with the harsh motions. Barely a wimper though - just clung to us and let us comfort her. KJ - this was the 'puke bags accessible' part of the itinerary... :-) We were prepared with a back-up outfit and bags, wipes, etc. The 'mommy purse' has come in very, very handy...

Now she has woken and sits here on my lap patiently as I finish the email, and we wait for breakfast. After breakfast, we'll delight in her first bath (no bath tub, but great shower - she's not used to taking baths anyway). We are so thankful to have a day of rest before embarking on the embassy adventure tomorrow morning.


We are no longer apprehensive about travel or plane rides or waiting in airports - we have braved these things together and are finding we are a wonderful team. The Lord's protection has been with us every moment, and His peace is obviously surrounding us. His preparation has gone ahead of us - getting us ready for one another. There is no question this is from Him and it's in His strength that we are accomplishing this.

I have been sick for a couple of days now (since the 2:00 AM the night after we met Eva). But God is giving me the strength and energy I need for every moment - fully leaning on him as my body strength intermittently empties. If the sickness continues, we will be able to see a doctor here.

The B&B we're at now is above and beyond what we'd expected - it's everything we need. SO thankful. We will have a day of baths and play and naps and learning about one another.

So much more to tell... we have better internet access here so will try to do better with keeping in touch. Thanks for your continued prayers... please keep it up! We will be home soon. Our family is forever changed...