Errands are more fun with a friend!

A few days ago I had to go to Coban (the big town about 25 minutes away) to do some errands. I didn't want to go alone, so I invited my friend Ruth for dessert! Then I told her while we were there, we could do a few things. :) Hee hee.

We arrived at the MegaPaca (the large second hand store) and saw that they had received a big shipment of bras! I guess having them in the doorway makes sure that everyone knows they are there. Second hand clothes are sent from the U.S. and sold at cheap prices. The day we were there, every piece of clothing cost Q10 (about $1.25). I thought that was pretty good, but we found out they went down to Q5 the next day!

There are racks and racks of clothes!

 These are the nice change rooms. And I really do mean nice! I have seen a lot worse. The great part about these is that they are right at the entrance to the store where the guard is. He got a kick out of us coming out and commenting on each others clothes.

It is VERY cold here, especially at night. Because of the humidity, the often present rain/drizzle, the block walls and no indoor heating, I wanted to get footie pyjamas for the kids to help keep them warm. I had to get a variety of sizes as I don't know the ages of the kids coming and I need to be prepared. And remember, each set is only $1.25!

 I may have also bought a really cute but completely unnecessary tutu as well. :)

We also went around looking at different dryers and did some grocery shopping. We didn't have time to go to the dessert place! So we went to a place in the mall and got Churros. 

Ruth was a little sad that her churros were all gimpy shaped and mine were pretty and straight. :)

It is so good to have friends to con into coming with me on some of my errands. :) Monday I go to pick up the dryer. My church raised the money especially for the dryer just before Christmas. What a blessing to not worry about the money! I have bought a bunch of sheets and blankets and clothes and stuffed animals that all need to be washed. I haven't been able to do it without a dryer because of the weather. The clothes I washed on Wednesday and hung up in the bathroom are still slightly damp today. So a dryer is necessary! 

Paperwork moving ahead.

I had a meeting with the social worker last week. Edy has been a great help by keeping me informed on the progress of the paperwork and understanding clearly each step I need to complete. I feel he has more of a desire to help abandoned and orphaned children, not so much a desire to just do his job. He has given me ideas on how to improve or expand my services to children with disabilities. He pushes me to get things done in order to open the home more quickly. I am so thankful for his advice and expertise.

We talked about what is left to get ready (not much), his visit out to see the house and speak to the new staff, developing working relationships with the judges, and the home in general. I left feeling very good about how things are going.

Then I called the lawyer to see how the Association paperwork was going. I need this before I can hand everything in to the gov't for the inspection and certification. As of today, it is done! I am so excited!

So now Edy will come make a pre-inspection. It is not official, but he wants to check things out and basically make sure the house is ready to pass gov't inspection. 

It feels so real to me now. If all goes smoothly, I could be certified by the end of April!! And it won't be too soon. Right now there are 3 abandoned children that I know of that are very close to me. They each have different disabilities, and don't have a family to take care of them.

Please pray for these babies, and for patience for me. I long to take them in and love on them. But it is all in God's timing. Which my head knows, but my heart tends to run away with my emotions. 

We are so much closer! Thanks for all of your prayers and support!