2 weeks ago I was blessed to have friends visit me..Aside from family, these were my first friends to visit. Julie and Tema are friends I have known since 4th grade in Pennsylvania. I felt special that their husbands would watch their children (they each have 4) and Tema would make the trip 7 months pregnant! We packed a ton of events into the 4 full days they were here, including 3 childrens' homes, the Rio (an area we do outreaches), the market, several of my favorite taco places, and they even got to see a scorpion and a tarantula!!! It was a refreshing and rejuvenating time for me to share my life with them.

Hanging out at my apartment


They brought presents for my class!!


We took the Ester house girls out for dinner so Tema and Julie could get to know my friends!!


Shoveling rocks and cement blocks at the Rio...the kids loved helping


Julie playing with kids


Taking care of the girls at Casa Hogar Douglas while their caregivers went to a funeral


Dinner at Douglas


Painting at Casa Hogar Del Norte


...and playing with the babies!!!

the latest with SMCA

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Celebrating Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Going on a flower hunt around the property

Dr. Carter gave us a tour of the clinic and showed us some cool tools

Back 2 Back is expanding again!

This time it's SMCA..The workers have started with the 2nd floor over our school. It will be used for staff housing or more school space. The students are doing a good job of working hard even with hammering going on above their heads!!

"How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven" - Genesis 28: 17

Some of the staff and a few friends who are worship leaders, have started a church at Casa Hogar Douglas...This way we can worship and do church with the kids there. It is located on a chapel on a hill which overlooks the area where we live and the view is amazing. What an experience to be there. I love it!