Last night we started on a new adventure.  We have the privilege and honor of having a young boy from a Saharawi Refugee Camp in Africa spend the summer with us.  We had known he was coming for some time, and were anxious anticipating the day that felt like it would never arrive.  Well, last night at 10pm, we got to meet our special little boy.  He is nine years old, and has such a big heart.  He doesn't speak any English, and speaks Spanish and Hassanaya (an Arab dialect)  You can read about their situation and why they are refugees at www.betheirvoice.org

I was so amazed last night when the wonderful woman who went to pick up the kids (and is also our mentor family this year since this is our first Saharawi to join our family) said to me, with tears in her eyes, "The minute I met him, I knew God had specially chosen him for your family."  I was so touched by that.  I had also been feeling the same thing as we awaited his arrival.  It was hard to explain, but I felt like he already had a piece of my heart when all we knew was his name and that he is nine.  To hear someone else confirm what I had silently been feeling just gives me chills. 

Here is a pic of all the kids together today.

Our first day has gone well.  My neighbor speaks some Spanish, and I had her tell him I was going to take him to the store to buy some clothes and shoes for him.  He liked that idea.  I didn't just want to spring Wal Mart on him without any warning LOL.  We picked up some shorts, tees, jammies, and swim trunks along with some undergarments.  He got a couple new pair of sandals, too.  I asked if he wanted to try his clothes on when we got home, but he said no, and put them all right in his duffel bag, tags and all.   

I'm anticipating a long night.  He laid down for a nap (as is their custom...it often gets to 135 degrees in the desert where they live and there's not a lot of refuge from the heat)  a few hours ago.  I've tried to wake him several times, but he is just zonked!  He's been sleeping almost four hours! 

I'll be updating as often as we can.  Thanks for joining in on our new adventure.