Has it been a month?

     I can't believe we have been at Emmanuel for a month. Today was hard because we leave tomorrow to see the Tolupan tribe. We had a number a tearful goodbyes. I guess no matter how long you stay it is somehow not enough. I miss my wife Dru so very much. I am ready to go home, but it doesn't make leaving here any easier.  At first a week was not enough so we stayed 2 weeks. That was nice but we wanted more. A month here has been wonderful but I will still leave a little of my heart here with these oh so special children!
     Allan and I have been so blessed to be here at Emmanuel. We have gotten very close to much of the great staff here and we have seen what it takes to run this place. We have seen these tireless folks work from before sunrise until way into the night. We have seen a small glimpse of the sacrifices they make on a daily basis. We have seen children at their best and sometimes at their worst, but we have always seen them treated with love and kindness. Our Lord doesn't rest and neither does the staff at Emmanuel. It is still hard to believe that with so few people, such a great deal is done on a daily basis.
     We have seen the staff and children here endure blistering heat, staggering humidity, terrific storms and still life goes on here. I can't explain it. You just have to be here to witness it! From the time you arrive and hear your name for the first time until you leave with tears on both sides of the window, you receive too many blessing to count! The faces are etched into your heart. This place is full of the Holy Spirit. For a month, I have no real idea what is going on in the outside world. I have watched no TV and I have read no newspapers. There are no distractions here to get in between you and our Lord. It is easy to carry on conversation with God here. His presence is felt everywhere! With a great deal of help from above, David and Lydia have created an oasis in the desert of poverty and hopelessness for these children and given them a chance to heal. They have all been through things that we can't imagine. But with the Lord's help they are healing. There are no psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers on the staff. Only some of the most loving and caring people that I have ever met. Through the power of the Holy Spirit these children are made whole again.
      We leave tomorrow to visit the Tolupan tribe with Reed Skinner and his father Kerry. It is an adventure that we are looking forward to and it will make leaving here a little easier. That and knowing we will return again soon will get us through! Reed and Kim are wonderful missionaries and we look forward to this adventure. Goodnight from Emmanuel!