First day!

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  We had a 47 minute flight to Chicago then 12 1/2 hours to Tokyo. Food on the plane was surprisingly delicious and served often along with beverages to keep us hydrated.

  
  

  We flew 3 1/2 hours to Taipei and again was served a meal. Anna met us at the airport and we talked the last leg of the journey to Luodong.

  We are in the guest bedroom with our own balcony which leads into the main office. We met the babies who were still awake at that time as well as some of the girls who are volunteering.

  
  

  We hadn't slept much on the flights but weren't that tired as our bodies felt it should be 12 noon instead of 12 midnight. We did manage to get a few hours of rest and finally got out of bed at 6am. Through our open windows and door we heard the drums beating at the temple up the mountain, kids playing basketball, and the next door 

  neighbors dog and rooster. 

  
  

  Yesterday, our first day here, after helping feed the babies, I, Debbie, was initiated very fully by 3 poopy blowouts. Kimberly also changed diapers and was thrown up on. Oh good times!

  
  

  Since it was Thursday and the volunteers have a 6 hour break, we left at 10:15 and caught a free bus downtown. We went to Shark Bites Toast for lunch. We hope we can go back there. We had mango tarts and a mango smoothie with a scoop of mango ice cream on top. so yummy. Next time we may try the bacon, egg, peanut butter sandwich. They put 1/4 a head of lettuce on it!

  
  

  Then we walked around the market shops. We discovered that Kimberly and I have much in common with the sizes of the women over here. She found the shoes to fit perfectly! Too many choices!

  
  

  Coming back to the home we did manage an hour rest and a haircut for one of the babies. Then it was time for dinner, babies as well as us. 

  
  

  Kimberly stayed with the babies, but, I went over to the dining area. Thankfully they provided a fork but I hope to at least have some idea on how to use chopsticks. I wasn't too brave so I had rice and corn. (Thanks, Lindsay and Leslie for the heads up about brining food!)

  
  

  Then it was back to the babies: changing, devotions with the older kids,8:00 feeding, and bedtime. 

  
  

  The 22 babies are very happy when they aren't hungry. When they are getting fed and about to have a nap it is very loud and crazy. Their smiles just melt your heart. 

  
  

  Today, Friday, June 7th will be our first full day of being with the babies. The sun is shining, soon construction will continue on the new orphanage and we will be up to our elbows in babies, bottles, and BMs. God is so good! 

  
  
  

  
  

  

  Saying our goodbyes are the airport

  
  

  

  Emily and Dave saw us off 

  

  One of our meals

  

  Watching our flight pattern

  

  A wall in our bedroom

  
  

  

  Construction on the new building!

  

  Waiting for the bus 

  
  

  

   Kimberly's Taiwan shoes 

  

  Our mango tart

  

  
  

  We were informed on Tuesdays we wear Asian pants so we both bought some at the market.  

  

  
  

  Thanks for praying and for the continued prayers.