Odds and Ends
News on Baby Angelina: Thank you for all who are praying for 15 mo. old Angelina. God has already provided answers to prayer:
*She was moved out of intensive care today after successfully completing skin graft surgery yesterday.
*Her mommy was given a bed with her in the hospital and they can now stay in the hospital together
*She has begun to suck food from a bottle and is no longer being fed interveniously
*Tim, Pastor Volodia, and Alexei from Open Door Church went to give blood in case the baby would need a transfusion (friends and family members are routinely asked to do this) but the baby did not need one.
In Russia, the family must make food for the patient and bring it to them in the hospital. Yesterday the grandmother brought a freshly killed and plucked duck and skinned rabbit for us to cook for ourselves and the patients. They also brought fresh vegetables from their garden. We had a lovely meal and I learned what to do with a skinned rabbit: cover in garlic and sour cream and throw it in the oven! Another WorldVenture missionary friend, Carre Gardner, brought over a genuine American chicken pot pie so we had a true cross-cultural meal for everyone!
Mission Completed!
Hannah arrived home yesterday with the words: "Mission Completed!" She had been trying to communicate to another girl in her swim class that she wanted to be friends. At first the girl made fun of Hannah's accent. Then she ignored her or made fun of her swimming. This has gone on for a few months now. Then, Tuesday, Hannah said, "I want to be your friend," but she used the masculine form of the word friend instead of feminine. The girl ignored her and eventually walked away. But her mother came to talk to
Hannah and understood. It seems she explained to her daughter that Hannah was from America and that is why she speaks with an accent. Yesterday, on Thursday, Hannah said again "I want to be your friend." The girl smiled and agreed and they had a pleasant exchange of words.
I am so reminded that God offers us friendship. Yes, forgiveness of sins, eternal life, abundant life now, but also friendship, real and lasting. He craves relationship with us and has done all He could to begin that friendship with us. When we reject Him, He doesn't leave or stop, he is persistent with His love. Every day he calls us friend and longs to talk, laugh, smile, and cry with us. He says, "I want to be your friend."
Pictured above: Swimming in the Black Sea, summer 2007
Read the original post at http://homewiththewatsons.blogspot.com/2008/05/odds-and-ends.html