Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Bonjour,

We had a very early start this morning. We got up at 12:30 A.M. to get ready to go to the airport to pick up Lenell Smith. Lenell has been in language school in France. She will continue language courses until the end of the year. She will be returning here toward the beginning of next year to help start an orphanage here.

We went down to the lobby of the hotel at 1:00 A.M. to catch the shuttle to the airport. The shuttle driver didn’t want to leave that soon because he said we would just be standing at the airport waiting. So, we left the hotel at 1:15. We arrived at the airport less than ten minutes later. The flight was a few minutes late in arriving.

Joe was able to go back to help Lenell get her bags. They waited until the very last bag came off of the plane because one of Lenell’s bags didn’t make it. So, they had to report the missing bag. All the while, Danny and I stood out in the lobby waiting. There isn’t anywhere to sit down. He was happy for the first fifteen minutes or so. Then, he decided he was sleepy. He cried and cried. He went to sleep after about thirty minutes of walking back and forth. Over an hour after the plane landed, Joe and Lenell came out with the bags.

We went out to the shuttle. We had to wait a few more minutes for some other passengers who were also headed to the hotel. We got back to the hotel just before 3:30. Danny woke up just before we got back in the shuttle. So, he was wide awake until about 4:00.

We slept until 8:00. Joe went downstairs to see what they had to offer for breakfast. After seeing stewed frog legs and various other things, he decided that we weren’t that hungry. We loaded up and headed home. We didn’t run into any parades. We made it home without any problems. Today is Ivory Coast’s 47th birthday.

We took Lenell over to the Litsons’ house and got Gilbert. Sarah had made donuts for everyone. Sarah said that Gilbert did really well. He didn’t cry or complain at all. When she told him it was time for bed, he went straight to bed. She said he was asking about us this morning.

We took naps in shifts. We were invited to eat supper with the Litsons tonight. We had a Mexican meal. I made chimichangas, and Sarah made tacos. Margie made rice and dessert. Joe helped me with the tortillas and the guacamole so that we could get everything done in time.

We had a good time of fellowship with Lenell, the Litsons, and the Engelharts tonight.

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny