The face of reason

So we've been here in our new home for 10 days now. It's a city of 300,000--really small compared to the city of 6 million we just moved from. I'm kind of liking the small town feel in some ways. Not as crowded; not any traffic to speak of; can ride in a taxi across town in about 7 minutes for about 75 cents; really convenient to walk to the vegetable market, the supermarket, and just about any other kind of shop you might need to go to. Unfortunately our bicycle was stolen the day before we moved here (they cut through the bike lock and took it right out of the parking area!); otherwise shopping would be even more convenient!
Our first week was spent registering with the police and the school, getting things organized a little, learning our way around the neighborhood, the market, and such, and basically settling in. It's been kind of nice to have a place that's "our own" again after 7 months of house-hopping! =) Things are gradually getting in order, though we still lack some furniture. We mainly don't have wardrobes (they don't build closets here) or bookshelves yet, but hopefully this week I can get some basic stuff and begin getting our things more in their permanent place. I hate clutter!!! But it's just part of the process!
So, you're wondering, how are we doing? How are the kids doing? Well, it's hard to say in a word or two. We've had some fun times, like exploring our neighborhood together for the first time, running down the hills giggling hand in hand... And we've had some not so fun times, like us all being sick with a cough for the last week, and then being sick from a parasite I picked up somewhere along the way (all part of adjusting to new germs and such)...
We've had some encouraging times, like the morning after we moved in when two sisters came to help us unpack and settle in and help us buy some things we needed... And some not so encouraging times, like Dave being met with more guardedness and reservation than warmth and welcome by the teacher of the local group here...
We've had some frustrating times, like when we weren't able to get money from the ATM at 3 different banks and were supposed to pay our landlord a year's rent that afternoon... And we've had some lonely times, like when the weekend came and all the people we know here were busy (all 3 of them =) and we felt heavy with the realization that right now we are separated from every single person on this planet who really knows and loves us, and the reminder of how long it takes to build true friendships and become known and loved again.
But we've also had some meaningful times, like yesterday and today when we were part of some special meetings where more than fifty people from here and from villages near and not so near (some over 5 hours away)--people brand new to the family--went under the water and came back up to begin their new lives... Incredible. Those are the kinds of times that remind us why we're here and give us a glimpse of what is possible if we stay the course, walk through the changes, the frustration, the loneliness, on toward what he has called us to. Times like this morning seeing face to face a new creation, his radiance shining now where just a few days ago there was only darkness. Eighteen years old and holding in her arms a precious 9 month old little girl--a little girl whose whole life will be different now because of the new life of her mommy and daddy. Yes, it's times like these--with people like these--that gives us an unforgettable look at the reason for it all.