Still trying to be patient

It's Wednesday night, and we got back from Sa Pa at 5:00 AM this morning. We spent the day doing small final things to prepare for G&R day--but with a little bit of doubt hanging in the air.

We have lots to tell about Sa Pa. It was an amazing trip.

But first, where we are: On the train last night in Lao Chai, Martin got a call from the World Child office. The Thai Nguyen orphanage group, with our new friend Lisa, would be going to get their babies on Wednesday, not Friday as originally planned. That was great news for all of us. Martin said he hoped to have good news for the rest of us, soon--confirmation of our Thursday appointments in Lang Son for our G&Rs.

What?, you ask. You thought it was all confirmed for Thursday. We did, too. But apparently things can be a little bit fluid in Lang Son province.

Nancy, another World Child staff member, came by at 2:00 today to pick up Lisa and newly arrived Karrie, along with another family we have not yet met, and they drove off to Thai Nguyen in the World Child baby van. At 8:00 tonight they returned with their babies. We just returned from Lisa's room. Her daughter is wonderful--laughing, smiling, and gurgling. Lisa is so happy, we can tell.

The word from Nancy at 8:00 was that they were still hoping for word about tomorrow. Last night's call came late, as well.

So we're still waiting. And while we are enjoying Hanoi and doing pretty well with the waiting, we really are anxious for it to be over.

On various errands today we walked around Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter of Hanoi at least twice. Here's a photo of Ed with a ceeramic wall picture of the famous mythic turtle of the lake, which provided a magic sword that the boy emperor Ly Thai To used to defeat the enemies of Vietnam around 1000 AD.

Here's another picture of Ed at the Cathedral today near our hotel.

We still hope to get the call tonight that tells us to be ready at 5:00 AM tomorrow for the trip to Lang Son.