Boating

Today was a pretty good day. We went to church this morning and heard our good friend Liz give an update on her travels to Ghana. We listened as she described the conditions of living for a few weeks in the country that is the current residence of our son. She described the oppressive heat, the beginning of the rainy season during which it will rain nearly every day, the toilets which are glorified holes, the showers (the nice ones are under a tree and you can still shower when it rains), and the people who manage to be kind and well mannered despite living in mud-walled, tin-roofed houses and having next to nothing to call their own.

It was thrilling to see his pictures again during Liz's slideshow even though we've seen the same ones hundreds of times. It is the strangest feeling to look at the pictures of this foreign land and think that we will - hopefully soon - be visiting those same places and holding our newest son.

In the afternoon, some dear friends with a few kids of their own invited us to join them on their boat. The day was gorgeous - one of those days when you look at the sky and wonder how anyone could question the existence of God. We swam in the lake and took rides on the tube. My oldest daughter even fell off and for a few seconds thought she was lost forever. After she realized this was not the case, she was right back on it again.

As for our friends, the boat owners - they asked about Hugo and I was delighted to talk about him. They were so kind to our children and we loved spending the day with them. It was enjoyable in every way.

As I rode around the lake on this nearly-cloudless day, I thought about Hugo in his orphanage in Ghana. He likely has no idea such a thing as a lake, or a boat, exists. I thought about the people who will spend their entire lives in Ghana and not have the opportunity to spend a day at play in the water. It made me wonder if we need things like boats and lazy days.

Well, no we don't, I guess. But I also know that God is God in Ghana and He is also God here in western PA. It is possible to walk with Him in either place. There are challenges and blessings in both places.

Today was a day of seeing families share beautiful times together and grow in love for each other. Today was filled with the blessing of friends who help us walk with God. It was watching friendships begin that will hopefully last lifetimes.

That boat was a blessing from God. I can't wait to take Hugo for a ride on it.