Three Cords

This past week I received the amazing gift of fellowship. Two close friends spent their Thanksgiving breaks here with me and I can not begin to express my gratitude for them. They helped accomplish some tasks around the house, they loved on Jackie's kids in INCREDIBLE ways, and they helped me laugh...really laugh....the type that brings tears to your eyes and pains to your ribs. Oh how I've missed that!

Catto spent 4 days here and everywhere we went kids commented on how big his arms are. They had never seen someone so chiseled! It was adorable. Both at Jackie's House and in the communities he inevitably became a human jungle gym :-) At one point we even convinced some boys that he was Rambo! I loved watching him play with the kids and it was so nice to have a male presence while walking around town. For the first time in three months I was able to walk down the street and not hear cat calls and obnoxious comments. I didn't realize how much the calls had stopped until yesterday. Catto was already back in the States and Cari and I walked to the grocery store amidst horns honking, men screaming Hola from car windows, and others who remained silent but attempted to undress us with their eyes. What a difference a bodyguard makes!

But overall, the trip did wonderful things in his heart and when it came time to say goodbye, he was anything but ready. He's only been gone two days and he's already planning a return trip!!

And I can't begin to express how wonderful it was to have Cari here. Although she had a bedroom of her own, she opted to sleep in mine so we could talk. We stayed up until 3 am her first night! We also made an impromptu Thanksgiving dinner yesterday that consisted of fried chicken, mac and cheese, potatoes, and brownies - YUM! And we rescued two puppies! Yes, you heard me right, TWO. I still don't really know how it happened, but when we were at the garbage dump Jackie put a puppy in my arms and suggested I take it home. The crazy thing is, I actually did! He's absolutely adorable and extremely smart (within just 4 days he's potty trained!).

Two hours later we were in Cercadillo and before Cari knew what was happening, some kids thrusted a solid white puppy into her arms and told her that his mommy refused to feed him and he was going to starve. Their story was confirmed by his protruding ribs and although Cari insisted the children take him back, they refused and ran away. She was left standing in the dark, holding a puppy, unsure what she should do next. Before possibilities could be discussed, Jackie quickly ushered us into the van and we sped away, with Samson sleeping in my arms and Dominito resting in hers!

(We've researched ways to get Dominito home to the States and we have several leads, but if nothing works out, I plan to give him away to a family here. Either way, he's much better off in the city then in Cercadillo!)

I thank God for the blessing of true friendship that surpasses miles and months apart. And guys, if you're reading this, I LOVE YOU.