Our long flights were on time and we made the connections without a problem. After 24 hours in the air, we landed in Atlanta and our wonderful neighbors met up at the airport. The two close neighbors had cut the grass, cleaned the house and prepared food. We had several meals ready for us, plenty to make sandwiches and breakfast food. We had a vase of freshly cut flowers on the table and petunias in pots on the front porch. What a special homecoming it was because of these wonderful people who share our street.
The next day, I began to feel sick, but jet lag is always an issue to cope with after a long international trip.
We endured 100 - 104 degree days for two months in Thailand. Landing in Atlanta, we faced cooler weather and dampness because it rained often. I think my sinuses just shut down and said, "NO WAY" I can't handle this change. Ron got a Covid test and it said "positive" but I heard the next day on the news that CVS's tests were bad and should be returned to the store. Ron got a new test from Kroger Pharmacy and it said I was "negative." I will never know for sure. It felt like a very bad sinus infection. I've had a few this severe in the past.
After two weeks, mostly in bed and sleeping a lot, I was able to be up a little and do simple things. But, I've been feeling very, very tired. My strength is still not back to normal. However, I laughed and said "I don't really know what 'normal' is now" as I will be 85 years old tomorrow. Maybe this tiredness is the new normal for 85, but I hope not.
Ronald and Gigi arrived a few days after we got home (they run the orphanage in the Philippines). With the food we had on hand, Ron prepared meals and breakfast and I stayed away from everyone as much as possible. No one took my infection so perhaps it was not Covid. I was so glad no one got sick. Ron was able to care for me and do whatever needed to be done.
Ronald and Gigi left after two days and began their trip to report to their sponsors/supporters.
They will be back to see us for a short time before they return home on June 12th.
This weekend, we will travel to Florida to see our daughter, Leigh Ann and granddaughter, Tatum.
It has been over a year since we have seen them. On the way, Ron will give reports to some of our supporters so the trip will be part mission work as we visit with our family.
The new safe house in Udon Thani is open but only has one girl so far. A second girl came and stayed a few days but decided to go home. She had never been away from home and said she missed her mother. Both girls are teenagers but have only had a couple of years of schooling.
Yim in her new bed at the safe house.
It may have been a terrifying experience for the girls to think of going back to school but Yim, the girl remaining, says she is determined to stay.
We hope TG will find more girls soon so we can utilize the nice home and help girls get an education and have a better life.
Thank you for your prayers and concerns for us while we were in Asia. Life is certainly different but busy as we continue our work from the U.S.
