Update from Amy

Dear Family and Friends,
I know that you have been eagerly awaiting news on our first meeting with our daughter yesterday. Believe me, no one could have been more shocked than me over how differently yesterday went than we'd imagined. Let me just say that our trip over here could not have gone more smoothly--Micah is a champion traveler! Yesterday we went to meet our daughter at the local provisional adoption agency office. When she was given to us, we knew that something was wrong. She is very, very sick. She's 18 months but the size of a 6 month old--we knew this but it's impossible to be prepared for that. Then, just 10 minutes after having held her, they (her nurse and caregiver at her orphanage) gave us some medical paperwork; she had just gotten out of a week's stay at a hospital on Friday. She was admitted for terrible diarrhea (sp?) and we got a strange translated hard to understand diagnosis of a twisted stomach. So, we demanded that we be taken with her to a foreign clinic in the city for medical attention. Micah, by the way, was so excited to meet her and kissed her spontaneously!! so sweet!
So, we spent 4 hours at this clinic and didn't get much info; they did an ultrasound and said that her connection b/tn her stomach and duodenum is normal, but said they couldn't tell about her stomach even t hough our american pediatrician at the int'l adop clinic told us an american doc could diagnos this by ultrasound...So then they said a GI would be needed to tell. Well, we kept asking how she got this diagnosis from the other hospital--the nurse finally called and sure enough shed' gotten one there. We were trying so hard not to put her through anything she didnt' need--she was SOOOO scared at the clinic--she knew wher she was... Anyway, the pics from that GI should arrive by mail today and we'll go from there. We've asked for an extension on our adoptio paperwork b/c our guide said basically the only card we have in getting info on her is our money and we still have it in OUR pockets for now...
So, she came home with us last night and she's definitely a fighter. She seemed very attached to her nurse and was upset when she left...so she wasn't happy with us until we gave her food...she can suck down a bottel like you've never seen!! She also loves rice porridge and ate some last night. She sucks on her ring finger of her right hand to go to sleep and slept with us last night.

I don't think it's possible to explain how bad she looks--so malnourished...it's overwhelming. We feel at this point that ther is some underlying problem causing chronic diarreha or something...we just don't know!!

PLEASE pray for us: 1. For information--we want ALL of her records from the hospital and orphanage. They are NOT forthcoming with any of this. we don't know if someone is trying to save her life and so are scard to give it or what... but we need that info 3) for complete unity b/tn Chris and I as we confirm our decision. 4) for wisdom on whether or not to push for an expidited leave from the country or if she needs the time here to recoup befor our trip. (5) for Micah's and all of our health from being in a clinic yesterday (6) for Brenna not to be afraid (6) for our guide, Becky, to be able to communicate with us and the doctors and orphanage (7) for peace and clarity adn rest. (8) most of all, for complete healing for our daughter.

Please get people praying for us. We believe that satan does not want her redeemed. pray we are not acting on fear. Pray for rest and calm We are all having trouble sleeping except for Micah. Yesterday was the most surreal and overwhelming day of my entire life. Once again the Holy spirit reminded me of a dream when i asked Him to remind me of what I needed to know--God is faithful. Pray we can deal with our emotions as we have them or need to...

Love to all...
Amy