Our friend Maggie. She was introduced to our family shortly after we first arrived in Asia. Maggie has served our family in the areas of cooking, cleaning, babysitting, practicing language, and nursing Robynn to good health when she has been sick. She loves our family by serving, and she does it so well. Though she does not yet know the Father, we are confident that He is working in her life. She has offered much needed advice on how to handle the illnesses common to this area, and when we didn't know how to buy food or cook it, she has humbly taught us. During our first few months, when communication was the hardest, she patiently played charades with us and corrected our pronunciation. Recently when Jadynn started preschool, she practiced with her at home in the local language so she could know what her teachers and friends were saying. We believe she was brought into our lives at just the right time, and we love her very much.
Jadynn at preschool. Can you spot her in this crowd? She is the only foreigner in her class, and the only one who speaks English. Although it was not easy at first, she now has learned a lot of the local language and loves to go to school. When we go to pick her up she is the only child who cries because she has to go home, instead of crying because she doesn't want to go to school.
Some of her new friends. Jadynn is very outgoing and likes to give hugs. This is somewhat shocking to her Asian friends who are taught at a young age to shake hands when greeting others. Even though she doesn't get many hugs in return, it has not slowed down her desire to pick up, kiss, and hug her friends when the mood strikes her!
Cherry and her mother. Our friend Cherry met us one day while we were out shopping for food. She came up to us and introduced herself in perfect English (this is not common in our area). We quickly realized that she was very intelligent and outgoing and also new to the area, just like us! 
Two ladies from a local minority group. During a recent trip to a village near our city we were able to meet and spend some time with some ethnic minority people. In an area like this, many of the people may not even speak the language that we are here to learn, but rather another dialect. While Robynn was interacting with some ladies, she noticed a grass basket she wanted to buy. These two women came and offered their advice as to what was a good price, how to bargain, and which basket was the sturdiest. The ladies clearly enjoyed the opportunity to help a foreigner know how to do things in the "their village." Afterward, in "Jadynn-like fashion," she hugged one of the ladies to say thank you and the lady was clearly caught off guard, but hugged her back just as tightly. Even though this interaction was brief, it helped our family realize that we can befriend people who are very different than us. The best way to do that is to put yourself humbly in the position of a learner and let the people teach you how to live in Asia.
Minority group women enjoying Jadynn's hugs.
Minority women maybe seeing a foreigner for the first time.
Jonathan asks to borrow this Asian guitar.
Our friend Tom and his wife, Maria. Tom has traveled all over Asia, Europe and America. He met his wife in college and they started out as very good friends. They married less than three years ago, Tom says, "because it was time to settle down." 
Comparing bellies, we are due the same week!Thanks for thinking of us, our friends, and the people of Asia!
All our love,
Jonathan, Robynn, Jadynn and Baby!
