Alvin? Simon? Theodore?

Just thought I'd post a note after seeing him in the kitchen. I think our house helper must have left the kitchen window open after doing the dishes. I looked in the kitchen and there was a chipmunk running across our floor. I pushed the wrong button on the video camera or else I'd have a clip for everyone. But, I just walked towards him and he gradually made his way back out of the window. Fun times!

Sleepless in South Asia

Well, our clocks have not quite adjusted. Andrew and Elizabeth have slept through the night, thankfully. We kept them up later (9pm) and they're still asleep (at 6am). This is a big victory for them! Jonathan woke up about 1am, this morning, but came to sleep with us and is still asleep on our bed. So that's another small victory! Abby is still waking up at 3am, each morning and Valerie and I haven't been able to sleep after that.

Today, we're suppose to meet with our language coordinator. This should be good so that we can begin moving forward. Next Tuesday or Wednesday, we should be able to move into our apartment. The good thing about the placement of the apartment is that it's close to a couple that we and the children get along very well with. The downer of the placement is that the apartment is an hour's drive away from most everyone else.

We got to see the apartment yesterday. It's on the first floor of about twenty or more floors! It makes one dizzy just to look up, so I'm glad we don't have to look down!

Valerie and I would like to let you in on a little "secret". We've been struggling the past couple of days. Everything is just like we knew it was going to be, but it sure is different having our whole family here! I think we've felt like Jonathan, at times. When we talked to him about going overseas during the past month, he was very excited to go. But, the first day we were here, he said, "Daddy, when are we going to [our new country]?" I told him we are here. His immediate response was, "I want Grandma."

Valerie and I have had very similar responses lately. Sometimes it just hits you. You just realize what you've gotten yourself into. This morning I "ran" to the Word. He directed me to Isaiah 40:31 and Psalm 136. He reminded me of how He directs our steps and how He lead the Isrealites in the wilderness. I don't want to be found complaining, but remembering His promises to me and my family.

Please pr*y that...

we'll remember the promises of the L*rd

He'll direct our footsteps

our family in the States will continue to adjust well

A few little things...

Why not write a little while the kids are up at 3am

Last night, we had a good dinner with some other company folk. It was your classic South Asian dinner of spaghetti, green beans and corn! Little things like that help one to adjust so it was a nice meal. We're getting ready to attempt laying the kids back down after an hour of running around behaving as if they just traveled around the world...imagine that.

Here are some pictures of the guest house we're staying in for a time and also of our travels.

Please pr*y that our "clocks" adjust and that we continue to enjoy the good health that we're currently enjoying.

We've arrived

Well, we arrived this morning. Everything went very well. This kids did an excellent job! The only hitch along the way was that Elizabeth, Abby and I (Rick) got sick after our leg from Chicago to London. It didn't happen until the very end of the flight...very weird...never had that happen before. Also, I felt EXTREMELY nauseous after we got our bags unloaded to our guest room. I'm not sure why, but it was horrible for the first hour. I think the ride here (Driving here is much different on the belly if you're not used to it.) right after not feeling well at the end of the last leg was a bad combination. But, all is well now. Everybody else is sleeping right now. We're supposed to have dinner with a family tonight, at 5pm. The family has four children that exact same ages as ours! I asked the children what they noticed was different so far. They noted the steering wheel on the other side (cracked up about that), the smaller bananas (about half the size) and all of the people pinching their cheeks and wanting to take pictures with them (especially Elizabeth with her blonde hair) at the airport. We'll see what else they note when they can actually see the view around the street. It was only 5:30am when we arrived. It's nice to have everything and everyone here. We didn't lose anyone and only lost the top of one container. It looks as if all the contents were still there (That's good because there were some birthday presents for the kids in that container!). The airport personnel just wrapped the box in plastic wrap. So I didn't recognize the container the first couple of times it went around.

Up in the air junior birdman...

It was an early morning for us. Valerie and I were up at 4:30am and woke the kids at 5:30 so that we could catch the bus at 6am. Everything has gone very smoothly for us...an incredible blessing. The children have been well behaved. The flights have been prompt. The service has been friendly. And, Valerie's feeling well! Delta is hosting a free demo Wi-Fi service so I'm taking advantage of it while the children are sleeping. We should arrive in Kansas City in about 45min to some very happy parents/grandparents! We'll be in town for 10 days to visit primarily family. We may get a chance to see a few friends along the way, but family and packing is the main focus this time.

G*d has been very gracious to us during these last eight weeks. We've made some great friends, learned from amazing people and grown together as a family. It's been an amazing time of preparation!

I might take this time to answer some concerns about our family going overseas.

Imagine someone trying to expand his/her business. If there are well-established businesses that are able to meet the needs of the people around them, the businessman will move to meet the greatest need. There is approximately one person serving approximately six million lost persons in SA.

We are NEEDED elsewhere. We're not going for our own good and we're not trying to change the culture of people, just the destination. We're excited to see people honoring the L*rd in their own culture, in their own tongue. It's an extremely difficult task to undergo, especially when not everyone agrees, but we know we're called and we're not upset with anyone who cannot agree.

For those who do agree...

Please pr*y that G*d will help others to understand why we're going

For everyone...

Please pr*y for a good transition

Love,

The Colliers

DC Talk

This past week proved very helpful, getting to meet with people serving the same peoples whom we will be serving. We had many questions answered. We are so appreciative of the attention so many people have given to the details on logistics, ministry, and relationships. We feel priveledged to be a part of this team! We are still waiting to get final confirmation on the language that we'll be learning. Whatever we learn, we're going to TRY to involve the whole family. We don't want to leave anyone out!

Saturday, I had the great pleasure of attending my first NASCAR race! Valerie had been praying that G*d would provide something great for me, for my birthday and He did! A friend came up and said that someone had asked if he could find someone who would like to go that evening. He found me! It was awesome! I'm glad I had earplugs.

Yesterday, Abby got her ears pierced. I'll post pictures when I have my camera close at hand.

Today, we spent the day in Washington, DC. We had the opportunity to share with people of nationalities similar to those we'll be serving. It was a great time! The kids were wonderful during the entire process which wasn't easy...for any of us! By the end of the day, Valerie wasn't feeling so great, but G*d is good and she's getting to rest now.

Please pr*y for...

our last round of innoculations, tomorrow

our preparation during the next three weeks

Valerie to feel good, consistenly

Rest Easy...

After a VERY long week, this weekend was a wonderfull welcome treat! We had the opportunity to take in the Richmond Childrens Museum. You can see from the picture, that the boys were more than ready to leave! We had a great time as a family off-campus, enjoying a flexible schedule. Yesterday, when Valerie had her time off-campus with the girls, Elizabeth got her ears pierced! She's very excited to show anyone who wants to see and even for those people who haven't expressed an interest.

This week should be pretty low-key. Today, Abby got "BJ Bear". She was very excited about the opportunity to bring him home to include in our family experiences. We actually have our exit interviews which is difficult to imagine that we are to that point already. We're looking forward to seeing friends and family during our short time before heading out.

Please pr*y for:

Our upcoming DC trip (We're hoping to engage those nationals of our new country.)

Opportunities to engage those around us (If we're not sharing here, what would make us think we'd share overseas?!)

Preparation for our upcoming transition back home (Sept. 24-Oct. 4)

Thanks! We love you all!

Sincerely,

Rick and Company