I arrived home in the states late Wednesday night, a bit tired. As you can imagine with 20 hours in the air, I had a lot of time to think about all that has happened in the past couple of weeks. My heart still aches leaving my babies behind, especially my precious baby Phila. I was able to visit him last Sunday at the hospital. I was told he is doing better, and with the right health care and a lot of love, it is possible that he will some day be the little boy I remember. For just a moment during my visit, I was able to see a flicker of the old Phila, which gives me hope that in time his spirit will be renewed. I was able to visit with him for a couple of hours and we both had an emotional time when it came time to say goodbye. When I was leaving, he was crying and putting his hands out to me saying "Mama" and his little finger pointing to the door. As you can imagine, the ache in my heart that I felt knowing he did not understand why he could not come with me. Please continue to keep him in your prayers; it will make such a difference in his recovery if we are able to get him back to GGA where he is loved by all.

Our plan is to start our fund raising tour this summer. I will be meeting with Our Journey Co-Founder Dick Gordon to put together the details of all we have come to know and need. Our goal is to place 7-9 volunteers in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, near Cato Ridge in 2007. This is quite a lofty goal for a Journey that started less than two years ago. However, there is an overwhelming need and by collaborating with the out reach program there, it coincides with Our Journey.

As I am writing this, I am counting the days before I can be back in South Africa doing what I have grown to love more than any other work I've persued; caring for those precious children. Thank you to everyone that supported this journey. It is your support, your encouragement and prayers that is making the difference.