Mom's Here!

Shirley’s Mom arrived early Friday morning. She had safe flights all around. It’s GREAT having her here! What a blessing for Ayanna and for us to see her again. We tried to build Ayanna up for the day that she would see Gramma again, and finally the morning came when Gramma went in to get her up. What a surprise for Ayanna! And of course, she brought lots of goodies from home, things we haven’t seen for 7 months (thanks to all our family for that!). We felt like little kids getting candy and things. Fun fun. Its fun sharing our lives here with her, and we’re glad she can see where and how we live.

Mom & Shirley sitting outside for lunch during a fun day together

The Changing Face of Georgia...

Tbilisi—There are many good efforts being made to clean up the city and change Georgia’s image. New construction worksites can be found all over the city; new roads and sidewalks are being put in. It is like a city-wide beautification project--and its inspiring to see. We have witnessed several positive changes even in the 6 months that we have lived in Tbilisi. How GREAT to see crews of young people clad in matching blue T-shirts converge on a park and transform it into a clean, bright place pleasing to the eye--and new playground equipment installed on top of that! And to wake up one morning to see new fluorescent trash bins lining the street, where before we were hard-pressed to find a trash can in public. This ‘make over’ the country is experiencing is opening doors for changes in other areas as well. Georgia is continually developing and transforming, and we are sure to witness much more of that as we live here.

Here are some pictures of recent changes we’ve seen around the city!

It may be tough to see, but looking through the trees you will see a man has tipped over the dumpster and is shoveling the trash into the dumptruck. NOW - there are shiny new silver dumpsters that can be picked up and dumped by the dump truck. The new dumpsters are all over the city!

This summer they lined the alley that we live on with new street lights!! At first, they did not look so "new" as you can see...but now they have painted them a nice shiny silver!!

Here there are people sweeping and cleaning up our alley...

They are installing new playgound equipment all over the city. This one is in Batumi where we visited in September, and there are two new ones close to our apartment building - they even have baby swings :)

Here a man is unloading a machine to use for street repair. It is great to see new roads and sidewalks put in, however, the man wearing flip-flops, shorts and a baseball cap to operate heavy equipment would be an OSHA nightmare!!!

Figaro!

FIGARO is our short-hair grey tabby kitten. We just brought him home this week and we are all adjusting very nicely. Figaro is cautious and careful; he has a quiet personality and plays well alone or with us. He likes to see what is going on before joining the fray. Ayanna loves having him around—he is like a new playmate for her! She drags his ball around on a string for him to chase. I think she enjoys running back and forth just as much as he does. We are really enjoying him too; he is already becoming a member of our family. Last night he made himself comfortable on a paper in the kitchen just to be with us while we ate supper. He’s also affectionate and likes to cuddle on the closest lap. There is a lot for him to learn about where he can and can’t go, and what he can and can’t do, but he’s been well taken care of since he was born in June and is already litter-trained and used to toddlers. It’s a nice fit all the way around having him in our home.

Office Staff & Team

Our registered organization name is the Caucasus Development Center (C.D.C). The office staff includes the in-country A/G workers and also several Georgians who are invaluable to the work and ministry being done through C.D.C. Today, all of the office staff went out for a special lunch to celebrate their birthdays and in appreciation for their vital contribution. Each of us has a special place in the body of Christ and a unique way that we complement one another and work together. By God’s design it is a collective effort as everyone makes available the skills and talents God has given them. And that is a good picture of the positive dynamic of our office staff. It is great to be a part of this group working together for the common, ultimate goal of making Christ known.