So Monday morning we met our guide in the hotel lobby and proceeded to the driver outside for another daring drive in India. This time we were on our way to Eve’s medical appointment. Oh, we also ate breakfast at the hotel’s buffet, which was good. Eve ate another banana and some egg.
Our guide was very sweet (second one of our trip). We arrived at the medical facility in about 15 minutes, so that wasn’t too bad. It was a little chaotic inside - there were people in waiting rooms everywhere but we just followed right behind our guide. Apparently they fast track adoption appointments because we only waited about 10 minutes, which was nice because we stuck out like sore thumbs... 🤪
Everyone there was extremely nice and of course Eve made friends with everyone she saw. She first had some blood drawn to check for TB, which we find out the results in two days. She of course cried but Anne was able to calm her down after only a little bit. Next we met with the doctor. He was really sweet with Eve and even gave her a chocolate (more on that later). The best part about the visit was in the doctor’s office there was a sign that read ”For I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:13.
Wow! It really caught me off guard - God absolutely was speaking to us in that very moment that He is with us.
We left the medical appointment shortly thereafter without issue and proceeded to a little travel office ten minutes away that handles, among other things, applications for FRRO (foreigners regional relations office) which we need clearance from to leave the country with Eve. This was a small office, down STEEP stairs right off the street. There was a quiet, friendly girl working behind a desk (I wasn’t quite sure how she actually gets behind the desk because the office was so small and ... yeah, just not sure). I gave her various papers as directed by our guide and 20 minutes and 600 rupees later, we were on our way.
We were dropped off at our hotel and will see our guide Tuesday at 8am to go to the US embassy. Please pray that goes well. We might go sight seeing after the appointment tomorrow.
At that point we were feeling pretty good. The first appointment went well. The day is young. Let’s go to the mall! Apparently the mall attached to the hotel is closed, but there is one a 3 minute walk down the street. We were hoping to find an umbrella stroller for Eve since she can’t really walk in public very well and carrying her is difficult even though she’s light. She doesn’t hold herself at all and it’s like carrying a huge dead fish (not that I’ve done that before...).
So away we go. The walk wasn’t bad. It’s interesting - many public places you have to go through security just to get in the door- our hotel, the mall. They scan your bag and frisk you. I’m okay with that though if that helps keep crazy violent people out... For the first while we were having a good time - checked out a few stores, the giant Santa sailing ship (pic below...), etc.
We thought it’d be good to get some lunch so we enter this little Asian cuisine place and sit dow, being all friendly like. When ALL OF A SUDDEN Eve pukes everywhere!! On herself, on Anne, all over the floor. The waiter saw it and brought over some napkins but it was a mess. We didn’t know what to do (man I can’t wait for teleportation to be invented because that would have been the opportune time to simply teleport out of there!). So we got up, apologized profusely, bowed our heads a few times and left! We then found the nearest bathroom and “recovered the best we could. From there we found a food court and ended up getting some popcorn chicken from KFC (yes, I know, I know...) Eve wasn’t hungry so we quickly ate and left.
As we were waking through the mall, looking for a stroller, Eve throws up a second time - all over my shoulder (Anne has just handed her off to me a moment prior) as well as my backpack strapping and the floor. Ugh. So Anne took her to the bathroom (again) to clean up while I did the same. While in there, she throws up now a third time right on the floor where the bathroom attendant was already moppping! Nice shot! So at that point we high tailed it out of there and are now in our hotel room. Eve received a shower and is now sleeping snugly with Anne for a snooze.
It should be noted we don’t think she is sick or having any medical issues aside from having parents with peanut-sized brains. The orphanage actually warned us that she can’t handle chocolate and throws up (just like her Papa, I’m so proud!). Well the doctor gave her a piece which we mistakenly allowed but to make matters worse we gave her another piece right before we walked to the mall. So yeah, Eve can’t eat chocolate. Please pray we can get some food and water into her after her nap so she can keep up her strength.
Bye for now.
