Wonderful weekend

Last summer Pete and I came up to Hendersonville for a weekend and I thought it was the best getaway we'd ever had (documented here, here, and here!). This weekend we had the opportunity to come back to the exact same spot, and I have now pronounced this time even better than last year's!  (Thank you, Mom and Dad, for watching our kids again!)

In keeping with our "small-world" theme this year, we have loved seeing how God has introduced us to people on one continent, and brought us back together with them on another.  While we were in Moldova, we met three American men who were visiting, and we toured the tuberculosis children's center together.  Now, Pete and I got to spend the whole weekend in Hendersonville  (the place we already loved) with those men, their wives, and some of their colleagues!

The men are all on the board of the organization called Moldova World Children's Fund, which is the organization who has since agreed to help me get funding for the TB center's new doors and windows.  Their annual meeting of the board of directors was this weekend, and Pete and I were invited to come to several of the events.

In addition, three Moldovans have come over for the meetings as well.  I knew one of the women I had met, Irina, would be here and I was excited to see her.  But I didn't know that we actually knew one of the other men as well:  Boris, who taught Strider at the after-school sports program, was also there!  We all thought that was pretty cool (and Strider wishes he had come here to Hendersonville with us. :)  )    Love this small world.

Pete and I are now incredibly impressed with the MWCF group.  After spending all weekend with these folks and seeing their hearts of compassion and generosity, we are thrilled that God saw fit to match us up.  We've been so amazed by how the timing of our initial meeting worked out so well, and the fact that the organization was not only able to take on the TB center project, but even make it their top initiative of this year -- it's so cool!  (The details behind how that all worked out clearly show it was all God.)

We've had some unique experiences this weekend...  presenting at a Lion's Club luncheon (and receiving a $1000 check from them!), being wined and dined at an elegant country club dinner, sitting in on some of the board meeting, and attending a very lovely garden party at one of the other board members' home, during which we told about the need of the TB children's center.

Boris and Julius -- from Moldova

Getting ready to show the MWCF DVD

Joanie, our hostess, with Boris

I'm so thrilled that many people are hearing about Liuba and the children at the TB kindergarten!  We've already raised enough money for the new doors, and they are being installed right now.  (Thank you friends and family who donated!!)  Now we're working on getting money for the windows, and I can't wait to hear what the latest total is, once Ray gets a chance to open all his mail, etc., after this busy week.  We're really hoping to get the building in good shape before it starts to get cold this winter.

In between all of the meetings and events this weekend, Pete and I have had some chances to just enjoy being together.   Yesterday we went hiking for a few miles through Dupont State Forest and got to see some huge waterfalls.  It was a perfect day for it!

 So it's been a delightful, relaxing, and exciting weekend.  I just think it's so amazing that we got to come back to one of our favorite places for such a specific and awesome reason.  And I'm enjoying the time with my handsome husband -- the last few days in his thirties!  Big milestone birthday coming up later this week....