Update on Visa and Life

VISA:
The paperwork has been submitted and we will return to the visa office on Friday to see if we have an answer. Please pray for an answer.
Once again, THANK YOU so much to the Simmons and to the contacts that were made through them to acquire these documents in miraculous speed! I am not sure you will ever know the gratitude we hold in our hearts for your service to us for the glory of Christ!

LIFE:
These weeks have been extremely busy with visa issues, language and ministry opportunities. This week was particularly full. On Monday Ben had a runny nose and on Wednesday it was obvious he needed to see the doctor. He had conjunctivitis in both eyes and a sinus infection that was contributing to his fever. I will take him back to the doctor on Monday for a follow up.
On Friday, we took both boys to the park and ate dinner at a cafe close to the house. When we returned home the boys went to bed and within 30 minutes Micah was calling for us. Cameron brought Micah into the living room and his face and back had raised whelps all over it! It was shocking to see and confusing. The whelps itched him horribly and so I quickly dressed him and ran down to a local pharmacy. I purchased some ointment and by the time we returned home the whelps had almost completely disappeared. The allergy medicine we gave Micah before bed had been perfect timing because it helped whatever allergic reaction he was having come to a halt. Praise God!
Today, (saturday) we joined friends for a "Spring Fair" at the US Embassy. There was food and embassy workers’ selling household goods before they leave the country. I didn't know we would encounter such a mad dash and aggression for the items being sold but it was a competitive market let me tell you! lol We were fortunate to walk away with an umbrella stroller and a small bike for Ben. After the embassy sale we took the boys to a friend's house to get haircuts. They live on the sixth floor of their apartment and as we were leaving Ben asked to ride his trike to the elevator. I lifted him over the door's threshold and he peddled to the elevator but then out of nowhere decided to ride his bike down the stairs! My friend and I both screamed and before a step could be taken he was flipping down the first flight of stairs head over feet! I have to make sure you understand that we aren't talking about a flight of thirty steps but it was big enough for him to make 2 to 3 full flips. To be honest I didn't know what I was going to find when I got to him. I fully expected broken teeth, crack head, blood and/or broken bones. When I picked him up he was still doing the silent scream, the one where the mouth is open, lips are blue and no sound is coming out and no air is going in. He finally took a breath and started talking about blood on his arm but there was nothing. We looked him over and absolutely nothing was wrong! I can only say that we bought a bike that came with free assigned angles with it!
So it's been a packed weekend, times of smiles, times of relief and times of tears! Thank you for your prayers over our family because there isn't a time I don't forget to acknowledge the saints around the world who contribute to the times of mercy we encounter. Praise be to God who hears the voices of the saints!
With Love,
The Phillips