Like Home

Well, we made it! Hardly though, Clark, you'd be so proud of us. We went through 3 different airports all by ourselves and didn't get yelled at or get too lost. We cut it close though - sat in the wrong gate for 2 hours and realized we were at the wrong place 30 minutes before take off so we had a little but of a workout speed walking to the right place. But we made it! We landed in Riga with the hopes that one of our friends would pick us up... after them joking around with us saying that we had to hike to Vilandes (the church that we stay at in Riga) and we never know what to expect with them.. But luckily we walked through the doors from baggage claim to see Tabita, Arvis, Girts, and little Amelija! We hugged, grabbed our suitcases and got in the car back to Vilandes. Home! 

We dropped our bags off at the church, changed out of our 17 hour travel clothes, met up with Valters, another of our Latvian family, and walked to Old Town for the only reason we actually come to Latvia. Pelmini. Heaven. Kidding, not the only reason we come, but I'm totally serious when I say the only reason we kept positive during our travels was knowing and telling each other "pelmini was at the end of the tunnel." 

We woke up Saturday morning, had some coffee at Coffee Inn, breakfast at "the muffin man," and went to pick up the rest of the American team from Virigina from the airport. It was crazy and wonderfully different because we knew no one coming through the doors and there are thirty-five of them. If I could verbally italicize that too I would. Thirty-five! But of course, thirty-five amazing people. It's amazing to see the love that I have for this country and for these children reflected back at me in thirty-five people's eyes. (Thirty-five!!) God is good. These guys are Camp Hope pros. They've put on an astonishing 11 camps and from what I hear, they are life-changing weeks. 

The only thing you really need to know about the camp grounds is that we have yet to be able to pick our jaws off of the ground. Beautiful is an understatement. We are surrounded by a lake on all sides and there are cabins for us and all our future campers. You will all see pictures but I assure you, they will not do this place justice.

Tomorrow we look forward to a day where we can sleep as late as we want (something I have never heard on a trip to Latvia before!) We will spend the day setting up camp until our Latvian leaders arrive tomorrow evening. Currently we are trying to tell our brains that it is bed time despite the fact that it is still very light outside and it's 11pm. The sun just can't get enough of us.

xoxo G&O