First Team Meeting

My team is all female. Seven other New Hampshire gals, and two southern ladies. Ages range from late teens to mid seventies. We are all American's with big hearts for kids. On a beautiful December Sunday we had our first team meeting. It was sadly only the New Hampshirites because the other two were not available to Skype in

We talked about everything from food allergies to voltage issues. China has higher electrical voltage than the U.S. 220 versus 210. Electronics like laptops are made to automatically switch....not so much hair assistants. Our leader, Kim, warned us, "if you're thinking of bringing your blowdried, don't bother. If you are thinking of bringing your straightener, don't bother. It will fry and spark and be destroyed. I know this from personal experience." I think I will manage fine since on average I use such devices three times a year. She also mentioned that it can be challenging to find anyone willing to exchange money if it is not perfect, as in never-been-folded brand-spanking-new perfect.

I'll try to get some photos of the team meeting tomorrow!

Also update on our flights! Our agent sent us a tentative itinerary, but we are all required to respond with confirmation that they put us with the right starting airport and spelled our names right and other such minor details. I obsessively checked my email the rest of the night, but sadly no confirmation that we actually flights booked yet. Maybe tomorrow!

I shall bid due adieu with this:

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance." 
  — Franklin P. Jones, American humorist

May my team have patience with all the children we meet and advocate for, and even more importantly, may their adoptive families have great patience with them.

Prayer Points:

• That technology will work well for video chat meetings, and that we will use the time well.
• That in the end we will find loving families and nurturing homes for these precious kids.
• That we will be spiritually protected from attacks.
• That I will get in the rest of my necessary funding.

If you want to contribute financially you can do it online here. In the drop-down list select "Storyteller Missions", and under "Participant Name(s)" put Tatiana Martin March'16 Guangdong China Team. Or you can mail a check to America World Adoption, 6723 Whittier Avenue, McLean, VA 22101 made out to AAWA with Tatiana Martin March'16 Guangdong China Team in the memo line.