We're going to be PARENTS!!!

That's right! Oscar and I are going to be Mom and Dad....

to 9 little boys at the orphanage Hogar de Esperanza.

(so... no, we're not pregnant and no, we're not adopting.... yet.)

Starting mid November we will take over as live in care-givers for la casita "Los Tesoros de Dios" (the Treasures of God). We are SO EXCITED about this opportunity to Love and guide the boys. This casita has 9 boys all 9 yrs old and under. We will live with the boys 6 days a week, and be responsible for them - education, cleanliness, spiritual growth and emotional needs. The task at hand is quite large, and a bit daunting, but we know that God has a plan and a purpose to work out both in the lives of the boys through us, as well as in us through these boys.

Each of these sweet treasures has his own story... which hopefully further down the road I will become a more faithful blogger and share parts of them with you. But for now enjoy the following pictures of our soon to be kiddos...

Edwin - 9 yrs old

Paul - 8 yrs old

Juan - 8 yrs old (with Oscar)

Jorge - 6 yrs old

Pablo and Pedro - 6 yr old twins

Jhon - 3 yrs old

Alejandro - 3 yrs old

Jose Luis - 3 yrs old

We know this is going to be a challenging (and exhausting) adventure, but we feel confident in God's will leading us here at this time. Prayer will be VERY needed for us over the next few months. Here are a few requests we have:

1. That we would be a light in each of these boys' lives, showing them the Love of God so that they may come to know Him (or know Him better).

2. Strength, Energy, Wisdom and Patience necesary to parent these little boys.

3. For our marriage as we face the new challenges parenting in the albergue will present - lack of privacy and liberty, added responsibility... and the ever present cultural differences.

4. For each one of these boys as they adjust to this new transition. They've been with the same madre for 4 years, so this will be a big change. And for the salvation of each and every one of them.

We are so grateful for your support and prayer during this time.

Oscar y Samantha Alday

Updates from the Aldays

It has been a LONG time since I have blogged. Years
actually.

I will make no promise to improve on this… but I have some
information to share, and this seemed the most effective way to do so….

First the basics:

Oscar and I are well. After the honeymoon travelling we
spent time in Chiclayo with Oscar’s family. We’ve also spent time in the orphanage.
We helped plan their 10^th anniversary celebration. Now we are back
in Chiclayo until the end the month. Then we are going to the JUNGLE! with a
few of the volunteers from the orphanage. (3 years later and I finally get to
go to the jungle!)

Oscar, Heydi, Marita and I after going out to church and lunch together on Sunday at the albergue.

Now the real reason for the blog:

The Visa. As many of you know our plan was to have a
religious wedding ceremony in Peru and then return to the states together with
a fiancé visa and have our legal ceremony.

That is not what is going to happen. The story of why’s and
how’s are long and difficult. So for now. On this blog. We’ll leave it at that.
The plan is cancelled. Someday we’ll get together for coffee and I’ll tell you
the whole story. But not today. Not here.

Oscar and I will be attempting to get a temporary husband’s
visa for him soon. But the ugly truth is we haven’t been able to start the
process yet, and once we start it, it will still take 6 months. There are lots
of hoops we have to jump through before we can start the process… So Oscar and
I won’t be in the US until June 2012… at the earliest… and that is probably being
optimistic.

This reality has not been the easiest for me to accept. I
wanted a wedding that I got to plan and pick things for. I wanted you all to
meet my husband. But I walk in faith knowing God has a plan I don’t yet
understand. If we are in Peru for now it is because He has something to accomplish
in and through us here. (More on that in the next blog – I will promise you one
more… but just one. And it is more exciting than this one!)