Late nights in Atlanta, Georgia

The deep south. This year Matsiko World Orphan Choir made their first trip to Atlanta, and I get to be a part of that. We have come face to face with the beauty, family values, and hospitality which make up my expectations of the Deep South. Atlanta is a beautiful city, situated amid hills, forests, and old plantations. Daily we drive past Peachtree Industrial Road. Every time I picture Scarlett O'Hara walking along Peachtree Lane (??) in <i>Gone With the Wind</i>. I've heard so much about the South in my lifetime, even attending college in NW Arkansas, but this is my first actual visit to the southern corner of the United States.

The Matsiko kids are loving our stay here. After 2 weeks sleeping all together on the floors of churches it is nice to take a break from each other and stay with host families once again. I love my team, but I greatly value my time "alone" when it's just me, my girls, and our host families. My girls and I have had a pool party, two evenings filled with movie-watching, and more food than we can handle, and we've loved every minute of it. And there are still 2 nights left!

Tomorrow morning we head out early for 2 performances at a summer camp & the Centennial Olympic Park. Lunch will follow at a delicious pizza place, and the afternoon should once again end early. And then on Wednesday, our last day in Atlanta, we will be having a "Lake Day" followed by dinner in downtown Atlanta with all of the host families. I've only heard murmurings, but it sounds like it's going to be spectactular.

Thursday morning we leave for Nashville, Tennessee, another place to which I have never been, and from there back to the midwest. I think we all have begun the countdown until the end. Not that any of us want to say goodbye to the kids, but 9 months on the road is a very. long. time. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we slowly begin preparations for the end of the tour. Some people will be going back for a second tour, some will be going back to old jobs or finding new ones. We will eventually separate our paths, but until that day, pray also for safety and understanding on this long, long journey. I think all of us are ready for a week-long nap.