Our 1st trip to Honduras

Church in the mountains

The staff at the orphanage  (our translator/driver, Ileana
is in the front in the white shirt)

We took a tour of the orphanage

My favorite picture of the toddlers 

Bob pretending to be sleeping as we wait for the psychologist

Lunch before we met Justin on Wednesday

Playing on the playground on Wednesday

Submitting our dossier at the court offices with our lawyer

May 9-15, 2011 will be in our hearts forever.  We visited Honduras for the first time. The trip was overwhelming in every aspect. We had a wonderful translator/driver who took us everywhere we needed. It was also helpful because being the pioneer family for Buckner/Honduras our caseworker was on the trip. She was able to see first hand how Honduran adoptions operate as well as the necessary steps for the adoptive families while in-country. Saturday we arrived and went out to lunch in a mall close to our hotel and then back to the hotel for the night. Sunday morning she picked us all up and took us to her church in the mountains. It was so refreshing to meet with other believers in this country where one might not feel so safe at times. Monday we met with the psychologists at INFHA to be interviewed, Tuesday, We went back to INFHA so that we can take a test. It was the same personality test that our psychologist here in the states had administered. After lunch we went to the orphanage in Tegucilgapa to meet the lawyer there and ask the doctor questions regarding Justin and his overalll health. Wednesday We returned to the orphanage where we met Justin. As we pulled in our driver honked the horn and a large iron gate was opened for our car. We walked up the sidewalk and outside kneeling on the steps to the building was Justin! I didn't know what to do since we had not been formally introduced. We looked at him and then Bob and I looked at each other with wide eyes as if to say "There he is!" We walked in and after quick introductions with the staff walked to the back in a small room and then they brought Justin in. He stood in front of a metal desk glanced up at us, said a small "Hola'", we said, "Hola'" and then he slowly turned around and ran out of the room. One of the employees returned with Justin and brought him over to us. We talked a little in our broken Spanish and then Bob pulled out his Iphone and showed him pictures of Spiderman, Batman, Sponge Bob, and Dora. He recognized Spiderman and Sponge Bob. After a couple of hours of playing on the playground, bubbles, and talk of a possible trip to the state hospital it was time to go.  (the doctor at the orphanage had detected what she thought a heart murmur when he was first brought there. After the appointment Wednesday morning the foster mother brought back a slip a paper declaring that Justin's heart was normal). Thursday we went back to the orphanage where we were going to "visit" with Justin again, but within a few minutes of being there the foster mother asked if we would like to keep him overnight. Of course we said "yes".  Our first stop was to get him a soccer ball at a stand along the road. Our driver stopped, Bob hopped out and within a minute Bob was back in the car with a soccer ball for Justin. We were going to take him to Pizza Hut where they had a small indoor soccer field and tubes. While we were there we learned that he is afraid of heights and gets a little upset if one does not finish the food on their plate. At one point he needed to use the restroom so we all went. I didn't know if he wanted to use the women's bathroom or the boys so he went with me, but was also calling "Papa" to come in because he was pointing and telling me in Spanish that there are three toilets, one for him, me and "Papa". First of all I don't know a lot of Spanish and second of all explain so that he understands that Dad cannot come in the women's bathroom. We left and went to the mall where we found him a couple of shirts, underwear, and new shoes. He was wearing a size 7 and we bought him an 11. Friday woke up early with Justin and played at the hotel and Burger King until it was time to go back to the orphanage. We were able to drive him home and take pictures and for that I am so grateful. I cannot wait to return to Honduras to bring Justin home. I just wish we knew when. We missed our kids terribly, but thanks to wifi and updated technology we ichatted (like skype) with them. Saturday There is no place like the U.S.A.!! We returned to TX. After a delay in Houston we were finally home with Madeline and Brett. My mom stayed with them for the week and although they were happy to see us I think they were sad to see their "vacation" come to an end. Now we can't wait to get back to Justin!