August 9, 2009.

Tonight we enjoyed a team b-b-q as well as some pretty heart wenching goodbyes. Our dancers were to load a bus the very next morning at six a.m. so this was it. When we started out on this whole adventure, we were warned that we would cry when our dancers left. I believed that we could become somewhat attached to them, but thought there was no way I was going to cry after having only know these guys for a week. Not to mention we couldn't understand them half of the time. But this was an amazing lesson in service to me. I learned more fully that when you serve others you love them. How else can you explain the fact that these two guys feel like family to us now? The kids stayed up with us until almost eleven this night. No one said much, we just sat there being together. Occassionaly one of them would lean over and hug one of the kids or pat them on the head. The kids went to bed crying as did Kade and I. I guess we were warned:) But, I would do it all again. We love you Yosuke and Yukinobu!!!!

Yosuke feeding Brancyn off of his own plate. If that isn't brotherly love!

Yuki and Brylee. With Yuki hear, it was like having and extra Grandpa around. He was so good with the kids and Brylee especially loved him.

Yosuke and Kade wearing their matching Wii pajamas. Yosuke bought these for Kade for his birhtday and then got a matching pair for himself.

Yosuke, Yuki, Kade

Libert, Deidra, Brancyn, Brylee, and Kayson

Yosuke says he wants to come back to the United States again and asked if he could stay with us when he comes to visit. We told him he was welcome anytime. I hope he really does come back . . . .