Arriving in Duhok Aug. 2012

On August 24th, 2012 we left Iowa for the 3rd time to go to Iraqi Kurdistan. 

Typical travel posture.... with not enough leg-room for Bishop legs. Trying not to covet 1st class recliners :)

It was Zephie's 10 month birthday on the second half of our travel day so she wore her little 10 month old onesie to celebrate!  It was of course a long day, but thankful for God's grace throughout the day!

The site that we are about to land in Iraq. Lots of emotions when we see this...... but mostly causes us to say "Hallelujah, Glory be to our Great God"

After we landed, we were greeted by a familiar face (always a blessing in itself) who had a bus ready to take us to Duhok. We loaded our bus that only had one thing missing.... Our other teammates, The Nelson family :( So it was our family, and Helen and Sarah with all our luggage.

A few of the sites on our way to Duhok......

 (photo collage by Sarah)

We were immediately welcomed by our excited neighbors with "Chowani?" (How are you?) 

 It was so wonderful to come into our home, that had beds made, and in pretty decent order. (Thanks to our last year's roommate, Emily)  It made it much easier to get back in the swing of things. 

Then the Nelson's arrived.... Zephie was really excited to be reunited with her little buddy again :)

In the first couple weeks.....

We brushed up on some Kurdish

Ate at some of our favorite although quirky restaurants

Breathed in lots of hot-dusty air while we went shopping for some of the main necessities.

We tried to get our kids to know the difference from night and day. The first couple of weeks are always rough with little sleep, so we tried to get outside during the day as much as possible and enjoy the city.

No strollers or car so lots of walking with my little cuddle love. 

Here's to the start of a new year in Duhok... doing ministry and life with these rock stars!