Saturday, December 27, 2008
Pictures
Okay, so I really am not blogging, but John requested that I put these pictures up. This is our growing church! WOW!!!! Does it not blow your mind?
The Church we are trying to plant!
John passing out music sheets!
The frenzy of people trying to ge their Christmas gifts!
A view of the Church from behind!
Kids and Adults TOGETHER!
John passing out music sheets!
The frenzy of people trying to ge their Christmas gifts!
A view of the Church from behind!
Kids and Adults TOGETHER!
Taking a blogging and facebook break until after January 3rd. There isn't much going on anyway. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas
Yesterday was probably 75-80 degrees here (warmer if you are in the sun). It felt like a typical Florida Christmas that I am accustomed to. Perfect! Loved it!
We spent the morning as a family opening presents and randomly singing Happy Birthday Jesus (Jaxson's idea). We have converted the parking garage into our own personal playground. John built a storage shed down there (not yesterday, of course) with the wood from our crate and we are able to store our bikes, new wiggle cars, skateboards, roller skates and basketball hoop. We had a blast down there as there are hardly any cars since most people who live here don't have vehicles.
Anyway, we spent the second half of the day with 40 other missionaries that work in Lima. We ate the most delicious food, sang Christmas carols and had a gift exchange. The weather was perfect and the day was truly wonderful. And praise God, no homesickness whatsoever! Although, I did miss the grandparents seeing the kids expressions as they opened their gifts from them.
We ended the night with a trip to see Bolt in Spanish. I HIGHLY recommend it in Spanish. If it was inappropriate in the least, we TOTALLY missed it. It was adorable and funny and action packed. We all seemed to understand most of it and John and I were surprised how much we actually enjoyed a movie in Spanish. I think it might be a little feisty in English, but in Spanish is was appropriate. So go see it - IN SPANISH!
We love celebrating the birth of our Savior!
We spent the morning as a family opening presents and randomly singing Happy Birthday Jesus (Jaxson's idea). We have converted the parking garage into our own personal playground. John built a storage shed down there (not yesterday, of course) with the wood from our crate and we are able to store our bikes, new wiggle cars, skateboards, roller skates and basketball hoop. We had a blast down there as there are hardly any cars since most people who live here don't have vehicles.
Anyway, we spent the second half of the day with 40 other missionaries that work in Lima. We ate the most delicious food, sang Christmas carols and had a gift exchange. The weather was perfect and the day was truly wonderful. And praise God, no homesickness whatsoever! Although, I did miss the grandparents seeing the kids expressions as they opened their gifts from them.
We ended the night with a trip to see Bolt in Spanish. I HIGHLY recommend it in Spanish. If it was inappropriate in the least, we TOTALLY missed it. It was adorable and funny and action packed. We all seemed to understand most of it and John and I were surprised how much we actually enjoyed a movie in Spanish. I think it might be a little feisty in English, but in Spanish is was appropriate. So go see it - IN SPANISH!
We love celebrating the birth of our Savior!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Homeschooling Curriculum
http://www.calvertschool.org/accredited-homeschool-curriculum/curriculum-by-grade/thirdThis is the homeschooling curriculum I believe I am going to switch to next year. Someone gave me a few of these curriculum books and I LOVE THEM! I have decided that I am not the artsy, crafty, let's get our hands dirty type of homeschooling mom. And Abeka is NOT for us. So....let me know if you have heard of this Calvert School! I love what I have seen so far and I also like that it is all inclusive. You can e-mail me if you know anything: phamilyof6@yahoo.com
Choclatada
Yesterday at the church we are trying to plant we had our Choclatada and gifts for the kids. I wasn't able to make it due to bathroom issues (and the fact that there is no bathroom in Oasis). However, I wasn't excited about the Chaos I knew was going to ensue. And I was right. In our minds, I think we might have thought we would pass out presents and enjoy Hot Chooclate and Paneton with the church in an informal setting. We knew it would be packed, but expected to be able to bond a little. It was nothing short of complete and utter chaos, begging, pushing, and unthankfulness. John said it was insane. He had to put everyone in the community center and each person received a gift as they left (to ensure that each person only got one) and then they headed to another location to get Paneton and hot chocolate. Well, he said the outsiders were shoving their kids through the windows and that little kids were climbing in them to get seconds. There were so many people that some of the regular church members did not get their gifts. And many people who committed to bring stuff did not. So we were short $15 worth of stuff to make hot chocolate and paneton. The people would then run over to get the hot chocolate and the entire neighborhood starting lining up for "free" food. Of course, this was not the intent. We are happy to serve them after the regular church attenders get served first.
John said that it was very hectic, hot and disorganized. He said it was NO fun and no one said thank you - NOT EVEN ONE! Bummer! A lot of money and planning went into that event, but it basically was just a begger's brawl.
Anyway, in short....lesson learned. We are not doing that again! Live and learn, right!
John said that it was very hectic, hot and disorganized. He said it was NO fun and no one said thank you - NOT EVEN ONE! Bummer! A lot of money and planning went into that event, but it basically was just a begger's brawl.
Anyway, in short....lesson learned. We are not doing that again! Live and learn, right!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Cultural Differences and Anecdotes
Yesterday each kid drew a name and bought a present for one of their brothers or sisters. Ally pulled Jaxson's name and bought him a flashlight. Unfortunately, he was with her when she bought it so he knew what he was getting. Last night after he went to bed, he called me to his room and said he really needed to talk to me. He informed me kindly that Christmas is NOT about presents....it is about JESUS! I agreed wholeheartedly. And then he reasoned that since it wasn't about presents that he needed me to give him his flashlight NOW so that at Christmas his present won't get in the way of the true meaning of Christmas! Now if that isn't deductive reasoning at it's finest - I don't know what is!
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When I was in the hospital a lady named Christina came to our house with her 3 children (ages 8, 6 and 2) to watch my children. Keep in mind that they live in very small delapitated shack with dirt floors in Oasis. Well, her daughter, bless her precious heart, went into our bathroom and squatted down comfortably, as she is accustomed to, and went potty (#1 & #2) all over the bathroom floor. Ally was mortified and called me in the hospital to tell me. And John and I had to assure her it was only because she doesn't know "how" to use a toilet. They usually squat in a corner and then cover it up with the dirt. Christina told me at the end of her stay here that my house was beautiful, but just too much work. I am sure that although to me her living conditions are unimaginable, that she feels the same about mine.
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In the hospital they brought me a pitcher of water - HOT WATER! Not warm, not cool, but hot! A few hours later I asked for some ice. 3 nurses came in to aske me "why" i needed the ice. Did my throat hurt? Was I feeling sick? What was the purpose of my ice?" I tried to explain to them that this was part of our culture, but they really didn't understand why in the world I would not want warm water. It was seriously a big deal to them that I asked for ice. When I explained to the one nurse that everyone in America drinks ice with water, she asked if it was because our throats hurt? LOL!
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My first night in the hospital I was having really bad night sweats because I was breaking the fever. The air conditioning was on about 75 in my room. The nurse came and in saw that I had been sweating and she felt my clothes and back. She told me I was sweating so much because the air conditioner was on. Huh?
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When I would use the bathroom in the hospital the nurses would follow me in, watch, hand me the toilet paper and then make sure that they "looked" before the toilet was flushed. It was SOOOO uncomfortable, but apparently this is very much a part of their culture. And a part of them "serving" me. UGH! I'd rather not be served this way. I'm sure you ALL agree.
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The local department store by my house has REALLY nice stuff and it is a little expensive. However, they have awesome discounts that make the prices very, very affordable. But guess what? You can ONLY receive the discount (including the 2 for 1 toys) if you use their Credit Card. So they put the ENTIRE store on sale (practically) and you can't get a discount until you want to use their credit card. That is just so sad! This culture does not have the means to be living this way. And from what I have heard, credit card debt is a HUGE problem here and the stores are only encouraging it.
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Peruvian Traditions at Christmas:
Paneton (think fruit cake) and hot chocolate (it's summer here and quite hot). And on Christmas Eve the families stay up until midnight to eat their Christmas dinner. NO THanks! I'd be so grumpy the next day. Apparently EVERYONE does this (except us).
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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When I was in the hospital a lady named Christina came to our house with her 3 children (ages 8, 6 and 2) to watch my children. Keep in mind that they live in very small delapitated shack with dirt floors in Oasis. Well, her daughter, bless her precious heart, went into our bathroom and squatted down comfortably, as she is accustomed to, and went potty (#1 & #2) all over the bathroom floor. Ally was mortified and called me in the hospital to tell me. And John and I had to assure her it was only because she doesn't know "how" to use a toilet. They usually squat in a corner and then cover it up with the dirt. Christina told me at the end of her stay here that my house was beautiful, but just too much work. I am sure that although to me her living conditions are unimaginable, that she feels the same about mine.
**************
In the hospital they brought me a pitcher of water - HOT WATER! Not warm, not cool, but hot! A few hours later I asked for some ice. 3 nurses came in to aske me "why" i needed the ice. Did my throat hurt? Was I feeling sick? What was the purpose of my ice?" I tried to explain to them that this was part of our culture, but they really didn't understand why in the world I would not want warm water. It was seriously a big deal to them that I asked for ice. When I explained to the one nurse that everyone in America drinks ice with water, she asked if it was because our throats hurt? LOL!
***************
My first night in the hospital I was having really bad night sweats because I was breaking the fever. The air conditioning was on about 75 in my room. The nurse came and in saw that I had been sweating and she felt my clothes and back. She told me I was sweating so much because the air conditioner was on. Huh?
**************
When I would use the bathroom in the hospital the nurses would follow me in, watch, hand me the toilet paper and then make sure that they "looked" before the toilet was flushed. It was SOOOO uncomfortable, but apparently this is very much a part of their culture. And a part of them "serving" me. UGH! I'd rather not be served this way. I'm sure you ALL agree.
***************
The local department store by my house has REALLY nice stuff and it is a little expensive. However, they have awesome discounts that make the prices very, very affordable. But guess what? You can ONLY receive the discount (including the 2 for 1 toys) if you use their Credit Card. So they put the ENTIRE store on sale (practically) and you can't get a discount until you want to use their credit card. That is just so sad! This culture does not have the means to be living this way. And from what I have heard, credit card debt is a HUGE problem here and the stores are only encouraging it.
****************
Peruvian Traditions at Christmas:
Paneton (think fruit cake) and hot chocolate (it's summer here and quite hot). And on Christmas Eve the families stay up until midnight to eat their Christmas dinner. NO THanks! I'd be so grumpy the next day. Apparently EVERYONE does this (except us).
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Friday, December 19, 2008
Shigella
Hi friends! I am home! I will write many more details later when I have all of my strength back. I am still weak and unfortunately the bathroom is still my best friend. I contracted an ineststinal infection through a bacteria in something I ate. The bacteria is called Shigella! Boy, it's a doozie! Hopefully in a few more days I will be back to normal. I am sooo glad to be home and feeling somewhat like a human being again. Thank you for your prayers.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Jessica in the Hospital
So I took Jessica and the rest of the family to the doctor. The doctor said, according to the preliminary lab work, Jessica has an infection. Possibly from food that she ate, but he will not be sure until the cultures come back tomorrow. He also said he did not feel comfortable letting her go home, because she was dehydrated. He wanted to start her on I.V.'s and antibiotics ASAP. Since his office is in a hopsital, we went downstairs and he admitted her right away. He is going to keep her there at least until Friday morning. But praise the Lord that he does not think it is anything like malaria or dengue fever. Thank you for continuing to pray.
Update on Jess
John wrote:
I made her an appointment to see the doctor today at 5 p.m. The doctor ordered 2 viles of blood and a stool sample. We got the fever down to 100.4 after 1000 mg. of Naproxen. She said the Alleve just makes the body aches and headache barable. She is thinking she contracted malaria or some type of "third world" disease or parasite. I will let you know what we find out.
I made her an appointment to see the doctor today at 5 p.m. The doctor ordered 2 viles of blood and a stool sample. We got the fever down to 100.4 after 1000 mg. of Naproxen. She said the Alleve just makes the body aches and headache barable. She is thinking she contracted malaria or some type of "third world" disease or parasite. I will let you know what we find out.
prayer for Jessica
John wrote:
Please say a prayer for Jessica. Last night around 8 a.m. she mentioned she was nauseous and we thought it might have been from the seafood soup she ate at 4 p.m. Well, she ate some crackers and the nauseousness subsided, but then she developed a high fever very quickly. She has only had 1 other fever (a few months ago) in 5 years. Her body began to ache strongly and she spent most of the night with a high fever and terrible body aches. Around 4 a.m. the nauseousness resumed and she became ill in 2 other ways (if you know what I mean). She is in bed and has no strength to even sit up. I have never seen her this ill. Will you please pray for her? No one else in the family is sick. It's odd how quickly it just came on and was out of the blue!
Please say a prayer for Jessica. Last night around 8 a.m. she mentioned she was nauseous and we thought it might have been from the seafood soup she ate at 4 p.m. Well, she ate some crackers and the nauseousness subsided, but then she developed a high fever very quickly. She has only had 1 other fever (a few months ago) in 5 years. Her body began to ache strongly and she spent most of the night with a high fever and terrible body aches. Around 4 a.m. the nauseousness resumed and she became ill in 2 other ways (if you know what I mean). She is in bed and has no strength to even sit up. I have never seen her this ill. Will you please pray for her? No one else in the family is sick. It's odd how quickly it just came on and was out of the blue!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
what the church looks like in Oasis
Do you ever get so behind in blogging that you have zero desire to start? Well, that's where I am right now.
Okay, so God is really growing the church in Oasis. It is just simply unbelievable to think that a few months ago there were only 1 - 4 people that showed up or sometimes NONE! And this past week we had 40 adults and at least 30 children. Before the service we are now having Bible study/discipleship classes. Here is the schedule in case you are interested:
Sunday afternoons:
3 p.m. Ladies Bible Study, Men's Bible study and Teen's Bible study! There is also a small activity time for the little kids so that the parents can come to the studies. We meet in a small community center that is very third world. The lights don't work so we open the wood planks (windows) for air and light. The floor is concrete (praise God), but usually covered with a thin layer of dirt. The benches were hand made by a mission team. They are nothing fancy, but serve the purpose. The women meet in the community center for the women's study led by me (averaging 15-20 women each week). The walls are made of a very cheap ply-wood, but they serve the purpose to provide a structure and a place to have church.
The men meet outside in the dirt for the study led by John. They sit on the benches and try to focus as dogs and children run by constantly.
The little kids meet in some kind of small classroom that is also concrete with no lights.
The study last for 45 minutes and women are straggling in until the very end (along with nursing babies, toddlers and stray flea-infested dogs). We usually have at least one dog interrupting. It is impossible to keep them out.
The women don't have Bibles so everytime someone new comes in I have to stop the study and give them a Bible (which is only New Testament) and explain to them where we are and what we are talking about. This happens at least 10 times during the study.
The study ends with me praying...the same way it began. No one wants to pray out loud probably because they don't know how to yet. I did have one woman who prayed last week, but it turns out she is Jehovah Witness.
Anyway, we meet for service at 4 p.m. All the kids and adults gather in one room and we have a time of worship. John usually sings (No, that is not his gift). He has now recruited a guy to sing and play guitar, but he came 20 minutes late last week so John had to lead half of the singing. He is such a good sport about it.
After worship the kids separate and go to there own classes. Children from ages 6-10 go a class with a national woman named Christina. We are trying to train her up to be a leader. She is happy to do this and doing a great job. John has to prepare everything for her in advance and he hands it to her each week and tells her what to do.
There is a similar class for children ages 1-5. They usually just color the story and have no interest in listening what so ever! We don't have the time, resources, or money to do fun little crafts every week. They are happy just coloring.
The service is preached by a national named Victor. He has a passionate heart to see the people walk with Christ. John tells him what to preach every week and Victor happily shares the message to the people. These people adore him. He is now going out there early every week to invest in the people, pray for them and share there needs.
Next week we are having a Choclatada and gifts for the people who attend church (not the whole neighborhood). All of the members are going to bring sugar or chocolate or something for the choclatada. I have no idea what it really is so I will let you know once we have it. They were SUPER excited to help out and have this event!
Another important note is that 7 people have decided to be Baptized in January. Also, we had a tithe offering for 2 weeks in a row. The first week we collected 13 soles, but 10 were contributed by us and Victor. Last week we collected 30 soles (5 from Victor). That is a total of $10. So we went from $3 to $10 in one week. Wow! They are already starting to be invested in the Church and obey the word of God.
Things are going fast, but slow at the same time. My entire group of women said they do not read their Bibles and 90% said they didn't own a Bible. Although we are constantly giving Bibles, we aren't sure what's happening to them. John wants to start a program that if they read 4 books of the new testament (the Gospels) and 2 of the old, he will give them a Bible.
Anyway, that is a quick glance of the ministry so far. We can't wait to see what God has in store.
We have 5 more areas waiting for us to come and plant a church. Can you believe it?
Okay, so God is really growing the church in Oasis. It is just simply unbelievable to think that a few months ago there were only 1 - 4 people that showed up or sometimes NONE! And this past week we had 40 adults and at least 30 children. Before the service we are now having Bible study/discipleship classes. Here is the schedule in case you are interested:
Sunday afternoons:
3 p.m. Ladies Bible Study, Men's Bible study and Teen's Bible study! There is also a small activity time for the little kids so that the parents can come to the studies. We meet in a small community center that is very third world. The lights don't work so we open the wood planks (windows) for air and light. The floor is concrete (praise God), but usually covered with a thin layer of dirt. The benches were hand made by a mission team. They are nothing fancy, but serve the purpose. The women meet in the community center for the women's study led by me (averaging 15-20 women each week). The walls are made of a very cheap ply-wood, but they serve the purpose to provide a structure and a place to have church.
The men meet outside in the dirt for the study led by John. They sit on the benches and try to focus as dogs and children run by constantly.
The little kids meet in some kind of small classroom that is also concrete with no lights.
The study last for 45 minutes and women are straggling in until the very end (along with nursing babies, toddlers and stray flea-infested dogs). We usually have at least one dog interrupting. It is impossible to keep them out.
The women don't have Bibles so everytime someone new comes in I have to stop the study and give them a Bible (which is only New Testament) and explain to them where we are and what we are talking about. This happens at least 10 times during the study.
The study ends with me praying...the same way it began. No one wants to pray out loud probably because they don't know how to yet. I did have one woman who prayed last week, but it turns out she is Jehovah Witness.
Anyway, we meet for service at 4 p.m. All the kids and adults gather in one room and we have a time of worship. John usually sings (No, that is not his gift). He has now recruited a guy to sing and play guitar, but he came 20 minutes late last week so John had to lead half of the singing. He is such a good sport about it.
After worship the kids separate and go to there own classes. Children from ages 6-10 go a class with a national woman named Christina. We are trying to train her up to be a leader. She is happy to do this and doing a great job. John has to prepare everything for her in advance and he hands it to her each week and tells her what to do.
There is a similar class for children ages 1-5. They usually just color the story and have no interest in listening what so ever! We don't have the time, resources, or money to do fun little crafts every week. They are happy just coloring.
The service is preached by a national named Victor. He has a passionate heart to see the people walk with Christ. John tells him what to preach every week and Victor happily shares the message to the people. These people adore him. He is now going out there early every week to invest in the people, pray for them and share there needs.
Next week we are having a Choclatada and gifts for the people who attend church (not the whole neighborhood). All of the members are going to bring sugar or chocolate or something for the choclatada. I have no idea what it really is so I will let you know once we have it. They were SUPER excited to help out and have this event!
Another important note is that 7 people have decided to be Baptized in January. Also, we had a tithe offering for 2 weeks in a row. The first week we collected 13 soles, but 10 were contributed by us and Victor. Last week we collected 30 soles (5 from Victor). That is a total of $10. So we went from $3 to $10 in one week. Wow! They are already starting to be invested in the Church and obey the word of God.
Things are going fast, but slow at the same time. My entire group of women said they do not read their Bibles and 90% said they didn't own a Bible. Although we are constantly giving Bibles, we aren't sure what's happening to them. John wants to start a program that if they read 4 books of the new testament (the Gospels) and 2 of the old, he will give them a Bible.
Anyway, that is a quick glance of the ministry so far. We can't wait to see what God has in store.
We have 5 more areas waiting for us to come and plant a church. Can you believe it?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Oasis - areal view
This is a great picture of the neighborhood Oasis in which we are currently trying to plant a church. I thought this would help give you an idea of where we work.
picts
Sorry, but I uploaded more picts. to the facebook account. It's much easier to do pictures there. There is a set of ministry pictures, lima-half marathon picts, and some kids shots under Jessica Greer Pham! I also posted 2 yummy recipes!
Things here are going great! It really feels like home. Tomorrow we are conference calling with our home church via skype during the service and I can't wait.
Please pray for the 6 people who have come forward to be Baptized. There are many details we are working out for this event. Please pray Satan is not a barrier.
Things here are going great! It really feels like home. Tomorrow we are conference calling with our home church via skype during the service and I can't wait.
Please pray for the 6 people who have come forward to be Baptized. There are many details we are working out for this event. Please pray Satan is not a barrier.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Language Update
We've almost been here for 4 months and FINALLY I feel very, very normal. I can understand most of what is being said around me. I have confidence to communicate again. I feel that my Spanish is finally improving and I am just overall very happy! :) I am making friends with my running club (running and Speaking Spanish and have a new friend, Stephanie, froma church I visited. We are having lunch on Thursday evening and I hired a new tutor and we are starting on Thursday. Today life felt so perfect and so very normal and settled. I even ran this evening with two girls from my running club and spoke Spanish for 40 minutes and it felt normal and comfortable. WOW! I just praise God that the transition period is FINALLY over! :)
Monday, December 8, 2008
Phamily Picture
We took a bunch of pictures tonight. To see more please check out the family pictures in my facebook account under Jessica Greer Pham! Blessings!
Phamily Picture
We took a bunch of pictures tonight. To see more please check out the family pictures in my facebook account under Jessica Greer Pham! Blessings!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
An unmerited gift
Also, I forgot to mention that there is a woman named Christina who has been helping us with the church. She is teaching the young kids Bible lessons. She has 4 children from 4 different men and really wants to walk with the Lord. Her house is the worst we have ever seen. The walls are caving in, the roof is tarps, the floor is dirt and 5 people sleep in a bunk bed. She is a single mom trying to do it all alone and cannot work because she has a 2 year old and a 6 year old. We don't know how she survives. The mission team from First Baptist McComb has generously offered to pay for her house to be fixed (new walls, floor, roof, house extended) and John and Victor are going to have to do all of the work, of course. They are also going to buy her a new bed and a give her money for groceries. When I told Christina this good news today she kept saying, "but why? I don't deserve this. I am not a good person! But why? Why me?" And all I could tell her was that this is a gift from God, just like Jesus. I reminded her of God's love for us and how he sent Jesus to die for us "while we were yet" sinners and how we don't deserve anything, but yet God keeps giving and pouring out his love to us - TOTALLY undeserved. I was so humbled to remember this truth in my own life and to see it poured out in another way through this unmerited gift of a fixed up house.
Life
This was too long to proof-read, so please ignore the typos, spelling and grammatical errors!
Today we went to visit the lady for whom we poured the concrete in her house. Remember, her baby has cancer. WOW! Her reception to us was almost cold. She didn't invite us in, acted as if she didn't know me (and I'm the one who set this up for her) and she definitely didn't say thank you or express any type of gratitude. I was kind of put off by her atitude and then right away the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of the AMAZING gift of salavation I have received from Jesus, but yet at times I am not thankful, act cold towards Him and don't invite Him into my daily happenings. My heart softened towards her and became repent towards God when I realized that I, too, am guilty of doing the same thing towards God, but DAILY and on a much grander scale.
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Yesterday we went to a GREAT beach. Once again, I got dressed, but this time in my bathing suit and swim dress. Can you believe I walked out of the house in my slippers again? How crazy is that? This time I realized it once we got into the parking garage to get in the car. Could you see me at the beach with my bedroom slippers on? Not cool!
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The beach was AMAZING! It had small kiddy pools for the kids to play in, umbrellas, lawn chairs, clean sand and a ton of restaurants with English music. We even ate world famous Ceviche yesterday. The only problem with the beach was that we were hastled every 3 second buy vendors trying to sell us stuff like fake tatoos, sunglasses, pirated movies and c.d's, ice-cream, snacks, sand toys and even beach clothes. You name it, we could buy it. We must've been asked no less than 40 times. This started to drive me nuts, but we endured it and had a magical day in the sun! It felt like a very normal day back home. And the beach is only 30 minutes away.
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Speaking of magical....last night I took the kids to downtown Miraflores (6 blocks from our apartment). I knew they were going to be having some kind of show, but I didn't know of what or when. So we went down and waited for about an hour until the show started. Guess what? Do you remember how I was so sad to leave Walt Disney World since I grew up there, worked there and frequented it like EVERY weekend. And holidays at Disney were the best. Well, God is so kind and unbeknownst to me, he surprised us with the best gift. He brought DISNEY to US! Yep, it was a 40 minute Disney Christmas presentation called Magica Navidad. Mickey, Minnie, dancers, singers, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast ALL came to see us. And it ended in with a grand fireworks spectacular. I could hardly even concentrate on the show becaue the entire time I just kept thinking, "Lord you are so incredible. This is incredible. Thank you for such a PERFECT gift." I so didn't want to leave Florida because of the great beaches, wonderful Christmas programs, but yet God is showing me that what He has is even better. I am so thankful that I let go and followed Him. What a MAGICAL NIGHT it was!
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Last weeks Bible study was awful so I didn't write about it. This week was GREAT! The women came and participated and are definitely warming up to me. We have a long, long, long way to go, but I am already seeing progress. Just the fact that they participated and asked me questions was huge. Normally they just sit and stare at me. We studied about following Jesus and living in obedience. I think it went REALLY well. John said his study was great too. We are learning more and more every week and things are starting to run smoother. We always end each Sunday night with a trip to McDonald's with the kids.
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And the last comment is about the lice. Today at Oasis, I saw this precious little girl who is about 3 that just adores me. She loves me to hold her and hug her and kiss her. Only problem is....her head is infested with lice. I felt so scared to even touch her. She is so precious! And then there were at least 5 flea infested dogs running around. They couldn't even stay on all fours for very long because they had to itch so bad! UGH!!! I definitely trying to get over my fear of fleas and lice. I think we have cleared out Ally's head and the rest of us our fine (for now). :)
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John and I are starting a new schedule this week. I will homeschool M,T,W & F. Thursdays will be my day for continued language learning, tutoring and other things that need to get done. I will be out of the house on these days and he will be doing "light" homeschooling with the kids. This will help my stress level SOOO much because I have a lot to do that I am just not getting done. He is looking forward to it and so I am. This way I won't be putting a Bible Study 2 hours before I have to walk out the door. :)
********************
My mom is out of the hospital. I think she is doing better.
********************
GO GATORS!!!!!!!
Today we went to visit the lady for whom we poured the concrete in her house. Remember, her baby has cancer. WOW! Her reception to us was almost cold. She didn't invite us in, acted as if she didn't know me (and I'm the one who set this up for her) and she definitely didn't say thank you or express any type of gratitude. I was kind of put off by her atitude and then right away the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of the AMAZING gift of salavation I have received from Jesus, but yet at times I am not thankful, act cold towards Him and don't invite Him into my daily happenings. My heart softened towards her and became repent towards God when I realized that I, too, am guilty of doing the same thing towards God, but DAILY and on a much grander scale.
*********
Yesterday we went to a GREAT beach. Once again, I got dressed, but this time in my bathing suit and swim dress. Can you believe I walked out of the house in my slippers again? How crazy is that? This time I realized it once we got into the parking garage to get in the car. Could you see me at the beach with my bedroom slippers on? Not cool!
***********
The beach was AMAZING! It had small kiddy pools for the kids to play in, umbrellas, lawn chairs, clean sand and a ton of restaurants with English music. We even ate world famous Ceviche yesterday. The only problem with the beach was that we were hastled every 3 second buy vendors trying to sell us stuff like fake tatoos, sunglasses, pirated movies and c.d's, ice-cream, snacks, sand toys and even beach clothes. You name it, we could buy it. We must've been asked no less than 40 times. This started to drive me nuts, but we endured it and had a magical day in the sun! It felt like a very normal day back home. And the beach is only 30 minutes away.
************
Speaking of magical....last night I took the kids to downtown Miraflores (6 blocks from our apartment). I knew they were going to be having some kind of show, but I didn't know of what or when. So we went down and waited for about an hour until the show started. Guess what? Do you remember how I was so sad to leave Walt Disney World since I grew up there, worked there and frequented it like EVERY weekend. And holidays at Disney were the best. Well, God is so kind and unbeknownst to me, he surprised us with the best gift. He brought DISNEY to US! Yep, it was a 40 minute Disney Christmas presentation called Magica Navidad. Mickey, Minnie, dancers, singers, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast ALL came to see us. And it ended in with a grand fireworks spectacular. I could hardly even concentrate on the show becaue the entire time I just kept thinking, "Lord you are so incredible. This is incredible. Thank you for such a PERFECT gift." I so didn't want to leave Florida because of the great beaches, wonderful Christmas programs, but yet God is showing me that what He has is even better. I am so thankful that I let go and followed Him. What a MAGICAL NIGHT it was!
********************
Last weeks Bible study was awful so I didn't write about it. This week was GREAT! The women came and participated and are definitely warming up to me. We have a long, long, long way to go, but I am already seeing progress. Just the fact that they participated and asked me questions was huge. Normally they just sit and stare at me. We studied about following Jesus and living in obedience. I think it went REALLY well. John said his study was great too. We are learning more and more every week and things are starting to run smoother. We always end each Sunday night with a trip to McDonald's with the kids.
********************
And the last comment is about the lice. Today at Oasis, I saw this precious little girl who is about 3 that just adores me. She loves me to hold her and hug her and kiss her. Only problem is....her head is infested with lice. I felt so scared to even touch her. She is so precious! And then there were at least 5 flea infested dogs running around. They couldn't even stay on all fours for very long because they had to itch so bad! UGH!!! I definitely trying to get over my fear of fleas and lice. I think we have cleared out Ally's head and the rest of us our fine (for now). :)
********************
John and I are starting a new schedule this week. I will homeschool M,T,W & F. Thursdays will be my day for continued language learning, tutoring and other things that need to get done. I will be out of the house on these days and he will be doing "light" homeschooling with the kids. This will help my stress level SOOO much because I have a lot to do that I am just not getting done. He is looking forward to it and so I am. This way I won't be putting a Bible Study 2 hours before I have to walk out the door. :)
********************
My mom is out of the hospital. I think she is doing better.
********************
GO GATORS!!!!!!!
Friday, December 5, 2008
A small little wish list
Okay...after yesterday's Christmas card plea I received a bunch of e-mails asking for things to send for our kids. Here is a short list of things the kids like, but definitely don't need. Anything you send should be placed in a brown padded envelope (all sizes are acceptable) and list the yard sale value. Take everything out of it's original packaging to make the package lighter. Shipping is quite expensive so I recommend sending it the slowest, cheapest way possible. Thank you for thinking of us and even asking:
Kid's sunglasses
Lip Smackers lip gloss (all flavors)
Stickers of all kinds
Little notebooks
Colorful pens and pencils
Paddle balls from the dollar store
ANYTHING from the dollar tree
anything small with Disney on it.
Pre-K and K workbooks from dollar tree.
Anything from the dollar section at Target when you walk in. THey have the best stuff.
Little calendars, papers, pencils, pens.
Toothbrushes
Extra green chewing gum in the big pack (the sleeve).
PRetty much anything cheap that you would put in a stocking, but please not candy.
And markers - crayola washable. They are just so expensive here. We cannot afford to buy them and we go through them like water.
Ally loves Dora, Avery Loves Barney, Jaxson loves LazyTown and Parker loves anything hunting or Toy Story. :)
Hope this helps! We love you ALL!
Kid's sunglasses
Lip Smackers lip gloss (all flavors)
Stickers of all kinds
Little notebooks
Colorful pens and pencils
Paddle balls from the dollar store
ANYTHING from the dollar tree
anything small with Disney on it.
Pre-K and K workbooks from dollar tree.
Anything from the dollar section at Target when you walk in. THey have the best stuff.
Little calendars, papers, pencils, pens.
Toothbrushes
Extra green chewing gum in the big pack (the sleeve).
PRetty much anything cheap that you would put in a stocking, but please not candy.
And markers - crayola washable. They are just so expensive here. We cannot afford to buy them and we go through them like water.
Ally loves Dora, Avery Loves Barney, Jaxson loves LazyTown and Parker loves anything hunting or Toy Story. :)
Hope this helps! We love you ALL!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Christmas Card Plea
We would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to receive your Christmas card/pictures. It will make it feel more like home for us. Our address is:
Jessica and John Pham
Mision Bautista
Apartado 18-0765
Lima 18
Peru
THANK YOU!
Jessica and John Pham
Mision Bautista
Apartado 18-0765
Lima 18
Peru
THANK YOU!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Mom
I forgot to update on my mom. She is in the hospital once again. She had her surgery over a week ago and was recovering fine. But was admitted yesterday due to her hand turning black and blue again (circulation). I don't know much except she needs continued prayer and there is an issue with her blood that they are trying to resolve. She is scared about losing her hand and is in a lot of pain, but the report I received was that the dr. believes she will not lose it. THe good news is that she is not smoking. :)
Life
I'm still alive! No worries! The Lima half-marathon didn't kill me after all! It was a wonderful, awesome experience. There were lots of runners and we received a very cool Nike shirt, that was at least worth the price of admission. I ran alone and soaked up every minute of the race. Remember I said I would be happy with anything under 2:05. Well, I ran it in 2:02:45. WOOOHOOOO! That is about 9:27 a mile if you are . record keeper. :) The race finished in this park of HUGE fountains. It was seriously like the fountains at Epcot only bigger and LOTS of them. It was magical feeling and now I want to visit that park again!
I signed up for another half-marathon for December 14th. I wasn't going to do it, but John said yes and it runs RIGHT in front of my house and is on my normal running route. HOw cool is that? And...the entrance fee was only $11 (and I get a new t-shirt to boot). So next race, I am going to try to come in under 2 hours if I possibly can.
Today I banged up our new van pretty bad. I hit the wall as I was entering our parking garage. It's not good! I don't understand how I didn't cry, but somehow I managed to chalk it up to "that's life. Things happen." I hope the IMB feels the same way! EEEKKK!!!
Ministry on Sundays is becoming more and more hectic. We enjoy it, but it's definitely presenting its challenges. We just never expected things to take off so quickly, but we should've because that is the kind of God we serve. He thinks BIG!!!
Well, we flea bombed our house and car yesterday. Please pray the fleas are gone. This has been quite an ordeal trying to get rid of them. But we are thankful for the opportunity to work in the South Cone, so I think that means we are thankful for the fleas too!
One more thing to note....very sad. John's step-mother (the one who was married to John's dad), just lost her oldest son (25ish) the day before Thanksgiving. She lost her son and her husband within 2 months of each other. I think it might've even been to the day. Please pray for her. Our hearts are grieving with her. He was killed in a tragic car chase while working for the Miami Dade Police Department.
Sorry to end on such a sad note. But things here are good (except the car). We bought Christmas decorations, have unpacked our house and are slowly decorating it. We just love this comfy little home God has given us.
I signed up for another half-marathon for December 14th. I wasn't going to do it, but John said yes and it runs RIGHT in front of my house and is on my normal running route. HOw cool is that? And...the entrance fee was only $11 (and I get a new t-shirt to boot). So next race, I am going to try to come in under 2 hours if I possibly can.
Today I banged up our new van pretty bad. I hit the wall as I was entering our parking garage. It's not good! I don't understand how I didn't cry, but somehow I managed to chalk it up to "that's life. Things happen." I hope the IMB feels the same way! EEEKKK!!!
Ministry on Sundays is becoming more and more hectic. We enjoy it, but it's definitely presenting its challenges. We just never expected things to take off so quickly, but we should've because that is the kind of God we serve. He thinks BIG!!!
Well, we flea bombed our house and car yesterday. Please pray the fleas are gone. This has been quite an ordeal trying to get rid of them. But we are thankful for the opportunity to work in the South Cone, so I think that means we are thankful for the fleas too!
One more thing to note....very sad. John's step-mother (the one who was married to John's dad), just lost her oldest son (25ish) the day before Thanksgiving. She lost her son and her husband within 2 months of each other. I think it might've even been to the day. Please pray for her. Our hearts are grieving with her. He was killed in a tragic car chase while working for the Miami Dade Police Department.
Sorry to end on such a sad note. But things here are good (except the car). We bought Christmas decorations, have unpacked our house and are slowly decorating it. We just love this comfy little home God has given us.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Our crate of stuff arrived none other than on Thanksgiving day. CAn you believe it? The one day when there were no other gringos available to help, we finally received our stuff. Today we unpacked, unpacked and unpacked some more. It's seriously like Christmas since we haven't seen most of this stuff in over a year and a half. How fun!
Something really cute that Avery said....
She found some sparkley silver shoes that we packed away for her. And she calls them her "Sparks for Jesus" shoes. Her big sister recently memorized the Sparks for Jesus song for cubbies and since the shoes are sparkley, she made the connection. So all day long she ketp wanting to put on her "Sparks for Jesus." It was precious.
And....tomorrow I am FINALLY running the Lima half-marathon. It starts at 9 a.m. so I should be good and hot for about 2 hours. Fun, fun.....MY goals are:
to enjoy the race, have fun, and finish uninjured. I am not concerned about my time. However, if I happened to come in around 2:05 or less I would be really, really, really happy! But no biggie if I don't. :)
Something really cute that Avery said....
She found some sparkley silver shoes that we packed away for her. And she calls them her "Sparks for Jesus" shoes. Her big sister recently memorized the Sparks for Jesus song for cubbies and since the shoes are sparkley, she made the connection. So all day long she ketp wanting to put on her "Sparks for Jesus." It was precious.
And....tomorrow I am FINALLY running the Lima half-marathon. It starts at 9 a.m. so I should be good and hot for about 2 hours. Fun, fun.....MY goals are:
to enjoy the race, have fun, and finish uninjured. I am not concerned about my time. However, if I happened to come in around 2:05 or less I would be really, really, really happy! But no biggie if I don't. :)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The doctor was able to save my mother's hand. What an answer to prayer. She is home from the hospital and trying to recover. I am working on trying to help her get some kind of govenmental assistance.
Tonight/today was the first Training for Trainers (discipleship program) with our core group out in Oasis. I will have John update you.
I forgot to tell you that last week we went down to immigration in Lima and I was so hurried to get out the door that I walked out with 4 kids in tow, totally dressed with hair and makeup and my BRIGHT PINK bedroom slippers. I had to walk 2 blocks and be at the immigration office for 4 hours with them. I was so embarrased, but yet had to laugh.
Tonight/today was the first Training for Trainers (discipleship program) with our core group out in Oasis. I will have John update you.
I forgot to tell you that last week we went down to immigration in Lima and I was so hurried to get out the door that I walked out with 4 kids in tow, totally dressed with hair and makeup and my BRIGHT PINK bedroom slippers. I had to walk 2 blocks and be at the immigration office for 4 hours with them. I was so embarrased, but yet had to laugh.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
MOM
Well, my mom wasn't even home a week when she had to return back to the hospital. Someone e-mailed me and said maybe God allowed her to go home so that He could save her life. It must be so. Yesterday she had to go to the E.R. of Celebration Hospital because her hand turned black from lack of circulation. They transferred her to Florida Hospital Orlando and today, minutes after another angiogram, she was rushed to Emergency Surgery for her 4th bypass in 8 years. The doctor fears she might lose her hand. He did the best he could to save it, but the next few days are crucial. Before the surgery he was not very optimistic. I don't know now what he thinks. Please keep praying! She is obviously freaked out. Her father had a double amputation of his legs for the same reason! THanks for your prayers. When I told my dad about the situation tonight he said, "So in other words this doctor was concerned about saving a life, not making a buck." He was obviously referring to the other doctor who sent her home after 2 weeks of doing essentially nothing because she didn't have healthcare.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Concrete Floor
Yesterday John drove out to the South Cone (about 35 minutes) at 8 a.m. in the morning to help lay concrete on the floor I posted about a few days earlier. The family was suppose to have ALL the furniture and their belongings moved out (which trust me, is hardly anything) of the house so that John could buy the concrete and get them going on the process. He didn't want to just give them the money. He wants to see that the concrete is actually poured. Well, he showed up and they were not even there. He tracked them down at the market and they were happy to see him, but they had done NOTHING because honestly.......they didn't really believe he would show up! The lady flat-out told John that she didn't believe he would come. So imagine her surprise when he actually did. And imagine his, when nothing was done! He just left a few minutes ago to "try" again today. They have roped in some neighbors and family members that are going to help this dear family get concrete floors for their ill baby. John said she was so happy she wanted to do it right that moment yesterday, but John couldn't. Can you imagine having so very little that the thought of a concrete floor in your house brought you to tears? Most of us would cringe even if we had dirty ol' linoleum. And concrete would certainly NOT be acceptable. But they live in dirt and for them getting concrete would be like us getting beautiful wood floors. WOW!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Crazy day
Going private in a few days. If I have your e-mail address, you don't need to e-mail me for an invite. Only if you think I don't have your e-mail.
Quick update:
60 kids tonight at Bible Study and over 50 adults. WOW! We think that is a record. 3 weeks ago NO ONE was showing up! NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!! We were TOTALLY not expecting such an AMAZING turnout. Totally God's hand moving in this area. Unprepared and ill-equipped. We are learnign SOOOOOO much about what NOT to do. Trial by error, for sure.
I was in charge of 60 kids with NO help. Finally one lady came to help me, but it was virtually impossible. Bad Spanish! Not prepared! Rowdy Kids = DISASTER!!!!!! Not feeling like I have the gift to teach really young kids. Not my calling, not my gift. Bring on the drug addicts and alcoholics, but I REALLY, REALLY struggled with the kids today. And UGH...when am I going to learn to speak Spanish? LOL!!!!
Next week we are starting our discipleship groups! I am going to start a morality study with the women, John will be teaching the men and then a journey girl is going to teach the youth. And then after the groups, we will have "church." Discipleship at 4 p.m. and church at 5 p.m. Really hoping these groups take off so we can train up leaders to run the church. Our desire is not for John to be "the pastor" but to train the nationals to do it. So far, there is zero spiritual maturity in this group, so it is NOT possible for us to leave. However, one person does want to get baptized. That is definitely a start in the direction of obedience.
Please continue to pray for us as the needs are GREAT so, so great, but the workers are few!
Quick update:
60 kids tonight at Bible Study and over 50 adults. WOW! We think that is a record. 3 weeks ago NO ONE was showing up! NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!! We were TOTALLY not expecting such an AMAZING turnout. Totally God's hand moving in this area. Unprepared and ill-equipped. We are learnign SOOOOOO much about what NOT to do. Trial by error, for sure.
I was in charge of 60 kids with NO help. Finally one lady came to help me, but it was virtually impossible. Bad Spanish! Not prepared! Rowdy Kids = DISASTER!!!!!! Not feeling like I have the gift to teach really young kids. Not my calling, not my gift. Bring on the drug addicts and alcoholics, but I REALLY, REALLY struggled with the kids today. And UGH...when am I going to learn to speak Spanish? LOL!!!!
Next week we are starting our discipleship groups! I am going to start a morality study with the women, John will be teaching the men and then a journey girl is going to teach the youth. And then after the groups, we will have "church." Discipleship at 4 p.m. and church at 5 p.m. Really hoping these groups take off so we can train up leaders to run the church. Our desire is not for John to be "the pastor" but to train the nationals to do it. So far, there is zero spiritual maturity in this group, so it is NOT possible for us to leave. However, one person does want to get baptized. That is definitely a start in the direction of obedience.
Please continue to pray for us as the needs are GREAT so, so great, but the workers are few!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A GREAT SATURDAY
FLEA INFESTATION! Jaxson has over 100 bites on just 1 arm. Avery has over 100 on her body. We have brought these home from the areas we are working in. They are almost impossible to get rid of now that they are here. We just got over a pin-worm outbreak! No lice - YET! :)
I am GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE MY BLOG PRIVATE again! SOOOO many people that I DO NOT know are reading it. That is not the purpose. It's for friends, family and praying churches. Once again, let me know if you want to be added. You can e-mail me at phamilyof6@yahoo.com.
FINALLY after 19 months of no bicycles we bought bikes for the kids with some Christmas money that was sent to us. What a blast we had on this spring-like day down by the beach park riding our new bikes. We bought 4 for the kids for $170 in total. An awesome family member sent us some Christmas money early. The kids are super excited. We will really have a great summer now. Summer is starting here, BTW!
Ran 15.5 miles with two friends from running club. We had 2 hours of Spanish and I seriously have a hard time with Spanish and running at the same time. Not enought brain power and body power at the same time! Something has to give, so it will be my Spanish when I'm running!
Going private soon...so e-mail me. Also, I felt compelled to disable the comments because I post for your to keep up. You can always e-mail me personally or call! I love PHONE CALLS!
I am GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE MY BLOG PRIVATE again! SOOOO many people that I DO NOT know are reading it. That is not the purpose. It's for friends, family and praying churches. Once again, let me know if you want to be added. You can e-mail me at phamilyof6@yahoo.com.
FINALLY after 19 months of no bicycles we bought bikes for the kids with some Christmas money that was sent to us. What a blast we had on this spring-like day down by the beach park riding our new bikes. We bought 4 for the kids for $170 in total. An awesome family member sent us some Christmas money early. The kids are super excited. We will really have a great summer now. Summer is starting here, BTW!
Ran 15.5 miles with two friends from running club. We had 2 hours of Spanish and I seriously have a hard time with Spanish and running at the same time. Not enought brain power and body power at the same time! Something has to give, so it will be my Spanish when I'm running!
Going private soon...so e-mail me. Also, I felt compelled to disable the comments because I post for your to keep up. You can always e-mail me personally or call! I love PHONE CALLS!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Some Mississippi Lovin
A few human need stories (as brief as I can possibly be) from this week:
A young 20 year old girl was born with dislocated hips. She walks with a heavy limp and is in constant pain. One of the men from the mission team is an Orthopedic surgeon. He noticed her walking through her neighborhood last year when he came and spent some time examining her. He has lined up a doctor in the states that will do a total hip replacement for this young 20 year old girl (with 2 babies, ages 3 and 7 months). She really needs this surgery and will have to stay in the states for a month. All of her expenses will be covered. The only hitch is that now we are trying to get her a medical visa and that could take some time and a lot of leg work. She is extremely poor and lives in shack that only has a bed, table and bench. The walls in her place are literally made of blue tarps or sheets. After we visited her house, I couldn't sleep that night out of sadness and a sense of desperation of how she lives. She is the sweetest young women and is desperately trying to seek the Lord. Please pray for her. I am hoping to be able to disciple her more intensely.
Also, another young woman came up to me asking for help with her baby. She has a 15 month old baby girl who has a cancerous tumor in her neck. The tumor use to be the size of 2 tennis balls sticking out from her neck (I will scan the before and after pictures and put them up tomorrow). She has been receiving Chemo several times a month for 7ish months. The family lives in the same kind of conditions as everyone else and they too have a dirt floor and very unsanitary conditions. The doctor has requested that the baby not live with a dirt floor because of the bacteria and unsanitary conditions for a baby that is undergoing chemo. Plus, the neighborhood is filled with flea infested dogs (and the fleas are infesting our house too). Anyway, I brought the doctor into the situation and he spoke with the mission team and a concrete floor is about $80. The team generously donated the money and John is going on Sunday to buy the materials and help them put the concrete floor (yes, the kind we would put in our driveway and nothing will be over it) in their house. This little improvement will greatly improve the quality of life for ALL of them and especially for baby Yolinda. It is our desire to see this baby get healthy and live a long and healthy life and hopefully she will learn about the Christians who helped her out of their love for God and for people.
The team from Mississippi was just amazing. They had hearts to reach every single person for Christ. They shared and shared and worked and worked. They were very passionate in making the love of God known to the Urban poor. It was so encouraging and refreshing to be around them.
They had a birthday party on Tuesday night for ALL of OUR kids complete with a cake and a bag of toys for each one of them. It was truly magical for our little ones. It was like Christmas for them. HOW GENEROUS!
Last night we had to say good-bye to the team and Avery and Parker cried and cried and cried as we said our farewells. Even this morning the kids woke up feeling down over having to say goodbye to our new friends. I must say, we came to LOVE them so quickly in such a short time. John and I will definitely be making a trip to McComb, Mississippi when we return to the states. And hopefully they will come back next year so we can do a HEAVY emphasis on discipleship in this area.
The team also left ALL of the clothes they brought with them so that we can pass them out next week. I cleaned out the girls closets and took some clothes to the little kids and would give some shoes to one girl, dresses to another. They were so thankful. They literally have nothing so it's not like I am creating a dependence, I am just trying to meet a true HUMAN need in the name of Christ.
So many from the team commented that they didn't know how John and I were doing this week after week. All I can say is that when you know, know, know that God has called you to something, you are FILLED with joy and excitement to be doing it. We are the most fulfilled we have ever, ever been and it HAS to be from being right where God wants us.
I almost forgot to mention that 66 people made decisions for Christ. Now....we need to teach them to grow in Christ. :)
A young 20 year old girl was born with dislocated hips. She walks with a heavy limp and is in constant pain. One of the men from the mission team is an Orthopedic surgeon. He noticed her walking through her neighborhood last year when he came and spent some time examining her. He has lined up a doctor in the states that will do a total hip replacement for this young 20 year old girl (with 2 babies, ages 3 and 7 months). She really needs this surgery and will have to stay in the states for a month. All of her expenses will be covered. The only hitch is that now we are trying to get her a medical visa and that could take some time and a lot of leg work. She is extremely poor and lives in shack that only has a bed, table and bench. The walls in her place are literally made of blue tarps or sheets. After we visited her house, I couldn't sleep that night out of sadness and a sense of desperation of how she lives. She is the sweetest young women and is desperately trying to seek the Lord. Please pray for her. I am hoping to be able to disciple her more intensely.
Also, another young woman came up to me asking for help with her baby. She has a 15 month old baby girl who has a cancerous tumor in her neck. The tumor use to be the size of 2 tennis balls sticking out from her neck (I will scan the before and after pictures and put them up tomorrow). She has been receiving Chemo several times a month for 7ish months. The family lives in the same kind of conditions as everyone else and they too have a dirt floor and very unsanitary conditions. The doctor has requested that the baby not live with a dirt floor because of the bacteria and unsanitary conditions for a baby that is undergoing chemo. Plus, the neighborhood is filled with flea infested dogs (and the fleas are infesting our house too). Anyway, I brought the doctor into the situation and he spoke with the mission team and a concrete floor is about $80. The team generously donated the money and John is going on Sunday to buy the materials and help them put the concrete floor (yes, the kind we would put in our driveway and nothing will be over it) in their house. This little improvement will greatly improve the quality of life for ALL of them and especially for baby Yolinda. It is our desire to see this baby get healthy and live a long and healthy life and hopefully she will learn about the Christians who helped her out of their love for God and for people.
The team from Mississippi was just amazing. They had hearts to reach every single person for Christ. They shared and shared and worked and worked. They were very passionate in making the love of God known to the Urban poor. It was so encouraging and refreshing to be around them.
They had a birthday party on Tuesday night for ALL of OUR kids complete with a cake and a bag of toys for each one of them. It was truly magical for our little ones. It was like Christmas for them. HOW GENEROUS!
Last night we had to say good-bye to the team and Avery and Parker cried and cried and cried as we said our farewells. Even this morning the kids woke up feeling down over having to say goodbye to our new friends. I must say, we came to LOVE them so quickly in such a short time. John and I will definitely be making a trip to McComb, Mississippi when we return to the states. And hopefully they will come back next year so we can do a HEAVY emphasis on discipleship in this area.
The team also left ALL of the clothes they brought with them so that we can pass them out next week. I cleaned out the girls closets and took some clothes to the little kids and would give some shoes to one girl, dresses to another. They were so thankful. They literally have nothing so it's not like I am creating a dependence, I am just trying to meet a true HUMAN need in the name of Christ.
So many from the team commented that they didn't know how John and I were doing this week after week. All I can say is that when you know, know, know that God has called you to something, you are FILLED with joy and excitement to be doing it. We are the most fulfilled we have ever, ever been and it HAS to be from being right where God wants us.
I almost forgot to mention that 66 people made decisions for Christ. Now....we need to teach them to grow in Christ. :)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I have a ton to update about the mission team and our experiences, but it will have to be done later due to lack of time. All I can say is WOW! I didn't sleep much last night due to a burden over the spiritual and physical poverty these people live with.
For now, just wanted to give a quick update on my mom. Wish I was joking, but the hospital sent her home yesterday. She left a message saying they were sending her home to die and refused surgery because she doesn't have insurance and I guess Shand's hospital wouldn't help either. My faith is being strengthened knowing that ONLY God can make something out of nothing and He is in the business of miracles. And also, that doctors are NOT THE ONLY WAY that a person can be treated or healed! And who says a doctor is ALWAYS right. I'm truly leaning on my faith with this situation because if I didn't, I might freak out! :)
More updates later!!!!!! Jess
For now, just wanted to give a quick update on my mom. Wish I was joking, but the hospital sent her home yesterday. She left a message saying they were sending her home to die and refused surgery because she doesn't have insurance and I guess Shand's hospital wouldn't help either. My faith is being strengthened knowing that ONLY God can make something out of nothing and He is in the business of miracles. And also, that doctors are NOT THE ONLY WAY that a person can be treated or healed! And who says a doctor is ALWAYS right. I'm truly leaning on my faith with this situation because if I didn't, I might freak out! :)
More updates later!!!!!! Jess
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I forgot to give an update, in case you are praying, of my mom. She is still in PCU (a downgrade from ICU) and is waiting to be transferred to Shand's in Gainesville. Hopefully they will move her sometime today. She should be having more tests and some time of vascular or heart surgery in the next few days.
Mission team update
We are on day #3 of our evangelistic/medical mission trip.
There are so many things we have seen and experienced these past few days. The team that is here is from McComb, Mississippi and they are just precious.
Each day we:
Go door to door in the mornings inviting people to our VBS, praying with them and Sharing Christ.
A doctor that is on the trip has a long line of patients waiting to be seen and I have been praying with them as they come out from seeing Him. We have been sharing the good news during this time as well.
After lunch we host a training for the locals to come and learn to teach the Bible Stories to children. That hasn't gone so well, so we had to adjust that time. Most of the national women just don't have the ability to do it.
Then we have a small VBS outside in a BIG dirt field on blue tarps. We use felt board to illustrate the stories. Someone from the team shares the story in English (the kids are broken up into 4 groups) and then the story is translated into Spanish. I have had the opportunity to translate CONSTANTLY each day. We then give the kids a small snack and put a mark on their hands so they don't return multiple times. They quickly figured they can remove the mark and continued to return. It was annoying, yet cute at the same time.
After that we hold a service of worship, testimony and preaching that lasts for about an hour.
And then we quickly have to pack up and get out of there before it gets dark, because it is SUPER dangerous there at night.
Here are some prayer requests:
1. DISCIPLESHIP HAS to happen in these areas. They will accept Christ all day long, but there is NO growth and obedience to Christ. We need HELP! We can't do this alone. The need far outweighs our personal abilities.
2. We cannot reach many of the men because we can't go there at night. Please pray for some wisdom in this.
3. We are moving to another neighborhood for the next two days. Please pray for open hearts, a willingness to receive what we are sharing and for God to move mightily.
4. Many, many strongholds - incest is HUGE, alcoholism and gangs.
Yesterday when the team had to leave Oasis #1, the kids were crying and so was the team. It just broke my heart that they had to say goodbye to these people they have come to love. Many people from McComb come back year after year after year. It's amazing to see how God knits hearts together despite the language barrier and the distance.
One more quick story, there is a girl who was born with major dislocated hips. She is now grown and has 2 children. The doctor has arranged for her to go back to the states to receive a FREE hip replacement and care. She just needs to get a passport and visa. Please pray this goes through because it will improve this women's quality of life and pain level TREMENDOUSLY. America is very challenging when it comes to Visas.
We also met a women yesterday who had an abnormal pap-smear and she was heart-broken and didn't have the $17 needed to go back to the hospital and see the oncologist. She was given the money and we pray she receives the care she needs.
To God be the glory! Wish you were here with us!
There are so many things we have seen and experienced these past few days. The team that is here is from McComb, Mississippi and they are just precious.
Each day we:
Go door to door in the mornings inviting people to our VBS, praying with them and Sharing Christ.
A doctor that is on the trip has a long line of patients waiting to be seen and I have been praying with them as they come out from seeing Him. We have been sharing the good news during this time as well.
After lunch we host a training for the locals to come and learn to teach the Bible Stories to children. That hasn't gone so well, so we had to adjust that time. Most of the national women just don't have the ability to do it.
Then we have a small VBS outside in a BIG dirt field on blue tarps. We use felt board to illustrate the stories. Someone from the team shares the story in English (the kids are broken up into 4 groups) and then the story is translated into Spanish. I have had the opportunity to translate CONSTANTLY each day. We then give the kids a small snack and put a mark on their hands so they don't return multiple times. They quickly figured they can remove the mark and continued to return. It was annoying, yet cute at the same time.
After that we hold a service of worship, testimony and preaching that lasts for about an hour.
And then we quickly have to pack up and get out of there before it gets dark, because it is SUPER dangerous there at night.
Here are some prayer requests:
1. DISCIPLESHIP HAS to happen in these areas. They will accept Christ all day long, but there is NO growth and obedience to Christ. We need HELP! We can't do this alone. The need far outweighs our personal abilities.
2. We cannot reach many of the men because we can't go there at night. Please pray for some wisdom in this.
3. We are moving to another neighborhood for the next two days. Please pray for open hearts, a willingness to receive what we are sharing and for God to move mightily.
4. Many, many strongholds - incest is HUGE, alcoholism and gangs.
Yesterday when the team had to leave Oasis #1, the kids were crying and so was the team. It just broke my heart that they had to say goodbye to these people they have come to love. Many people from McComb come back year after year after year. It's amazing to see how God knits hearts together despite the language barrier and the distance.
One more quick story, there is a girl who was born with major dislocated hips. She is now grown and has 2 children. The doctor has arranged for her to go back to the states to receive a FREE hip replacement and care. She just needs to get a passport and visa. Please pray this goes through because it will improve this women's quality of life and pain level TREMENDOUSLY. America is very challenging when it comes to Visas.
We also met a women yesterday who had an abnormal pap-smear and she was heart-broken and didn't have the $17 needed to go back to the hospital and see the oncologist. She was given the money and we pray she receives the care she needs.
To God be the glory! Wish you were here with us!
Monday, November 10, 2008
A new life
Today is little Jaxson Dean's birthday!
Not only is it his physical birthday......
IT IS HIS SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY!
Parker went with us to share the Gospel of Christ ALL day long. He has been watching us do this for months.
Tonight, God moved in his heart to share with Jaxson Dean. Jaxson has never been interested in receiving Christ as His Savior. He understood it, but was not ready.
Tonight, both boys came in our room after they had laid down for the night and Jaxson loudly proclaimed..... "I ACCEPTED JESUS INTO MY HEART!"
Parker shared the Gospel with Jaxson and led him in prayer to receive Christ. What a beautiful picture of how God uses everyone that is available.
Jaxson came in just beaming and beaming and super excited. He said he can't wait to go with us so that he can tell people about Jesus too.
So we have Parker, the missionary son, and Jaxson, a new creation in Christ. Today is the beginning of a beautiful journey of our precious SON!!!!!! 5 years old and 1 hour old in Christ.
Not only is it his physical birthday......
IT IS HIS SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY!
Parker went with us to share the Gospel of Christ ALL day long. He has been watching us do this for months.
Tonight, God moved in his heart to share with Jaxson Dean. Jaxson has never been interested in receiving Christ as His Savior. He understood it, but was not ready.
Tonight, both boys came in our room after they had laid down for the night and Jaxson loudly proclaimed..... "I ACCEPTED JESUS INTO MY HEART!"
Parker shared the Gospel with Jaxson and led him in prayer to receive Christ. What a beautiful picture of how God uses everyone that is available.
Jaxson came in just beaming and beaming and super excited. He said he can't wait to go with us so that he can tell people about Jesus too.
So we have Parker, the missionary son, and Jaxson, a new creation in Christ. Today is the beginning of a beautiful journey of our precious SON!!!!!! 5 years old and 1 hour old in Christ.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Provisions
They moved my mother to a PCU room instead of ICU. She will be transferred on Monday or Tuesday to Shand's medical center in Gainesville, Florida. The angiogram shows quite a bit of damage and they don't know if all of it reparable. I was trying to get specifics out of my mom, but she didn't know and all she could tell me was that they needed to open her chest up (I believe this is called open heart surgery), there is a lot of damage and she needed a great specialist and the doctor did not feel qualified to do such an extensive surgery. She will be alone in Gainesville during this surgery as my step-dad does not have a vehicle to make the 2.5 hour trip to see her. I am thankful that they did not release her and are going to give her good medical care at Shands - even without insurance. This is a HUGE answer to prayer. My mom is still fearful she is going to die. I am hoping to get more information directly from a doctor once she arrives and is settled into Shands.
Another answer to prayer is that we have found a nanny for $10 a day to come in and take care of our children (yes, all 4 and she even offered to cook and clean) while we are working with the mission team this next week. She is a Peruvian National and she will be working from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. And yes, this is considered standard and good pay for her. She lives in one of the areas we are ministering in, so we are very happy to be able to provide her a job, even if it is only for a few days. This will be a great opportunity for the kids to build up their Spanish as well (and me too).
God is just full of provisions!
Another answer to prayer is that we have found a nanny for $10 a day to come in and take care of our children (yes, all 4 and she even offered to cook and clean) while we are working with the mission team this next week. She is a Peruvian National and she will be working from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. And yes, this is considered standard and good pay for her. She lives in one of the areas we are ministering in, so we are very happy to be able to provide her a job, even if it is only for a few days. This will be a great opportunity for the kids to build up their Spanish as well (and me too).
God is just full of provisions!
Good morning!
Wish I had great news to report on my mom, but I don't. I will spare you all the details (and trust me, there are A LOT of them), but basically she had her angiogram yesterday, things didn't look great. She needs a surgery to repare the blockage, but is without insurance. The doctor has not seen her in over 3 days and is not responding to phone calls. She is still in ICU, but alert, talking, stable and anxious. I still have not been able to talk with her due to their rules. The situation is not looking good as far as her getting the treatment that she NEEDS to continue with a long, healthy life. But God is able and He reminded me this morning of His love for people and His constant provision.
A mission team is coming in tonight. We are super, duper excited! We will be going out to Oasis everyday this week to teach the nationals how to lead a Vacation Bible Story, will do door to door evangelism and then will host a VBS each night. I am going to try to go as much as possible with the kiddos to share, evangelize and help where needed! Please be praying for open hearts - especially from the men in this area!
WE ARE HEALTHY NOW!!!! WOOOOHOOOOO! PRAISE THE LORD!
Wish I had great news to report on my mom, but I don't. I will spare you all the details (and trust me, there are A LOT of them), but basically she had her angiogram yesterday, things didn't look great. She needs a surgery to repare the blockage, but is without insurance. The doctor has not seen her in over 3 days and is not responding to phone calls. She is still in ICU, but alert, talking, stable and anxious. I still have not been able to talk with her due to their rules. The situation is not looking good as far as her getting the treatment that she NEEDS to continue with a long, healthy life. But God is able and He reminded me this morning of His love for people and His constant provision.
A mission team is coming in tonight. We are super, duper excited! We will be going out to Oasis everyday this week to teach the nationals how to lead a Vacation Bible Story, will do door to door evangelism and then will host a VBS each night. I am going to try to go as much as possible with the kiddos to share, evangelize and help where needed! Please be praying for open hearts - especially from the men in this area!
WE ARE HEALTHY NOW!!!! WOOOOHOOOOO! PRAISE THE LORD!
Good morning!
Wish I had great news to report on my mom, but I don't. I will spare you all the details (and trust me, there are A LOT of them), but basically she had her angiogram yesterday, things didn't look great. She needs a surgery to repare the blockage, but is without insurance. The doctor has not seen her in over 3 days and is not responding to phone calls. She is still in ICU, but alert, talking, stable and anxious. I still have not been able to talk with her due to their rules. The situation is not looking good as far as her getting the treatment that she NEEDS to continue with a long, healthy life. But God is able and He reminded me this morning of His love for people and His constant provision.
A mission team is coming in tonight. We are super, duper excited! We will be going out to Oasis everyday this week to teach the nationals how to lead a Vacation Bible Story, will do door to door evangelism and then will host a VBS each night. I am going to try to go as much as possible with the kiddos to share, evangelize and help where needed! Please be praying for open hearts - especially from the men in this area!
WE ARE HEALTHY NOW!!!! WOOOOHOOOOO! PRAISE THE LORD!
Wish I had great news to report on my mom, but I don't. I will spare you all the details (and trust me, there are A LOT of them), but basically she had her angiogram yesterday, things didn't look great. She needs a surgery to repare the blockage, but is without insurance. The doctor has not seen her in over 3 days and is not responding to phone calls. She is still in ICU, but alert, talking, stable and anxious. I still have not been able to talk with her due to their rules. The situation is not looking good as far as her getting the treatment that she NEEDS to continue with a long, healthy life. But God is able and He reminded me this morning of His love for people and His constant provision.
A mission team is coming in tonight. We are super, duper excited! We will be going out to Oasis everyday this week to teach the nationals how to lead a Vacation Bible Story, will do door to door evangelism and then will host a VBS each night. I am going to try to go as much as possible with the kiddos to share, evangelize and help where needed! Please be praying for open hearts - especially from the men in this area!
WE ARE HEALTHY NOW!!!! WOOOOHOOOOO! PRAISE THE LORD!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Mom
My mom is still in ICU and now they will not let me speak with her. I do know she is having an angiogram tomorrow. I am praying about what my role should be in her recovery as all she has is my step-dad, my brother (who is really not being supportive right now) and me. But I am filled with God's grace and peace and I'm not just saying that to sound all spiritual and stuff. I really am at peace with the situation. I'll let you know more when I know more.
This Friday night a mission team is coming to work with us for a solid week and we are going to inundate Oasis with the Gospel. :)
This Friday night a mission team is coming to work with us for a solid week and we are going to inundate Oasis with the Gospel. :)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
3 slideshows for the price of 1
3 sets of slideshows! Thought it would be easier to put all these in a slideshow than to upload a bunch to Blogger.
First slideshow is from the South Cone area of ministry called Oasis. It is anything but an Oasis. The captions tell you what each picture is.
The second slideshow is of our mock election day we had here at home today during homeschool. The kids loved it. And in the Pham house McCain won 3 to 2. You can see that Avery handed out the ballots. They are now familiar with "terms" and "casting your vote." Every child was very secretive about their vote and they each received a Dora Star sticker that symbolized they voted. They wore it all day. I even got a chance to vote again with the kids. Buy the way, you can see my hair pretty good in these pictures that Ally took. I cut and highlighted this all by my lonesome! :)
The last set is Parker playing basketball! :) He only fell 4 times today. Seriously, he is doing great, but if you know Parker you know that coordination is not his thing. Parker is the one in the grey pants and grey shirt.
First slideshow is from the South Cone area of ministry called Oasis. It is anything but an Oasis. The captions tell you what each picture is.
The second slideshow is of our mock election day we had here at home today during homeschool. The kids loved it. And in the Pham house McCain won 3 to 2. You can see that Avery handed out the ballots. They are now familiar with "terms" and "casting your vote." Every child was very secretive about their vote and they each received a Dora Star sticker that symbolized they voted. They wore it all day. I even got a chance to vote again with the kids. Buy the way, you can see my hair pretty good in these pictures that Ally took. I cut and highlighted this all by my lonesome! :)
The last set is Parker playing basketball! :) He only fell 4 times today. Seriously, he is doing great, but if you know Parker you know that coordination is not his thing. Parker is the one in the grey pants and grey shirt.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Mom and ministry
I was able to speak to my mom in the ICU last night and tonight. She was crying a lot and hard to understand. My aunt went to visit her today and said she is very ill, but yet fare at the same time. She seems to be improving, but is still in the ICU. They are talking about putting her in a hyperbarric chamber. I know nothing about that! It's still unclear exactly what is wrong with her, but obviously she is sick enough to need to be in ICU since Thursday. Please continue to pray for her. Talking to her helped me and her both. And my aunt and the pastor's wife from my church went to see her and this helped me as well.
Yesterday was an AMAZING day of ministry. Our first Bible study in Oasis had 6 adults and 40 children. The 2nd Bible Study had 15 adults and about 20 children. I have pictures and stories that I would like to share when I have more time. It is always such a blessing to be with the people God has called us to. There are still lots of strong-holds in these areas and it is hard to get people to consistently commit, but God is working and opening doors for us. We have a person of peace that is helping us as well as a national family in each place that is very interested in sharing the Gospel. A big problem that we have is that people lump us in with Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons and they think we are a cult.
We have a mission team coming this Friday and they will be working with us in OASIS for an entire week. I am going to try to go out everyday with the children and help share the Gospel, disciple, build relationships and whatever else God asks us to do.
I will be attending a women's Bible Study this Friday and I have an opportunity to teach it once a month. Please pray I will sense God's leading as to what I should teach and how the format will best suit them as well as my language abilities. This week will just be about getting to know them.
Even though life has brought its fare share of challenges, we are continually honored to be here. We truly love these people and are grateful for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Yesterday was an AMAZING day of ministry. Our first Bible study in Oasis had 6 adults and 40 children. The 2nd Bible Study had 15 adults and about 20 children. I have pictures and stories that I would like to share when I have more time. It is always such a blessing to be with the people God has called us to. There are still lots of strong-holds in these areas and it is hard to get people to consistently commit, but God is working and opening doors for us. We have a person of peace that is helping us as well as a national family in each place that is very interested in sharing the Gospel. A big problem that we have is that people lump us in with Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons and they think we are a cult.
We have a mission team coming this Friday and they will be working with us in OASIS for an entire week. I am going to try to go out everyday with the children and help share the Gospel, disciple, build relationships and whatever else God asks us to do.
I will be attending a women's Bible Study this Friday and I have an opportunity to teach it once a month. Please pray I will sense God's leading as to what I should teach and how the format will best suit them as well as my language abilities. This week will just be about getting to know them.
Even though life has brought its fare share of challenges, we are continually honored to be here. We truly love these people and are grateful for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
More life drama
Got a call tonight that my mother is in The Intensive Care Unit at Osceola Regional Hospital in Kissimmee. She has a blood infection, her blood pressure sky-rockets and then goes down very low and she is also having problems with her arm turning very white, almost a clear color with much pain associated with it. She has been in ICU for 4 days and they are running tests. My mom is apparently very depressed and crying a lot. I cannot speak to her while she is in ICU as there are no phones. My heart aches that I cannot visit her or talk to her or comfort her. With John's dad passing away a month ago, death seems very real. My mom is 53 and her mother died from heart problems in her 30's. My mom has already had 3 heart bypasses in the last 8 years. Anyway, if you could lift this up to our father, I would appreciate it.
In all honesty, John and I are just sooooo tired of the constant battling. The warfare is so intense on our family that we just want a little rest. But we press on, knowing that God has mighty plans and the enemy wants to defeat us and render us useless.
In all honesty, John and I are just sooooo tired of the constant battling. The warfare is so intense on our family that we just want a little rest. But we press on, knowing that God has mighty plans and the enemy wants to defeat us and render us useless.
Christians and the election - John Piper
As I lay in bed at night fearing Obama being elected as our President, I had a wake up call through this video. Just had to share it! I really, really, really needed to to hear this and it changed my perspective immensely. I got it from www.generationcedar.blogspot.com
This is meant to encourage and strengthen your faith in our Sovereign God! ENJOY!
This is meant to encourage and strengthen your faith in our Sovereign God! ENJOY!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
More Photos
Loving the City at Night from our Bedroom!
Ally and her her hall-way art gallery!
Just too cute! Love that smile!
A picture of part of our painted hall-way with accent wall! (read the next post).Pictures
Today we felt an earthquake that was 4.6 on the richter scale. It was quite scary and the kids started crying. We piled ourselves into our teeny-tiny bathroom until the shaking stopped. John was in the elevator when he felt it. If we thought we were scared, he was more so. The shaking definitely didn't feel like a novelty today. He came in freaked out only to find us freaked out in the bathroom. Fun times, right?
Other news:
Today is the first day I felt half-way normal and I still didn't feel great. But after 10 days, I am finally improving.
I signed up for the Lima half-marathon (13.1 miles) on November 30. My first in 2 years. :) Can't wait.
We had our national friends over for Chicken Cacciatore today. They stayed for about 4 hours and we had good conversation (my Spanish is terrible from being cooped in the house for so long while I have been sick). I was suffering from a bad sinus headache and my friend Brigida rubbed my back and neck for about 20 minutes. It felt so nice to have someone babying me. It was a touch from home and I enjoyed every minute of her loving on me.
The painters came to our house this week. And the results are very nice. The whole house is a capuccino color (with accent walls), but you will notice the color looks different in each room. So funny how that happens.
Keep in mind, we are still waiting for our crate of furniture, so our apartment is still a little sterile and without much furniture. :) I'll put more pictures up once we have our crate!
A view of the city at night from our bedroom!
The other view! I promise the accent wall is red and not pink!
Our bathroom!
Our Hall-way art gallery!
Jaxson posing and wanting you to see the world's longest hallway!
Avery Brooke!
1/2 of the boys room! Can't wait for some furniture!
Living and Dining Room!
The girls room! Ally picked out the pink!
Our living room!
The kid's bathroom!
Our guest bathroom! A pretty mint green!
1/2 of our kitchen!
The other half of our kitchen!
The entrance to our kitchen!
Dining/Living room! The accent color is red, not pink. The flash kind of changed the color.
Our Yummy meal today!
Our special friends!
Other news:
Today is the first day I felt half-way normal and I still didn't feel great. But after 10 days, I am finally improving.
I signed up for the Lima half-marathon (13.1 miles) on November 30. My first in 2 years. :) Can't wait.
We had our national friends over for Chicken Cacciatore today. They stayed for about 4 hours and we had good conversation (my Spanish is terrible from being cooped in the house for so long while I have been sick). I was suffering from a bad sinus headache and my friend Brigida rubbed my back and neck for about 20 minutes. It felt so nice to have someone babying me. It was a touch from home and I enjoyed every minute of her loving on me.
The painters came to our house this week. And the results are very nice. The whole house is a capuccino color (with accent walls), but you will notice the color looks different in each room. So funny how that happens.
Keep in mind, we are still waiting for our crate of furniture, so our apartment is still a little sterile and without much furniture. :) I'll put more pictures up once we have our crate!
A view of the city at night from our bedroom!
The other view! I promise the accent wall is red and not pink!
Our bathroom!
Our Hall-way art gallery!
Jaxson posing and wanting you to see the world's longest hallway!
Avery Brooke!
1/2 of the boys room! Can't wait for some furniture!
Living and Dining Room!
The girls room! Ally picked out the pink!
Our living room!
The kid's bathroom!
Our guest bathroom! A pretty mint green!
1/2 of our kitchen!
The other half of our kitchen!
The entrance to our kitchen!
Dining/Living room! The accent color is red, not pink. The flash kind of changed the color.
Our Yummy meal today!
Our special friends! Praise the Lord
John wrote:
Yesterday was an encouraging day.
I was able to share my testimony and the entire plan of salvation with the door man of our apartment building, Manuel Sanchez. We have been talking about spiritual things recently. I gave him the Book of Romans a while ago and this week I gave him my favorite christian book, "No Wonder They Call Him the Savior." He has been reading it and even shared it with the night door man, who is reading it as well. He said he would like to trust Christ alone as his Savior, and said when he is ready, he will come up to our apartment after his shift to pray with me. Please pray for Manuel.
For the past few days we have had two painters in our house. One is a believer, Sixto, and is a long time IMB friend. His co-worker, Alberto, was not a believer. Sixto said he has been trying to be a witness to him for a long time. I was able to share my testimony. He said he would like to experience that same peace and forgiveness. So I shared the Gospel with him and he prayed to trust Christ as Savior and Lord. The encouraging thing is that he and his family are going to go to church with Sixto. Sixto was totally excited and immediately started discipling Alberto as they finished painting our house. Please pray for the spiritual growth of Alberto and that he will share the Gospel with his family.
Praise the Lord, he let me be a part of His moving at a time I needed some encouragement in ministry.
Yesterday was an encouraging day.
I was able to share my testimony and the entire plan of salvation with the door man of our apartment building, Manuel Sanchez. We have been talking about spiritual things recently. I gave him the Book of Romans a while ago and this week I gave him my favorite christian book, "No Wonder They Call Him the Savior." He has been reading it and even shared it with the night door man, who is reading it as well. He said he would like to trust Christ alone as his Savior, and said when he is ready, he will come up to our apartment after his shift to pray with me. Please pray for Manuel.
For the past few days we have had two painters in our house. One is a believer, Sixto, and is a long time IMB friend. His co-worker, Alberto, was not a believer. Sixto said he has been trying to be a witness to him for a long time. I was able to share my testimony. He said he would like to experience that same peace and forgiveness. So I shared the Gospel with him and he prayed to trust Christ as Savior and Lord. The encouraging thing is that he and his family are going to go to church with Sixto. Sixto was totally excited and immediately started discipling Alberto as they finished painting our house. Please pray for the spiritual growth of Alberto and that he will share the Gospel with his family.
Praise the Lord, he let me be a part of His moving at a time I needed some encouragement in ministry.
Quick Cultural Clip
John Wrote:
I was talking to our national friend, that we are working with in Oasis. I asked him how much a typical family makes out there. He said the men, as taxi drivers, bring home about $10/day. But then he said that Oasis has a large population of single mothers. Living in Oasis is all they can afford. I asked, "What do they do to make money." He said, "Whatever they can." He said they can feed their family, typically with multiple kids, for 5 soles/day. This is equivalent to about $1.70/day, with which they can buy beans and rice for their family. Unbelievable.
I was talking to our national friend, that we are working with in Oasis. I asked him how much a typical family makes out there. He said the men, as taxi drivers, bring home about $10/day. But then he said that Oasis has a large population of single mothers. Living in Oasis is all they can afford. I asked, "What do they do to make money." He said, "Whatever they can." He said they can feed their family, typically with multiple kids, for 5 soles/day. This is equivalent to about $1.70/day, with which they can buy beans and rice for their family. Unbelievable.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Random Pictures from our trip
WOW! I really don't have a double chin in real life :) Love this pict. of Jaxson as he is trying to hard to get it right.
John contemplating life after his father's passing!
This is the beach in Santa Barbara. If you look to the right you can see condos. That is where John's mom lives. We walked to the beach in 3 minutes.
The cousins trying to stay entertained during the long services and viewing. Don't they all look so cute with their scarves.
Parker is ACTUALLY smiling in a picture! Just had to share!Pictures from the Funeral
This is the ENTIRE Pham Family with the exception of Grandpa. We are standing behind is gravesite in this picture. Look at the legacy he left!
Tata Pham - the widow! Please pray for her as she is grieving tremendously!
Half of our family with the awesome Jones' family that drove several hours to visit and encourage us during the weekend services. They also helped with Avery quite a bit!
People watching the slideshow that John and his sisters put together.
This is the place where people would bow and offer insense before viewing the casket.
The sisters were about to bow in sync. We all had to wear the white scarves to symbolize we were part of the immediate family.
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