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. :)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
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.
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