I cannot wait to share with you guys about the awesomeness that was today's 10K run. It was nothing short of SPECTACULAR for me. The whole time I was thinking about all of you and how I can't wait to share every detail of this amazing cross-cultural experience with you. Unfortunately, I am super tired and it will have to wait until tomorrow. Just know that running in Peru makes me LOVE Peru even more. And it connects me to the people here in an incredible way. I just praise God for restoring my knee and for allowing me to run even though I'm running the slowest I ever have. Who cares!!!
Today I heard a female spectator say, as I was running past her, to her young son, "La cosa es llegar." I didn't hear anything else from the conversation, except her telling him "The thing is to arrive." Do you know how profound that is? To finish! To show up! To get to the end! That is THE THING! That applies to our spiritual lives as well. If we don't start, we CAN'T finish. I have thought about that statement all day and it has really stuck in my mind. She had no idea that I heard her, but it puts so many things in perspective. I'll share more about that tomorrow.....
Until then!!! Goodnight!! La cosa es llegar!!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Marathon Expo = Heaven
Tonight we HAD (what a chore) to go to the Addidas 42K (marathon distance) running expo to pick up my race packet for Sunday's race. Nope, I'm not running a marathon, just a measly little 10K (6.2 miles). But the marathon is hosting a half-marathon and a 10k as well. The expo was right by my house and it was EVERYTHING running. A runner's dream, I tell you! I was so happy I could've jumped up and down for joy. The big event is the marathon (26.2 miles), but only about 700 crazies (I mean people) will be running it, while 2,000 run the half-marathon and over 3,000 (us sane folks) go for the 10k. It was kind of funny to me to see that an event that is ALL about the marathon has the least amount of participants in the actual marathon of the 3 races.
Anyway, the line for the 10k race packet pick-up was SUPER-LONG. It was going to take us at least an hour to get my stuff. Well, here in Peru, pregnant women are special and often times it is seen as a handicap. So John went to the front of the line and told them I am pregnant, so I got to by-pass this huge line of people. I was mortified and felt the daggers in my back as I jumped the line. I'm sure they were thinking, "Oh yeh, you can run a 10k pregnant, but you can't wait in line." I just had to chuckle in my semi-mortified state, but was so thankful that hubby saved us an hour. I hope no one recognizes me on Sunday and tries to trip me.
The expo was very similar to an American type running expo. It had a ton of booths set up with free samples, clothing and running apparel for sale and they even had a "Carbo load buffet." I skipped the buffet, but enjoyed some of the other tables with my German friend Isabelle who will be running the marathon. We get along so well because we both talk a lot and love to run!
I'll let you know how the run goes. My goal is to enjoy the people, culture and the day. My second goal is to finish in no particular time, but to run for 5 minutes and walk for 1 minute and to run the last mile or two without stopping. And my last goal to is to adjust ALL goals to listen to my body and focus on the baby. Time is of no importance, but health and fun is!!!!
http://www.adidasla.com/micros/regional/running/?pais=pe (click on 10K if you want to see the map).
Anyway, the line for the 10k race packet pick-up was SUPER-LONG. It was going to take us at least an hour to get my stuff. Well, here in Peru, pregnant women are special and often times it is seen as a handicap. So John went to the front of the line and told them I am pregnant, so I got to by-pass this huge line of people. I was mortified and felt the daggers in my back as I jumped the line. I'm sure they were thinking, "Oh yeh, you can run a 10k pregnant, but you can't wait in line." I just had to chuckle in my semi-mortified state, but was so thankful that hubby saved us an hour. I hope no one recognizes me on Sunday and tries to trip me.
The expo was very similar to an American type running expo. It had a ton of booths set up with free samples, clothing and running apparel for sale and they even had a "Carbo load buffet." I skipped the buffet, but enjoyed some of the other tables with my German friend Isabelle who will be running the marathon. We get along so well because we both talk a lot and love to run!
I'll let you know how the run goes. My goal is to enjoy the people, culture and the day. My second goal is to finish in no particular time, but to run for 5 minutes and walk for 1 minute and to run the last mile or two without stopping. And my last goal to is to adjust ALL goals to listen to my body and focus on the baby. Time is of no importance, but health and fun is!!!!
http://www.adidasla.com/micros/regional/running/?pais=pe (click on 10K if you want to see the map).
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Fun questions
Each week I receive an e-mail from National Center for Biblical Parenting (they are FULL of great resources). Well, today I received another parenting tip and it prompted me to ask my kids some important questions. You can go to their website to see their plethora of parenting resources and to receive a weekly e-mail tip http://www.biblicalparenting.org/ . Good stuff! Anyway, enjoy the kid's responses.
What is your favorite food?
Ally: "I don't have a favorite food. I only have a favorite fruit and veggetable." Her favorite veggie is brocolli and her favorite fruit is canteloupe. I guess that healthy stuff isn't really food.
Jaxson: "Chocolate Chip COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS"
Parker: "Hot Dogs!"
What is your favorite color?
Ally: "I don't have a favorite color. Oh wait, pink. No, not pink....light pink."
Jaxson: "Orange and blue! GO GATORS (in a loud voice)."
Parker: "Blue because it's just a neat color and it's also for the gators."
Who is your favorite friend? (okay, now this made me really sad)
Ally: "Libby! I miss her." (They haven't seen each other in 2 years).
Jaxson: "Federico." (He was the son of my tutor in Costa Rica. They haven't even spoken in almost a year.)
Parker: "Thomas." (This was his best friend in Language school. It's been almost a year since they have had contact.) These answers just made me sad because I desire for them to have deeper connections with kids here.
And then they all added......."Caleb, Lukey and Elijah!" Now that makes me happy since they live here in Peru and are all super sweet.
What's your favorite thing to do?
Ally: "Puzzles. But only hard ones. Not baby ones. It's a good activity."
Jaxson: "My favorite thing to do is paint."
Parker: "I enjoy play-mobil and playing the computer."
I enjoyed asking these questions and the answers they solicited. Some of the answers surprised me. Avery was taking a nap or else I would've asked her too.
What is your favorite food?
Ally: "I don't have a favorite food. I only have a favorite fruit and veggetable." Her favorite veggie is brocolli and her favorite fruit is canteloupe. I guess that healthy stuff isn't really food.
Jaxson: "Chocolate Chip COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS"
Parker: "Hot Dogs!"
What is your favorite color?
Ally: "I don't have a favorite color. Oh wait, pink. No, not pink....light pink."
Jaxson: "Orange and blue! GO GATORS (in a loud voice)."
Parker: "Blue because it's just a neat color and it's also for the gators."
Who is your favorite friend? (okay, now this made me really sad)
Ally: "Libby! I miss her." (They haven't seen each other in 2 years).
Jaxson: "Federico." (He was the son of my tutor in Costa Rica. They haven't even spoken in almost a year.)
Parker: "Thomas." (This was his best friend in Language school. It's been almost a year since they have had contact.) These answers just made me sad because I desire for them to have deeper connections with kids here.
And then they all added......."Caleb, Lukey and Elijah!" Now that makes me happy since they live here in Peru and are all super sweet.
What's your favorite thing to do?
Ally: "Puzzles. But only hard ones. Not baby ones. It's a good activity."
Jaxson: "My favorite thing to do is paint."
Parker: "I enjoy play-mobil and playing the computer."
I enjoyed asking these questions and the answers they solicited. Some of the answers surprised me. Avery was taking a nap or else I would've asked her too.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Life is still coming together
YEAH! No one else got sick and I am feeling better, too! I even made it to the gym yesterday and ran a mile and then did an hour long body pump class. And get this, I have somewhat made a friend at the gym. This lady has started talking to me everytime I go and she even hugged me yesterday after not seeing me there for almost 2 weeks. YEAH!!!
2 of my Peruvian friends, whom I hung out with one time a piece, have come out of the woodworks and are calling and wanting to get together again. Double yeah!!!
Today we are meeting another missionary family at a local park. They have 3 small boys, but unfortunately don't live in Lima and are just passing through. They will be in the U.S. until after January, but we try to get together when they are here. We are looking forward to it. :)
I think next week John is taking 7 days of ministry off and I will cancel all of my responsibilities too and we are just going to CHILL around the house and as a family. TRIPLE YEAH!!!!!!
Have a great day!!
P.S. I am scheduled to run a Lima 10k this Sunday as part of the Lima Marathon festivities. I am so excited. I'll keep you updated.
2 of my Peruvian friends, whom I hung out with one time a piece, have come out of the woodworks and are calling and wanting to get together again. Double yeah!!!
Today we are meeting another missionary family at a local park. They have 3 small boys, but unfortunately don't live in Lima and are just passing through. They will be in the U.S. until after January, but we try to get together when they are here. We are looking forward to it. :)
I think next week John is taking 7 days of ministry off and I will cancel all of my responsibilities too and we are just going to CHILL around the house and as a family. TRIPLE YEAH!!!!!!
Have a great day!!
P.S. I am scheduled to run a Lima 10k this Sunday as part of the Lima Marathon festivities. I am so excited. I'll keep you updated.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Well, I guess I can safely say that Parker's vomitting had nothing to do with his upper respiratory infection. No less than 12 hours of him getting sick (more like 8), I found my home in the bathroom for the next 20 hours. Can we say very contagious!? Today, I could finally lift my head up off the pillow. :) Thankfully, no one else fell ill (SO FAR). I am hoping the rest of the family escapes this one. It's a doozey!!!!
John took off a Sunday at Oasis for the first time in 9 months; partially because of me not being 100% and partially because he felt that that was what was best for our family right now. We just REALLY needed a break. After naptime, we enjoyed our first Sunday afternoon as a family doing family like things (a movie, supper, shopping). It was truly WONDERFUL and we both enjoyed having our first Sunday afternoon together, in a non-ministry way, in almost a year! What a blessing. Sundays, for us, are usually busy, crammed and hectic with getting ready for Oasis.
John left the responsibility of running the church up to a few growing leaders. I will let you know how things went as soon as we find out this week.
Please pray for our family. We could really use your prayers. I'm not going to be specific, but God knows EVERY detail and I know His Spirit will intercede on our behalf. PRAY HARD!!!
We are REALLY in need of a family vacation, but don't have the funds right now. It is very expensive for a family of 6 to travel outside of Lima. Please pray that God would provide us with the time (we have the vaction time, it is just difficult to leave a growing ministry) and an opportunity (even if it is right here in our home) to be refreshed and relaxed before the busy summer rush of mission teams, getting our new home ready, moving and the baby comes. If we are already tired, then we certainly will be exhausted by the time all of that starts and ends. And that is not how we want to start our new season with the baby. Thank you for all your prayers!!
John took off a Sunday at Oasis for the first time in 9 months; partially because of me not being 100% and partially because he felt that that was what was best for our family right now. We just REALLY needed a break. After naptime, we enjoyed our first Sunday afternoon as a family doing family like things (a movie, supper, shopping). It was truly WONDERFUL and we both enjoyed having our first Sunday afternoon together, in a non-ministry way, in almost a year! What a blessing. Sundays, for us, are usually busy, crammed and hectic with getting ready for Oasis.
John left the responsibility of running the church up to a few growing leaders. I will let you know how things went as soon as we find out this week.
Please pray for our family. We could really use your prayers. I'm not going to be specific, but God knows EVERY detail and I know His Spirit will intercede on our behalf. PRAY HARD!!!
We are REALLY in need of a family vacation, but don't have the funds right now. It is very expensive for a family of 6 to travel outside of Lima. Please pray that God would provide us with the time (we have the vaction time, it is just difficult to leave a growing ministry) and an opportunity (even if it is right here in our home) to be refreshed and relaxed before the busy summer rush of mission teams, getting our new home ready, moving and the baby comes. If we are already tired, then we certainly will be exhausted by the time all of that starts and ends. And that is not how we want to start our new season with the baby. Thank you for all your prayers!!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Pictures and a brief OB update!
Parker just received his Tai-Kwon-Do outfit, so I was sure to snap some pictures of this handsome guy. You can pray for him as he was sick for 2 weeks with a lung, throat and nose infection and now he has vomitted today 9 times in a few hours. I think it is residual from all the infections his body has been fighting. Anyway, he is still as cute as ever.
Parker in some kind of pose!
Practicing his kick for you!
Too cute!
Pucker up!!!!! Avery is sending you a kiss.
I snapped this picture out of my open living room window around 3:30 in the afternoon. Winter is TRULY among us! It is almost VERY cold and we are wearing jeans and sweaters (Chompas) everyday. We haven't had to break out the gas heater, yet. Even though there isn't much sun, I am still LOVING the cooler, festive-like weather.I have been meaning to blog about this for awhile, but the days get away from me. To make a VERY long story short.......I am going to now have a homebirth here in Peru. I am not going to the clinic that I originally had planned. I have found a woman who is a medical doctor that will deliver the baby in her personal birthing center or in my home. I am opting for my home. She is a bit new-agey, but I am okay with it. The C-section rate at the BIG clinic is 70% and I am confident that I would not have the birthing experience that I desire there. So, you can check out
http://www.pakarii.com/pakarii/epakarii.html to see the lady I am going with. Please view the pictures with caution as some of them are graphic. John and I are very excited about this new adventure and we both feel very confident that this is what is best for us and the baby. Of course, if any complications arrive beforehand or during labor, we will have the baby in a clinic. My first OBGYN appt. with her is June 1. She has been delivering babies at home for 12 years and she speaks English, German and Spanish. I am so happy to be able to have this opportunity again and I think she will be a perfect match for me. I will keep you updated.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
strange dining
There is a restaurant right by our house that we like to eat at because the food is incredible and cheap. You get an entrada (soup or a big salad) as well as a huge plate of food with meat, small salad, and rice plus a drink for only $2.20 per person. The food is off the HOOK! However, there is one catch. The restuarant is so itty, bitty, tiny that there are only like 10-12 tables (maybe not even that many). And usually there is a line of people outside waiting to get in to eat. It is safe to call this place a hole in the wall. It's old looking and nothing fancy. Anyway, if we want to eat there with our big family, we have to get there right when they open at noon. BTW - they are only open from noon-5 p.m. Well, we have noticed that if you are one person and you sit at a table, you can be prepare that your table will fill up with strangers very quickly. You eat in silence with the strangers and if someone at your table gets up, a new person will quickly sit down and eat with you. WOW! This is so strange to me. All tables are filled at ALL times. Fortunately, when I went one day with my kids we had 2 extra seats, no one dared to sit with the blonde gringo. LOL!!! But John goes and eats there and sits with the strangers and they with him. He said no one really talks, you just eat and leave. I thought this was blog worthy because it's definitely a new experience for us. I don't think it is super common in Peru, just in small restaurants with delicious food! How uncomfortable to eat with strangers, but definitely worth the price and the quality!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Pictures of the church in Oasis! These will make you thankful for walls and A/C - even if the building is old! LOL!!!
These little kids come to the church service and Bible study every week. The girls with the hats are so sweet and loveable and just want hugs!
A church service in Oasis!
This is our lot for the church. Notice we only have 1 1/2 walls! No worries, we have benches, people and the LORD!!!!
This is me teaching the kids. I am to the far right and kind of hard to see! We have a kid's service while the adults are listening to the sermon!
Another view of the church!
The entire lot! Look, there is room to grow!Pictures galore!
John and his mom and the kids at a beach by our house!
Grandma and her cuties!
Grandma and 4 of her 10 grandkids - soon to be 11! There are 5 boys and 5 girls right now and this new baby will make it 6 and 5.
Family picture!
Another try!
Grandma and her bunnies!Pictures are worth a thousand words!
Baby Bump at 17 weeks!
Mommy and Jaxson after his night in the hospital!
Jaxson eating for the first time in almost 24 hours!
Sick boy trying to recover!
Soccer Studs!!!Pictures for your viewing pleasure!
Our little soccer star!
Ally the ballerina!
Avery the Ballerina!
A huge marching protest that was outside my window! It was so loud and scary when I was in the middle of it!
Our life in pictures
The kids practicing self-control time. They have to stand there for the amount of minutes that match there age. This does wonders for their self-control!
Avery and Jaxson! Best friends!
Missing her front tooth. The other one fell out a few days later!
Avery in her little ballet class (bad picture quality)! Sorry!
Jaxson on his first day of soccer practice!Picture Updates
A pre-school John organized the construction for. A church donated the money.
Inside of the pre-school!
Outside of the pre-school!
Our friends, the McLambs!
Our latest Phamily picture!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A week in review
Besides spending most of the week sick with a stomach ailment, I have to say this was a great week. We had dinner with some friends from language school on Tuesday night and on Friday with some other missionaries that have 4 kids. And then, last night we took a Peruvian couple from Oasis to KFC for supper with their 2 kids and we had a blast. And tonight, after church, one of the rising leaders invited us back to his house for cake and coffee. WOW!!! Is God totally not answering prayers. And then, out of nowhere, a lady that I blogged about like 6 months ago stopped by today, out of the blue, and wanted to hang out. Kind of strange, I know, but I know it was the Lord bringing her to us. She is the one that has the little granddaughter that is Ally's age and I met her in the store by our house She taught me how to cook Loma Saltado. We were walking out the door to church, but we are going to try really hard to get together next Saturday. She is one of my favorite Peruvians.
John is training one of the church attendees to preach. He preached last week and did great, but this week he got really scared right before the service and decided not to do it. Please pray he will have boldness and will not be discouraged. John is giving him the outlines of the sermons, training him weekly and spending a lot of time with him to teach him the Word. He is a very strong believer with a great family life (very rare for Oasis). He is also legally married (rare, too), just not baptized yet. Please pray for him.
Tonight I had to teach the little kids in Oasis and this is so hard for me. I am a very strict person and the disobedience and lack of organization is such a challenge for me. There are like 30 or more kids, one adult and total chaos. It's such a challenge. And they're of ALL ages. I think if I had 5-10 kids of one age it would be much better. I am fine hugging them, holding them and giving hugs, but when I have to make them actually obey....aaaaahhhhh. It's impossible!!!!!
Well, it is getting cold here and I am loving it. It is so strange to be planning for winter in May! I don't think I'll ever get use to that. John and I want to pull out the Christmas decorations. It feels very festive and cold. LOVE IT!!!!!
On a side note, I must say that my cooking skills are REALLY improving. Everything here pretty much has to be made from scratch so I am so glad I brought a few recipe books from America. I am making everything from scratch now (out of necessity) and things are so yummy. :) So there is a blessing to be away from all of the processed food - greatly improved cooking skills and delicious homemade food.
John is training one of the church attendees to preach. He preached last week and did great, but this week he got really scared right before the service and decided not to do it. Please pray he will have boldness and will not be discouraged. John is giving him the outlines of the sermons, training him weekly and spending a lot of time with him to teach him the Word. He is a very strong believer with a great family life (very rare for Oasis). He is also legally married (rare, too), just not baptized yet. Please pray for him.
Tonight I had to teach the little kids in Oasis and this is so hard for me. I am a very strict person and the disobedience and lack of organization is such a challenge for me. There are like 30 or more kids, one adult and total chaos. It's such a challenge. And they're of ALL ages. I think if I had 5-10 kids of one age it would be much better. I am fine hugging them, holding them and giving hugs, but when I have to make them actually obey....aaaaahhhhh. It's impossible!!!!!
Well, it is getting cold here and I am loving it. It is so strange to be planning for winter in May! I don't think I'll ever get use to that. John and I want to pull out the Christmas decorations. It feels very festive and cold. LOVE IT!!!!!
On a side note, I must say that my cooking skills are REALLY improving. Everything here pretty much has to be made from scratch so I am so glad I brought a few recipe books from America. I am making everything from scratch now (out of necessity) and things are so yummy. :) So there is a blessing to be away from all of the processed food - greatly improved cooking skills and delicious homemade food.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The longest newsletter, update EVER! But worth the read!!!
My precious hubby spent most of the afternoon writing our newsletter and here it is in case you don't get it by e-mail. I know it's REALLY long, but it's full of what I haven't blogged about! ENJOY!!!!!
Hello. Hope this finds you well. Yes, the Pham family is still on the mission field. I (John) looked and saw that our last newsletter was back in January. Too long!!! I realize this newsletter is much longer than the others, but there is much to catch up on. But take your time and enjoy it, with our track record, who knows when we will send out the next one.
For those who don't like to download the pretty version, below is our May newsletter update. However, the pretty version, for those who want to see the pictures, is attached.
¿Que Paso?
Since our last update in January, life has been pretty tough, as well as really busy; thus the absence of regular newsletters. First, for all who do not know, Jessica is pregnant (20 weeks) with our third baby boy (5th child). However, he is not coming without a price. Jessica's first trimester was the hardest out of all the babies. She was extremely nauseous most days, during her first three months. Also, we hit the 6-month mark in Peru and hit the "culture shock/stress" wall, which we have not seen the other side of yet. So when you mix the daily nausea, the extreme heat of summer in Lima without an A/C (we did buy one for our room at nights), culture shock, missing home, and pregnancy hormones (any one of which would put one's world in turmoil), Jessica has been through the ringer. It was a daily act of obedience to realize that we are called to be here at this time to reach the lost of Lima. We had a volunteer here for 6 weeks and my (John’s) schedule was extra busy everyday with accomplishing the goals of the volunteer’s visit. Daily activities were squeezed between days when I would have to stay home or come back home, when Jessica was bed ridden or "bathroom ridden" with vomiting. This made for extra busy days when I did have a chance to get out. With the many days of being sick in the house, Jessica developed cabin fever and her Spanish was suffering which was quite discouraging for her after spending a year in language school at the sacrifice of our family. And when she was feeling better, I was gone all day leaving here with no vehicle to get out with the kids. So to say the least, this is a window into the other side of life on the field. It’s not always as glamorous and adventurous as it is made out to be. There are very real struggles. But yet God is continually faithful through each and every one of them.
But thanks to those who were praying for us and glory to God that we have come out of the other side. With the grace of our Lord, Jessica persevered through it all. Jessica is out of her first trimester and is feeling like a new woman. She is full-force back to full time home schooling as well as back to Spanish tutoring. Summer is over and it is starting to get cold again. The ladies in Oasis are happy to see Jessica back on a weekly basis as she seeks to build relationships with them. They are especially relating to her during this pregnancy as MANY of them have 4 or more children. I have adjusted my ministry schedule and am starting to find other means to make the 45-minute trip out to my ministry areas, so Jessica has the car more. The culture shock and stress is still there, but improving. We will be moving out of our high-rise apartment to an actual house with a yard in September, which we are looking forward to tremendously. The neighborhood is a tight knit, gated community, where we will have the opportunity to meet and see our neighbors more, and the kids can make some neighborhood friends. Another good note is that my mother was able to come and visit in March and see what we are doing here. This meant a lot to me since my father passed away when we arrived here, and was never able to see me fulfill my ultimate calling.
So what's in the works for the near future? The rest of May will be spent doing ministry and preparing for the 5 mission teams that are coming this summer. At the end of June our first team will arrive, followed by two in July, and then two in August. Mid-August, we will begin to disciple all the new believers from the mission trips and recover. In the beginning of September, we will start packing up the apartment, doing work to the new house, moving in and getting unpacked (Jessica will be 38 weeks at this point) - all before the baby comes October 1st.
Again, thank you to all who have been praying for us. As you can see, your prayers reach far beyond just the ministry side of life here in Lima.
Niño News
The children are doing great with home schooling. The IMB missionary in charge of home schooling came and evaluated Parker, Ally and Jaxson. All came out to be right on track or beyond where they need to be. This was a great relief to us, in light of all the transition and missed school days. Great job, Jessica! During the summer, which is January through April here, the kids were in swim lessons. They all did well and the two littlest ones are officially swimmers! Actually, Avery ended up at almost at the same level as her big brother Jaxson. Granted this is the opinion of a proud father, but Ally has the potential to be an amazing competitive swimmer. Recently, we ended the swimming lessons. Now Jaxson is in soccer with fellow Peruvians and astonishing us with his natural abilities. Parker is in karate, and Ally and Avery are in ballet together. Ally is the oldest girl in the class by 3 years, so it is more of an opportunity for her to love on the little ones. These activities give us a nice break outside of the apartment everyday. In other news, Ally has lost her first front tooth and the other one is about to fall out. She is super excited.
Ministerio Minute
Much has happened since our last update so please forgive me if this is long. I can't promise a newsletter for the next few months, as things will be crazy with the 5 teams and moving.
Oasis - The church in Oasis suffered a big change. The community reorganized and gave the residents larger lots. So everyone tore down their small wood houses, moved and rebuilt their house in entirely different locations. It was like a tornado came and flattened the place when they were in transition. In the reorganization, the community center where we were meeting was torn down, with no plans of being rebuilt because the materials were stolen in the chaos. So, for three weeks we could not meet at all. One week they were tearing down their houses, the next week they were rebuilding and the next week they had a general assembly. We were told to stay away due to danger because many people were angry and contentious during the assemblies. Then, when we were able to meet again, no one knew where anyone lived. Also there was no way to get the word out of where we were meeting, so no one knew we were even meeting nor that were meeting in a lady's house. We couldn’t find the people because we didn’t know where their new homes were located. So from the 35-40 people, we are now 10-15. We are now meeting in the back of the community in an unused, open piece of land that the community leaders (several are believers) are letting us use. But the good news is that God is starting to raise up leaders in the church that are willing to take responsibility of the work. There is a man, David, to lead the music time. Then just this past week one of the men, Alberto, agreed to teach for the first time!! I am meeting with him every week to encourage, and for now helping him prepare. Please pray for Alberto, as he is still questions his ability. So hopefully soon we will be able to complete the model, assist and leave cycle of the work in Oasis.
Santa Rosa de Villa - In January, I engaged a new area called Santa Rosa de Villa. I began to meet with one new believer, that we lead to Christ, and two mature believers. The new believer, Dora, has been growing and is starting to have a desire to reach beyond herself with the Gospel. This neighborhood is having quite a few problems. We held a community wide "meet-you-at-the-pole-like" prayer meeting. About 20 people showed up and I was able to share the Gospel with all. Four ladies made decisions to repent, trust Jesus as their Savior and surrender the control of their lives to Jesus. Others were not ready. A second Bible study has formed from that day. Please pray for these new believers as they seek to grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus.
Finally, here is a God-story. One day I was doing door-to-door evangelism in Oasis. I entered a home with a grandmother (Elvia), mother (Elizabeth) and two daughters (Daniela and Melissa). Daniela is 21 with two fatherless babies, and Melissa is 16 and pregnant with her first child with no father around. The mother and grandmother are already both believers. I shared the Gospel with all four. When it came time to for decisions, I asked if they were ready to repent, receive Jesus as their only Savior, and surrender the throne of their lives to Jesus. Daniela said she was ready, but her sister Melissa said she wasn't and walked out of the room. Daniela prayed for salvation and we all agreed to meet for weekly Bible study. I left them, and as I was walking out of the house, Victor (the uncle) was about to walk in. I was able to share the Gospel with him. At decision time, he said that he wanted to think about such a big decision. After a few moments of thought, he said he was ready and prayed for salvation. We met in the house for Bible study the first week. The second week another aunt (Sonja) and the man of the house (Roberto) were in attendance. At the end of our meeting I shared the Gospel and gave an invitation. Melissa said she was ready this time, as well as Sonja. Both prayed for salvation. However, Roberto said he was not ready. Then this past week (week four), Roberto said he was ready and prayed to repent, receive and surrender control to Jesus. We had a wonderful time of singing after this! All glory to Our Almighty Father!! This was all such a reminder to me that it is nothing I do. Rather, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in His timing. Each time the message and delivery was the same. Why were they not ready one week and ready another time? God's work and timing is His. Please pray for this family as we continue to meet, as they seek to grow, and that God will move them to continue to share their faith with others.
+++++
Pat yourself on the back if you made it to the end of this!!! !:)
Hello. Hope this finds you well. Yes, the Pham family is still on the mission field. I (John) looked and saw that our last newsletter was back in January. Too long!!! I realize this newsletter is much longer than the others, but there is much to catch up on. But take your time and enjoy it, with our track record, who knows when we will send out the next one.
For those who don't like to download the pretty version, below is our May newsletter update. However, the pretty version, for those who want to see the pictures, is attached.
¿Que Paso?
Since our last update in January, life has been pretty tough, as well as really busy; thus the absence of regular newsletters. First, for all who do not know, Jessica is pregnant (20 weeks) with our third baby boy (5th child). However, he is not coming without a price. Jessica's first trimester was the hardest out of all the babies. She was extremely nauseous most days, during her first three months. Also, we hit the 6-month mark in Peru and hit the "culture shock/stress" wall, which we have not seen the other side of yet. So when you mix the daily nausea, the extreme heat of summer in Lima without an A/C (we did buy one for our room at nights), culture shock, missing home, and pregnancy hormones (any one of which would put one's world in turmoil), Jessica has been through the ringer. It was a daily act of obedience to realize that we are called to be here at this time to reach the lost of Lima. We had a volunteer here for 6 weeks and my (John’s) schedule was extra busy everyday with accomplishing the goals of the volunteer’s visit. Daily activities were squeezed between days when I would have to stay home or come back home, when Jessica was bed ridden or "bathroom ridden" with vomiting. This made for extra busy days when I did have a chance to get out. With the many days of being sick in the house, Jessica developed cabin fever and her Spanish was suffering which was quite discouraging for her after spending a year in language school at the sacrifice of our family. And when she was feeling better, I was gone all day leaving here with no vehicle to get out with the kids. So to say the least, this is a window into the other side of life on the field. It’s not always as glamorous and adventurous as it is made out to be. There are very real struggles. But yet God is continually faithful through each and every one of them.
But thanks to those who were praying for us and glory to God that we have come out of the other side. With the grace of our Lord, Jessica persevered through it all. Jessica is out of her first trimester and is feeling like a new woman. She is full-force back to full time home schooling as well as back to Spanish tutoring. Summer is over and it is starting to get cold again. The ladies in Oasis are happy to see Jessica back on a weekly basis as she seeks to build relationships with them. They are especially relating to her during this pregnancy as MANY of them have 4 or more children. I have adjusted my ministry schedule and am starting to find other means to make the 45-minute trip out to my ministry areas, so Jessica has the car more. The culture shock and stress is still there, but improving. We will be moving out of our high-rise apartment to an actual house with a yard in September, which we are looking forward to tremendously. The neighborhood is a tight knit, gated community, where we will have the opportunity to meet and see our neighbors more, and the kids can make some neighborhood friends. Another good note is that my mother was able to come and visit in March and see what we are doing here. This meant a lot to me since my father passed away when we arrived here, and was never able to see me fulfill my ultimate calling.
So what's in the works for the near future? The rest of May will be spent doing ministry and preparing for the 5 mission teams that are coming this summer. At the end of June our first team will arrive, followed by two in July, and then two in August. Mid-August, we will begin to disciple all the new believers from the mission trips and recover. In the beginning of September, we will start packing up the apartment, doing work to the new house, moving in and getting unpacked (Jessica will be 38 weeks at this point) - all before the baby comes October 1st.
Again, thank you to all who have been praying for us. As you can see, your prayers reach far beyond just the ministry side of life here in Lima.
Niño News
The children are doing great with home schooling. The IMB missionary in charge of home schooling came and evaluated Parker, Ally and Jaxson. All came out to be right on track or beyond where they need to be. This was a great relief to us, in light of all the transition and missed school days. Great job, Jessica! During the summer, which is January through April here, the kids were in swim lessons. They all did well and the two littlest ones are officially swimmers! Actually, Avery ended up at almost at the same level as her big brother Jaxson. Granted this is the opinion of a proud father, but Ally has the potential to be an amazing competitive swimmer. Recently, we ended the swimming lessons. Now Jaxson is in soccer with fellow Peruvians and astonishing us with his natural abilities. Parker is in karate, and Ally and Avery are in ballet together. Ally is the oldest girl in the class by 3 years, so it is more of an opportunity for her to love on the little ones. These activities give us a nice break outside of the apartment everyday. In other news, Ally has lost her first front tooth and the other one is about to fall out. She is super excited.
Ministerio Minute
Much has happened since our last update so please forgive me if this is long. I can't promise a newsletter for the next few months, as things will be crazy with the 5 teams and moving.
Oasis - The church in Oasis suffered a big change. The community reorganized and gave the residents larger lots. So everyone tore down their small wood houses, moved and rebuilt their house in entirely different locations. It was like a tornado came and flattened the place when they were in transition. In the reorganization, the community center where we were meeting was torn down, with no plans of being rebuilt because the materials were stolen in the chaos. So, for three weeks we could not meet at all. One week they were tearing down their houses, the next week they were rebuilding and the next week they had a general assembly. We were told to stay away due to danger because many people were angry and contentious during the assemblies. Then, when we were able to meet again, no one knew where anyone lived. Also there was no way to get the word out of where we were meeting, so no one knew we were even meeting nor that were meeting in a lady's house. We couldn’t find the people because we didn’t know where their new homes were located. So from the 35-40 people, we are now 10-15. We are now meeting in the back of the community in an unused, open piece of land that the community leaders (several are believers) are letting us use. But the good news is that God is starting to raise up leaders in the church that are willing to take responsibility of the work. There is a man, David, to lead the music time. Then just this past week one of the men, Alberto, agreed to teach for the first time!! I am meeting with him every week to encourage, and for now helping him prepare. Please pray for Alberto, as he is still questions his ability. So hopefully soon we will be able to complete the model, assist and leave cycle of the work in Oasis.
Santa Rosa de Villa - In January, I engaged a new area called Santa Rosa de Villa. I began to meet with one new believer, that we lead to Christ, and two mature believers. The new believer, Dora, has been growing and is starting to have a desire to reach beyond herself with the Gospel. This neighborhood is having quite a few problems. We held a community wide "meet-you-at-the-pole-like" prayer meeting. About 20 people showed up and I was able to share the Gospel with all. Four ladies made decisions to repent, trust Jesus as their Savior and surrender the control of their lives to Jesus. Others were not ready. A second Bible study has formed from that day. Please pray for these new believers as they seek to grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus.
Finally, here is a God-story. One day I was doing door-to-door evangelism in Oasis. I entered a home with a grandmother (Elvia), mother (Elizabeth) and two daughters (Daniela and Melissa). Daniela is 21 with two fatherless babies, and Melissa is 16 and pregnant with her first child with no father around. The mother and grandmother are already both believers. I shared the Gospel with all four. When it came time to for decisions, I asked if they were ready to repent, receive Jesus as their only Savior, and surrender the throne of their lives to Jesus. Daniela said she was ready, but her sister Melissa said she wasn't and walked out of the room. Daniela prayed for salvation and we all agreed to meet for weekly Bible study. I left them, and as I was walking out of the house, Victor (the uncle) was about to walk in. I was able to share the Gospel with him. At decision time, he said that he wanted to think about such a big decision. After a few moments of thought, he said he was ready and prayed for salvation. We met in the house for Bible study the first week. The second week another aunt (Sonja) and the man of the house (Roberto) were in attendance. At the end of our meeting I shared the Gospel and gave an invitation. Melissa said she was ready this time, as well as Sonja. Both prayed for salvation. However, Roberto said he was not ready. Then this past week (week four), Roberto said he was ready and prayed to repent, receive and surrender control to Jesus. We had a wonderful time of singing after this! All glory to Our Almighty Father!! This was all such a reminder to me that it is nothing I do. Rather, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in His timing. Each time the message and delivery was the same. Why were they not ready one week and ready another time? God's work and timing is His. Please pray for this family as we continue to meet, as they seek to grow, and that God will move them to continue to share their faith with others.
+++++
Pat yourself on the back if you made it to the end of this!!! !:)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
WOW!!!
Since you guys started to pray for friends, here are some INCREDIBLE things that have happened:
1., A woman I met when I first got here and really connected with called me out of the blue and asked me if we could get together. We did and it was GREAT! We are going to try to maintain contact. She has 4 kids and is really cool.
2., A friend from Florida called and said she is coming to visit me in June. She is one of my favorite people! YEAH!!! I can't wait. And this was even before my weekend posts were published that she decided to come.
3. A woman at Avery's Ballet struck up a conversation with me (in Spanish) and she was very patient with my Spanish. She asked me for my phone number and invited us over when she gets back from vacation in a week. She has a 3 year old daughter and a 9 month old daughter and lives on the next street over.
4. Another woman talked to me at Jaxson's soccer practice. Not a biggie, but YEAH!!!! :)
5. A family from Peru found me on facebook and wants to meet. They have 3 little girls. Who knew they were even here!!!!!!!!???
6. A new family of 4 kids is coming in tomorrow night to live here. Another missionary called me out of the blue and asked if I would host them for dinner on Monday or Tuesday! OF COURSE! And Wed, thurs, fri. and saturday, too! LOL!!!
7. A fellow missionary who doesn't read my blog e-mailed and asked if I wanted to go out for Mexican. Ally and I went and not only was the food OFF THE HOOK, but we had a great time with her. What a blessing!
8. And this weekend we have plans with another wonderful family, some of our friends from language school and ILC, to go to the beach or the zoo - weather depending.
9. I had to call a lady for a phone number and she said, "I've been wanting to have your family over for supper. When would be a good time?" They have 4 children, but unfortunately live like 45 minutes away. but who cares, right?
Our Lord is so faithful! Blowing my socks off!!!!
Is that not amazing? In just a few days, God has done ALL of that on the social front. I am so hopeful and excited. I LOVE PEOPLE!!!
I am also trying to be a lot better of responding to e-mails. I was convicted that I like to get them, but I am not always good at responding. Bare with me. I am really trying to be a better responder. I just prefer the phone!!! :) LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLLL!!!!!
1., A woman I met when I first got here and really connected with called me out of the blue and asked me if we could get together. We did and it was GREAT! We are going to try to maintain contact. She has 4 kids and is really cool.
2., A friend from Florida called and said she is coming to visit me in June. She is one of my favorite people! YEAH!!! I can't wait. And this was even before my weekend posts were published that she decided to come.
3. A woman at Avery's Ballet struck up a conversation with me (in Spanish) and she was very patient with my Spanish. She asked me for my phone number and invited us over when she gets back from vacation in a week. She has a 3 year old daughter and a 9 month old daughter and lives on the next street over.
4. Another woman talked to me at Jaxson's soccer practice. Not a biggie, but YEAH!!!! :)
5. A family from Peru found me on facebook and wants to meet. They have 3 little girls. Who knew they were even here!!!!!!!!???
6. A new family of 4 kids is coming in tomorrow night to live here. Another missionary called me out of the blue and asked if I would host them for dinner on Monday or Tuesday! OF COURSE! And Wed, thurs, fri. and saturday, too! LOL!!!
7. A fellow missionary who doesn't read my blog e-mailed and asked if I wanted to go out for Mexican. Ally and I went and not only was the food OFF THE HOOK, but we had a great time with her. What a blessing!
8. And this weekend we have plans with another wonderful family, some of our friends from language school and ILC, to go to the beach or the zoo - weather depending.
9. I had to call a lady for a phone number and she said, "I've been wanting to have your family over for supper. When would be a good time?" They have 4 children, but unfortunately live like 45 minutes away. but who cares, right?
Our Lord is so faithful! Blowing my socks off!!!!
Is that not amazing? In just a few days, God has done ALL of that on the social front. I am so hopeful and excited. I LOVE PEOPLE!!!
I am also trying to be a lot better of responding to e-mails. I was convicted that I like to get them, but I am not always good at responding. Bare with me. I am really trying to be a better responder. I just prefer the phone!!! :) LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLLL!!!!!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
a sort of follow-up to yesterday's post
I received a letter today from one of my close friends from Florida who is now a missionary in Africa. She left St. Cloud (my hometown) 6 months after I did. We had very different experiences there with friends. I had a plethora and apparently she struggled. I wanted to share with you an exerpt of her e-mail about friendships, because it just gives you a glimpse into how important friends are. Please, please, please pray for some friends for us. My heart is so burdened and at times I just cry and cry out of loneliness here. And I question God and ask Him why he made me so social and outgoing, only to bring me to a place of isolation? Here's her excerpt:
"There’s a great mission community here and it’s been so much easier to make friends here than it was in St. Cloud. Really, you can’t even imagine the difference. I feel like I have so many friends, and I’ve decided I’d rather put up with no power, no water, no internet, terrible cell phone coverage, and worries about security than to live somewhere nice without good friends. I’m sorry you don’t have that kind of community where you are. Clearly you’re a terrific person, but I know some places just have more friendly people than others. The culture here isn’t that friendly, per se, but the other missionaries have been very welcoming."
Can you imagine needing friends so much that you would give up water, internet, phone and security? In the past I would've said "NO WAY, would I give up those things," but I am seriously at that point now that I WOULD. Sometimes I go out to the South Cone and wish I could just live out there to be around people ALL day and to have friends. That's a bit desperate if you actually saw the conditions, but I was relieved to see that my friend in Africa understands the need. I praise God He has blessed her so abundantly with people and not necessarily modern conviences. I guess we can't have it all, but I'm still praying!
"There’s a great mission community here and it’s been so much easier to make friends here than it was in St. Cloud. Really, you can’t even imagine the difference. I feel like I have so many friends, and I’ve decided I’d rather put up with no power, no water, no internet, terrible cell phone coverage, and worries about security than to live somewhere nice without good friends. I’m sorry you don’t have that kind of community where you are. Clearly you’re a terrific person, but I know some places just have more friendly people than others. The culture here isn’t that friendly, per se, but the other missionaries have been very welcoming."
Can you imagine needing friends so much that you would give up water, internet, phone and security? In the past I would've said "NO WAY, would I give up those things," but I am seriously at that point now that I WOULD. Sometimes I go out to the South Cone and wish I could just live out there to be around people ALL day and to have friends. That's a bit desperate if you actually saw the conditions, but I was relieved to see that my friend in Africa understands the need. I praise God He has blessed her so abundantly with people and not necessarily modern conviences. I guess we can't have it all, but I'm still praying!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Some blog struggles and a need for HUMAN interaction
The blog was established for the specific reason of people to keep up with us while we live overseas and to know how to pray for us. In no way was it to be a substitute for actual living and live relationships. I am finding that since we blog and do facebook, our phone never rings, we seldom receive phone calls (seriously, my phone rang twice in almost 2 weeks) and there is very little human interaction that is not via the web. Human interaction is just a necessity that John and I are both needing and craving. I just don't believe this is how God intended it to be on either part. Being a missionary is the loneliest and hardest thing John and I have ever done. Unfortunately, God has not blessed us with many friends here at all and we find ourselves together 24/7 as a family (AWESOME), but still REALLY needing outside communication whether it be from Peru or in the states. The computer (blogging and facebook) is a huge detractor of lively, deep personal relationships that can be maintained despite the distance through brief telephone calls or personal e-mails.
It also feels very weird for us, that people whom we haven't spoken with in ages constantly know what is going on in our lives by a click of a blog button (no, we don't read blogs anymore unless it is our close friends who we have contact with). It's just too easy to peer into someone's life without engaging.
We are happy to share all that God is doing, but we are also hoping for a more intimate form of communication, like PERSONAL e-mails or phone calls. We do have an awesome phone system set up that calls here from America for absolutely free. 321-766-4043. We would love to here from you - person to person! And we love e-mails, too - phamilyof6@yahoo.com as they are much more 2 sided than blogging!!!!
This isn't to say we won't ever blog again, but until we build our relationships better, blogging will be on hold (unless it's something we just can't get out any other way... ie., Jaxson falling and being in the hospital).
I hope you understand where we are coming from.
It also feels very weird for us, that people whom we haven't spoken with in ages constantly know what is going on in our lives by a click of a blog button (no, we don't read blogs anymore unless it is our close friends who we have contact with). It's just too easy to peer into someone's life without engaging.
We are happy to share all that God is doing, but we are also hoping for a more intimate form of communication, like PERSONAL e-mails or phone calls. We do have an awesome phone system set up that calls here from America for absolutely free. 321-766-4043. We would love to here from you - person to person! And we love e-mails, too - phamilyof6@yahoo.com as they are much more 2 sided than blogging!!!!
This isn't to say we won't ever blog again, but until we build our relationships better, blogging will be on hold (unless it's something we just can't get out any other way... ie., Jaxson falling and being in the hospital).
I hope you understand where we are coming from.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
