Sweet Baby

Yesterday's ministry event was a failure on ALL levels. It was one of the lowest points we have had as missionaries. I will write the story out in a few days when I have more time. It was a bummer and really a disaster.

But some sweet news: this morning when I went to get our little peanut from his crib, He was sitting straight up all on his own. I'm so glad we changed his crib this weekend. He was just smiling like he was all proud of himself.

After a great, besides yesterday, 3 day week, the kids go back to school tomorrow. Jaxson will be home with us and it's a good thing since I think he has a UTI or something going on. The kids have 3 weeks of school left and then they are done and will be home with us until next February (if they go back to Fetzer in Feb.).

Well, it's almost midnight and I need to go to sleep. The sun will be rising before I know it.

Life Stuff

Babies grow up way to fast. Yesterday Miles turned 8 months old. And today John had to adjust his crib so that the matress is lower. Miles can finally go from an all fours position to sitting up by himself. You know what that means is next? Pulling up on EVERYTHING and then walking! He is already grabbing onto my clothes and pulling himself up a little bit. The good news is that as active as he is, he is still super content to just be in my arms and chill. Praise God, he is such a calm, non-hyper boy.

Do you know how I always say that it takes me 20 minutes to drive about a mile and that I can run there faster than my car will take me in the bad traffic. Well, last night we finally put it to the test. We were stuck in miserable traffic and I happened to be wearing my running shoes. So picture me in a long sleeve shirt (regular bra....ouch), with a black hoody, jeans and my running shoes. I hop out of the van, with John's permission of course, in rush hour traffic and take off running to see who is going to get home first. All I could think was that I wish I had my sports bra on. I wanted to take the jacket off so badly, but it was an extra measure of support that I need. :) I was sweating so badly as I was booking it as fast I possibly could. Unfortunately, the street that I was counting on for the traffic to continue to be horrible on, was actually REALLY clear so John was able to make MUCH better time than he normally would. He picked me up 3 blocks from our house. Not bad, huh! I was seriously running like someone was chasing me. I wish I had my GPS watch on to know how fast I was running because at times I felt like I was in an almost sprint to beat him home. It must've looked soo funny to the passerbys to see a white gringa racing in jeans and a hoody. It probably looked as if someone was chasing me, but there was no one behind me. It was so much fun to do that and I hope we can put it to the test again because I know I can beat him if the other street is as busy as it usually is. I'll keep you posted!!! :)

Tomorrow is a HUGE ministry, outreach event that we are having in Gosen. It is going to be so much fun and we are taking the whole family. Please pray for new people attend and for it to be successful and for lives to be touched.

Honesty

Every since last week's drama I have had zero desire to "put myself out there" and blog. I know I am among friends (like 10 girlfriends who KNOW me), but my spirit was a little crushed. I have talked to hubby about it extensively because blogging is just an outlet for me that I REALLY need while we are living overseas. So many things happen that I want to blog about. Like today, I found out that my favorite Peruvian entrada, La Causa Rellena de Pollo, has 1,100 calories. But will you think I'm obsessed for sharing that I was duped by my neighbor into believing that it is actually healthy because it's made with potatoes? By the way, it's unbelievably delicious. I should've know that nothing that yummy could actually be low in calories. But to blog about something like that would be showing you a part of me that might open me up for judgement and I feel overly judged and critiqued already, from last week. So....I'm kind of in limbo and seeking the Lord and asking Him to remind me that what people think of me is not what is important. Living a life that honors Him and is genuine and righteous IS important. And the rest....well, I can't worry about it now can I?

But...I should be worrying about a yummy peruvian dish that packs as many calories as a Big Mac. :)

There is a mission team coming here at the beginning of June and if you need to send us anything, you may send it to this man and he will bring it to us!

Kyle Ray
209 S Beech St
Winnsboro, TX 75494

Last night we received an e-mail from our boss asking us to pray about serving in either Bolivia or Columbia. WOW! Honestly, I want to go to Columbia so bad that I would simply prefer to just toss out Bolivia, but I will pray and seek the Lord and His direction about this. One good thing, so far, about BOlivia is that one of my running girlfriends from language school lives in Bolivia. She was a huge blessing to me and I would love to live in the same city as her since we connected so easily. But that is obviously not what I would base the decision on. I'm rambling. Just pray!

Why can't I?

As Christians we are called to be "peacemakers." This might sound like an easy charge, but honestly it is one of the hardest for me. When someone steps on my toes or attacks me, my natural response is to pounce like a tiger and destroy using my tongue. And as we all know, the Bible says that just a spark from the tongue can start a huge wildfire; which is why we are also called to control our tongue and not lash out like the so called "fool." But there have been moments in my life this week when I have wanted to just be the fool. I have wanted to forget peace and pursue my own personal justice and let the other party know exactly how they can step off. But God's word is right beside me, nudging me, prompting me, begging me to make a choice that is truly different; a choice that is not natural to my flesh; a choice that most of the world doesn't make. And that choice is to set my so called "rights" aside and pursue brotherly love, pursue kindness, give a gentle response, and to turn the other cheek. I asked my hubby yesterday why other Christians get to "speak" their minds, put other people in their place and tell me what they think of me in a less than gentle way out of a so called "concern" but yet my response has to be pretty much nothing in order to not sin and damage my witness? Why can't I just lash back and say what I am really thinking and observing? Why can't I just step up to the plate and swing really hard; you know, hit a home run with my words? I can't because I am a follower of Christ. I bear the name Christian and to follow Christ means to go a different way. But I still ask my self why other so called "followers" can do and say the things I really want to do, but yet I can't and I don't. Do you get what I'm saying? Sometimes that is the hardest struggle for me. I want to justify and defend myself. But then I think of the ONE (Jesus) who was beaten, accused, killed and yet he answered in peace and wisdom or He was silent. He didn't respond AT ALL, the way that I want to respond. The verse that has come up in my mind these past few days is the verse from Hebrews that says, "Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." And as I meditate on this verse, I think of how many of those "sinful" men really believed they were doing the right thing as they mercilessly beat our Savior to death. I have a Savior who I can look to that understands, set the example and through His example I should not grow eary and lose heart. But I confess....I am tired, beat-up and really angry inside. My outside has been that of a peace-maker, but my heart is anything but peaceful. I share all this to say that making the right choice is not always the easy choice. I know God is going to calm the storm inside of my heart and mind and I truly hope that in some small way He is honored by the fact that I am not retaliating like my flesh so badly wants to.

Oliver Twist

I'm still alive. No worries. I had a few emotionally rough days, but God uses all things to draw me closer to Him and to teach me areas that I need to be strengthened in.

My blog only has very few readers, all women, and only my closests girlfriends. If you are reading this blog, it is because I trust you greatly and you have been a blessing to my life over the years and I know that you understand me and accept me - the good and the bad. You are one of my dear friends!

Tonight the kids were in their first ever musical, Oliver Twist. It was so adorable and they all did excellent jobs. John and I were the proud parents of 3 very excited and nervous children. Afterwards, we made sure to bring them flowers. Ally kept hers, but the two boys decided to give theirs to the director of the musical and also to one of the teacher's who played the piano. I was so proud of them for sharing. The entire night was so special and it was one of those moments were I was glad they were in school so they could have this kind of wholesome, fun opportunity. Pictures to come!

Cookies, Cookies and Money

Be on the lookout one day this week for new pictures. I have been saving them up and will have quite a few.

Yesterday John was not feeling well so as he was resting in the morning, the kids and I made about 10 dozen, at least, chocolate chip cookies. We packaged them up, made signs, prayed over our endeavor and off they went around the neighborhood to sell them. They only took about 15 at a time and I explained to them "supply and demand." We only made a few dozen cookies the first batch, but when the kids kept returning home every 20 minutes or so with an empty plate of cookies, we decided to whip up some more. We even had girls coming to our door to by them. The kids made sure to hand out free samples so that people could taste how delicious they were before they bought them. This is a popular thing here in Peru and I can't tell you how well it works. So many times I have purchased a product I didn't need or want just based on how good the free sample tasted. I digress! We sold every single last cookie as fast I could possibly bake them. At the end of the joint venture, we hade made a grand total of $26. I really think we need to raise the price next time. The kids split the proifts 3 ways and the person who was in charge (the boss), usually got a dollar more than the other kids because that is how it is in real life. It was such a great experience and an incredible lesson in business and economics. I feel like they learned some valuable lessons yesterday about team work, getting along with your fellow workers, marketing your product, selling your product and cost revenue. We are going to try to do this more often since the neighbors were so in love with our chocolate chips cookies. I might add that chocolate chip cookies are not really common around here. The chips costs a lot of money and aren't that easy to find. Of course, mine were brought in by a mission team. I think if we wanted to start of a business of just selling homemade chocolate chip cookies, that we could do quite well here. Some of my neighbors have asked for my special recipe, but I will never give away my secrets. mwwwaaaahhaaaaaaahaaaaaaa!!1

We are off to love on the people in Gosen where John is trying to plant a new, small house church. Please pray that we are an effective witness. I wish I had some cookies to take them.

I almost forgot to tell you that this morning John took the kids to the local mercado so that they could by a few little things with their well earned money.

Nothing Interesting

Ever since my hospital stay last week, I have been uninspired to blog. Maybe it's because I don't have anything interesting to write about at this particular stage in our life. We are extremely busy meeting the needs of five little kids. And any free moment we have we are probably sleeping so that we can have the energy to meet their needs. :) As of late, we have been having at least 3 doctor's appointments a week because we are trying to get all of our medical paperwork submitted to our mission so that we can return to America. All missionaries have to do this each time they go back for furlough and since there are 7 of us, well...you can imagine, I'm sure.

Some recent happenings:

Ally had to get glasses as well. So now 2 of my 3 oldest children have glasses. I wonder how Avery and Miles will fare as they get older.

One of my college friends, who came to Costa Rica when I lived there, is engaged. She is marrying a guy that I, and a lady from my language school in C.R., hooked her up with. 2 years later and they finally got engaged this past weekend. And guess who will be a Bride's Maid? Yep, your's truly! I am super excited.

Baby Miles is crying A LOT these days. He has had a constant cold for about 8 weeks and now he is teething. He is about to cut his 3rd tooth in less than a month and this one is really hurting him. His clothes are constantly wet and I feel so bad for him.

We are busily preparing for our Stateside Assignment. There are so many little odds and ends that we have to do. Our calendar is filling up fast, so if you want us to come to your church, please let us know as soon as possible. John has finished with his seminary class which means we will be getting a raise soon (praise the Lord because we really need it) and it frees him up to be able to work on the stuff for America. With all these kids, I find it very difficult to make phone calls and do paperwork type stuff. That is probably another reason I haven't been on the computer much lately - no time. Anyway, thanks for checking in. Hopefully our lives will get interesting and I will have something to post soon!

Mother's Day Happiness

This marks our 3rd mother's day out of the country. And FINALLY....no tears! God has shown me over these past few years that I can be a mother anywhere and that I can honor my mother figures anywhere! :) I am so happy to have my five children and I am striving to be the wife and mother that God wants me to be. The biggest lesson I have learned is that I can't be successful in that if I am not studying His word everyday. I just can't! I fail completely on my own.

The weather is perfectly spring like today and it is such a perfect way to celebrate this wonderful day with my five blessings here in Peru. It's taken awhile, but I can say that I am finally at peace with being away from my loved ones on holidays.

April-May Newsletter

Dear Friends,

We are on a countdown to our Stateside Assignment that will begin on July 31 and will carry us through to January 31, 2011. Can you believe we packed up, sold our home, went to training in Virginia and then moved overseas 3 years ago? And what a crazy, up and down, adventure we have lived over that time. Recently, we had the privilege of Baptizing 8 believers, some new, in the Lurin River here in Peru. That day was such a testimony to what God is doing here among the Urban Poor that we work with. As I sat, watching the baptisms and snapping Photos, I was filled with 'awe" at my husband and how "effective" he has been. I would be lying if I didn't admit there was some jealousy as well. I wanted to be responsible for these new believers coming to Christ. I wanted to be the one that they looked up to. I wanted to be able to say that I had come to Peru and that I had done "all of this." I shared my selfish sentiments with John that night, while I was praising him for how proud of him I am, and he lovingly remind me that everything that has happened since we got here, the two small church plants, the 100's of new believers, the new believers bringing a ton of people, the visibly changed lives in several folks, the 14 Baptisms, the nationals that have stepped up to lead the churches, NONE of them have been because of us. We went through each scenario and realized that behind the scenes God was already working, already preparing a way, already had planted seeds, moved in hearts and had been doing things that we never could do for these people. It is easy, as a missionary, to want to take credit when things are going well, and we probably easily could, but as we ponder and review the happenings of our last 2 years here in Peru, and our year of ministry in Costa Rica, we humbly confess it was all the work of God's hand. So many things have happened that we could not have construed, constructed or manipulated to happen. They have just, so to speak, fallen in our lap. And, of course, we know who dropped them there. :)

The church plant that was started in Oasis is going well. There are about 15 solid members/believers and they are dedicated to reaching their own community. They desire for their neighbors to know Christ and for him to have Lordship in their lives. John is continuing to train, Alberto, the national Pastor that God is raising up to lead the people there. And John has started another church plant, also a HUGE God thing, with a sweet family called the Pena's. Orlando and Brigida are hosting a church service in their home each Sunday afternoon. Usually their small little shack is packed full of people. A mission team will be coming next month to help us continue to reach that area to help grow the church plant as well as to disciple the believers and sew seeds for new ones as well.

Since March, we have already had two teams: First Baptist McComb from McComb, MIssissippi and William Carrey from Mississippi. This summer we will host 3 more teams: one from Winssboro, Texas, one from Mandeville, Louisiana and the other from our home church, First Baptist St. Cloud. It will be a busy few months as we continue to do our medical paperwork for the IMB, host the teams, and prepare to pack up and leave our Peru home and ministry for 6 months. While in Florida, we plan to rest and work diligently to motivate the local churches to partner with the Southern Baptist Missionaries around the world through praying, going or giving.

On the home front, I (Jessica) am doing a weekly Bible study with our house helper, Maria, who is also a part of one of the church plants. Since she works in our home twice a week, it is easy for me to do this study with her. We are learning a lot together and it also helps me practice my Spanish. We also attend a church here in Lima, when we have time, and two of the Pastor's daughters have been coming over weekly to practice Spanish and English with me. We trade off languages and since we all speak at about the same level it is a good fit. The kids are doing well, but there is at least one child who is sick weekly. This has been going on since November of 2009 and we are hoping that the illness will end sometime soon. Parker, Ally and Jaxson are thriving in school while Avery is happy to be the big sister to her little brother, Miles, who is now 7 months old. Avery is learning to write and loves to help me in the kitchen. Miles has two teeth now and they are his top incisors so he looks like a little vampire. He is also trying to crawl and sits up very well.

As for the future, right now, the plan is that we will be returning to Peru in January, but it looks like sometime after we return we will be relocating to another assignment IN South America. Please pray for us as we are going to accept a future position that was offered to us to pray about. Please pray that God would make it clear to us as to what country and city we should be relocated to. We both have HUGE hearts for Columbia (don't freak out) and are hoping this is where God opens the doors.

Thank you for partnering with us in encouragement, friendship, e-mails, phone-calls, care-packages and prayers. We love each one of you dearly and it your dedication to this work that keeps us going through the difficult seasons.

Sincerely,

John, Jessica, Parker, Ally, Jaxson, Avery and Miles.

If you would like us to speak at your church (Sunday school, Worship service, women's group, men's group, etc...) during our Stateside Assignment, please let us know as soon as possible. It would be our pleasure to help get your church excited about what God is doing in other parts of the world.

Baptism Pictures are on our private blog: phamilyof7.blogspot.com Let me know if you need an invitation to view them.

Rip-Roaring and Ready To Go

This morning I felt a little weak and tired, but now I am rip-roaring and ready to go. Boy do I bounce back fast! It is taking ALL of my energy just to keep myself in bed and resting. My tummy seems to be 100% and I feel energized and ready to run another half-marathon. This must TOTALLY be from all of your prayers. I can't see how I could go so quickly from to the state I was in to how I am now without God's hand of grace healing me through medicines and in His own way. I feel so good. I am sticking to doctor's orders by resting, but it is so hard for me. I want to make supper, clean the house, start working on my IMB list, clean out all the closets, etc., etc. But instead, I have read 5 children's books, cuddled with 3 kids, put together 3 puzzles, watched Avery and Miles dance to no less than 10 songs and have nursed my baby, happily, as often as I wanted. Oh yeh, and I ate a chocolate bar since the hospital insisted on serving me prison food. I am suppose to stay in bed tomorrow, too, but there is no way that is going to happen. I am feeling way too good. I am going to be the judge of my own body. Hopefully tomorrow, Lord willing, I will be up and at em' and then we will go from there! Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. It certainly was a very difficult, painful dilemma and I am glad it too has passed.

Home James Home

I am home from the hospital; weak and tired, but home. I am on bed rest for the next 2-3 days and can resume normal activities on Monday. Thank you for your prayers. The mission team left tonight and I was able to say good-bye to them. I cried my eyes out. I love them so much. Thank you for your prayers. I am so excited to be home and with my babies. And the baby is nursing again because I found out that I CAN nurse while taking Cipro. Hopefully, tomorrow my tummy will be back to 100% normal and then my strength will come back. I am looking forward to the rest and cuddling with the kids in bed.

Alive

Long story, but after monitoring me in the ER yesterday for about 8 hours, they admitted me into the hospital. I was suppose to go home this morning, but it is not looking good since the main symptom, if you know what I mean, has flared up with a vengence. The dr. said I was extremely dehydrated with Salmonella poisoining from something I ate. The baby cannot be nursed while I am on all these meds because he refuses a bottle. John cannot visit because it takes almost an hour to get here and an hour back even though it's probably only 10 miles each way. It's just not feasible, so I told him to stay home to make his life easier. I am really struggling. I want my family and friends and just to feel better. I know I can hold out for 3 more months. Thank you for praying. I better go read Ephesians and take every thought captive.

Ready to be in Florida....

Prayer needed

Remember when I was in the hospital a year and a half ago for a bacterial infection (shigella) in my intestines? Well, it's that bad or worse this time around! It started yesterday morning at 8 a.m. and has continued to go strong for the past 24 hours, adding to it body aches, fever and headache from dehydration. I might as well just make a bed on the bathroom floor since I'm in there ever 8 minutes anyway (literally). It hasn't started to let up AT ALL and I am sure that I have E-coli from my adventurous, Peruvian eating. It was bound to catch up with me sooner or later. John is having to cancel working with the team today to take care of the kids and get me to the doctor ASAP so I don't end up hospitalized again. At this rate, it is leading to that. Anyway, please pray for Him has he wears many hats today, for me to get some relief quickly, for the kids, and for the mission team as they work without their missionary today.

Half marathon

I ran and completed the half-marathon yesterday. I accomplished my "time" goal and had a wonderful, inspiring, tearful (in a good way) day. If you ever get a chance to be at the finish line of a full-marathon, I suggest that you put it on your list of things to do before you die. I wept as people finished the marathon and gave all they had to cross the finish line. Maybe since I know the training and hard work that goes into being able to beat your body and conquer 26.2 miles, it was exceptionally emotional for me. I was the tall, blonde gringo standing at the finish line hollering, "Se puede, se puede. Bravo. Bien hecho. Vamos. Da le, da le. Muy Bien. Bien hecho!" I had a blast and loved encouraging the runners as they came in the llegada. :)

I was also greatly inspired by the man who I saw running the 10k (6.2 miles) who only has one leg and used a crutch for the leg that was missing. He only used 1 crutch!!! I got goose-bumps when I thought of him, and when my leg start hurting when I was running, I recalled the immense pain that he must be in with that crutch under his arm and it inspired me to keep going and suck it up. When we ran passed him, the entire group start cheering and calling him "Champion." He is a champion and it is people like him, who keep going and fighting despite adversity, that help drive me to run better, harder faster and to not give up and also to be so thankful for my incredibly excellent health! :)

There were about 9,000 runners for all 3 races yesterday. Maybe next year you can think about coming here, in May, to run your first long distance road race. We would love to have you. It is one of the best races I have ever done in my life and I hope to do it again next year, but I am going for the full marathon next year.

And I thank the Lord for allowing my leg to hold up for 13.2 miles. I couldn't have asked for a better day or experience.

To top it all off, we joined the team and John in Oasis and I successfully translated 2 Bible stories from English to Spanish and I had a few errors, but I actually did it. Wow! My Spanish is still there, improving daily and coming back to me rapidly. I am gaining more and more confidence and it felt so good to be sharing with the Peruvians again. I loved it!

From McComb Mississippi

Here is a piece written especially for you guys from one of the people on the mission team that is here this week.
****
I´m reporting on one group of McComb, Mississippi, folks during our mission trip this week in Lima. After a very long day of travel from the States on Thursday and a short three-hour nap Thursday night, we started our Friday at the Oasis. John gave us a map and divided us into teams who knocked on doors, inviting people to church and children to VBS. We all had the opportunity to talk to many people, and that day, as about five teams prayer- walked and talked, seven people prayed to accept Christ as their Savior. Most people are very open and friendly, although they seem to be somewhat shy. Their problems seem insurmountable and hopeless, and, certainly, they are hopeless without Christ. With many religions and denominations coming into the community and not staying to disciple, many of the people who are spiritually seeking are left confused, not really assured of their salvation. Emphasizing the free gift of God´s grace and just loving on them seems to be the way to their hearts. They are so grateful that we even come to see them and to teach. We saw some old friends whom we had met before at the Oasis, and we had happy reunions.

Friday night, Grace Baptist Church invited us to their prayer meeting. I don´t know if they regularly have one on Friday night, or if it was a special one for us. We sang and prayed and worshipped and heard many good words from God. What a special time it was to worship and pray with our brothers and sisters in Christ!

On Saturday, the group I was a part of went to Grace Baptist Church for a women´s Bible study in the morning. Such gracious women were our hostesses. One of our ladies taught the Bible study from the book, ¨Downpour,¨by James MacDonald. There was special music, several testimonies, and many tears. (Well, it was a room full of ladies!) In spite of the language barrier, our ladies and the Peruvian ladies joined hearts together and loved each other. You know, we are all alike inside, no matter what our skin color or address. We all have problems and heartaches. But, praise God, we also have the Great Problem Solver and Heart Healer, and many times, the way He heals and comforts us is through another believer.

We met with the Children´s Bible Club at Grace Saturday afternoon. They sang several songs for us and we played games and told a Bible story. A lady in the church takes on the responsibility for getting about a dozen children to church from all over the community. She picks some up, enlists help from others to chauffeur, and even uses taxicabs. Her heart is definitely for the children and she has taught them how to love the Lord Jesus.

Saturday night, our group, as well as our pastor, met with the youth group at Grace Baptist. They played games (which you would not want to be played in your house!), sang several songs--joyfully and worshipfully, and listened to testimony and message by two of our group. We could tell that this youth group enjoyed being with each other and that spending a Saturday night at church was not only acceptable, but was a lot of fun! Many of them asked for prayer to have the mind of Jesus as they grow up into young adults.

And now, we come to Sunday, which is today. We have spent a wonderful day at the Oasis again, wrapping up our two-day VBS. The children would rather color than do anything else, but we did tell a Bible story and give them a craft (bookmark with cross and heart.) During Children´s Church, while the adults were having their own church service, we played with the children and reviewed the VBS story. Being led by the Holy Spirit to share more, we went into the plan of salvation with them, and being careful to help them understand how serious the decision is, we believe that about seven children asked Jesus to come into their hearts.

There were also about eight decisions for Christ which were made when our group went door-to-door this morning.

We are half-way through our week in Lima, but our hearts are overflowing with joy, knowing that so many more precious people have been welcomed into the family of God. We praise God for the work He is doing and we are so grateful to Him for inviting us to join Him and share in the work. Please continue to pray for the work going on here in Lima, and pray that the new believers in Christ will be discipled so that they will grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ.

Kathy

Half Marathon

Tomorrow is the marathon and half-marathon here in Lima. It is going to be HUGE! I am so excited. I truly hope my leg holds up the entire race and that I have a great run. My race starts at 9 a.m. Florida time, so if you get a chance, pray for me. I hope to report back with some great news! I have been resting my leg since the earlier part of the week, so I am hoping it will get through 13.1 miles pretty easily. :) I'll let you know.

The second part of the day will be filled with ministry with the mission team in Oasis. Please continue to pray. Hopefully I will be posting some stories, from them, really soon.

Theft

Yesterday, right before we had orientation with our team, a young woman who was with them had her backpack stolen from the conference room. A stranger walked in from the street, with a friend, and one of them distracted the front desk hostess and the other one quietly walked in, picked up her bag and left. This is suppose to be a secure hotel. She was in the room and figured there was no threat to her stuff while she was getting her breakfast. The room is not that big, but with a lot of people in it (just the group), it is easy for someone to swipe a bag. Apparently, the police said this is very common now and is the new thing for thieves. Unfortunately, her bag had $500 (which the team replaced for her within minutes), her camera, $150 pair of Dolce and Gabana sunglasses, and her PASSPORT. Thank goodness that her iphone was in her pocket. We did find out that their group travel insurance will cover everything. So, I spent yesterday morning runnning her around trying to get a passport, only to arrive to the embassy at 12:30 p.m. to find out that they closed at 11:30 a.m. We will go back to the embassy on Monday and hopefully we can start the process so that she can have a new one by Thursday morning. It should be okay.

None of this is a surprise to God and we are so thankful it was just "stuff" that was stolen.  The girl said that God had been teaching her, for the past 6 months, to not hold her stuff so tightly and that it is "just stuff." After she cried a little bit from initial shock, she really had a GREAT attitude and I got to spend the day with her. She is someone I would be friends with, for sure, so part of me is sad to say that her mishap turned out to be a great blessing for me! :) Like the old saying goes, there is always a silver lining and yesterday she was mine!