Most of this week we have had heavy rain...not all day every day....but it was the general forecast for the week and it lived up to that forecast.
Yesterday about noon the sun finally came out to stay. The grandkids are back from their two week trip, so yesterday was my first full day with them again. Kept the day pretty low-key and let them re-adjust to being home.
Shan has off work today so after letting the kids sleep in and then running a couple of errands, we took the kids to a park to play and eat lunch. There is a small creek right where we were set-up with our blanket and goodies. I spent part of the time watching Stephan and Samuel playing on the edge of the creek building little dams and diverting the water. Their childish enjoyment of something as simple as water, rocks and mud was so enjoying and calming to watch.
The other night I went over to Liberty University for their 4th of July celebration (actually held on Sunday the 2nd, but that's okay) As I sat in the stands at the football stadium listening to the musicians perform, it was so pleasing to look around and watch families. On the opposite side of the stadium was a small hillside. Through out the evening I watched children rolling down the hill, getting up, running to the top and rolling down again. I sat there remembering what it was like to watch my own children doing that in years past when we lived in Indiana. Then the memory came back of my brother and I doing the same thing in front of my Grandma Jake's farmhouse in Wisconsin many years ago.
What fond memories....I took pictures today of the boys playing without them knowing it, as I didn't want posed pictures...I wanted the *real thing*. More memories to keep for future days!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
We went...we drove...we conquored!
This weekend Shan and I got to take our own road trip! Just the two of us. Last weekend we decided that since we would have an entire weekend and she had off from work Thursday evening until 4pm on Sunday we should take a trip.
Our original plan was just to drive an hour or so to Charlottesville and browse antique stores. Well Shan came up with the idea of going to Washington DC, which turns out is only 4 hours from Lynchburg. My first reaction was a fear of driving in the nation's capitol. But we went to Barnes and Noble, read thru the tourist guides and devised our plan. We knew our time was limited and no way could we see it all, so there was no since in making ourselves and each other miserable even trying. We came up with a list of things we wanted to see and then proceeded from there.
That turned out to be quite easy! We both wanted to see Washington's National Cathedral and the Vietnam War Memorial. She wanted to visit the Holocaust Museum but I knew I would have great difficulty getting thru that without Bob with me. But I wanted to go to one part of the Smithsonian.
We got directions off mapquest, packed our bags, had our snacks and got up at 5:30AM on Friday. We were actually on the road by 6:30 and drove right to the National Cathedral without any difficulties. Parked on a side street and then spent almost 7 hours at the museum. Part of the time we were together, and alot of the time we each did our own thing. Ate our sandwiches outside on the lawn on a wooden table with a black squirrel providing entertainment. Turns out squirrels, or at least that one, don't like candied ginger!
My main reason for wanting to go to the museum was for the stained glass windows. Several of the windows were created by Lawrence Saint. He is the father of Nate Saint, who along with Jim Eliott and 3 other missionaries was killed in Ecuador in the 50's. I bought a book in the bookshop when we first got there that described the windows and gave their locations. I walked upstairs trying to get myself orientated. Sat down on a chair and looked up and right straight ahead was the circular window that Lawrence Saint created called "the Last Judment". To say it is beautiful doesn't even do it justice.
I was also able to buy a small pamphlet style biography of Lawrence Saint that was compiled and written by one of his granddaughters. What really impressed me was that Lawrence Saint had a very strong Christian testimony and devoted his life to creating beautiful Christian art; three of his 8 children were missionaries in foreign countries; his son, Nate, and daughter, Rachel, both died on the field; Nate's son, Steve, ("End of the Spear") has gone back and lived with the very natives who killed his father; Steve's children have both lived with and served the Waodani Indians. What a family legacy!
The ironic part of the whole thing...here is this beautiful cathedral, all these stained glass windows, many with Biblical themes, etc. and downstairs in the bookstore were books on mysticism, Buddhism, the Muslim faith, and all sorts of other 'isms';even a book called "The Spirituality of Wine". Not just a book or two, entire bookshelves and displays! But actual Christian books were very sparse.
The last 90 minutes we were there a rehearsal was taking place in the main part of the cathedral. I sat looking up at "the Last Judgment", listening to over 100 teens and an orchestra (with lots of string instruments) singing hymns like "It Is Well With My Soul", etc. i sat there listening to the music, glancing up at the window and reading several Psalms. What a very encouraging and blessed time!
Will write more later....
Our original plan was just to drive an hour or so to Charlottesville and browse antique stores. Well Shan came up with the idea of going to Washington DC, which turns out is only 4 hours from Lynchburg. My first reaction was a fear of driving in the nation's capitol. But we went to Barnes and Noble, read thru the tourist guides and devised our plan. We knew our time was limited and no way could we see it all, so there was no since in making ourselves and each other miserable even trying. We came up with a list of things we wanted to see and then proceeded from there.
That turned out to be quite easy! We both wanted to see Washington's National Cathedral and the Vietnam War Memorial. She wanted to visit the Holocaust Museum but I knew I would have great difficulty getting thru that without Bob with me. But I wanted to go to one part of the Smithsonian.
We got directions off mapquest, packed our bags, had our snacks and got up at 5:30AM on Friday. We were actually on the road by 6:30 and drove right to the National Cathedral without any difficulties. Parked on a side street and then spent almost 7 hours at the museum. Part of the time we were together, and alot of the time we each did our own thing. Ate our sandwiches outside on the lawn on a wooden table with a black squirrel providing entertainment. Turns out squirrels, or at least that one, don't like candied ginger!
My main reason for wanting to go to the museum was for the stained glass windows. Several of the windows were created by Lawrence Saint. He is the father of Nate Saint, who along with Jim Eliott and 3 other missionaries was killed in Ecuador in the 50's. I bought a book in the bookshop when we first got there that described the windows and gave their locations. I walked upstairs trying to get myself orientated. Sat down on a chair and looked up and right straight ahead was the circular window that Lawrence Saint created called "the Last Judment". To say it is beautiful doesn't even do it justice.
I was also able to buy a small pamphlet style biography of Lawrence Saint that was compiled and written by one of his granddaughters. What really impressed me was that Lawrence Saint had a very strong Christian testimony and devoted his life to creating beautiful Christian art; three of his 8 children were missionaries in foreign countries; his son, Nate, and daughter, Rachel, both died on the field; Nate's son, Steve, ("End of the Spear") has gone back and lived with the very natives who killed his father; Steve's children have both lived with and served the Waodani Indians. What a family legacy!
The ironic part of the whole thing...here is this beautiful cathedral, all these stained glass windows, many with Biblical themes, etc. and downstairs in the bookstore were books on mysticism, Buddhism, the Muslim faith, and all sorts of other 'isms';even a book called "The Spirituality of Wine". Not just a book or two, entire bookshelves and displays! But actual Christian books were very sparse.
The last 90 minutes we were there a rehearsal was taking place in the main part of the cathedral. I sat looking up at "the Last Judgment", listening to over 100 teens and an orchestra (with lots of string instruments) singing hymns like "It Is Well With My Soul", etc. i sat there listening to the music, glancing up at the window and reading several Psalms. What a very encouraging and blessed time!
Will write more later....
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Busy days
Wow, realized I haven't written in quite a while....taking a 2 year old with me to the bookstore with wi-fi definitely curtails my ability to keep current. But I do get brief time to read the other blogs. Lyndie, she loves the pix you posted of you and Uncle D. Every day now we get to see "Unca D in da boat" She is fascinated with that one.
I copied David's las msg about the squirrel into my MSWord so that I could read it to the boys. Told them this morning that I would read to them all about Uncle D and his fight with a squirrel. Should have seen Samo's eyes light up. This should be good!
My days are busy, I am exhausted by 9PM...I have learned to appreciate once again watching the clock for children's bedtime. But we have also read "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" from the children's classic series (illustration on each page), (Boys sit i n tub together, while I sit on toilet and read it to them each evening) and are going to start either "Swiss Family Robinson" or "Journey to the center of the earth" tonight. Have been buying the $1.00 DVD's from Walmart that are each 2 hours of Popeye, Superman, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, etc cartoons....old cartoons. The boys love them! So for an hour in the evening they get their pillows, oh-oh's ("blankies" for the less-informed), small snacks and we enjoy them together.
Of course, last night I discovered that I need to check every ledge of the tub before putting Shiloh in to play for a few minutes. The door was open, I could hear her playing, I checked on her a couple of times....but there was that 5 minute interlude where she found the vaseline container stuck in one corner....they don't have childproof lids I discovered after the fact. Let's just say she won't have any dry skin for a while....from her forehead all the way to her cute little toes....not just smeared....but big globs. Her hair's a little greasy this morning I noticed, too. Guess it works as a conditioner, too.
I'm enjoying myself....but missing my hubby mucho, mucho, mucho. But life is good...
God is wonderful!
I copied David's las msg about the squirrel into my MSWord so that I could read it to the boys. Told them this morning that I would read to them all about Uncle D and his fight with a squirrel. Should have seen Samo's eyes light up. This should be good!
My days are busy, I am exhausted by 9PM...I have learned to appreciate once again watching the clock for children's bedtime. But we have also read "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" from the children's classic series (illustration on each page), (Boys sit i n tub together, while I sit on toilet and read it to them each evening) and are going to start either "Swiss Family Robinson" or "Journey to the center of the earth" tonight. Have been buying the $1.00 DVD's from Walmart that are each 2 hours of Popeye, Superman, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, etc cartoons....old cartoons. The boys love them! So for an hour in the evening they get their pillows, oh-oh's ("blankies" for the less-informed), small snacks and we enjoy them together.
Of course, last night I discovered that I need to check every ledge of the tub before putting Shiloh in to play for a few minutes. The door was open, I could hear her playing, I checked on her a couple of times....but there was that 5 minute interlude where she found the vaseline container stuck in one corner....they don't have childproof lids I discovered after the fact. Let's just say she won't have any dry skin for a while....from her forehead all the way to her cute little toes....not just smeared....but big globs. Her hair's a little greasy this morning I noticed, too. Guess it works as a conditioner, too.
I'm enjoying myself....but missing my hubby mucho, mucho, mucho. But life is good...
God is wonderful!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Ministry opportunity
I got a phone call this morning from a Diana Dimoff. She works for motion masters, which is a video production company. Erica Jude, who is a SCORE missionary in the Dominican with her husband, Nate, was employed with them before they arrived in the Dominican. Obviously, she is still doing some things with them, as she gave them my name. Erica wrote a script for a production on child abuse, and they want me in it.
Diana and her crew are coming to Lynchburg this Thursday to interview me. I have the script that they emailed me. My part is not an "acted" part, thank goodness. They want to know the early neglect, and then the part about being adopted and my family life. Shan's backyard is really pretty...a small wooded area just past the main yard. They will video either in Shan's backyard, or possibly in her living room. They're hoping I can have a grandchild with me, so Shiloh may appear in it also.
Please pray for clarity of thought, the right words, and a definite lack of nervousness.
Diana and her crew are coming to Lynchburg this Thursday to interview me. I have the script that they emailed me. My part is not an "acted" part, thank goodness. They want to know the early neglect, and then the part about being adopted and my family life. Shan's backyard is really pretty...a small wooded area just past the main yard. They will video either in Shan's backyard, or possibly in her living room. They're hoping I can have a grandchild with me, so Shiloh may appear in it also.
Please pray for clarity of thought, the right words, and a definite lack of nervousness.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
...out of the mouth of babes...
For the past couple of weeks whenever I put Shiloh down for her nap or bedtime, I sing three songs to her....*Jesus loves me*, "The Love of God" (1st & 3rd verse---can never remember the 2nd one), and *Silent Night*. She gets in bed, fusses for about 3 seconds, then turns on her side, clasps her hands together as if praying, and just looks at me waiting for the songs.
Yesterday afternoon, Shan was laying on the bed. Shiloh crawled up next to her, but Shan and I were talking. Quietly, Shiloh started to sing....her own version of "Jesus loves me"
~~~Jesus loves me I know~~~
Those were the only words she sang...repeating them several times. What a blessing and an encouragement to hear these simple truthful words sung so softly.
Yesterday afternoon, Shan was laying on the bed. Shiloh crawled up next to her, but Shan and I were talking. Quietly, Shiloh started to sing....her own version of "Jesus loves me"
~~~Jesus loves me I know~~~
Those were the only words she sang...repeating them several times. What a blessing and an encouragement to hear these simple truthful words sung so softly.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
coupons
haven't checked it out completely and don't have a printer handy, but this site looks interesting
coupon.com
let me know what you think
coupon.com
let me know what you think
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Land of Magnolias
...well they're not blooming yet, but they will be in June....
Saw a very unusual sign on a corner coffee/doughnut shop this morning.
** Owner broke his hip, help us buy him a new one. Buy Something**
Now that sounds like desperation to me...I'm just wondering~~how many cups of coffee or doughtnuts must they sell to clear enough for the owner's new hip. I just picture this poor man laying in a hospital bed wondering when he will have his new hip. Not trying to be uncaring, this one just hit me as a very funny sign.
I got to go to some garage sales this morning. What fun....Incase, you are wondering....no, they do NOT have garage sales in the Dominican. Dominicans are the untimate recyclers. But I was able this morning to get Stephan and Samuel some t-shirts like new for 50 cents each. And a copy of the book *Charlotte's Web* for a quarter. The boys love to read and to be read to. I LOVE garage sales!
This is the first I've gotten to go online without a squirmy 2 year old on my lap. Shiloh on my lap makes for some interesting typing/spelling. But thankfully, there is a bookstore less than 2 minutes from Shan's house that has free wi-fi! Thank you LORD! My tracphone will not allow me to call Bob in the Dominican. The phone would but Lynchburg is in a valley between the mts and is very particular about calling signals I guess....gggrrrrrr.....and Bob has not been able to connect to either my phone or Shan's. Which makes no sense because I could call Shan from my cell phone before I left. Crazy airwaves. Thank the LORD for email, laptops and wifi!
Hope everyone is well....it was great seeing some of you last Sunday.
Saw a very unusual sign on a corner coffee/doughnut shop this morning.
** Owner broke his hip, help us buy him a new one. Buy Something**
Now that sounds like desperation to me...I'm just wondering~~how many cups of coffee or doughtnuts must they sell to clear enough for the owner's new hip. I just picture this poor man laying in a hospital bed wondering when he will have his new hip. Not trying to be uncaring, this one just hit me as a very funny sign.
I got to go to some garage sales this morning. What fun....Incase, you are wondering....no, they do NOT have garage sales in the Dominican. Dominicans are the untimate recyclers. But I was able this morning to get Stephan and Samuel some t-shirts like new for 50 cents each. And a copy of the book *Charlotte's Web* for a quarter. The boys love to read and to be read to. I LOVE garage sales!
This is the first I've gotten to go online without a squirmy 2 year old on my lap. Shiloh on my lap makes for some interesting typing/spelling. But thankfully, there is a bookstore less than 2 minutes from Shan's house that has free wi-fi! Thank you LORD! My tracphone will not allow me to call Bob in the Dominican. The phone would but Lynchburg is in a valley between the mts and is very particular about calling signals I guess....gggrrrrrr.....and Bob has not been able to connect to either my phone or Shan's. Which makes no sense because I could call Shan from my cell phone before I left. Crazy airwaves. Thank the LORD for email, laptops and wifi!
Hope everyone is well....it was great seeing some of you last Sunday.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
In Ole Virginnny
Well I left out yesterday A.M.(on the road after stopping at gas station by 5:55). Had a very uneventful trip and arrived here at 2:30ish. Boy~~ an 8 hour trip in the States is nothing like a 5 minute trip in the Dominican....only saw one motorcycle the entire way! Everyone was in their respective lanes and going in the appropriate directions. Every single vehicle had all of its windows and doors. The most I saw in any vehicle was three people ...the record for what I've seen in the DR is 27 in a 15 passenger van along with all their groceries! Nobody had tied their horse to the side of the road. For that matter, there was not one single section of guardrail needing repair, missing or totally demolished. In the DR the roadcrews install guardrails and if people find them to be in their way, they just remove whatever sections are blocking their passage! The only cows I saw were in a pasture...I didn't share the road at any time with goats, chickens or roosters. Not one single vehicle was on the side of the road having one or two of its tires changed. And absolutely no one was riding on top of any of the truck loads...
Like I said my trip was very uneventful....
But I'm here and all is well.... thanks for your prayers!
Like I said my trip was very uneventful....
But I'm here and all is well.... thanks for your prayers!
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Broadway Joe's
~~It is 9:45 Am Thursday and I am sitting at Broadway Joe's with a large cup of Highlander Grogg, doing the Wi-fi thing and hoping someone I know decides they would like a cup of coffee now too!
David and Lyndie are both at work, Bob is in the Dominican, and I don't have anyone's phone number, nor can I find a phone directory and I don't have a car...so my options are limited.
But if anyone gets this soon, and cares to join me I'll be here until about 11AM. Then over to the library, then maybe the Christian bookstore. We'll see how the ankles hold up : }
I LOVE being able to walk around safely and have cool places to stop in. and a coffee shop in the morning is delightful beyond words!
David and Lyndie are both at work, Bob is in the Dominican, and I don't have anyone's phone number, nor can I find a phone directory and I don't have a car...so my options are limited.
But if anyone gets this soon, and cares to join me I'll be here until about 11AM. Then over to the library, then maybe the Christian bookstore. We'll see how the ankles hold up : }
I LOVE being able to walk around safely and have cool places to stop in. and a coffee shop in the morning is delightful beyond words!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Spring time....
Our group left out on Saturday. What a blessing they were to us. The teens are always ready to serve, and are an encouragement to us in so many ways! We stood at the airport crying as they wound their way thru the Delta line. Seeing 26 people in a Dominican airport calling out *I love you* and some of them blowing kisses at us was truly a moment to be remembered~~
But now my days are changing again. We had our tickets purchased to come *home* in July for about 5 weeks before going to Costa Rica for language school thru December 18th. Well, thru changing circumstances I will be flying out tomorrow (Wednesday) into Dayton. I'll be at Grace on Sunday!!!! Then Monday I'm heading down to Lynchburg, where I will be staying with Shan and the kids. I'm going to be helping her by taking care of the kids at night while she works and getting them off to school in the morning (she gets home from work at 2:30AM!) It is a temporary thing, but it means I will be in the States again for about 10 weeks before Bob arrives July 12th.
I'm delighted to have this special time with my daughter and my grandchildren. Bob and I have been praying about this for over a month, and Shan would like for me to come.
Last year at this time I was at David and Lyndie's for 10 weeks recovering with my heels. I didn't know going into it how much I would miss Bob and being here in the Dominican. This time I know before I leave how hard it will be to be gone for so long. (Actually with the planned time in July and then language school, I will be gone from tomorrow thru December 18th, but at least Bob will be with me starting in July:)
As I said I am happy about being able to spend this time with Shan and to able to interact with Stephan, Samuel and Shiloh for an extended time period. But I would covet your prayers for all of us....you may not know all the details but the LORD does and He knows why you're asking....
So, hopefully, I'll see many of you this weekend sometime. David, I'll see you at the airport Wednesday night at 9 and you won't have to carry me up any stairs this year!!!
But now my days are changing again. We had our tickets purchased to come *home* in July for about 5 weeks before going to Costa Rica for language school thru December 18th. Well, thru changing circumstances I will be flying out tomorrow (Wednesday) into Dayton. I'll be at Grace on Sunday!!!! Then Monday I'm heading down to Lynchburg, where I will be staying with Shan and the kids. I'm going to be helping her by taking care of the kids at night while she works and getting them off to school in the morning (she gets home from work at 2:30AM!) It is a temporary thing, but it means I will be in the States again for about 10 weeks before Bob arrives July 12th.
I'm delighted to have this special time with my daughter and my grandchildren. Bob and I have been praying about this for over a month, and Shan would like for me to come.
Last year at this time I was at David and Lyndie's for 10 weeks recovering with my heels. I didn't know going into it how much I would miss Bob and being here in the Dominican. This time I know before I leave how hard it will be to be gone for so long. (Actually with the planned time in July and then language school, I will be gone from tomorrow thru December 18th, but at least Bob will be with me starting in July:)
As I said I am happy about being able to spend this time with Shan and to able to interact with Stephan, Samuel and Shiloh for an extended time period. But I would covet your prayers for all of us....you may not know all the details but the LORD does and He knows why you're asking....
So, hopefully, I'll see many of you this weekend sometime. David, I'll see you at the airport Wednesday night at 9 and you won't have to carry me up any stairs this year!!!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Fun times~~
Well, we have a group here from North Carolina. This is their third trip in two years. When they came on their first trip, they were all in Jr-High and there were only 13 including leaders. Now they have grown to 26 with 4 leaders. The original leaders have moved to TX, so it's a new group of leaders. I asked why the group had grown so large. The one leader said, "Because when the kids come back they are so excited, they get everyone else wanting to come!"
This is such a great group to work with....they encourage us so much! When we are home on furlough in the Fall each year, we stay in the home of one of the girls who has come each year. They feel like famly to us.
I'm so looking forward to this week! All weeks are good, but this week is special!
Also there is a group of missionary wives getting together for a retreat April 24-26 at Casa de Campo. Only about 12 ladies, but I get to go! Yes! I am really looking forward to this. Some of you may know Ron Bishop's sister, Paula Hodges and her daughter, Allison. They are heading it up. We're going to each share about our ministry, what we're doing, what our plans are, our needs, concerns etc. and then have time to pray for one another. How wonderful is that???
So hope y'all are having a blessed week. Did David and Lyndie get moved????
7:05PM......
I got to talk to David and Lyndie this afternoon!!!! YES!!!! I love Alexnder Graham Bell and his wonderful invention! They sound happy, relaxed and at peace...this Mama is smiling!
This is such a great group to work with....they encourage us so much! When we are home on furlough in the Fall each year, we stay in the home of one of the girls who has come each year. They feel like famly to us.
I'm so looking forward to this week! All weeks are good, but this week is special!
Also there is a group of missionary wives getting together for a retreat April 24-26 at Casa de Campo. Only about 12 ladies, but I get to go! Yes! I am really looking forward to this. Some of you may know Ron Bishop's sister, Paula Hodges and her daughter, Allison. They are heading it up. We're going to each share about our ministry, what we're doing, what our plans are, our needs, concerns etc. and then have time to pray for one another. How wonderful is that???
So hope y'all are having a blessed week. Did David and Lyndie get moved????
7:05PM......
I got to talk to David and Lyndie this afternoon!!!! YES!!!! I love Alexnder Graham Bell and his wonderful invention! They sound happy, relaxed and at peace...this Mama is smiling!
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
they call them *lemons*
Greetings~~
Haven't been able to write for a few days....aggravated my ankles again and have been off my feet and unable to leave the apartment. Wheelchair and braces are back in use....while I am thankful to have these items when I need them, I can still wish that I didn't need them. Imagine wearing the old snow boots in August and you get an idea what my "personal foot suanas" feel like.
But Sunday I got to go to church. We went to Manny's church in Consuilito. What a wonderful time of refreshment. ((If everyone here spoke as clearly as Manny does, I could actually learn Spanish and understand a whole lot more.)) Sunday was their communion, so Manny spoke about the wage of sin is death but Christ paid it all. No one else could pay it, we can do nothing. It was so good to actually understand most of what was said.
After church, we walked over to Evangelista's home, just a couple hundred feet from the church. Her son-in-law, Esidro, works at SCORE in the maintenance. A dear brother in the LORD. His wife is pregnant (6 weeks) but 5 months ago she had a routine exam and the Dr gave her antibiotics for an infection. Esidro had Bob look at her lab results two weeks ago....she has early stage cervical cancer. Last week she had new tests, nothing has changed...which is good, but she is 6 weeks pregnant so they have to wait for the delivery of the baby before they can operate.
She is a believer. They have two other little boys (about 4 & 2). So please pray for this family and for the safety of the baby in all of this.
While we were there, Evangelista gave us a bag of fruit. They look like grapefruit. In fact Manny said they were, but Evangelista said "NO!" Dulce! Turns out they are called sweet lemons. They look like grapefruit, are the size of an orange, are called sweet lemons and taste nothing like a lemon, orange or a grapefruit! But they are delicious. Very mild, and it's what they use to make lemonade after adding mucho azucar!!! (much sugar).
Ron is here today working on plans for Kosmos 2006. So we just had a big staff meeting to discuss plans. There should be about 450 people here all in one week in June. Please pray for this special time also....it should be exciting!
So trust all is well with everyone there!
Haven't been able to write for a few days....aggravated my ankles again and have been off my feet and unable to leave the apartment. Wheelchair and braces are back in use....while I am thankful to have these items when I need them, I can still wish that I didn't need them. Imagine wearing the old snow boots in August and you get an idea what my "personal foot suanas" feel like.
But Sunday I got to go to church. We went to Manny's church in Consuilito. What a wonderful time of refreshment. ((If everyone here spoke as clearly as Manny does, I could actually learn Spanish and understand a whole lot more.)) Sunday was their communion, so Manny spoke about the wage of sin is death but Christ paid it all. No one else could pay it, we can do nothing. It was so good to actually understand most of what was said.
After church, we walked over to Evangelista's home, just a couple hundred feet from the church. Her son-in-law, Esidro, works at SCORE in the maintenance. A dear brother in the LORD. His wife is pregnant (6 weeks) but 5 months ago she had a routine exam and the Dr gave her antibiotics for an infection. Esidro had Bob look at her lab results two weeks ago....she has early stage cervical cancer. Last week she had new tests, nothing has changed...which is good, but she is 6 weeks pregnant so they have to wait for the delivery of the baby before they can operate.
She is a believer. They have two other little boys (about 4 & 2). So please pray for this family and for the safety of the baby in all of this.
While we were there, Evangelista gave us a bag of fruit. They look like grapefruit. In fact Manny said they were, but Evangelista said "NO!" Dulce! Turns out they are called sweet lemons. They look like grapefruit, are the size of an orange, are called sweet lemons and taste nothing like a lemon, orange or a grapefruit! But they are delicious. Very mild, and it's what they use to make lemonade after adding mucho azucar!!! (much sugar).
Ron is here today working on plans for Kosmos 2006. So we just had a big staff meeting to discuss plans. There should be about 450 people here all in one week in June. Please pray for this special time also....it should be exciting!
So trust all is well with everyone there!
Monday, March 27, 2006
*As Seen on TV*
Have you seen the "As Seen on TV" ad for the cat claw covers? I saw it for the first time this morning while watching CNN headline news. ((Not my favorite news station,~~Robin & Co gets on my nerves at times~~ but it's the only one we get in English. Well there is DW from Germany that alternates an English/German broadcast that is really interesting, but I digress...))
Back to the claw commercial...
I kept waiting for the Energizer bunny to march across the screen "Still Going...." But for $19.99 +S&H you can get a three month supply of plastic caps (claw shaped) to attach to your cat's claws.
You will never have to worry about your cat clawing the furniture or your children. (okay, that's a nice feature) They come with a tube of glue and show a cat sitting calmly while the adult attaches them. (yeah, like that is realistic!)
They are veterinarian approved, incase you were wondering.
Knowing how cats like to lick and clean themselves, how long do you think before there is a lawsuit when someone's "Fluffy" chokes on one and dies????
Back to the claw commercial...
I kept waiting for the Energizer bunny to march across the screen "Still Going...." But for $19.99 +S&H you can get a three month supply of plastic caps (claw shaped) to attach to your cat's claws.
You will never have to worry about your cat clawing the furniture or your children. (okay, that's a nice feature) They come with a tube of glue and show a cat sitting calmly while the adult attaches them. (yeah, like that is realistic!)
They are veterinarian approved, incase you were wondering.
Knowing how cats like to lick and clean themselves, how long do you think before there is a lawsuit when someone's "Fluffy" chokes on one and dies????
Another week goes by....
Well I managed to make it thru doing three loads of laundry, making simple curtains for two windows in the SCORE orphanage, along with sweeping, dusting and dishes before the smoke drove me crazy!!!! or crazier, as the case may be.
Dominicans are always burning something. Seeing smoke or flames is very rarely a cause for concern. Instead of clearing a field, burn it! About 50 feet away from the front gate of our apartment, someone decided to burn some trees and brush in two different lots today. I could hear the crackling in the laundry room (which is on the backside of our apartment). When I went to look, the flames were quite tall and the smoke very thick. That started about 11AM. While I could smell the smoke, it wasn't too bad. That is until the wind shifted! When I go back, my house may smell of smoke..but, oh well.
Had a crazy end of the week. Thursday the landlord, Joe, and Pabo, the caretaker, decided they were going to fix the ceilings in our apartment. Last year we had a problem for a short time with leaks in the ceiling. During one particularly bad storm, I had 9 pots out collecting drips (BIG drips!) Pabo took care of the problem, but this is a cement bldg with a cement roof. When he sealed the leaks, it trapped the moisture in. As the moisture evaporated slowly over time, I guess it affected the paint in the ceilings as it began to bubble and eventually turn to powder and fall off. The worst was my sewing room. I had a circle of bare cement three feet out from the ceiling fan and spreading! There were spots all over that room that were flaking. I couldn't even use the room to work in any more (with all the paint dust, burn soot that makes it in along with dirt it was really getting annoying!)
Anyway, they had to scrape ceilings in all but one room (Bob's tiny study has a perfect looking ceiling---most people's bathrooms are bigger then his study). So, besides the sewing room they scraped and painted the kitchen/living room, bedroom and the bathroom.
They used drop cloths. But it would have been more helpful had they folded them up and shook them out before moving them to the next room, but that's just my personal opinion : }
At the same time they were *fixing* the toilet. Bob and I got quite a chuckle out of this one. They spent literally 4 hours *fixing* the toilet. It wouldn't stop running, wouldn't always flush, occasionally had water running out of the back. They tried working with the current parts, they bought new parts, they tried jerry-rigging those parts, they re-installed the old parts. Finally at 5:00 Joe declared they were done. All of the ceilings looked great! I went in a few minutes later to flush the toilet----it didn't flush! Bob came in, I told him and in less than 5 minutes he fixed it---shortened the chain and bent the bar. ~~sheesh~~
Friday was a delightful day! Bob and I spent the day at Guavaberry. That's the wonderful beach less than 5 minutes from out apartment. We walked the beach several times; sat on lounge chairs and read, drank diet Coke, ate lunch in the outdoor restaurant (our burgers were 5" tall with the lettuce and tomato---alot of two-handed squishing required). There was a really strong breeze that day and no clouds. We sat under the shade trees and relaxed. I read outloud several chapters of "End of the Spear" by Steve Saint. Then quietly enjoyed my James A. Michener book, *Texas* --I think I only have about 250-300 pages left in that book.
Saturday Bob had to work on realigning both of our vehicles with Wilkins help. Then the cupboard in my laundry room needed some reinforcing. They finally realized they would have to remove it from the wall, reconstruct it, make new reinforcements and remount it. Three hours later I had the room back to reassemble! But I no longer fear my cupboard falling off the wall if I put another can of soup in it. This cupboard is about 8 feet long.
Yesterday I woke up with a stomach bug...let's just say I am very glad the toilet was fixed and working properly. Bob went to church, I stayed home drinking many cups of ginger ale...no Vernor's here though!
Right now we don't have any groups here so this is when we take care of the *normal* things of living. So, how's your life?
Dominicans are always burning something. Seeing smoke or flames is very rarely a cause for concern. Instead of clearing a field, burn it! About 50 feet away from the front gate of our apartment, someone decided to burn some trees and brush in two different lots today. I could hear the crackling in the laundry room (which is on the backside of our apartment). When I went to look, the flames were quite tall and the smoke very thick. That started about 11AM. While I could smell the smoke, it wasn't too bad. That is until the wind shifted! When I go back, my house may smell of smoke..but, oh well.
Had a crazy end of the week. Thursday the landlord, Joe, and Pabo, the caretaker, decided they were going to fix the ceilings in our apartment. Last year we had a problem for a short time with leaks in the ceiling. During one particularly bad storm, I had 9 pots out collecting drips (BIG drips!) Pabo took care of the problem, but this is a cement bldg with a cement roof. When he sealed the leaks, it trapped the moisture in. As the moisture evaporated slowly over time, I guess it affected the paint in the ceilings as it began to bubble and eventually turn to powder and fall off. The worst was my sewing room. I had a circle of bare cement three feet out from the ceiling fan and spreading! There were spots all over that room that were flaking. I couldn't even use the room to work in any more (with all the paint dust, burn soot that makes it in along with dirt it was really getting annoying!)
Anyway, they had to scrape ceilings in all but one room (Bob's tiny study has a perfect looking ceiling---most people's bathrooms are bigger then his study). So, besides the sewing room they scraped and painted the kitchen/living room, bedroom and the bathroom.
They used drop cloths. But it would have been more helpful had they folded them up and shook them out before moving them to the next room, but that's just my personal opinion : }
At the same time they were *fixing* the toilet. Bob and I got quite a chuckle out of this one. They spent literally 4 hours *fixing* the toilet. It wouldn't stop running, wouldn't always flush, occasionally had water running out of the back. They tried working with the current parts, they bought new parts, they tried jerry-rigging those parts, they re-installed the old parts. Finally at 5:00 Joe declared they were done. All of the ceilings looked great! I went in a few minutes later to flush the toilet----it didn't flush! Bob came in, I told him and in less than 5 minutes he fixed it---shortened the chain and bent the bar. ~~sheesh~~
Friday was a delightful day! Bob and I spent the day at Guavaberry. That's the wonderful beach less than 5 minutes from out apartment. We walked the beach several times; sat on lounge chairs and read, drank diet Coke, ate lunch in the outdoor restaurant (our burgers were 5" tall with the lettuce and tomato---alot of two-handed squishing required). There was a really strong breeze that day and no clouds. We sat under the shade trees and relaxed. I read outloud several chapters of "End of the Spear" by Steve Saint. Then quietly enjoyed my James A. Michener book, *Texas* --I think I only have about 250-300 pages left in that book.
Saturday Bob had to work on realigning both of our vehicles with Wilkins help. Then the cupboard in my laundry room needed some reinforcing. They finally realized they would have to remove it from the wall, reconstruct it, make new reinforcements and remount it. Three hours later I had the room back to reassemble! But I no longer fear my cupboard falling off the wall if I put another can of soup in it. This cupboard is about 8 feet long.
Yesterday I woke up with a stomach bug...let's just say I am very glad the toilet was fixed and working properly. Bob went to church, I stayed home drinking many cups of ginger ale...no Vernor's here though!
Right now we don't have any groups here so this is when we take care of the *normal* things of living. So, how's your life?
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Neon signs in church
Did you ever sit in church and as the message began you felt like there was a big neon sign over your head with a flashing arrow pointing right at you and a statement saying "This one's for her!" That was my experience today!
If any one of you read my post yesterday, you know I was not a happy camper. I was extremely frustrated and annoyed at our neighbor for his loud *music* (although I still contend that a continual repetitive bass beat with no notes is not music).
I had a beautiful day with no responsibilities. I had several hours of uninterrupted time. I planned on sewing curtains for the orphanage. I was looking forward to this time. BUT our neighbor blared his *music*, so I became extremely annoyed. ~~yes, notice the emphasis on *ME*
Then I went to church this morning. In Dominican churches at the beginning of the service, they read in unison the passage that the pastor will be preaching from. Today we read I Corinthians 13. That well known passage on *LOVE*. Oh yes, the neon sign was glowing brightly and flashing quickly!!!
Learned alot today even if it was in Spanish~~
We breathe because of God's love and mercy; we stand because of God's love and mercy; we walk because of God's love and mercy; we exist because of God's love and mercy. We are nothing without God's love and mercy.
Because we are His children, we should love the Father.~~ we love Him because He first loved us.
Because of our love for the Father, our whole life is to be a service to Him--If we lack godliness, then we cannot love and truly serve others. ((OUCH!))
Love is not a sentiment; Love is an action and the direction of our life.
The Lord allowed much testing of Job, but Job still served God --"The LORD giveth and the LORD taketh away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
from Deuteronomy 13:3 "...for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your mind."
Psalm 119 vs 157 "Many are my persecutors and my enemies; yet I do not turn from Your testimonies."
Psalm 119::163 "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."
My actions and attitude yesterday did not reflect God's love. For those of you who read that post, please forgove my complaining spirit, and lack of love. Yes, the music was obnoxiously loud and annoying; but I know I didn't handle it right. Instead of mumbling and complaining, and having a horrible attitude, I could have been praying for them. Yes, I had things I wanted to get done, but I could have prayed and asked the LORD to help me to overcome the circumstances. There were any number of things I could have prayed about, but I chose to complain, be self-centered and become bitter.
I'm sorry if I caused any of you to become discouraged, also.
I would ask for you to pray for me that I will show the love of God. Before we moved here a missionary, Jay Munoz, preached one night and he basically said "Don't go into fulltime missions, or come to the Dominican, because you love the country or you love the people. You won't always be able to love the people. Come because you love God and want to serve and please HIM." That is what I need to remember and focus on...remembering God's love, patience and mercy for me...focusing on Him...then serving Him because of my love for Him...and allowing His love to flow through me.
Hope you all are having a wonderful day!
If any one of you read my post yesterday, you know I was not a happy camper. I was extremely frustrated and annoyed at our neighbor for his loud *music* (although I still contend that a continual repetitive bass beat with no notes is not music).
I had a beautiful day with no responsibilities. I had several hours of uninterrupted time. I planned on sewing curtains for the orphanage. I was looking forward to this time. BUT our neighbor blared his *music*, so I became extremely annoyed. ~~yes, notice the emphasis on *ME*
Then I went to church this morning. In Dominican churches at the beginning of the service, they read in unison the passage that the pastor will be preaching from. Today we read I Corinthians 13. That well known passage on *LOVE*. Oh yes, the neon sign was glowing brightly and flashing quickly!!!
Learned alot today even if it was in Spanish~~
We breathe because of God's love and mercy; we stand because of God's love and mercy; we walk because of God's love and mercy; we exist because of God's love and mercy. We are nothing without God's love and mercy.
Because we are His children, we should love the Father.~~ we love Him because He first loved us.
Because of our love for the Father, our whole life is to be a service to Him--If we lack godliness, then we cannot love and truly serve others. ((OUCH!))
Love is not a sentiment; Love is an action and the direction of our life.
The Lord allowed much testing of Job, but Job still served God --"The LORD giveth and the LORD taketh away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
from Deuteronomy 13:3 "...for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your mind."
Psalm 119 vs 157 "Many are my persecutors and my enemies; yet I do not turn from Your testimonies."
Psalm 119::163 "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."
My actions and attitude yesterday did not reflect God's love. For those of you who read that post, please forgove my complaining spirit, and lack of love. Yes, the music was obnoxiously loud and annoying; but I know I didn't handle it right. Instead of mumbling and complaining, and having a horrible attitude, I could have been praying for them. Yes, I had things I wanted to get done, but I could have prayed and asked the LORD to help me to overcome the circumstances. There were any number of things I could have prayed about, but I chose to complain, be self-centered and become bitter.
I'm sorry if I caused any of you to become discouraged, also.
I would ask for you to pray for me that I will show the love of God. Before we moved here a missionary, Jay Munoz, preached one night and he basically said "Don't go into fulltime missions, or come to the Dominican, because you love the country or you love the people. You won't always be able to love the people. Come because you love God and want to serve and please HIM." That is what I need to remember and focus on...remembering God's love, patience and mercy for me...focusing on Him...then serving Him because of my love for Him...and allowing His love to flow through me.
Hope you all are having a wonderful day!
Saturday, March 18, 2006
thump-thum-thumpthumpthump
Today started off with a *bang*...actually it started off with a very heavy bass beat compliments of the neighbors at 7:30 this morning....gggrrrrr....
Neighbor doesn't even live next door, simply owns it and every few months decides to have an all day party. Picture 2 six foot speakers and a keyboard set to automatically play the same beat all day and you have the *music* for the day! the beat is ~~thump-thump-thumpthumpthump
Every once in a while someone decides to actually *play* the keyboard, which means they find three keys and play them repeatedly for about 5 minutes! Our landlord has tried to get him to turn down the music, even went to the police station and found out "Yes there is a noise ordinance! It goes into effect at 11pm" Something to look forward to at least!
This is the same neighbor who technically had his electricity cut-off for non-payment, but simply had someone connect a new line on thursday in preparation for today. The same neighbor who pays someone to clean the place for his parties but not to do the clean-up afterward, so his inground pool becomes a cesspool of mosquitoes! Last week there was still about a 10" deep by 10 foot across puddle of brown sludge in the *deep* end of the pool. With malaria and dengue fever on an increase here, and since these are spread by mosquitoes, and mosquitoes breed in standing water, this is a real annoyance!
I have an entire day free with no other responsibilities that I had planned for sewing. SCORE is partnering with a pastor in starting an orphanage. They currently have a very nice home in LaRomana with a woman, Josephina, to care for the children. There are 4 children--- 1 girl and 3 boys. But there are no curtains on any of the windows.
So, I have fabric, a sewing machine, the desire to sew and now I have curtains for 10 windows to make. I have the 2 sets completed for the girl's room --very pink and girlish. The set for the dining room is done--Waverly fabric in a really pretty floral. I tried working on the boys' curtains today. About one hour's worth of work left, but the thump-thump-thumpthumpthump from next door was driving me to insanity so I had to leave.
Have now been away from it for 3 hours "hiding" out here at SCORE. I told Bob I had to leave the apartment before I lost my Christian testimony..~~ time to go back and give it another try.
Incase you ever doubted, yes, missionaries have really bad days also!
Days when I remind myself that I am here because I love the LORD and I want to obey and serve however He desires and with the right attitude. Keep praying that this is a reality for me today!
Hope y'all are having a much calmer day!
Neighbor doesn't even live next door, simply owns it and every few months decides to have an all day party. Picture 2 six foot speakers and a keyboard set to automatically play the same beat all day and you have the *music* for the day! the beat is ~~thump-thump-thumpthumpthump
Every once in a while someone decides to actually *play* the keyboard, which means they find three keys and play them repeatedly for about 5 minutes! Our landlord has tried to get him to turn down the music, even went to the police station and found out "Yes there is a noise ordinance! It goes into effect at 11pm" Something to look forward to at least!
This is the same neighbor who technically had his electricity cut-off for non-payment, but simply had someone connect a new line on thursday in preparation for today. The same neighbor who pays someone to clean the place for his parties but not to do the clean-up afterward, so his inground pool becomes a cesspool of mosquitoes! Last week there was still about a 10" deep by 10 foot across puddle of brown sludge in the *deep* end of the pool. With malaria and dengue fever on an increase here, and since these are spread by mosquitoes, and mosquitoes breed in standing water, this is a real annoyance!
I have an entire day free with no other responsibilities that I had planned for sewing. SCORE is partnering with a pastor in starting an orphanage. They currently have a very nice home in LaRomana with a woman, Josephina, to care for the children. There are 4 children--- 1 girl and 3 boys. But there are no curtains on any of the windows.
So, I have fabric, a sewing machine, the desire to sew and now I have curtains for 10 windows to make. I have the 2 sets completed for the girl's room --very pink and girlish. The set for the dining room is done--Waverly fabric in a really pretty floral. I tried working on the boys' curtains today. About one hour's worth of work left, but the thump-thump-thumpthumpthump from next door was driving me to insanity so I had to leave.
Have now been away from it for 3 hours "hiding" out here at SCORE. I told Bob I had to leave the apartment before I lost my Christian testimony..~~ time to go back and give it another try.
Incase you ever doubted, yes, missionaries have really bad days also!
Days when I remind myself that I am here because I love the LORD and I want to obey and serve however He desires and with the right attitude. Keep praying that this is a reality for me today!
Hope y'all are having a much calmer day!
Friday, March 10, 2006
Oh where, oh where did my caffeine go?
"The principal reason that caffeine is used around the world is to promote wakefulness. But the principal reason that people need that crutch is inadequate sleep. Think about it: We use caffeine to make-up for a sleep defecit that is largely the result of using caffeine." ~~T.R. Reid, National Geographic Jan 2005, p.16~~
Woke up this morning intending to have my customary 2 cups of morning coffee. But I think I needed the actual caffeine before I tried to make the coffee.
Normal routine--remove the permanent type-filter---just empty, rinse, replace in coffee maker and add coffee grounds. Simple right?
Next add water and hit *start* simple right?
Well, to start with I did empty and rinse the filter, I added coffee grounds, poured the water in and hit start. Now I only had just enough bottled water to make my customary two cups as I forgot to ask Pabo, the apartment caretaker, to bring me up a 5 gallon bottle yesterday.
I heard the pot sucking up the water and brewing my pot of coffee. The smell was *heavenly*---it was Starbuck's Verona blend that someone gave me this Summer. Imagine my surprise when I re-entered the kitchen and saw coffee and grounds streaming down the outside of the pot and across the counter!!! YIKES-O-RAMA!
It would appear in my haste to make coffee I forgot two key things---I didn't re-insert the permanent filter--I put the grounds right into the basket without the benefit of a filter. I also failed to screw the lid on properly on the Gevalia Thermos coffee pot! This tends to create problems!
I pulled out the pot thinking this would stop the coffee from flowing, NO! Fortunately, I had another Gevalia thermos coffee pot handy (gift from another missionary whose Gevalia coffeemaker bit the dust). Put that pot in place... and began the clean up process...12 paper towels later, I discovered I actually had 1 1/3 cups of coffee between the two pots!!! Really only 1 cup because when I tried to drink that final 1/3 in the pot, I discovered I had a mouth full of coffee grounds...BLECGK!
For all of those who have Broadway Joe or Montage in your plans today, drink a nice strong one for me!
~~"For a man to be away from his coffeemaker is a sorry state of affairs, Mrs Graves," he said..."Bring your nostrils over that and tell me it isn't the aroma of heaven." ~~
~~As if gazing upon aqua vitae itself, he grasped the container and held it up to the window. 'Ah, the hue of steaming coffee is a thing of beauty, is it not?' he exclaimed with wondrous pride in the liquid he had created. ~~Michael Phillips, *A Rift in Time* p. 214 & 215
Woke up this morning intending to have my customary 2 cups of morning coffee. But I think I needed the actual caffeine before I tried to make the coffee.
Normal routine--remove the permanent type-filter---just empty, rinse, replace in coffee maker and add coffee grounds. Simple right?
Next add water and hit *start* simple right?
Well, to start with I did empty and rinse the filter, I added coffee grounds, poured the water in and hit start. Now I only had just enough bottled water to make my customary two cups as I forgot to ask Pabo, the apartment caretaker, to bring me up a 5 gallon bottle yesterday.
I heard the pot sucking up the water and brewing my pot of coffee. The smell was *heavenly*---it was Starbuck's Verona blend that someone gave me this Summer. Imagine my surprise when I re-entered the kitchen and saw coffee and grounds streaming down the outside of the pot and across the counter!!! YIKES-O-RAMA!
It would appear in my haste to make coffee I forgot two key things---I didn't re-insert the permanent filter--I put the grounds right into the basket without the benefit of a filter. I also failed to screw the lid on properly on the Gevalia Thermos coffee pot! This tends to create problems!
I pulled out the pot thinking this would stop the coffee from flowing, NO! Fortunately, I had another Gevalia thermos coffee pot handy (gift from another missionary whose Gevalia coffeemaker bit the dust). Put that pot in place... and began the clean up process...12 paper towels later, I discovered I actually had 1 1/3 cups of coffee between the two pots!!! Really only 1 cup because when I tried to drink that final 1/3 in the pot, I discovered I had a mouth full of coffee grounds...BLECGK!
For all of those who have Broadway Joe or Montage in your plans today, drink a nice strong one for me!
~~"For a man to be away from his coffeemaker is a sorry state of affairs, Mrs Graves," he said..."Bring your nostrils over that and tell me it isn't the aroma of heaven." ~~
~~As if gazing upon aqua vitae itself, he grasped the container and held it up to the window. 'Ah, the hue of steaming coffee is a thing of beauty, is it not?' he exclaimed with wondrous pride in the liquid he had created. ~~Michael Phillips, *A Rift in Time* p. 214 & 215
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Something new in the DR....
Please pray as the *national gas association* for this country has decided to protest something ~~so the gas stations are going to only sell current supply and refuse deliveries of more gas until the govt complies with their wishes. That could get bad fast! We personally use on the average about $75-$100 a week and gas is currently just under $4.00 a gallon! We're hoping that they don't intend to raise the price even higher.
All of this could greatly effect SCORE with the consumption of fuel in each bus and the van.
Along with this, the value of peso is once again falling --- it was at almost 35 to one US $1...now it is down to 31 in less than 2 weeks. This may not sound like much but it begins to effect things quickly.
************
Thursday's update on the gas situation~~
The 'gas association' has given the government until this Sunday to reach some sort of agreement. Sunday is when the current supply is predicted to run out. Right now, we're just keeping our gas tanks full and praying for the best!
All of this could greatly effect SCORE with the consumption of fuel in each bus and the van.
Along with this, the value of peso is once again falling --- it was at almost 35 to one US $1...now it is down to 31 in less than 2 weeks. This may not sound like much but it begins to effect things quickly.
************
Thursday's update on the gas situation~~
The 'gas association' has given the government until this Sunday to reach some sort of agreement. Sunday is when the current supply is predicted to run out. Right now, we're just keeping our gas tanks full and praying for the best!
Monday, February 27, 2006
Alabama Conference
Well, I finally have time to sit down and write about our trip last week to Alabama. To say it was "incredible" would be putting it mildly. We felt welcomed before we ever arrived. The correspondence with several from the church in the weeks preceeding was so encouraging.
Of course, stepping off the plane into 38* temps was a little eye-opener! Fortunately, the couple who came to pick us up had an extra coat in their car and Patsy is my size!
We had expected a church of about 1,000 from all we knew they were involved in. This is actually a church of about 350 where everyone is very committed to serving the LORD. They just do the work of a 1,000 or more people who love the LORD! Of course, we were there for a missions conference so the emphasis was on missions. But everyone we talked to ---and this was a very friendly church, so we talked to a lot of people!!!--- had either been on a missions trip at least once, was in the planning stages of a trip, or someone in their immediate family had been or were going on a trip.
There were 5 other missions represented. A *retired* couple serving in Nicaragua, a young single lady serving in Peru, a couple going to Togo, W Africa (He grew up there as an MK), a family with 4 small children home on furlough from Brazil, and a young couple serving in the local public schools. This man has actually been given an office in the local public high school and is able to do Bible-based counselling, share at assemblies, etc. He had an incredible testimony (all right I know God saving anyone is incredible, but you know what I mean). We had such a blessed time just meeting and getting to know these other missionaries and to see what God is doing in other countries and other mission agencies. Astounding! God blesses more than one mission agency! :)
What was really encouraging to see was the church involvment in this conference. The kids were part of everything. Some stuff was obviously geared just for them, but many things were included with the adults. The kids had little booklets to collect info on the missionaries and their countries. I was asked for my autograph countless times along with my favorite verse!
But so many things that have grown to become part of their conference are not *church sponsored*. In other words, the pastor didn't at some point say "We are going to do.....now I need a group of volunteers to do it" A few years ago one retired couple decided they wanted to host a supper on Sunday evening as a way for the missionaries to get to meet one another along with the pastors and their families. So, that's what they did. They cook the entire meal, set up the tables, decorate, etc. On Sunday after the service we got to spend time just getting to talk to the other missionaries. What a joy that was!
Another lady thought a few years ago that there should be a luncheon with the missionaries and the retired adults. So, on Tuesday we had a delicious meal with the retired adults. This woman and her friends put on a spread that would put any restaurant to shame! By the way, these adults may be retired from their secular jobs, but they definitely have not retired from the LORD's work! These people had questions and have been on numerous trips! Not church sponsored but held at the church with the pastors there.
What ever vision these people have, they run with it and people fall in to help. The spirit of this church was so warm, and vibrant and ALIVE!
Another woman a few years ago wanted to take the words "exceeding abundantly" (*perissos* in Greek)and apply them to giving to the missionaries. We were asked to send a list of items we needed or wanted. No item too big or too small. Then she took the lists, wrote tickets with stubs and displayed them on a bulletin board. People had a ticket then to attach to their purchase and she had a stub to know what was going to be purchased and supplied.
Wednesday night was the International Dinner and Operation Perissos. I don't really want to focus on the gifts, but let me say these people gave in big ways!!!!! The couple going to Togo have to actually build the camp they will be ministering from. Their pile basically looked like someone had transferred Lowe's power tool department to them! The couple working in the public school now has more than enough $$$ to completely outfit their office along with a laptop, and scanner/printer/fax etc, etc. Some men in church have delivery companies-- or attachments to them-- so they are taking care of the delivery fees for those out of state as no way would any of it fit into their vehicles.
Along with all the candy (remember *exceeding abundantly* hence 15 pounds or more)we have a new generator (Honda---super quiet) for use in the med clinics when the power goes out or for running the video projector for showing gospel films in villages on Saturday evenings. I don't have to feel guilty about taking pictures as I have an *exceeding abundance* of film.
Like I said earlier I don't want to focus on the gifts, but these guys were sacrificially generous. We have been saying we want and need to go to language school in the Fall in Costa Rica from the end of August to near the end of December. We have been hoping to collect enough money so that we would only have to use part of our regular support to supplement it, as our regular expenses will continue here (apartment, health insurance, etc.) Someone on Wednesday went into this lady's office and said they wanted to underwrite our entire language school expenses....airfare, tuition, apartment in San Jose, living expenses...everything! This is no small amount and thru this *nameless* person the LORD has covered it totally! The two of us stood in front of the church embraced and sobbing, but that's okay because they were crying and rejoicing with us.
The couple we were staying with told us to use their phones to call our kids whenver we wanted and to talk for as long as we wanted and not to feel guilty...just to enjoy it! What a blessing that was to talk to y'all without having to worry about our phone card running out. Anytime we go back for a conference there, this couple also told us to invite our children and their families so that you could be with us for a few days. AND they mean it!!!!
Please, don't just see the material things in this post ---and there are many--- but I wish you could see their hearts, their love, their concern for us. Of course, they wanted to know all about SCORE and what we are doing, about the medical aspect of our work, about the villages, the new med clinic (Oh, by the way one man is purchasing all the cabinets we need for the clinic, took Bob to Home Depot to be sure that Bob could pick out exactly what was needed, is paying the shipping on them thru MFI, and in May he and his wife are coming for a week to install them in the med clinic! That will go along way in helping in the ministry!). But as I was saying, they not only wanted to know about the ministries, they wanted to get to know each missionary.
We came away rejoicing, laughing, crying for joy, encouraged.....I can't even begin to describe how the LORD used this week. To know that this group is supporting us in prayer is tremendous. I KNOW that the LORD has called us to the Dominican, but last week when we were flying home I just felt that extra big confirmation that we are definitely where the LORD wants us. Can't put it into words properly, but I hope you know what I mean.
We now have more missionaries to pray for and to correspond with. We can see how the LORD is working around the world, not just in the Dominican. We saw other missionaries being encouraged and blessed. Wish you all could have been there to receive the encouragement and blessing we received. PLEASE, don't just read this and see the material items...that was all just an outward display of what the LORD is doing in their hearts and lives.
Every week, every conference, every church can't be like last week, it would be too overwhelming; but to experience it for just those five days was an incredible encouragement.
Hope you all have a blessed week!
Of course, stepping off the plane into 38* temps was a little eye-opener! Fortunately, the couple who came to pick us up had an extra coat in their car and Patsy is my size!
We had expected a church of about 1,000 from all we knew they were involved in. This is actually a church of about 350 where everyone is very committed to serving the LORD. They just do the work of a 1,000 or more people who love the LORD! Of course, we were there for a missions conference so the emphasis was on missions. But everyone we talked to ---and this was a very friendly church, so we talked to a lot of people!!!--- had either been on a missions trip at least once, was in the planning stages of a trip, or someone in their immediate family had been or were going on a trip.
There were 5 other missions represented. A *retired* couple serving in Nicaragua, a young single lady serving in Peru, a couple going to Togo, W Africa (He grew up there as an MK), a family with 4 small children home on furlough from Brazil, and a young couple serving in the local public schools. This man has actually been given an office in the local public high school and is able to do Bible-based counselling, share at assemblies, etc. He had an incredible testimony (all right I know God saving anyone is incredible, but you know what I mean). We had such a blessed time just meeting and getting to know these other missionaries and to see what God is doing in other countries and other mission agencies. Astounding! God blesses more than one mission agency! :)
What was really encouraging to see was the church involvment in this conference. The kids were part of everything. Some stuff was obviously geared just for them, but many things were included with the adults. The kids had little booklets to collect info on the missionaries and their countries. I was asked for my autograph countless times along with my favorite verse!
But so many things that have grown to become part of their conference are not *church sponsored*. In other words, the pastor didn't at some point say "We are going to do.....now I need a group of volunteers to do it" A few years ago one retired couple decided they wanted to host a supper on Sunday evening as a way for the missionaries to get to meet one another along with the pastors and their families. So, that's what they did. They cook the entire meal, set up the tables, decorate, etc. On Sunday after the service we got to spend time just getting to talk to the other missionaries. What a joy that was!
Another lady thought a few years ago that there should be a luncheon with the missionaries and the retired adults. So, on Tuesday we had a delicious meal with the retired adults. This woman and her friends put on a spread that would put any restaurant to shame! By the way, these adults may be retired from their secular jobs, but they definitely have not retired from the LORD's work! These people had questions and have been on numerous trips! Not church sponsored but held at the church with the pastors there.
What ever vision these people have, they run with it and people fall in to help. The spirit of this church was so warm, and vibrant and ALIVE!
Another woman a few years ago wanted to take the words "exceeding abundantly" (*perissos* in Greek)and apply them to giving to the missionaries. We were asked to send a list of items we needed or wanted. No item too big or too small. Then she took the lists, wrote tickets with stubs and displayed them on a bulletin board. People had a ticket then to attach to their purchase and she had a stub to know what was going to be purchased and supplied.
Wednesday night was the International Dinner and Operation Perissos. I don't really want to focus on the gifts, but let me say these people gave in big ways!!!!! The couple going to Togo have to actually build the camp they will be ministering from. Their pile basically looked like someone had transferred Lowe's power tool department to them! The couple working in the public school now has more than enough $$$ to completely outfit their office along with a laptop, and scanner/printer/fax etc, etc. Some men in church have delivery companies-- or attachments to them-- so they are taking care of the delivery fees for those out of state as no way would any of it fit into their vehicles.
Along with all the candy (remember *exceeding abundantly* hence 15 pounds or more)we have a new generator (Honda---super quiet) for use in the med clinics when the power goes out or for running the video projector for showing gospel films in villages on Saturday evenings. I don't have to feel guilty about taking pictures as I have an *exceeding abundance* of film.
Like I said earlier I don't want to focus on the gifts, but these guys were sacrificially generous. We have been saying we want and need to go to language school in the Fall in Costa Rica from the end of August to near the end of December. We have been hoping to collect enough money so that we would only have to use part of our regular support to supplement it, as our regular expenses will continue here (apartment, health insurance, etc.) Someone on Wednesday went into this lady's office and said they wanted to underwrite our entire language school expenses....airfare, tuition, apartment in San Jose, living expenses...everything! This is no small amount and thru this *nameless* person the LORD has covered it totally! The two of us stood in front of the church embraced and sobbing, but that's okay because they were crying and rejoicing with us.
The couple we were staying with told us to use their phones to call our kids whenver we wanted and to talk for as long as we wanted and not to feel guilty...just to enjoy it! What a blessing that was to talk to y'all without having to worry about our phone card running out. Anytime we go back for a conference there, this couple also told us to invite our children and their families so that you could be with us for a few days. AND they mean it!!!!
Please, don't just see the material things in this post ---and there are many--- but I wish you could see their hearts, their love, their concern for us. Of course, they wanted to know all about SCORE and what we are doing, about the medical aspect of our work, about the villages, the new med clinic (Oh, by the way one man is purchasing all the cabinets we need for the clinic, took Bob to Home Depot to be sure that Bob could pick out exactly what was needed, is paying the shipping on them thru MFI, and in May he and his wife are coming for a week to install them in the med clinic! That will go along way in helping in the ministry!). But as I was saying, they not only wanted to know about the ministries, they wanted to get to know each missionary.
We came away rejoicing, laughing, crying for joy, encouraged.....I can't even begin to describe how the LORD used this week. To know that this group is supporting us in prayer is tremendous. I KNOW that the LORD has called us to the Dominican, but last week when we were flying home I just felt that extra big confirmation that we are definitely where the LORD wants us. Can't put it into words properly, but I hope you know what I mean.
We now have more missionaries to pray for and to correspond with. We can see how the LORD is working around the world, not just in the Dominican. We saw other missionaries being encouraged and blessed. Wish you all could have been there to receive the encouragement and blessing we received. PLEASE, don't just read this and see the material items...that was all just an outward display of what the LORD is doing in their hearts and lives.
Every week, every conference, every church can't be like last week, it would be too overwhelming; but to experience it for just those five days was an incredible encouragement.
Hope you all have a blessed week!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Back from 'bama
Incredible time! Will write more later....too busy unpacking all the goodies! Now where should I store the 25 pounds of Hot Tamales????
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