Davey

On May 16, God sent us a precious gift. Davey, who is seven months old now, joined our household. His mother gave him to an aunt, who either didn't want to or couldn't take care of him. She took him to the orphanage in Shell. At first they thought there may be something physically wrong with him, but he simply needed more attention. A working visitor couple took care of him for about a month and fell in love with him. They had hoped to adopt him, but were returning to the U.S. so they asked us if we'd foster him until he was officially theirs. We agreed, and two days later, the couple found out that by law, they would not be allowed to adopt yet. They mentioned that if we would like to adopt him, we would have their blessing.

We had been praying about adopting again, and it seemed as though Davey was the one God had for us. So far, we have not been able to contact his mother in order to find out if she will sign papers officially giving him up. We love him very much and want him to be a part of our family. We are thankful for the joy he has brought into our house. Each day it is a blessing to care for him. Please pray that God's will would be done for this precious baby.

Walking Stick

The other day Melanie was trimming our hibiscus. She grabbed what she thought was a branch and it moved! The foot-long walking stick was very well camouflaged!

MUD

We are thankful for a washing machine...

Jonny, Erik, and new friend Sebastian

Paseos With Kids From Church

The end of the trail

We've had fun taking a few paseos (outings) with the kids who come to our church for Bible club and/or Sunday school. Not only is it fun, it is interesting to observe some of the differences between Latin culture and U.S. culture. For example, since we live 15 minutes away from the church and have five children to get ready, we usually arrive later than the time we have been told to meet there. It never matters since we don't end up leaving for about one hour after that time anyway. We usually have a general idea about what we will be doing, but that is always subject to change!

Packed Minivan

Another difference has to do with the concern North Americans have regarding safety. We crammed fifteen into our eight-passenger minivan. There weren’t seat belts for everyone, let alone car seats for the children. On one of the trips, we visited a place that had a few animals in cages (and a few monkeys wandering the grounds). One child was bitten by a monkey (no one was sued) and they allowed children to enter the tigrillo cage and pet the baby ocelot.

Erik inside the tigrillo cage

Instead of stopping for fast food or packing a lunch, we all eat great food together. The last time we went, the ladies prepared a HUGE pot of arroz con pollo (rice mixed with chicken and vegetables), homemade lemonade, and a snack of bananas.

Hanging out with the monkey

Though some things are different, one thing is the same. The kids love having fun! It is neat to be a part of these paseos, and to let the kids see us in an environment other than Bible club or Sunday school.

Katie isn't the only one who is hungry

School's Out!

The last day of school at Nate Saint Memorial was June 10. We celebrated with an end-of-the-year program the evening before. Jonny and Natalie's class showed us some of the sign language they learned by signing the fruit of the Spirit and a song about God's promises. Randy's class played a recorder piece (Randy realized the day of the program that he'd better join them!).

Randy and his students

We were proud of our children as they received awards during our last chapel. Natalie received the courage award and Jonny received the delighting in God's Word award.

Natalie receives the courage award from her teacher

Jonny receives the delighting in God's Word award

Sunday Mornings are Always the Craziest

6:32 Our cat, Pumpkin, wakes me up telling me to feed him.
6:35 I sit down at my desk to choose songs for this morning's worship service at church (yes, I'm a procrastinator).
6:38 The phone rings. It's Dr. Nelson asking me if I have O+ blood. A patient has had severe bleeding and the blood bank is low on blood. Could I give some?
6:40 I check my records to make sure I really do have O+ since it's been so long since I donated blood
6:43 I grab my umbrella and run to the hospital (about 200 meters from our house)
6:53 The lab tech takes a blood sample to make sure it's fine.
6:54 I feel like I'm going to pass out... I can't believe it; she just took a few milliliters!
6:55 I lie down on a bench and begin to feel better.
6:59 I get up and chat with another missionary who will be donating blood as well.
7:11 I excuse myself and lie down again.
7:31 My blood passes the test and I'm taken into room #13, the same room Melanie stayed in after giving birth to Jonny and Erik.
7:32 I'm thankful for the open window next to the bed. The fresh air helps.
7:47 I'm hooked up and start giving blood, praying that I won't pass out.
8:13 I survived!
8:14 I start walking home.
8:17 Melanie looks out the window and sees a pale man groping his way to the house. She realizes it's me!
8:18 Melanie helps me back to the house. I lie down on the couch and she serves me lemonade.
8:21 I'm able to get up and eat a banana muffin.
8:28 We get ourselves and the kids ready for church.
8:51 I get out my guitar to make sure I'll be able to play at church.
9:17 We leave for church
9:19 While driving, I ask Melanie to choose some songs for the worship service since that never was accomplished.
9:31 We arrive at church and notice there's only a couple people there for the 9:30 service. We go to pick up the pastor's wife and her children so they don't have to walk to church in the rain.
9:44 We arrive at church the second time.
9:46 Melanie tells me to take off my bandage since I look rather silly. I grit my teeth and remove it.
9:47 I welcome the congregation to church and begin the worship service with prayer.

Randy leads worship (photo taken last weekend)

** I just talked with Dr. Nelson. The patient is in stable condition. Thankfully, Dr. Graham was able to find the bleeding ulcer in the stomach. The patient needed 10 units of blood over a twelve-hour period. That's double the amount of blood in his body! Pray that God will use this situation to draw this man to Him.

Children's Outreach in Mera

Children singing at the program

Kids reaching kids--that was one of the goals of our church's evangelistic outreach two weeks ago. Our pastor has been focusing on evangelism in his messages, and he wanted to give the children an opportunity to be a part of helping their friends know Jesus. Each child was to think of two friends who didn't know Christ, to pray for them, and to invite them to come to an evangelistic program at the church.

About 125 children (aprox. 2/3 non-Christian) came to the event which included songs, puppet show, skit, gospel message, games, and food. The program ended with each child receiving a gift box provided by Samaritan's Purse.

Thank the Lord that many children were able to hear a clear presentation of the gospel. Pray that they will want to learn more and will regularly attend church and/or Bible club to do so.

Volunteer from the audience attempts to help Randy as part of the "Chair" skit

These boys are excited about their boxes