We are asking for your prayers again, friends. We were robbed this week. While we have had chairs stolen from our patio, clothes stolen from our clothesline and shoes stolen from our front porch, this is the first time in seven years (we celebrate our 7th year anniversary in Paraguay today!) that we have had someone steal inside our home.
We arrived home from a funeral (we were the choir) around dusk and as we pulled up to gate of our house, Norberto's mother said she saw a light go off in the house. Norberto ran into the house and our door was wide open and our curtain had been pulled down.
Also, as we were pulling in there was an unknown man in front of our house texting on his cell phone. When Norberto greeted him, he looked down at the ground. We have no neighbors and since this man was just "hanging out" that was our clue that he was working with the person inside.
We realized immediately that although we arrived before they could take much, the thieves grabbed the money ($209) that Norberto and his mom had just been given from teaching/gas money at the Bible school in Posadas, which was on the kitchen table.
We also believe they took several house keys and his extra set of motorcycle keys. This poses a huge concern for the security of our house and we will be changing the locks on our doors asap. We are also trying to close the rest of our home (we are still under construction and don't have all the windows in yet) so we are going to press to finish that now.
Our friend, who farms the land next to our house, had told us that he heard whistles the other day and saw a young man jump our fence, so we knew that people were scoping out our place. It is a terrible feeling to be violated this way. It is easy to start worrying about what will disappear next and whether or not someone might break in while we are home. We are asking the Lord to calm our spirits, keep us safe and we love what the Psalmist David wrote in chapter 27:
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?-Psalm 27:1
We ask that you pray with us that God put his guardian angels of protection around our home and around us and pray that whoever has stolen from us will come to know the love of God and turn from crime.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Robbed
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
I Never Thought I'd Be Here
Yeah! It's Paraguay day in the Candle in the Corner Event. We are gratful for your interest, prayers and investment in God's work around the globe. I'm going to tell you a secret...I never considered being a missionary. I knew that I wanted to be a CEO of a large corporation when I was 15. I double majored in college (marketing and finance) and was on a fast track to making big bucks. I would donate to God's work, of course; I just didn't want to get dirty myself. Until...
I went on a college mission trip, then two, then six. I just loved serving cross-culturally and I knew that God was doing something inside of me. My junior year I changed my focus and finally admitted that God had other plans for me. It was at the same time, God was preparing me for something amazing...my latin lover.
God brought to Smalltown, Indiana the most incredible man, who grew up on the mission field. He lived in the jungles of Paraguay and went without electricity and running water for most of his youth. I fell in love with his MacGuyver style (that dates me, I know) and his passion for life and for God.
We married in 2000 and after finishing seminary together in 2002, we started our missionary adventure by driving to Paraguay in a 1988 Surburban called, "Blue Cruiser." That adventure through 13 countries took us 70 days. Let's just say our rear ends took on new form after we finally arrived in Paraguay to start our missionary service.
For seven years, we've had the privilege of serving southeastern Paraguay, only about 30 minutes from Argentina. I direct a children sponsorship program and Norberto is transitioning from serving as director of Radio Alternativa, one of the few Christian radio stations in the country, to starting a leadership training school to teach Bible and vocational skills.
We love young people and that's a good thing since 70% of the population here is under the age of 30. Paraguay is one of two land-locked South American nations and one of the poorest. It has the land mass roughly of California, with a population of 6,500,000.
We now have one beautiful son named Timothy and we are hoping to adopt a Paraguayan orphan in the near future.
What else would you want to know? We almost always have red toes (from the red clay), we drink terere every day, we laugh a lot, could eat a whole jar of pickles in five minutes and we avoid housework whenever possible. We also love God and want to him Him the best years of our lives. We are passionate about what we do and I am sure glad we both decided to take the risk of pursuing God's plans for us to get involved and get dirty. We gladly accept prayers, since they fuel all that we do here.
We want to highlight some exquisite handiwork of Paraguayan women for our giveaway prizes:
Nandutí is a traditional Paraguayan embroidered lace, introduced by the Spaniards. The name means, "spider web" in Guaraní, the official indigenous language of Paraguay. This beautiful, hand-made lace is woven on a flat, wooden loom of pins. It is sold world-wide in vibrant colors and distinct patterns.
Encaje ju is a Guaraní word meaning, "needle." It is commonly called "needle lace" and the cotton threads are embroidered into intricate designs such as birds, plants and animals. I am giving away a lovely table runner.
Interested in finding out more about little candles all over the world? Go here and visit Heidi. Take a minute to thank her for putting this great event together and check out the prizes you could win for donating just $5.00 for missions!
"I don't think the way you think.
The way you work isn't the way I work."
God's Decree.
"For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think." -Isaiah 55:8
One more thing: Your plans may not include missions, but it's amazing what might happen when you let God take you to places you'd never thought you'd go!
I went on a college mission trip, then two, then six. I just loved serving cross-culturally and I knew that God was doing something inside of me. My junior year I changed my focus and finally admitted that God had other plans for me. It was at the same time, God was preparing me for something amazing...my latin lover.
God brought to Smalltown, Indiana the most incredible man, who grew up on the mission field. He lived in the jungles of Paraguay and went without electricity and running water for most of his youth. I fell in love with his MacGuyver style (that dates me, I know) and his passion for life and for God.
We married in 2000 and after finishing seminary together in 2002, we started our missionary adventure by driving to Paraguay in a 1988 Surburban called, "Blue Cruiser." That adventure through 13 countries took us 70 days. Let's just say our rear ends took on new form after we finally arrived in Paraguay to start our missionary service.
For seven years, we've had the privilege of serving southeastern Paraguay, only about 30 minutes from Argentina. I direct a children sponsorship program and Norberto is transitioning from serving as director of Radio Alternativa, one of the few Christian radio stations in the country, to starting a leadership training school to teach Bible and vocational skills.
We love young people and that's a good thing since 70% of the population here is under the age of 30. Paraguay is one of two land-locked South American nations and one of the poorest. It has the land mass roughly of California, with a population of 6,500,000.
We now have one beautiful son named Timothy and we are hoping to adopt a Paraguayan orphan in the near future.
What else would you want to know? We almost always have red toes (from the red clay), we drink terere every day, we laugh a lot, could eat a whole jar of pickles in five minutes and we avoid housework whenever possible. We also love God and want to him Him the best years of our lives. We are passionate about what we do and I am sure glad we both decided to take the risk of pursuing God's plans for us to get involved and get dirty. We gladly accept prayers, since they fuel all that we do here.
We want to highlight some exquisite handiwork of Paraguayan women for our giveaway prizes:
Nandutí is a traditional Paraguayan embroidered lace, introduced by the Spaniards. The name means, "spider web" in Guaraní, the official indigenous language of Paraguay. This beautiful, hand-made lace is woven on a flat, wooden loom of pins. It is sold world-wide in vibrant colors and distinct patterns.
Encaje ju is a Guaraní word meaning, "needle." It is commonly called "needle lace" and the cotton threads are embroidered into intricate designs such as birds, plants and animals. I am giving away a lovely table runner.
Interested in finding out more about little candles all over the world? Go here and visit Heidi. Take a minute to thank her for putting this great event together and check out the prizes you could win for donating just $5.00 for missions!
"I don't think the way you think.
The way you work isn't the way I work."
God's Decree.
"For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think." -Isaiah 55:8
One more thing: Your plans may not include missions, but it's amazing what might happen when you let God take you to places you'd never thought you'd go!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Colorful Messages of Hope
Isn't it just great how God uses the diverse gifts He has given us for the benefit of His kingdom. I love that it takes the entire body of Christ to fully reach a lost and dying world. A few weeks ago we had the privilege of getting acquainted with some incredible missionaries that not only impressed us with their unique gifts; they blessed us immensely. Jamie is an artist and Marion works creatively with children's ministries. These fine folks gave us four beautiful paintings of Biblical stories to hang in public places in our part of Paraguay. So far, they have distributed 350 paintings all over the nation with colorful messages of hope! Plus, they shared with us some wonderful children's resources that they have created in Spanish for our work with kids. What a dynamic duo!
This week we had the privilege of sharing the gift with the Church of God in Obligado:
The kids were so excited to see the beautiful scene of Noah's Ark on the wall, that they jumped up and down!
With the Police Station in Hohenau:
We are incredibly thankful to the talent and generosity of Jamie and Marion (pictured right). Thanks guys for trusting us with the Bible boards to hang in our region. Now God's word has been colorfully spread around all the United Colonies (Colonias Unidas) of southeastern Paraguay. It takes all of the gifts of the body for people to come to know Him!
This week we had the privilege of sharing the gift with the Church of God in Obligado:
The kids were so excited to see the beautiful scene of Noah's Ark on the wall, that they jumped up and down!
With the Police Station in Hohenau:
The police chief (pictured right) said that the painting was a gift from God himself to their station, which desperately needed a positive message. The Bible board shows the picture of the Good Samaritan and reads, "Love Your Neighbor." The cool thing is that the station's doors are always open and since there's a fluorescent light on top of the painting (the chief went and bought a new bulb since we could tell it hadn't been used in long time) so that the painting can be seen from the road!
We distributed the next painting, the scene of Jonah and the whale, to a poor primary school in Cerro Cora
This is the first painting that the school has ever had! It's hanging in the principal's office. We have yet to get a picture of it hung, since Norb's battery went out on the drill and he went back on the motorcycle later on without his photographer ;)
Finally, the last picture will be dedicated to the Church of God in Bella Vista on their anniversary on Nov. 15.
We are incredibly thankful to the talent and generosity of Jamie and Marion (pictured right). Thanks guys for trusting us with the Bible boards to hang in our region. Now God's word has been colorfully spread around all the United Colonies (Colonias Unidas) of southeastern Paraguay. It takes all of the gifts of the body for people to come to know Him! Thursday, October 29, 2009
Check These Out!
The Candle in the Corner Event is going on RIGHT NOW! To participate, donate $5.00= one entry $20= 5 entries to win fabulous cultural items (like the ones below).
By clicking on the "chip in" button above you will be supporting missions somewhere in the world. With just a $5.00 donation you have the opportunity to win beautiful cultural items like:
this rooster and table runner from Portugal
or this model drying house from Spain.
Aren't you curious as to what Paraguay's prize is???? Keep coming back to find out! Every day there are new prizes to win! Go HERE to find out all the nitty gritty.
By clicking on the "chip in" button above you will be supporting missions somewhere in the world. With just a $5.00 donation you have the opportunity to win beautiful cultural items like:
this rooster and table runner from Portugal
or this model drying house from Spain.
Aren't you curious as to what Paraguay's prize is???? Keep coming back to find out! Every day there are new prizes to win! Go HERE to find out all the nitty gritty.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Uh God, Need Your Help Here!
It was just one of those days yesterday. Norberto was in Argentina teaching in the Bible school and our "trusty" old Suburban wouldn't start. Ugh... What to do? Bible study starts in 25 minutes on the other side of town and my only alternative is... well, something I haven't ridden in about a year- the bike. Did I mention I have to bring a laptop, my Bible and study materials, tons of photocopies and my son, who's almost four....on a bike that has low air in one tire!
I'm only slightly hyperventilating as I'm thinking to myself:
"I can't do this. What if I fall? What if my tire goes flat? Wait, don't panic"
"Pray."
"Father, help me to get to the study on time, no just help me get there without falling down! Amen."
I said a "quicky prayer," the kind you pray when you're in desperate situations...when you don't have time or energy to elaborate. Thankfully Father God knows what you're dealing with ahead of time and He's ready to answer.
Why is it that worry and fear is my first natural reaction to a crisis? Panic starts to set in as the reality of a situation becomes clear. I need help but many times I try to plan my escape route without inviting the Father to give me his input. I love what The Message says about asking God for help.
After I threw up my cry of help to the Lord, I calmed down and somehow was able to carry my entire load on the bike without a flat tire or falling over (many know that grace is not my middle name). God gave me the strength and the balance to arrive at my destination. Thank you God for the way you care for your kids when we take a few minutes to ask for your help.
Indeed, I got some very strange looks riding through town, but I made it in one piece, albeit very sweaty and out of breath. Gotta remind myself to exercise more often...just not this way!
I'm only slightly hyperventilating as I'm thinking to myself:
"I can't do this. What if I fall? What if my tire goes flat? Wait, don't panic"
"Pray."
"Father, help me to get to the study on time, no just help me get there without falling down! Amen."
I said a "quicky prayer," the kind you pray when you're in desperate situations...when you don't have time or energy to elaborate. Thankfully Father God knows what you're dealing with ahead of time and He's ready to answer.
Why is it that worry and fear is my first natural reaction to a crisis? Panic starts to set in as the reality of a situation becomes clear. I need help but many times I try to plan my escape route without inviting the Father to give me his input. I love what The Message says about asking God for help.
"Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own." Jeremiah 33:3
After I threw up my cry of help to the Lord, I calmed down and somehow was able to carry my entire load on the bike without a flat tire or falling over (many know that grace is not my middle name). God gave me the strength and the balance to arrive at my destination. Thank you God for the way you care for your kids when we take a few minutes to ask for your help.
Indeed, I got some very strange looks riding through town, but I made it in one piece, albeit very sweaty and out of breath. Gotta remind myself to exercise more often...just not this way!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
What It's All About
Nidia and Liliana are two girls from our Bible study. They have been faithful despite family objections to the evangelical faith. They are both hungry to grow and ask great questions about God and life. They definitely have matured in their spiritual walk and both decided that it was time to go to the next level....both were baptized this weekend!
Thank you Father for the glimpse of seeing you at work in lives around us. Thanks for the passion and insight of these precious young believers. Please give them strength to continue the journey one day at a time. Help us to guide them and love them, to laugh and cry with them and be people that live out what we talk about.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Support Missions and Win!
I want to tell you about something exciting that's up and coming! The Candle in the Corner event is one of those opportunities... for YOU to win some awesome items from around the world!
Missionaries serving around the world have donated cultural items to give away (including us) and you will have your chance to win them! I don't know about you, but we'd love to have something handmade from Paraguay (wink wink) or an Indian batik or a South African candle in our home! (The actual items are a surprise and will be revealed during the giveaway, but as you can see, this is a very unique opportunity!)
By participating in the Candle in the Corner event you could win a cultural item from one of the following countries while supporting missionaries and their work in taking the light of Jesus Christ to their corners of the world:
- Spain
- Portugal
- Indonesia
- Botswana
- South Africa
- Honduras
- Russia
- Paraguay (yours truly!)
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Uganda
- United States
- and more!
Does it sound great or what?! Here are the details on how it will work:
~~~The Candle in the Corner event will take place at Moms, Ministry, and More from October 27 - November 10.
~~~Any donation made via the PayPal button (on this site) during the event will earn entries to the giveaway. Every $5 will earn one entry and every $20 will earn five entries. The minimum amount to earn an entry is $5.
~~~During the event, Heidi (the giveaway hostess) will spotlight the countries and missionaries who are providing the giveaway items. All monies raised will go directly to support mission work in the spotlighted countries. This work includes church planting, orphan care, humanitarian work, prison ministry, missionary aviation, Christian education and student work, and more. As hostess of this event, Heidi will not receive any of the funds.
~~~Winners will be randomly selected on November 11 and announced. For time's sake, you must check back here to see if you've won.
Missionaries serving around the world have donated cultural items to give away (including us) and you will have your chance to win them! I don't know about you, but we'd love to have something handmade from Paraguay (wink wink) or an Indian batik or a South African candle in our home! (The actual items are a surprise and will be revealed during the giveaway, but as you can see, this is a very unique opportunity!)
By participating in the Candle in the Corner event you could win a cultural item from one of the following countries while supporting missionaries and their work in taking the light of Jesus Christ to their corners of the world:
- Spain
- Portugal
- Indonesia
- Botswana
- South Africa
- Honduras
- Russia
- Paraguay (yours truly!)
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Uganda
- United States
- and more!
Does it sound great or what?! Here are the details on how it will work:
~~~The Candle in the Corner event will take place at Moms, Ministry, and More from October 27 - November 10.
~~~Any donation made via the PayPal button (on this site) during the event will earn entries to the giveaway. Every $5 will earn one entry and every $20 will earn five entries. The minimum amount to earn an entry is $5.
~~~During the event, Heidi (the giveaway hostess) will spotlight the countries and missionaries who are providing the giveaway items. All monies raised will go directly to support mission work in the spotlighted countries. This work includes church planting, orphan care, humanitarian work, prison ministry, missionary aviation, Christian education and student work, and more. As hostess of this event, Heidi will not receive any of the funds.
~~~Winners will be randomly selected on November 11 and announced. For time's sake, you must check back here to see if you've won.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
