Ironic

I found this post started in my “post box”. It had only the title and no text. I am infamous for falling asleep, literally, at the computer in the evening. I really do not know what I intended for this post but I am leaving the title and carrying on with a new post.

 I was just trying to make a tarte tatin – french apple pie. Between the silly aluminum pan and then the phone and surprise fight against some ants I burned it twice. So I am giving up on cooking and have decided to write. I have realised that when things get difficult I stop writing. Really, it is because I don’t know what to say. If I told you how hard it is sometimes and how we feel sometimes you might all tell us we have to go home – if I only tell you the good stuff you might just think we are on vacation and life is just so easy for us . . . .it is neither – it is in between, both, and none of those all at the same time. We had a VERY hard first year in Pucallpa. Year two has begun very well. We are on vacation from school right now and next week we will be traveling to Tarapoto to visit with Sara and Gaston and others. We are at a point where we see more clearly our role defined and a excited for the future – however, we have never been closer to going home due to finances. I mentioned in our last newsletter that we had enough money to stay to the end of the year – well its the end of the year and we are not sure what will happen now.

That is the irony (hence the title, I just remembered) - there have been times in the past two years I would have loved for our funds to run out and we would have an excuse for going home, but it didn’t happen. Now, when we know we do not want to leave our funds have come to an end. We are still receiving monthly support from many people – but with a drop off in support and two increases in insurance over the last year we are not covering our monthly expenses. SO, what does that mean??? We don’t know. We have been told by a few to “just have more faith” . We do have faith – plenty, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. We really want a clear answer from God – what does he want for us. So that is the irony – we finally want to stay and are now lacking the resources.

Beds are Burning

Emma and I ran out this morning to do some errands. The main item on the list was to purchase a birthday gift for our friend, Arie. We stopped at the bike shop to get pegs and 10 minutes later, when we went to the truck we saw the mattress store across the street on fire. It was crazy! In 5 minutes the building is covered in flames and 15 minutes later still no fire men . . . it was a bit scary to watch the masses rush toward the fire to watch – most with smiles on their faces.

(this was written Saturday – no internet to post until now – trying to make a labeled map of Pucallpa – not working in the link . . . .will continue to try.)

Worth the Pain

Christian had a great visit to Tarapoto. He was able to send time with Gaston and Sara, not only reading through an overview of the Bible but also helping them in their shop assembling some new Hondas. He got to see José, a friend he met up there racing last time. Who knows what God has in store fir that relationship. Sara and Gaston are doing well – God is doing some amazing things in their lives. We hope to be able to go to Tarapoto the week after Christmas as a family – ministry and vacation mixed.

Many of you read that I was pretty sick for the months of September and October – I have been fine since the endoscopy catastrophe until Wednesday morning. I woke up with an all-too-familiar stomach pain. I made it through the first 3 hours of classes then came home and climbed into bed. I stayed in bed for close to 8 hours when Craig and Julio came over to pray for me (I had asked that the elders come and pray over me). I was very scared that I was about to begin another long cycle of stomach pain. By the time they got to the house I was in pain everywhere. Everything hurt from my toes to my head – no fever though . . . .any way . . . .I felt much better in the morning. Thursday night Sara called because she had hear I was sick. We talked for a little while and then asked her how I could pray for her. I then prayed for her over the phone. When I was done she said it was her turn and she prayed for me. It was amazing to hear her passion and sincerity talking to God, right over the phone. That moment made being sick worth every minute.