A GIMPS into our WORLD

 When it rains it pours and our front yard becomes flooded.

 A storm did this.

 Who is hungry?

 Ummm, you have something on your shoulder.

 A sleeping howler.  Shhhhhh.

 Share your popcorn with Zoe, Kids.

Because Zoe is so cute and mu kids are so cute. 

This guy cracks us up!

Makayla at 11 months
She is finally sleeping well at night, waking up only once.

She loves to mimic our sounds and actions,

She claps and gives kisses.

She has three teeth on bottom and two on top.

She falls.

 Look who's starting driving lessons....both Ginny and Joshua.  Pray for double the patience!

The fruits and vegetable guy.

 The circus came to town!  That’s BIG news for a SMALL town like ours.  The circus has never come to town.  We had no idea what to expect, except to expect that it wouldn’t be like a North American circus.  We were told it started at 7:00.  We should have expected it NOT to start at 7:00, but as Americans, we just can’t NOT be on time.  The man at the gate said the circus would open at 7:30.  We waited.  And waited.  And waited.  At 8:00 we paid and at went inside.  We were the only ones there (besides our American team mates).  At 8:45 a few people walked in.  At 9:00 the circus started.  When I turned around after the first act, the place was full.   

 Tyler and 2 buddies were pulled on stage.  It was quite a funny act.  Tyler was a great sport.

 Josiah and Claire joined a dance completion on stage. 

 Pizza Friday.  The kids make pizza every Friday. 

 Micah has a servant heart and makes coffee drinks for us regularly.

 Celebrating a team mate's birthday - one candle because it was his first birthday outside of Texas.

 Making homemade ice cream

 We are on a Skip-Bo kick.

 Work.  Work.  And more work.

Julia is reading!

Ginny has pretty much decided that she wants to be a vet tech when she gets out of high school..  She loves animals and has nursed several of our own animals back to health.  In the picture above she and Jeff are giving Chloe the cat an ultrasound to see how many kittens she has inside. In the picture below, Ginny and Jeff casted Catness' leg after a nasty fall from a tree.

 This is what happens when you live in a wooden house - boards rot off.

 Julia said she didn't want to sleep in her bed because Zoe bothers her.  She moved to the living room.  I think she traded one problem in for FOUR.

My tribe.  My crew.  My joy.

A TIMELY GIFT

 Nov 11, 2017

On the way to Asuncion we broke down several times (boy, that sure is a familiar sentence).  It turned out to be the water pump.  Once the engine cooled and the tank (with a hole) filled, we got going again.  However, we had to stop every 15 minutes to fill the tank back up again.  It made for a long two hours!   But we were all very thankful we didn’t have to call a tow truck. 

 Broken down under the Feliz Viaje (Happy Travels) sign!

 Look what was waiting for us at the guest house!  This is a brand new (2018!) vehicle.  This is our brand new vehicle.  Back in March our church contacted us about a sizable monetary gift that was left to missions in a will.  Our church thought of us because our ministry most exemplified what this lady concerned missions.  d

PRAY for our FRIENDS

November

 This is Rene, Lida and their son Ronaldo.  They are three of just a handful of believers in our town.  Please continue to pray that their faith and understanding of God's word would mature.

 This is our Sunday evening Bible study.  We have been studying about what a church looks like.  Jeff has also been helping the believers prepare their testimonies.

 

 This is our neighbor.  She is at our house more than she is at her own house.  Julia and Leonella love playing together.

 This is Ceasar.  He is one of a handful of believers in our town.  He has just purchased a motorcycle which he has been saving up to get for over a year.  Pray that this will be a blessing to him and his family.  Ceasar and his wife has a heart for a nearby colonia where several of their relatives live.  He and our missionary colleague have been going to this community several times a month for Bible study and visiting.  This motorcycle will allow Cesar and his family to visit more often (no more depending on when the missionary is in town).  

Jim (the husband of the lady who is teaching my high school kids science and math this year) is a very skilled carpenter.  While visiting Ceasar and his family, Ceasar (who did not know this about Jim) mentioned that they would like to begin a Bible study at their home but they have no seating.  Jim inquired a bit more and within a couple weeks Jim has made not only 4 benches but a table as well.  Ceasar and Mariza were so very thankful.  Pray for their courage in starting a Bible study in their town.  Pray that people will be receptive toward them and hearts will be softened toward the gospel.

JUST to CHANGE THINGS UP a BIT

10-17-17

Martha Jones, the lady who came to teach Ginny and Joshua math and science this year, has had to go home unexpectedly for a couple months to help a daughter in pre-term labor.  Jeff graciously stepped in and is now full-time math and science teacher for Ginny and Joshua.  To do this, we had to change things up a bit clinic-wise.  He closed the clinic down (usually he would see patients each morning) and decided to do house calls in the afternoon.  On Friday afternoons he will see patients at his clinic for ultrasounds and procedure.

Jeff the teacher (above) and Jeff the doctor (below)

FIRST YOUTH GROUP

10-14-17

We had the first youth group at our place today.  Ten youth showed up.  We are hoping to continue this every other week.  God is doing something amazing in the lives of the youth in Jataity.  I cannot wait to see what it is.  I cannot wait to be a part of it.