"Show
me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and
teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day
long. Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of
old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord."
Psalm 25:4-7
Our Mission
To
follow God's will for our lives so that we can serve Him in all we do,
go wherever He leads, and share His amazing love with those around us.
Continue
to support mission projects around the world:
1)
Cusco, Peru - Romulo Tupa - Local Missionary; Pace Family - Lima, Peru
2) Guayllabamba, Ecuador - Tulcanza Family - Local Missionary Church
3) El Batan Missionary Alliance Church
4) Just For Kids Orphanage - Valle de los Chillos, Ecuador
5) Home of Hope - Malawi, Africa, Canadian Missionaries
6) Missionaries and mission trips that God plants in our hearts
7) Ninos en Riesgo Program, Quito, Ecuador
8) Cochabamba, Bolivia - Children's Foster Home
Photo
Gallery
The Colombian
countryside is a beautiful place to be one with nature and God.
Horseback riding is a
popular way to see the sights
I will miss
the variety of nature and birds that
we see outside our window every day here in Colombia.
Monthly
News
As the rains settle
in, every day at school becomes a regular plan, plan without
electricity, and/or plan with no internet. October flew by for us with
lots of activities at school and Steve finally finishing his college
classes. He is left with the student teaching in Jan/Feb to finish up.
Orchids are so
diverse here that I could look at them all day.
Armenia Days were in October and we got
to enjoy the company of my sister and to show her all the sights.
Living in another country, or even just more than a few hours from
friends and families, forces you to be intentional about your
relationships so that you can make a difference and be a part of other
people's lives. It is hard as we all get involved in our own lives and
before you realize it, you haven't talked to a friend or relative for
over a month.
Out picking the coffee
That point hit home for me when an old friend had a sudden heart attack
and died unexpectedly at 52. It was always in the back of my mind to
stop by and talk with him just to see how he was doing and share what
God had been doing in my life since I'd last seen him -- I had
specifically planned to see him this December in fact since I would be
back in Norwich -- but now that isn't a possibility. We never know what
God's timing is and as a rule, it isn't our time because we as humans
tend to think, and plan, and contemplate, and put off until we miss the
window. So if God has placed someone in your heart to share with or if
He is moving you to think about what you believe and where you life is
headed, do something about it. There are no guarantees to our time here.
I like to
call these the lion orchid as they look like they're growling!
The guatin is the Colombian ground hog/rabbit/rodent but he is kindof
cute.
For me, the only guarantee is my
decision to place my faith in Jesus and choose eternal life with Him. I
know that it can be hard for some people to give over control of their
life to a greater being, but for me it is liberating and allows me to
be at peace that no matter when my time ends in this world, God has a
place ready for me.
These were some of
the more interesting orchids at the exhibition.
Growing up Catholic, I always felt I
was operating on a "good enough" philosophy, that I had to do enough
good to "get in" heaven. After reading the Bible and really studying
what it said, I saw that if that philosophy were true, than there was
no reason for Jesus to die. Have you ever really thought about that? If
we can work our way into heaven, the
free gift of his sacrifice for our sins was meaningless. There is too
much historical basis for the events that happen in the Bible to say
that it is all a bunch of stories, and growing up I never doubted the
death and resurrection of Christ; I just never thought about having a
true relationship with God on personal level, and that it was my faith
that saved me and made me want to do good works, not the other way
around.
This is what a begonia looks like
inside if you look really close!
Kindof a cool picture.
Anyway, all I would ask of you is to
think about your spiritual journey in life and see where you are and
where you're going. Know that if you are on my mailing list, I do pray
for you daily that God will touch your life.
If you are interested in reading what the Bible has to say, I would
suggest the following as places to start that might be more relevant
for you if you are searching for information or a place to begin.
Christianity should be about relationships and not rules and being
religious and the Bible is a book that offers guidance in that area.
book of Romans - good explanation of Christianity as a whole
book of John - gives the story of the life of Jesus and his work
book of James - direction on how to live life
good verses: Ephesians 2:8-10, James 2:14-26
The Old Testament has more of the history and stories -- which are
actually really interesting and with surprising twists -- and the New
Testament is more the guide for living and self reflection.
There was a great message on this topic on October 31st and if I knew
how to embed the video I would! But, if you are interested in
hearing what others have to say, you can watch on line Sunday mornings
at 9:00 and 10:30 AM EST at
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/chestnut-mountain-church
We head out the first week in December to a job fair to look for a new
location for the next couple years. Colombia has been a good experience
for us, but we are ready for a change and to see and experience some
place new. After four years in high school with the same group of kids,
I think it is time to graduate! There will be 47 different schools at
this fair so it should be exciting and hopefully some good
opportunities.
It's hard to believe that November is only two days
away and the holidays are just around the corner! I love Christmas and
enjoy the lights and decorations and festivities that are always over
the top here in Colombia. I pray that the end of the year brings joy
and a turn around the corner for the American economy as our leaders
look past their own interests and bring the focus back on an America
for the Americans.
We have such a great country with so much potential and need to realize
there will need to be some sacrifice to bring back prosperity, but it
has to be
everyone, not just those in the middle who seem to bear the brunt of
the burden. I feel like we are headed toward an America made in China
and owed by China and our leaders are intentionally taking us that way.
Prayer Requests and
Praises
The transparent butterflies are some
of my favorites.
Praises
- continued growth in Guayllabamba
with new outreaches
- Steve finishing his college
degree coursework
- wonderful weather for the events
and visitors we had the last two months
- Good health
Prayer
- Guidance on where God wants us
to go from here
- the right job fair
opportunities
- kids in the group home in Cochobamba
to be able to recover from the abuses in their lives and find the
comfort and hope they need
- My uncle Don - comfort in the loss of his wife after a battle with
cancer
- the release from customs of two vehicles for the Pace's ministry in
Peru
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