Eternities Values

I just returned from almost a month trip to Venezuela. One of the many highlights of this trip was connecting once again with some of our pastors. Three pastors, their wives and a few children joined us for a time of teaching, fellowship, food and relaxation. Sounds like the making a good time, doesn’t it? It had been almost two years since I had last seen them and so the initial use of the language was a bit tough but after a bit of practice my tongue was able to loosen up a bit and I felt more free to converse. It didn’t take long and we began to understand more fully the daily struggles and challenges these men face as they seek to proclaim truth to their own people. The opposition is great and comes at them on many fronts. It was interesting to hear from the pastors how the forces of darkness are making bold moves to put the churches under a spirit of fear once again. All of the pastors have shared how their hammocks have been lifted up while they were in them, and then suddenly dropped, soundly scaring them. At first they wondered what was going on. One fellow then shared the following:

“Suddenly I realized that this was nothing more that the evil spirits at work, seeking to hinder me. Well, I began to speak with them. I said: ‘I am not your servant, I belong to another. And yet I clearly recall the life I had when I lived under your rule. It was like I was an abandoned child, lost in a huge jungle, covered with sores all over my body, and eating nothing but dirt. Yes, I remember those former days. And now, because I belong to another, I tell you forcefully in the name of the Lord Owner Boss Jesus Christ to go away. Be gone!’ They left at once and the rest of my sleep was fine.”

Dreams seem to be another area in which the people quickly come under the control of fear and this fear directs and influences them to resort to old cultural methodology to appease the sources of these dreams.

One of many passages that was shared with our Pastors is found in Romans 8: 31-39. Paul is simply sharing that he was convinced that nothing was ever going to separate us from God’s love. Death can’t, life can’t, angels can’t, demons can’t, our fears or worries can’t, the powers of hell can’t, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus. What a beautiful “nugget” to share with our Pume brethren as they re-direct their focus, not on their dreams, or on the deceptions and antics of the enemy, but on the one true God and the truth He gives us in His word.

Please pray for these believers as they continue to grow and mature in the Lord.

Chillin' with the Fam

Seth is presently attending the New Tribes Bible School in Waukesha, WI. This past Thursday and Friday they had a "Winter Break". So on Wednesday afternoon he along with a friend, Jon, made the trip back home for a visit. They pulled in at 3:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. It was sooo good to have him home for a few days. We were of course very disappointed that Zachary couldn't make it as well, but he had to work. It was nice that Vern was able to make it home Friday night so we could all enjoy Seth's visit. I enjoyed feeding Seth some of his favorite meals. As you can see, Cuddles enjoyed having Seth home as well. And no visit of Seth's would be complete without a little noise from the drum set. (smile)

Seth and Jon were going to be making it back to WI. Sunday. However, there was a big ice storm moving in and the road conditions were not good. Therefore, early this morning they took off. The road conditions were still not as good, but better then yesterday. We are looking forward to hearing that they have arrived safely.

SNOW DAY!!!!

As you know we have gotten our share of snow here in Ontario. Most of the schools in the area have already had at least five snow days. The school schedule for our children only allows for one snow day a year. So what day will be the "Snow Day"? Even in the middle of a heavy snow storm it is hard to know if an even snowier day will be coming. Titus had been anticipating this day for a long time. This past Friday a "Snow Day" was called. YEA!!! Well, what do you think Titus and Ruth were doing on Friday morning? Building a snow fort? Having a snow ball fight? WRONG! They spent a good part of their "Snow Day" dreaming of snow and catching up on some sleep.

I could not let the day pass by without using these two frisky children and enlisting their help in making home made tacos. Although it is not Titus' favorite job, he did have a good time with his sister. And we enjoyed several meals from all the tortilla shells we rolled out. (Although I am not in the picture, I was there along side them rolling.)

A TASTE OF VENEZUELA

There are so many neat things about living in another country and culture. Vern was able to bring us a few treats back from Venezuela. It is a little taste of "home".



Vern is holding up what is called a "cuatro". It is a four stringed instrument. It is only made in Venezuela. And I believe Caleb is wanting to get his hands on it since he has a love and passion for music.






Seth and Titus are thrilled with their knives that their dad brought back for them. This is a very typical thing for anyone growing up in the "llanos" to wear and carry with them every where. Our boys are not "jungle bunnies" but they are "llaneros".

Happy Birthday Caleb!

HAPPY 22nd Birthday Caleb! WOW! How you changed our lives 22 years ago when we became parents for the very first time! It has been the most amazing expereince. Everyone told us to enjoy our children when they were little because they grow up too fast. Now as we look back, it certainly did go by way too fast. We love you and are glad you are our son and are proud of the young man you have become. Have a wonderful day and know that your family up here in the GREAT WHITE NORTH is thinking of you.

WELCOME HOME VERN!!!

Today is the day that my hubby makes it back home. YEA!!! We are all of course very excited to have him back. Seth is home from Bible school for a couple of days. Vern doesn't know he is here. Therefore, it will be nice surprise when we go and pick Vern up at the airport. It is snowing like crazy right now so hopefully things will clear up by the afternoon when we make our way to the airport. We are looking forward to some good family time this weekend!

Academy Night

Our children have the priviledge of attending an academy right on the campus here. This year there are students from grades K-11. (There are 40 students.) Every year around this time the acamdeny puts on an evening program. Besides the progam many of the childrens' art work, poems, reports, and science fair projects were on display. This year there was a puppet show, songs from several of the classes, recitations from Psalms, a couple of musical numbers, as well as several poems recited. It is always a lot of fun to see and hear all the children perform and to cheer them on in their accomplishments. Way to go kids, you all did a GREAT job!

Titus' class recited Psalm 1. Titus also recited a poem called "Antonio" which he put an bit of an accent to. He did a really good job, and he was a bit of a ham.

The science fair awards were given out and Ruth got second place for her project on the absorbancy of paper towels. We were proud of her and all the time and effort she put into her experiments. I can now offically use all the paper towels she has been storing in her bedroom. (smile) And for anyone out there who is interested, Bounty did not soak up the most water. The winning brand is VIVA!

Day of Prayer

Once a month on a Monday we have what we call "A Day of Prayer". We take the class time to prayer for all the different countries that New Tribes Mission works in. At the beginning of the year our students are broken up into groups of two. Each group then picks one of the countries that New Tribes Mission works in, and does a fairly indepth report. So each Day of Prayer we have two presentations made during the first two hours of class. Today our first presentation was done by Ryan and Greg who showed us the work in Cambodia. They did a very good job showing us many things about the country. It is a field that just opened up a few years ago and there are all sorts of need for more personnel.

The second presentation was on Paraguay, done by Amberlynne and Erika. They also put together a nice presentation on the country. They had a table of artifacts for us to go and look at. We were served beans and rice along with some corn bread. (Yum, Yum!) Paraguay is field that has been open for quite awhile and yet there are many needs for laborers. New Tribes Mission of Paraguay would like to open up about eight new works. We broke up into groups to pray for some prayer requests in Paraguay.

The second half of the morning our students are broken into groups and go to a staff couples' home. Each student has gone through prayer letters from one of the countries that New Tribes Mission works in. Prayer requests from each field are then prayed for. It was once again exciting to see what God is doing on the mission field and to be more aware of the needs.

There's No Place Like Home

Last night it was time to head back to Toronto to pick up Ruth. Although we hit some snowy sections on the way home, the roads weren't too bad. We made it back home here at midnight. I was very thankful that some friends let me bring along their cell phone which came in very handy. Ruth was of course full of all sorts of stories from her weekend adventure. She just needs to majorly catch up on some sleep. In a few days I will probably post some pictures from her adventure. Titus and I are glad to have Ruth home again as she adds so much life to our family. On Friday I head back to Toronto to pick up Vern (YEA!!!! We can't wait!) So that will be three trips back and forth to Toronto in nine days. I think I know the way pretty good by now.

On The Lighter Side

Although there are a lot of serious subjects we talk about in class we also have some "lighter moments" as well. We were all cheering Sherry on as she attempted to pop a balloon with a blow gun. And we were in awe as the dart hit its mark and popped the ballonon. Way to go Sherry!





What is that? Are they doing: Rock, Paper, Scizzors? What a hoot!

And Then There Were Two

Ruth has been interesed in going to Liberty University to check out their nursing program. This weekend is a big weekend down at Liberty; it is called "College for a Weekend". A bus was leaving from the Toronto area to bring a group of students down to Liberty for the weekend. Ruth has REALLY been looking forward to this trip. We have had quite the winter weather here in Ontario. We met the bus in an area that had just been hit with a lot of snow. The bus left at 10:00 p.m. and was supposed to arrive in Lynchburg, Virginia around noon. (Thank-you all who were praying for me as the roads were nice and clear.) Titus and I arrived home safely around 12:30 a.m. So now it is down to the two of us in the house. Titus has been planning the things he wants to do with me while Ruth is gone so I think I will be kept busy. Ruth arrives back in Toronto Sunday night at around 10:00 p.m.