Wow! Holiday season is in full swing, and things are becoming increasingly crazy. :-) We're having a big parillada (BBQ) tomorrow for the kids for lunch. Although Thanksgiving is an American holiday, we still teach them about it and celebrate what we're thankful for. On Thursday, Shell has a big parade, and the kids will all be in it. The teachers have picked 3 songs (English & Spanish), that they will sing while they walk. :-) I hope to get some good videos and pics!
We had a huge unexpected blessing recently as well! We got a random email from "The Gerardo and Kathy Mejia Foundation" the other day. This couple started a foundation in the U.S. to benefit children in Ecuador, and they received a HUGE toy donation from a large company. They emailed asking if we'd like to receive some for Christmas.....and we said, YES! Patti Sue and I had been shopping just the day before we got the email, and it was overwhelming to think of what all needed to be bought for each child to have a Christmas present. Receiving the email was such a huge answer to prayer! I'll share more about this at Christmas-time.
Another praise... Anita-bebe went home to her family. A lady came up to CDF last week, and she was describing a lost family member. When I showed her a picture of Anita on my computer, she just burst into tears. Apparently an aunt was supposed to be taking care of Anita, but when she went missing....the aunt didn't inform the rest of the family. Anyway...the next day her mom (whom we thought was dead) and another family member came to pick her up. She seemed very happy to see them, and it's always fulfilling to see a family reunited. But- please continue to pray for this little girl! If you remember, she has "episodes" of convulsions, followed by self-destructive behavior afterward. There is some very intense spiritual warfare going on, and she needs prayer! She's a beautiful girl with a servant heart!
We LOVE rain right now! :-) Ecuador has had a crazy drought for the past couple of months. Since the major of our electricity comes from hydroelectric plants.... We've had scheduled power outages for the past several weeks now. At first, it was sometimes the majority of the day! VERY frustrating to not be able to use internet! But....the situation is improving, and we're now down to 2 hr. segments per day. Every time it rains, we celebrate!
Dwight and I have decided to extend our time here for an additional 6 months, March-August. We weren't sure what we were going to do for housing, but God has provided....of course. :-) Some friends are going on furlough, and we'll be able to stay in their house next spring/summer. God is good!
I feel like I could keep going, but this is a ridiculously long post. Once again... for our families. lol...
Love you all and pray that your eyes will be opened to the blessings you've been given!
Your posts are not too long!! I love reading them and check everyday to see if there is a new one. I am so glad to hear that Anita has been reunited with her family and I will continue to pray for her
ReplyDelete~Sara B.