tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32803207600586835582024-03-05T16:31:07.858-08:00Serving In South AmericaSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-89635385521821201012009-05-19T18:05:00.001-07:002009-05-19T18:21:45.306-07:00Saying "Goodbye" to Colombia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQItrvsKG07u3thhujwlb-IKar0JprLoFgvhiQOl4toHkvMuQ9osTTkBmW5cr3AZSSdYq0pMfvVytOc4MkOrcurR6cxBRD7eoWXYtEgkVXc2Ayy61gR4nvZPfClv7flF4Pu_0BhFJm90A/s1600-h/DSCN0828.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337709915482421906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQItrvsKG07u3thhujwlb-IKar0JprLoFgvhiQOl4toHkvMuQ9osTTkBmW5cr3AZSSdYq0pMfvVytOc4MkOrcurR6cxBRD7eoWXYtEgkVXc2Ayy61gR4nvZPfClv7flF4Pu_0BhFJm90A/s400/DSCN0828.JPG" border="0" /></a> My time in Colombia has rapidly come to an end! I can hardly believe it! I have been so extremely blessed to have served with the IMB in mi querida COLOMBIA!!! The Lord has worked in amazing ways, taught me to rely completely upon HIS strength and never forget that HE is the one who draws people to Himself! He asks us to be faithful in sharing the Word and He takes care of the results...and boy does He! I am extremely thankful for the transformation I have been blessed to see in the lives of countless new believers. They have found the only true HOPE in Jesus Christ! What a blessing to have been part of what the Lord is doing in Colombia! <div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thank you for praying faithfully for me as I have served overseas! Your prayers, emails, cards, pictures and encouraging words have been such an encouragement to me these past (almost) 2 years! What a blessing to have prayer warriors like you! :) </div><br /><div></div><div>So what's the new plan? I am moving back to Gainesville, FL!!! I have been given the amazing opportunity to work for family friends of mine, which will allow me to spend some incredible quality time with my family and friends! What a blessing! Please pray that the Lord would continue to open doors for ministry where He would have me serve...</div><br /><div></div><div>Please pray for me as I transition back into "life in the USA", as I spend time catching up with family and friends, and as I begin my new job! I'll keep you updated, and believe me...there are TONS of pictures to come!!! :) </div><br /><div></div><div>Love you all! Thanks again for your prayers! </div><br /><div></div><div>by HIS grace, Sarah </div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-8359973167930727002009-04-17T19:34:00.000-07:002009-04-17T20:34:49.169-07:00A Snapshot of Spring...<div>Dry and Breezy season was a wonderful break from the heat...but the heat and humidity are quickly approaching! "No! Wait! I need more breezy days....what's this about humidity that spikes off the charts?" Yes, folks...it's soon to come, so please pray for me to survive it once again ! :) <br /> </div><div align="center">Check out the color on this tree! What an amazing display of God's beautiful creation! <br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325855560604793858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWupIQ3YXxMS6yxNJMNiBeTbqZXkE0iYf6H7WaITjxua1LZMJ_wHaRYBL4S_h_jETarPrdkugXx-tP7pF0eY-XIAS0IwvBvc6WyD4VJwwtjQJsOXc-GXZhfn0VV0U8fvrhDio1wLQCcHr/s320/Feb-March+2009+006.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>We know a very special family that have started a Christian school focused on reaching the children of the displaced peoples in their city. We were blessed to bring a volunteer team there (and "there" being a dif. city...it was a wonderful trip!) We held VBS and Medical clinics for the school and for a community where they are trying to start a House Church among another group of displaces peoples. Since we don't normally get a chance to do VBS or focus our work on children, this was a really neat week for me! I loved the kids! One of our goals was to teach the leaders how to use Chronological Bible Stories to minister to the kids in the communities. It was a really great experience and very encouraging to both the volunteers and Colombians, and to our team as well. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325855566681493746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh3iGHc1mETwTjn6WMM9FWeJueuNX3EIvFcJqHzUN7Z-1j6yaOS0GF7mser8TVJtq3ckEq-zSW0SedIWrdfGMOK6ZJkQm-LcVfbIaE_ns5tY6Zsucs2YD6ghjGD43pi1ImlgrmBdoRUHp/s320/Feb-March+2009+055.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">What a beautiful young girl! She was modeling her newly made necklace for me. :) </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325855576132540482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnwexOui4b0QkabnugqlmF-PCSq16l2cTZO_eBcUOXQEP4qgnroJbhnJYzA_yndxNi1iQ3XjPKTfacxRTg2nS1iQBTD5wuqoT-SRIHVXeWPioKsC912aH_Sehyphenhyphen8iwbMP-lJpHwMtEljFC/s320/Feb-March+2009+116.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>I loved that we worked in the same places all 5 days. We got to know the kids so well and fell in love with them! Look how sweet he is! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325855580640628338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0bLa6sSbn60x7F1TE1EegkuTG3FUS5nAc2xDNk_OHpTWcOaf8VaVN9GSIKW_Usvyn8DQB4jEiSKaDmRS_7ufJxfcMdrsXITslOBW-Oh7XVMSLbb1p29PS0Fkj8IgNJImDGAceLmz_dg6/s320/Feb-March+2009+048.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Singing "Esta Pequena Luz" (This little light of mine)</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325855570591915938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimavpK01AbyQW4Nf-9zCMx31-axSW9ypR1GIYPmFlsWMKgxVl1tdX5W-mnuA9bNrlxk6sfon5GqFJRCSt5YVjS1hCJ-jOMlzBLu4IW-MT-wAs7K0pRK-CuVCACEzZ-QbBJsp13u1M3iQGM/s320/Feb-March+2009+083.JPG" border="0" /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">And then an AMAZING thing happened....Ebie came to visit me!!!</span> </strong></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325857070133613602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ5rf46vkMcV2DSs9QqpFeoebuPe5YXz2OYWO1eQFZBa5ivVYKxLkezERDWGG9LJD3fze88frJZIZdOrWzcHi4_PzqLizH_h3sgSpWBFnlzKU_NuumT1DmTMPW5Mjv19HfnJTiVDk39QF/s320/La+Popa.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Ebie and I visiting "La Popa"....it was a cloudy day, but we still had an amazing view of the surrounding city. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325857065029227282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYl5ZWt34HQ3wfcz8mcKWvOejpuLoVVpvYkru6nmqppc_S9zsZpVTqJDpuFWtQir5Fsaj6av73Rj08qCksaSEI8519z2VrAcr__UmLTcLV9mGVYsAHVxfYYvn2F6ZSt3XW6hG7oM-2shi/s320/Feb-March+2009+172.JPG" border="0" /> Ebie was finally able to meet Yolima and my babies, Caleb, Sebastian, & Cherry<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtns6UdfXt-5fcOhQ7h65Jnba-0fQx3VQzmmqpd1wm7CtkYmTZMdsiHlA38x6l2qdDhG3CY4pSLoLHw5axyCnQNryGwroeGmMbg0OBm6ikcefT7xBxhbxYxqNvSFDYbI9LTCHPMJUIoPwK/s1600-h/Feb-March+2009+175.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325858971065794722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtns6UdfXt-5fcOhQ7h65Jnba-0fQx3VQzmmqpd1wm7CtkYmTZMdsiHlA38x6l2qdDhG3CY4pSLoLHw5axyCnQNryGwroeGmMbg0OBm6ikcefT7xBxhbxYxqNvSFDYbI9LTCHPMJUIoPwK/s320/Feb-March+2009+175.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ebie with Caleb Andres...again...I don't know how the boy grows so fast!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwLaHOmSpy24iIQgY2ee2EAvq4CsfSwnRnqNAyGR9TPij5BiQIFD-hfKamrnvd2YU0-_HTGltvPJ7N-N9EhmOGkucnWhAI6BEO0rgrMm_6XRE1S_OZpslnNcNYOyLClZfQ7dNBBnZODEQ/s1600-h/Feb-March+2009+173.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325858967342157106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwLaHOmSpy24iIQgY2ee2EAvq4CsfSwnRnqNAyGR9TPij5BiQIFD-hfKamrnvd2YU0-_HTGltvPJ7N-N9EhmOGkucnWhAI6BEO0rgrMm_6XRE1S_OZpslnNcNYOyLClZfQ7dNBBnZODEQ/s320/Feb-March+2009+173.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ebie "supervised" the water jugs, holding the kids off until the end of Sunday School. She was able to worship with my house church family and went with us to a bible study where she saw Chronological Bible Storying in action! :) <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325858974875723154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5DyxZKxKix7t9E1uNNuWvl7RBwValrHbiMi5KDzoPfglPWO1TljhL3vtjadOp48aq1Mw2hrECYaS0lUTGGhSMJHslMLmLi6RcSHFq0V2TE4GD8H_WUxNxQSLT4bII-cqz6MgZeyxo1TD/s320/IMG_2117.JPG" border="0" />When in Colombia...you gotta ride the Bici-Taxi! It's like our own form of the rickshaw! :) <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325857073400381234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVBUy1mHGW6hhl3sXJWPqpW0HQgdIPBOeXo8MzNPAj-_dCytTTobSZ8wf0mDr2pW4RNYhzWSPGLWYvJw_8zQmS6T29t405Y7kg6_4Hck6Ae8wANJwXFNGVVo20oPgGF-dmkxMgJn-p62f/s320/IMG_2060.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Everyone wanted their picture taken with my aunt "E-deeeth"</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325857055928218258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0KW98cwTeVPDO6S_WNIamGIPCTgNjGo5zFbLYUNzf-ve7bq9FVmw4XVSduW6L0yZb2ulIVj7Oo5e5u1tYC1lnubPpPu3OauW6rcPOps5yHR5qsS65xeimP3Qynf6KtRxyn7AhezlBDwo/s320/Feb-March+2009+137.JPG" border="0" />Ebie got to experience a very special day with us...we had ALL our house church groups from 3 areas meet together to have a combined worship service! It was such a neat experience!...upwards of around 60 adults and 30 kids! Even the Colombians were shocked to see how many believers were in their area and part of house churches! It was a great testimony to the faithfulness of God and how He IS at work here in Colombia, changing hearts and lives!<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4o-ejwr_5ZZr-BeEdWs9pmu1DWuScmpnomTmnB8ILesM1moXFW_Fzv1zS28dqPjOr8ymJBGPbhbVzf-NYeX3wXwlMHJ1CAu15W5aCqtZr7G_352Ld0qBn_2mA0J9Bp6kvjMvCQKtL_P8/s1600-h/Feb-March+2009+141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325857059106546034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4o-ejwr_5ZZr-BeEdWs9pmu1DWuScmpnomTmnB8ILesM1moXFW_Fzv1zS28dqPjOr8ymJBGPbhbVzf-NYeX3wXwlMHJ1CAu15W5aCqtZr7G_352Ld0qBn_2mA0J9Bp6kvjMvCQKtL_P8/s320/Feb-March+2009+141.JPG" border="0" /></a>Those who were baptized believers shared in the Lord's Supper with us. This was really neat too...and those who weren't baptized yet were encouraged and excited to be able to participate the next time around, after their baptisms! (Which we wanted to do that day but there wasn't enough water in the pond, due to the lack of rain. So...we baptized 7 believers on Easter Sunday at the Sunrise service...in the OCEAN!) <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325860658175773442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccwKgx1UY51UjD4PK_I7W4juecw_u4XgAReLdvYsRia55B84oddOfhcQDBmjyvULGBa99_5fC-wnwmGR6l3utuPLk2x9qSgC9bzCu5oy-lej6EgBILC_gV7bV0g26bcfXkfKV_9OnZcWP/s320/IMG_2016.JPG" border="0" />Ebie and I spent a few afternoons just walking around Centro...why, because it's beautiful & fun...and has lots of Shopping! :) <br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325858981760644610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7eZT_dIMX-0vvYZE2_aE1b5U7gKsiNQnKyGHdwcUBz8yf4U6iElIupSGRnEYwDZ0KN4HSHDJYnb9sv4RJmZcTCUObMOeDuZP2d6HSL5WMGyyBAaDsQxOTiSbNNICk5FZshcv7TPwinFO/s320/IMG_2105.JPG" border="0" />We spent her last few nights in the lap of luxury...the Hilton Hotel! :) This was such a special treat for me! I had air-conditioning, down comforters (which I could actually use b/c I wasn't burning up at night, haha!), HOT water, and the most amazing pools! Ebie, as she always does, was a huge encouragement in my life and blessed me tremendously! <br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325860657406880642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvBx3KUwBCCKfJkJBluXhGW29dQtopiPr0_-nO-IIAbVIwTyhEEWCM-zjmeG6b7zqrCU0SCQKdvAvNSxXSExahSQnM5UJZoIDylwJ2xE5mxZJgRVs9ZA9D7cK0iWmn8-OAzRp4tWBQoI0/s320/Ebie+%26+Sarah.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div>This was our "favorite" and only restaurant in the hotel...we had some pretty funny Spanish-English mis-translations errors...it was hilarious! :) </div><div> </div><div>***Ebie, Thank you for coming and spending quality time with me! I love you dearly! The Lord knew just when you should come and He orchestrated it perfectly! You blessed my socks off, supported me tremendously, and filled my days with laughter! :) Love you so much! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-36559081058448652742009-04-14T19:58:00.000-07:002009-04-14T20:05:34.042-07:00Decisions to make...I have been hearing from different sources that I NEED to update my blog! :) I surely do! It's been a long time, and a lot has been happening! :) <br /><br />I'm in the process of making some big decisions which will impact 1) Where I will be living and working when I return to the USA, and 2) The time frame of when I will be coming back to the States! :) <br /><br />Please keep me in your prayers these next few weeks as I seek the Lord and His plan for me! I'm so thankful I serve a God who is concerned about these kinds of things and desires us to seek guidance from His Word!<br /><br />Be assured, the Lord is doing great things in my life and I can't wait to share them with you! <br /><br />Thank you for your prayers! I look forward to seeing your sweet faces in the coming months!<br /><br />~ Sarah :)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-64215122972339063152009-02-10T20:51:00.001-08:002009-02-11T09:53:50.814-08:00Just to catch you up...This may be the LONGEST post I have ever created! I have been so far behind on sending out an update and posting new pictures...so I just made a very detailed post with a little bit of everything, ranging from now (Feb) and going back to before Christmas '08! haha! I hope you enjoy the pictures! Thank you again for your encouragement, support and prayers! :) ~ Sarah<br /><br /><strong>February 2009 ~ (What's new in my city!) </strong><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWW1u0mQSKVxuiZ2cz2mmWrXSdKM3zenuFMJwP5mOjU_PdPolhsueTQQVSdYG_s1iqNn8sUlDKmKUsW-mQPU7OB-x_Yp_09TvV-d2pqOsjssAbejuJitrS2HKV6Lrqp-DBv324S0zbwHO/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+125.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301415549535328674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWW1u0mQSKVxuiZ2cz2mmWrXSdKM3zenuFMJwP5mOjU_PdPolhsueTQQVSdYG_s1iqNn8sUlDKmKUsW-mQPU7OB-x_Yp_09TvV-d2pqOsjssAbejuJitrS2HKV6Lrqp-DBv324S0zbwHO/s320/Colombia-January+2009+125.JPG" border="0" /></a> Update on Yolima and my 3 babies! They are all growing up so fast! Yolima has started attending church again and has helped gather a group of neighbors to listen to the Chronological Bible Storing set we have just begun. Please continue to pray that the Lord would draw her to himself, that she would seek after the Lord, and for protection and provision for Sebastian, Charry & Caleb Andres </div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301411527483999570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCj3zZcUcgPeZBVSfUCefP92eOjcylOw4otWksZk2770e3zbyyUb0Q_cTrobzKOr5dD-Cxm4pP0jnWuyRJ1LV8pj5FKGwyuEzx70SgR1BqbdcjFCtNFKFcum2XdEyXmiPsy4Oj0XlWNYP/s320/Colombia-January+2009+133.JPG" border="0" />Caleb Andres will be 4 months old this month...but he's wearing some 12 month old clothes! He is a GROWING boy! He's with sweet Yojanna in this picture. </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301411526861226914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9gt-GvPeIrZFQSzIoh9JDBCH24_wVdVzC3KJi0av91C9VQh01KSq9B1QJqk7xrm_8uFxuxtY_bsRt6oIkHbu8Ia5cbrl6JkJV9LHbRjmVTvgLmIer4iqg5FMIgNLxEVJglfFSPni3fHo/s320/Colombia-January+2009+130.JPG" border="0" />Me and my kiddos! I love these kids so much! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301411523893158850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TPiEud_bbiY-M7Kw791PMY0P5NQ9LLYLtxwnp4F_rIP1jFgDwPlFqJKdyA1M7vZdZxVeaCbZR_oHm601vaxmA4dn8buMRKwdMyM9av4cEDu5Yg5BI-hFECxGVDyloND64O4tXfpceBWF/s320/Colombia-January+2009+122.JPG" border="0" />I have started teaching some of the leaders in my house church how to use Chronological Bible Storying to start new house church/bible study groups in their community. We are on week 4 and I am so thankful to the Lord for the commitment I have seen in our leaders. Please keep them in your prayers! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dKOj9buROQ2LTj90PPW4cIcyuj1gmn1q1cUJbqGcs_JurFIELC48ioDUQ2QYE8nva3cH9EQfTJfVgPXTGhK5W3LP6beqz6n-kOhdMnRgVv2cZQQ36YpsCFLx4hxNvnoAENo6R2_c0bI2/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301415543936969618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dKOj9buROQ2LTj90PPW4cIcyuj1gmn1q1cUJbqGcs_JurFIELC48ioDUQ2QYE8nva3cH9EQfTJfVgPXTGhK5W3LP6beqz6n-kOhdMnRgVv2cZQQ36YpsCFLx4hxNvnoAENo6R2_c0bI2/s320/Colombia-January+2009+112.JPG" border="0" /></a> Celebrating my birthday in my city with some friends...</div><div align="center">Thanks Mom, for the cute presents and fun candles! :) </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>Bogota' - January 2009 ~ (True Love Waits & Sports Camp)</strong> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301411536144428146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvRjshvpHb_4xLJErmIfFret07IGdbjuEnLU0ncZLWtsuS5BNLWdVCjMEurMtqlTihyphenhyphenM49r1bbEl3DT7D_Tg7OyaQAOa6BKnIFZOv4URmHIOZJLOZJte2quvCbQAfzoeVksKLoH8cs4tF/s320/Colombia-January+2009+105.JPG" border="0" /> We were on a work trip in Bogota' on the actual day of my birthday...so we went to TGI Fridays!! I was so excited to eat "American" food...we even got chips and dip! :) But sad to say...this lovely sandwich woke me up at 5am, making me wish I NEVER ate it! yuck! </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKofFiUpzRqNyUTWdNRDKZ41zwKwi0lvk3ng9jvD99txZZyS5dih8qRdoXhezDQavnCzYU4ParJGUhjh6vWehW3k-PrqoyfST3a6KfX9t692K3JMABXONVWCQQk-zFhPFya7aab897QS-g/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301415538170341154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKofFiUpzRqNyUTWdNRDKZ41zwKwi0lvk3ng9jvD99txZZyS5dih8qRdoXhezDQavnCzYU4ParJGUhjh6vWehW3k-PrqoyfST3a6KfX9t692K3JMABXONVWCQQk-zFhPFya7aab897QS-g/s320/Colombia-January+2009+089.JPG" border="0" /></a> The cutest kid atop the mountain...Santiago! He looks like a little doll...BIG beautiful eyes, rosy cheeks, a smile that would brighten any one's day..and the cutest little voice! :) </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna3K3jvZeH4Z_lfFchp3MzhxwGlDmctlIS9-64DxIi9VrLx-Y5liugLRDorUgGkltlFM5AGW5ouoMm7fgfmv9-peSxaVWswDpFHOQLBYS1Qzx4GdM7anS5hef05bmI07Bzu19e2B-mKAd/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301415529656778194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna3K3jvZeH4Z_lfFchp3MzhxwGlDmctlIS9-64DxIi9VrLx-Y5liugLRDorUgGkltlFM5AGW5ouoMm7fgfmv9-peSxaVWswDpFHOQLBYS1Qzx4GdM7anS5hef05bmI07Bzu19e2B-mKAd/s320/Colombia-January+2009+034.JPG" border="0" /></a> Watching the Presidential Inauguration - Yes....even though we were in a small community atop a Mt in Colombia...it was on TV! Colombians LOVE Obama. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTetWmoS1FZqVix_jybEkV75TKIBhyCvDfOEFTDh2drmU4Dj152DO9561jPeuJUPpei1Yk9ke-NjmZcREieB-Vt6sXa5pSi_kozsGQI3f-zs5GttCEvEdN2KNYsStOJrDyZ4ASmYIZhUej/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301415526206753394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTetWmoS1FZqVix_jybEkV75TKIBhyCvDfOEFTDh2drmU4Dj152DO9561jPeuJUPpei1Yk9ke-NjmZcREieB-Vt6sXa5pSi_kozsGQI3f-zs5GttCEvEdN2KNYsStOJrDyZ4ASmYIZhUej/s320/Colombia-January+2009+013.JPG" border="0" /></a> Check out the view! It took us 2 1/2 hrs (each way) to get to this community! Here are some of the kids in our group. They were getting ready to play soccer after a fun-filled True Love Waits workshop. ;)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSTK-EpBVdmkUdl9dBchC1RPkCsgVdyxhjZA3WhW9USg2pN5_wpD8ErbrCEzo2Fc0ksFkRgWlOsUHslD3sJNulAPd16Z8M2UNswRxnuk_8BLdJonFVol5wBxG9vDbuegZWM-5Y1qVfy78/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301411542609516434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSTK-EpBVdmkUdl9dBchC1RPkCsgVdyxhjZA3WhW9USg2pN5_wpD8ErbrCEzo2Fc0ksFkRgWlOsUHslD3sJNulAPd16Z8M2UNswRxnuk_8BLdJonFVol5wBxG9vDbuegZWM-5Y1qVfy78/s320/Colombia-January+2009+080.JPG" border="0" /></a> haha...love this picture! It's not the best of me, but I love the concept of it! These little boys were my 2 shadows!<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6hV14wyT5LtBvpiwVwjasz_rPPgrfioPBPRUjcfkanITyLumsMpxM1Myvr142fSMN1wETvnFWadO46PWRGCQTAU_lgOom0ADpxTVIBhb4mPZjgI3EEMfLKEidxZE2PKM0Ua2wxIZbbhc/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301409999083535666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6hV14wyT5LtBvpiwVwjasz_rPPgrfioPBPRUjcfkanITyLumsMpxM1Myvr142fSMN1wETvnFWadO46PWRGCQTAU_lgOom0ADpxTVIBhb4mPZjgI3EEMfLKEidxZE2PKM0Ua2wxIZbbhc/s320/Colombia-January+2009+023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RERbGNfgq25iYfNvausti6229P4b2DhyphenhyphenU8QG0FuSFDDGKIjAeSWY5SHnQ3R99skv8WOYPSx1sWr_-sab1abG0sw7FJMJ06H45XxAVlY64TTDdf_WCTtAgYC76uaKOfUgSOTTPnaxnumf/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301409996665227282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RERbGNfgq25iYfNvausti6229P4b2DhyphenhyphenU8QG0FuSFDDGKIjAeSWY5SHnQ3R99skv8WOYPSx1sWr_-sab1abG0sw7FJMJ06H45XxAVlY64TTDdf_WCTtAgYC76uaKOfUgSOTTPnaxnumf/s320/Colombia-January+2009+048.JPG" border="0" /></a> A picture with our host family from the mountain community. They were such a blessing to us that week....so generous and welcoming! We felt like we were with family! (But I have to say this...check out their expressions! This is not a fluke picture...I took 3 and they all look the same! Interesting, right!)<br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg489SFXCje7bwgOuKd_NkTcJPdNCYo-ganSbPNGgbhFK03huLHPALiyltvr8mlGTKvQVTI2ESd9pdb0w2ffiFpsCWOnEjEDk6p1Yyq2zjCXEcje2X6U-6kCHk9wsJFMPF1tp4yYH7TBaFq/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301409986471132530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg489SFXCje7bwgOuKd_NkTcJPdNCYo-ganSbPNGgbhFK03huLHPALiyltvr8mlGTKvQVTI2ESd9pdb0w2ffiFpsCWOnEjEDk6p1Yyq2zjCXEcje2X6U-6kCHk9wsJFMPF1tp4yYH7TBaFq/s320/Colombia-January+2009+060.JPG" border="0" /></a> Love this picture. She was the quiet beauty in the group. She just needed some encouragement to break out of her shell! She was such a sweet little girl. </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301408221896063634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-SQsYYGsowir10savk72XEUFKNZcqvqmhd5de6FJp5BPqq2c2spwk3uNa55SFg1i7Lj95E9KTeRtonEtFHTr4bEv4AcUW1rpe0J6npNpWYBanrdkTI5WW-jbOl3POsKUk6kQcAwLsvDu/s320/Colombia-January+2009+008.JPG" border="0" />Playing "balloons in a bag" volleyball! The kids loved it! I think this turned out to be a great picture! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301408219398322722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4LLLnkGdaE8Sm3acS2KqIttMkyMdJ0QZmui6PXhnOhE9Wm2AGEfW3bAonAsOsmRBishSYMrXRpva_noMJWdaklJzG6JtEFWLX17wo72e4wPCrDU0CkA4yfMP3_HePtCybfu1VfpCHUmc/s320/Colombia-January+2009+027.JPG" border="0" /> Kimi, Mike and I with some of the kids from our workshop group. :) See that hill...it just goes up and up...and that's the way out!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsLEFFcXaInWS09I1BfQIoQeEtb0JqqbWXPWnu5ifZDuvQll53uNqFLsbzc8Tk543g4zHb9iOyASPya_G3GMH1GornZpvbdEUH05OALoKfoEVTxxqcdUSkrlGSz_rdnCXYDj2kS9HV0YY/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301409987477306530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsLEFFcXaInWS09I1BfQIoQeEtb0JqqbWXPWnu5ifZDuvQll53uNqFLsbzc8Tk543g4zHb9iOyASPya_G3GMH1GornZpvbdEUH05OALoKfoEVTxxqcdUSkrlGSz_rdnCXYDj2kS9HV0YY/s320/Colombia-January+2009+078.JPG" border="0" /></a> Again...love this!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_4_9fr-9UZckn3UR6SSrDTqk5Vcb7kVRK5h83Ivtex6V6I-5rpkt_5OSZtIVH18je4sm6TQC1gUqigisiOuWrkZIPjsY2GBg0WJCuso1ViOqcZTw5EPGctwZwOWj5Tc2egooeLs_PRnp/s1600-h/Colombia-January+2009+084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301409950392971362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_4_9fr-9UZckn3UR6SSrDTqk5Vcb7kVRK5h83Ivtex6V6I-5rpkt_5OSZtIVH18je4sm6TQC1gUqigisiOuWrkZIPjsY2GBg0WJCuso1ViOqcZTw5EPGctwZwOWj5Tc2egooeLs_PRnp/s320/Colombia-January+2009+084.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pastor Jorge took this picture of me and Charon. She hardly ever smiled, but when she did...wow, how beautiful, right! :)<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>Maryland Team-Baseball Sports Camp (my city) Jan. 2009 ~</strong> </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301401818605398450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHz2axQRX-LOOpmOxSxTHCeLmqNk_Zkxdkuz157NumT7m_YZqhTri3_C7odhZenQRG6MUXAbT7fG26_dj-clY2I_TRXaL6KA-oF7zA1fqF7yrKrm1E7lYXrueBZwlxPYR9zyQmy1jba_o/s320/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+124.JPG" border="0" />Teaching the kiddos how to play some baseball!<br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301401811894054178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT63h9RVnYRw8FKaA_u5EXndHDzmv9aQ_uTQnP3ffDBkdk_N7zHrB7EcOlyVK8DF8rHz-zM8m7JUGtA0c0DeNqBcvH4oIrRj0lj6prRVsaK1EaX1W3-cyzhGWyuy09JPlN2rlgPdcSK44/s320/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+109.JPG" border="0" />Isaac was cheering on the baseball teams! Check out his fro! :) </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPb0JDSb0jDUHlWa0RQTpJXfbKH0se74EYbXPNQ2J77rrwkC-fuw89p4qbvKlnTrzkohWBTPMb8aB2UNgcVjJUAz46FLUdSpLoUYf8Qt-I-6hkiNss_tfTX9jJ0wxTktvyZDckyL2xdXFb/s1600-h/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+162.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301400150546869378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPb0JDSb0jDUHlWa0RQTpJXfbKH0se74EYbXPNQ2J77rrwkC-fuw89p4qbvKlnTrzkohWBTPMb8aB2UNgcVjJUAz46FLUdSpLoUYf8Qt-I-6hkiNss_tfTX9jJ0wxTktvyZDckyL2xdXFb/s320/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+162.JPG" border="0" /></a> Me, chillin' with some of the kids.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNODxoHPDladXCbf8hAzg8vDb_wkJNHw7NPkpjgycZFmVV0RePyyruK0YvHsFaOcnuWp1EcioLIbdtBsHN0_YroMLo_7F3V8sfpC3AgF-7n_GkI6g9zM_VDASBvk3QlADOfYv8QLMqaQF/s1600-h/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+199.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301400145991355010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNODxoHPDladXCbf8hAzg8vDb_wkJNHw7NPkpjgycZFmVV0RePyyruK0YvHsFaOcnuWp1EcioLIbdtBsHN0_YroMLo_7F3V8sfpC3AgF-7n_GkI6g9zM_VDASBvk3QlADOfYv8QLMqaQF/s320/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+199.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong></strong></div><div>Our favorite guys from MD...they really are a great team with hearts to serve! </div><div></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>Journeyman Friends Come to Visit (my city) Jan. 2009 ~ </strong></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301400155536174194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8dxB5VFc5NDe8itj7lD4DOWpU-cllwh9zRD_XSeyeOLxhi2J8U-YCI46cNtBPV6SOxlY1cljoVfJcwSgnZuxVOJTDVCoTIE1DGhPDcKolcHsGgrHIVa-Z1WKPGGB0MoZtOiCC4Ab39PQ/s320/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+030.JPG" border="0" />Mike, Anna & Sharon came to visit! I had such a fun time with you guys! :) </div><div></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>Christmas in Florida-Dec. 2008 ~</strong> </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301406548230898786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTwwo8j7X0h2vaCKlRKZxKzz1vLjVQTWywp0_BuK37yF0WggpEWgKbu45AchnERcBm_-uVYexCf0yHhNAFST34CLghvo5xjkCU9PfGxvvgIaougWXmrbnCJN13T_dEu7iC6Lritkzwmq-/s320/IMG_2379.JPG" border="0" />Right after Mom and Ebie picked me up from the airport...I was delirious, but so excited to be home! Ebie surprised me with an early Christmas gift "The 12 Gifts of Christmas" with one gift to open each day....and this was one of my favorites - "The Dragonfly" gift card to my favorite sushi restaurant! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301401815099843442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5VbSGXo8ftM5wwG7dzI7AprBrQncicQvKejptztmcBQqDadr1fEMDseEchlZJTGkeQFGks2RqEKM-NxBy5vtIk9NStu38ZNHdUiX0vVVf5yTDTyrjqUB2Y4TaHjOJvkYqPCCGS7IZa6m/s320/IMG_2386.JPG" border="0" />The very first time I met Baby James! I fell in LOVE immediately! He is the most gorgeous baby I know! His Tia Sarah loves him so much! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301401807977528258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tUvVrddY3BHeWuhob4JWZYab6UwPOPUKKeqGrErmQgk_vwhMnJH0YZI9WBDJkuWG7W7lCe7_I1GslWWo9sH-VY_0MZlIAY72BOmtOz32-0R0AIJ86xoYKC-pHUNC2xpL6pjM_T9y5NmS/s320/IMG_2411.JPG" border="0" />I was babysitting James and trying to get him to take some medicine...haha...and this was the result! I don't think I got half of it in his mouth, lol, but he was just as happy as could be! haha! </div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301403547042647138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2u5hDd20Uw2BFslWOLCoRBT0NAmw7PME-ZlfT6O0RhVHfwUvJ7FqPWk3cbCieFD2INuzkzqiVPOa9Xs4aWSwi30ueFUNc1rnvCSCz9XBjZ7ilpzwBjdfWcFOwXRwWkUvV75VUfCHZLTX/s320/IMG_2457.JPG" border="0" />The Sumner Family came to visit Auntie Sarah! This is my "adopted sister" Suzanne and her wonderful family! Thanks for coming to see me! :) </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301401804333192658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVCtpkw55G9yOr_6V4pM-T-6KVdN1vcU8vBYjl5LoarcwKbhmZL1g4a3mg3QrP_4r-QCWLG2TA14uPCBeWcFR8ax9bT_dWAOhDrf6RCFoIjfnMfnUX3zHPWs6R_Hvwi5XAwWIYqx7lL7K/s320/IMG_2447.JPG" border="0" />Making smores with the girls out at the fire pit. Lets see if Auntie Sarah can guess correctly...Rebecca (L), Kathryn (R) and of course...sweet Danielle! :) </div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301403551595754130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MeqJx2rJlENYMYlU6BUlHsaYreJsX2eUuopt9nJWuq7st0K14HvEfpZ0_CEUU1dJ4W2TykwF_pD8PjO093SqWi_ddxGzVrKO09o_rWb92DtBxy7-r7v8F8RoJUUw1-XEHbCs1GvRgbvw/s320/IMG_2453.JPG" border="0" />My sweet "adopted brother" Mark also came to visit! I love cooking with Mark and having fun together. He's a great guy and a special part of our family! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301403533706125362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmMX4a3iXCjRhatwfF_9-NnbgEPqHqp4Cih3YdUUlUmEHmz8ZxC_JXJrx0AQIIB0HptUEADIS9cHc300cEnWPRdZcJhFHlrlArIsMgbruN9sms6tPElh_2U1qGKtSpcyxuXsGEA0LyjEq/s320/IMG_2502.JPG" border="0" />Part of Mom's Christmas "wish list" was taking family photos...so we took a lot of them! This is out by Lake Alice...do you see any gators around!?!? </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301403538345634098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-n5Kt0kqyPhwfTliIpW7P_9VtvYuxHbB_phpNl_Fd_jhIIod3Q0bmii_gRXudMzCXf1e7G4Dpi0XmaK-akZt6OtB2zQF5Hxdxgz15kvFENsp2vkmkDam7Nh6IPy_0cmxHs3oK_SJYbCGh/s320/IMG_2484.JPG" border="0" />Enough serious pictures....we had to take a funny one, lol! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301403545563798530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJkQ87WzFF8Fpl5iS-HNZGSCugQls-pL7Czqisw77gd2Uc-NJXlTOaJoUxXPx_Xic7Snd1yFfMzdcSKNGPDpmOjgJQdDW7UPSDRmZfDmjSyKm_tcXvQ6U2paI4CjpZ8u1acM_vP025Q0p/s320/IMG_2474.JPG" border="0" /> Caleb Andrew (my little "big" brother) This is a good one of us!<br /><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301404770379111058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDNivPILkWl03lcl0YYps6D2W8OG0ARGhO9zr4-ORPmkDfvCVsL3BAKkL3H0y8DV3WsHTBZCRaqvjKwIYsmkgPrEwL54zzfSDvDKaxXnxkMUcds5UePOOTEtrkiFeKTC-qN97fGLlUUrr/s320/IMG_2517.JPG" border="0" /></strong></div><div>My Nana and Papa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! What a blessing to have spent so many years of marriage together! They are such a godly example! :)<br /></div><div><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301404746510166162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8orPGBpyyBqxYuWgmFFH9FeO0KFm3WFLNHd5F3UjPrq9DSkj5m7v2WpRzJZMARScO0u9G0Jycq1k99n0ufy6Lzj5YH3ZB_noH_VkufA0duZL2Vw6TvKXh6Cj6-Hc8L4iUWTF1iXqQWZle/s320/IMG_2654.JPG" border="0" /></strong></div><div>Yeah...Having fun with Katie! One of my childhood friends...she is very dear to my heart! I loved spending time with you! It was too short! Can't wait to see you soon!<br /></div><div><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301408224641706850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NFsnpYXrssrbYGUQRzIxGYL4hP4CyTOD_eebVdt0HhrDLQth7XUADgwOoCq3CwemQ6z3vXx-sLjBGa-WUU9Rn6JzNfXCVt78CimZ_LmBFNWdyx5OlbCDRls7ZJeQmtdo3gEpj4i0sb-U/s320/IMG_2545.JPG" border="0" /></strong></div><div>After Christmas, Ebie came back up to Gville with Travis (my cousin), his wife Krinki and the kids. Quincy Claire has such an amazing personality! She has you smiling and laughing all the time! I think she's doing her "ta da" in this picture! :) And of course, Asa Mac is a little heart breaker! He's so adorable!<br /></div><div><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301404757822950354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhn360ethGxrJee9URFiiiPP_Q3cHN5BosdRHd5_MyJcIvLmgSmxgDr6UIe1w1ckYBhPs_AspjBojMNnrnAeNejtgfFwQVfXkRKlfjkA24GjNDeM7GlX-ZDjizmZzax5tYSDHyN1dZk2X/s320/IMG_2644.JPG" border="0" /></strong></div><div>This is after the EPIDEMIC hit the family! Everyone got the flu except for me! So I played nurse and baby entertainer for the weekend! Quincy and I were trying to pass the time by making funny faces and taking pictures of our silliness! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301408232440844834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkq9cAc2xMDdT4qU3cAdp8mYEP7sRjWkS7ScYRFrmuSLijjiYos0sR3oa49S2noNvhRJc1Z35qXmuVIuUg0r01j-uxo7qXWC89rUneXWhuKSJtHsNvCBRKL0KP8QK_wiMUjEY_as9z_Qb/s320/IMG_2714.JPG" border="0" />Another great family photo! :) Love you guys! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301408232033635026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hg6d2LwgmxuoSgCYiE_oY3Lv5fGOQyCwFqADpqVzGncdBg6UasCZ7rjx5wWM0-1jj79UBJoShWlpPnFNVqgbrORUd3vZwL6WNFCD8AiPhrq4WsmWBVKh3e8s_cnx3_-RiU_V46DM918K/s320/IMG_2709.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>This is my brother and his sweet girlfriend, Esther! She is so great! </div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301406551113732434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KsrPYy_FoT_t6Omp_7TIE6W52ZzuYADwb_IRoIf_Zh9eShKSxEZ2AcZALC0FQ8Squ1EWIKegc5leKN44vorQ236RukOc2q7nJkVGJKA_gtDostl3_FfegmEE81xUnQ-g1b_udvhQh2Xd/s320/IMG_2656.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>One of my complaints...I didn't have enough time with the Curtis Family! I miss you guys so much! Stacey...how did we manage <em>not </em>to go to The Dragonfly?!? We'll have to make it up when I get home! Love you kiddos-Amelia, Colby and Julia Anne! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301404764173765170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RweJWyYYg7W9nstdoLoNtavgelDCBBFPLzeoYxSMAUJ4OrivQrOlM6U-nHnM3qgIOyRjP2RIOllfeBJw9aYoyd0y0HwGVjDnzZjd7O-FZPoyG0EZHbvIqugXP-n57_8seCjW58UcRBi/s320/IMG_2536.JPG" border="0" />This is my sweet cousin Dave. Thanks for being my chauffer! I loved spending that extra time with you! You are dearly loved and missed! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301406565043075586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11hea36-62ATuGoys5tamvTjTF_wNYddhzG5DZTUGGRDaE9LTY-VEzSL9BdL4GEFkVNTB_kLU7VcXJxb4tWlIyXc5TEIR3YHclh65YUxlZN3cOKsHSL6tsI-qMhyphenhyphenVPz0ImtnyWszuxX0A/s320/IMG_2690.JPG" border="0" />My best friends and family ~ Amber & Chad...and their sweet baby James! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301404751715521314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ekdn_XbBK-gd1Pd4fltjdr9dSYvKIvJwf73yGaj4xCgF9W41Njc7SlS5vH87ePerEhvot5hrHEye7Tq2pt_Na_jTODiCtoJ3crGn8DP_rHxRQnYAbJQOgvae97kq2XoEKgFX8876bHfM/s320/IMG_2681.JPG" border="0" />The one who has stolen my heart...sweet baby James! I miss him so much! </div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301406556339670178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY6fJsny_R7kFWxrQN0LLmvRLcj8MPmvcubW85y8Gy9_E8EF2c2cKKgDl5CZJnJ4LE4yb-yvX8OaYyUh412B74cZjrqYI0gRtrcOsyGubh6iko-ddZsK85o6L4kZ9qJV67V-RzUL4OeGP/s320/IMG_2687.JPG" border="0" />I really enjoyed spending some extra time with Kathryn and Rachel! You girls are so special to me! The Lord has amazing plans for your lives! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301406549596161074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U4gaMhyQq_MghbJZRXq3IeOk7KjWyO8yOCcy0_Gmd9cb5DenybwC2HRxWLDSF6aBhti7wfhDCcP9omPbw29PJG5GfBrMI2EertdvhfAduBqGo2kSDy8QCar1u0R4k153KNmU8HLb7rmr/s320/IMG_2696.JPG" border="0" />Again...can't get enough of my BFF Amber...she's my kindred spirit...a gift from the Lord!<br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>DECEMBER 2008 ~ </strong><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301400164215387810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWIEsvL2jtmUnPPWB98Yqe7GRIVqtzPdXmGZfmaMAxlfDOzit7nfvKELTn7kilsjHJ-WR-msLQXnJ3q6b40TTG4xXOPUTzZ1OhV1c1YA7x2bHjWg0S2Wl0AMVo-303tmdTTuoq8k0lJc_/s320/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+003.JPG" border="0" /> Making "pasteles" for Christmas with Mabel & Juliet. Our table was converted into a work space to make the delicious creations...they took ALL day to make!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301400161974758738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurQEbMKLHADsPgOo66rwBXLiKbdLtajRuMPCfVUp7BfT6W6q5Wc4PTzofp-a4LrLBMOoZx_rnoGVrb6DyGJBUjgg2hEcTqjj3R7nDWM8YU2tpuH03KsHAs_Sm5qsuPIhoCycImGtWi7_z/s320/Christmas+08%27+in+CTG-January+2009+025.JPG" border="0" />I decided to make Christmas cookies for gifts...by the time I finished I had them coming out my ears...I believe the final count was close to 200!!!!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-31931382257535234772008-12-08T11:53:00.001-08:002008-12-08T12:37:04.441-08:00Christmas Decorations!!!<div align="left">Here are some pictures of our apartment decked out for Christmas! We didn't want to buy too much since this is our last Christmas overseas, so we were blessed to get the "extras" from our supervisor's house! And they were some pretty great "extras!" Of course I added some of my own creativity :) and used my nativity scenes that I purchased in Colombia & Ecuardor. Check it out! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center">Welcome to our little apartment! :) <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277512841595223698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP3c59AriKc_AjK5ZOgkWhjHg_HBcWoGMTRF008VGTgHPQ0jpJmtRMIOZzBq98f3T-LcWZ7qCDGzm0b_TGNFeaF2OPTpktVeMvji5STzRf9tHdlwew8qxvs98An54xYwEbx4LUN3VPgPZ/s320/Dec.+%2708+057.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The table...facing outside to the porch<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZoZHCxnOENg79y02ZIZKhtjNAA7iwEM9WAaeyVmpezCJBYTcR-MC-0Jefq6bswUE2qgYTrO3iPg1juSioXInWeGlW0tsGTo7XXSJDSZn_nS4oXjL9-2VWTNk90R0MBzJwXFp9RA_PrpP/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277515103429289538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZoZHCxnOENg79y02ZIZKhtjNAA7iwEM9WAaeyVmpezCJBYTcR-MC-0Jefq6bswUE2qgYTrO3iPg1juSioXInWeGlW0tsGTo7XXSJDSZn_nS4oXjL9-2VWTNk90R0MBzJwXFp9RA_PrpP/s320/Dec.+%2708+042.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Sliding glass doors...looking outside to the porch.<br />Can you see the lights on the palm trees? <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277514649877666066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXQTA4BrVKzFYAn2raFKEL-BSczdogSPrBcJDuph8Ysu5vACsWJKkm2WAbCBndw6jmul5VzAGJxd3iZILLaaDvuMsg5LwWFWRN88XglQI-_RC1DZ8WHn7rQs16phLrQJFsABkpa23kkk5/s320/Dec.+%2708+051.JPG" border="0" /><br />Our Christmas tree...still in progress!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277516226592666306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZOYM6WD5h40XpygQ5XHp9jHJ8BMrFgYNV_VyxlPPOFeAYX4qE8hEpSDbTs6CGFLnZET9nvraUYRt-nUrUuDhJrg69-7lSJ03_OHgL-sy35PnQtaMjm_os7wcLxnLeHBK6tTgdCNlKaPY/s320/Dec.+%2708+068.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><div align="center">The book shelf...<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9NtnqnfJ3xi74sN0lgCmoLVLDQZ2n0auN19fNjxd-d6CxceQ6pgS_UPXwizgoH0IsdqIP5w6pbaoDFL7C3hbaYJXdlj3hb6gFfZylDhi0MbGxJ73C9mL5JPIFhzVmb_Tv4fQGtyupVO0/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277514658955394882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9NtnqnfJ3xi74sN0lgCmoLVLDQZ2n0auN19fNjxd-d6CxceQ6pgS_UPXwizgoH0IsdqIP5w6pbaoDFL7C3hbaYJXdlj3hb6gFfZylDhi0MbGxJ73C9mL5JPIFhzVmb_Tv4fQGtyupVO0/s320/Dec.+%2708+045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Side table and our 2nd little Christmas tree<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXvo7JgJagv3lRGp-3QAZCsefehTq0_4QZ46O_ln3IhXmouSjDBgV11fpbwA0cYhk6nY5snSNNVfGvpDIT0qxS8mtjHDTQgXwqPB7p7hzmDR8LtsRfg8VBLdt5Zva53zRB2iN5krJf73d/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277514652181550498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXvo7JgJagv3lRGp-3QAZCsefehTq0_4QZ46O_ln3IhXmouSjDBgV11fpbwA0cYhk6nY5snSNNVfGvpDIT0qxS8mtjHDTQgXwqPB7p7hzmDR8LtsRfg8VBLdt5Zva53zRB2iN5krJf73d/s320/Dec.+%2708+047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Looking up the stairs to our rooms....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ9oxKrxryDhxi6w_OO5dv8g61ti5RMs_FQ8c24yVhhb5Z4QiHXTP_4q8-ZRBK3vc5GAzNnjz0SldzKZ964G9G4gvown_eNsTV0euB1HMhyPNv8l03zify3p7smrRT2fGiNrQxy6uSZdP/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277514629376692354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ9oxKrxryDhxi6w_OO5dv8g61ti5RMs_FQ8c24yVhhb5Z4QiHXTP_4q8-ZRBK3vc5GAzNnjz0SldzKZ964G9G4gvown_eNsTV0euB1HMhyPNv8l03zify3p7smrRT2fGiNrQxy6uSZdP/s320/Dec.+%2708+052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Looking into the kitchen...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq_kDiubSoFPWkNOvvzrPuowkUAL9NrqSc_nypQuJ71VBV2gWCHkARGhpyyFCufjaOefvryaguRasBGO_UgIHqINXHDLPXUAVoCqOmgSKkS6kospogiVnVKwPBGm6gvPhWH1YTiGUH46r/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277514624116738114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq_kDiubSoFPWkNOvvzrPuowkUAL9NrqSc_nypQuJ71VBV2gWCHkARGhpyyFCufjaOefvryaguRasBGO_UgIHqINXHDLPXUAVoCqOmgSKkS6kospogiVnVKwPBGm6gvPhWH1YTiGUH46r/s320/Dec.+%2708+055.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br />A view from the stairs into the living room...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0ARzia8T3pXcQQDyFCkfPLeNoO3U7wmFdbN_xL4wKeWAl7r_6vgLGilVnXWzKQxJc91Q3EvF9paHAdDxFJqNjApiceMPIfUc9ZSolc_EOmq04oGLGVAmECxt1FjfbqYd_2LwM-9bt6SZ/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+069.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277512834502943362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0ARzia8T3pXcQQDyFCkfPLeNoO3U7wmFdbN_xL4wKeWAl7r_6vgLGilVnXWzKQxJc91Q3EvF9paHAdDxFJqNjApiceMPIfUc9ZSolc_EOmq04oGLGVAmECxt1FjfbqYd_2LwM-9bt6SZ/s320/Dec.+%2708+069.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Haha...this is Colombian Beach style...some bows </div><div>on our little plant by the hammock<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB-hHdQB6Sac0iDOD6r4TFWlT3ApAxPw4LyZfOJ-l3LDNb173RR-rpItI6ftk7JArkHubjQZXZuJIxIpzsrC-g47U3zH6F2ZzJxdr41UkTqfS7Sfak-Hl0zSA_SYDLyUBdAGVc2IXlp_k/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+066.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277512823773864562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB-hHdQB6Sac0iDOD6r4TFWlT3ApAxPw4LyZfOJ-l3LDNb173RR-rpItI6ftk7JArkHubjQZXZuJIxIpzsrC-g47U3zH6F2ZzJxdr41UkTqfS7Sfak-Hl0zSA_SYDLyUBdAGVc2IXlp_k/s320/Dec.+%2708+066.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our porch railing decorations...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLIbxeiW_qlDtTcisaKs73YNg0zEJ88rfVWjoTlTZR7dGOTjgND55WB_KfhxnnaB7OiMALxjisqKeH3IjydJPjKf1Mc0VXQnatD1ejwnmw6bPpWphTg0DHJJ4CZnpp-TDcVt4S0AkRFr1/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277512816614974706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLIbxeiW_qlDtTcisaKs73YNg0zEJ88rfVWjoTlTZR7dGOTjgND55WB_KfhxnnaB7OiMALxjisqKeH3IjydJPjKf1Mc0VXQnatD1ejwnmw6bPpWphTg0DHJJ4CZnpp-TDcVt4S0AkRFr1/s320/Dec.+%2708+062.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Looking out at the "back yard." The complex put up lights</div><div>on all the palm trees. It actually looks really good!<br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3SnizLWCmbJxBd_99RPRE9e_ZQGyYbb0ZBENvHfKhcie7e5J2JPCX-aZmsR_6JfayoCxmg0YHBow4DJfsUETA8tYMKuZpFFNJZpyGz4DvMmwM3ANit_ZWbg3oo7hHTZPmlProXGglQxm/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277512803714685234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3SnizLWCmbJxBd_99RPRE9e_ZQGyYbb0ZBENvHfKhcie7e5J2JPCX-aZmsR_6JfayoCxmg0YHBow4DJfsUETA8tYMKuZpFFNJZpyGz4DvMmwM3ANit_ZWbg3oo7hHTZPmlProXGglQxm/s320/Dec.+%2708+067.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>At night when I turn on the lights...it actually feels like Christmas...well, "feels" as in my heart gets in the Christmas spirit! It's 95 degrees + outside! Kids are swimming in the pool all day long...and I'm sunburned from yesterdays evangelism trip around the barrios! haha! What a different way to experience December! :0) Hope you enjoy the pictures! </div></div></div></div><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-55346709200716707262008-12-08T09:28:00.000-08:002008-12-08T11:47:16.954-08:00Update on My Little Chunker<div align="center"></div><div align="center">My Little Chunker ~ Caleb' Andres<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277499193569003618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WXK3N8fRzP1nNeBDqTq7WVZ2aCF_TgmaGWx94pmP5oivw6VcUCGnHBB2QIHU11D94uWdWLP_xyNZ7MHy8Dr7y_Cq6Y8olum6p-fzG0UxiyliSUwIvuE73ciAQKeVwmT-m8R-BGdcq9nX/s320/Dec.+%2708+021.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">He's growing up so fast! He's not even 3 months old yet! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277499218204633106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQs-kxDYJndD1_hWrMN77wzLKM1bCPeawXe5S__D1gDGUgSsg8PTLm_YNejSPFYtu056iURerJOGMEdqM46fb3j2o1osWUL6-F5uf9bKF0WuL_ddoKiJe8pYINybQIZ-M2NxdyMfR8BGU/s320/Dec.+%2708+026.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Sebastian and Caleb' are igualitos! They look just </div><div align="center">alike expect for their skin color! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DObX1nAhnYMQPYHlgBn29RI4o8DsKsBMv9ILrVX1MtxMjEH2MY3eJoj2nqCfXB3Fsfx-uskV_f4nRKRnstgxdwvKEuZ8R-rVbAZf6e5qGHKALg9sp16LG3WZPKftLFnra3Q9sazjuWRj/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277501766558385074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DObX1nAhnYMQPYHlgBn29RI4o8DsKsBMv9ILrVX1MtxMjEH2MY3eJoj2nqCfXB3Fsfx-uskV_f4nRKRnstgxdwvKEuZ8R-rVbAZf6e5qGHKALg9sp16LG3WZPKftLFnra3Q9sazjuWRj/s320/Dec.+%2708+041.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Sweet little Cherry! Always wantin' some lovin'! </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277499223411217778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoE9qY9lsgSCpmGwH0-LuWvFITrKlY8_X9T5g3s1EzHGTTsG0dN3_cfWePqQRhzuHKnK3Lv0Pzk_ZJoXFYxUwc3aJ0QupSLuZYo3m8p5phZUNnX4q7UbLh1LqSM7cj4WbuhNXgkpAPPVz/s320/Dec.+%2708+028.JPG" border="0" /><br />Haha...this is such a cute picture! </div><div align="center">Tio Alejo with Sebastian & Cherry<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQwgJbqI383BtTQTTM87wASHakrSV_RXezJc_cu2d2Vhrp5uVN72rOhX9wxtKO5mZBpHN0GWXPg855dcjIHhQIDLbTREZGGlKqO5QNqFqSnNrqHtU6fRhmV7QDjYcqImpTN9wPQsVIF1y/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277499243578911698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQwgJbqI383BtTQTTM87wASHakrSV_RXezJc_cu2d2Vhrp5uVN72rOhX9wxtKO5mZBpHN0GWXPg855dcjIHhQIDLbTREZGGlKqO5QNqFqSnNrqHtU6fRhmV7QDjYcqImpTN9wPQsVIF1y/s320/Dec.+%2708+033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tia Sarita, a visiting friend, and Yolima with the kiddos<br />(please excuse the naked little kids!) :o)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC7x5vSqoEUUmyrMKs50PQDmjWqaC-96FdomFpnnKwb4FSZaig1Q9rSIygG_qy9dHS29hty9HpZDpPtAxNfLgOx45cBnLphwg5hR1qZSVQRaBNAjJJ3BM7GroZQQd_OvLlP_Lzte1_0sT/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277499238360826850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC7x5vSqoEUUmyrMKs50PQDmjWqaC-96FdomFpnnKwb4FSZaig1Q9rSIygG_qy9dHS29hty9HpZDpPtAxNfLgOx45cBnLphwg5hR1qZSVQRaBNAjJJ3BM7GroZQQd_OvLlP_Lzte1_0sT/s320/Dec.+%2708+032.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br />This is the day I came home with lollipop and dirty little </div><div>hand prints all over my white pants! But I wouldn't</div><div> have it any other way!<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277501764465302338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUQnXjFCdhYQmO6WMs1-0lHchjHad-AI2I-lIQX5Gx23POzKuwl3kOB00tcz7LbvSNeGrdTkc9IZ4MgjPHxCFHzwlUD91wIM94-rGKDxp4fPlM29mXSozQowOAnLpZcUi89NO9kj10XDv/s320/Dec.+%2708+035.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Please continue your prayers for Yolima and her family. It's impossible to make a life change in this culture without the help of the Holy Spirit. Please pray that she would desire to follow the Lord <em>whole-heartedly</em>! Pray that the distractions of this world would fade away and she would seek after Jesus!<br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-7763317213016333242008-12-08T09:08:00.000-08:002008-12-08T09:27:47.113-08:00Strange ways to say "Happy Birthday"So I'm being totally serious when I say that singing "Happy Birthday" and then cutting and eating the cake in a normal fashion is <em>ALL</em> I want to happen on my birthday!<br /><br /><br />For Colombians....it's just not good enough.<br /><br /><br /><br />Since we recently celebrated birthdays for Brian, my supervisor, and Pedro, one of our Colombian ministry partner's...I decided I would bake them a cake and we'd have a little "celebration" at our weekly team meeting. Boy did I underestimate what they would do!<br /><br /><br />First they were asking me where the eggs and flour were....and I said, "what?" Ha...they wanted to throw eggs and flour on the birthday boys...and they were serious...and they wanted to do it in MY house! Haha....if you know me, you know that's not going to fly! I try to keep the place clean, not deliberately mess it up! So when I wouldn't give in to the eggs and flour...they just used the <em>CAKE! </em><br /><br /><br />Before I knew what was happening...they had splattered icing all over Pedro and Brian...and then started coming at everyone else! I think I'm the only one that managed to escape the fiasco....but that might have had something to do with the look on my face when I told Jonathan he better think carefully before he came any further at me with that spatula of icing...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277469254662680402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0Gx585yptQ5oyW9txklV-rzQ8nQxhix_rr0URqtOq5q96iwi9xNLl6tLErZe7VYBANIL8SCwq52N9dY1bWgyjKdpZXfClKkrjYdtbe0WvegUAGbpygDS7pBq8UyTm7yyL1Xi4t9FhRZC/s320/Dec.+%2708+004.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">The Birthday Boys, getting splattered with icing</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wQyqXSq3wxghCfJbpmlReV0pdk6WyLzdWzx5qjpQVR-5uvnVu9HhHlfZ0cKVLVUMoIX0zwI2cyhjoZMacliuBE0r5wFOzs7IUY0g5TWNqiZuhU-BzrGURYRJvGizizFekJ9yVS5VBNe7/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277469276480166434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wQyqXSq3wxghCfJbpmlReV0pdk6WyLzdWzx5qjpQVR-5uvnVu9HhHlfZ0cKVLVUMoIX0zwI2cyhjoZMacliuBE0r5wFOzs7IUY0g5TWNqiZuhU-BzrGURYRJvGizizFekJ9yVS5VBNe7/s320/Dec.+%2708+007.JPG" border="0" /></a> And now they start attacking other people....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIDKcxNFJQcz2NB5uGkWi6PfNfPcG5SVhkH4WYcmyJexv7ENG3kXRHk5DKzLJNfEsObpu4ujH4gL53tAP3mZIGGEvFcjdk0ilXprcdQuFStGVKHgqWR6adAO4q89dvv-PJBxzffJLaX4P/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277469266512065682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIDKcxNFJQcz2NB5uGkWi6PfNfPcG5SVhkH4WYcmyJexv7ENG3kXRHk5DKzLJNfEsObpu4ujH4gL53tAP3mZIGGEvFcjdk0ilXprcdQuFStGVKHgqWR6adAO4q89dvv-PJBxzffJLaX4P/s320/Dec.+%2708+008.JPG" border="0" /></a>Jon smearing across Mabel's face....<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277469289263636354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfYk7RZDS4LIbodyvKCW1UI-SWieJkr1y3EPs1dLVc27LNzs-Luelan-qrIi0Oif_b7LyqYNTxfCDo94-qUAi7rXPJZGvxEedMn1ktaVS_kd__PSo1Ywd_kA6V8_DFmYRIouid7YPyMW8/s320/Dec.+%2708+010.JPG" border="0" />Mariella using the spatula for it's <em>intended </em>purpose....<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNz6FcIrPDn17wrwfZV02eGdMcPel7mgPRptw6A_d6x1GAwx0MLzKBDQq3YYhkY0KcHEx1k4r1mSSqcgPsHHy4UgkZC7RqpmK1fhCmsd-etxbQCvro0ptmA7I-IR8RYcGB7q3Rjja8GLGZ/s1600-h/Dec.+%2708+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277469243233039970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNz6FcIrPDn17wrwfZV02eGdMcPel7mgPRptw6A_d6x1GAwx0MLzKBDQq3YYhkY0KcHEx1k4r1mSSqcgPsHHy4UgkZC7RqpmK1fhCmsd-etxbQCvro0ptmA7I-IR8RYcGB7q3Rjja8GLGZ/s320/Dec.+%2708+002.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pedro...happy as can be to have been "iced" </div><div> </div><div><em>Reminder for January: I just want to sing "Happy Birthday" and eat my cake...not wear it! :)</em></div></div><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-78162168120445640902008-12-03T10:39:00.000-08:002008-12-03T10:47:28.294-08:00Urgent Prayer Request!!!Hey Prayer Warriors! I need your help! :) I just found out that I need to try to renew my US passport before I leave for Christmas vacation OR try to renew it while I am in the States. It's not that my passport is about to expire...it's that my Colombian Visa expires in January, and I just found out that I need at least 6 months left on my passport for them to renew my CO visa! I was given "old rules/now false" information a few months back...that's why I'm all of a sudden finding myself in this mess!<br /><br />If I try to renew it in Colombia...I might not have it back in time to travel home for Christmas. If I try to renew it in the US over the holiday...I might not have it back in time for my return flight to Colombia! <br /><br />You can see where this gets interesting! So please be in prayer for me, that the Lord would give me <em>immediate wisdom </em>as to what I need to do! And in either option...pray for a <em>FAST</em> renewal of my passport! :) Thanks!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-33470036176752137482008-11-25T19:10:00.000-08:002008-11-25T20:01:38.583-08:00Happy "Early" Thanksgiving<em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Pmv1eLdvr8G7n7oHVEhSLLyzZG2aeCopkq07bF5ZCOeNHvAFlWN3yWFx_KCGk-lfOmMNOjcj29MjqxlccTDaSRHWys6kuzLirx5eNSdSqHcI-SXgedh6UhyphenhyphenniYIXTsnaujxLsgjB6md/s1600-h/Happy+Thanksgiving+%2708.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272802981069304578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Pmv1eLdvr8G7n7oHVEhSLLyzZG2aeCopkq07bF5ZCOeNHvAFlWN3yWFx_KCGk-lfOmMNOjcj29MjqxlccTDaSRHWys6kuzLirx5eNSdSqHcI-SXgedh6UhyphenhyphenniYIXTsnaujxLsgjB6md/s320/Happy+Thanksgiving+%2708.jpg" border="0" /></a> So there is no "Thanksgiving Day" in Latin America...but of course that didn't keep us from celebrating! Nor did the fact that we can't buy the essential items to make our favorite Thanksgiving dishes...but I have to give the credit to my wonderful family for this one! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272799257212837538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4fP9HEvdyLu9-GSP8zKbNQDw1MRXIgffK218tWkO6jzy95hyphenhyphenLvue3EqtFNJsnG82JHe1kabmmK1GigqcFQOpooYQPCWr1LH939RQY2m1D0Fzq6kBAXeT815NVo6-Ur8f3nLBROBsnW6Q/s320/November+%2709+009.JPG" border="0" /><em>I think the table looks pretty cute, don't you! ;) </em></div><br /><div align="center">Thanks to the very coordinated efforts of my parents (who brought all kinds of canned foods in June...yes, June! How sweet are they!) and my sweet Ebie who sent me a box of canned food, cute decorated paper plates and napkins, and best of all...she sent me fake FALL LEAVES! I absolutely LOVE the changing of the leaves in the mountains during Fall...and she knows my heart! </div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><em>Thank you: Mom & Dad and Aunt Ebie! :) You gave me the ability to make some of my favorite dishes and enjoy a meal that at least "tasted" like home! :) </em></div><br /><p><em></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272802117486293154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpM93KYGo1_ytfZXVuDyLmAC0vSvadwu7MsnhQnlWGu-9GgIv2LpjTb4oHGBd3PFquOuDGGickMhR_H1Z99erPavG_WkkHzNCPT5zUZ613irA_5EMwuKSu9yVT5Gu0HPH1TSRKIfpw4EH2/s320/November+%2709+021.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center"><em>(Jon, Filipe, Alejandro, Caleb, Betsy, Me, Kimi...and Noemi is taking the picture)</em><br /></p><br /><div>We invited some of our wonderful Colombian friends to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with us. We wanted to show them what the day is all about: The 3 F's.....Family, Food & Football...only we didn't have any football on TV...but we got 2 out of 3! :) haha! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzTI9bDmiZVK3fGNe1Zbpskop74G5OVnmL0Sv62YEtZEFtxhY0BoPq-wj0SD3wJLAwXQbZeHfnl9cj3enfL-4dKp7iESsHxOGsUa1Zh43qbIIJBVd6giFFcGAUyhKbrSPwu7XDdvL3yTE/s1600-h/November+%2709+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272799280382344290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzTI9bDmiZVK3fGNe1Zbpskop74G5OVnmL0Sv62YEtZEFtxhY0BoPq-wj0SD3wJLAwXQbZeHfnl9cj3enfL-4dKp7iESsHxOGsUa1Zh43qbIIJBVd6giFFcGAUyhKbrSPwu7XDdvL3yTE/s320/November+%2709+014.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em>The guys trying "a little bit of everything." Some of our food is really different from what they would ever eat, haha...but they were good sports, and actually enjoyed it!</em> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here was our menu:</div><br /><ul><br /><li>Shredded Grilled Chicken in cream of mushroom soup (it actually tasted like turkey and gravy! I'm serious!) The only "turkey" we have is imported turkey deli meat, haha! </li><br /><li>Green Bean Casserole</li><br /><li>Corn Casserole </li><br /><li>Mashed Potatoes</li><br /><li>Stuffing</li><br /><li>Mac & Cheese</li><br /><li>Cheese Cake (Colombian style...but it turned out pretty good) </li><br /><li>Brownies (The "fall back" dessert, in case the cheese cake bombed, haha!)</li></ul><br /><p>I can't complain! It was pretty great! I am super blessed to have been able to have such a wonderful Thanksgiving meal! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272801748759305234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7nSlor9scoM9YsL1nFCvMjhwv-nBzZhpLYBFtE4G_YldQV3ux1bo9a5n3E9y0iD17ib16JMY7Sl8lcJV_eWUmc6w7dDuFHLBBwvUaY-mL_Jj35z32aB59H6NNX1eadqG9dmr4b1fL1W7/s320/November+%2709+015.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em>Corn Casserole...yummy!!!</em><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaRk7j4vHBwnBJb5hCLHYgk87W7FEDgbcLGPsVbUYZ1wkaajGBUJmKNPdxvv9Pk8fh9Tvg1q6pMqhMxwwpL07SpMvXnQ3p_wZwch3u_3ory28PGAzaI3zabCpCbJHB7pJd_nUTcI6s3UF/s1600-h/November+%2709+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272799268715013650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaRk7j4vHBwnBJb5hCLHYgk87W7FEDgbcLGPsVbUYZ1wkaajGBUJmKNPdxvv9Pk8fh9Tvg1q6pMqhMxwwpL07SpMvXnQ3p_wZwch3u_3ory28PGAzaI3zabCpCbJHB7pJd_nUTcI6s3UF/s320/November+%2709+013.JPG" border="0" /></a><em>Betsy, showing the plate full of goodness!!! </em></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSndJ007G_8Gmkj0UCt_vgrN7czLMMqbJj7WXI0E0sAR2QH48QvysW8d2gKT54KkuG_CeOCPHpZOeiZ_pzDg-zB_dBD_cILuVerEqppPtmEhLax35I5plpdjMP6ssyLZGW4yFtnIPT3L8p/s1600-h/November+%2709+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272799257704804370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSndJ007G_8Gmkj0UCt_vgrN7czLMMqbJj7WXI0E0sAR2QH48QvysW8d2gKT54KkuG_CeOCPHpZOeiZ_pzDg-zB_dBD_cILuVerEqppPtmEhLax35I5plpdjMP6ssyLZGW4yFtnIPT3L8p/s320/November+%2709+011.JPG" border="0" /></a><em>Caleb, Alejo, Jon & Felipe</em><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272801764257553474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIHxAGXRmcJ9Lvg66uPBrtjg4EOQQ6Uf2pY4Ii1-L1pt1B801JOJWnQe9DaolpBDe-M1Xxn7cnckd-OVuumulX8E-FMICRuRrK08o9rjOkw1b0P2V9uVai4n7Qir8qId2TIMDltc1ZyTc/s320/November+%2709+016.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Kimi, Betsy and I<br /></em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272801767309819842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBvO8sHVgQbWkO5P27PXRL_1I1WHnD26a1Y7OMHi9HzZzjCoHu8i3Mp3i1tA-bXCR1yUDTIP0oUzjWIiCpEI-EQyQ7l-0x2U1TaLcoVEc4hOZpiumjC-u-sIC1KrYYB3FvDEZL4O-LefR/s320/November+%2709+019.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Alejo, relaxing outside in the hammock.</em> </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272808877975014466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCfuFFcdp8JHMVzHCOnIF5V4_WM5vDACvesGp1F3LtdBrWKN6EX8-lDxrXm5UaVDfO1rDCHHdhmOvxp68W05RVbLptk35eRIaDpPyaSXTBXJbt-GWAWeRPiq2xRJphEFfOWrMUM90q6Uy/s320/November+%2709+020.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Some of my "family in Christ."</em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! </span></em></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Make some wonderful memories on Thursday! :) </span></em></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-43498678102848031142008-11-15T16:59:00.000-08:002008-11-23T12:51:02.661-08:00Pray for the People of......Journey to a desolate land.....<br /><br />I had the priviledge of joinging the VIC team on one of their medical trips up towards the northeastern part of Colombia. (Remember, I can't say specifically where we go) :) We have existing nutrition programs in this area, and team members, along with our Colombian team doctors, make the trip several times a year to keep up with the progress. The programs include pregnant women and small children. The area in which we worked was PURE desert! The people group are Colombian Indians who have their own language and live miles from the city in little "rancherias." They are goat herders, so they need lots of land...and believe me, on our LONG drives to each "ranch" we passed a million goats...no kidding! They are everywhere! Each day we spent hours in the car...just driving to our first location! Then after the first clinic, we'd drive somewhere else...often again for another hour...and set up shop again! We spent a lot of time in the car and a lot of time bouncing around in the back of the truck...but it was worth every minute of it!<br /><br />On our 9 hour drive to "base camp" we left the ocean (where we live), passed what to me looks like the African plains, headed towards the Mts., passed through lush cities in the Mt. range, and then suddenly ended up in the DRY desert. It was amazing how quickly the scenery changed! I didn't know there was such variety in Colombia! We stayed in a very small city, in the one and only hotel they had! The first night, water was running low...and I was actually touching the shower wall to try to get the drip of water that was coming out of the garden foset (aka: our shower head)! haha! Did I ever mention you need to be a good sport and flexible to go on these trips? ;)<br />Check out these beautiful mountains! When we actually got to the cities tucked away in this area I wanted to move in and stay! It was gorgeous! ...but this was not our final destination.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269054885693704146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYT2lwgCTnmUEEbVEGdc-5i4EzeSPQZFATxKJ-iRB1JZQwbiD-N7A0hSs24exHWzQn9pGFGEFLQxRhb5HsMvJU9BcWluuthMisq4CXGga9A6Qpdoc9nnq9seh9WGzOEfMOxIMJ0WsF4pxJ/s320/Mt.+Range.jpg" border="0" /> This is where we worked. It was sand, mud & cactus for miles! It was such a drastic change from where we live and work on a regular basis. Our daily schedule consisted of driving for MILES, sometimes hours to reach our first location, "the ranch", where women would walk for miles, or ride a bike to get to. Their homes are build of a mud/manure mix, and the roofs of their homes are made of the hollow wooden part inside the cactus. The women wear a long "dress" that looks like a "moo moo" to me, hehe, but given the hot climate, I'm sure it works out well for them. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269057548000695650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXThAjVUGI47q86XUcF_vEPzTrzUb5ibRKsHcDu0i3EaI9FITLtNyt8aDxIGYAyQsi0XbDloQ4t091mzemerwZl-YalVPbgEOn5LK2XjJ8KvR4LwDA3c3bDjwJ1OgOglffMg8oC9K8FrKb/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+119.JPG" border="0" />Day 1 was a BIG adventure for us all! It started out with getting "lost." We had driven down this dirt road forever, and then we turned off on a side "road", more like a side path, and were driving around in the desert, hoping that our guide (one of our interpreters or health promoters) would tell us which way to turn in the path. This lady gave us "directions" for the equivalent of 50 cents...and let us take her picture! :) This is a very traditional dress for this people group. She has on the long dress, head wrap, and her muchila (her purse/bag) is hanging off her head.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269054883281569330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCiHh2bphqca-8vvY7kry4rBZEkREu8q9Gll5t9gSaBYdTAenmMpL2stPwhMktI_UE-XO21leMBOvGGCh2SpNSddF4Kr77bBaVg1_MmzWiBMuthNiU7VCGViYqYya5h2P1FJJ2lRzTCi5/s320/Guajiran+lady.jpg" border="0" />Day 1-Obstacle #1 So it rained really hard on Sunday night...it leaked through the hotel roof and into my stuff, so of course it also made a mess of all the roads. After getting directions from the little lady, we ended up at this "stream" which had risen into a flowing river. It was waist deep at the time...and they wanted us to drive the truck through it....for on the other side was our first clinic location. Needless to say, we listened to wisdom, and decided we'd have to come back another day....</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269054896449963394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATEMY1CSgH5QvynuUIYvsUo_CQ-utvsHBrnRILQtyUTvz-4DMROQ95P9Hz-pau-rqhQD9EP61Pdmvlv-yd1exN6O69F0-dytFEYflOptEgtdxx64ayC2PYXsH6U9wa-wovsBPmkG2udeH/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+079.JPG" border="0" />Day 1-Obstacle #2 After abandoning the idea of crossing the rising river...we drove to the 2nd location for the morning...and got stuck in the mud! We piled sticks and tree branches in the mud holes to try to get some traction. We got traction...but only backwards! So we had to give up on this location too....</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269054900967083074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD6Y6RKmmBLk02Q2MkFzuhhTr6celLYZLr5Q4H60yK6B7_diRIx0fqtssAQIBsv4nayql2iTgGHUXX2CElc1EcRk4Ms6CjTEVNRiq2nS9ov45N9F6HU-8ELrnuKD1ygWp2hV0iJ6AtDsD/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+093.JPG" border="0" />Day 1-Obstacle #3 We were feeling defeated and wondering if we were ever going to make it to a rancheria to hold a clinic! After sliding around in the mud...we though we were stuck again...but the Lord helped us through! Yeah! We made it somewhere...on the 3rd attempt! What a blessing! I guess the Lord just wanted us to reach this one group for the day! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269054905591281634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mpY3YCh0_uV-R0X6-ip3124KIIrQV5ZC-VlE-3f0XuxJkuXveCjgvpEPmJRVwPySTC7E5HzUWddhukht6d7ST5rvtQptdvo7zmuB_wc73bsjPMkeY8xRaPLuVu1MTnzx1j2eVquGBMkK/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+094.JPG" border="0" /> Below is a typical example of where we worked each day. We attempted to go to 3 sites per day, to reach 3 dif. nutrition programs. Clinics were held outside under a shelter as you see below, or a more traditional shelter, built out of mud and sticks. I was playing "pharmacist" with our friend Eleana, and so we set up shop under the nearest shaded tree.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269059075364318514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2bLyi_SO_o4GYyQP76IpJo6L_W1P62M68sxPTr99OBu2phmFNZAQpZbC53NYToATaYoQFjVwpWhvUB97stfCqQwfBXm96wgHKvqEBQtHw_D5V629ynXtCc3OOyicrekl4woAfj8MFCEO/s320/rancheria.jpg" border="0" />Here is Joy, seeing a patient. One of the most interesting things about this people group is that they are very timid and reserved. Our people group on the coast are very open, robust and friendly. It took a lot of effort to get these women to talk to me! Just to be fair...some of them didn't speak Spanish, and only understood their native language (which to me sounds a little Asian) but several people from each ranch did understand Spanish. I had no idea who understood and who was just acting like it...because the only answer we could get out of any of them was "uhhh"...it sounds kind of like a short, soft grunt...but it's their way of communicating "yes", "no", "I didn't get that"...and much more....so as you can see...we had our hands full trying to communicate clearly! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269059054149441538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqEcDHMcayKZxp855RGyzyXr1CLUXia8WbuYM5VkQoL2nukCtEL0EcI6iYnhMjVZV3GVYUICkmOHnIgX7HN39FybBB9oo9FssQX0GycB9A36OixFp3nW85bMoLaAhq1vqahLcmQ_U6gyU/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+098.JPG" border="0" /> Here is a typical Rancheria. There are two homes here, both which hold several generations (aka...they are filled to the brim with people!) Their "shelter" is off to the left, and to the right is a combination of an out house/kitchen/goat pin. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwOe3E1HnAxi0nchcj9ZXLM478d5b5X4C02p09tUA6SdLQl6H1aUQZ2OOU2CzPGEFQMz1Sunq-ael3s2cfc5VmC7QEpbH6bIHqNaPdL9ExG_uucgt8Iq-4JOX32y16VUiIID11_m0X2aR/s1600-h/rancheria+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269057552716501906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwOe3E1HnAxi0nchcj9ZXLM478d5b5X4C02p09tUA6SdLQl6H1aUQZ2OOU2CzPGEFQMz1Sunq-ael3s2cfc5VmC7QEpbH6bIHqNaPdL9ExG_uucgt8Iq-4JOX32y16VUiIID11_m0X2aR/s320/rancheria+4.jpg" border="0" /></a> As you might have guessed...there are no gas stations out in the middle of the desert....but don't fret...you can always buy gas in a can! Here are two guys filling up the truck. We just pulled off the side of the road and they filled it up! It was actually 2x less expensive than where we live! Not that we could prove it was pure gasoline...but thankfully the Lord has his hand on our trip and we had no car trouble...other than getting severely stuck in the mud several times! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269059065512276434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj1MzwQNRNc5eGGYBoVjuz8jzgBy-dyGfZju6zMBeg7G2O-FUX1NKcXFr-XvE6cOAcSyF-5vNGMuW8zwVkoyV8oydDghe07nbxxz7uYg2A_z6-r2bCwpYzaf9c4CcSDjBsTP30vOXh0jE/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+158.JPG" border="0" /> This was the day we drove for 1 1/2 hours to reach our first location....and this is the road we drove down! As you can see, it's not paved! We are parked right here because we stopped to check out the mini grand canon we were going to have to drive through to get to the first group! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269061199287736306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXoYeBQbFmFlTUdqzUACV66h4hwLwqjoCOrCtLtNSftiFjBIa4le80lOw5uOjFtuJzWd6VV8MMk_hh6CTaAHQrthE2T5vsAVQF_s9_mcs3Zpo5TTa-ZNLgjRkNdgTY9ryjdqVO1BfFqN0/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+114.JPG" border="0" />Hehe...look at his cheeks! How adorable are these two children! :)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269059059984460178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgWPoO0qgttU2yVyyGB9QLihX4JfVuLq22LFVrY0mKOz8T5Fzq-r_2cWMVnihEIoAt8A3IlwZ6kbmEirB6gnW_gBSh5G4ZpSucglah50m9VWFPQaWYE3JgQArjIDMkIW0eWIA26ddn0w5/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+124.JPG" border="0" /> Our one and only clinic in a formal building structure. We had so many families come to this site! I thought we'd never get to see all of them, but the Lord allowed us the time and ability to do so!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269061207802998306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtiqS1v2YER8rcyDaAeDowC_Qarx46Kgmt92vLlnhMpIj2GvxJ6vtqEvEO7MpxjRsuL36Y5p2UGmiJ3su1hJ1yt3sCjLec9nYSFlQdHC1MR6L84uQFWWECltMP6U_8u9YjyWFs03zSy9Z/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+127.JPG" border="0" /> <div>This is Kay, a nurse who flew in from the States to help us this week. She was such a wonderful asset to our team! Here she is helping a mom weigh her baby. He was a twin, who's twin sister had died months earlier, due to malnutrition and disease. He is one years old, but looks like a 6 month old. He is one of the reasons why we know these nutrition programs are so needed!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269061190266142994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5SGdawDLS1XlbBcT44jiwmg6KmWrAufoLBxcvZU8Hcqe5QGCWdbpjRPQqZDIjlg__S7GShAlnnBd70mlWBnU6HFTKGEP0tAU7JS2aHMCM_itm2RB-LHFfOhHYFQ_lX997MoVHLOJYtg-/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+106.JPG" border="0" />This mom was another lady who was really sweet and friendly to me. Her little boy (bottom left) came up to me, speaking in their native tongue, and tried to explain to me that his foot hurt. When the mother realized I didn't understand him, she translated for me into Spanish. I looked at his foot and started talking to him...and then he started talking to me in "gibberish," making funny noises with his mouth...so I started making silly noises too....and we just laughed and laughed! It is one of my favorite memories from this trip.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qffe0C-K59nzrQGciWEYb0iPut9MyygLVKcU0pH70vnsVYDBDfZJ8fk_sU9_rpAHDLeuwd8CmHLLqMaG_AeMxzQG4rdh-bw0q1Iooo0YaE7-_Vx3Fe1kje1MMayMX6jJNmmV9VVDLz7z/s1600-h/Oct-Nov.2008+111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269057541759083586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qffe0C-K59nzrQGciWEYb0iPut9MyygLVKcU0pH70vnsVYDBDfZJ8fk_sU9_rpAHDLeuwd8CmHLLqMaG_AeMxzQG4rdh-bw0q1Iooo0YaE7-_Vx3Fe1kje1MMayMX6jJNmmV9VVDLz7z/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+111.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is a new friend. Isn't she beautiful! She was so shy, but eventually I got her to talk to me in Spanish! :)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r8ssOIF0XFA-5JSOSevzn_qhv0S_Ehf52fXuq-ayHK4FHedxTPydMYAmMYdF1TH67R3mUJIVLqSxU_0zPYVeZlhL2sWWTBjng_cRd3aRCq_6evnIrudeVa6U8n9B2XfbSDrGe0I_jh6i/s1600-h/Oct-Nov.2008+103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269057535306728530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r8ssOIF0XFA-5JSOSevzn_qhv0S_Ehf52fXuq-ayHK4FHedxTPydMYAmMYdF1TH67R3mUJIVLqSxU_0zPYVeZlhL2sWWTBjng_cRd3aRCq_6evnIrudeVa6U8n9B2XfbSDrGe0I_jh6i/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+103.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ok...so there was nothing "shy" about these kids! They were all up in our space, and wanted to touch everything, pulled medicines out of the box....we had a hard enough time trying to keep them from stealing things, let alone keeping up with the patients bringing us their prescriptions! But...I do love this picture!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269057563926063874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVZHKL88PexgN0pm7gkjNho321-9_Eu3dOPt_n6VLPF_oURHkZq7ncGuq-63WNHtd__PB3f58jnPZhxZCf9uPGodp024xvio5gAc6yXkc8OwpLspLN5sFCcP7q7yFIY2RDTTcgjAhoHSE/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+162.JPG" border="0" /> This is the "Aunt" of one of the Rancherias. In their culture, the oldest woman of the tribe is in charge...so what she says goes. When you pray for this unnamed people group...pray for the "aunts" of each group. Pray that their hearts would be opened to the gospel, and that they would lead their families to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Without her approval, many times the family members won't step out against their cultural traditions and break away from their native belief systems.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269059079878155986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC-k19gTyrEZNZq7PmupJCdaNAFNlKEmsH3zZBz0z5rZxlC-zZKcbckU2mU9osS_k0wydhLcnf5PyPQSAbfETg8w1gjdYNhk570HSUFpwnxw3sxiNXhIbsT0JbevVmdUU650ERlxEPIeR/s320/old+lady.jpg" border="0" /> This was the final group we saw all week. It's a brand new group and it was our very first clinic with them. Please lift them up in your prayers. They have several solid believers in this group. Pray that they begin to form a solid church!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269061210851287442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87ucGIS1NVXXKEl5HbR7KJFLlVaLInSOZFAqoAdc7b5lSS85LibkzIuneVkDUUykOkWWpGouGNIAPjxKNriR7mBHMKtZXmkUidIfGqm6F9MoK9MhFirzRBbd0HGGWu588D-cSM0PkJPMY/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+168.JPG" border="0" />This trip was very different from many of the other trips & teams I have led here in Colombia in that it wasn't focused on direct evangelism. Our main focus was to meet the physical needs and in many cases, help prevent children from dying from dehydration and malnutrition. Each group has a Health Promoter who is "in charge" of the group, keeping up with their growth charts, and also teaching them through Chronological Bible Storying (in their own heart language). My prayer this week was that the Lord would use our love and our presence to impact the people we encountered. I prayed that they would see Jesus in us. Please lift up the health promoters who are teaching the TRUTH each week in these far away, desert homes. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-66617743138468762752008-11-14T08:40:00.000-08:002008-11-14T08:47:33.356-08:00Sing Praise to the King for He Answers Prayers!<div align="center"><em>"Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help.</em></div><div align="center"><em>You turned my wailing into <span style="font-size:130%;">Dancing;</span></em></div><div align="center"><em>you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with <span style="font-size:130%;">Joy,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em>that my <span style="font-size:130%;">Heart may Sing to You</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;">not be silent</span>. </em></div><div align="center"><em>O Lord my God, <span style="font-size:130%;">I will give you thanks forever."</span></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Psalms 30: 10-12</em></div><em></em><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Praising you with all that I am!</div><div align="center">Thanking you for what you have done!</div><div align="center">Trusting you with the uncertainty of the days to come...</div><div align="center">Believing that you are still Sovereign! </div><br /><div align="center">Praying for baby James...and little Gracie.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-22833073252670902322008-11-13T17:55:00.000-08:002008-11-13T18:48:30.566-08:00October Blessings<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268327142886355874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZtpOj99rbXfFmG-3tKCIaBJSIMMZ2mcz8TRTWfSB0PDgZd3_RTAP2tqsraDQYxPzR52OI5SQbtnPi9RLUG8V8ZcYUoEK-tbfauR4tfognsc02rxT8bG_zYZ6nwwL-2B3wa7waFqyA81J/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+018.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="left">These are my Thurs. afternoon friends. They live next to the traditional restaurant we eat at and are always waiting to come out and say hello!</div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcm2Zvdq3p5tzoHWROwo928r04NayL-iG_c2xhmRE3DRSrVfsdQkAt-MKf7EyuDKjEUGRbErDOz6rOfcIoHRz93dThwxd1HKNQWzSmYi651452SNftRP38dIsrFJzpXDwiv44-b79gZFH/s1600-h/Playing+hop-scotch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268327636831374290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 249px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcm2Zvdq3p5tzoHWROwo928r04NayL-iG_c2xhmRE3DRSrVfsdQkAt-MKf7EyuDKjEUGRbErDOz6rOfcIoHRz93dThwxd1HKNQWzSmYi651452SNftRP38dIsrFJzpXDwiv44-b79gZFH/s320/Playing+hop-scotch.jpg" border="0" /></a> These are two of the girls from one of our groups. Notice the baby doll in Maria's arms. Last week she brought me the baby doll and said (in Spanish), "Here ya go (placing the baby in my arms), Her name is Blanca (which means white) but she's a black baby," and then she started to crack up laughing. Oh the things kids say! </p><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcAvS2UjmgjRQAk_QiGRRyayIhCc9sWq09Fcqi6U4jdAdSYCz8n1Q2BKWesA3gd7vypsOU6YerMQrhFT578En4Z3RFpmRGWv33r7TCvfPjz-tFrceY9TV1tFeyluwnduc5o8dXF2nm0mT/s1600-h/Oct-Nov.2008+067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268327169864331282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcAvS2UjmgjRQAk_QiGRRyayIhCc9sWq09Fcqi6U4jdAdSYCz8n1Q2BKWesA3gd7vypsOU6YerMQrhFT578En4Z3RFpmRGWv33r7TCvfPjz-tFrceY9TV1tFeyluwnduc5o8dXF2nm0mT/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+067.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Lord works in ways we can't always see. When we sit there wondering if anyone is "getting" it...if they are actually understanding His word...if His truth is seeping in deep into their soul...we can rest assured...<em>He is at work! </em>There are three new names in the book of life...and now they are also Baptized Believers! They chose to step out in obedience to God's word. It's not an easy decision for most people. There can be a lot of persecution, mostly verbal, but none the less, their Catholic relatives can make life pretty hard on them. Thankfully, these girls in particular come from families who have also just received Christ. <em>Where two or more are gathered...I am there. </em>God is with them and together they can make a stand for Christ in this dark world.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEjj48Fj8ikJ-QM3IjXjqGvigrN8rQKmdejiEjKJxzpRoDsxe5A4UiklX5nw0XhbiQbFCQphQKIR-YsEDP4OQdXgpDQtGT15NdqfvajBp2aq0tMay6yt-pYWDMsapXK_wGFTc8FZIzsY5/s1600-h/Oct-Nov.2008+028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268327161700300114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEjj48Fj8ikJ-QM3IjXjqGvigrN8rQKmdejiEjKJxzpRoDsxe5A4UiklX5nw0XhbiQbFCQphQKIR-YsEDP4OQdXgpDQtGT15NdqfvajBp2aq0tMay6yt-pYWDMsapXK_wGFTc8FZIzsY5/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+028.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Moti & her daughter Yaemi (Jamie). They are one of the families who live "in the middle of no where" who we've been ministering to this year. We knew they had no money to purchase items for the new baby, so we wanted to give them some gifts. This turned out to be a lesson for me in giving a gift because I knew it was honoring to the Lord...but not actually being there to see the joy she got from it. I had put a lot of thought and effort into gathering baby gifts, wrapping them up, and making this cute poster and was planning a surprise baby shower....but then I forgot about the cultural differences I might encounter! While Yaemi was so surprised and genuinely thankful for what we had done...she didn't want to open her presents in front of us! (Not like any baby shower you've ever been to in the States, right! haha!) So I guess we'll just have to wait until the baby is born to actually <em>see </em>her wearing them! :) She's due in early November! Any day now!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSGr5oLnW6J-X8ZyEotNIZpxhX8bV54zLESK9xmuaAxcjYQwjKY9YvVx7QONwqwdsAixk7gqr5rjbwfL6AeDbjMzjtE8DL8dvTv-2prDXuSkdZTZhDx8mHX-1kqg1cam0f7iUyh2-X5jb/s1600-h/Oct-Nov.2008+025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268327159486424610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSGr5oLnW6J-X8ZyEotNIZpxhX8bV54zLESK9xmuaAxcjYQwjKY9YvVx7QONwqwdsAixk7gqr5rjbwfL6AeDbjMzjtE8DL8dvTv-2prDXuSkdZTZhDx8mHX-1kqg1cam0f7iUyh2-X5jb/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+025.JPG" border="0" /></a> We had the privilege of hosting a volunteer team at the end of October...Cartagena & Maria La Baja (haha...actually Mr. Carthage & Mrs. Mary) came to serve and minister along side our team! They came to hold a leadership workshop. Our Colombian team has been working on 12 characteristics that we felt leaders needed to have...so some of the vol. teams have taken on the job of writing & teaching some of the topics with us! Mr. Carthage taught on Patience, something we all need more of! :) This is him telling the story of Job. He did a great job! Everyone loved this sweet couple and we are so thankful for their desire to return and form a partnership with our Colombian Ministry! What a blessing!<br /><div><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePYFaratuF7fPEG5HNHofe0Y4vmsYtiNANt7lPhUGM-Zy3JUpaWGQ_uc2wTTL2zOCXCwwgGdkcgBwIcLs5f5z-uqQpnz9vvGUqctgXs10MOAzoXepZFC5qnrUNeocBKivl_6s6OePzvk9/s1600-h/Oct-Nov.2008+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268327132231114370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePYFaratuF7fPEG5HNHofe0Y4vmsYtiNANt7lPhUGM-Zy3JUpaWGQ_uc2wTTL2zOCXCwwgGdkcgBwIcLs5f5z-uqQpnz9vvGUqctgXs10MOAzoXepZFC5qnrUNeocBKivl_6s6OePzvk9/s320/Oct-Nov.2008+017.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is another one of our Thursday a.m. Bible Study groups. As you can see....we have a lot of younin's that join this group! I just think about how blessed these kids are to be able to learn about the Bible at this young age. Please pray for them with me...that they would listen, be given a mind of understanding, and that they would come to know the Lord personally at this precious age so they can grow into men and women who love and serve the Father. (Mrs. Mary, volunteer, is pictured here with me, as is Anna, bottom left, one of our Colombian team members)<br /><br />As always....Thank you for your prayers! :) </div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-51643886608509262652008-10-28T20:11:00.000-07:002008-10-28T20:47:30.238-07:00Baptisms!!!!Over the last three weeks we have had the joy of watching 7 new believers baptized! What an awesome time! One of the one's not pictured is a sweet young girl who's 8 months pregnant! What an exciting time in her life...and what bravery to slide down the muddy slope to get into that murky pool of water! Yikes! But for them, when they are asked to step out in obedience to Christ...it's worth it!<br /><br />These pictures are from one of our Bible Study groups. They live, literally, in the middle of no where! We drive out to their "farm" each week and have been meeting with them for about 6 months now. They live in such poverty and have access to nothing. To get into town they either ride the donkey, or walk. And believe me...it's a LONG walk! It's been a blessing to be part of their community and start to build friendships with them.<br /><br />We have had at least 6 people from within our other Bible Studies accept Christ since then, so I'm sure we'll have more "dunkin" to do in the near future! :) Please pray for these new believers, that they would keep strong in their new faith and turn to the Lord for all their needs!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tP-xZFdizDUI8xeWvdBokoLjlByxqbUq13cLNz70nHc3viEAKiNaGsgdgN2Z53t4xBt27IqVMzIpgg5Uo5iAqtgxwPDnkQ-QmSBQl9C880EbhNZADCX1-mblr_NhHW-otx91zBiPdGFn/s1600-h/October+2008+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262411070396770418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tP-xZFdizDUI8xeWvdBokoLjlByxqbUq13cLNz70nHc3viEAKiNaGsgdgN2Z53t4xBt27IqVMzIpgg5Uo5iAqtgxwPDnkQ-QmSBQl9C880EbhNZADCX1-mblr_NhHW-otx91zBiPdGFn/s320/October+2008+003.JPG" border="0" /></a> Some of the sweet <em>and </em>crazy girls we love on each week! </div><div align="center">They keep us on our toes!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4cRnykvQUOcNCzO4zA74-GnGj0azW9AGcatum4S3zxgbcY5fowaP3Bk1O3PA-yniQMLSI2qbSs8GLZhu95mK_OfBjooxP5D1HAj1pJiwW4Z7wpaMmz7HqWo2wk2w5FGlGfP3BzlW8yBh/s1600-h/Baptistm+of+Carlos+%26+Oscar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262411063551211154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4cRnykvQUOcNCzO4zA74-GnGj0azW9AGcatum4S3zxgbcY5fowaP3Bk1O3PA-yniQMLSI2qbSs8GLZhu95mK_OfBjooxP5D1HAj1pJiwW4Z7wpaMmz7HqWo2wk2w5FGlGfP3BzlW8yBh/s320/Baptistm+of+Carlos+%26+Oscar.jpg" border="0" /></a> When the Son sets you free...you are free in deed!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKb9TVwJVyz_EagQdbp6jzRiYHTm19gN7J1OVIoHSxJvTIVusthyphenhyphen0tDq1Ay3xepBQq2YIGMDkhMe6JgIZPeB-GI-98ugF_b10_b6P6BF7T7X6D3xTkfYR1GMuKso3rK791c0wJLiEgZET/s1600-h/Baptism+in+El+Remanso.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262411052389715490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKb9TVwJVyz_EagQdbp6jzRiYHTm19gN7J1OVIoHSxJvTIVusthyphenhyphen0tDq1Ay3xepBQq2YIGMDkhMe6JgIZPeB-GI-98ugF_b10_b6P6BF7T7X6D3xTkfYR1GMuKso3rK791c0wJLiEgZET/s320/Baptism+in+El+Remanso.jpg" border="0" /></a> Brian & Pedro with 4 new baptized believers! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262411083317860802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgD23kvuD0tRZUB1f0t8ymnXcP1GbXFDpYFw3-kJlCDXUDFC3P6W98KzNzBk-kSGYWZGVkJHeNVkUpJ9cp0FApVhn4gPSud1hfPWW6M9hV2X_NQr95fi0q15iusQUE9MeERZKDh_LXVuM/s320/October+2008+025.JPG" border="0" />Showing us her new certificate of baptism. </div><div align="center">This is a huge deal to them and they cherish every memento! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262411077030152050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh789LeyXNlmsXDWVn6Z4Zzm2KoNE0NgBPWpfzE2c2j6tPC10GVLB9r_1s2yd1zeBD6CfdPeX7GFSFG16xRNAHl95HRGU87L3fK6nbg4GnVI6yzaTI7pjZArhy4eK8lmenwUbUpl76rp0ZU/s320/October+2008+020.JPG" border="0" /> "Moti" and Jorge with J's baby donkey...haha...he loves his animals! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262414263641053730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnBhFa7QwGpGfL5y0QMgpgt8FOoAK2Pvt3fAyTg7BDae9fEHrtPwYfUBKbuIrUZAOc4SxcYCBhiJGs6xaCyIAtgBRgAV1UV8kH-YGkIvy2kSZpzar8uznL6zvkxX_6UcZnjDvCHH-_zl8/s320/IMG_6112.JPG" border="0" /> Family....aren't they cute!<br /></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-35919208593193255382008-10-25T20:27:00.000-07:002008-10-25T20:41:01.790-07:00Faithful Prayer Warriors.....<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX2k2vpbA-YPnNf-W18LTU9DzOo3145CAHQnzHfOro5PFe3S3qjGXs91LgRDtfwPVHA19dzHE__x9W8bvXedr20nqOWImmwAyQ5N_289NUnCkcwNlNk_j0dEgkDTY86RWtFYUhHecsfPX/s1600-h/Pastor+Rick+(from+grandma+bobbie).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261299299859773698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX2k2vpbA-YPnNf-W18LTU9DzOo3145CAHQnzHfOro5PFe3S3qjGXs91LgRDtfwPVHA19dzHE__x9W8bvXedr20nqOWImmwAyQ5N_289NUnCkcwNlNk_j0dEgkDTY86RWtFYUhHecsfPX/s320/Pastor+Rick+(from+grandma+bobbie).jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I just wanted to share this picture with ya'll. This is Pastor Rick. He's pointing to my prayer card, which is up on his office wall. My Grandma Bobbie sent me this picture to remind me that I am prayed for...<em>even by people whom I have never met! </em><br /><br /><br /><strong>What a BLESSING!!!!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><br />I can't tell you how encouraged I am by all of you! I often hear stories from my family and friends about people they know (who I don't personally know) who are praying for me, asking about me and the ministry, and interested in what the Lord is doing here in Colombia.<br /><br /><br /><br />This is what it means to be part of the Body of Christ!<br /><br /><br /><br />What a vivid example! Each member of the body has a different function: some work in the secular world, but live out a testimony to their co-workers, some are musicians, some are plumbers, others are students, some are professional hunting guides :), others are in vocational ministry, some are hard-working stay at home moms...the list could go on.....but they are all a vital part of the body of Christ!<br /><br /><br /><br />We are all called to be part of the Great Commission, telling others about the freedom that comes in knowing Jesus Christ! Thank you for playing a VITAL role in my ministry here through your prayers!<br /><br /><br /><br />By HIS Grace, Sarah<br /><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-79524906648052200312008-10-21T19:27:00.000-07:002008-10-25T20:51:43.438-07:00Just because you go to church...Just because you go to church...doesn't mean you're a Christian.<br /><br />This may seem like the most obvious statement in the world to you...but it seems to be <em>VERY </em>hard to get through the heads of some of our church members! Our evangelism outings have given us the opportunity to meet new people in the neighboring streets, and have often given us an open door to share Truth from God's word with them....<br /><br /><br />Many times we enter and house and hear a variation of these words, "Oh yes, I'm part of 'such and such' church in this barrio..." or, "Well, I'm not in church right now, but I was part of this Baptist church down the road for many years." Sadly, all too often my Colombian ministry partners (whoever happens to be witnessing with me at the moment) will hear these words and joyfully proclaim, "Oh that's just great! Well then we're happy to meet a fellow believer!"...and leave it at that! They are halfway out the door before I can even ask if this person we've just met <em>actually</em> has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!<br /><br />Shall I repeat it again? <em>Just because you go to church....doesn't mean you're a Christian! </em><br /><br /><br /><p>I think this is a good reminder for some of our church "members" in the States. I think we are often too afraid to ask the questions or we are afraid we will offend someone if we question their "status" with Christ. Listen up friends...we can not afford to <em>assume</em> that someone is saved! Be bold and step out in faith...but remember, we can <em>be bold</em> AND <em>speak the truth in Love</em>...all at the same time. :) </p><p><em>Lord, help us to be bold witnesses for you! Help us to find ways to share your truth with those around us, so that they too can have the assurance of Salvation that we hold so dear. <br /></p></em>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-47357015182728124452008-10-20T20:43:00.000-07:002008-10-20T21:17:07.971-07:00Growth (An Update on Yolima)<p>Time flies...it has been too long since I've last updated! Great things have been happening! :) First of all, to update you on my friend Yolima (the lady I'm discipling). Three stories about answered prayers!! </p><ol><li>Three weeks ago, Yolima told me that in times past, she had no reason to trust "evangelicals" because they had never before proved trustworthy. But then she went on to explain to me what the Lord had shown her while she was in the hospital, waiting to have her cesection....She told me that as she waited there, many of the women beside her (all waiting in wheel chairs for hours upon end to have their surgeries) were really anxious and nervous, but she was not. She had prayed that God would give her peace, and she knew that I was outside waiting for her, praying with a fellow Colombian believer, Lucy. Lucy had only met Yolima once before, yet she waited for 16 hours at the hospital, to show her support. Yolima said she had such a peace knowing that others were praying for her, and she knew everything was going to be ok. The Kicker: Yolima said that now she knows that there are <em>true believers</em> in the church, who really do care for her, and said she knows she can trust them as friends. What a praise! I had been praying that even if I didn't have the right words to say, that the Lord would use the time I spent with Yolima to build trust and that through my friendship, the Lord would show her how much HE cares for her! </li><li>All you moms out there know how hard it is to get your kids ready for church....imagine getting 3 kids, ages 3 and under, ready for church on your own! It's not an easy task! I've been trying to get to the barrio early enough to help Yolima make it "on time" to church, haha...what a foreign concept in Colombia! Her first week back to church they did the infamous "roll call" that I described to yall last time...call your name, if you memorized a bible verse, how many chapters did you read in your bible...etc. Yolima was a little flustered and said, "Sarah, what am I supposed to say when they call my name!?" I told her, "Just tell the truth!" One week later, I'm sitting next to Yolima as her name is called....and she busts out with a verse she has memorized and says it in front of the whole church! She even read 10 chapters on her own! The congregation did a great job encouraging her, but then said, "Wow, you've got a great teacher!" (referring to me) But I quickly told them that I had done nothing! This was all her! <em>I was so proud of her!</em> I may not like the tradition of "roll call" but boy was I thankful for the growth it had spurred in Yolima! Praise the Lord for her desire to read God's Word and hide it in her heart! :) He promises us it will not return void! </li><li>Our house church has begun to go out to evangelize the neighboring streets after church services on Sundays. Last week Yolima asked me if I was going to go out after church, and I told her yes. She then said, "I used to wonder why people from the church would go out every week and "bother" people who didn't want to come to church in the first place. I thought, 'If they want to come to church, they'll come...so leave them alone!' But then I was one of those people who was invited to come to church, time and time again...and now I'm part of the church...<em>and I have so much JOY in my heart</em>!" Now she understands...Praise the Lord for His faithfulness! </li></ol><p>Thank you for your continued prayers for this sweet friend of mine! <em>The Lord is FAITHFUL!!!</em>The Lord is doing awesome things in Yolima's life! I just taught a class on how to decorate flip-flops to her and several of her friends, in hopes that they will sell them to earn an income for themselves. Please pray that the Lord would give them motivation to start and the wisdom in how to proceed! </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-42806591015729147802008-10-06T10:58:00.000-07:002008-10-06T11:40:27.867-07:00The Lord's Supper & Baby Dedication<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh879tkQtvXqRSAJe_oJtgpxS8cmISuhX-DqX4nofFzmfu6991o9ASZUhKsNIubkyuYFknkCot8cFKkvAk1zKxkqB_SKoRZvMypHOfRFuZKuHrc64HHfQ3-yB01hyNXzgFUI8wWfS4h9gmF/s1600-h/Lord's+Supper.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254108108602469778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh879tkQtvXqRSAJe_oJtgpxS8cmISuhX-DqX4nofFzmfu6991o9ASZUhKsNIubkyuYFknkCot8cFKkvAk1zKxkqB_SKoRZvMypHOfRFuZKuHrc64HHfQ3-yB01hyNXzgFUI8wWfS4h9gmF/s320/Lord's+Supper.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Lord's Supper<br /><br /><div align="left">We enjoyed a special Sunday service this week as we celebrated the Lord's Supper together as a church. It was a unique time for our church members, to be reminded exactly what the Lord's Supper represents. They have been taught for so long by the Catholic church that they are eating and drinking the <em>actual</em> physical body of Christ. Most of our members, having been Christians for more than a year, understand that the Lord's Supper is something we do in <em>remembrance</em> of what Christ did for us, but others are still confused by many years of listening to false doctrine. It was a great service and I think Alejandro (interim preacher & my ministry partner at this church) did a great job of walking us through the Word and explaining things clearly. Sadly, we had several regular attenders who purposely did not attend church yesterday. Knowing that only baptized believers would be able to participate in the supper, I think they felt uncomfortable coming and not being able to partake with the rest of the church.<br /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254108504547763202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY3AE1Pcz8rjg1l2z7-dzem1opf-BDJVwHTyyZKnefuPfYFCcBceI12yqA1lX4Si6OdFUnkahNgftWFBHeTZ0rSKmeEkNEkERwOKjsb_4oK0QsI9Aj-OcowOuERZBO07caviDZtYuKMnY/s320/Santander.jpg" border="0" />Getting ready for Evangelism<br /><br /><div align="left">That's when visitation can be so helpful! We spent 2 hours after church walking the streets of this neighborhood, sharing the gospel and visiting members who were absent. This is such an important part of growth in the church. We need to be encouraging our brothers and sisters, taking the time to visit with them, letting them know they were missed and prayed for. I saw some great growth in our members after yesterday's experience. It was really an encouragement to me, and something I've been praying for, for a long time. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254108106112458946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNH62eFfKYQojjKjveQPjIzcxehTEg9NqqEmOMBt5dpFB653A6nid_Zmb6-cUER9Zzj7NWZ_xwii9OPqfjgjzPBrzKZufNsJ-kO3qxyrqv2kuyS1E3o_DPXJFTOUjFamHFQMHYsrEFbcH/s320/Cherry.jpg" border="0" />Cherry's dress was huge on her, but she looked so cute!<br /><br /><div align="left">There are a few things I just can't seem to get used to. 1) They take "roll call" every week, asking you how many chapters in your bible you read (hm...I can't at all see how this might pressure people to exaggerate!), how many visitors you brought (which, annoyingly to me, they count their kids as visitors, even though they are there every week!) and then ask if you brought your bible. This is a DEEPLY rooted tradition for them, so I guess I'll have to learn to live with it, and pray the Lord will open their hearts to change. 2) When we go out to share the gospel they walk up to someone and say, "We are here to <em>EVANGELIZE </em>you" (<em>oh sinner!...</em>I added this part)...but I feel like we're walking in and knocking them upside the head...and then expecting them to give us a moment of their time, haha. I pray..."Father, help them to hear what YOU want them to hear, and not the words coming out of our mouths." Thankfully...we are called to be obedient to share God's word...and He's the one who takes care of the results! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254108103429165586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9U3X-xLeYBunlPRPhyphenhyphen5FWeQjoukURpk4F3IfjHNjaN-qYiuW9-oMpYNDe7ZqpEx6fWSRL99GhEk082ZmPUTAas1-v3WY6Sw-PeV_v-T9H-mwucRxsl9Tdnx7Gmf2JHopnO9CO2_20EWt/s320/Caleb's+Dedication+Prayer.jpg" border="0" />Alejo w/ baby Caleb, Yolima & big brother Sebastian ("Gordito")<br /><br /><div align="left">On a happy note, I arrived early enough to help Yolima get all 3 kids bathed and ready for church. Caleb Andres was introduced to the church, and they were asked to commit to pray for him as he grows. We prayed that he would grow up hearing the Word of God and that one day he would make the decision to follow Christ and serve Him. His name means "Loyal/Faithful Warrior" so we prayed that he would be a faithful warrior for the cause of Christ. I took their first family photos...and they turned out adorable, given the circumstances! I was rushing to take the pictures, so they're not the best lighting or framing. Cherry was screaming the whole time, so I bribed her with candy! haha...what can I say! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254108116089960370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlVyj8Grm5eTQ9ZmXXPbvkJSD01gXCH9mXPKISnNs51BB-tWUn2nbm7Dh2SCTk20kP4uJ6STnvUACaAtVHgiAPbtwfDC1D5k5B1N3J3YBVMUMhyphenhyphenx3mPjDZBS_3wbzRnQUYTuCfybUoHcU/s320/October+2008+048.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">The "bribery photo" after I told her I had candy...can't you see it in her eyes! lol! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254108118372852194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQ8vlkLV3cmfB7xKPaTdatVngiqsH60YbPJ8lCZj93poSgNal-sXMZBoEGD6kZxnR5rw1RKzf2bDUSfVvlfOZ0wukPs0SypIZMB6WFKijvtewe0GnIE5WCPgEq0NIOzZZfLgvh_mcghyG/s320/October+2008+049.JPG" border="0" />Every time I come over to visit Gordito says to me, "He's MY brother, he's mine!" and I just laugh and remind him that I know! I'm just here to visit!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254108498586412194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqUxcsdoFtjGibyv_0UmnQGmB6OlSz_mKGE_EzLIRPw8mAwdm0rups2DUe6ZYl1t_Iz3VojXjG6KTd0V3qUoV_RcDUqjDM-86w-1Gw7K6XHECxjO0io5SkvIZgvNudrGngM1-uzfTKybP/s320/October+2008+050.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><p align="center">Thank you all for your continued love and prayers! Have a wonderful week! ~Sarah :) </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-13640410595266746482008-10-04T10:10:00.000-07:002008-10-08T11:19:12.500-07:00"I want to bring you a gift..."I receive a phone call this week from the mother of one of my Colombian friends. Her son married one of our missionaries this summer and they now live in Texas. The mother, who lives here in CO, called me to see if she could come by my apt. this week. I assumed she wanted to use my Vonage phone to call her son in the States, but she said no, that she wanted to bring me a "gift." Surprised I said, "Is this gift alive?" (The kitten I now have was originally a gift from her brother and I thought she might want to give me another kitten) She just laughed. I wasn't sure if she had misunderstood me or if she just didn't want to spoil the surprise...<br /><br />Since when does "I want to bring you a gift" imply that "I want to bring a strange man over to your house to introduce you"....???????<br /><br /><em>Yes....my gift was A PERSON!!! </em><br /><em></em><br />Supposedly I had met this man at my friend's wedding. He began to explain to me that he had been having dreams and that I was in them. I was surrounded by lots of kids, but they were really angels, and that we were going up to the top of a rainbow. At the top of the rainbow was a door. I told him that I could go through the door, but that he could not, because not every soul can go through the door. He went on to explain to me that he didn't understand the dream but that he knew that it had something to do with God, and that I was the person who was going to explain it to him and teach him about God and His Word.<br /><br />WOW!<br /><br />Ok, so I was trying to be as serious as I could about this, but I couldn't help but think that this was the most elaborate scheme to pick up a "gringo girl" that I had ever encountered!...and then was wondering what in the world my friend's mom was thinking in bringing him to my house! haha!<br /><br />(Please keep in mind, this is all happening in <em>Spanish!</em>)<br /><br />I talked to him and found out that he is not a believer, so I talk to him about what it means to be a Christian, we read Eph. 2:8-10 and talked about how salvation comes by Faith and not through works.....but in the end He was still thinking I was the person who could enlighten him to the Word of God. I explained to him that if he was genuinely serious about learning about the Lord and understanding more about the Bible that I would talk to my boss about discipling him..but that I could not help him with that....because we encourage men to be discipled by other men!<br /><br />So please PRAY....1) Because this could be completely true and the Lord really could be speaking to him through dreams...in one way it actually kind of makes sense to me (Matt. 7:21 immediately came to my mind, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven...) 2) Please pray for this man, that if the Lord is speaking to him, that he would genuinely seek to know more about the Father 3) Please pray that I would be taken out of the equation and that he would be open to being discipled by a man on our team. :)<br /><br />To make the night even more interesting...we went to a friend's birthday party later that night...and I got hit on AGAIN!....When a guy starts out a conversation saying "I heard you were single" and "I hear it's easier to get a visa to the US if a church invites to you come" he kind of blows all his chances at ever having a normal friendship with me, haha.<br /><br /><em>Do I have a sign on top of my head with flashing lights that says "Green Card Magnet" ?????</em><br /><em></em><br />(I once had a guy at the movie theater (also here in Colombia) try to pick me up...He said, "Hello, I love your green eyes," and then went right in to say he'd like to have my number so he could start a relationship with me! I actually laughed out loud, regained composure, and then kindly told him no.... then hurried away to find my friends, haha!)<br /><br />One day....Mr Right will come knocking on my door....but for right now I guess I'm just dodging bullets! :)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-51818832499124796932008-10-04T09:57:00.001-07:002008-10-04T10:09:18.214-07:00Eva...my little kitten has grown!<div align="center">Here are some pictures of my little kitten who is now a big beautiful cat! Her name is Eva, based on the word Evangelico, which means Gospel. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e-53kdPuXC0cwDB1WrwRWEEkgKEcCK4LffKNFqGzMFoZqRAc_cZJaNgAJkqKyqQPJM5V4OJu__iJacC60exDZSpA2X-UoA4wGLQJPldPESHvbk_2ZwX692mAei9yqsiqXWU7CTtRm-V-/s1600-h/Colombia+(Feb.2008)+514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253345297823342050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e-53kdPuXC0cwDB1WrwRWEEkgKEcCK4LffKNFqGzMFoZqRAc_cZJaNgAJkqKyqQPJM5V4OJu__iJacC60exDZSpA2X-UoA4wGLQJPldPESHvbk_2ZwX692mAei9yqsiqXWU7CTtRm-V-/s320/Colombia+(Feb.2008)+514.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>The first night I had her...she cried all night! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253344281402508802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-LmmjeGZzJz3XsS5nrThBCwDY59jrU-_FU-lqHPd2RMMbcPwd0WqZ1ZO_eZ-vMKVqi-_Yk6a5iNubeYX3jIuvoub9Nwt_Cw1RSC9OHbJ00TdjwhdmVED7ysAV7xXrLxiyx2YRT4Iczt-/s320/Eva+1.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Now she's almost fully grown!<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddHuBm3ZYpMxcTF-BcRbmOX9YWlAtLhcujfXLBfVHFXCrUuzlhG6IZg9-MCQddu8BWtUfc4hRYXf2IiXl9pJqKPf8o3XO2BS154MFA8Jajj-PWDtWmM-lh8PAytLC7RtpdOPlUo6rp6Sz/s1600-h/Eva+(Oct.4.08)+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253344710622920514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddHuBm3ZYpMxcTF-BcRbmOX9YWlAtLhcujfXLBfVHFXCrUuzlhG6IZg9-MCQddu8BWtUfc4hRYXf2IiXl9pJqKPf8o3XO2BS154MFA8Jajj-PWDtWmM-lh8PAytLC7RtpdOPlUo6rp6Sz/s320/Eva+(Oct.4.08)+002.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here's she's about to jump up to play with the camera....</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6RYnQ_XwDSdCTLvokEnBCm9qmDKBD77od9SfJlV1rmPD1NWuikEcVb3niTO_THlLQ3rBKi56lRXktXmELzOHiYqxDUYDedIDtuO-Ch9FNZY6Y88eUAK3Hopu-t4c92M7NEAffVVyuPdc/s1600-h/Eva+(Oct.4.08)+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253344715401929314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6RYnQ_XwDSdCTLvokEnBCm9qmDKBD77od9SfJlV1rmPD1NWuikEcVb3niTO_THlLQ3rBKi56lRXktXmELzOHiYqxDUYDedIDtuO-Ch9FNZY6Y88eUAK3Hopu-t4c92M7NEAffVVyuPdc/s320/Eva+(Oct.4.08)+005.JPG" border="0" /></a> She's annoyed with the flash and is trying to push the camera out of her face, haha!<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-51248419976169298372008-09-29T10:17:00.000-07:002008-09-29T10:57:21.030-07:00Bienvenido Caleb Andres<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XkmeqHOql13t7xm-_1XQsh2Z6LVwg1WHl_Vz9Dz6T9SXyh72N5UaklMf9QMvtZ92lBboJv5VcUx7u3CEUfTsyGfRccRczWaUQulJyUBCVVkev72leV5QRZ9ktC-jXbE2LZY6cQb_FSUh/s1600-h/Welcome+Caleb+Andres+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251498414398858450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XkmeqHOql13t7xm-_1XQsh2Z6LVwg1WHl_Vz9Dz6T9SXyh72N5UaklMf9QMvtZ92lBboJv5VcUx7u3CEUfTsyGfRccRczWaUQulJyUBCVVkev72leV5QRZ9ktC-jXbE2LZY6cQb_FSUh/s320/Welcome+Caleb+Andres+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> First Night at the Hospital ~ 2 hours old<br /><br /><div align="left">On Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 we welcomed baby Caleb Andres (pronounced Kah-leb), into the world!!! He is a healthy little boy, with all his fingers and toes, and just as cute as he can be! I'm going to have to guess on what time he was actually delivered....I'll say between 6:10-6:15 p.m. When a baby is delivered in the maternity ward, they push a buzzer which makes a sound something between a door bell and the firehouse alarm to indicate a new baby has been born. Five of these alarm sounds went off during that time period! </div><div align="left">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div align="left">I was given the privilege of naming him! (Don't worry...I haven't promised my life away, or committed to being his "godmother") I was a little uncertain about this, but after being told on several occasions that he would have no name until I decided, I gave in! Yolima had told me several times before that she like my brother's name, Caleb Andres (Caleb Andrew in English) so after triple-checking that she really like it...he now has a name! And a great one at that! :) </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251498421380402962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkxRnqfRiCYAM9rgX0XG6X_dAaxTAwMWhoCvvrrdYQLDjrLm7dymMXP2iYU4U1AWgm-acOQEvt22kkQgjzxj15unLJAPZU6NlKS8wXjWLFNLE6jXek46Oht7k1RlTn6fNC6nU5iGZhy9I/s320/Welcome+Caleb+Andres+(Sept.+24.08)+014.JPG" border="0" />He is precious!<br /><br /><div align="left">Thank you so much for your prayers for Yolima! I am very happy to report that her surgery went well and she is recovering with relatively little pain (which is an absolute miracle!) Please continue to lift her up, as she is recovering back in her little "house" pretty much by herself. Thankfully she has a very kind neighbor who has been bringing her meals every day, and she was able to leave the older children with their godmother for a few weeks. This is an added blessing! The father (Robinson) has showed up for 10 minute periods here and there, but has been pretty absent during the whole process. Please pray for his heart, that the Lord would draw him back into the Word and that he would be the husband and father the Lord desires him to be. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251498412290744162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcBRjh-IvcDpyi0yCZoBQexQ0DrPRNafMcEDcQ5NltE1KtG98uvfz6dPfm5zeFOZQ4wf8tVccqu070I3zC_wYUxV5j1zVvXkNvQBRVXIsE3yjtuJWNPxtrz2P-Pu_yWvXS9OW8FxKMm6u/s320/First+Smile-Caleb+Andres.jpg" border="0" />First Smile captured on camera!!<br /><br /><div align="left">Let me tell ya....we are extremely BLESSED to have the kind of medical care we receive in the States. The clinic where Yolima was at is for the women who are extremely poor...that being said, they make their patients bring their own SHEETS for their beds, and even asked for other odd items like the nylon that's going to be used in the surgery! I was in shock. Americans are rich whether we think we are or not. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251498416446480290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1wWgIvoqaX68h13oCYu47QUc8RkOwWSwLtsRs9_pfqHsp-O9rmPpGRkldhgV07KDKaNex1D543ZAiTfqCKpAz3sd9Na3yiC6raiOOniq5Z9Ck2HE8ZR4o4n2JMNFUMcZZmOxIbZHe_VN/s320/Me.Caleb.Yolima.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><p align="center">Thank you again for your faithful prayers!! </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-2319675399572596532008-09-23T09:02:00.000-07:002008-09-23T09:19:26.888-07:00Pray for Yolima<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5HCBv3TlyLim_URFU4PRH0N9Nr10TEgHtUSFS3mHkr5AUZuG3lVjlXhRNaMOUgbpR9p-KdZpLf7RBHgQGRmGRuJongo1EZObqZwbH1i2DLnTKwlgTaYxEJFWmlohl3vj6bALqsmSFRUc/s1600-h/Aug-Sept.+2008+080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249249922593203490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5HCBv3TlyLim_URFU4PRH0N9Nr10TEgHtUSFS3mHkr5AUZuG3lVjlXhRNaMOUgbpR9p-KdZpLf7RBHgQGRmGRuJongo1EZObqZwbH1i2DLnTKwlgTaYxEJFWmlohl3vj6bALqsmSFRUc/s320/Aug-Sept.+2008+080.JPG" border="0" /></a> (Yolima & two of her younger children (in our laps), with me and my little buddy Andres)<br /><br /><div align="left">Hey guys...I just wanted to ask you for your collective prayers! I have a friend named Yolima who I have been discipling for a few months now. She has had a very difficult past and is living in a very hard current situation. </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left">Tomorrow (Wed) she is going to have a scheduled cesarian to deliver her 4th child. She has had 3 previous c-sections, so this one is very dangerous. The don't use the same kinds of procedures we have in the states...they cut you vertically, making recovery very long and painful. She is very fearful and worried about the surgery and then what will happen when they come home. The father plays a passive/abusive role in the family, therefore her mind is focused on how she will feed & care for her children. </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left">Please pray that she would put her Trust in her heavenly Father! That He would comfort her and bring to mind some of the scripture we have been studying. Pray that her surgery goes smoothly, and that she is able to recover quickly. Pray that the Lord would give me wisdom and discernment in how to minister to my new friend!<br /><br />Thank you for your prayers! ~Sarah :) </div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-58798877105093729382008-09-23T08:13:00.000-07:002008-09-23T08:57:30.680-07:00Ministry Update! :)Here are some long awaited updates on what's been happening! Ministry has changed pace a bit as we are in a short recess from having volunteer teams here every month. So now I have more time to focus on getting back into ministry in the communities. One praise is that I now have a co-teacher to help lead Children's Church. It was too much to try to handle 20-30 kids on my own! Please pray for me as I encourage this new leader in stepping up into her new role. I have started back my discipleship class with one of the ladies near my house church. I am really enjoying getting to know her and see her learn from God's Word. I'm also "trying" to re-learn how to play the guitar, haha, so that I can begin to help with worship during our Thursday groups. In one of our ministry sites, our house church groups have doubled...so we are in need of extra hands! It's so amazing to see the Lord work in the hearts of the people, and then as they grow in the Word to see their hearts begin to feel for the lostness around them. That is our hearts desire, not only bring them the Truth, but then to see them in turn burdened for the lost and join the mission to share with others!<br /><br />Prayer Requests:<br /><ul><li>Please continue to lift me up, along with both my teams (Refuge Team & VIC Team) We truly want to see Colombia changed by the love of Christ. </li><li>Pray that the Lord would strengthen us to keep going in those moments when we are exhausted or overwhelmed with the work load. </li><li>Pray that we would receive an extra dose of encouragement and resolve to be intentional about building relationships, especially with the people who aren't always easy to love. </li><li>Pray for the maturity of our church leaders, that they would learn how to love unconditionally and walk in obedience to God's Word. </li><li>Pray for me personally to continue to seek the Lord with a hunger and thirst for knowledge and understanding of His Word. </li></ul><p>Thank you for your continued encouragement and prayers! :) ~Sarah </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFqbCTUerHsELvtpqCXJu3JnT1oVddXmMhPcGkfxc0w4GjqnBhOqXNoTB05EIIicqiTREoJyXuy6yxGI_nDKZarq3dgxmm0OtB61P0xTSN4vSB4TJn0Lpk98AUblbOqBge4XEy8Gik2FD/s1600-h/Aug-Sept.+2008+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249236807403113858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFqbCTUerHsELvtpqCXJu3JnT1oVddXmMhPcGkfxc0w4GjqnBhOqXNoTB05EIIicqiTREoJyXuy6yxGI_nDKZarq3dgxmm0OtB61P0xTSN4vSB4TJn0Lpk98AUblbOqBge4XEy8Gik2FD/s320/Aug-Sept.+2008+002.JPG" border="0" /></a> Check out our leader in the center.....our "Chief Indian"and the rest of the tribe, haha! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyJFvx82WcdQktrfHpftkr7o-9c1dXIVIckX0fKAlrdKAfA6oQuE5UvCwm30CK1B3sQpDztxm3cnECFLGk99rKyn6SpDAhLyaUsG3WGuhZStr-35royxPpK2hVteMvPVY53h3kqcKKBEN/s1600-h/Aug-Sept.+2008+016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249236821272793202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyJFvx82WcdQktrfHpftkr7o-9c1dXIVIckX0fKAlrdKAfA6oQuE5UvCwm30CK1B3sQpDztxm3cnECFLGk99rKyn6SpDAhLyaUsG3WGuhZStr-35royxPpK2hVteMvPVY53h3kqcKKBEN/s320/Aug-Sept.+2008+016.JPG" border="0" /></a>What would Bible Study be like without the cows?<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBERng0eEeEeYbvboICVa5ZjGbIOcTkPAoOWgrWwm0mJTg3pfW1AZSUoDXHGsvy0ubcciHdeslVqQbyREvewESSJP4Mz-1e-WGJeStGCoMybSO02VnBU7njPS95puck7OmmRDBzGIBmRvN/s1600-h/Aug-Sept.+2008+062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249236828438880866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBERng0eEeEeYbvboICVa5ZjGbIOcTkPAoOWgrWwm0mJTg3pfW1AZSUoDXHGsvy0ubcciHdeslVqQbyREvewESSJP4Mz-1e-WGJeStGCoMybSO02VnBU7njPS95puck7OmmRDBzGIBmRvN/s320/Aug-Sept.+2008+062.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pam, this is for Brooke....this little girl didn't want her picture taken either! haha! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xtkUA_ZzXtCJEskxUupVYtPjKbZyDxO9tYJr1-aWaRTuQhbKca7_VXquWn1EXTshZDwgGT4LH84X0HytxotMj1F2boPn_3c8Picdnnrf95qO6fRrHAGLthAOpkg3yuyjPKd0OEc21f2-/s1600-h/Aug-Sept.+2008+037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249236854093732754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xtkUA_ZzXtCJEskxUupVYtPjKbZyDxO9tYJr1-aWaRTuQhbKca7_VXquWn1EXTshZDwgGT4LH84X0HytxotMj1F2boPn_3c8Picdnnrf95qO6fRrHAGLthAOpkg3yuyjPKd0OEc21f2-/s320/Aug-Sept.+2008+037.JPG" border="0" /></a>They came out in the masses when we had a free clinic...the needs are truly great. Please pray for healing in this land...physical and spiritual healing!</p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBeW6UBnjtM_AcEmKMKaceKL_8yn-B9nNEayJH9DNx4OKFLyyUSlo2ZOSvudqXssfT1MRa_9vzyIsHwgr5Y6LSvpLgMr4FAd4uyURFHXFZeXvqJViff0qrjaeP28TjZk-DJ4DOEaA_eyF/s1600-h/Aug-Sept.+2008+071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249236862507152674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBeW6UBnjtM_AcEmKMKaceKL_8yn-B9nNEayJH9DNx4OKFLyyUSlo2ZOSvudqXssfT1MRa_9vzyIsHwgr5Y6LSvpLgMr4FAd4uyURFHXFZeXvqJViff0qrjaeP28TjZk-DJ4DOEaA_eyF/s320/Aug-Sept.+2008+071.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">You know I can't resist pictures of these adorable children! Their hearts reflect in their eyes...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249237217191912898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5MFj1WFLCDieKMVFgWgjYQUvogAFW1e7B2civVOa0EHVoq0jpdVx8nL9b8rATZbiHCJU8NlUOtA3NCGSx-pb5yB29P31fWrFzFSforYU6qBPQf5dFOWPYiJeau3BBwL8uojlr_OKamWg/s320/Aug-Sept.+2008+076.JPG" border="0" />Three boys from my Sunday School class...patiently waiting in line to see the nurse.<br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzZxEMkbxfAhyxB9zGE6BAYQ3PQKKWYsNQd-yKF3uYLmQaBn7fkkOBuaIew4xTS80l-z4t0qMrGyJ9Z6SMTPw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="left">This is a video of the kids from our "mother church". They came to my little house church to encourage our congregation and to lead a special service for the children. The song they are singing says this.....</p><p align="left">I will praise Him from my Heart, I will praise Him with my Voice (2x) And if I am missing my Voice, I will praise Him with my Hands, And if I am missing my hands, I will praise Him with my Feet, And if I am missing my feet, I will praise Him with my Soul, And if I am missing my Soul...it's because I am with Him! </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-91511851056692778582008-09-22T10:49:00.000-07:002008-09-22T11:09:28.781-07:00Good Stuff from Beth...Ok, here's my update on what the Lord has used to impact my heart this week. I just finished up week 3 of Beth Moore's study of Daniel. <br /><br />"For people with <em>TRUE CONVICTIONS</em> certain decisions have already been made. There's no need for discussion." When trials or temptations come that would threaten to "rock our world," what a difference it would make to already know where we stand. <br /><br />Beth was also focusing on Loyalty. She said, "'<em>Loyal</em>' is not something we suddenly are at the flash-moment of testing. It's something we already were that surfaces in the test." She then went on to ask if we had personally made the decision to be loyal to Christ?<br /><br />Both of these examples reminded me of a precious person in my life...my sweet cousin Amber. Amber has always had a strong faith and was never ashamed to declare that she believed her God is Good. When her husband Chad's accident happened and they began the long journey to recovery...she already knew her response: <em>God is good, all the time</em>. Even when the life she knew had been turned upside down, she was convinced that HE is still a good God.<br /><br /><em>Even when we don't understand Lord, you remind us of your Goodness and your Faithfulness! Of this I am certain...you are receiving Glory through these situations in our lives that we don't always understand. Build our faith and Refine it through the fire. </em>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-67700972859954411872008-09-10T20:32:00.000-07:002008-09-10T21:22:31.983-07:00They taught us to say, "That's interesting..."I would love to forget the experience of what I encountered tonight...but it's just too funny not to share this with ya'll.<br /><br />Where it all began...<br />Today I went out to C.C. to teach a Bible Study to a new friend of mine, Yolima, and stayed after to attend Wed. night prayer meeting near my house church. After our prayer meeting I went back to the home where our house church is located. This particular family of 3 have become some of my favorite friends. I usually hang out at their house before and after church events and feel "at home" with them. So tonight, as usual, Nyibis (the mom) and I were talking about what she was going to prepare for supper and "arguing" over who was going to pay for it. haha. Then she started to talk about this "Bufet" that she was going to cook...."Hm..." I thought, "that sounds a lot like a "buffet" at a restaurant. I wonder what kind of spread she's going to fix!" (but deep down I know this is too good to be true!)<br /><br />So I went on to ask her what exactly IS "bufet." First off, she laughed (bad sign) and then went on to try to explain to me, "It's part of the cow's insides....it's located close to the liver...but it's not the liver or the intestines...or the stomach...." At this point I have no idea WHAT a "bufet" is...I only know that it's going to be something I'm NOT going to want to eat!!! Needless to say, we cooked the "bufet" which at this point was still unrecognizable to me as anything specific....and then we sat down to eat. (Enter scene...husband Helber)....Nyibis explains to him that I have never had "bufet" before and does he remember what they call it in English....(visual...I'm already on my 3rd bite of "bufet" and commenting as they taught us to say at FPO..."That's interesting!") ....as I'm chewing on my 3rd bite of "bufet" Helber blurts out..."It's the cows LUNG!" He even picked his up and started showing me where the air comes out of!!!!<br /><br />Ok...at this point I'm almost gagging....all at once I can see that yes, it does resemble a lung...not that I'd ever imagined eating one before...but there I was. By the grace of God (and I really mean that!) I finished 1 of the 2 lungs on my plate. I told them, which IS true, that I'm trying to eat lighter meals at night time, and that I was getting full! AHHHHHH!!<br /><br />So...I'd finished the lung and I was doing everything in my ability not to visualize it, smell it, or taste what was left of the flavor in my mouth! Helber, who works as a Motorcycle Taxi, drove me to the main road where I found a taxi.....The taxi driver proceeds to FLY over every bump in the road, slamming us back down to earth after each hill. I feel my stomach churning and my face turning different shades of green, as the taxi driver laughs out loud continually to the "Love Match" radio program!!!<br /><br />Well...I'm writing this, so you know I made it home alive and in one piece! Thankfully my sweet roomie was baking Chocolate Chip cookies...the real kind, with ingredients from the US!! Woohoo!! After brushing my teeth, drinking some juice...and 2 cookies...hmm...the memory still haunts my stomach! But I will survive!<br /><br /><em>To all of you living overseas....you can probably relate to what I've just experience...maybe you've even ate something worse! And to those of you living in the US...be thankful you haven't seen the meat markets overseas! You'd flip out! I have to say that Americans do waste a lot more food by not eating or selling some of the extra parts of animals...but sometimes...I think we have a justified reason!!! </em>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3280320760058683558.post-83319353369864498652008-09-09T10:33:00.000-07:002008-09-09T10:43:28.543-07:00Good Stuff....<div align="center">Our sunsets can be absolutely beautiful....God's creation astounds me!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M_JYBl8jeHbwnU5IHIx0tWNlsl7Z4PnZFuL6_eVhuVhNAtnPsT4gf6kwWc7W_B3DmUWKL_lKgYZXJLfV_ssFku4ieNR82Dvn1vV3YTpiDqGwYvvsHFk3Hh2vVb3p1w35WAYH_5FlfNSD/s1600-h/Colombia+July+2008+265.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244077563383879394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M_JYBl8jeHbwnU5IHIx0tWNlsl7Z4PnZFuL6_eVhuVhNAtnPsT4gf6kwWc7W_B3DmUWKL_lKgYZXJLfV_ssFku4ieNR82Dvn1vV3YTpiDqGwYvvsHFk3Hh2vVb3p1w35WAYH_5FlfNSD/s320/Colombia+July+2008+265.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left">Here are two of my favorite quotes from the Daniel study last week....</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>"We will live lives of integrity on purpose...</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>or we </strong><strong>will </strong><strong>not do it at all." </strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>"CONSISTENCY. Godliness is never accidental. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Neither is </strong><strong>victory coincidental. </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Both stem up from daily RESOLVE."</strong> </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">You rock Beth Moore! I am loving this study and I'm only just beginning! :) </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><em>"Have nothing to do with godless myths or old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:7-8</em></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05751103981301948035noreply@blogger.com0