There is NO lion in the street

I was reading this a.m. during my quiet time and was reminded that a sluggard comes up with excuses not to do something (to stay in their house) b/c "there is a lion in the street". However, God clearly commands us to go forth...whether that means across the street to your neighbor or to the next state or to a different country, the command is clear. However, we (people who are so comfortable and don't like change) make up excuses like the sluggard not to do God's work or fulfill His destiny. It has been my prayer for several years to teach a Precept study in Spanish. I recently went to language school to aid in this endeavor. While there I thought, "if only I could stay for the whole year...I could really teach in Spanish". God convicted me right there. If He has called me or you to a ministry or to a job or whatever, HE will equip.

Last night, my prayers were answered. God took this willing heart and gave me the confidence IN HIM to say yes to teaching a ladies group here in Pucallpa! God is so good and patient. Although I am nervous and hope my Spanish is good enough...I know God will use it for His glory. WHAT LIONS ARE YOU LETTING get in the way? Don't be a sluggard (God said it, not me)-- get out and do what He has laid on your heart to do. IF you are not sure (b/c He has a plan for you and it is more than watching that TV), ask HIM; He is faithful. Love and grace as you live for HIM!

A Look Back

Our 1st week of school went very well. I am adjusting to teaching on a block schedule which is very different than everyday teaching the same subjects. My middle school students are sharp. We have already had our first test and all A's. I tutored Daniel today. He is the boy who wants to come to school full-time; our session was very successful and I am confident we will make the necessary progress in time. Please pray for him.

Our house is coming along great! I was in there over the weekend sweeping up and helping with some electrical wiring issues (thanks dad). The addition is walled in and now just the finishing touches along with electrical stuff. We are excited about getting truly settled. We visited a church this weekend with one of the missionary families here. Their sanctuary was being worked on so we all crammed into the old building with no fans, and it was 98 degrees here yesterday. The sermon was solid on the life of King Hezekiah, and I understood almost everything the pastor said; what a blessing. We tried our first restaurant yesterday too. We had fish from the river, which is a tributary of the Amazon River flowing out of Brazil. It was delicious. In the afternoon, we played volleyball with the church and enjoyed getting to know them. Victoria sends HI to everyone and thanks for writing. It is an encouragement.

The Heat is On!

Hola amigos! Que tal? We are doing very well. I have so much to tell you, but I will try to be brief. First of all, GOD IS SO GOOD. I am truly amazed by HIM continually! We arrived here in Pucallpa, Peru on Saturday as scheduled, and the luggage was here by the end of the day. The trip over the Andes Mtns. was incredible. We even saw snow on the tops of some of the peaks. It was just so strange seeing that knowing we were going to land in extreme heat. And we did...our new friends, students and co-workers met us at the quaint airport with a welcome sign. We made the short trip to the SAM academy compound and got settled in right away. It immediately felt like home even though we are not yet able to move into our home for another couple of weeks. The workers are so diligent and even working in extreme heat to get it done promptly. I took before pictures today and will include them in our next newsletter. The house needed repair and an addition, as it was built some decades ago. It is made of wood and is on brick stilts to cut down on the bugs and such.

Pucallpa is alot like where we were in Venezuela except much poorer and if you can imagine, I think a bit hotter. I love the heat though and have been enjoying the trickles down my back while unfortunately for others, they are dripping wet. We have not had many bug bites yet, but the smoke from the next door wood factory is almost unbearable, especially at night. Victoria has already had a nose bleed from the dryness and smoke, but God is able and all we need to adapt. We are living in the old boys dorm in two seperate rooms that have not been occupied for many years. It is quite sufficient but rustic. Another teacher is gracious enough to let us use her bathroom and kitchen.

School began yesterday, and it was quite a day. I am teaching middle school Language Arts, Spelling, Literature and Writing along with Geography. I was going to teach HS Lit. as well, however, I have decided to tutor a 4th grade boy who has some learning disabilities while his mother who is a certified teacher for HS Lit. and taught a couple of years ago (as I am sure much better than I) serves in that capacity. I am excited about helping this young man with the goal of getting him in the mainstream classroom. (I sure wish I had Ed Lawson down here - NILD instructor). My students are quite smart. I have 6th-8th grades; Victoria is the only 6th grader and will be challenged and she is excited! I am teaching her Latin III several times a week, and she is taking Spanish as well with another teacher.

The other great news is that one of the pastor's wives here who is Peruvian has been praying that someone would come and teach a group of young believers (women) in her church using the inductive study method that she experienced while spending time in the US. This has been my heart's desire for many years. I am humbled that God has put me here equipped with Spanish and a love for inductive study. I hope to begin next month. Please pray that the women would be receptive to this indepth study on the names of God by Kay Arthur/Precept. I have taught it in English before, now I have the privilege to teach it in Spanish.

We are so full of joy in this ministry opportunity. I am hesitant to say I could stay here for a long time b/c of what happened in Venezuela, but I truly do feel as though we have once again been put in the right place for the right time--thanks be to GOD. Let us hear from you...KandV

Bittersweet

The Lord has blessed us with so many wonderful friends!

Greetings from South America! As always transition time is a time that is bittersweet (la dulce y el limon) We left Atlanta last night at around midnight(14th) after a busy 12 days back in US visiting as many as we could and repacking. The overnight flight was as fun as you can imagine--NOT. We kinda slept in every position we could think of trying to get a few winks in before we arrived here in Lima. The smell of Delta's eggs were almost more than I could bare at 4a.m. The trip was smooth and customs was a breeze compared to what we have dealt with in the past, so we are thankful. The Lord sent one of his angels to help with the 6 heavy suitcases which totally saved my back--thank you Lord for your provisions. We are now at the guest house in Lima awaiting our trip tomorrow into Pucallpa. The luggage is on its way now by truck which will take almost 24 hours. The plane trip is only 1 hour mas o menos. Starting our paperwork was not too successful today as we are now on Latino schedules (muy tranquilo). I will make another trip back in a couple of weeks to try again.

School starts on Monday and we are excited about getting settled in our temporary house until they finish renovating our house which is steps away from the school, yeah! We have met several families already who we will be working with in Pucallpa; I am excited to hear all that is going on for the Kingdom in our jungle town. My prayer is that Victoria and I will be a part of the growth of new believers in the area and find a church to become involved in. My heart's desire is to begin a Precept study with a group of Peruvian women in Spanish, so please pray to that end.

For all of you that know I am not "up with the times", I just wanted to let you know that I now have a MP3 player thanks to Stephanie and my 43rd birthday. Hey Jenn, "I'm in the now. (ha, ha)

Thank you so much for your continued prayers. We are here thanks to your support and love. Please know we are humbled by all that the Lord has done and is doing and will do. Blessings!

Seeing God in the midst of busy times--

Wow! What a week we have had since returning to the US last Sunday! We have been visiting friends old and new. We had the pleasure of returning to Hebron Christian Academy and seeing lots of friendly faces. It was such a blessing! We were commissioned at First Baptist Church Loganville and have been loved on by our wonderful church family. We are going to miss everyone. God has been precious to me in these days as I went before Him and asked Him to cleanse me b/c I did not have peace. He was faithful to show me my sin and give me Scripture to set me on His path. I have allowed doubt to hinder me and fear to paralyze me at times during this process. All that needed to be raised and done before leaving seemed overwhelming to me. I thank the Lord for reminding me that He is in control and His timing is Perfect. Isaiah 58:11 and Habakkuk 3 really spoke to me.

Thursday the 14th is the day--we will leave in the evening and by Friday be in Lima, Peru to get paperwork for our visas underway then onto Pucallpa. School starts on Monday the 18th, so we are very excited to get to know everyone and get settled.

Thank you again for praying for us and encouraging us in these times. We could not be going without your love and support and prayers.

Spreading the Gospel to the nations

Por que de tal manera amó Dios al mundo que ha dado su hijo unigénito para que todo aquel que crea en Él, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna.

Juan 3:16

Peruvian flag

Friends and fun in South America

1. My students in Venezuela.

2. Three beautiful princesses, Anna, Emmalee, and Victoria.

The other places we've traveled to

We've worked in many countries. We worked in Puerto Ayacucho, Venezuela, for 2 years. We worked in Madrid, Spain for a while after that. Later, we went to Costa Rica for a couple months to learn Spanish at The Spanish Language Institute in San José. Now we are in the process of moving to Pucallpa, Peru, where I will be the director and teacher of a small mission school.