Escogidas para Bendecir

This past Saturday we took a group of 18 ladies to the Fundamental Ladies Conference in Montevideo. The ladies here were so excited about the chance to fellowship and learn from the Word of God. It was wonderful for me too! I got to spend extended time with the ladies, and reconnect with friends I haven't seen in awhile. We also celebrated Mirtha's birthday!

A neighborhood just outside of Montevideo.
In the rental bus/van on the way to the meeting.
SURPRISE! Mirtha didn't know we were going to celebrate her birthday!
We took up 2 tables, picture me sitting in that empty chair at center. ;) There was a table in front of us with 3 women who were invited by the host church. None of them knew the Lord. During the lesson, Amparo (front right) and I moved forward to help them find verses in our Bibles. I was able to give each of them a tract before I was called away. Amparo sat and talked to them for quite awhile though.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Here is an article worth reading about the impact the Lord is allowing the Smith family to have.

Sometime it is clear!

Below is an update on Andrew Smith about how the Lord provided for a very definite need in a very definite way. I trust you all continue to pray for Andrew and his family and I thought you would rejoice in this blessing with them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the middle of May, while considering the ramifications of switching Andrew's chemotherapy to every three weeks from every two weeks, I paid careful attention to a very special little girl in Utah. Sadie Huish was in the midst of a valiant battle with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Her parents had recently made the decision to honor Sadie's request to postpone treatment and hospital visits indefinitely. I had been following the blog for a while, had grown fond of sweet Sadie, and checked regularly for updates. Though I had never met her parents Zack and Tiffany, I was heartbroken for them as Sadie began to deteriorate. She passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 25th.

Early this summer when we began talking about bringing Andrew home from the hospital, we began to explore the possibility of purchasing a wheelchair-accessible van. Without it we knew that we would be extremely limited in our ability to transport Andrew, making even a spontaneous trip to get an ice cream cone a very complicated matter.

It was about that time that we had the opportunity to meet Keith and Brooke Desserich from Ohio, along with their daughter Gracie. The Desserich's older daughter Elena died in August 2007, 256 days after she was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. We became acquainted with Keith and Brooke through our connections within the DIPG community, and we became familiar with some of the details of Elena's story through the writings of her parents. Andrew enjoyed meeting Elena's companion dog Pablo, and he clung to the dollar given to him by Keith for days...even while he slept.

When the Desserichs became aware of our need for a wheelchair-accessible van, they set up the Andrew's Wheels Assistance Fund under The Cure Starts Now, a foundation dedicated to funding brain cancer research--a foundation born out of Elena's battle. As we searched for the perfect van, the Andrew's Wheels Assistance Fund accumulated cash. In the meantime we realized that we were looking at a $20,000-$30,000 purchase. By the middle of August I had decided that I really wanted to have the van by the end of the month. However, we also needed to order textbooks and DVDs for the new school year, and we had not even begun to think about how we were going to afford music lessons for Stephen and Charis Joy.

On the morning of Monday, August 24th, Make A Wish families in Utah received an e-mail letting them know about the sale of an orthopedic adjustable twin bed and a Chevrolet van with a wheelchair lift. A young mother in Utah thought of a little boy in Michigan who needed some wheels, and when I glanced at my e-mail that morning my eyes were drawn to one particular note.

Hi Sandy,
My name is Tiffany Huish, and we live in Utah. We belong to the dipg family, as our daughter Sadie passed away two months ago after a 16 month battle....

The note was signed with love, and the advertisement for the van was included. I responded fairly quickly.

Tiffany,
I know who you are. I have followed Sadie's journey and even shared parts of it with one of our oncologists....

By that evening I had spoken to Sam, the gentleman selling the van, several times. And Zack Huish, Sadie's dad, had stopped on his way home from work to take a look at it for us. During our conversations Sam also mentioned a motorized wheelchair. Zack checked it out carefully to see if he thought it would work for Andrew. We trusted his judgment without question...because we knew that, with very little explanation from us, he understood exactly what Andrew needed.

The van was advertised as a 2002 with 40,000 miles for $5,500. Sam's mom had recently died, so he and his sister were selling the van, several motorized wheelchairs, and some other things...simply because they were no longer needed.

At some point that day I made a phone call to Brooke in Ohio. I had a question for her, though I was fairly certain I already knew the answer. I wanted to know how much money was in the Andrew's Wheels Assistance Fund. It was $5,650. Within the next couple of days a check was sent to Utah, a title arrived in Michigan, and the Huish family picked up a white Chevy van...for a family they'd never met.

Sam and his sister were kind enough to throw in the wheelchair for Andrew at no charge, and I was intrigued when Zack commented in passing that it was burgundy and black. Burgundy? As in garnet? What more could a South Carolina Gamecock fan in Michigan ask for...than a garnet and black motorized wheelchair from someone he's never even met in Utah?

After finalizing the purchase of the van, the next step was to get it from Utah to Michigan. Zack was willing to drive it to us--that very weekend. But Keith Desserich thought he could arrange for transport through a friend. When both options were considered, all involved felt that it would be best to have the van transported to Michigan. The Desserichs set out to raise the remainder of the money needed for transport, and the van arrived in Michigan on Tuesday, September 8th.

Andrew was admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy Monday night, and I spent the night with him. He was delighted when Daddy picked us up Tuesday afternoon in the new van. The title had been sent with a card from Sam and Emily in Utah. They included $100 with instructions to take the family out once the van arrived. We drove straight to Olive Garden where the whole family ate an early supper with Sybil, one of Andrew's nurses, and Kurt and Brandon, two of Andrew's Spartan hockey guys. Between Sam & Emily's gift and Olive Garden's kindness to us, the bill was more than completely covered.

Over the past week, we have made up for lost time. We have enjoyed shopping at Toys R Us, eating at Bob Evans with our friends the Rardins who are missionaries to Mexico, and being present in the Michigan Senate to witness the resolution recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness month. And the van means more to us than freedom to go.

When I climbed into my seat for the very first time on Tuesday, I noticed a marbled Team Sadie wristband hanging from the mirror--just as I had requested of Tiffany. This simple wristband is a reminder of a precious little girl in Utah who battled the same rare brain cancer that Andrew now battles, and a remembrance of the bond between two families who have never met.

Happy 6th Birthday Belly!

This morning Isabel officially turned six. She is still as adorable as the day she was born, though more outwardly stubborn.

She can still hold her own against her brothers sometimes a little too well.

She is finishing up her 1st grade year and is doing great! Some days are easier than others for her but once she gets past thinking everything is hard she does well. No doubt all those gold stars on her test chart are a huge motivator.

We look forward to the next year of Isabel's life. No doubt there will be changes galore in her life as we head back to the States for furlough, and as she continues to grow.

Furlough 2010 Prayer Cards

After a few weeks of work, several changes, some advice, and even more changes we have the final version of our furlough 2010 prayer card. I also made a version of the front in Spanish to give to the people here.


The conversation around here focuses on our furlough as the kids (and their parents) talk about seeing family, and eating in favorite restaurants and shopping at Wal Mart!

Scott has booked about half of our furlough meetings and he has been so pleased with how the Lord is working it all out. Thankfully, we have an additional 3 deputation meetings booked to present our ministry.

Please continue to be in prayer for these last 3 months before we head back to the States. I keep running into road blocks with our presentation. And I still need to work on our display. I have started winnowing out things we don't need to keep so we have less to pack up (clothes, books, etc.) before we leave. We are thankful for close family friends who will stay in our home while we are in the States. They will guard our things and care for our dog, Hoss.

As always we are thankful for and covet your prayers!

Family Pics

This one (in color) is going on our new prayer card. If anyone would like a printable copy just leave a comment and we'll work on getting one to you.
There's a secret to this one.
All the handsome guys...
and all the beautiful girls. (Speaking of my girls)
A "for fun" picture. I love how Simeon's arm rests on Scott's shoulder.

Ministering in Music

Dr. Monty Budahl teaching song leading.
Brian Trainer headed up the mission team and preached on Wednesday night.
Flute trio.
Clarinet quartet both this and the flute arrangements were very bright and cheerful.
We didn't a picture of us singing with the MBBC group during the service but this is during the practice.

Swine flu outbreaks both in Argentina and here in Uruguay threatened to end the plans for the missions trip of Maranatha Baptist Bible College. Thankfully, the Lord made it clear that He wanted the trip to go on and we welcomed 6 members of that team into our home, and lives, this past Monday. The other 23 members came over from Argentina on Wednesday afternoon.

Last years group was a blessing and this years group was no exception. The group was really comfortable singing in Spanish and reaching out to the Uruguayans. The Lord brought people from Montevideo, Paysandu, Salto and many from the church here to Colonia for the conference. It was thrilling to have everyone excited about taking home what they learned to use in the music ministries of their respective churches.

The conference sessions, taught by Dr. Monty Budahl, covered basic and choir song leading, voice, Music in the Ministry, Singing Unto God, and Service Variety and Vitality. After lunch and before the afternoon sessions the team spent time giving instrument lessons on the piano, flute (recorder), guitar, and clarinet.

The Wednesday night service was phenomenal. There were flute and clarinet, ensembles, a quartet and the choir specials. I hope the recordings come out as nice as the group sounded as they ministered to us in music.

We praise the Lord for all the help that we had in making the conference a success. David planned out the schedule and the sessions. Sebastian arranged for all of the housing and helped with meals. Many families in the church opened up their homes and ministered to the team through hospitality. Pablo and Pastor Gabriel drove the bus and were the asadores for the lunch on Wednesday. Pastor Gabriel also helped serve lunch in our home.

Pastor Daniel and Amparo had the team in for the evening meals on Wednesday and Thursday. Alejandra and Alicia served the meriendas (snacks). Elizabeth, Paola, Belen, and Camila cared for the little ones in the nursery. Missionary Paul Harmon recorded all the sessions and services. His wife, JoAnna, translated some sessions. They both worked on the flier for the conference and worked hard at encouraging people from Montevideo to attend. David also helped me with the decorations of the church.

After taking the group to pass out close to 1000 tracts and church brochures we took the group to Los Tre Botones a tourism farm for lunch. They were able to ride horses and a zip line. The owners asked for them to sing and the group graciously sang twice. Then we spent a couple hours with them in the old city helping them shop and showing them the sites.

We enjoyed the fellowship with these young people! Scott and I answered a lot of questions about missions in Uruguay. It is our prayer that we represented the Lord well and have been an encouragement to the team. A couple spoke with me about the possibility of coming back to Uruguay to work with us as short term missionaries.

Music Conference

Main decoration in the front of the church

Happy Birthday Brandon!!!!

Each year we shake our head in wonder that another year has passed in the life of our eldest child. I, personally, am no less amazed this year than last. The feeling of amazement that my firstborn could be 1, 2, 3...13, or 17, always takes me by surprise. Does that feeling ever leave a parent? Will I be doing the same thing when he is 40?

Oh, boy, can't even go there because that would mean I'll be...never mind. Let's get this subject going in a different direction, shall we?!

Brandon's 16th year has gone much faster than I expected it would. And today he turns 17. A year from now he will be considered, by law, to be an adult. He will be on the count down to college. He will be eligible to vote. He will have a non-provisional drivers license.

YIKES!

I think I'll just keep living in the here and now. I hope that I will remember to appreciate each passing day with him. That I will remember that many of the events that happen with him in this next year could likely be the last time we enjoy that thing with him. After all we live on a different continent.

Uh, oh, I better stop before I change my mind about Brandon beginning his adult life.

I am thankful for the son the Lord gave us! I've been encouraged by the spiritual growth we have seen in him this past year. And for the increase in maturity.

Seeing the opportunity to begin college on time, with his peers, he sat down and set some high, but achievable, goals for himself in school. And he has knuckled down to make his dreams a reality.

He began learning to drive this year and he is doing great! It's not easy to drive in a foreign country. Nor is it easy to drive our manual, diesel van.

He has sacrificed a lot of "normal" to be our child. The life of a missionary kid never really has its normal. Just when the new becomes familiar you're being moved on to another new. Life revolves around cycles of 3-4 years. New languages. New cultures. New friends. New cities. New churches. New believers. New, new, new.

Sometimes, as will be the case for Brandon, an MK has the opportunity to return to the original, or the old. His original language. His original culture. His old friends. His hometown. Our old church. Our old college. The landmarks in his life have not been removed, praise God! But he will see them through different eyes, those of an adult young man commencing a new chapter in his life.

Wow, there I go again. Can you imagine what my blog post will be like when he heads of to college next year? I already feel sorry for you folks. :-)

Another First...Furlough

I keep feeling like I'm neglecting the blog, I guess because I am. Does it help if I've been busy with other things? Well, I'll not offer a bunch of excuses but I will update you on what's happening.

Right now I am working on our presentation for furlough! That's right, furlough! Can you believe it? I can't! Granted, that's because our first furlough is 10 mos earlier than originally planned. It was a necessity. As we began praying and planning furlough with the original dates, we realized that several of our cedulas (residency cards) would need renewal while we were gone! We were told by a lady in immigration that if we were not here to renew the cards we very likely would lose our residency status.

So we began looking at dates and our choices were to stay here until we could renew our cards before leaving, or go, and return, before we needed to renew our cards. Several things were considered in making our final decision.

First, Brandon will be starting college in the fall of 2010. We would really like to be in the States with him when he starts school at Ambassador.

Second, we would like to start a new church plant sooner rather than later. We could start one once the Perez family returns from their furlough but then that would mean we would have to leave it shortly after it was planted. Not a good idea.

Finally, our residency, which has already been mentioned.

One of the drawbacks to going home on furlough sooner was that we were lacking in funds for passage back to the States. Though we have been putting money into our passage account since arriving on the field, our first furlough was originally thought to be after 4 years on the field, thus the amount we had budgeted came up short because we were short a year.

We took all of this before our home-church pastor and his advice was to take an early furlough and make our supporting churches aware of the additional need for passage funds. Thankfully, our travel agent was able to find round trip tickets that were good for a year. This actually cut the cost of our tickets nearly in half. Within a few days the Lord has met the additional need for funds and we should be able to buy the tickets Monday.

Once Scott knew that he could purchase the tickets, which was this week, he began making phone calls to our supporting churches to book meetings. It has really been a blessing to him to make these phone calls. He has told me that the secretaries and pastors he has spoken with have been a tremendous encouragement. They have told him they were expecting his phone call. And many have asked about my health.

I know our missionary friends will probably disagree with us, because I'm sure they feel the same way, but we have the BEST supporting churches! Each one has involved themselves in our lives in so many different ways. Visits, packages, cards, notes, letters and phone calls are all among the ways that God has blessed us through our supporters. We are REALLY looking forward to being back with all of them and sharing what God has done in our lives during our first term. And sharing the future we believe God has planned for us here in Uruguay.

I know this has been a lengthy post, but I would like to close with some prayer requests:
~That God would use us to burden hearts for missions and that we could have supporting church visit us here in Uruguay with missions teams.
~We need someone to stay in our house while we are gone.
~Brandon is finishing up high school.
~For us to be in every supporting church.
~To have new churches to present our ministry in.
~For the planning of furlough meetings.
~Brandon and Kaitlin will be applying for the CIT training at the Wilds for next summer.
~For our trip to California to be with family for Christmas, our first Christmas with family in 4 years.