tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33046540261916608022023-11-16T05:40:52.125-06:00Bill and Sandy's Big Adventure<br><br>
We are living in response to God's call<br>
to serve His people, wherever they are -<br>
currently at Su Refugio in Paraguay.Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-261495465262011652015-11-08T07:51:00.001-06:002015-11-08T07:51:16.773-06:00It's as simple as watermelons!
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">When our bus isn’t working I am often asked to help
transport our girls to/from school. These aren’t our girls (I can’t publicize
their faces) but it gives you an idea what it looks like with 10 girls in the
car: 2 in the passenger seat, 4 in the back seat, and 4 in the back hatch area.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> We’re in the watermelon season and one day I was
bringing the girls back from school I saw this group of watermelons on the
street corner. I stopped and bought 6 watermelons – </span><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">with
your donations!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">
– so the girls could have a special treat. Although they are well cared for,
they don’t often get treats like this. I tried to place the watermelons in the
back on the floor, but each girl wanted to carry one in their</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> lap!</span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">This story is special because it</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> shows how we are able to use</span><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> your donations </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">exactly where </span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> we see a need – or treat, in this</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> case!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Let us know how YOU’D like to</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> make a special treat for the girl and we’ll see what we can do!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> If you have questions, it’s best to check with Sandy!</span></div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-16505442626134811882014-10-29T13:46:00.001-05:002014-10-29T14:06:00.740-05:00Dolls and Doll Clothes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sandy recently returned from her five week trip back to the US. During
that trip she shared a simple need we have here for the girls: a lack of
dolls and their clothes. Some of the girls had dolls, others did not.
Most dolls come from the store new with just paper clothes. Sandy
started making doll clothes but then realized that would be a good
project for some of the groups that wanted to help us. Hence, she was
able to bring back dolls for the girls that had none and doll clothes
for everyone.<br />
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We numbered the dolls 1-14 and each girls picked a number from a bowl -
the numbers were on folded paper so they didn't know which number they
had. Sandy sorted the doll clothes into plastic bags so each girl got 2
sets of doll clothes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWQK61UP1BxlP_qLYZ_PJ36kLz9AA_2LtY5U-d2eOsMupU7lhKeUnYfmlOIul3YGcrSHhXXu-03hU18TVTggAZzIbzEjFgTth2KgqWNxWVsN61XNbmnJ8AUObCvwWuF09fmtQ5ie-0UE/s1600/DSC_0545-cropped-smaller-blurred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWQK61UP1BxlP_qLYZ_PJ36kLz9AA_2LtY5U-d2eOsMupU7lhKeUnYfmlOIul3YGcrSHhXXu-03hU18TVTggAZzIbzEjFgTth2KgqWNxWVsN61XNbmnJ8AUObCvwWuF09fmtQ5ie-0UE/s1600/DSC_0545-cropped-smaller-blurred.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
Her favorite movie is <i>Beauty and the Beast</i>. A couple of days
before we held this event, she had seen this Belle doll, knew the doll
would be given to one of the girls, and wanted it for herself, so she
started praying that she would get the doll. The topic of the monthly
women's meeting at church was <i>meekness,</i> and how we need to let
God be in control. It turns out that she stopped praying to receive the
doll, and mimicking the Master, prayed <i>not my will but your will, God</i>. When she drew her number she got Belle! God used this to increase her faith as well as show her His love.<br />
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This girl is 11 years old and this is the first doll she has ever had.<br />
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You put the smiles on these girls' faces!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKSALR36lYnrcJ9CQMNf0zjbzpO_B79cuyAfmaL_GH49OZ7Q3QpQVUZU0ZXSYuiXNVVdOrfz7NC5rP6Q7mqB4Z7dWqfhJe4eZCddtlo5A_io991EQ7S8aC-UsHzWLottrHRyeBTaCseE/s1600/IMG_2212-smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKSALR36lYnrcJ9CQMNf0zjbzpO_B79cuyAfmaL_GH49OZ7Q3QpQVUZU0ZXSYuiXNVVdOrfz7NC5rP6Q7mqB4Z7dWqfhJe4eZCddtlo5A_io991EQ7S8aC-UsHzWLottrHRyeBTaCseE/s1600/IMG_2212-smaller.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yep - if you are donating to our ministry here at Su Refugio, this is a
sample of what we are doing with those donations. We are acting as a
channel for your donations to go straight to the needs at this facility,
caring for children and helping women support their families.<br />
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We have 20 girls that live here, plus two caretakers at all times. On
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays we open the comedor (dining area) to
another 80 or 90 neighborhood children so they can have nutritious meals
three days a week. Obviously Myriam has a lot of food preparation to do
and now that is much easier, thanks to YOUR donations.<br />
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The older girls often helped cut the vegetables for soups and other
meals. Just after preparing this batch, we presented to her the new food
processor YOU provided.<br />
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Giving thanks to God for His provision through you, our donors and supporters.</div>
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If you are already donating, you know how good it feels to be part of
God's work here. If you would like to be part of this ministry, and know
that 100% of your dollars go straight to the need, follow this <a href="http://www.uwm.org/missionaries/bill-stevener" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #6dc6dd; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">link</a>
and click on SUPPORT BILL AND SANDY. You can mail checks to United
World Mission in Charlotte, NC or you can give online (Designation:
Missionary, then select us in the dropdown list).<br />
Your donation is 100% tax-deductible!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31XpII3rJX6NLPk9BAZz8E3wvXkpSeDKBXYAKV7lp-A3SyfNb1x79HtEj-9U7Btl6nEC7anGbViXJCWdvpE1ZLDkUSz9lflieFtKkzB5vXVASoQa61aqU0FjLWFl6Cc52bYd1uJtxk3E/s1600/IMG_2215-cropped-smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-30702121649086441542014-10-13T14:05:00.000-05:002014-10-13T14:10:02.379-05:00Right Place, Right Time - Overcome with Joy!<style>
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</style>On Sunday, October 12, 2014…<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Sandy was at a reception hosted by our friends
Jamie and Gidget Graham and was presenting what we do at Su Refugio to our
support team</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Jessica was in Las Vegas with her daughters
enjoying family time by a swimming pool</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Brian went to a Redskins football game with his
son</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>I was in Paraguay celebrating the fourth
anniversary of the children’s home at Su Refugio</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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I love my wife, my children and my grandchildren, but I am
overcome with joy that I was able to celebrate with my “family” here. You see,
we are caring for 20 girls (actually God is caring for them by using us as His
instruments), girls that were living in high-risk situations in their homes,
girls that the government pulled from their homes and placed with us. When
these girls arrive they are usually shy and often reclusive; not because of
their personality but because of fear from their previous living conditions. It
can take days, weeks or months – sometimes years – before they are able to be
“normal” again.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrLwcZPQcBIMJ2yHH2GN7GSdCRpItYvyOatuwATlpHaiO6-rcYUECX9diFXelJAiHSzWpLoqk8yNggQc3jQ42BGzNWvBMIO2KykIaYR7mUOHYMzqnVL3LwycUIhLkvf6TQ058FDppUd0/s1600/Singing-Smudged_Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrLwcZPQcBIMJ2yHH2GN7GSdCRpItYvyOatuwATlpHaiO6-rcYUECX9diFXelJAiHSzWpLoqk8yNggQc3jQ42BGzNWvBMIO2KykIaYR7mUOHYMzqnVL3LwycUIhLkvf6TQ058FDppUd0/s1600/Singing-Smudged_Small.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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Today…</div>
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-- I saw pictures of four years worth of children that have
passed through this refuge – and every one is special! </div>
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-- I received hugs from many of these girls. </div>
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-- I saw these girls in their dresses they only wear on
special occasions. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-- I heard the testimony of a 13-year old girl that was
baptized last week and knows that God wants her to become a missionary and
study at Palabra de Vida (Word of Life) in Argentina. </div>
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-- I heard these girls sing “Jesus Loves Me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I was overcome with joy that I am now part of what God
started here four years ago, using Wilfrido and Elisa Talavera, Scott and
Michelle Kvandal, and so many others.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, I miss my wife, children and grandchildren, but I would
not trade what I experienced tonight for anything. It was an amazing night.
Thanks be to God!</div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-64445633352298227992014-09-07T08:24:00.003-05:002014-09-07T08:24:47.887-05:00What Happened in August!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2xRlXmAlXp3xhTxqUM8-njs4wDNCc8ug5FrHf-knYeS1vrzEI7IARkp9RKTz6W8jOzhvgkNfTyOJ9QMS_CzQBPI0GAYbUlQRKiEPwoNWPhX7fOM2pHS1P9pOQkYbso5AZEnZ24ef850/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2xRlXmAlXp3xhTxqUM8-njs4wDNCc8ug5FrHf-knYeS1vrzEI7IARkp9RKTz6W8jOzhvgkNfTyOJ9QMS_CzQBPI0GAYbUlQRKiEPwoNWPhX7fOM2pHS1P9pOQkYbso5AZEnZ24ef850/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wsIQH59_7-SXLrWr64aJ0a_F1uQoflrEAbv_uxMAyzCcKDxlPJSOjBOV-8CgOIhiTAH4CMCA7vTjrmsllh5gH-mOKw-qpYhVu5Q_jI0Jqds1HGmNyu5f0xZ1pkhYsma-lo_mvU_0bhM/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wsIQH59_7-SXLrWr64aJ0a_F1uQoflrEAbv_uxMAyzCcKDxlPJSOjBOV-8CgOIhiTAH4CMCA7vTjrmsllh5gH-mOKw-qpYhVu5Q_jI0Jqds1HGmNyu5f0xZ1pkhYsma-lo_mvU_0bhM/s1600/Slide2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-36070302273191984692014-07-27T16:58:00.001-05:002014-07-27T17:20:12.669-05:00Newsletter - July 27, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXIeQ79bftU4KWF-B8NQK-afNPgZy25diFhckhY5FBxo8dd3WoIxsUWkp-yrPLbziHtAgGyD5zedslqMKts-URNwuxfT08p-KKNdpd_pp96LyTalhE5WbGlvxRI8e3YlJsLdzlnLNZfs/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXIeQ79bftU4KWF-B8NQK-afNPgZy25diFhckhY5FBxo8dd3WoIxsUWkp-yrPLbziHtAgGyD5zedslqMKts-URNwuxfT08p-KKNdpd_pp96LyTalhE5WbGlvxRI8e3YlJsLdzlnLNZfs/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtOyvI9UQlaZkklM0J-A_5xx0AOUAT4aChX3TrBO4HXqHJxKOeE7VzAvNGp8AASFmN_kogKW8Qr0vtZDCgGGSbhWOiULWqlVwqv4YBN8Ze10MLa2sRcqMBf4R9GcaqPN4sp_nLq-lLRI/s1600/Update-2014-07-29-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtOyvI9UQlaZkklM0J-A_5xx0AOUAT4aChX3TrBO4HXqHJxKOeE7VzAvNGp8AASFmN_kogKW8Qr0vtZDCgGGSbhWOiULWqlVwqv4YBN8Ze10MLa2sRcqMBf4R9GcaqPN4sp_nLq-lLRI/s1600/Update-2014-07-29-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-66294549212565450182014-06-16T15:52:00.001-05:002014-06-16T15:55:57.764-05:00Urgent Need in the Comedor
<br />
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Three days per week, Pastor Pablo drives the Su Refugio bus into town
and picks up </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">90-95 children</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> we have identified as not receiving proper nutrition.
We bring them out and give them a nourishing meal for their bodies and a
spiritual message for their souls.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LsG6CiAExq-k64PhPcvTaP1vz2LlK7p4CC-0qb1Z6-1vIsifTnTV7T8iQHPo3tYoy_Ls-6PSKofLRzVNZGqBWT_62H0_Ea8VMkY98JeoFaPFBck13fqm2XOkc0kWtgtRzrFpoTEmJJY/s1600/Comedor2014aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LsG6CiAExq-k64PhPcvTaP1vz2LlK7p4CC-0qb1Z6-1vIsifTnTV7T8iQHPo3tYoy_Ls-6PSKofLRzVNZGqBWT_62H0_Ea8VMkY98JeoFaPFBck13fqm2XOkc0kWtgtRzrFpoTEmJJY/s1600/Comedor2014aa.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
local organization had been contributing food and financial donations but has
scaled back their support and we now do not<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> have enough resources to continue at this level. The
total cost for this operation, transportation and food, is about $180 per week,
or $2 per child – about 67 cents per meal.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FijP4QGFi6DnSRwHX72ynVIfm_BZsK5WEKN1WH-0uFOKp5_yCeKAeXj9Z5NNPPlMOUSJ60Lq2McOISPP3d6ine00bNLqLYHACMO_Sr4-gbozVBvq-NcH_nOe9etVxbQUFwJc4q6ZyMA/s1600/Comedor2014cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FijP4QGFi6DnSRwHX72ynVIfm_BZsK5WEKN1WH-0uFOKp5_yCeKAeXj9Z5NNPPlMOUSJ60Lq2McOISPP3d6ine00bNLqLYHACMO_Sr4-gbozVBvq-NcH_nOe9etVxbQUFwJc4q6ZyMA/s1600/Comedor2014cc.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
have an opportunity to make a difference. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">By contributing just $10/week </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">($40/month), you can </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">keep
five children on this list</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">100% of your donation would go to the children </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">– we are covering the
overhead and administrative expenses. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB-0yolB3lmj51zd2Kt7K5bO4L6bpE343tox96szMO58Vn9qqK3bYNFnZMfbtfkB5LYJLZHKvWC9O-uQMSoQe4Q6SKqKSJMehA2BCujE94glXx4JwJ7Ez5Tox-cvHlFpqZBm_H6aDdB0/s1600/Kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB-0yolB3lmj51zd2Kt7K5bO4L6bpE343tox96szMO58Vn9qqK3bYNFnZMfbtfkB5LYJLZHKvWC9O-uQMSoQe4Q6SKqKSJMehA2BCujE94glXx4JwJ7Ez5Tox-cvHlFpqZBm_H6aDdB0/s1600/Kids.jpg" height="256" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although all donations are appreciated, for this need we are really
looking for repeating donations, weekly or monthly, for any amount. Include in
the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Memo </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">or
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Comment </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">section the word “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">comedor</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">” and we will make sure your donation
goes straight to the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">comedor</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">! </span></div>
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Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-51544980175905412162014-05-18T16:35:00.000-05:002014-05-18T20:49:57.032-05:00Do You Know God Like This?<style>
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</style><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>IF
YOU are a Follower of Christ</b>, and have not participated in a worship service in
another culture and another language, you are missing out on a big part of who
God is. It’s one thing to know in your head that God is praised all over the
world, in many cultures and different languages, but until you have personally
been part of it, you cannot fully understand. There are some things you can
only get through personal experience.</span><br />
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
concept of personal experience even applied to Jesus: the bible says…</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seeing
the people</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, He felt compassion
for them</i> – Matthew 9:36;</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When He went ashore, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He saw a large crowd</b>, and felt compassion for them</i> – Matthew
14:14. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Certainly
Jesus <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knew</i></b> about the people, but the bible says that when he <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">saw</i></b>
the people, he had compassion for them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1y4NnjOsa388gUjfMteXuN3nEjhEc88cuKygLaF3GXujwKhZPaOqKBOb4glDXGrlxrW2qds7h77VEWW8f7MyVeL2czviy5bqWFfdCecJpv61lCy4uVhuUPEYzItniKIkUkwasDXrN-w/s1600/DSC_0502-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1y4NnjOsa388gUjfMteXuN3nEjhEc88cuKygLaF3GXujwKhZPaOqKBOb4glDXGrlxrW2qds7h77VEWW8f7MyVeL2czviy5bqWFfdCecJpv61lCy4uVhuUPEYzItniKIkUkwasDXrN-w/s1600/DSC_0502-cropped.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
you are able to see people who do things different from you, eat food you’re
not used to, speak a language different than yours, in a different part of the
world, giving praise to God the same way you do, it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">will</b> change the way you understand God. You will see Him as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">bigger</b> than you could otherwise know.
You will see Him as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">caring</b> for
people you never even dreamed about. You will see how <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">small</b> you are. You will see how <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">blessed</b> you are that you can be part of such a large family. And if
you are a servant of His, you will know how <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">privileged</b> you are to be chosen to serve.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh1DRf_VewmMxJnBtIlQU0kolQlzuKB5yKBJnHl1FYCVBPbI_SQSBOkGMwBmgaa280xuLFC0kokcc6v84wLMZQH130FAzGlpQBGX09_8IpHRnvchFGMfafGRVhl5WDGjzTg5_Z178Hmw/s1600/Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh1DRf_VewmMxJnBtIlQU0kolQlzuKB5yKBJnHl1FYCVBPbI_SQSBOkGMwBmgaa280xuLFC0kokcc6v84wLMZQH130FAzGlpQBGX09_8IpHRnvchFGMfafGRVhl5WDGjzTg5_Z178Hmw/s1600/Hands.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
have been fortunate enough to see people praise God in six different languages.
I have seen preachers fervently preach and teach about God in six languages. I
have an appreciation for how vast God is because of these experiences, yet
still, with each worship service in another culture, I am amazed at the great
size of our God and the impact He is having, at least in the parts of the world
I have been able to visit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsaWXO8lDcdf_ovP4DPi-HxBXqL9JOe4oiI8DSeVuBHe98gcSw1rglC2o64qHnY_i1kpM_Z9m2z7WTNUG8Qxl93dRI_4PszlA0TCm8vdbxdXNCQkJnd-wDRBPgN6DWKdIenbhGDItYMU/s1600/DSC_0569-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsaWXO8lDcdf_ovP4DPi-HxBXqL9JOe4oiI8DSeVuBHe98gcSw1rglC2o64qHnY_i1kpM_Z9m2z7WTNUG8Qxl93dRI_4PszlA0TCm8vdbxdXNCQkJnd-wDRBPgN6DWKdIenbhGDItYMU/s1600/DSC_0569-cropped.jpg" height="320" width="296" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My plea to you
is simply this</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:
visit another country where the language and culture is different from yours,
and attend a worship service. If you do not know the language, by all means go
with someone that can translate for you. See the passion of the people as they
sing the words that you may not understand, see the enthusiasm of the preacher as he proclaims God’s
message and know he is teaching about the same God and the same bible you know, be changed for the better! <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You
will not regret it!</b></span></div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-32304452697367926402014-05-08T18:58:00.004-05:002014-05-08T18:58:43.114-05:00You bought the bins!
<br />
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Remember our call for
donations to buy bins so we could sort and organize the material and supplies
that had been donated? Here are some before and after pictures of the material
in suitcases, empty boxes, and empty shelves.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">WITH YOUR DONATIONS we were able
to buy all the bins we needed and Sandy and another “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">tia</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">” sorted and filtered
the donations so now we know what we have and can easily find what we need!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">THANK YOU!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Before:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlKXKchVLXpk83l1Z-tBLKDasaplpACQ9iE3KCMVBONJGxrSjeP9TbNm2-Fw0r9wT-fRwi-o6n7d4HqrjoJKxhqEvm_uLzxZdwSYt7OAw3-HaD6TMlywBa5WT6A_xTVhwWidcqspqs6c/s1600/suitcase-notions-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlKXKchVLXpk83l1Z-tBLKDasaplpACQ9iE3KCMVBONJGxrSjeP9TbNm2-Fw0r9wT-fRwi-o6n7d4HqrjoJKxhqEvm_uLzxZdwSYt7OAw3-HaD6TMlywBa5WT6A_xTVhwWidcqspqs6c/s1600/suitcase-notions-small.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIN1lBeMe6jvhSDsx6m4RAXj7zbqGhx26P7bb0SXSE6dY38EC014mDwdg6Jp8D7QP1JTwMZCjwJohnWx9E5XeyrxzLcqekaJdFUoO5TTcab2L8yZ7QPKpAnkwwXh9dUSH8LFy5tPd4p8/s1600/suitcases-material-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIN1lBeMe6jvhSDsx6m4RAXj7zbqGhx26P7bb0SXSE6dY38EC014mDwdg6Jp8D7QP1JTwMZCjwJohnWx9E5XeyrxzLcqekaJdFUoO5TTcab2L8yZ7QPKpAnkwwXh9dUSH8LFy5tPd4p8/s1600/suitcases-material-small.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidweCIFg2loLecESSS7KE2c89xd3xylfVJ-_TA4scZJCCVYVF2e_THORV-LlAQD2WPO-S9k4FIPuqJ4UgkgRsExHH-4GLV73POV5pvBgYcDzYt2DOrb98vc33j4AgM6wfImW0J1DmH3vU/s1600/CDE-EmptyShelves-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidweCIFg2loLecESSS7KE2c89xd3xylfVJ-_TA4scZJCCVYVF2e_THORV-LlAQD2WPO-S9k4FIPuqJ4UgkgRsExHH-4GLV73POV5pvBgYcDzYt2DOrb98vc33j4AgM6wfImW0J1DmH3vU/s1600/CDE-EmptyShelves-small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">After:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYLnR2bw9ict7ON_Y9eyYgNsEDpa_L6PDX2pJGxqAF4yWkpoVXLGraB2lXCt7upHz1FLJ-kuDSQK8hhX77ZzUcCign2_pgb3hgtorWQF7GV9utyWlzZfLYlq2f_5htUx1nJrn3FF-M4M/s1600/Sandy-Sorting-Bins-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYLnR2bw9ict7ON_Y9eyYgNsEDpa_L6PDX2pJGxqAF4yWkpoVXLGraB2lXCt7upHz1FLJ-kuDSQK8hhX77ZzUcCign2_pgb3hgtorWQF7GV9utyWlzZfLYlq2f_5htUx1nJrn3FF-M4M/s1600/Sandy-Sorting-Bins-small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KCHgFpb2IFkVhh8kqoq-gbYUBIkDhGZLZdm5dEr9l3c1Qw8OJGluOrsZvu21UhRsCB9IjZc8fAqf_5AvdhQvp9YFb454oHrbe8OjzxU-87gsQdcrx4yZLN_zSERhejYyVgR1aOlyqgs/s1600/Deposito-ShelvesFilled-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KCHgFpb2IFkVhh8kqoq-gbYUBIkDhGZLZdm5dEr9l3c1Qw8OJGluOrsZvu21UhRsCB9IjZc8fAqf_5AvdhQvp9YFb454oHrbe8OjzxU-87gsQdcrx4yZLN_zSERhejYyVgR1aOlyqgs/s1600/Deposito-ShelvesFilled-small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-44151709722828269382014-03-28T10:23:00.002-05:002014-03-28T10:23:57.533-05:00Can Prayer Be Unwanted?
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This morning I was reading through Proverbs 28 and verse 9
really stuck out:</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He who turns away his ear from listening to
the law,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even
his prayer is an abomi</i><i>nation.</i> – Proverbs 28:9</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember where the Bible says husbands that don’t live
with their wives in an understanding way can have their prayers hindered (1
Peter 3:7), but he<span id="goog_1792944895"></span><span id="goog_1792944896"></span>re we are told prayers can be an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">abomination</i> to God. [<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abomination</i>:
a vile, shameful, or detestable action; hateful beyond belief.]</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M4UE3E9C-EJ8usVFiYLyvN7ZMJp-M8JJiLxNAdOKs7qBFnO8S5a1G3qN7ziezptfDZGnHaxDFnZaGoz6XcG1f4BPvpjKrrXISjXYpQvMOOdc1SSZQElsCZByoLLWz_923EExBr3Vtb0/s1600/Disgust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M4UE3E9C-EJ8usVFiYLyvN7ZMJp-M8JJiLxNAdOKs7qBFnO8S5a1G3qN7ziezptfDZGnHaxDFnZaGoz6XcG1f4BPvpjKrrXISjXYpQvMOOdc1SSZQElsCZByoLLWz_923EExBr3Vtb0/s1600/Disgust.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who is the person that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">turns
away his ear from listening to the law</i>? This would be someone who knows
God’s law, who knows what God desires, yet turns away from these things because
it might not be convenient for them. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">These
people are everywhere!</b> I think Solomon is referring not so much to
unbelievers, because they don’t generally know God’s law, but to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">believers</b> – people who call themselves
Christians and may even be going to church.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that is the danger. There are many people who know God’s
law but have turned their ears away from His law, looking for something they
want to hear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For
the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to
suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers
to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away
from the truth and turn aside to myths.</i> – 2 Timothy 4:3-4</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bn9MwXMARlCZoKHnXlEFYnxhtMpxhvurvOtmRyuhvqUKroyBXOdb2ZM8kHjqrNtyhU_Mxrre7QFmZrqwCqrSzENblZCcdCIvGBF3t0u8gHQ63STqf1zVJrzMLiucHLpgWw2M6ocqW5A/s1600/Defiant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bn9MwXMARlCZoKHnXlEFYnxhtMpxhvurvOtmRyuhvqUKroyBXOdb2ZM8kHjqrNtyhU_Mxrre7QFmZrqwCqrSzENblZCcdCIvGBF3t0u8gHQ63STqf1zVJrzMLiucHLpgWw2M6ocqW5A/s1600/Defiant.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How do you know if you have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">turned your ear from listening to the law</i>? Don’t look at your
heart, for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The heart is deceitful above
all things and beyond cure</i> (Jeremiah 17:9). Instead, look at your actions,
look at how you are living your life. Certainly your actions do nothing for
your salvation, but your actions and how you live your life are a reflection of
your faith and your belief (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">faith without
works is useless</i> – James 2:20).
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Message translates Proverbs 28:9 like this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God
has no use for the prayers</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>of
the people who won’t listen to him.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you listening to God’s word, or have you turned your ear,
deciding there are parts of God’s law that just don’t fit into your life at
this time? Or are you enjoying the benefits of being a child of God?</div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-14809467707346690572014-03-21T12:52:00.001-05:002014-03-21T12:52:25.399-05:00Can you afford $6 to buy a plastic bin?
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We have received donations of yarn, material and sewing
notions, but all of it is still in the suitcases and cardboard boxes they came
in. As we develop the Center of Hope, we want to use these items to <b>teach women
to sew</b>, knit, cut hair (not with these items, of course!), and other skills to
help them support their families.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9W4QPYeaDyDF9Q8MeMYZGEWDctl5f8at0MY74rxxMAauQ5txCjWF6EnDoblW1X9KVfqLT6Avo_3pGBoRy4U6zThgJN7tqFOwQPz2rjHPsaOkr5B761g-pSsCXWsBzrdN-8fYVFo1O90/s1600/suitcases-material-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9W4QPYeaDyDF9Q8MeMYZGEWDctl5f8at0MY74rxxMAauQ5txCjWF6EnDoblW1X9KVfqLT6Avo_3pGBoRy4U6zThgJN7tqFOwQPz2rjHPsaOkr5B761g-pSsCXWsBzrdN-8fYVFo1O90/s1600/suitcases-material-small.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58c_fT-hiPrnMEAgHxXMFGi0rhWknH6b57WGAMsQecU3UMMXXkgOVhj9hpLXJWmXLcRVeh0zBksN3QT3uicskiq5bsZphGieYUYiLTwz8bh9vI-5W5xjAQQoansiQPFnnYpYMt7sbZp8/s1600/suitcase-notions-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58c_fT-hiPrnMEAgHxXMFGi0rhWknH6b57WGAMsQecU3UMMXXkgOVhj9hpLXJWmXLcRVeh0zBksN3QT3uicskiq5bsZphGieYUYiLTwz8bh9vI-5W5xjAQQoansiQPFnnYpYMt7sbZp8/s1600/suitcase-notions-small.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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As you can see, we have a storeroom full of empty shelves.
We don’t really want to put suitcases full of material on these shelves; can
you imagine trying to find what you want?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7vJ1Jjd67zz7sY1qnKk9EgYRqbJrPQXVxHyNAmZofNee_xM5HHTNRA7KX22_DsAoF6QGQG0v4IxLKI3Snic4Zxhwn80fAvEiVZymJUm_vBb7ctGYylL7hk1ebUx2SsTViuO4W2ohuEE/s1600/CDE-EmptyShelves-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7vJ1Jjd67zz7sY1qnKk9EgYRqbJrPQXVxHyNAmZofNee_xM5HHTNRA7KX22_DsAoF6QGQG0v4IxLKI3Snic4Zxhwn80fAvEiVZymJUm_vBb7ctGYylL7hk1ebUx2SsTViuO4W2ohuEE/s1600/CDE-EmptyShelves-small.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We are giving you an opportunity to help</b> (<span style="color: #38761d;">by asking for your
direct support</span>). For $6 you can buy a 12-liter plastic bin; for $6.50 you can
buy a 20-liter bin; for $8.50 you can buy a larger bin (I don’t remember the
size).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWtx9zPMgCB3WBLv2WyAiVnMfZyn7CUBjfUNdY2vnWEKIa0RSDEXJAoCF3SaKEieRjL1rmoTHOnPtYcWACI7exioy14HgR0k69s_MOIUVj1bgNQhrkvexLQ-e-hyhEyfvC_3Qa4HoXCQ/s1600/Bin-12Litros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWtx9zPMgCB3WBLv2WyAiVnMfZyn7CUBjfUNdY2vnWEKIa0RSDEXJAoCF3SaKEieRjL1rmoTHOnPtYcWACI7exioy14HgR0k69s_MOIUVj1bgNQhrkvexLQ-e-hyhEyfvC_3Qa4HoXCQ/s1600/Bin-12Litros.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a 12-liter bin, cost = US $6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVAvJH8REjF7Ndk0rxMFS8nNrbz-8eK1Mdvc2tmxgPM4_fvB5FZ2uVE9mecNUARsdHX2Dbc9KT4olY_xaoK4i_5swOELFB85n7MwuIeBD4FmCX96x7vxnEK0HC3iAJUkZ-QeaPbpks28/s1600/Bin-20Litros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVAvJH8REjF7Ndk0rxMFS8nNrbz-8eK1Mdvc2tmxgPM4_fvB5FZ2uVE9mecNUARsdHX2Dbc9KT4olY_xaoK4i_5swOELFB85n7MwuIeBD4FmCX96x7vxnEK0HC3iAJUkZ-QeaPbpks28/s1600/Bin-20Litros.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a 20-liter bin, cost = US $6.50</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgYCrBnCZfxFSs_b9jKyDO4u48qvO3Dz73xfAR8YrmPstEC7AzGo-6pK7CPd9IyiaLMXoYyQbWD7YkTuJI-WBKYfVWB0dP1doQBLOCnH02fbmNZtEJtoU7XTpVx_lriUt0unnbbvNrUw/s1600/Bin-PurpleLid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgYCrBnCZfxFSs_b9jKyDO4u48qvO3Dz73xfAR8YrmPstEC7AzGo-6pK7CPd9IyiaLMXoYyQbWD7YkTuJI-WBKYfVWB0dP1doQBLOCnH02fbmNZtEJtoU7XTpVx_lriUt0unnbbvNrUw/s1600/Bin-PurpleLid.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a larger bin, cost = US $8</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PLEASE</b></span>, consider buying 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 bins for us. <span style="color: #351c75;">You
send us the money and we will buy the bins!</span> How else can you contribute
directly to needs in-the-field?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since we’re in Paraguay, how can you send us the money? It’s
a few keystrokes away (if you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> to
do it, you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> do it – but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">will</b> you do it?)…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>go
to <a href="http://www.uwm.org/">www.uwm.org</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>click
on GIVE<br />
you can mail a check to the address shown, or use a credit card…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>click
on GIVE ONLINE (for credit cards)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>under
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Designation</i>, select <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Missionary</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>below
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Missionary</i>, scroll down and select <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stevener, Bill & Sandy – 27668</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>to
the right, in the amount area, enter how much you want to spend on the bins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>click
“Add” to finish this part of the form</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>continue
to fill out the rest form (name, address, credit card info, etc)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please send us an email or FB message letting you
know how many and what size bins you want to buy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks!</div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-18848028223694776922014-03-18T13:44:00.000-05:002014-03-18T13:46:44.242-05:00Schooled by a 7-year old!Sunday morning service was held in the amphitheater because
we had no electricity on the complex, hence no fans in the church building.
When it came time to pass the offering bag, the usher first passed it to the
group of adults and older kids. When it got to me, I was going to pass it over
to the younger kids, but the usher asked for the bag directly. I gave it to him
and he passed it to the other adults and older kids. Eventually the bag made it
back to me from the side of the younger kids, and I noticed they were all
putting in their coins.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlae-QhdWo1miVQc7edm5c83KjEs5sxYTAcaPfGKFDE6azb5efPjQWWxFAb1g0Hc-K8nlEbUGhDD-o2fyQwULJABVgGZCUn5eGxmPuwoiS-3UZWd8T1HnT_cfdU1_9wC8d_0BM02y67cA/s1600/IMG_0427-Cropped-Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlae-QhdWo1miVQc7edm5c83KjEs5sxYTAcaPfGKFDE6azb5efPjQWWxFAb1g0Hc-K8nlEbUGhDD-o2fyQwULJABVgGZCUn5eGxmPuwoiS-3UZWd8T1HnT_cfdU1_9wC8d_0BM02y67cA/s1600/IMG_0427-Cropped-Small.jpg" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apparently the offering bag had bypassed one of the younger
girls. After the usher had collected the bag and was putting it away, this
young girl came quickly and put her coins in, also. That act made a big
impression on me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Admittedly, there have been times when an offering bag
didn’t make it to where I was sitting and I was content to save my offering for
another time. This girl was different. She had a choice: save her offering
money for something she might like, or give it to God’s work in the church.
After all, no one would know if she didn’t make her offering. It wasn’t her
fault the bag didn’t get to her. She was willing to give, but didn’t have to
make the extra effort. But she did. Wow!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How many reasons do we come up with for not giving? Who else
can learn from this little girl? Giving is a privilege, not an obligation. Take
advantage of it!</div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-61322808574850043342014-02-22T13:02:00.001-06:002014-02-22T13:04:41.915-06:00Being "In the Loop"We’ve heard this phrase over and over… <b>keep me in the loop</b>.
What does that mean? Does it mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I want
to know what’s going on</i>? Does it mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
want to be part of the action</i> [<span style="color: blue;">but from a distance</span>]? Does it mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Keep doing what you’re doing; just let me
know what you’re doing</i>? A few days ago I got to see what “being in the loop”
was all about.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aB-TFCUKTVaIAdYwEgnyDKU9Z53zIL_8YQA46SHcQEd5xlpEQjWc24IIqr-w8apOUowxNSPq7wYue1LZuu5PnHe_chQj8qoqxInYmqadlIf3a5_VHAMZZdrJ0xAkvnsXkhml6EgRmXI/s1600/Comedor3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aB-TFCUKTVaIAdYwEgnyDKU9Z53zIL_8YQA46SHcQEd5xlpEQjWc24IIqr-w8apOUowxNSPq7wYue1LZuu5PnHe_chQj8qoqxInYmqadlIf3a5_VHAMZZdrJ0xAkvnsXkhml6EgRmXI/s1600/Comedor3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the 40+ from the town that come to our feeding program.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here at Su Refugio in Paraguay, we have many of God’s
blessings, two of which are <b><span style="color: #38761d;">extremely pure artesian water</span></b> from deep below the
ground and <b><span style="color: #38761d;">children</span></b>. You see, we have a feeding program here for many of the
under-nourished children from the neighboring town of Tobati. Three times a
week we go into town at lunchtime to pickup these children (sometimes 40, sometimes 70), bring them out to
Su Refugio, and provide two meals for them: one from the kitchen and another
from the heart – the gospel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzCX_8jtpN_X4XIom1NNQUvUxVymX43OJsSjqQ8z3eJwCRspuUeSkYDvLFJ_0Cfh_TTtFafbjaLH9Tp99vKcWu1f3-fRVPWVneuZC7sCD3tBkiHXxtQMy-2xrWn2icTO_NecHTihb2cc/s1600/Comedor1Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzCX_8jtpN_X4XIom1NNQUvUxVymX43OJsSjqQ8z3eJwCRspuUeSkYDvLFJ_0Cfh_TTtFafbjaLH9Tp99vKcWu1f3-fRVPWVneuZC7sCD3tBkiHXxtQMy-2xrWn2icTO_NecHTihb2cc/s1600/Comedor1Cropped.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
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I had the opportunity to help serve these children. After
making sure they all had plates of food I was taking around pitchers of God’s
pure artesian water. As I saw the children stretching out their arms with the
metal cups to receive this water, I realized how blessed I was to be “in the
loop” for passing God’s blessings on to these children.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Next time you hear that phrase, “in the loop”, ask yourself
if you are in the loop for passing God's blessings on to others.</div>
<br />Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-64758790153151169432014-02-09T14:08:00.002-06:002014-02-09T14:27:04.277-06:00Travel and PreparationsOn Wednesday, February 12, I (Bill) will be leaving Costa
Rica again, this time for Paraguay.<br />
<br />
On Saturday, February 15, Su Refugio will be celebrating the
grand opening of the Centro de Esperanza (Center of Hope). This long-awaited
facility is where we will focus our attention on training the people,
especially, the women, of Tobati in skills so they can start small businesses that we hope will help them support
their families.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50Lg4tghBlZ4Eudf2NssS1fo8ROe2CvP1bPNiqvLwO1iRHXH9hvOUCVDtNrObRyq9u-4AR8DbbHwl5EeSHRVF7zOve2eq2jNhAhUZN9xuYcj2QbylkloQgj-A4NAYDghtqk_uJbyeIAw/s1600/CenterOfHope-construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50Lg4tghBlZ4Eudf2NssS1fo8ROe2CvP1bPNiqvLwO1iRHXH9hvOUCVDtNrObRyq9u-4AR8DbbHwl5EeSHRVF7zOve2eq2jNhAhUZN9xuYcj2QbylkloQgj-A4NAYDghtqk_uJbyeIAw/s1600/CenterOfHope-construction.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the Center of Hope - 1 week before the grand opening!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the photo, taken from the main entrance of the building,
there is one large meeting room on the left and two smaller classrooms on the
right. The large central part of the facility is open to allow for large
gatherings. At the back of the building are two small 1-bedroom apartments.<br />
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Sandy and I will be co-directors for the use of the facility,
coordinating the activities and trying to make sure everything runs smoothly.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Another reason I am going to Paraguay is to hopefully
finalize our purchase of a piece of land so we can start construction on a new
house. While we were in Paraguay a couple months ago, we discovered there are
very few houses for rent (we didn’t find any available) and only a few houses for
sale. The price to buy a house, and then make repairs, was as much as it would
cost for us to buy the land and build the house that we want.</div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1m67P0avJu2WZeSDuhkarvPCXchI86RliwI3DmjMHU0Mr5KG9JO9Sb-CTlPj8CuomTrkDzih6s58ZMBF5cvD41UoPE9DiX6hZeeKd3nlLfFPnkcCDLhN8e2F8DPQ_n-KclIOMDEgAN4/s1600/Tobati-House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1m67P0avJu2WZeSDuhkarvPCXchI86RliwI3DmjMHU0Mr5KG9JO9Sb-CTlPj8CuomTrkDzih6s58ZMBF5cvD41UoPE9DiX6hZeeKd3nlLfFPnkcCDLhN8e2F8DPQ_n-KclIOMDEgAN4/s1600/Tobati-House.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tobati, Paraguay - Su Refugio to the south, and where we want to build</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Paraguay does not use an escrow system, so it is basically
bring a pen and a bucket of money: sign the papers and hand over the bucket. We
tried doing this from Costa Rica but it just didn’t work out. Without an escrow
system, we could not find a way to get the money to Paraguay. We don’t have a
bank account, the person I gave power of attorney to sign for me does not have
a bank account, and the people we know with bank accounts did not want to
accept large transfers for fear of government investigations as to why they
were receiving so much money. Banks trying to avoid money-laundering have
created problems like this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48ViSX3IY13G_M1F7AnRWqOHzQC-qmJ8wDIKlTF4GnPKJZl4PkUGZdXoIHm7b8QirX_QeP7h2aUD7mDmJUzC-aBe3Rhnn-etO1JBnRel5qWeHlZOzbpDg3oeXmdiIw4LoasHPYXgR5Yg/s1600/Tobati-House-Zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48ViSX3IY13G_M1F7AnRWqOHzQC-qmJ8wDIKlTF4GnPKJZl4PkUGZdXoIHm7b8QirX_QeP7h2aUD7mDmJUzC-aBe3Rhnn-etO1JBnRel5qWeHlZOzbpDg3oeXmdiIw4LoasHPYXgR5Yg/s1600/Tobati-House-Zoom.jpg" height="400" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of the land we are trying to buy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Prayer requests:</span></b></span></div>
<ul>
<li>safe travels (I will be carrying a lot of money – but less
than the $10,000 limit!)</li>
<li>good weather and turnout for the grand opening – that people
will come to learn more about Su Refugio</li>
<li>clean transaction while buying the land – we already know
the homeowner adjacent to the land we want built his house slightly over the
property line and we have to fix the documents, in addition to buying the land…
Welcome to Paraguay! I was told</li>
</ul>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-41802974484952310322014-01-26T18:49:00.000-06:002014-01-26T18:49:07.059-06:00Where Are We, Paraguay or Costa Rica?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVGgNCwBjkiV8SYusvovHrOLQd-ufL7gdMPq0LTq4cyTHU9PEzk3IH5b277IzSMFbxXhhXOe3pWDpWfJDwvFaTTMAoyKj1Df-8f0cpoUeXjMqs6wqC1Vflvm42PA3zM4xh7jnKLrHEfM/s1600/IMG_2752-Smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVGgNCwBjkiV8SYusvovHrOLQd-ufL7gdMPq0LTq4cyTHU9PEzk3IH5b277IzSMFbxXhhXOe3pWDpWfJDwvFaTTMAoyKj1Df-8f0cpoUeXjMqs6wqC1Vflvm42PA3zM4xh7jnKLrHEfM/s1600/IMG_2752-Smaller.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Once we completed our coursework in the US (a week-long
interpersonal skills workshop and a four week intercultural missionary course),
we left the US to spend three weeks in Paraguay. We hired a “handler” to help
us navigate the immigration offices and translate, validate, and file our
permanent residency paperwork. We also took some time to visit with the
families we know there and looked for housing options: no rentals available so
we will have to buy a house or build one!</div>
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As of January 5<sup>th</sup>, we are in Costa Rica to begin
five months of language training, primarily for Sandy but also for Bill. While
Sandy is in her classes, 7:30 am – 12:10 pm, Monday – Friday, Bill is helping
in the school that teaches the missionary children, as well as some of the
local Costa Rican children. He will be teaching computer applications, two
Spanish math classes, and tutoring several students that need help with math.
In the afternoons while Sandy is doing her homework, Bill will be getting
Spanish tutoring of his own three days per week and tutoring another Costa
Rican student to help prepare him for upcoming English exams, and in February
Bill will be teaching an ESL class with AMCA, a Christian youth organization.
Needless to say, we have a full schedule!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZI_NyOzrNTiK3U1dWfuYMS5Lj1GooLXExTVUYK2H-JSlBLDeJr5Kok_g1R76BfOTtu-tQU-Lt2fK_7OSLMX2RHYMv057oQRp6kT_uuwwg6tWYOiSBCuhca9WFgg2XlOA-v5QJQdQ8xM/s1600/IMG_2804-smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZI_NyOzrNTiK3U1dWfuYMS5Lj1GooLXExTVUYK2H-JSlBLDeJr5Kok_g1R76BfOTtu-tQU-Lt2fK_7OSLMX2RHYMv057oQRp6kT_uuwwg6tWYOiSBCuhca9WFgg2XlOA-v5QJQdQ8xM/s1600/IMG_2804-smaller.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s easy to get focused on our various tasks, to get
discouraged by the piles of verbs, confusing sentence structures, dirty streets
and broken concrete but God sends us reminders of the beauty that surrounds us
each and every day. We wake up to the beautiful smiling faces of the wonderful
family that takes care of us so we can focus on our learning and we even have
fuzzy flowers to make us smile!</div>
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<br /></div>
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The first of June, we plan to return to Paraguay and start
to get settled, buying a car, a house, furniture for the house, etc.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwSASebcxa9RQ7I_WMyh8_6olJZpnCJAWSPOIOsqJiC9_AG5DejLWHxerFtjfK3Fg8RIWyOmQ7Kyr9DQ31-Fl-9SRT7W_Ag-aEMBlFKVLkj_mQ5M-2YpVyDNY5fgt8U1pDdLHDReZnI0/s1600/IMG_4751-smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwSASebcxa9RQ7I_WMyh8_6olJZpnCJAWSPOIOsqJiC9_AG5DejLWHxerFtjfK3Fg8RIWyOmQ7Kyr9DQ31-Fl-9SRT7W_Ag-aEMBlFKVLkj_mQ5M-2YpVyDNY5fgt8U1pDdLHDReZnI0/s1600/IMG_4751-smaller.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Prayer requests:<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>that we learn and retain as much Spanish as
possible<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>that Daisy and Rudolpho (our host family here in
Costa Rica) continue to see God’s blessings in their lives</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>that the Holy Spirit would continue working in
Paraguay, preparing the hearts of the people we will be serving</li>
</ul>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-24807576796097540532014-01-18T16:51:00.002-06:002014-01-18T17:18:08.301-06:00What's In a Name?LAM? UWM? Su Refugio? What’s going on? Are you trying to
hide something?<br />
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<br /></div>
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Those of you supporting us financially may have noticed a
change after the first of the year… allow me to explain.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdKDdbmJpBYco4I_LdAP6deMrqp6TY9Do7c4UypoZSD7Nku5bgZ69fubpXmTF2BmZaEIWjkoYY4G5d9kf2iphaFuQTYRoZ5Xkk5OcN9q5FvDI3j6s0WAK5fkK4HQ5jThN_zuAOGolv34/s1600/SuRefugioDark.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdKDdbmJpBYco4I_LdAP6deMrqp6TY9Do7c4UypoZSD7Nku5bgZ69fubpXmTF2BmZaEIWjkoYY4G5d9kf2iphaFuQTYRoZ5Xkk5OcN9q5FvDI3j6s0WAK5fkK4HQ5jThN_zuAOGolv34/s1600/SuRefugioDark.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIYvgg0HYG_HxbitgUikJi8aj__oFT73WMXi1n_lQYPmhcm0ytw4naPPS58AFAekjHZHvhkRz9I5C1l1f45LRR9NKi8V3WrQgBLdf282fiYAeeKDSPPqnGiZJbR1MbZV-kbQ75hGzGjw/s1600/LAMLogo_onWhite-Trimmed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIYvgg0HYG_HxbitgUikJi8aj__oFT73WMXi1n_lQYPmhcm0ytw4naPPS58AFAekjHZHvhkRz9I5C1l1f45LRR9NKi8V3WrQgBLdf282fiYAeeKDSPPqnGiZJbR1MbZV-kbQ75hGzGjw/s1600/LAMLogo_onWhite-Trimmed.jpg" height="123" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnnZxb9f1Px-o0ejo3pU-c2MvV6rxSwxGKKQSlGgVRwsYqH5u2fPWkXSP0M3E3coZmVfTJJqw__PiaUc57VeX_8KSI-b1BLRKq-rj5x_lo2YU_tFtIDGZKM2DpeJDLgvsH2JshN8PsJo/s1600/UWMlogo-Black-Trimmed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnnZxb9f1Px-o0ejo3pU-c2MvV6rxSwxGKKQSlGgVRwsYqH5u2fPWkXSP0M3E3coZmVfTJJqw__PiaUc57VeX_8KSI-b1BLRKq-rj5x_lo2YU_tFtIDGZKM2DpeJDLgvsH2JshN8PsJo/s1600/UWMlogo-Black-Trimmed.png" /></a></div>
<br />
We are (will be) working for <b>Su Refugio</b> Ministries in
Paraguay. <b><span style="color: #990000;">Latin America Mission</span></b> (LAM) is an organization that partners with
existing ministries in Latin America, like Su Refugio. LAM is the mission
organization that handles some of our state-side logistics, such as collecting
donations, sending the funds to us when we have ministry expenses, and handling
our IRS/tax obligations.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>United World Mission</b></span> (UWM) is an organization similar to LAM
that does the same thing as LAM (partnering with existing ministries) but it
works world-wide, not just in Latin America.</div>
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On January 1, LAM and UWM merged, closing the LAM offices in
Miami, FL and moving their functions to the UWM offices in Charlotte, NC.
Because of this merger, UWM is now collecting our donations, sending them to us
when we have ministry expenses, and handling our IRS/tax obligations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any donations you setup through LAM, through their website,
telephone, or mail, have automatically been transferred to UWM (so I’ve been
told!). </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want to start donations for us, here is the
procedure:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>go
to the UWM website: <a href="http://www.uwm.org/">http://www.uwm.org</a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>click
on GIVE</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>mail
a check to the address indicated (include a note the gift is for Bill &
Sandy Stevener)<br />
-or- click on GIVE ONLINE… if you are giving online, a new window will appear…</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>under
the <i>Designation</i> label, select <i>Missionary</i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>below
<i>Missionary</i>, scroll down and select <b>Stevener, Bill & Sandy – 27668</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>to
the right, in the amount area, enter the amount</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>click
“Add” to finish this part of the form</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 8)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>continue
to fill out the rest of the form with your name, address, frequency, etc</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have any questions, you can call UWM at 800-825-5896,
Monday-Friday between 8am - 5pm EST. You can also call one of us at
702-866-9548.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOTE: LAM and UWM are both 501(c)3 organizations and your
donations are fully tax-deductible.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks!</div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-6613272699086030552013-12-24T16:29:00.001-06:002013-12-24T16:29:50.910-06:00Do You Believe?<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Making a list and checking it twice.... but this list
has nothing to do with who is naughty or nice....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vCqGVrPtvAwY-nAKl6QmjoSuIsa3FIMHO2YMWsxnvd600yRPyPKuvuDY0R5B7wCH0d9BNSc_fwJ2F8OUy1-or1bpPoAj18fmOOTzY1HR180ej9Go6BO26R8Q3aZ_XHyx7OqeKsxJc45S/s1600/IMG_4497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vCqGVrPtvAwY-nAKl6QmjoSuIsa3FIMHO2YMWsxnvd600yRPyPKuvuDY0R5B7wCH0d9BNSc_fwJ2F8OUy1-or1bpPoAj18fmOOTzY1HR180ej9Go6BO26R8Q3aZ_XHyx7OqeKsxJc45S/s320/IMG_4497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> We had the opportunity to go out with Pastor Pablo and
his wife Stella to deliver Christmas gifts to the children that live in Tobati
and come three days a week for a feeding program and gospel message here at Su
Refugio. These children are from very poor families and the meals they receive
are the only healthy food they get. Su Refugio would like to feed them five
days a week but does not have the funds. These gifts were donations from the
U.S. and a local supermercado but ultimately they are gifts from the Lord
himself and are a small example of what He has given us. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cPwzlyHKxB4nPgsZ6L9gshnkn__j6ozkQ3-IcETbUL6CcaGPJmI5_miwPWM13xDYePwvyaj3q0aD9SbXzsQA9AhKmz1qXJkgBmT729hC2EKT_eDQsZgGcD_lX4NMZrhHbDf85rFD9QtS/s1600/IMG_4500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cPwzlyHKxB4nPgsZ6L9gshnkn__j6ozkQ3-IcETbUL6CcaGPJmI5_miwPWM13xDYePwvyaj3q0aD9SbXzsQA9AhKmz1qXJkgBmT729hC2EKT_eDQsZgGcD_lX4NMZrhHbDf85rFD9QtS/s320/IMG_4500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDCqJPogUgrBKHyE0xBy1z4YAyLCZnwRepbl1CUd72QAxeaJUvhYV6eY2nRkt_1PAullw5tsyEe8DJ7KeBY_mwocYoBwY6mJsEKaU23wiRG9CV1Fqn1w7Yi_3ueKcGRexK7O3bV1pRbbo/s1600/IMG_4504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDCqJPogUgrBKHyE0xBy1z4YAyLCZnwRepbl1CUd72QAxeaJUvhYV6eY2nRkt_1PAullw5tsyEe8DJ7KeBY_mwocYoBwY6mJsEKaU23wiRG9CV1Fqn1w7Yi_3ueKcGRexK7O3bV1pRbbo/s320/IMG_4504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4ZGfQmlzkQP5C-rz85GL9vHtq75ZaQeS8TB1pOshswYwDMzHrW_YpRq1S3ocDNHPQjTw29rzJL7Fzit1XAbcijocVqzNqg_vStgg66LNwuhysFl9KqGL7xshqt0kmnK_2l_MXWpCo8vr/s1600/IMG_4507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4ZGfQmlzkQP5C-rz85GL9vHtq75ZaQeS8TB1pOshswYwDMzHrW_YpRq1S3ocDNHPQjTw29rzJL7Fzit1XAbcijocVqzNqg_vStgg66LNwuhysFl9KqGL7xshqt0kmnK_2l_MXWpCo8vr/s320/IMG_4507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">As we were delivering them it reminded me of our
traditions of Santa. Even our traditions enforce the belief that we have to
earn everything we get. If you're not good then Santa will put coal in your
stocking; if you are good you get presents! What kind of message does that send
to our children? One of unconditional love? I think not.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVhcQAhM8bQ_KzCqm_UNzRjKmGi0XmpTtR2xBR1lH4_W6wdMmJ6CaONkircSKMaROa3HrjVvJyqeurPG6c3PYUmPW6ZR0GEyGX2Ary-gK3e120i9B4x1RqtApvDmYvxQAnSNIwaWlWx1l/s1600/IMG_4510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVhcQAhM8bQ_KzCqm_UNzRjKmGi0XmpTtR2xBR1lH4_W6wdMmJ6CaONkircSKMaROa3HrjVvJyqeurPG6c3PYUmPW6ZR0GEyGX2Ary-gK3e120i9B4x1RqtApvDmYvxQAnSNIwaWlWx1l/s320/IMG_4510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh3IiahfljzOkVIE7egKvnRORsgQIzeDBTLle4MsQk4Nr_xuxscfLTJU2NQe4QkEDM2rif0FLWQ-nj_w0zxAbUT8Mc92hoGr3GG1Wttx0ilTnsQtNGm3cz7qjgW_1ugIS3ocjIFtA9PE1/s1600/IMG_4515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh3IiahfljzOkVIE7egKvnRORsgQIzeDBTLle4MsQk4Nr_xuxscfLTJU2NQe4QkEDM2rif0FLWQ-nj_w0zxAbUT8Mc92hoGr3GG1Wttx0ilTnsQtNGm3cz7qjgW_1ugIS3ocjIFtA9PE1/s320/IMG_4515.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiZlLlbgizkNU3aT-SuF_SZQMhYIExyZsK1AjUPcaTRdpXGOMbO-8VAZ2trW-rKSjG7Vae95eQOLtQFH8vIknC4nk9F3RIb0jlG1ZbwOyXwCCBmT4_l7duVLUgMBITqcHhMErWB4mB3A9/s1600/IMG_4516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiZlLlbgizkNU3aT-SuF_SZQMhYIExyZsK1AjUPcaTRdpXGOMbO-8VAZ2trW-rKSjG7Vae95eQOLtQFH8vIknC4nk9F3RIb0jlG1ZbwOyXwCCBmT4_l7duVLUgMBITqcHhMErWB4mB3A9/s320/IMG_4516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The message of Christ is that we can never be good
enough. Our debt it too great to ever be able to pay. <strong>The good news is that we
don't have too.</strong> <span style="color: red;"><strong>Christ paid the price for us.</strong></span> He loved us so much that He paid
the price for all our sins so that we could receive the greatest of all gifts.
How contrary to our human thinking, how un-like us, to give to those who didn't
earn it, even to those who will reject the effort. How great a God we serve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong>Are your hearts open like these little children to receive the good gifts the
Father has for you?</strong></span></div>
Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-61663042544159428362013-12-14T08:32:00.001-06:002013-12-14T10:04:03.904-06:00Ready, Set, ...<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoEAzaNY7UsK5hUxdAw6LeQgIXadfQh6NTB3rvKXMYaPKdXCK02x1lk-tGauoRuPQzXQ1tpvKSpKDWl3Ktwh7aEu9Wm6XTw5qvuPt3UMyUubhEHw9KlP669IpUB9HTGPcZX8GRaglS1s/s1600/IMG_2494-altered-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoEAzaNY7UsK5hUxdAw6LeQgIXadfQh6NTB3rvKXMYaPKdXCK02x1lk-tGauoRuPQzXQ1tpvKSpKDWl3Ktwh7aEu9Wm6XTw5qvuPt3UMyUubhEHw9KlP669IpUB9HTGPcZX8GRaglS1s/s200/IMG_2494-altered-small.jpg" width="200" /></a>Two garage sales, selling as much as possible: check.</div>
<div>
Move the rest into storage: <span style="color: #38761d;">check</span>.</div>
<div>
Farewell tour to tell family and friends in the Wild West goodbye: <span style="color: #38761d;">check</span>.</div>
<div>
Strengthening Your Interpersonal Skills workshop: <span style="color: #38761d;">check</span>.</div>
<div>
Equipping for Intercultural Missions course: <span style="color: #38761d;">check</span>.</div>
<div>
House rented: <span style="color: #38761d;">check</span>.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmLFSpZc4Ah5K8xE_G6ztI2s0NUY_GM9Ud8TCPpl-ZNOMLU9gfu6ufrlhHLZQQpaEZJ5snXcBNSeFLHGzAud3HFY8oe6inr4wXUteMdRblaVX42jhUSk0Aj2vZQbOSHE_LTxVZBu9KQk/s1600/PumpkinSign-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmLFSpZc4Ah5K8xE_G6ztI2s0NUY_GM9Ud8TCPpl-ZNOMLU9gfu6ufrlhHLZQQpaEZJ5snXcBNSeFLHGzAud3HFY8oe6inr4wXUteMdRblaVX42jhUSk0Aj2vZQbOSHE_LTxVZBu9KQk/s320/PumpkinSign-small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hey, I think that's it. All our prerequisites are <b>done</b>. What's left? Get on the plane and GO! We'll be flying out <a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">Sunday afternoon</a>, December 15, traveling 26 hours before arriving in Paraguay <a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">Monday afternoon</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wow,
what a hectic schedule since finding out we would be moving to Paraguay
to serve full time with Su Refugio <i>just three and a half months ago</i>!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In
that time we have met such a wide variety of people, many who have
impacted our lives significantly. The people at our garage sales asking
if Paraguay was in Arkansas (minimal impact on our lives); old
acquaintances and new friends in Las Vegas and Southaven as more people
learned more about our calling (major impact); many other missionaries
and their families at the seminar and course we took (huge impact). We
are so thankful to be living in this age of electronics where we can
easily video conference with others, keep up with people all over the
world through Facebook and blogs, deposit checks electronically via
email, the list goes on!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We plan to stay with
Maximo and his family for a week while we work on getting our permanent
residency ($2,000). Paolo (our "handler" to help us navigate the
government offices and recorders) should be picking us up <a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">Tuesday morning at 8</a>
for our first venture into the process. <span style="color: red;">This is a huge prayer request,</span>
as many people will be on their summer vacations and Christmas is the
following week. We've got activities planned daily, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">Tuesday-Friday</a>, to get as much done as possible.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd47ohkLegfSzBKF0FKCMkx24ZGxxUlF-NjFblN2T5IF-bFPW5XE-6msj4EHbbKWGWEYW7nBa1s3UGflVpfRHx9CSYpKI8dje9dGCHRBT3z9vFjrh3pQowYmgmx7k8M7cDPt0zkqw7Nw/s1600/Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd47ohkLegfSzBKF0FKCMkx24ZGxxUlF-NjFblN2T5IF-bFPW5XE-6msj4EHbbKWGWEYW7nBa1s3UGflVpfRHx9CSYpKI8dje9dGCHRBT3z9vFjrh3pQowYmgmx7k8M7cDPt0zkqw7Nw/s320/Rainbow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
next week we plan to spend with Pablo and his family at Su Refugio,
experiencing Christmas in our new soon-to-be hometown of Tobati; <b>how exciting is that!</b>
Being south of the equator, this is their summer. With temperatures
around 93 degrees, not much chance of a "white Christmas" for us!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Around
New Year's Day we will move to stay with Alcides and his family.
Alcides is the main pastor at the church that oversees operation of its
own elementary school, Heaven's Kingdom, and the Su Refugio facility. We
hope to get his vision for how Sandy and I will transition into their
environment. <b>God is doing some absolutely amazîng things at Su Refugio which have the potential to change the entire nation of Paraguay.</b> Suffice it to say we are working in the private enterprise at the highest levels. Stay tuned!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">January 5</a>
we head to Costa Rica for more language school. Sandy will be a full
time student renewing her skills in Spanish while Bill will likely be
working at the attached elementary school, Sojourn Academy, and pick up
some tutoring along the way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We plan to be back in Paraguay full time in early June!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Prayer requests:</div>
<div>
-- Praise God for such a clear answer to prayer about where we would be going next</div>
<div>
-- Praise God for the tremendously exciting journey He has allowed us to experience</div>
<div>
-- Smooth and successful processing for our residency paperwork</div>
<div>
-- Strength for Maximo and his family as they prepare for a new baby in late December (C-Section)</div>
<div>
-- Peace for Pablo and his family as they face various struggles working at the children's center</div>
<div>
-- Health for Sandy and I as we work and study in Costa Rica</div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-60671440533455952662013-08-31T13:45:00.000-05:002013-08-31T17:36:29.587-05:00All in In His Time<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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For about a year now, having left TPI, we have been working
where we are, wondering what God had lined up for us next. Were we going to
stay in Mississippi assisting in missions and women’s ministries at <a href="http://www.trinitysouthaven.org/" target="_blank">Trinity </a>and
providing computer assistance at <a href="http://www.ncstrojans.com/" target="_blank">Northpoint Christian School</a> (formerly SBEC),
or were we going to go somewhere else. We wanted to be sure we satisfied two
conditions: working in areas where we have skills and passion, and working in
an area where there is a great need. We were using a saying we learned from
Vance Pitman at <a href="http://www.hopechurchonline.com/" target="_blank">Hope Baptist Church</a>: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ministry rides on the rails of relationships</i></b>.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through a series of relationships that we are confident were
orchestrated by God, we came in contact with <a href="http://www.lam.org/" target="_blank">Latin America Mission</a> (LAM). LAM’s
focus is to partner with existing ministries in Latin America, providing
assistance as necessary.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After much prayer and discussion, we completed the
application process with LAM and know that God is now calling us to work with
<a href="http://www.surefugio.org/" target="_blank">Su Refugio</a> in Paraguay. Su Refugio is a Christian home in Paraguay that takes
in children from abusive and drug-using families. Scott Kvandal, an engineer
from San Diego, started Su Refugio several years ago by building a small
dormitory, dining area, church and amphitheater, and has recently added a Center
of Hope which helps train women with skills to help sustain their families; an elementary
school is also being developed.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCJwiV8KpUNVf_Xs1tEorGbU0TZDFtlvu5roQOjHPLz-AYIDzk_iCVm3TGLXKkdBfyPjaJJxpGSlAsk_6qTDb1C9MXGgZ6KoDa24qf52v9uF6cCR68E5uoYRcveFWKRq7wwV0WgtV6S0/s1600/SuRefugio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCJwiV8KpUNVf_Xs1tEorGbU0TZDFtlvu5roQOjHPLz-AYIDzk_iCVm3TGLXKkdBfyPjaJJxpGSlAsk_6qTDb1C9MXGgZ6KoDa24qf52v9uF6cCR68E5uoYRcveFWKRq7wwV0WgtV6S0/s320/SuRefugio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bill will be assisting Pastor Pablo with the church on the
campus at Su Refugio, as well as home churches that are starting in the
neighboring town of Tobatí. Bill will also be working with Pastor Alcides to
teach and develop course for the Bible college Alcides has already started.
Sandy will be working primarily in the Center for Hope, helping women in Tobatí
and another town, Caacupé, learn sewing and cooking, and also with starting practical
businesses out of their homes. Together, we will be coordinating visiting mission teams and leading marriage retreats for towns in the surrounding areas.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We have put our house up for sale, plan to sell both cars
and most of our furniture and put a few things in storage. We are planning a
trip to see family and friends in Las Vegas, California and New Mexico,
followed by a four week intercultural course in North Carolina. We’re looking
to move to Costa Rica in mid-December to sharpen our Spanish skills, and then
on to Paraguay, probably in early June.</div>
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<br /></div>
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These are definitely exciting times for us. Please pray for
us, giving thanks to God for making our plans as clear as He has, and that all
goes well as we transition to our new lives in Paraguay.</div>
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-69485680340145728712013-05-11T15:34:00.000-05:002013-05-11T15:53:26.063-05:00The Flow of Discipleship<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqn9cB6-OXRi9BL7bCsNLU-6VzHyr4P4szyNBkRaAEWdAjX2My2zjk1v1lGmAby_L8UdGHfIdbWQVHhCctQFW7GTl5sXszD9qs1pvFHK3YhQ9WdKyWnNR6KrYiPA60B-kyDzi-tE3x5U/s1600/DSC_0282_Greener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqn9cB6-OXRi9BL7bCsNLU-6VzHyr4P4szyNBkRaAEWdAjX2My2zjk1v1lGmAby_L8UdGHfIdbWQVHhCctQFW7GTl5sXszD9qs1pvFHK3YhQ9WdKyWnNR6KrYiPA60B-kyDzi-tE3x5U/s640/DSC_0282_Greener.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I have always viewed the
Christian life as a stream: although you cannot always see its source, nor
where it finishes, you know it is real and it is in motion. You can observe it
from a distance and study it under a microscope, but <u>if you really want to understand
it</u>, <b>you have to jump in!</b> Only after jumping in can you feel the power of the
water, the smoothness of the rocks, and know the many places it will take you!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span>
</span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-HuUMBBEoQKFoaOvNUYazJM8uvuo_pF-J2xoIV9eque-eARWmbkkjf1ihdEJd-MfRGG35mdsCMHu-Pm8FPCv30Ex4yVLXl7b0uOHSLYHpFavTxvbAildpumMjOmMFhihZaXC2-VAwWg/s1600/DSC_0331_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-HuUMBBEoQKFoaOvNUYazJM8uvuo_pF-J2xoIV9eque-eARWmbkkjf1ihdEJd-MfRGG35mdsCMHu-Pm8FPCv30Ex4yVLXl7b0uOHSLYHpFavTxvbAildpumMjOmMFhihZaXC2-VAwWg/s320/DSC_0331_cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At times, you are moving swift and steady, enjoying all the sights and
sounds.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At times, you feel as if you
have no control over where you’re going, but you know the ride is exhilarating.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFDfwnoAD8ryzOLOr8MI8_okThrE55cDeE07G-jq7n-qFwmDL560nD7gy5Sp0LSqaCFeS8OenMjTT4z44cWAr6gBO_6bJIyAoDD9YhBjgoIYslLbj5Mr7zNBnuP8lvpJ1apF5W7Go_Rk/s1600/DSC_0250_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFDfwnoAD8ryzOLOr8MI8_okThrE55cDeE07G-jq7n-qFwmDL560nD7gy5Sp0LSqaCFeS8OenMjTT4z44cWAr6gBO_6bJIyAoDD9YhBjgoIYslLbj5Mr7zNBnuP8lvpJ1apF5W7Go_Rk/s320/DSC_0250_cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At times, the motion is
bumpy, and you appreciate the times that were smooth and look forward to them
once again. At times, you feel stuck, but you know the stream continues and
soon you will be moving again.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When you look at the <b>flowing
water</b>, you notice it is clean. Why? Because the sediment sinks and the rocks
and gravel act as a filter.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAE1hFu8Gos2PWEJm0Djzfa3eSRIujy4tscKerb0Tjq4VijsrQFM-6QI0r6kBPC7gc-9n6CC68mtPkYqC4gob1m0_P9k2kxmcQjtGujUG2BWFOJ_hsmzS-tPfFPML5oIZVqh5E0TEMRw/s1600/DSC_0296_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAE1hFu8Gos2PWEJm0Djzfa3eSRIujy4tscKerb0Tjq4VijsrQFM-6QI0r6kBPC7gc-9n6CC68mtPkYqC4gob1m0_P9k2kxmcQjtGujUG2BWFOJ_hsmzS-tPfFPML5oIZVqh5E0TEMRw/s400/DSC_0296_cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn9fR-cPe4OOgaw9TQOl8kfko_I5Esf-bcgmC_ORIf0zXdABtW_tGoTbJ3sn6POfLTvUuItInkoFYodfLwlEWCoxzHFwih_aTK6KUEiZREmnOQGi1H8j49dovCBoz309f87mgAp85RM0/s1600/DSC_0286_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn9fR-cPe4OOgaw9TQOl8kfko_I5Esf-bcgmC_ORIf0zXdABtW_tGoTbJ3sn6POfLTvUuItInkoFYodfLwlEWCoxzHFwih_aTK6KUEiZREmnOQGi1H8j49dovCBoz309f87mgAp85RM0/s320/DSC_0286_cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> When you look at the <b>rocks</b> in the flow, you see
that although they are not moving, they, too, are clean. Why? Because the
flowing water cleanses them.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkklnocxEOF9IbJrMnLuwqT2HpWIwl-2JpDVrfIEGdTCLkhV9iFe8Je3q4r0P4sm0Ci6LTwVMwSyQnkkvskVHqnwBSScUM9SpJnds8Cccca-EBAeChV2Pp4XAXxTI3ZQKzP5ziMKNQIg/s1600/DSC_0285_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkklnocxEOF9IbJrMnLuwqT2HpWIwl-2JpDVrfIEGdTCLkhV9iFe8Je3q4r0P4sm0Ci6LTwVMwSyQnkkvskVHqnwBSScUM9SpJnds8Cccca-EBAeChV2Pp4XAXxTI3ZQKzP5ziMKNQIg/s320/DSC_0285_cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You also notice rocks near,
but not in the stream: they look like they have been rinsed off, but moss and
lichens are growing on them. You see still water off to the side, and because
it is not part of the flow, stagnation is occurring and pockets of algae are
forming.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What does this have to do
with discipleship? </span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The way I see it, <b>you can be
an observer</b>, you can be <b>part of the flow</b>, you can be a <b>rock in the flow</b>, or you
can be like part of the stream that is off to the side and <b>stagnant</b>. If you’re
an observer, that’s all you can do; you can never fully experience all that God
and this life have to offer. You can see it and you can study it, but you
cannot truly understand it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If you are part of the flow,
you are living the Christian dream, following where God leads, enjoying all
that is around you, even the rough times.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You can be stationary, like a rock in
the middle of the stream, and still be part of the flow. Teachers and pastors
and other leaders that are constantly building and cleansing the people <i>that go
past them </i>are part of the flow.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Finally, you can still be in
the stream, in the Christian life, but not be associated with any of the
flowing water. Oh sure, you once were, but you may have found comfort in simply
being off to the side, oblivious to the flow around you. Be careful: this is
how stagnation and mold and algae can form, causing you to lose the beauty of
the stream that was once yours.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Conclusion</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If you have jumped into the
stream, if you have entered the Christian life, you know you have been changed.
You now see and understand things differently than you ever could before while
simply observing the stream. The longer you are in the stream, the more you
experience. The more you experience, the more you are able to share, and sharing
is how we make disciples.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is likely someone shared
with you what they discovered after “jumping in,” causing you to “jump in.” Since
then, others have shared their knowledge and experiences with you. It’s only
right that you continue the flow. It’s even biblical.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-W1wjWxDrhrrYcLbCkNrXP3YCdNQ6UniNaqTBvchAV0T-br14oiIhAIl0-mCfRKYtO2vuP8CQ7gFYsj6_4B2HHFfC0FjNtK44stQ1yBOVuQAZ6jFqtruoDv1rYRh0h5xTzOOu9WFrRU/s1600/DSC_0324_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-W1wjWxDrhrrYcLbCkNrXP3YCdNQ6UniNaqTBvchAV0T-br14oiIhAIl0-mCfRKYtO2vuP8CQ7gFYsj6_4B2HHFfC0FjNtK44stQ1yBOVuQAZ6jFqtruoDv1rYRh0h5xTzOOu9WFrRU/s400/DSC_0324_cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The last <b>command</b> Jesus
gave His disciples before ascending to heaven was <span style="color: red;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I commanded you</i></span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If that was His last <b>command</b>, what do you
think His first <b>question</b> will be when He returns?</span></span></span></div>
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<![endif]-->Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-64510904041301275752012-09-26T10:21:00.000-05:002012-09-26T10:21:58.448-05:00Children and ButterfliesOftentimes I have seen children outside playing, running, and chasing butterflies. Today I saw this simple activity in a new way.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7DGbM8KqNo8IN8pVLkAWBu32TYU-l16914qhKqjpg-54_LFFDa5mdJQaWBsaZA6iSgArwoL_tX3rEJ2Ij7k3vJEfHwXQUtri1KwljcsmTjyZLRrtefXGkWoIMbfQO3U7a-pSC8ZVWk8/s1600/IMG_2367_cropped_smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="141" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7DGbM8KqNo8IN8pVLkAWBu32TYU-l16914qhKqjpg-54_LFFDa5mdJQaWBsaZA6iSgArwoL_tX3rEJ2Ij7k3vJEfHwXQUtri1KwljcsmTjyZLRrtefXGkWoIMbfQO3U7a-pSC8ZVWk8/s320/IMG_2367_cropped_smaller.jpg" /></a></div>
I am spending a few days getting to know Pastor Pablo Benitez and his wife Paula, serving at Su Refugio (<a href="http://www.SuRefugio.org">www.SuRefugio.org</a>), a Christian children’s home for abused children. When the local government gets reports of potential child abuse in the home, they will investigate and when the problem is real and serious, they pull the children from the home and place them in foster care. There are virtually no foster families in the area and few places for these children to go in safety: Su Refugio is one such place.
Pablo and Stella told me the backgrounds for some of these children – horrifying what they have been through. Knowing the abuse some of these children had experienced and now seeing them playing as if they had no cares in the world was moving, to say the least. This is how children are supposed to grow up!
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I also realized this home is different than an orphanage. In an orphanage, you do not necessarily know the background of the children: they could have come from a battered childhood, but they also could have come from good home lives where the parents died in a car crash and had no other family to take care of them. Su Refugio is different: every child here has a battered past.
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Pray for them and pray for Pablo and Stella as they serve God by serving the children.
Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-17134174718464712432012-09-07T13:01:00.002-05:002012-09-07T13:15:20.685-05:00Galilea - The ClassesWe were here to teach the 3rd of 12 TPI classes - A Survey of the Old Testament. As the course progressed, I was impressed by the men's ability to understand the material, ask solid questions, and compare and contrast the biblical teachings with some of their tribal customs that sometimes differed from biblical practices. They had questions about infant salvation, the use of some medicines and drugs that induced alcohol-like euphoria, marriage vs living together, and how to minister to someone with two wives.<br />
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This was the area where few, if any, of the students were married to the woman they were living with, and had children with. One of the men had contacted Jaime, our country coordinator for Peru, and told him that 7 of the men wanted to get their lives right before God and had decided to get married in May, but wanted Jaime to send them a program because they didn't know how to do it (perform a wedding ceremony) and didn't want to do it wrong. When I got there and told them that what they had done had been an inspiration to me, and others, that 7 had taken this step, based solely on the power of God's Word, they told me the new number was 14. When they discovered I was particularly interested in this, they recounted and told me that 16 couples had recently married, wanting to be more in line with God's Word on marriage and the relationships between God, men and women. I asked these men and women to stand when I took this picture, so you can put faces to some of these remarkable people.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The people standing had married just a few months ago to "get their lives right before God."</td></tr>
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I had taken some material with me and was able to share portions of a Biblical Manhood study with the men, as well as several sessions with the families regarding Paul's description of marriage in Ephesians 5 and how it is a picture of the relationship between Jesus and His bride, the church. I also shared information on the 5 Love Languages and 5 Levels of Communication. They had the hardest time trying to complete the Love Language questionnaire, though. Although they understood the concept, filling out a questionaire was just something they were not used to doing. We had a good time reviewing the material from the three sessions over two nights (when we had lights). The two TPI instructors I was traveling with helped out when my vocabulary and examples failed to get across the ideas they knew I was trying to say.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The men studying Biblical Manhood - a 6-hour course I gave 4 times in Peru.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling out their Five-Love-Language questionnaire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preaching in Spanish with a translator to their tribal language.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One night I had to preach in my socks - there was a lot of mud and they asked people to leave their shoes at the door.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The men with their Biblical Manhood and TPI-Old Testament books.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the church in Galilea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking over open fire, pushing the logs closer as the fire burns.</td></tr>
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Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-55512473966547202202012-09-07T12:54:00.000-05:002012-09-07T13:15:04.639-05:00Peru - Life in the Jungle of GalileaWalking the street of Galilea reminds me of the rural areas of Honduras and Nicaragua... Dusty (or muddy, depending on when the last rain fell), home-based restaurants and shops, and people walking everywhere... It was easy to forget you were in the middle of the jungle... Until you realize the generator provided electricity for the town only from about 7:15 pm until 11 pm (the people use flashlights and candles in their houses and stores if it is dark before the electricity comes on), there was nothing but more vegetation behind the vegetation you could see, and the street and trails we were walking on had to be cut by hand with machetes.<br />
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Without consistent electricity, there is no consistent refrigeration, so food is prepared fresh and eaten right away or thrown out. Speaking of food, most of the meals include fish and/or chicken... Frying and boiling are the two common methods of preparing the food, both done over an open fire. They also eat a lot of rice, noodles, plantains (like bananas but harder and not as sweet) and yucca (a root).
Needless to say, there are few computers and no Internet, although cell phone coverage is plentiful!!
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They use a lot of wood construction, most of which comes from a mill in the mountains. Because of the rain and variety of insects, almost all of the buildings -
houses, churches, stores - are built on platforms about 18-24 inches off the ground. A few people paint their huts, but most are just grayed, weathered wood planks. Skipping a few generations of technology, many people have satellite dishes mounted on posts just outside their hut with a cable leading to their flatscreen TV, for the few hours when there is electricity.<br />
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I visited one of the government buildings here and it was like walking into a building from the American west: wooden floors, wooden walls, wooden doors, wooden shutters on the windows, wooden desks and chairs, etc.<br />
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The hotel here is an enigma: a 3-story cement building, right on the bank of the river (Rio Santiago). The rooms are simple, yet clean (if you don't count the spider and beetle I found on and near my bed!). The room also has a TV, a fan (both only usable from 7:15 - 11:00 at night), a sink, toilet, and a shower. Water is pumped in from the river and stored in a cement reservoir, so the temperature can vary. The view from the hotel balcony sitting area is amazing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the hotel balcony was amazing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the boats ready for fishing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to class.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "truck"on the left and "cars"on the right have a motorcycle front!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the pastor's house in the center. Eating and washing on the left, more sleeping on the right. Raised about 1-1/2 feet for rain and critters!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the satellite dish for the small hut!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their new bible.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97HUHTdD5KKl1StfEMcA50BwTPJb7h5z0GwrkI485AjWYXjZytk_GKxTCWmxIIwMQ9j6SLKV9Cpn-Api_3rIjVe1dyD5XTpgL457jHE4Cm00yAmgFu9fFkr1dFJsUotzwdLTTppxyrtk/s1600/IMG_0102_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97HUHTdD5KKl1StfEMcA50BwTPJb7h5z0GwrkI485AjWYXjZytk_GKxTCWmxIIwMQ9j6SLKV9Cpn-Api_3rIjVe1dyD5XTpgL457jHE4Cm00yAmgFu9fFkr1dFJsUotzwdLTTppxyrtk/s320/IMG_0102_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolando handing out the first bibles in their language - all of the New Testament and 40% of the Old Testament.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man that helped Wycliffe translate the bible into their tribal language.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolando and the pastors along this river with their new bibles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z-SfIn9eR6_GFhL9u92l9QdvQnFv2hydW1FmSidALqUIknzCiFTKCfW7igMHS_kMOTozuYWQPNsxFflhWZXHq-doPi-boA5ZPwx2U4mRFvH_U4RwRL89VtleRCAAkeHsSW6RSfkJpJQ/s1600/IMG_1475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z-SfIn9eR6_GFhL9u92l9QdvQnFv2hydW1FmSidALqUIknzCiFTKCfW7igMHS_kMOTozuYWQPNsxFflhWZXHq-doPi-boA5ZPwx2U4mRFvH_U4RwRL89VtleRCAAkeHsSW6RSfkJpJQ/s320/IMG_1475.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking through the jungle on our way to class.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outskirts of the jungle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisriGMQyO8IuuKqUVlTHJJOvimJWqmQRijEhfd9Y2kIMIG7_8COrKUx8Gs4EXrKFceE_lO84EKcEimv1htFcN18KHdbP60vyXljTqFynkl2eszPCHtKkzCR4jkqRUqh9RDvjPv1QImHI/s1600/IMG_1514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisriGMQyO8IuuKqUVlTHJJOvimJWqmQRijEhfd9Y2kIMIG7_8COrKUx8Gs4EXrKFceE_lO84EKcEimv1htFcN18KHdbP60vyXljTqFynkl2eszPCHtKkzCR4jkqRUqh9RDvjPv1QImHI/s320/IMG_1514.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical bridge crossing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for a ride up-river to visit another village.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJn_3D_St37ZzW6DxPd3jrU5V4U0jp_29Ia0F6hsZkFek-1NnBdJTTt7DW2mDghYA2tAwpbWHarn3P8kyp0jZ4amW8GYOAXSTYnMOb4ESBrNv7p6lAWZlR4xT_q2WFGVzWMq9Q3b4qL8/s1600/IMG_1540_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJn_3D_St37ZzW6DxPd3jrU5V4U0jp_29Ia0F6hsZkFek-1NnBdJTTt7DW2mDghYA2tAwpbWHarn3P8kyp0jZ4amW8GYOAXSTYnMOb4ESBrNv7p6lAWZlR4xT_q2WFGVzWMq9Q3b4qL8/s320/IMG_1540_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way up-river to visit another village.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFXLuXKatmF4iRwy6QSuvCQkBNJP7d4ClmdPEdcs2t1MIQD5DR2Zv6pgK7xq3j0QTcNYIuCpFL3w_BgR9x8VxtvUmPbrLT6BX1tI-B7ewmF5tTEE9mlzQY-p8EJrxGn_ui8ilL8DkngE/s1600/IMG_1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFXLuXKatmF4iRwy6QSuvCQkBNJP7d4ClmdPEdcs2t1MIQD5DR2Zv6pgK7xq3j0QTcNYIuCpFL3w_BgR9x8VxtvUmPbrLT6BX1tI-B7ewmF5tTEE9mlzQY-p8EJrxGn_ui8ilL8DkngE/s320/IMG_1564.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The truck that took us from the river back to pavement... 9-1/2 hours!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road had many hazards a gullies to cross.</td></tr>
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Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-67139348051394340482012-09-07T10:35:00.000-05:002012-09-07T13:14:45.905-05:00Peru - Getting to the JungleOther than a few minor delays, the trip from Memphis to Houston to Panama to Lima, Peru was uneventful... Even going through immigration at 1:00 am was a lot more crowded than I expected... It seems a lot of flights arrive in Lima between midnight and 1 AM. I got to the hotel around 2, got checked-in, emailed Sandy that all was OK, and tried to sleep, knowing I had a 6 am meeting with some of the teachers from Peru.<br />
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Daniel, Rolando and I got the 8 am bus to Bagua Chica, arriving at 4 am (that's right, 20 hours on the bus!)... At least the seats reclined a little further than your standard airline seat, but not much. We then hired a car to take us one hour to where we could find a truck (4X4) to take us to Santa Maria Nieva. After the first two hours, the next 7-1/2 hours were on dirt and rocky roads. We finally arrived in Santa Maria Nieva, but the town was on the other side of the river from where we were, so we had to take a water taxi. We found rooms in the third hotel/ hostel we checked and stayed the night.
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Rolando has family and friends in this area and arranged for me to speak at the local church service that evening. Next morning, we waited until there were enough passengers to take a small boat the 5 hours it takes to get to Galilea, the area where the classes were to be held. Halfway through that ride, we encountered a good rain storm that continued with us until after we landed, 2:30 Sunday afternoon.<br />
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I had left the house at 10 AM Thursday morning and arrived at the final destination Sunday afternoon. Rolando explained that since it is so hard to reach this area, very few short-term mission teams ever visit here. But oh, what a trip...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTwFojltt2SFqr0Jp9mtuUC5AYdpo0prQpoQ7G_Wb-KTV_sBdhBQxQEnHrQcM-482sBR-Vp50TLC3kq19TIayTrPmbIKBKAbvnK2SSZiPNwGcSHedQwg-xgnCQQRAcDDPu11raodGL4c/s1600/IMG_1356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTwFojltt2SFqr0Jp9mtuUC5AYdpo0prQpoQ7G_Wb-KTV_sBdhBQxQEnHrQcM-482sBR-Vp50TLC3kq19TIayTrPmbIKBKAbvnK2SSZiPNwGcSHedQwg-xgnCQQRAcDDPu11raodGL4c/s320/IMG_1356.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel eating his fish soup..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the satellite dish on the roof!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ30-vXa_qSlaDWWA4XXCUJcPGhGsXdEGDSOHHlVudSPleLHqHR-7YL59eTMWTDIYWW4_QcmNk_Qe9ALmhZrEPht_XzaPCQduXqBOij0dEhRyuL9uMba2OcBXFXzWpl_LmR9HOI5zGTc4/s1600/IMG_1391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ30-vXa_qSlaDWWA4XXCUJcPGhGsXdEGDSOHHlVudSPleLHqHR-7YL59eTMWTDIYWW4_QcmNk_Qe9ALmhZrEPht_XzaPCQduXqBOij0dEhRyuL9uMba2OcBXFXzWpl_LmR9HOI5zGTc4/s320/IMG_1391.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small town where we stopped for an IncaKola (banana soda)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the most common types of boats</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No kidding - this guy was escorting his pig across the river!
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out the hotel window on the way to the jungle
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<br />Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3304654026191660802.post-67987214094789746102012-06-06T07:12:00.004-05:002012-06-06T07:25:10.049-05:00Isn’t Marriage Universal?I am planning my first visit to Peru in August and was recently chatting with Jaime, our country coordinator there. One place we will visit is the Amazon region, where we will be teaching a class on the Old Testament.
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Jaime and I were talking about what I would do there, and I told him I could teach some of the OT lessons, but would also like to share some lessons on apologetics and marriage. He told me the lessons on marriage would be especially useful because <i>none of the pastors in this region are married</i>: they are living with their “wives” and have families, but have never married. Jaime has already taught two classes in this region, and spoke to them about God’s plan for marriage, and told me my lessons would help give credibility to what he has already told them.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxDRyXVfp-wKdnpRwh2T6tw4O89wt7kpRJAPya-pDvfTEjz2irIre-mL5jCw1fbqlvyTHgr4fYV1GgePf9iTKnvhjhwembdm3viwVYyft0crMufm-Ur_jfnMqWUq7Q_gwfPiLB18OZRs/s1600/Amazona-Class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxDRyXVfp-wKdnpRwh2T6tw4O89wt7kpRJAPya-pDvfTEjz2irIre-mL5jCw1fbqlvyTHgr4fYV1GgePf9iTKnvhjhwembdm3viwVYyft0crMufm-Ur_jfnMqWUq7Q_gwfPiLB18OZRs/s400/Amazona-Class.jpg" title="The class in the Amazon region of Peru" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The TPI class in the Amazon region of Peru</td></tr>
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Jaime got an email from William, one of the men in the Amazon region, a few days later and passed it on to me. The pastor said that seven of the men wanted to get their lives right before God and decided to get married this month (May). [I wanted to send this post a few weeks ago but was waiting for a photo of the group] <b>Since this would be the first marriage ceremony in this area, they asked Jaime to send them information how to perform a wedding.</b>
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We are able to reach into this area because of your continued prayers and financial support. Thank you!Bill and Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184418061800240noreply@blogger.com0