A Journey

So, where have we been? 

In this map the white line represents our trip up and the black line our trip back. The red stars were our nightly stops. We managed to see, or go through, the following: the Grand Canyon, the Grand Staircase Escalante of Utah, Zion National Park, Yellowstone National Park, The Black Hills & Badlands of South Dakota, in which we saw Mount Rushmore. We also enjoyed the vast changes in terrain as we drove through 13 different states.

Our goal in our travels was to make it to Washington and back, the rest was a homeschooling bonus. We are grateful for the many "Firsts" we got to enjoy, and were left in awe of God's majestic power of creation. Here are a few pictures of our trip.

One of many campsites.

His shock...

...and amazement that...

...he LOVES camping!

Cuteness

Passing the time reading Richard Scarry

Working on getting Junior Ranger badges

A gurgling geyser

The wrinkled noses caused by the smell of sulfur

Cap guns and a break from passengering

In step

A baby bird learning to fly.
He was sent back to mama after this picture.

The beautiful Badlands of South Dakota

During our time in Washington, we were incredibly blessed by everyone we visited with. Our days were full of catching up and enjoying a concentrated dose of love from family and friends. I did not take many pictures during this time as I was busy soaking up the moment. We miss you already Washingtonians and look forward to our next visit!

We are pleased to be on To Every Tribe ground again. We are settled in a two bedroom apartment for the time being and managing quite well. It's not where we thought we'd land on our return, but it is where we did land.

August 22nd marks the first day of training here. The buzz of excitement for this coming year is high. The expectation of God moving and molding people into His tools is almost tangible. The emotional stress of families being displaced out of what they have known, selling a lot of their belongings, and sacrificing so much to be here, is great. They have just begun a costly journey. A journey that will take one step at a time into a story they haven't written. Yes, I am excited to walk this stretch beside them! Sharing these first steps and encouraging them when I can. May those who can pray, pray. Pray for the laborers to be molded by the Potter's hands.

Out of States Experience

Mexico

 Our First Out of States Experience

In mid December we went to Mexico for the first time. Our Passports had just come in and we were excited to use them. Actually, we were excited to join one of our teams in Northern Mexico and help out wherever we could. It was an ideal time to go as it was for only one night instead of their usual 3-4. I will let the pictures do most of the talking, but it was a wonderful experience in Village R. There are many ways to serve here and we feel humbled and blessed to step into some of them.

Here is our temporary home "Casa Verde"

We stayed in a rental house with seven other people, essentially, camping out. It is a concrete house with four rooms, no closets, no kitchen, no sinks.

The water gathered outside is brought in to flush the indoor toilet (indoor toilets are not the norm here for a reason). The city water isn't always on, and when it is, you fill all the buckets.

The bucket above the door is a basketball hoop and the spigot to the left is the house water.

 

 Doing dishes outside

Tough guy

  

A large room that serves as mess hall, living room, and bedroom. 

 Breakfast time

 The team's main reason for this trip was to wish the people they've been building friendships with a "Merry Christmas," and to hand out some homemade galletas (cookies).

There was one woman (I'll refer to her as Maria) who seemed overjoyed to see us. Maria is one of five deaf people in this village and she has taught herself to sign. She is thrilled to be able to sign with a member on the team who also signs. Special needs groups are some of the last to be reached in missions. Emma and I can sign very little, but were able to introduce ourselves in Sign language, in Spanish. My mind was already working overtime trying to utilize the little Spanish I did know but then to translate it into another language. Ack!! She enjoyed talking to Emma via our translator and our clumsy efforts at signing. She then gave Emma a name sign.

Since this trip we've been back many times to work alongside a church plant in a different village on Sunday mornings. When we go, Scott leads worship and the kids and I are encouraged by and hope to encourage the local believers.

I know it took me four months to post this and I have no sufficient excuse for the delay, but I hope you enjoyed this late update.
 
 May~
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Phillipians" 4:23