Holiday Greetings from Colombia!

The neighborhood kids!

  When I came to Bocachica I thought. "The only thing I can offer the people here is my time." Before I could even do that, I had to learn the language (I am still learning!) I spent some time during my days simply talking to those in the community. I enjoy the people here. I love hearing stories of life here on the island. They love to hear stories of what life was like in the states. I am fond of the children who come here day in and out to play with my kids. This past month spoke to me as they gave back to us!

  This past November was a month full of sickness for our family. Nate, some of the kids, and I had a virus that included fevers. The kids' and mine lasted a couple of days...but Nate, had fever for 20 days. He ended up in the hospital for 6 days. They never came to the conclusion of what caused the fever. One doctor thought it was a tropical illness contracted from a mosquito that they may not have testing for. Whatever caused it, I am thankful it has run it's course, and I am grateful that he is healthy again.

  Most of all I am thankful for relationships. I have been blessed by the island people here while my husband was sick. Whenever I was on the boat people would ask about my husband. On my walk from the boat to the house, neighbors would come out of their houses and offer to help around the house, keep the children, and pray for us. When Nate came home we had days where the house was full of visitors from the community. Our year of getting to know the people here has turned into something that feels familiar to home. Those who love you check on you, help you, and pray for you in a time of need. They take the time out of their day as much as Nate and I have done with them to have a "relationship".

Nate taking the water filter out of the mold.

Prayer requests:
Please pray with us as we work on finishing our first water filter. Nate's sickness has prolonged this process, but we are excited to get this ministry up and running. Please also join us in praying for funding of this project. It is our desire to help those in this community of 12,000 by making clean water available to them.

Please pray for the youth here in the community. As our relationships grow stronger it is hitting closer to our hearts when the young women we know are getting pregnant. We know a 13 year old girl who is 3 months pregnant, a 15 year old having her second child, and a 17 year old who has dropped out of school to have a baby. Please pray the Lord would do a work in this community and help them see this is a cycle that needs to be broken.

Pray that God would be glorified in all we do here!

Thank you all who support us monthly. We could not be here in Bocachica with out your help!
We are currently only at 60% of our funding. If you would like to help support us monthly please contact us by email at Ariel.family.mission@gmail.com. Support checks can be mailed to:
Antioch Community Church
Elon, NC. 27244
Please write Colombia in the memo line
(remember all donations are tax deductible!)

We pray you and your families have a blessed Christmas!

With Love,
The Ariels