Meet Lincoln

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;" 1 Corinthians 1:27

We are glad to report a new addition to our family. Lincoln Dietrich Ariel was born Nov 24 weighing in at 8lbs 5oz. Measuring 55 centimeters. Tara did a great job delivering without the comforts of USA hospitals. 
 Having a new baby in the house again is great, we see how fragile they are. His brothers and sisters are taking turns caring for him. They are learning how to be careful to watch his neck since he can't support it himself. We cover him up so the sun doesn't burn him and the wind won't take his breath away. Lincoln's arms are so small, and it is a little tricky manipulating them into his shirts. He has no hair and the soft spot on his head is easily visible. The entire handling of a newborn is with the utmost gentleness for fear of hurting the weak little child.

 During Advent as we wait for Christmas I thought about God's wisdom.

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. He upholds the universe by the word of his power.You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them  He... forms the mountains and creates the wind..., and treads on the heights of the earth...All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made."
1 Chronicles 29:11  Psalm 147:5 Hebrews 1:9  Nehemiah 9:6  Amos 4:13 Daniel 4:35   John 1:3


This greatness of God can demand and compel whatever He wishes
This great God in His wisdom decided to send the Savior of the world as a baby. His wisdom trusted a man and woman of low standing to do the right thing and care for a vulnerable baby. Seeing our baby now startles me to see that God knew it was safe to trust a young couple without a hospital, without proper housing, without the luxuries we insist on today as a perfect plan to bring salvation to the world. 
 Jesus Christ was weak and as a baby fulfilled,
 " you are he who took me from the womb; 
   you made me trust you at my mother's breasts."Psalm 22

He was completely dependent on His mother. He needed His neck supported, His diaper changed, and kept safe from the wind. This is a wisdom that is the opposite of the wisdom of this world. As humans, our saviors can't be weak. The movies show heroes that are strong, smart, or winners. The struggle of men and women today is equal shares of power and wealth. Weakness is still a negative in our world. The Promise of God to favor weakness to show His glory is good for us. We can be assured that we are not to insignificant, that God loves to "chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."

 Have a Merry Christmas. God bless~.

A good friend stopped in

Nathan Heafner has made several trips to Bocachica. Usually he heads up a team and organizes the logistics for the group. This visit he came alone for a week to visit and work in the community. He loves the people here and likes to express that with a practical way in giving to others. We talked to the church here and asked them if there was someone in the church that needed help. There is a family that has lived in a two room house for twenty years. They have four children and only two are still in the house. Their dream has been to finish the house, but as the years flew by they never had enough to finish it. The husband is a carpenter who specializes in making canoes. He has had back surgery this year and had a hernia surgery as well. Being 70 years old, this has set him back a bit, and due to everyone going to fiber glass for boats there is a lull in his type of work. His wife sells fruit in the street and that helps a little bit. They have a daughter in college as well which requires any extra cash to help with her transportation and other needs.

 We decided to help this family out, and Nathan fund raised for the project. He raised more than what we had projected to finish the structure of the house, as a result we were able to do the walls, roof, windows, door, floor, counters, electrical, and stucco.
 The night we dedicated the house the wife gave a testimony that two years ago she started praying that they could finish the house. They were grateful the Lord provided this as answer to their prayers.
 Their grand kids hang out at their house everyday, they helped us with the work almost the whole time. In the pictures you can see them with their grandpa working on the various small jobs needing to be done.
 Thank you to all who helped in this project, they now have a living room and kitchen added to their house!

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (gal 6:10)

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (jn 13:35)

House dedication

Picture with family and workers

Nathan with  Alfonzo and Mildred

Three friends

Last Sunday we heard the worship team do their set, four songs that ended with the upbeat Caribbean worship rhythm. We all sit down, there is still a little sting in your palms from the clapping. The pastor proceeds to the stage, and this morning he felt like one more song was needed. This song was more soulful, an older song from before, a love song.
 In front of us a gray haired senior stood back up right away, there may have been a memory for this tune. Immediately her companion rose to sing as well. The last friend struggled a little to get her legs to work, after having just got settled in the sitting position. The three friends stood with arms raised, and sang out that song.
 I wondered how many years have passed for these three. This little island doesn't offer much, but there has been change over the years. When they were children there was more gardening, but there was no electricity. There were no moto bikes or motor boats. They would have gone to Cartagena  with someone that knew how to sail and navigate a boat by wind.
 They have seen a lifetime, and here I see these three friends together praising the Lord. I wish that a camera could have captured the moment better, that words could convey the picture.
 There is a simpleness to their presence but that presence conveyed it's depth.

Picture this, an update.

Deborah Weber is from Germany, She is staying with us for the next six months to help us with our projects. She has also started volunteering at El Shadday and loves it. We are excited to have her with us.

Debbie, Tara and Tine

Tine came from Germany to visit us for two weeks, We sure did  miss her and were glad to catch up. She was a blessing to help Debbie get adjusted to island life. God is good to allow us to make more memories with Tine!

Valerie and Alicia have been volunteering with the filter program for part of their schooling.

 Luis has been working a lot on filters and has had good helpers to help him. Thanks to Feed the Hunger for giving to this project!

We went with Luis to the opening ceremony for the new sports year in a neighboring village.

All the kids who play sports for the area villages

We found Tara's favorite pregnancy food, BBQ ribs... we have had them a few times due to the cravings, but we are happy to oblige.

The baby is doing well and growing, We are praying that all goes smooth with the delivery in Nov. Tara is currently 30 weeks! 

Our girls, Adriana, some ladies from the church gave Tara a surprise baby shower. It was a fun time for the ladies

We celebrate a lot of birthdays in August and September. Vincent turned 5, Kristen turned 10, Alicia turned 14 and Valerie turned 16!

Vincent turned the big five years so we went to the city to the party play place.

We took a cruise of 4 islands in Ausberto's new Champa to celebrate Valerie's sweet sixteen. The kids had a blast snorkeling, eating, and swimming the whole day.

Patrick with his first missing tooth and since then has lost two more.



The boys find hermit crabs from time to time, this is the biggest found yet.

Juan got a new little turtle, he brought it up to our house to introduce to August, our big guy.

Antioch Community Church is sending down Nathan Heafner for a week,  This is the house of an older couple in the church. (photo below) The husband has had two surgeries and is no longer able to work, his wife sells fruit in the streets. They have a very limited income, so the church is going to help finish the living room and kitchen of the house.

We have had a lot of celebrations,visitors, and work this past month. We thank you all for your support, and thank you for your prayers. Thank you for keeping up with us here in Bocachica!


The Ariels

Eight is enough....

My kids and I! (Vincent never smiles for photos! He's our biggest ham! )

I hear it often..."Your pregnant again? Surely, this being number eight you are done...right? Cause eight is enough!"  We found out in March we are expecting again. This will put 5 years between Vincent and baby. 16 years between Valerie and baby due this November. To be honest with you, I am glad the Lord has changed my mind many times over the years. Had you of asked me right out of high school and in my early 20's I would of said 2 kids was all I wanted. After we had Kristen (4th child), Nate and I thought hard about not having any more children. We decided we'd wait until later on to make a permanent decision or maybe not do anything at all. Now don't get me wrong. While I didn't think we'd be pregnant again. I did think we'd have one more. You see, Nate and I had been planning on adopting. We got all the paper work in order that was needed to adopt a child from Colombia. My heart has changed forever after living in a third world country. I want to take this moment to share how my views on adoption had changed and encourage you to examine your hearts and see if the Lord might have adoption in store for you.


I always have enjoyed being pregnant. I love feeling the baby move inside of me. I love seeing how big I get and though there are times when it is hard, hot, and uncomfortable, I cherish the 40 weeks I am pregnant. It doesn't stop there. I love the stages of life my kids go through...well most of them, maybe adolescent years have grayed me more than ever. But, I am thankful daily that I can stay home with them all, and watch them grow.

Back in the States, I surrounded myself with like minded people. I have good friends who are terrific loving moms, and wives who encourage me. Nothing better than having wise women to look up to and desire for me to have the same godly fruit. This is where my heart changed. I have lived here now for almost 4 years. I have seen the worst of the worst. I have heard stories that for those who love kids would break your heart. I am a minority here. I can share my views of what motherhood should look like, but I come from a totally different lifestyle then the people here.When you are not in the majority group, you opinion can seem foreign. For example: family devotions, homeschooling, keeping our kids with us, playing with your kids, making rules for our kids to abide by, chores, sibling having love to one another. While I share my views often, some people here think we are funny always having our kids with us, and not letting them stay in the streets. Or not sending our kids to the public school here. Not letting our girls date now. The list goes on and on. I am no longer surrounded by like minded people. Thankfully, they do see good fruit from our children, though the majority  attribute it to good kids...they don't see it's a process of training, love, and obedience to the Lord in us.

  Daily, I see babies (under a year and a half) play unattended by themselves. I see neighborhood kids out all hours of the day and night playing with others in the neighborhood, but never their parents. No one to guide them, or explain how to treat others, no one shows them what is correct behavior. The parents are clueless to what goes on day to day in their children's lives. I see kids who are hungry, yet their mom tells them to share their meal with a sibling. I see little kids have more responsibility caring for their younger siblings than the parent or grandparent of their household. I just saw a baby sitting alone outside eating handfuls of pebbles, and her mom, when confronted said "Yeah...so?" I have seen babies who were once happy, grow through the years and become very distant, blank and expressionless kids. I have seen parasites crawling in a child's leg and moving around, but the mother would not spend $2.00 USD, for the medicine, which is sold here on the island.

Neighborhood kids taking care of their siblings.

Today, I walked past two  kids playing in our neighborhood even though they don't live around here. I asked them, "Don't you have school today?" (They have different school calendars here vs. the States) The brother and sister answered me both at the same time. The girl said "yes", while the brother said "no". I thought the boy's teacher didn't come to school therefore making it a day off for him. (Here it is very common for the teachers not to attend school for a variety of reasons. Many times due to being intoxicated. But that is another blog for another day.) I asked the little boy, Luis, "Why not?" His answer was "My mom doesn't have money."  My first thought was why would that matter to a kid going to school. He explained to me that his mother had not bought him his book bag and school supplies for the year yet, which means he can't go to school. However school restarted July 13th meaning that he hadn't been to school in some time. These are simple things a child needs that are not given, not because the family doesn't have the ability to provide them, but because their parents, in their brokenness, do not think education is a priority.  But trust me, I can paint a darker picture for you, child abuse, sexual abuse, increasingly high pregnancy rate of kids ages 12-15, kids who have never been to school, The list can go on and on.  These are some of the many reasons I think about adoption. Here in this brokenness and lack of governmental support to enforce laws, kids are hurting and are not available for adoption. I would hate to see those children who are in the adoption system here.

   The one thing, after living here, I have learned is: I along with many people I know could give a great life to a child who needs a loving family. It's not because we/they are rich. You are rich when you know what the true meaning of being a mother and father is. It's not providing them with designer clothes, or the many different sporting events, or activities to put them in weekly. It's not about what college you can send them too. It's about love! There is a cycle of brokenness that doesn't stop from one generation to the next that prevents the people here from changing.  Maybe you can change this cycle. You can give a child what he/she needs. While many can say adoption is too expensive, there are ways to do it with out paying upwards to 10, 20, or even 30 thousand dollars. You can get involved with your local social service government system and become a foster parent, where many times it turns into a child needing adoption.

  So I leave you with this, I am not sure 8 is enough. I am not close minded to say this is all the Lord has for our family. I do know this, The Lord has grown me over the years and has changed my heart for the better. To know I can give thanks to Him for all that I have and all we can give to our family. Knowing this truth is awesome. It is hard to see the stuff I see here daily. It is hard to see parents so broken, blind, and uneducated not have the wisdom I have to go on daily. It does make me pray! For my family, for the families here in Bocachica and around the world. Maybe the Lord will place on your heart the desire to adopt.

Lohr/Beall team

Left to right: Andrew, Meghan and Zach

We had the joy to spending 11 days with these three. :) This was Zach's second time in Bocachica. He had come with his father and sister the year earlier. This time he brought his fiance and younger brother Andrew. It was a blessing to see these young adults doing the work of the Lord. 

They did a week long VBS with El Shadday on the life of Daniel.

Vacation bible school was a joy to be part of. To see them all take turns daily leading the teachings, preparing the games and crafts, and watching them interact with the children was precious. The teachers enjoyed having them and the children loved participating in all activities. 

One of the many crafts, Homemade tambourines. 

Water balloon toss!

 They made filters, washed sand for filters and delivered filters. It was a great to see them take joy in bringing families on the island a way to have clean drinking water.








They also helped us make a docking site for our boat. This will help us store the boat in an area that is more accessible and cleaner place to store the boat. We are thankful for their help with this.

I loved how Zach, Andrew and Meghan had the energy to do many things. They loved playing kick ball at night with the community kids, and also visit the beach many times. Most of all I think I loved seeing and hearing the fruit of the Lord each of them have in their lives. From Zach desiring to be a strong provider and Godly husband, to Meghan wanting to be a server and help meet for her husband. All the way to Andrews gift of delivering the word of the Lord effortlessly and his talks about wanting to serve the Lord in all he does. It is a privilege to see such mature fruit in young adults. We and the community of Bocachica were blessed. God is good! May all we do glorify His name.

Get to know Luis and family better~

Luis Viracacha, works with Juntos installing and building the sand filters. He, a native of Colombia, provides the sanitation and hygiene classes for all who receive a filter. Luis is a very self motivated individual who enjoys helping the community understanding the need and importance of clean water. This position provides some of his monthly support needed for him and his family to live on the island of Bocachica, while doing mission work.

Some back ground history of Luis and his family.

Luis and his wife Adriana were struggling in many aspects of their life in Bogota,  9 years ago gave their life to the Lord. Knowing things they needed to overcome could only happen with the help of Him. They started attending church regularly, and seeking discipleship from the leaders of their church. With their hunger they grew in their faith and knew the importance of sharing the gospel with all they can.

Three years ago they moved from Bogota to Bocachica to start working as missionaries. Their family is 100% immersed in the community and have a heart to share the Word with others.

Luis, in addition to working with project Juntos, also works with El Shaddey, a local after school program here on the island. He is a teacher for the youth ages 15-18. He mentors the youth as well as provide resources and help to the families of these youth. He has a passion for this age group. He helps influence them to make good decisions in regards to their life choices. On the weekends he does a sports program with the children of Bocachica. While teaching sports to the children he teaches them to have respect for others, themselves and their family. He also encourages them to stay in school and also shares the Word with them weekly.

Some of Luis's group of youth from El Shadday hanging out with the team from Maryland.

His wife Adriana also is a teacher of El Shadday, and she helps particular kids that are falling behind in school. She tutors kids who struggle with reading and math. She also makes baked goods and sell them on the island.

Luis, Adriana, and their son Juan, are very active in their church here and support other churches in the community.

We would like to share a little about the families that recently received filters that Luis has worked on. Thanks to Feed the Hunger Burlington NC, for donating them!

     Mr. Edwor Castro asked for a filter due to stomach issues which included strong pain and diarrhea. There family is happy to report these issues have subsided due to the filter.

​
Mr. Erlei Otero Diaz wanted to better his hygiene for him and his family which have started with consuming clean water. The two youth Donairo and Erlei Jr. have enjoyed the process of filter making they sometimes volunteer their time to help Luis wash sand for other filters.

​Othenel's family states their sanitation and hygiene have improved due to receiving a bio-sand filter.

​ Please join us in praying for the De La Rosa family. On Wednesday July 1st, this little boy passed away due to ongoing health issues. This family heard in the community about the benefits of the bio-sand filters, and asked to receive one to better their hygiene and sanitation for their family.

Thank you for your support to our family and project Juntos! We are blessed to work here in Bocachica bringing families a way to have clean drinking water! If you would like to donate a filter to a family in need please contact us through our email: ariel.family.mission@gmail.com 

In Him,
The Ariels

More hellos and goodbyes

There are many styles of mission work, ours has developed into to hosting and hospitality to visitors and volunteers on a regular basis. As a result, there are many Hellos and Goodbyes.

This week we said goodbye to Raphaela, from Germany, who has been working with our project for the past five+ months. Raphaela's sister and brother in law come visit the last three weeks. They spent some time touring Colombia and spent a few days touring the island with us. It was great having them here. It is hard to say goodbye, but we are blessed the Lord gave us this time together and a new friendship we will cherish.  They are now homeland bound.

Left to right: Gregor, Anna, and Raphaela

Jonathan Snyder is a teacher from Bogota in a Bilingual school. He came to visit our projects and work in the community as well as relax a bit. He is a USA native that is working as missionary with youth. The boys enjoyed playing and roughing around with him. He helped Luis with the filter project, and played soccer with him and the young folks.


Jonathan Snyder

Adriana left to Bogota for two weeks to take care of business, and visit family. She is experiencing the Bogota cold after living and adapting to the island heat.



We said hello to two new tortoises, The kids named them April and August, they roam around our lot eating the sparse grass. Kristen has adopted them and takes very good care of them.

August the tortoise is a fast mover. My boys often ask why people say tortoises are slow??? He loves ripe bananas and has taking a liking to April.

April, is a shy tortoise! She trusts Kristen and knows her touch.

Zippy the turtle gets a weekly scrub down with a toothbrush to keep her clean and her water changed. 

This month we also say goodbye to old school books and start with some new. We are grateful to the Sumrall family, who are missionaries, working Cartagena. They gave us a bunch of books that are the right grades from some of our kids..While we have to wait on our other books to come in November, we are always thankful to have access to the internet to keep all kids occupied.

Funnies from the boys. We find some worksheets in their school books have words or pictures the boys don't know due to living on the island.

Mailman: the boys have never experienced mail being delivered, nor seen a mail truck.
Patrick had a photo of a stamp, with a confused look he asked what is this?
Another time, he pointed to a picture of a pretzel wondering if it was a toy or food.
Patrick wants to go to the States and get a bucket you can go down a hill with. (a sled)
One of the pictures needing to sound out was a gas pump. We don't see those here on the island, and when in the city we walk so the boys never notice gas stations.

Prayers for the up coming month:

Please join us in praying for a team we have coming from Maryland July 10th. For safe travels, health, and the work projects we will doing.

We are almost half way done with the pregnancy. :) Pray for our son as he continues to grow.

For the community of Bocachica. For those we come in contact with. That the Lord would be glorified in all that we do!

Thank you for your prayers and support to our family.

Happy 4th of July to you all! Enjoy a burger for me!

Tara