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

Impressions from home

First impressions, being away from home for 3.5 years is enough time that there are first impressions again. The USA brought back the old like a new experience. The smell of green, Bocachica has green in the rainy season, but the smell isn't the same as NC. The grass smelled what I would have imagined green would smell like. I know the smell of brown, the dirt and dust. Burlington smelled of freshness and green. Grass felt like carpet, soft and clean.

 Food, there is something spiritual about food. I think I had an experience when I came back and tasted the ordinary. The flavors were rich and deep. The quality of food and the tones. Baby back ribs, bacon, Ginger chicken, steak, Italian sausage. There is so much variety that three weeks isn't enough to review the American menu.

Safety, it is strange that the laws of order liberate one to exercise freedom, even strange freedoms. No walls with iron bars and barbed wire. Some inject fear into such tranquility, but the reality is there is freedom to do a lot without recompense. Bikes in the lawn, windows open at night, a simple lock on the door with no one needed to guard the house.

 Abundance, there is so much of everything. Cars, clothes, houses, shopping centers, tools. Everything can be done right with the right tools. Everything functions in order, and it is upsetting if on occasion it doesn't. Water, electricity, telephones. I enjoyed the blessing of being home, it is the best place in the world, I think. It is sad to imagine that the majority population in the world will never get to live in an environment like the USA. Bocachica is closer to the environment of the world majority, it has benefits, but it is hard living compared to the USA. Americans have a privileged place in this world. That privilege shouldn't be rejected, though that seems to be in style these days, but used to bless others. Use the advantage to lift others up, and spread the good news.

Patriotism, after touring Washington DC and seeing the history of our USA. Seeing the museums and monuments gave me an appreciation for the work and lives that have gone into our past. Christianity has had a major part in this considering the referencing of God in so many places. At the Lincoln memorial a friend mentioned how awe inspiring it was to read what is inscribed on the walls. Not only the quality of writing, but the depth of relationship with God that shows. The USA can try to ignore this aspect of history, but until they erase the stone it is permanently reminding us. The Christian culture of the USA is something that is taken for granted and something that I miss.

 Church, Christ's bride, it was refreshing to see old friends, and renew relationships. The church seemed the same and new. The church in NC wasn't so overwhelmingly lost in sensation. I think because we have the church in Bocachica. Two very different styles and places, but very similar. Similar because of Christ. I miss our friends from Antioch, but the building, liturgy, music didn't create the ambiance. What triggered emotion was fathers holding young children close, something that isn't common in Bocachica. A young sister crying for her sister that passed away. Gray hair showing among many sitting with third generation heritage. It is great to experience church in the ways it is supposed to be.

Via Geoff Gentry

Via Jorge Caraval

 Thank you all who helped with this trip, and all those who support our work here in Colombia. It was great to see you all, it was refreshing and fun.
We think of you all often, blessings,
Nate