Team update from the Mancusos

Here is a great update from Amy Mancuso's family visit last week.

It was her first visit, so take time to read her testimony!

I want to write about the visit, it was great to see the Mancusos and Lohrs, we had a great week. I will try to write more and post pictures soon.
 As most of you know I have been busy, Tara is in the USA. I am here holding down the forts with the kids, so pray for us...
 Hope you all have a great weekend!

Clean water need

We made our first filter in a neighboring village yesterday. We had made one here for a family, and they requested that we make one for a brother in Cano de Oro. They buy water from Cartagena like we do and they say they constantly have problems with diarrhea. The family here has been very happy with their filter, and so because of the great results recommended one for their other family members.

 While there, I talked with a lady that lives in the house and she asked about it for a neighbor there. The neighbor also has problems after drinking the water. She is about 60+ years old. She would like one, but we need more donations. We do offer to sell them, but she doesn't have enough money. She thought about it for a while, and decided against it for right now. Here 50.00 dollars is a big investment, so it is something you have to think about. Similar to a big purchase like a new fridge or washer machine. It is necessary, but the price is large enough you may decide to wait. The difference though is clean water is more important than a washer machine or new fridge.
  Afterward the lady asked if we could make and send them to Monteria because her family there also has problems getting clean water. It is about 6 hours from here. I would love to be able to go and help, at this point we can't do that. Lord willing we will be able to expand later. Only about 12 in 100 people here in Colombia have access to potable water, we need more people and programs to help bring more clean water to the people here.

 If any of you guys back home want to help and donate a filter, let us know. If you employer has a giving program that can match your donations, or looks for good places to give, let us know. If you know of a social group that looks to give to social projects like this, let us know.
 Together with help from there and workers from here, we can provide clean water and a better quality of life for people here. Even if you don't do "mission trips", if you provide money to build filters you contribute greatly to a better family life for someone here. One filter cleans enough water to provide for a family with cooking, bathing, and drinking water; and the investment will last at least 10 years and perhaps up to 30.
 Our program also offers hygiene and sanitation class as well as discipleship class.

  For more information contact us:

Email, Ariel.family.mission@gmail.com


If you would like to donate funds to our water program you can send a check to Antioch Commuity Church, P.O. Box 40, Elon, NC. 27244 (This is tax deductible) Note clean water on check.

If you would like to give using a credit card you can do so by going to our blog and click on the page about our filter program. This allows you to give using our pay pal.

All of the money giving to this program is used for the set up and materials to build the filters.

Thank you all who help and spread the word, we are grateful for the visits, emails, prayers and support. 

You too will enjoy these things soon!

To all my friends on the east coast, my post is to encourage you! I see the posts on your walls and I read the captions on the news. I know half are full of joy for the snow you are about to receive, while others are dreading another flake.

But don't worry it won't be long before your flowers bloom!

And I know your taste buds crave lemonade, but soon it will be time to enjoy one.

Or maybe you are wishing it was warm enough so the kids can play outside ALL day!

Maybe what you are dreaming of is going to the beach with a friend.

Or your desire could be as simple as enjoying an ice cream cone in the heat of the day.

We get that! And we will pray for you and the snow storm coming your way.

With love,
The Ariels

Michael Bracey and friend's photo shoot

We had new friends come and visit the island. Michael Bracey is working on documenting African descendants in the various places in the world where they have settled.

 

They, his wife Maria and a friend Ruth Goring who are from Chicago, are visiting Colombia for a few weeks ,and Bocachica was one of the stops. Michael takes photographs and talks to the locals about their history. He has published and had exhibits about his work.
   He also encouraged the young people, especially the young men, in being a better next generation here on the island.  They saw the filter program and gave a filter to the community here, which we and a family here will be thankful for.

 It was a short visit, but was fun...
For more information about Michael's work visit www.mjbphotography.com

Sunrise

Sunrise in Bocachica this Morning.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Lam 3:22-23

Visitor update!

A quick photo update of the recent visitors we have had, we don't have a guest book so we use the internet...
We always wanted a bed and breakfast, we kinda have one now with the apartment. (though it is a bed,breakfast, lunch and dinner). We love having visitors!

 Ada Luz came for a week from Chile back in October. We enjoyed our time with her and hearing what life is like in Chile. She was very active in the community and had a wealth of knowledge.
 

We had Germans sent to us on two different occasions, they came bearing gifts of Chocolate from our friend Leni! We are thankful for them!

In January we had our partners from Medellin with Snoot Photography come for a week to work in the community.  They are bringing a voice to the needs of Bocachica with photography. We enjoy our friendship we have with them all.

Photo credit: Lina Arroyave
In photo left to right. Lina Arroyave, Javier Mauricio Florez, and to the right Elizabeth Diaz Soto

The week after Mark Fox (Aka: Billy Bob) and his daughter Hannah Fox came for a week to visit us and work along side us in the community.

 A blessing for our family to have them here. For us it is more than our Pastor and his daughter...For us it is family! It was a blast to spend the days with them both. We enjoyed our talks, encouragement, laughter and advice.

This week we met our first Argentinian! Lorena came to see us after a friend recommended she visit the island. She stayed with us for 3 days. A joy to be around! She is a teacher of English, and her skills came out when she took a notebook and wrote exercises for me to practice my Spanish daily. I am blessed to see the world through the people we have had contact with. I think it's one of the best gifts when homeschooling your kids. It's great way to know the cultures of other countries.

Hospitality has become on of my favorite parts of being a missionary. 

I am excited to see who the Lord has to cross our paths next!

With love, The Ariels

Merry Christmas

Our family would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas along with a  happy,healthy New Year. We have been blessed to work this past year in Bocachica. We have seen the Lord use our ministry here on the island. We have established closer friendships with the community, been involved in the local church and have opened our hearts and homes to those whom we serve. Thank you all who play a role in us being here. We appreciate everyone of you. We hope you all have a wonderful day remembering the gift the Lord gave to us all!

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14 (NKJ)

 

 

With love from our family to yours,

The Ariels