Home in the USA

We have left the land of sun,

We arrived to the cold! The climate of winter and snow our first week here. The kids loved the snow! Other then the temperature, the welcome we have received from family and friends has been very warm.

 We had bought a new house that could fit our size family in Burlington. Living in Colombia though we never saw the house except by internet and through the eyes of Nathan Heafner, a friend of ours. He went and inspected the house, and acted as our power of attorney to buy the house. So we are excited to see the house in person and to see that it is as good or better than we imagined. We had faith in the abilities of Nathan, and are thankful for his friendship. After we purchased the house Nathan and his wife Julie put in many hours getting the house ready for us to come home. Nathan had to get the well going after being dormant for two years.
We were hoping the the house would have beds so that when we flew in we could just walk through the door and go to bed. Our church, however, exceeded expectations with furnishing the whole house. Chrissy Hahn organized cleaning and scheduling to put the house together so that it would be ready when we got here. They even had food in the fridge and meals for the next weeks to help out.
 We have been blessed beyond what we would have thought. We are thankful for the love and sacrifice of those that have helped out in our transition to the states.
 We are finally getting internet and the other utilities set up. Our communication will pick up now that we are "connected" again.

'Than has learned all about the mail system here in the United States. He has already sent two letters.They think mail is a pretty neat way to communicate.

The kids were given a gift of a basket ball goal and balls. Now they are outside more than they are inside. They love playing a game of ball with Nate.

Another thing the boys have realized is that American beef franks are much tastier here verses a Colombian hot dog. The kids have been picking up broken sticks and making bonfires. It's a win win situation for us. They pick up sticks, logs, and branches. We provide marshmallows and hot dogs for their reward.

The girls have enjoyed the traditional American treats. Of course the first thing we had to make was some chocolate chip cookies. :) Praying by the time we return to Colombia they will import chocolate chips.

I wanted to take the boys on a field trip. Of course we thought the fire station was the best choice. My boys enjoyed themselves and got a grand tour of the station. We are lucky to have our old neighbor on shift that day. He made sure the boys had a great time.

Back in Colombia, Luis and Adriana have moved into our house with Debbie to watch over things. They will be continuing the work over the next year. They are excited for the this new season, though it will be a lot more work.

 Thank you for all your continued support. Pray for Luis and Adriana in Bocachica. We are going to be giving a report at 7:00 pm, at Antioch Community Church in Burlington NC on Wednesday, February 24 . If you are in the area stop by and see us!

With love,
The Ariels

Moving along

It has been a while since we updated. We have been very busy on many different fronts. We have a new born in the house, and this adds to the daily routine.
 The exciting news is that we are back in the USA for a year to rest and catch up on many things. We have been in Bocachica over four years now so some things have changed, but there are many things the same that our kids haven't experienced. The boy's school books have pictures that match to spelled out words. The problem is they don't know some of the pictures. We have to explain what a mailbox is, or what a barn is used for. A garbage truck takes your trash away for you. Many things they may have seen, but don't remember.
 We also have girls getting ready to move toward university. They need to catch up on learning to drive, expectations of the first world society, and things like that. So the whole family will have some growing.
 We also haven't had a family vacation in at least five years, so we need time to rest and see family. We are excited to come home and see friends, family, and catch up on many activities. We hope to be able to see many of you during this time!

 In Bocachica, Luis and Adriana and family will be taking over the leadership and care of the work. They will continue to host visitors at our house, but also keep up with working at El Shadday. They will continue the filter project as well. So they are going to have a big load this year. Pray for them to have the energy for all this. Pray also that perhaps the Lord would send them some help for this time.
 If you would like to support them and their work please let us know.

 This month we have lots of visitors. We had Hannah Burkhardt from Germany come visit.

Juan Bastidas who partners with us came to see us and the boys he disciples.

Some young guys we mentor with in another village that is about a half days travel away came to visit Luis and I during News Years week.

A new friend, Andrea Osorio from Bogota, stopped in for a day to see the projects.

Luis and Adriana had 6 of their family come and visit for a week on the 5th of January. We were hosting up until we left!

Debbie had a friend from Medellin come visit as well.

We have loved having visitors and meeting all the people that have come through our home. It is going to be something that we miss living in the states.

In other news, Vincent broke his arm while practicing his jump while swinging. It wasn't a bad break, but the doctor decided to put a cast on because it would help it heal faster.

Being back in the states is great and we will be sharing more about that soon.

 Thank you to all who support us! We are grateful for your work that enables us to work here!

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.