October 2013

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  ~ Philippians 4:6&7

The above verses have been one of my key scriptures for the past two months. As I shared in the last update, we began a new believer’s study with those that recently accepted Christ into their lives. It was super exciting at first, but we had to make sure we did not give up when some of them would cancel a study or not show up.

There are many unanswered questions when sharing Jesus with those that have made a profession of faith: Are they serious? Have they truly accepted Jesus into their hearts? Fortunately these are not for me to judge. I just need to be faithful in what God has called me to do—share His love and the gift of salvation He offers. One of the ladies we have been ministering to told us that she desires to be baptized based upon her new faith in Christ. It’s very exciting to see new believers reach this point of personal conviction and decision. 

                                  Seventh annual ladies retreat

In 2006 Denise Meyer and I first thought about a retreat for the ladies we were ministering with. We had never planned or organized anything like this before. We did not realize how many ladies would come from different areas in Belize. I know that God brought Anna Mensie to us at just the right time. She has been a great help in organizing this event through the years after our first retreat. Her past experience of retreat planning in the States provided the direction and support that we needed. To God be the Glory!

We praise God for the provision to have the ladies retreat this year in a camp where all the rooms had AC and the setting was very relaxing. We thank Debbie Douglas from California and Sarah Vincent, missionary in Mexico, for coming and blessing us with God’s Word. Many times speakers from the States worry about making sure the message they are about to give will be culturally friendly. One thing I see over and over again is that we all experience the same problems—maybe at different times—but we all need to hear what God’s Word has to say to us. We all need to forgive and love one another no matter how different God has created us. 

Many have asked if I have had any little ones in my care since we came home from our trip north at the end of July. Truthfully, I did pray and ask God, if it were His will, to please not let the social worker call until the 7th of October. I desired the first month to get Cory back to school and to plan our 7th annual ladies retreat without little ones to care for. I had no intentions of turning down a little one in need. So, I had to chuckle when the social worker ended up calling on the 8th of October. The little one, however,  was not ready with his supplies to come to us until the October 11th.

Treajone will be two years old at the beginning of November. Yes, he is a little small for his age. I do not know his family background so I do not know if his family is of small stature or if he has suffered malnutrition. He has adjusted well and is a joy to have around. 

September 2013

                                             

Many of the people that we visited door-to-door accepted Jesus as their Savior. We are now spending time teaching and following up with these new believers.

It is exciting to be doing a new believers’ study with this family. Please pray that they will continue to be excited about walking with Jesus as their Lord.

There is always something for everyone to do. All we need to do is listen and see how God wants to use us.

August 2013

Belize update August 2013

Cory and I had such a wonderful time on our trip north last month. First, we had two wonderful weeks in Manitoba with friends and family. Cory’s highlight was going to Tinkertown where he went on many rides with his cousins, aunts and uncle. I’m thankful that Martha came up with the clever idea of taking Cory to Tinkertown. Cory had the time of his life and I was able to get the rest I needed!

Second, we went to California and reconnected friends and family. This was also a time of meeting new friends. Cory was stretched many times and also was able to do some growing up along the way. Cory had so many wonderful experiences that it is hard to select a single highlight. He spent quality time with his uncles, reconnected with cousins and friends, rode shotgun with a CHP officer who answered his many questions, learned about California history, rode horses, and made new friends along the way. Both of us had a super-blessed time with everyone. Thank you so much!

We came home all excited to see what God had for us. This is also a time of getting ready for a new school year. For the last three years a social worker would bring a child to us within two weeks of our return home. Although we’ve now been home for three weeks, we haven’t received a call. I am okay with it for right now.

The week we came back, our church had a mission team of three that came to encourage us. They went door-to-door with members of our church to share the gospel. I was really blessed to see how they went the extra mile to help with the teachings. I could see the leaders of our church were truly blessed and encouraged. Before this team had left, Jim Parkinson from Virginia came with another team to help with some projects at my place as well as spend time with the girls at Marlaʼs House of Hope in Belmopan. It is a blessing when teams come to share the love of Christ and to help out with projects that need to be done. There are many different areas where help is needed. I am always amazed at how God provides for our needs.  All we need to do is ask and He always provides according to His will.

In July we were blessed with a mission team from Susanville, California. We made new friends and were fed God’s Word as they ministered to us and all our friends in the area. It was a true blessing to have some work projects finished in our home as well as landscaping done. They put in many hard working hours. Thanks again for spiritually refreshing us!

Fostering Updates

Since my last update in May, Saleni left June 1st, 2011 and is now living with her grandma. We have seen her several times and her grandmother has been enjoying having her around, despite the work of dealing with a very active two year old. She did mention that she is a hand full and willing for Shaleni to come and visit us some time.

Tyrell turned one end of August. He came to us when he was four months and was going to stay for two months. At the age of 15 months is when it was official that Tyrell is up for adoption. We were blessed to meet a couple from Spanish Lookout that are excited about adopting Tyrell and making him apart of their family. Tyrell was placed with the Reimer family May 11, 2012. He is doing very well and it has been a blessing to see how he adjusting to his new parents. 

Two days before Tyrell left Nathan at seven months came to us. The social worker asked me if I could care for him for one month and that will give the mom a chance to prove herself that she will be responsible to get her baby back. Nathan’s mom did get him back on the 11th of June and so far I believe she is taking good care of him. 

Four days after Tyrell leaves Marcos came to us. He is about 18 months old but we are not quite sure of his exact age. I was asked to care for Marcos for three months, praying for God’s will in  his life.

May 2011 continued:

 Shaleni at the age of two is always curious and likes to keep us all on our toes. Gary and Georgia came to Belize in January and they truly have been grandparents to my children. See, that is just another way how God provides for the needs of the least of these. God cares so much for these foster children that He would send grandparents that love them so much. Asking for prayer for Shaleni as she gets reunited with her grandma this coming week. We will miss her and our hearts desire is that the Lord keeps her safe and well. 

Thank you so much for all your love, support and most of all your prayers for us. I do not have all my contacts in my new computer yet so if you see this and would like to be on the list for update please email me. 

I have had some problems with posting updates on my blog. Once again I will try and see if I can get new posts up. I know it has been a year since my last successful update. So much has happened and our Lord God has truly blessed us in so many ways. Thanks so much to those of you who continue to pray for us.