February---the month of love--we want to start by sharing a story with you--about a year ago, we did some work on our home here and hired some neighbors to help. Dave was drawn to one fellow in particular, Victor, and he began to get to know him. He continued to hire him to help with work around our yard, etc, and to be honest I had some concerns. Victor was known to use drugs and I was concerned for our daughters. We did take precautions for our safety but Dave continued to reach out to this young man. Then his brother started to come around and I was even more concerned!! Our neighbors and fellow missionaries, Ken and Karen, also hired them to work in their yard. Dave invited them to church regularly and talked to them about faith matters and continued to give them work and befriend them. Our neighbors went back to the states for eight months and returned in January, commenting on the difference they were seeing in Victor and Juan Luis. That was encouraging. Ken and Karen really reached out to them and their families and Dave invited them to his Friday evening men's group--I don't think they have missed a week!! So.....they did begin coming to church and two weeks ago Dave and Ken took them out to a nearby river and they were baptized!! Their whole family came to watch--our van was full of family members. Here are some photos of that afternoon...
A week ago it was Ken's birthday. Karen is back in the states and Victor and Juan Luis have really adopted Ken---inviting him to eat most meals with them and their family. When they found out it was Ken's birthday, they wanted to do something special for him. So they planned a surprise party and invited our family to come too. They made a meal and decorated the house, something they have seen Karen do a number of times. It was so touching to see their excitement and their love for Ken, Karen and our family. And to top it off, the looks on my young daughters faces as we sat in the tiny home were priceless. My girls are witnessing a transformation in the lives of these men. My youngest daughter, Beka, pulled me aside and said "Mom, I love this house, it is so cozy, I'd like to live in a house like this." Now this home is simply sheets of tin put together, probably 300 square feet---the little kitchen has a double bed to one side. I was amazed at my daughter's comment and so grateful to God for what he is doing in my daughters' lives as well.
Waiting to surprise Ken...
Surprising Ken...
Playing dominos--very popular here!!...
Please pray for Victor, Juan Luis and their families. The road ahead will not be easy but they now have tapped into a great source of strength and hope. Ken has helped them buy and repair a bicycle as a form of transportation to help them look for work. He has also helped Victor get his license so he can drive a vehicle as a source of income. We see these men sensing that they have worth and purpose and it is beautiful.
There are so many stories like this one that we could share. But we will just end with a couple of photos of the pastors and their wives at the Valentine's party at our home and the couples marriage retreat---both events held in February thanks to your support!!
The Valentine's Day party in our front patio area--couples sharing and playing games...
Dave and I joined in the game playing too---see these events are good for our marriage too!!...
We ended the evening by encouraging everyone in their marriages, emphasizing the importance of love and respect in the relationship. We gathering in a big circle for prayer and then took a group shot!!!...
We ended the month with an overnight marriage retreat for our pastors and workers--great teaching and much fun!!...
Please check our prayer requests section and other information to the right.
God bless and keep you all
Dave, Cherry, Rachael and Beka
