Cactus Flower

Rua Araras, 12 Home - Where I throw off my shoes at the door Where I sleep in whatever I want Where I can get up in the middle of the night and go to the refrigerator Where the ones I love live and laugh Where my doggies run through the house and jump for joy to see me Where I have my flowers planted outside the kitchen door Where my treasures are displayed on shelves and walls Where I can quietly sit in my special place and just do nothing (for a bit!) Ah, it's so good to have a home.  And tonight to be in it!  More on my travels through Para and Piaui later this week!

Recently I asked the Lord for a sign.  You know, a little Gideon's fleece.  Some important events are coming up in my life and I wished for some signal of approval, some indication that I was proceeding in the right direction. This past weekend, God gave me not just one, but 3 little banners to show His love for me. 1.  A Falling Star.  Byron and I went in together from the island Sunday night to lead the services at our church work in Sobradinho.  This was a first for me.  Usually one of the boys goes along to keep Byron company.  I piloted the boat on the coming in and on the way back he did.  As we pulled out of the canal, I saw a falling star.  Byron and I had the best time on our trip back in and the time was well spent. 2.  A Good Read.  This weekend I reread  Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom and was reminded of how much I have for which to be thankful and what a great task we have to share God's love every...

Every once in a while we get to see a little glimpse of the reason of our being on the mission field.  This morning we were privileged to go along with the young man who is now working along with Byron to the Justice of the Peace.  Adilson and his beautiful bride, Luizineide, have been together as man and wife for six years, but had never gone to have their union written on the books in a court of law.  They have been faithful to each other and now it was good to see them also make the decision to be faithful to the laws of the land. Pray for this young couple as we pray that soon they will make the most important decision of their lives to be faithful to the laws of God and accept Jesus as their rightful Lord and Savior.  They have been attending some church services these days at our congregation.  Adilson is a honest, hard worker who help has been tremendous in these past months for Byron.  Luizineide is kind-hearted and a good mother to their five ...

I found this little entry in a folder marked "My First Son" this week.  Perhaps that was the actual name I gave it or perhaps Word did it since those are the first words!  I do not remember!  From time to time someone asks me about having given birth to all my boys here in Brazil, so here's a little of my story...  William in my arms, 1996, Fortaleza My first son, William, was born in Fortaleza, Brazil.  It's a city of several million located in Northeast Brazil.  In the States while on deputation, I had two miscarriages.  One was never really defined beyond the point of God's will.  It occurred around 9 weeks.  The second was a molar pregnancy.  There was a fetus, but it developed a form of molar cancer.  That pregnancy also ended around 9 - 10 weeks.  The year following the second miscarriage, I was tested each month for any signs of cancer. None were ever found.  Each time I went in for a regular check-up onl...

On our recent trip we were delighted to visit with many friends both old and new.  At the two churches we visited in Fortaleza it was great to see many new Christians and hear about how they came to know the Lord.  It was also our privilege to see many old familiar faces of those who accepted Jesus as Savior during our time of ministry. At the church in the Joao XXIII bairro, I am always delighted to see one certain lady.  For two years I made visits and did Bible studies with a certain woman whom I had met at the boys' swimming lessons.  All during that time she never made a decision about God in her life.  She didn't know how to handle the fact that all of her family went to church on Saturday!  And what would they think about her going on Sunday!  If you don't know what church meets on Saturday, send me a note and I'll tell you! After we moved away she began to go to church for Sunday school only with her children, while still going with her ex...

Sun + sand + surf = refreshment and relaxation for mind, body, and soul! We recently enjoyed a few quiet days as a family in a secret quiet spot near Fortaleza.  Look for more exciting articles, devotionals and musings next week as I get back into the routine of normal life!

What do you say to a little girl who says - Take me home?   During the second of our two recent retreats with the Aventura Brasil 2010 Missions Team, these two little girls asked me just that.   One of the nights at the retreat these two little ones wanted to go on to bed before the lights out time.  I agreed to go on up to our room with them while the older girl also their sister and another counselor stayed up to play table games. I told them to get their toothbrushes and we would all go to the bathroom to get ready for bed.  We all changed our clothes and then I fixed their little mattress they had for sleeping - one for the both of them.  I got their covers all fixed and tucked them in.  Then I told them we were going to pray and then I would sing them some songs after I turned the lights off.  They had both told me they don't like the dark, so I thought that would make them happy. So I sang my homemade translation of "Go to ...