Enjoying My Relationship with God

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before - I probably haven't since I've been horrible at keeping up my blog in the last 6 months or so - but I've been reading through Emotionally Healthly Spirituality by Pete Scazzero (I'm not positive I have his last name correct, but suffice it to say he's a pastor of a church in Brooklyn, New York).

Anyway, my point is that God has really used this process to develop in my a sense of intentionally taking time at points throughout my day to stop...and just be still before the Lord...and enjoy Him, for Who He is and how He's has so lovingly treated me (and all those who are united with Jesus) with forgiveness and strength and encouragement and constant love so that I can learn to love Him and follow Him wherever He leads me.

It's really an amazing experience to be able to have the privilege of spending time with the Maker and Lord of Heaven and Earth! It really is! There is a heavenly joy there that satisfies very deeply.

God is so good!

Oh, by the way, our 1st Christmas in Lima was awesome. Sara's sister came into town and we so enjoyed meeting her at the airport, then opening gifts, then eating pancakes then, of all things, going to the beach! It will be a memorable Christmas, no doubt!

Holidays

Wow. Thanksgiving has past and Christmas is on the way! How quick things move.

Thanksgiving was awesome even though leading up to the day itself I had a strange sense that this was nothing like what it should be. But, when the decorations went up and the people came over and the food was eaten - oh yeah, it was Thanksgiving. It ended up being one of the most delightful Thanksgivings that I can remember. It really was a blessing.

Thanks, Lord. It was unexpected in light of our first one away from family.

Christmas is on the way, as well as a transition from full time language school/tutor to ministry. I'm "chomping at the bit" as they say to get involved and yet, at the same time, I am fearful of attempting to minister in light of my level of Spanish. Clearly, this is a great case of seeking the Lord's grace and power to be at work in my huge weakness.

My e-brain is back! (read “Palm pilot”)

Immigration

So, yesterday and today Sara and I spent all day in the office of immigrations in Lima. We were waiting to finally get our "carnets." These are are permanent resident ID cards while we stay here in Peru. The process took almost 9 months, but it happened! Yeah!

Thank God for giving us patience through these two days of 5 hours of waiting in line to get these done. We could easily have given up and been mad but God graciously poured out His grace and patience into our hearts. For that, we are thankful.

And our dear brother in Christ and friend, Enrique, was instrumental in getting this to work. Wow! I can't say enough about him and his faithfulness through this whole time.

Mis Padres (My Parents)

Hey Y'all,

My parents were just in Lima, Peru (of all places) hanging out with their grandkids (and me and Sara, too, of course). It was wild and fun to have them here. At first they were a little concerned about what it would be like to stay here for 10 days. But, after that first taxi ride where they got to experience traffic in Lima and all the craziness that it entails....and they lived through it, they were fine.

We had a fantastic time reconnecting with them after last seeing them back in February before we left the States. It was a real blessing from Jesus to have them here and we are grateful to Him for allowing them to come stay with us for a bit.

They are back in the States now, safe and sound.

Chesterfield Pres!

So, exciting news to report: five brothers in Christ came to Lima for several days just this past week to see what the Lord is doing and what the possibility is for them and their church, Chesterfield Pres in St. Louis, to be involved here.

It was awesome! These guys (and I know that you guys are reading this, but I'm being honest) were a real blessing to meet and spend time with. Clearly, it was something the Lord put together for them to be able to be here and spend time with us, the Lima New City mission team and some of our dear Peruvian brothers and sisters in the Lord, and to see the need that is here.

I don't know what the Lord has in mind with Chesterfield, but I, for one, am praying and hoping for the Lord to give us the priviledge of staying connected in an ongoing, meaningful way in the years to come. But, as we all know, the Lord doesn't have to listen to all of my ideas :) on the contrary, I need to shut up more often, listen and pay attention to His ideas! :) And so, I will wait on Him to see what He will say and do.

Also, this was my first time in San Clemente, a town that is a 3 1/2 hour bus ride south of Lima that was severely hit by the earthquake of August 2007. There is a whole neighborhood that grew up there that is entirely made up of folks who lost EVERYTHING in the earthquake. They lost their houses and all of their possessions and many lost family, too. So, the government gave them resources to build these "shacks" or as I call them "thatch huts" to be able to have something to call a home. But, the needs are great here among them. The need for reconstruction, the need for their hearts to get the Gospel and live for His Kingdom and the need for caring for all the many, many, many children that are there. And all of this revels the need for a church to be planted there to build up the Church that Christ has begun to build there. Many new believers there in San Clemente are asking for a church to be planted among them.

So, please, pray for San Clemente and the needs there that King Jesus already knows about is and is fast at work to meet them. Then, also, pray for those believers who may need to answer Christ's call to go and work among those dear souls.

Okay, all for now.

Oops...I Forgot I Have A Blog :)

So, I was kindly reminded last night about this blog and how I have not written anything in a very long time (July 30th, I believe was the last entry).

I want to apologize. I have let my habit go and that makes me sad. ;(

BUT I'M BACK! So, let's get this thing started once again.

It is amazing to me that we've been here in Lima, Peru for 7 months! It's a whole new world still to me but I do feel much more settled in. Time does that, doesn't it?

The challenge for me, in addition to the normal desparately needed prayer for learning Spanish well, is beginning to get from the Lord what specifically He wants me to be involved in here. I mean, I have my ideas but as Scripture says, "Proverbs 16:9 'In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.'"
So, I need much patience but also intentionality to pursue that part of God's Kingdom that he's placed on my heart.

To this end I'll share here the verses that REALLY light a fire in my heart:
Proverbs 31:8-9
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."

I was drawn to come here because I wanted to be a part of the Lord caring for those dear souls who are lost and oppressed and need to surrender their hearts as well as their needs to the Lord.

And Ezekiel 11:19-20
19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

Plus, there is the constant need for people to be shepherded in and encouraged in this reality: God does in fact have the power to change a heart - to change a life. No one is beyond hope and no believe ever needs to dispair for his/her own failures or others. God is in the business of changing the very nature of sinners. I love this story!

All for now. I'll write a little later.
Jim

Where Did July Go?

Hey Guys and Gals,

Sorry. But, for whatever reason I have been completely absent from blogging for this month. I think, partly, it's because for awhile I had very limited use of my computer since Max (our dog) chewed my power cord to shreads and I had to wait until a friend came from the U.S. to bring me my new cord.

Then, over these last few weeks (last and this) the kids have been off school and so we went away to the city of Huancayo for 6 days and then home. But, even being here it's somewhat distracting since life isn't "normal" in its routine.

Ugh. Anyway, hopefully, I can now get back to it.
---------------------------------------------------------

We've been taking a language class break, which I guess is good. However, I'm dying to get back at it and learn more and get going on my Spanish. Sara, not so much. Culture shock is hitting her pretty bad right now. You can pray for her. A lot. :)

Some Rooms from our New House

Caroline's Bedroom

Living Room

Some Rooms from our New House

Eli's Bedroom

Chloe's Bedroom

My Kids....Fun Stories

So, Chloe asked me today, "Daddy, why do they call them 'French Fries'?" Then, of course, the follow up question is, "Why do they call it 'French Toast'?"

This, in light of the fact, that we had French Toast today and French Fries, too.

At some point she also asked, "How does hair grow if it's not alive?"

:)

Oh, also, Eli told me that the reason his team won his most recent basketball game at school was because he drank the red gatorade-like drink which, of course, makes you very powerful.

Just thought I'd share those great insights with you all.

Four Months

Can you believe that we've been here in Lima for four months?!?!?!?$?%?%?%?

I just wanted to say that.

Chau (pronounced "chow" and means, bye)

At the Airport Until 2am

So, yesterday was an adventure.

Sara and I had the chance to go out on a date. We enjoyed ourselves for a few hours and then at 8pm we attended a school meeting for Chloe's class. Yes, I'm not kidding, a Friday night meeting for all parents to attend (and it was well attended). Then, after the meeting I dropped Sara off at home and drove to Jeremy's house (Jeremy Ross a team mate on the Lima New City Team).

We took a taxi to the airport to greet and escort (along with several other team members) three church missions teams coming in for the week. One came in at roughly 10:30pm, the next at 11:30pm and the last one we met up with after customs around 1:45am, I think. If I remember correctly. :)

After we all got in the van/taxi and made it to the motel I got in my car and drove home by about 3:15am (again, I think that's right).

It was a fun evening in terms of hang out time with the team folks and meeting the new folks on the missions teams coming in. But, man...this day was a bit of a waste for me. I barely parented today...so....tired...must....go....on.

Father's Day...

Well, today was quite a day. I was up in the morning with all three of my children in bed with Sara and me. They were giving me their gifts and it was great. I got some comfy slippers and a compass! I've been wanting one of those since I have a HORRIBLE sense of direction. And in a city of almost 10 million people I easily get lost. ;(

Anyway, we were over by the Pacific Ocean this afternoon ( which is only 30 minutes away on a lazy Sunday afternoon). It is so beautiful even if it is cooler in this Autumn/Winter time of year here in Lima. It's been around 15C as the low each day and around 18C as the high. Which is about 59F and 65F.

Also, we're in a new rental house that's really big. I can't believe that the Lord has given us this place. Seriously. I need to get pics up. But, it is painfully clear to me that He's given us this place (as we just begin our adventure here in Lima in the new roles we have in the Kingdom) for a Kingdom purpose. So, we begin to pray, "Lord, how do you want to use this house? Show us each day?"

The kids are doing well. Chloe is speaking spanish very well and Eli and Caroline are getting in in them but it's coming out a little slowly. Which is fine. We're here less than four months so it takes a lot of time. Their school work is a big load. They do 2 hours (sometimes more) of homework each night which includes Spanish and History in Spanish and something else too. I forget.

Okay. I'm going.

Finally, Internet Again

Hello All,

Sorry for the grand delay. I can't write a lot, but I wanted to say that we've been without internet for the past week in light of our move into the new house. But, we're back online and hope to give a full update via email soon.

I hope and trust the Lord is blessing you and yours in the midst of life

Jim

Tomorrow, Saturday, we're moving again. The third time since being here in Lima. I'm so tired of moves.

But, this house that the Lord supplied is amazing and good and a great price and a blessing. It needs A LOT of work since the last tenant absolutely RUINED the place. I have pics but they're not loaded onto the computer yet.

So, you'll just have to wait a little bit. :)

I'll talk with you after the move sometime.

Not a Natural Blogger..

Okay. What can I say? I'm not, by nature, a blogger.

I want to be. I'm trying to be. But, it just gets lost many times by the day to day busy of learning the language/culture and parenting/school routines and needs and Sara and I learning by grace and faith to adjust to this new world.

So, enough with my excuses already!

We're doing well, although highly frustrated at this point because the house that we are supposed to move into has become a "soap opera" of sorts. The tenant is not letting the landlord/owner of the house in to meet with her and let us see the house. (We've never seen the house.) Her lease is up today, so we hope that tomorrow or Monday at the latest we'll get things rolling, but we're not 'holding our breath.'

Each time we've had a scheduled appointment to see the house, she has canceled and rescheduled. That's happened four times now, I believe. It's amazing to me how the landlords/owners have little rights in these situations.

But, clearly, the Lord wants us to wait on Him patiently.

Help us, Lord

We Got a New Puppy

Say 'hi' to Max.

Here's a picture of Chloe and Eli having fun on Chloe's birthday (which was May 5th). It just took me a bit to get it on the computer and here. :)

I have NO idea how the days fly by so quickly and I don't get a new post up more often! Sorry about that.

This week is an off week for the kids and for us in the sense that none of us have formal, scheduled class time. The kids just finished their first quarter of school and since our language tutor has kids at the same school we all decided it would be best if we took a break from our classes as well.

So, with this off week we were going to go away, but in the end, we didn't feel comfortable with doing that. We really wanted simply a week off. Down time, ya know?

Plus, we just got a puppy! Yes, it's true, for the first time in the life of this Ward family we have a dog and not a cat. We just got him today. His name is Max. Max is a laborador and only 1 1/2 months old. When we get a chance we'll have to post/send pictures.

All for this moment.

Internet Troubles

So, for the past week we've been having trouble getting online at all. It's been incredibly frustrating and humbling since this is our main means of communicating with everyone in the United States.

But, it reminds me of how our move to Lima does, in fact, affect certain things about life. Life is different here. There are different ways of doing things and some things are as dependable as you would like them to be.

I don't know if tomorrow I'll have internet access or not. For that matter, it may be a week or longer. But, I wanted to at least communicate that just so you know.

The Week of Parties!!!

Okay, so starting this past Wednesday we've entered into a season of parties, or maybe I will say fiestas. (For obvious reasons.)

Anyway, last Wednesday and Thursday nights we had two separate parties for a fellow Lima New City team member who is leaving the field since her 2 years of service are up. She was sad but we had a good time together. As of today, she is in the states. Blessings on you, Laura.

Then, today, Saturday, we are having a small birthday party for Chloe (she turns 9 on Monday the 5th) with a few of her friends at a nearby park.

Then, Monday, we'll do a family celebration with Chloe, but we're also getting together with another family since our friend also has her brithday on Tuesday. So, we're celebrating together at that time.

Then, another dear friend has her birthday on Friday the 9th so we're celebrating with her, her family and friends on next Saturday the 10th. Whew!

I'm not sure, but I think that will be the end of this season of Fiestas. God is good. We're thankful for all of these dear folks (and our daughter) whom the Lord has blessed us with.

On Being a Missionary

Okay. So, the reality is there's no difference between serving the Lord here in Lima and in the States, my home country, when it comes to who the Lord is and who I am.

What I mean is, it seems like in order to be a missionary a Christian would have to be a super-Christian, one who really is close to Jesus and mature and strong. But, in reality, Jesus calls all of us to that whether we're in the States of overseas or wherever. It's always true that I'm weak and always need Jesus to forgive me and make me strong to be able to do anything. I will say, it's a little more intense here, than in the States because of the language/culture factor, though.

I also think that right now, I'm not completely hitting "culture shock" yet (as has been defined by others for me). I'm still in the honeymoon phase, I believe.

Sometimes I worry about when it will come and how hard it will be. But, that's not my concern today. I have things to do today, just like you do, right? So, that's all I'll concern myself with.

But, I do need to learn how to do this daily thing WITH Jesus and not on my own. I'm really good at having a time of reading the Bible and praying to Him but then the rest of the day I just do on my own. :(

Thankfully, Jesus works with me and inside me because He loves me and has changed me through His cross! And not because I am so good at being obedient (because I'm not...I have a long way to go).

Yo Soy Un Bebe...

Yes. It's true, when it comes to speaking Spanish, I am a baby. It hurts my pride and can be very difficult at times when you want to say something and it either doesn't come out at all or it comes out completely off base so that the person you are speaking with just looks at you and has no idea what you really want to say.

Ah...it's a good thing that the Lord is always and ever-ready to help in all circumstances!

Dios es bueno!
Siempre!

Earthly Worries and Fears

Just now, I am thinking about other missionary friends who are in great need of fundraising to either get to the field or to stay on the field.

I have to say that that is my fear; that we'll have to go through the same thing.

However, there are several things I know to be true in our lives:
* God loves us and will put us where He wants us to serve and when He wants us to serve there; it's completely His choice
* He is faithful to provide what we need when we need it; whether that's support to stay here in Lima long-term or to go to the States and remain there or wherever
* Lastly, I know that we must do our part by faith; God has called us to be support raisers...that is a part of our life now as overseas missionaries; and it will always be a part of our life. So, we will take it day by day and week by week, making the contacts we need to so that people and churches catch the vision God has for Lima and for ministering through the grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8, 9).

So, it's Friday night and Sara and I just got back from a date. Whew-hew! A date in Lima, Peru. How fun.

Thank you, Lord, for the chance to go out with my wife! We went to Jockey Plaza - a mall like place where TONS of Limenans go on Friday night. I mean, this place was PACKED! We were able to see a movie. It was pretty good and then we had time just to look around and even get ice cream.

Anyway, nothing "exciting" to report on a blog like this, I guess, you'd say. But, it was a blessing to me and sara.

Playing Hookey

Is that how you spell the word? I'm not sure. But, today, Sara and I played "hookey".

Why? Because last night our family had a meltdown. It was a tough night all around for the five of us. At the time it seemed like the reasons were right in front of us: bad attitudes, laziness, failure to do what I said I was going to do, etc.

But, when we met with the Lord and our team leaders, Mark and Lori, this morning, it became evident that the reasons for our meltdown were (are) deeper than that. All five of us are feeling culture shock on some level and all of us in one way or another are feeling, "Okay. We've had a great visit here in Peru. Let's go home."

So, we're at the place where we are very aware of our NEED for Jesus to save us and pour out His love and be our strength and helper.

Thanks, Lord, for always bringing us HOPE when we want to give up all hope.

Hugo

Last Tuesday night I went to pay my rent to our landlord. His name is Hugo. He is Peruvian and he speaks English pretty well. It's been a good thing to have him as our first landlord.

We had a great time of visiting with one another. I think we spent 2 hours together! We talked about music (which he loves; and, rightly so, is very proud of Peruvian music) and religion.

Please, ask our King Jesus to draw Hugo very close to Himself. Clearly, He has led me to Hugo to develop a relationship and share my life with him as a new Peruvian friend. So, ask the Lord to use me in his life in a way that will bring the Kingdom more into Lima than before.

Days are flying....

Sorry y'all. But, our days are flying by with just trying to keep up with language, culture and then the normal school business for our kids. And they don't even have afterschool activities!

So, again, sorry for not posting until today.

We're all now in full force with our tutor schedules. We are engaging as best we can clearly with much help from our Father and Lord as we begin to develop friendships and relationships with our neighbors, landlord, and other folks we see daily or weekly, like at the close by grocery store called "Wong".

Our apartment (departamento) is actually a part of the same building as Wong's. So, it's great to go shopping when we need to and to practice our Espanol too!

Not to mention all of the taxis and combis (Peruvian buses) that we take everywhere since we have no car. I like it, to be honest. I like not having a car. It can be, at times, an inconvience, but overall, it's really not that difficult a change.

I'll have to get pics to you all of the taxis and combis and Wongs...daily life, so that you can see what life is like here. Oh, and the kids' school (colegio), too!

All for now!
Jim

Thanks everyone for your comments on that last post. You are a great encouragement to me.

This week starts our first full-time week with our spanish tutor. I'm looking forward to it. I feel the pain of not being able to speak...to communicate with folks.

However, God continues to encourage us in the day to day details.

We took pics of our new pad the other day so I hope to post them very soon.

We celebrated Easter today even though it is not a big deal in Peru at all. Most folks at the church where we worship weren't doing anything special for today. We gathered together with the Lima New City Team and a family of Peruvian brothers and sisters to celebrate. We had....spaghetti! Of course.

We had fun coloring eggs and hunting for them, too. Funny, huh?

I'm tired (since I'm on Nyquil) so I'm gonna go

Using My Spanish

Okay. So, here we are in full swing, now. The kids are somewhat settling into their new school with helpers/tutorings beginning to get in place to help them with their spanish. God is always so kind and good.

Sara and I have now had 4 classes with our Spanish tutor and she is very sweet and helpful...and good at what she does.

The thing now? That I humble myself and come to the realization that I just need to speak...I just need to do it - to go out and speak to people: taxi drivers, cashiers, neighbors, Peruvian team members and fellow church members; and plan on making a million mistakes so that eventually I can "get it."

Pray for me. Sara's much better at this side of things than I am.

But, I NEED to do this. I want to do this. I really do becuase I want to RELATE to Peruvians heart to heart as best as possible. But, there's this fear and insecurity and pride. Lord Jesus...Father...please help me!

Time flies....I didn't realize that it's been 3-4 days since my last entry. I was so sick early this week. My stomach was finally feeling good yesterday. It was a nice treat.

Today, we start learning Spanish! yay!

Our tutor/teacher is so sweet. We're looking forward to learning from her.

Language is becoming more and more an issue at school for our kids, though. We need to find help (a tutor) for them very soon so they don't get too far behind. We tried to get someone yesterday but she couldn't do it. We're beginning to get a little concerned. And yet...

...how many times has our Father worked out details as we've come to Him asking for His help.

"...an ever-present help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1

Lima is a big city. I mean, it's really big. I know that there are at least 10 million people here and growing. But, as you drive around you can see the bigness of it.

Plus, I hope I'm not being too critical here, Lima is a very dirty place. There's always dust everywhere in light of the fact that this is dessert territory. Pollution is the norm, specifically from cars. I'm still not used to that smell yet. It turns your stomach.

We have our own place now. Just moved in last Friday. It's a temporary deal while we wait for a house to open up. This is a cool place: it's two bedrooms, a big living room ("sala" in Spanish) and dining room ("comidor") combined and then a galley kitchen. Plus, we're a 1 minute walk from one of the main grocery stores in Lima: "Wong." Good location.

So, here it is - my “cultural illness” has hit me...a 2nd time.

I knew my body had to begin adjusting sometime...and here it is...in full force.

Lord, have mercy...please...

Sara's Birthday!!!

Happy birthday to Sara,
Happy birthday to Sara,
Happy birthday to Sara,
Happy birthday to Sara!

First Day (Almost) of School

As the kids were going to bed tonight they could hardly contain their excitement over tomorrow's 1st Day of school. They've been asking us how long until they start and now it's finally here. They begin their new adventure with new Peruvian friends.

The reality is that the work load and the spanish on top of it will be hard, and sometimes it will drive them and us to utter frustration and weariness. But, that doesn't take away the joy of this new adventure that God our Dear Father has given us the opportunity to experience and be a part of.

Rejoice in the Lord always.

Today, I rejoice in the Lord because He is RICH in love and shows kindness to us even though what I (we) deserve is so much the opposite.

So, La Molina Christian School...here we come! :)

Wow. It's hard to believe, but today begins our 7th day here in Lima.

Nothing new to report. I just wanted to say that.

:)

Okay...days are speedin' by....whew!

The kids are enrolled and in the right grades: Caroline (5th), Chloe (4th) and Eli (1st). We are so thankful for God's kindness and care of all of these details!

Still no sign of Chico the family cat. Hmm. We think maybe he's gone to find a sweet elderly Peruvian lady to give her some comfort and attention. :)

We're still looking for a place to live; we keep looking out for possibilities. There are several, so that's good. We're not without options. Praise God.

I think I'm opening our first Peru bank account today. Lots of 'firsts' going on these days. :)

I do have pictures I just need to find the time to post them. And movies too.

Blessings!
Jim

WE'RE IN LIMA!!!!!!

In case you've not heard, we are LIVING IN LIMA!

We made it in by 12:30AM, Thursday, February 21st. We even made it with our cat, Chico.

Much more to come in the days ahead. But for now this is about all I can handle. :)

God is so good.
Jim for all

In Philadelphia

We're in Philly enjoying our time to reconnect with dear friends and family. It's been very sweet and a rich blessing so far. We're looking forward to the next two days before we leave!

Will write more later....

FOUR days to go until we fly to LIMA! :)

So, it's 4:28am in a hotel room in Atlanta...

We were supposed to fly back to St. Louis last night but they canceled our flight due to the icy, freezing rain, etc. in St. Louis. We were bummed since we couldn't get back to our little ones and back to everything we still need to do before we leave for Lima, i.e. all our sweet and sad goodbyes and all the remaining details.

But, the Lord, in his amazing goodness and control of all such details blessed us with an early valentine's day date. :)

We got to go out to dinner and enjoy a romantic night with just us. It was so fun, in the end, after we let go of our plans for what the night (WE thought) was going to look like. God is...well...SO GOOD!

We are thankful for our dear friends in St. Louis who have been watching our children for us and taking great care of them.

There's always more to say, but right now we're supposed to be getting ready to run to the lobby and pick up the shuttle that goes to the airport. Gotta go....

Rich Blessings to you all!

We're Homeless...for now

Today, we moved out of our apartment. We're homeless! Yeah! It's a good feeling, actually.

We had a great amount of help. It was a blessing.

We are now living with dear friends - right across the street from our former apartment. :)

We'll stay here until the 19th, when we'll spend one night at Sara's parent's place to say our goodbyes and they'll take us to the airport on the 20th.

Jim

The Next Two Weeks

So, we've got some details to take care of and trips to do in these last two weeks in the States.

This week we're packing everything and getting out of our apartment by Saturday so that's one less thing weighing on our minds as we attend to the important stuff: saying our goodbyes.

This Sunday, the 10th, New City is having a farewell party for us.


Then, come Sunday we fly to Atlanta for our "exit interview" to be officially prepared to depart. We fly back to St. Louis on Monday.

Then, we fly out Thursday to Philadelphia to spend one last weekend with friends and family there and say more good-byes. We get back to St. Louis Sunday night.

Then, we say our final good-byes in ST. Louis and fly to Lima on Wednesday, February 20th.

Whew. That's it in a nutshell. :)

WE GOT THE TICKETS!!!!!!

We are official. On February 20th we leave St. Louis to fly to Lima, Peru!

As Sara said, "Yipee!...and Yikes." :)

Now, are challenge is to pack up or sell everything by this coming Saturday, February 9th, because that's when we move out of this apartment.

:)

The Big Prayer Request now?

That the Lord would allow MTW (our sending agency) to officially confirm all our pledges so by Friday or Monday so that we can buy our plane tickets.

Oh, also, a second request: that the Lord would give the kids success in taking their entrance exam for their school once we get to Lima and get into the appropriate grade. Especially pray for Caroline since she wrestles more than the others with reading. She's smart, but has a hard time with some things. She is a sweet, young girl; she needs God's sweet grace.

My hope was to post pics of Eli on his big 6th birthday, but, alas, I have dropped the ball on that one. Suffice it to say: Eli turned 6 years old on Friday. :)

We spent time at America's Incredible Pizza Company for dinner and fun with Eli and a few friends. It was a blast for those guys ( a little nerve wracking for us parent types...but still fun overall).

Also, as most know, the Lord has brought in over $1,000/month in pledges for us to reach our needed budget goal to be able to go to Lima. Now, we have to work out many, many details before we can be cleared to buy the actual tickets to go. But, hey - if the Lord can get us this far, He can take us the rest of the way!

This morning Sara and I found ourselves singing, worshiping, reading and praying in the presence of God.

It was freeing and good for both of us to be there. And it was necessary. It's so easy for both of us to quickly turn from faith-filled children to feeling doubt and frustration and a lot of other things. Ah...how quickly our sinful natures attempt to take over.

But, I'm thankful this afternoon that in either case our good and loving and powerful Father in Heaven is more than able to keep us, protect us and even deliver us from ourselves. No matter what.

Please Pray!

To Our Dear Friends and Family of Supporters,

I realize that I just sent an update to you several days ago, but I felt that in light of the latest development I needed to ask for your prayers even more.

This morning I spoke with the school where our children will be attending in Lima. In a nutshell, one, and possibly two, of our children won't be able to attend school there this year unless we are able to be in Lima before February 26th - the cutoff date for the enrollment process.

Currently there are three churches that are seriously considering support for us. Plus, there are around 4 or 5 others that are in a dialogue with us about it.

I am urgently asking for all of you to plead with our Father in heaven to work all of this out.

THANK YOU...sincerely,
Jim for Sara and the kids

Jesus' Submission and Obedience

I was just reading the Bible in Hebrews chapter 5, verses 7 and 8.

It just struck me how God says that Jesus, in referring to his prayers while alive on the earth, "was heard because of his reverent submission." I have been thinking, reading, studying a lot about prayer recently and have wreslted with this idea of "has God heard me." And God clearly says that He hears our prayers offered in the name of Jesus.

But, here - this idea of 'reverent submission' is so important. Quite frankly, the main motivation in most of my praying about getting 100% of our support so that we can go to Lima is because I'm impatient. I'm done waiting. I'm tired and worn out and want this chapter to close so that we can move on.

;( Sad, isn't it? What I've just described isn't even close to 'reverent submission' is it? I'm just so unwilling to submit with great respect to God Almighty's plan for us when it comes to fundraising and when we get 100% and when we go, etc., etc., etc. I'm so sorry, Father.

I'm thankful that He treats me, us, with a richness of grace and forgiveness and love! I would be so "dead in the water" if He didn't. I'm thankful that I know He is committed to us (just as He's committed to you) to mold and shape our inner being, so that we are continually changing to be more and more just like Jesus. (See Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18.)

Wow.

Just in the simple act of writing this post God's encouraged my heart. When I started writing I was so heavy hearted and down. But, getting to the part about His grace and love and forgiveness just reminded me of those things and lifted my heart! God is so good. What a great Father!

Time Flies...Progress Doesn't

It seems as thought time if flying by me and yet we're not any closer to getting to Lima. I know that I can be impatient and ungrateful...so, Lord, I'm sorry.

These last few days have been tough. I'm not sure how to make my way forward. I guess it's just do what I have to do and what I have been doing and expect that our Father and our Lord will make it plain to me each day.

Florida!

So, tomorrow (Thursday) we're leaving for Florida. A supporting church in the Daytona area is having a missions conference and we're participating in it!

We're also speaking Sunday morning at a church in the Melbourne area.

While we're there we are hoping to meet up with other folks and/or churches to ask for support. Pray for us. Pray for those potential partners. Pray that God will move in all of our hearts to do as He asks of us.

January is Here

Well, we've arrived in January: our goal to leave for Peru. However, God has us waiting on Him and not ready to leave yet. We remain at 71% and so unless something miraculous happens. We will not be leaving this month.

Yes, it makes us sad. But, as I've mentioned to folks, God has clearly shown us kindness in many, many ways to remind us that He has us and is working a plan that includes us and it is good - no, it's the best....only because He allows us to know Him and walk with Him through life's adventures.

If God is able to bring in 71% of what we need to go to Lima. He can bring in the remaining 29% too!

So. Let's wait together on the Lord and see how He's going to do this. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Welcome to 2008, my dear family and friends!

Isn't it good that God always gives us new beginnings throughout our lives...like a new year every 365 days?

It's refreshing amidst the day to day routine of our lives.

Enjoy!