Hello, all!
The past 2 weeks have been a blur. Week before last, I led a group of 13 translators to Canta to be the M's. Juan, our driver, joined us in His efforts, and so did 2 other nationals (M's) from Canta city. It was a great week of training and evangelism. Beforehand, we had 2 days of planning, where we met at the office and at our apartment, creating a plan and gathering/making things to use. During the trip, we split into 2 main teams most days, and 3 teams on one particular day, in which we traveled to different villages. In 2 villages, we showed the Jesus film at night. On the other nights that we were at the hotel, Jim and I trained, and we had a great time of fellowship and making relationships with each other.
I loved to watch the team leaders take charge, planning the days' events, checking progress throughout the day, and getting feedback. In one of the villages, an elderly lady told one of our M's that she remembered me and wanted to see me. The only problem was that her home was on the side of the mountain! I hadn't done any climbing (much less lots of walking in the mountains) since I had fallen! Tavo and Juan M. helped me climb up the 2 sets of steps and then weave up the side of the mountain. When we got to her house, she wasn't there! We looked at the AWESOME view of the mountains behind her house and breathed in the beauty of God's masterpiece. Pictures cannot even justify the landscape! After weaving around some of the other block homes, we found Gerarda and her friend, Eustasia, sitting on the ground. We chatted a bit, and then Juan shared a story to her, which related to her troubles in life. She'd lost her husband and 3 of her children. She has no one except for her friend, and she was very thankful for our sharing of the Word and time spent with her. She told us she had morning til evening to converse with us.
Going up the mountain was one thing, but coming down was a totally different. I was a little concerned. I can say that our translators are not only our friends, but they are family to us. These two gentlemen gave me a hand and helped me down. One even blocked me off from falling. The other said he'd fall down the mountain before he let me fall.
Overall, the trip was excellent and great training for each of us. We made it back safely. During the trip, I was a little concerned (well, a lot concerned!) about Skylar. Everyone comforted me and prayed for my lil man. He saw the pediatrician, got the results of his bloodwork, and had an endoscopy while I was away. The results were supposed to come in for the biopsies of his endoscopy this past Monday, but we haven't heard because the doctor was not going to be in the office for the rest of the week. Hopefully, we'll hear something this week. The scope showed that his stomach and intestines lack the normal amount of nerves and blood vessels that a normal stomach has, which helps the digestion of the food. He may not even have acid reflux, which he has been treated for since he was five years old!! Please, please continue to pray for him. He has vomitted randomly at various times this week. He hasn't had sodas or chocolate in 2 weeks, he's eating 2+ hours before he lays down at night, and his meals are much smaller than before. Pray for complete healing and wisdom of the doctors that are working with him.
On another note, I received several praises this week. This week was full of doctor appointments for me. I had an echogram, bloodwork, and saw both my cardiologist and orthopedic surgeon. My surgeon released me. I still lack full flexibility of my ankle, but I am beginning to carefully walk down stairs (carefully, of course). He says the flexibility will slowly come back, and if I needed to, I can could have the plate/screws removed after 2 years (I hope not!!). The cardiologist says that I have improved very much since last month. (I've made 2 trips to the mtns. since then, which has helped me with walking!!) The blood is channeling through, but one of the walls (between my knee and thigh) is still a little thick, so I still have to take the blood thinner and wear the compression stocking. My PT will come only once a week now. She works on the flexibility of my ankle and gives me exercises to do three times a day. Praise the Lord, for good news!!
Our term of classes ends in 3 weeks, and then, we'll be working on moving. Pray for us to finish our classes well and for our 2 month transition back to the States, and then, for what God has planned for us next! New students are still entering our classes, and I pray that the many seeds that are being planted will take hold and grow!!
Thanks to you, our dedicated prayer warriors, for lifting us up! We love and appreciate each one of you. We RELY on each your prayers!!!
