Starting a Church~Not Easy...

Starting a church...doesn't even SOUND easy. This is the fifth church plant in which I've had the privilege of participating, and the truth is...it is easier~only because you get used to it. I guess it's kind of like childbirth...the first one is a humdinger, you know! Everything about it is new~you have NO IDEA what to expect because people who tell you about it forget parts... So, the first Sunday of your first church plant makes you REALLY nervous...what if nobody shows? I guess that can happen, although I'm happy that it hasn't happened to us. Well, you work, you pray, you get the church building ready, get up on the first day...then WAIT. Really a nerve-wracking business. WAIT. Well, eventually, a person shows up, then another. It's REALLY exciting! When it's your first time, you actually expect them all back the next week. Doesn't happen. Then...what? Our first time we went through a really hard time. But if I haven't learned ANYTHING else (I'm not too smart), I've learned that WE work, WE pray, but GOD gives the increase! And you know what? He does, in HIS time. This is our first church plant in Uruguay, and it's slow going~it always is. But we really just have to remember...and trust.

Can You Believe It?~I'm Posting!

How long has gone by? I just haven't felt like blogging lately...that is the only truth. I do more facebook, which I find easier, these days. Lots and lots of things have happened since my family and I moved to Salto, Uruguay, in June. My husband and sons came before the rest of us to find a suitable home, and they found a very nice one, for which we are very thankful. We've found Uruguay to VERY DIFFERENT from Venezuela in many ways, and I think we are finally getting accustomed to it! Some friends of ours came in September, bearing schoolbooks and our other books, and with the purpose too of participating in the first service of Iglesia Bautista Camino de Fe. That has been wonderful, starting the church... It's a great privilege to serve GOD in this way. Anyway, the kids and I have started school and we find ourselves very busy again! We have also had company many times, for which we are thankful too! We have many friends here in Salto, for whose salvation we are praying. Four of the five children are participating in a sport, 3 in basketball and one in rugby. Can you guess which one is in Rugby? That is an interesting sport... Hopefully, I will be back on here more often...Sorry for the ausencia! God bless...

Cosas que son Diferentes

Esta entrada tiene que ser en español como el contenido tiene que ver con dos paises en América del Sur. Muchas cosas son diferentes entre Venezuela y Uruguay, y creo que me daré cuenta de muchas cosas más mientras va pasando el tiempo. Éstas son solamente algunas de las diferencias:

• las llaves son muy inusuales
• claro que uds. saben que la ll se dice sh en vez de y
• tocineta es panceta
• hay caballos por las calles
• hace frío
• no hay ni siquiera UNA montaña
• arequipe es dulce de leche y es muy abundante y económico (y delicioso!)
• las casas no tienen closets (armarios o roperos)
• hasta el sol de hoy no he visto a nadie tomar un ¨con leche¨
• chamos son gurices
• okey es ta
• los Uruguayos no hablan, ellos cantan
• no hay papas blancas
• sí hay mucha leche y muchos dulces ricos!!!!

Algo que no es diferente es que estoy muy contenta en cualquier lugar porque es el lugar donde Dios me puso!

*sorry, English-speakers

Pictures of Visit to Venezuela

Here are some pics of our visit here in Venezuela:

Aaron, exhausted after a long trip! (sleeping on Granna's couch)

My sweet friend, Erika, and her daughter, Kerem

My new haircut!

One of my very best friends, Angelica

Cute Maria Gabriela

My sweet friend, Yitza

The trio at our "Despedida"

Anthony & cute Yale

The flowers I received at the airport (Venezuela's colors)

Sophie the night we arrived (rojo rojito~heehee!)

Blog Friends!

The other night, I had the great privilege of speaking by phone to my "long-time" blog friend, a Liz, a delightful Caraquena! We spoke for over an hour, and we lacked nothing of which to speak. I am here in Caracas, and due to circumstances, we have not been able to get together~ALAS! it seems we won't be able to get together at all. However, I am grateful to have heard her voice and shared this phone call! It was so weird... we (I say we because I think we both felt this) felt like we'd known each other forever. What a blessing! A couple of years ago, I didn't even know WHAT A BLOG WAS....now here, I have awesome blog friends! On another note, my other blog friend, JM, is moving on to Paraguay today! I know that God will greatly use her there as HE did here in Venezuela...praying for you today, Vernoys! Have a safe trip!

Three "Despedidas"

In the last week, we have had 3 going-away parties! Our friends are so sweet, but these things are hard on the ole heart! The first one was given by our church family at Faith in Raymore. There was a lot of weeping as we had become very attached to all those sweet people and our teen group! We miss the opportunity to be involved in their lives... Next, there was a 3-church party on Saturday in Caracas. These were the three churches that God allowed us a part in starting, so there are many dear among them. There were testimonies, more tears... Sunday evening was one of the worst emotionally as it was at the baby church we left in La Victoria when we left Venezuela 8 months ago. They are thriving and it was awesome to see the love that God has given them as a church family. God continue to bless them... Anyway, 3 despedidas in one week is NOT cool, but we are reminded of Christ's words that if anyone leaves family, homes, lands, that they would be given family, homes, lands hundredfold (my version...couldn't find it just yet in the Bible). We have been given FAMILY everywhere~we are SO BLESSED!

Story of Faith...part 3

Well, we are here...in my beloved Caracas! We arrived on June 3 late at night. The LORD allowed us to arrive here with 20 pieces of checked luggage as well as 2 (rather large) carry-ons per person in our family~and some of our family members are rather small :} ! It is much easier to travel now that some of our children are young adults. They are so much help~and a LOT OF FUN too! While I am here in Caracas, I hope to meet a blog friend, Liz. I'll take the camara along and get a picture of us hopefully! Have a wonderful day...as usual, the weather here in Caracas is PERFECT!