Audio Bibles in Paraguay

Audio Bibles in Paraguay from tbckawaii on Vimeo.

Finishing strong

The kids had their AWANA awards on Sunday night.  For Samuel it was the last AWANA he will have because he has graduated from Truth and Training and is  moving up to youth. 

At the beginning of the year Samuel told me he wanted to receive the Timothy award.  I knew he could do it, but that it would take a lot of work and diligence on his part.  He had two books to complete to earn it.  The books are full of activities, memory verses, and questions to complete from Bible reading.  But it was his goal.  And HE DID IT!!
 
He received the Timothy award, the highest award given in the AWANA program.   For those who have earned the award, their name goes on a plaque that is displayed in the children's wing. 

 Samuel is showing the two awards he received.  The Timothy and the challenge award, which he received for completing the challenges in his books.

Way to finish strong, Samuel.  You worked very hard this year and we are proud of you.

Thank-you teachers for helping Samuel accomplish his goal this year.

Gabrielle received the book award for completing three books in Sparks.  Yea, Gabby!  Great Job.

Short road trip

I am going to be heading up to Wheaton IL the weekend of June 1-2, to share at Wheaton Wesleyan Church.  If anyone is interested in me stopping by while in the area, just let me know.  We had another opportunity to share come up here in KY the same weekend, so Holly will be staying home with the kids and taking care of that.

The story of our house

"But our citizenship is in heaven.  

And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Phil 3:20

We began building our house at 1879 Glensboro in July 2007.

 

 

Once the house was finished we quickly expected the animal population.

On a farm puppies and chickens and farm girls, all play together.

Our goats are giving Gabby a tour of their pen.

The garden is where I spent most of my summer time.  It always amazed me to watch the seeds I planted grow into vegetable producing machines that fed us throughout the winter.

This is what my peaches looked like before the deer discovered them.

Praise God, for the house on Glensboro, it has been the best home away from home (heaven) yet. 

END OF SCHOOL YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The end of school is always an incredible time of year. It marks the beginning of summer.
This year we celebrated the end of the school year by burning our school books.
What better way to celebrate the end.(Ice cream would have been better.)

                                                                                                                                 -Samuel-

Conversations with Satan (Part 2)

As I mentioned last week, the enemy has had much to say about us becoming missionaries.  Please pray for us as we continue to battle him in hopes of bringing others to know the Light of the World.

Monday Evening

Satan:  You are going to hate every moment of being a missionary.  Just think:  irregular electricity, continual hard work (probably more than you can handle), constant struggle, and daily sacrifice.  If you stay in the States, you have a great house, beautiful acreage, comfort, and ease.  Being a missionary is going to be a constant battle.  Just stay and enjoy life.  You don’t need to go.  God has other people he can send.  You can stay and do what you want. 

Me:  Saying good-bye to this house we built is going to be hard.  Selling our sixteen acres is going to hurt.  Watching the faces of our family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Sand Spring, fade away, is going to rip my heart to pieces.  Is God really asking me to give up these things to traverse the globe to tell someone else, I don’t even know, about him?  Maybe we could stay and just continue life as normal.  I am teaching Sunday School.  I do help with VBS and other classes when they need my help.  We are living for God right here in Lawrenceburg.  Is God really asking me to give it up?  Without a doubt, yes.  God’s word says, “Freely you have received, freely give.”  (Mt. 10:8)  It also says, “Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  (Mt. 10:39).  God has called me to go.  To stay would be disobedient and fill my heart with sadness.

Monday Night

Satan:  You are going to fail.  You are going to fail.  You are going to fail.  You are going to fail.  You are going to fail.  You are going to fail.  God is going to be so ashamed of you.  What a miserable, pitiful servant you’ll turn out to be.   

Me:  I’m going to fail.  I’m going to be a horrible witness and instead of leading people to the love of Jesus, I’m going to push them away.  Probably by something selfish or foolish thing I do.  I’m going to fail.  Those are not words from my King.  God says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing”  (2 Cor. 2:14-15).   I am going to make mistakes, but God is bigger than my mistakes and somehow he will lead each of His children in triumph.

As you can see Satan hasn’t been a quiet spectator this past year.  He has whispered lie after lie into my ear, sometimes repeatedly as depicted in the last dialogue.  Yes, I hear often that I will fail.  But Satan never gets the last word.  God says in Hebrews 4:12 that His word is “alive and active.  Sharpen than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  God always gets the last word.   Praise Him.  It is always truth and it always sets me free.

Bring on the mission field.  There’s a bond-servant of the King of kings ready to share his love with the nations.

Finishing up

We have been so busy lately, we have gotten behind on our blogging.  We have been working on the house like mad in order to get it ready to sell.  Our goal is to have in up for sale next week.  My goal is that when the buyer's home inspector comes, he will have nothing to complain about.  We have commented quite a few times that the house is looking so nice, we wish we got to stay in it.  Oh well, one day it will be gone.

Conversations with Satan (Part 1)

 As my family has spent a year preparing to be God’s servants as missionaries, I have found that Satan has much to say on the issue, and to my reluctant admission, I am quick to listen to his suggestions.  So I share with you, a few of the conversations I’ve had with the enemy of men’s souls this past year.  (Note:  thoughts are written in italics).

Monday Morning

Satan:  Have you thought about what moving to a different country will mean for your kids?  I mean what if they can’t make friends because they never grasp the new language?  What if they don’t adjust to the culture and it is a constant struggle?  What if they feel afraid? What if they can’t go to college because you don’t have enough money?

           

Me:  Is taking a twelve year old to the mission field really a good idea?  Life is already so difficult at that age.  Is leaving the country just going to make the season that much more stressful? No, those are worries.  God says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…”(Mt. 6:33-34).    “These things,” include my children.  God will take care of my kids as I seek His kingdom.

Monday Mid-morning

Satan:  So, let’s talk about your health.  You know you will be eating different foods, drinking water that is probably contaminated with parasites, engaging with people who could have ringworm or lice. 

           

Me:  Maybe I don’t have what it takes to be a missionary.  Could I actually eat a dish that I find repulsive, knowing that if I refuse to eat it, I could insult the hostess and ruin an opportunity to share the love of Jesus?  Could I really hug an orphan with an open wound?  Do I really have what it takes to be God’s witness?  But God your word says, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear:  Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.  Yes, I tell you, fear him.  Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Lk. :12:4-7).  I do not need to fear the physical trials. God cares about me.  Immensely.

Monday at noon

Satan:  How much Bible do you really know?  What is your degree in?  Spanish?   From a public university?  Wow, that is really helpful.  How do you expect to teach others about the Bible when you know so little?  You are totally inadequate.

Me:  How am I going to teach someone about the Bible?  There is so much I don’t know. What am I thinking?  There’s no way I can share God’s word with others.  No, the Bible says, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  He has made us competent as ministers (teachers) of a new covenant—not of the letter, but of the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:5-6).  My competence comes from God, not myself.  God has everything I need to serve others.

A Ladies' Field Trip

The girls and I had the opportunity to see Disney on Ice with our home-school group.  We saw The Princess and the Frog, which we hadn't seen as a movie--based on a friend's recommendation, and now I'm thankful for that.  It had a definite evil aspect, even on ice skates.  We also saw Cinderella and Tangled.  In Tangled the skaters did some impressive moves with a hanging cloth.  It looked like fun as they sailed through the air.  I've always wanted to be an ice skater, floating across the ice with the chilly air brushing my cheek.  I don't foresee that happening in Paraguay :]