Prayer for today

Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word, of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I bless Thee that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Go on to subdue my corruptions, and grant me grace to live above them. Let not the passions of the flesh nor lustings of the mind bring my spirit into subjection, but do Thou rule over me in liberty and power.

Another you never know!!!

A couple of weeks ago Pedro ask Rocky if he would pick up his brother and take him to a dr. because he was having a lot of pain in his neck. Rocky said sure.so he went picked him and all of the rest of the family up anf took them to Yantzata. Saw the dr. and got meds. and took them back to Manchanatza. When he got home had to wash puk off the side of car. Girls got carsick but was glad she was by the window and it went outside!!! 

When  have been picking up a pastor and his wife on our way through Zumbi on Tuesday when we go to bible study and sometimes there is another pastor that goes also. These folks are pretty wild Penecostal. A couple of weeks ago when we stopped all three got in and the extra had a couple bags of clothes and said they were for Naichap. ???? So when we got to the dropping off place the extra did not get out of the car??? Rocky ask him if he was going to Manchanatza and he said no I am going to Naichap.???? We said ok!???When we got to Manchanatza to pick up Pedro and Marta there was Pedro's brother and wife and Pedro said he still needed a dr. so rocky said ok, we will pick him and his wife up when we come back from bible study and take them home with us to Zomora for the night and take him to the hospital the next morning. Everything seemed well. Then they wanted us to pray before we left so Rocky ask the other(remember we still have Pastor Miguell in the car) him if he wanted to get out and pray with us. Well who would have thought that everything changed at that point...Pedro and Marta seemed excited that Miguell was there and they talked and talked and talked and then we prayed.  so now Us and Pedro, Marta and Pastor Migell loaded up and took off for bible syudy in Naichap. We planned to pick up Pedros brother on the way back. We got to Naichap and we thought pastor Miguell was going to see someone there so Rocky tried to give him his 2 bags of clothes but Miguell said not now later and he attended bible study with us.???? But he was good... So at the end of bible study he got the clothes and gave them to Carlos.??? We just have to laugh a lot!!!!lol
   We get back to Manchantza na Pedro and Miguell are talking and talking and we have no idea what they are saying.Pedros brother is no where in sight. We took off for  with Pastor Miguell and we watched along the road for Pedros brother but did not see him so we went on. Before we got to El pangui the phone rang and it was Pedro wanting to know where we were because his brother is waiting for us.???/ So we turn around head back down this 5 mile jungle road to pick up brother. I turn around and ask pastor if brother wants to go with us and he said yes. and then I ask where he wants to go that night and he said to Zumbi. I said ok. we get brother head back out the 5 mile jungle road and when we get to the drop off place other pastor and wife are not there so we think they have got on a bus because by now we are really late. We get to Zumbi and No one answers the door so we are not sure what at this point.It is midnight and we have this family with us because it was not just brother but wife and two small children also and othe pastor.????lol
We do finally get the other pastor's daughter to wake up and talk to us out the window and she does not know where her parents are and she is not about to open the door. after about 25 min. waiting the bus showes up with them and they had had a flat.???lol  We all go in and sit and talk and read the scripture about handling snakes.???lol we get fed rice, yuca, and eggs and hot sweet drink..close to 1:00am now. They want us to stay the night and attend a healing service the next day lasting from 8:00-2:00.???really lol we say no and that we will see them tomorrow. Rocky ask brother if he wanted to stay there or go home with us and he said stay there so Rocky and I took off quickly. We still had another hour drive to get home. LATE NIGHT! The next morning when we awoke Rocky said do we go and I said "I do not think we need to be any part of that" we stayed home. Rocky called at 12:00 to see if brother was ready to go home but they said no we have 2 more hours. So at 2:00 rocky went and picked Brother and family up and also Pedro had come over on the bus that morning and they wanted to stop in Yanzatza to have an exray so Rocky called and said it would be a while before he got home. But the dr was out till 5:00 and they did not have an exray anyway so he took them home and he got back to Zomora about 5:00.
 More later because here in a few hours we will be picking us Pastor and wife and on return trip we will have Brother because he wants to come to Zomora to dr.????!!!! LOL we will see what the night holds.

You never know

Last week I began meeting with a 13 year old young lady so she can practice her english and I can practice my spanish. Arrived and said hellos and began to visit with Herly (pronounced  Erly). Her home bordered on both sides by buinesses. Her Uncles internet store through one wall and her grandpas store through other wall and they all have doors that open to the street and back doors that exit into house. Herly and I had just got started when all kinds of commotion next door started with furniture flying and shouting. All the while I was watching her face and at first she was not sure what it was but all of a sudden she had fear on her face and she jumped up and flew out the front door to her uncles door but came back real quick and called 911. So now I am thinking that I do not know axactly what is taking place but I knew that I really did not want to be there (a gringa) when the police came. It got quite, then Angel and his mom entered through the back and I could tell that he was pretty shook up and did not have his glasses on. Herly said that they were fist fighting. I guess it was a customer??? Who knows. But I decided it was time for me to exit. I told Herly that it was not a good time and I would see her next week and she agreed. Rocky and I stopped by the next morning to check on Angel but he was not there but his mom told us he had a bad place on head and on side of mouth.

Makuma

We left on Tuesday afternoon and went to bible study. We got everyone back to Manchantza with instructions that we would pick them up at 8:00 am. Corey, Rocky and I stayed in a hotel in El Pangui to cut down on miles. It was about 9:30 when we left Naichap headed to Macas. Outside of Gualaquisa we were on the worst road ever for 2 hours till we arrived in Limon and we stopped for lunch. We traveled on and went through Sucua. It was fun to see where Mike and Pat Townsend lived before Zomora. I saw quite a bit of english on signs.(supermarket) we arrived in Macas about 3:30pm and went to GCC home and she took us to a hotel that was owned by a lady at their church. We left our car at her house because she had a secure yard for it. She helped us line up a cab to take us to the end of the road Thursday morning. We arrived at the end at 9:30. It was a tough walk but I did make all the way to Makuma at 1:00 pm. YEA!!! Even though I was exhausted.
   I sometimes think that I am doing without here in Zomora!!! After Makuma I have it all!!!! I can go to the little store in Zomora and buy a loaf of whole grain bread most of the time. Norma Hedlund bakes all of their bread. One little store in Makuma with very bare items.Like tuna, toliet paper,crackers,eggs, I am telling you it is very little. Norma boils all of her water. They can't seem to get filters to work. I have bottled water. We have the most wonderful market on Sunday morning. They have no market in Makuma. We pay 2.50 for a tank of gas and they pay 20.00 to have a tank brought into them. I am so very blessed here in Zomora!!!!

  The church in Makuma has a World War two  siren that they use to let the community know that the service is about to start. We were fed great food at the church each day. We stayed in the HCJB Guest house and it was quite nice. We even had  our own pets while we were there.

 I was really glad that I did not encounter this little fellow.Rocky said he was about 8-9 inches long.YIKES!

 We had fresh grapefruit straight from the tree.

 The Northern Shuar were very warm and hospitalable and we are so blessed to have been there for this special time. We had sweet fellowship with the other missionaries at Makuma. Jim and Norma Hedlund are very much servants and they opened their home to us for meals and fellowship that was sweet.

Today

I knew it would be an interesting and eventful day. Rocky and I went to the school where the church in Zomora was supposed to be meeting all day and there was no one there so we came home and messed around until 11:30 and the we went to Fernandos where we used to live. We were invited over for lunch and a trip up the mountain to see their farm. We got there and their middle daughter is about 10 or 11 and she beat rocky in chess. we were served soup and a big plate of rice and 3 meats with a potato salad dish. Glass of tree tomato juice, glass of coke, peach with crackers. Very full!!!
  We then got in the car and went up the mountain!!!WOW what a view of Zomora. We harvested sugar cane and crushed it with a thing like a wringer washer. We did not take our camera.  They strained the juice and squeezed some oranges into it and it was so good. I saw the first pineapple on the plant and that was cool. these mountains are straight up and we walked down and looked at a place where he has pond for tilapia and a pen for pigs, an area for fruit trees. And then back up and around and up higher. Rocky and I can breath pretty hard after a little hike. We decided that we needed a mountain to climb each day for exercises. We are trying to get in shape for a 3 plus hour hike in the jungle the last of this month. Rocky rides a bike and I just walk. I am having to get over my fear of all of these loose dogs.
 Tomorrow Corey's furniture is supposed to be diliverd from Quito and we plan to kinda straighten his house up some so it will be nice for him. Well that is about it for now.

Sunday Morning

Yea!!! The sun is shinning this morning. It has been raining for about a week. But I guess with a yearly rain fall of 22 feet, it has to rain all of the time. And for the trees and flowers to be so pretty. I am thankful that we get this wonderful opportunity to experience all of this beauty.

  I listened to one of my favorite pastors this morning while cooking breakfast. Matt McGowen  ,http://cottonwoodbaptistchurch.com/sermonmanager.php?sermonID=3595  

We have two invites today and we have accepted both by accident so we are going to arrive at an all day thing with the church here in Zomora at 10:30 and make a fast get away at 11:30 and go to some friends home and partake of empanadas and who knows what else. Will do an update after. This is Latin America so fast get aways can be pretty hard to do.We wiil see! OK more later.

New Look

Ok I finally got a new look. It just takes me so long to do these things. Hope you all enjoy the new look and hopefully I will be a more dedicated blogger. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Another of Rocky's photos.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/







~The Simple Woman's Daybook~



"FOR TODAY


July 18,2010




Outside my window  It is dark at 7:45 pm. No daylight savings time in Ecuador.


I am thinking it is nice to have Corey back home even if for a really short time.


I am thankful for my Godly husband.


From the kitchen nothing for a few days because Rocky and Corey will be gone.

 I am wearing my PJ's.



I am creating some warm touches in our home. I hung up 2 pictures this week.


I am going to enjoy my time alone while Rocky and Corey are up the river.

I am reading  "As We Forgive"  catherine claire larson


I am hoping  to get curtains made for our living room.

I am hearing night noises of the jungle.

Around the house is rocky packing light to go up river.

One of my favorite things to take a hot shower.

A few plans for the rest of the rest of the week to pray for Rocky and Corey as they travel and visit.



A picture for thought.  A couple of children from San Jose today.

                        

No Waste

You know how older folks seem to keep everything, especially the ones that lived through the depression years. Well I did not live throught the depression  but I now live in Zomora, Ecuador and Just look at the things I do now.
 

 Just look at this! Washing paper towels!

   

But they are Scott brand and cost much.

 

 Really meat trays!!! Well I thought I might need them for paint or something.

 

 Pickle jars and peanut butter jars! Have you ever tried to wash peanut butter out of a jar?

 I almost totally forgot the best is washing zip loc bags and reusing.

                          

Fudgesicles

                        Homemade fudgesicles! YUM!!!!
 
           1 cup sugar                     1/4 cup cocoa
           1 1/2 Tbs. cornstarch      1/4 tsp. salt
           1 cup water                     1 egg
           2 cups milk                      1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add water and egg. Beat with a fork until it is well mixed. Add milk. Cook until it boils. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into popsicle molds or small paper cups and freeze. 
 Recipe from Pat Muse, retired missionary from Ecuador.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook
June 17,2010


FOR TODAY

Outside my window...Is a beautiful blue bird that is having trouble flying,

I am thinking...That I need to update my blog more often.

I am thankful for... Slow moving mornings.

From the learning rooms...Got some great tips from John on language learning.

From the kitchen...Just got through popping corn for our snack.

I am wearing...My PJS

I am creating...Continuely creating food.

I am going...to the jungle on Sunday for a week.

I am reading...Francine Rivers.

I am hoping...to get everything together for the jungle tomorrow.

I am hearing... The Zomora river

Around the house...480 bottles of water for our week in the jungle.

One of my favorite things...Giving or recieving  hugs. My love language is touch.

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Give myself a pedicure.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...The bird at back door.

 http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Hands

WOW, when did that happen. My hands are no longer mine but they have become my mom's hands.

Long nights

Elmer is not in photo.So oldest missing.

Tuesday and Friday nights are long and eventful nights for us. This past Tuesday was a search on the way and last night started out normal. I was driving because Rocky just did not feel up to par. We got to the town where we usually turn off and head down the long jungle road but on a corner in town there was the family that was going to Naichap waving us down.We stopped. We got them all loaded up and I ask did we need to go on the Manchanaztza and they said no straight to Naichap. Praises we did not have to drive down that crazy road. On the other hand we were way early for bible study ,but no problem. You just have to be flexible. We had bible study with Jose leading and he speaks as if he is on speed so I did not get much out of lesson. Friorela served us soup and yucca. I am beginning to like yucca in small portions. They eat it like bread.Well when we headed home with the group it began to rain and did it ever rain. We had to really watch out for mudslides on the hwy. As we were getting near El Pangui the group was calling the one son that did not go with us so I ask if we need to pick up Romal and they said yes. we went to a place and picked up Romal and one of there huge chainsaws and other things and we had already gotten like what I would think might be a 50 pound sack of yucca at Naichap so we were quickly running out of room.But we all got loaded again with one extra. And we still did not have to go down the jungle road because they wanted to go to Zumbi so off we went and was it ever raining. While we were at El Pangui I got to hold baby Noah he is 11 months. And I got to hold him all the way to Zumbi and my lap and heart was so ministerd to.Thank you Lord.  We went past one place where there was a tree on the road that had been washed down but we were able to get by. After we turned and started toward Zomora we encountered lots of flashing lights and people so we slowed down but could not see anything but a short ways on we began to see logs and stumps and all sorts of vegetation all over the road but we were able to drive around and through. By now we are beginning to wonder if we will be able to get home last night. As we turn a curve we can see stationary flashing lights so we are saying oh no but we get up to the place and we are waved on through but there is people all over the place but is to dark and we do not know what all happened except there was a pretty major mudslide for all of the trees and stuff on the road. WE are so thankful to God for brining us home safe.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Thursday, April 26, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook~:



April 26,2010


http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/



~The Simple Woman's Daybook~

"FOR TODAY



Outside my window it is raining.



I am thinking that I have giants that I am going to face just like David did!!!



I am thankful that our children and their families serve the Lord.



From the kitchen wanting to make cut out cookies but I do not have any cookie cutters.



I am wearing my PJ's.



I am creating curtains for Rocky's office.



I am going enjoy Corey so much when he gets to Zomora!!!!



I am reading  "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado.



I am hoping  that Landon will come and visit a few days before he goes back to Peru.



I am hearing the rain and workers next door.



Around the house is a little clutter.



One of my favorite things is having a small childs hand in mine.



A few plans for the rest of the rest of the week trip to bible study today and Friday, also get ready for company for when Landon and his partner comes to visit in a few days.

 A picture for thought.  Rocky and 4 of our 5 grandchildren.

Fudge Pudding Cake

This cake is awesome! So awesome that I just have to have some for breakfast when I make it.

•  1 cup flour                           1/2 cup milk
•  2 tsp. baking powder           1 tsp. vanilla
•  1/2 tsp salt                           2 Tbs. melted butter
•  2/3 cup sugar                       1/2 cup nuts (optional)
•  2 Tbs. cocoa                        1 cup brown sugar
•  1/4 cup cocoa                      1 1/2 cups boiling water 

   Sift together 3 times flour, baking powder, salt, 2/3 cup sugar and 2 Tbs. of cocoa.( I sift only 1 time) Combine milk, vanilla, and melted butter; add to dry mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in nuts. Spread in a buttered six cup casserole dish. Mix 1 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa; sprinkle over batter.Pour the boiling water over entire cake. Bake 50 min. at 350 F. Scoop out and serve with vanilla ice cream.

 

 

Yes that is Baskin Robbins whipped topping and they are very proud of the imported items.

                                               

The Simple Woman's Daybook~:

April 20,2010



~The Simple Woman's Daybook~

"FOR TODAY



Outside my window a beautiful day.

I am thinking that it was great to work along side other GCC people from New Zealand.

I am thankful for my husband.

From the kitchen sink full of dirty dishes and about to have cearal for breakfast.

I am wearing my PJ's.

I am creating well lets say I need to creat some curtains and arm covers for furniture.

I am going take it easy today.

I am reading Proverbs 31 with Beth and a woth book club book.

I am hoping to walk closer to Jesus today than I did yesterday.

I am hearing the washing machine.

Around the house is a little clutter.

One of my favorite things is having a small childs hand in mine.

A few plans for the rest of the week today language, Friday bible study, Sat. trip to Loja ,and Sun. go hiking in Podocarpus Park with a couple of national friends to see a giant waterfall.

Here is picture for thought.Flowers in Ecuador
 

Jeans

     You know that pair of jeans that you always grab first because you just feel so good in them. They fit jusy right no bagging or no binding and you can wear them for hours or even days because they fit so good. And you never think about the fact that they could wearout until one day you put them on and you began to notice how they are becoming worn  ALOT. Well I have a pair like that and I AM SO SAD FOR I love those jeans.

Coin Dollars

Do you ever wonder what has happened  to the coin dollar that was made in 2000? Wonder know more they are in Ecuador. We get lots of them for change.

Little Hands

 

Sweet hands!!!

 

Little soft sweet hands are the best. I love when walking along side of one of our grandchildren to hold that wonderfully sweet delicate hand in mine. THE BEST FEELING in the whole world!!!! Yesterday while we were out in the jungle and riding in the back of the truck there was this sweet little girl that had the most lovely hands and she held my hand all the way..WHAT A TREAT! When we headed back to town on the bus there was this little girl that was having to stand up because the bus was full and I ask her if she wanted sit in my seat with me and she jumped up there and went to sleep. Another treat to get hold that sweet child for miles. Thank you Lord.

A Difficult Time

One of the most difficult times for me is when our children or grandchildren have a birthday. It is hard to be so far away. But I am so blessed to have internet and skype.

Cultural Shock

I think that I must be there. I have been having these fleeting thoughts and I feel panic. The thoughts are wow I am really in a another country away from everyone and everything familar and this is where the panic feeling comes in. This is set in motion and not to stop for 2 1/2 years. And it is not that I doubt that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Just trying to be honest with myself and you all about what I am experiencing now. I am hoping that writing about these feelings will help me to process them.
 Psalm 51:12    Restore unto me the joy of your salvation.

~The Simple Woman's Daybook~:

~The Simple Woman's Daybook~
 "FOR TODAY

Outside my window the Zomora river is rushing by.
I am thinking I am blessed to get to live ina beautiful place.
I am thankful for blessed hope in Jesus Christ.
From the kitchen Pancakes with fresh papaya.
I am wearing my favorite pair of jeans and they are so worn out.
I am creating a knitted scarf.
I am going deep in the jungle on Saturday.
I am reading supposed to be reading a book for woth book club and hope to get on it today and proverbs.
I am hoping to eat tacos today but they will have to be homemade.
I am hearing the river.
Around the house is very quite peaceful this  morning.
One of my favorite things starbucks coffee, but not where I live.
A few plans for the rest of the week prepare for guest over the weekend.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Zomora Jungle

 http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"

Baptisms in the River on Easter morning.

 

There was eight baptisms!!!Way Cool. Yes the water was very cold.

Processions

 

 This is a procession of the death of Jesus

 

There were many processions.

  

 Almost every home had a table with a photo of the cross with or without Jesus.

 and fresh floweres or palm.

 

Viernes Santo

KiimKiimBridge to Kiim after 300 stepsBridge to Kiim, our car over thereMe taking abreak on the way up all those stepsROCKY

Today we went to the village Kiim. We got our language tutor to go with us to translate for us. I think Carlos was apprenhensive about going with us but I think he had a good time and we were so grateful to have him. It was a good time of fellowship and food. We were served a wonderful bowl of vegatable soup and then a cup of a hot and sweet drink made from guayaba with milk and it was ok, not my favorite. I was full but here come another large bowl of soup and it was made with dried salted fish and it was ok and I managed to eat most of it. Next we were ask if we wanted a plate of rice with shredded cabage and grilled fish and it looked really good but we were to full. At this time the family brought out their bibles but we never got around to reading because there was a young couple that was struggling with wide road or the narrow road. I would ask that Rene and Angelica be lifted up to our Father. We left there about 2:00 and headed back to Zomora. Good Friday,,,,really.

You just never know

Yesterday Rocky was sick with something so when we started to leave for our long trip to bible study he ask if i would drive.....And since i have not drove in many months and have been at the hands of others drivers i was glad to drive the way i wanted to. Well do you notice how many times   "I" is in that one little statement....OK That was not where I was going... We got on the road and not very far from home there was a Military roadblock that had us stop. The young man in his uniform and bully club....mind you he was a very nice young man. came up to my window and started talking and I understood nothing. The usual Rocky handed him our paper work and he looked at it and spoke again and again I understood nothing....I kinda thought that he was saying something about Pelicula or movie. I was beginning to think that maybe they were collecting funds for something but no and after a couple of min. Rocky understood that he wanted us to get out of the car. So I ask should I park and he said no and Rocky said Just turn off the key and get out! So I did and Rocky did and they began to search our car after they patted down Rocky. I looked through the car windows and saw Rocky and he had a look on his face. They went all through our car and then said go. and we went.
 After bible study in rained cats and dogs on us for a long ways. It was really raining hard when the Manchanatza people had to get in the boat and go home. Tough people those Shuar..But tender hearts...

Friendship

I have really been struggling without any girl interaction. You see I have been used to lots of girl time at the beauty shop and here I have had very little. I started praying for a friend and God supplied. Thank you!!!! Our neighbor is a young mother of a 6 year and 2 year old boys. Today she was over for some paper work for us a phone line and I showed her a little craft that I was making for an Easter decoration (idea from Joy) and she was so excited because she had seen this in a store and it was very expensive so she came over this afternoon and we made several together and I practiced espanol and she practiced english. She has a degree from chef school and we talked about getting together to cook breads. Her name is Carolina so if you would lift her up in prayer. I do not know if she has a relationship with Jesus.
     Had a really good hour of spanish tutoring with Carlos before playing with Carolina. He had us write an esay of what we did yesterday and then we rewrote it with different words.Was good practice.
     My new drink of choice;;;;; Ice coffee because is to hot to drink hot coffee. I have to watch Rocky or he will drink my ice coffee.
     This Friday  we are going to Kiim and have lunch with a family there. They invited us last week when we went there for a bible study.... They are gathering for a certain occasion and our translator called it  "tocar you mommy" touch your mom..So we are going with an open mind. OH! Also I almost forgot but when we were leaving last week one of the young men there gave Rocky some beads that he is supposed to wear when he dances. I can't wait to see that. More on all of this later....
    Rocky has been trying to get us a telephone line in our house so we can get internet through the line because what we have now is very expensive. But today after more than a week they tell him that we need more passport numbers. Ours is to short. You just gotta chuckle about that!!!

Our Asia resturant.

   WE HAVE WINDOW SCREENS!!!!!!YEA!!! Really need them in the jungle.

Tough Day

So many blessings!!!! And still tough day.

Death at Naichap

Last night we got a call from Carlos at Naichap where we go for the bible study twice a week and he was very emotional and upset. Rocky could not understand what all he was saying except that someone died. Rocky told Carlos that he would get Russ to call him and see what happened so rocky called Russ in Quito and got Russ to call Carlos. Russ then called us back and said that Carlos brother was killed in an accident while working yesterday. So we planned on going over there this morning and stopping by Manchanatza on the way to let the church there know. So I thought about what to take. I made banana bread in the dark by candle light  and are glad that we have a gas stove. This morning we got up and got ready. Russ called and said that he felt the need to come down so he was driving and did not know if he would make it tonight or would stop along the way. He is planning to stay for a few days and go to bible study with us and up the river also where Corey will be living. Russ called and will not be here till morning. Rocky and I arrived at Manchanatza at about 10:15 and we got a boat taxi to come and take us across the river and when we got there it was a town meeting going on so Pastor Felipe took us up to the store where there is a table with a couple of chairs and said he would be ready at 11:15. we actually left at about 12:30. In the meantime Rocky and I had a grand time with all of the little children. Wished we had the camera. When we all got into the boat I counted and there were 25 people with Rocky and I. I could see a taxi pickup already waiting but when we got to the other side there was another taxi. we had 5 adults and 4 children with us and off we went to Naichap. We were glad to have Pastor Felipe with us. When we got there Pastor said that 2 hours we would leave so that was good that was decided. We sit and visited with Fiorela carlos' wife for awhile and then Carlos came and pastor and another man shared with him and tried to encourage Carlos. At 3:00 we loaded up and headed back to Manchantza but when we got to El Pangue which is where we turn to go to M. all of our passengers got off. we were not to sad that we did not have to drive on that jungle road.
 We stopped in Yantzantza and ordered a sofa ,chair, and loveseat. Then we stopped for Rocky to buy 4 boards to build shelves with. We got home about 5:30. I had a bathroom that I had not cleaned so after heating leftovers I began cleaning it. The shower had had some bats living in it so it was a mess but it is shiney clean now so Russ and Johnaton can use it while they are staying with us. Johnaton is a Journey. Weekend tales later. Good night.

So many feelings and not a one of them positive! Feeling overwhelmed with the task.

More

I seem to have a realy hard time keeping up with posting. Sorry. It has been a really busy couple of weeks. First of all we drive about 150 miles to have bible study with a couple of villages and we love it.. We were working with the Quito office to get our car Matriculated which is like registered and has to be done every year.    Started canceling and  recanceling about 2 weeks ago to meet Daniel from the Quito office in Catamayo and pick him up from airport and go to Loja to get the Marticula done. Finally on Friday  ( the last weekday of the month) well actually we picked up Daniel on Thursday evening (last flight of day from Quito..In Catamayo (three hours from us) and I had looked on line for a hotel that was less than what we had payed the time before in loja and it looked good the Pictures and reviews but it was BADDDDDDD! we stayed though and got to the place for car at 8:30 and it was already over 3 blocks of cars lined up and waiting. Rocky said we would never make that day but we did  Daniel came walking out at about 5:30 with the Matricula....YEA! so then He had missed the last flight back to Quito but Russ and Kyleen were at Catamayo airport and waiting on us to pick them up so we headed fromLoja to there,,,,about 45-55 Min.drive and it had begun to rain. we got Russ and Kyleen and they said there were no seats left on flights for next day to Quito for Daniel so we left him at hotel in Catamayo and he planned on being at airport at 5:00am as standby and he made...YEA!  Rocky ,Russ,Kyleen and I headed back to Zomora and we stopped at Loja and eat supper and and we got home about 10:30 that night and we were pooped! Were not supposed to sign contract on house until Sunday the first but we signed on Saturday afternoon late and we moved a couple of small stuff loads that night. Sunday morning we went to market and bought fresh fruits and veggies and also hired a taxi with helper and began to move and by noon we had all of the furniture moved and it cost 40.00 for the truck and help.YEA!! God is so good to us!!!!!! We had Monday to get things hooked up and Tuesday we went back through LOja and Shopped some and got Russ and Kyleen bak to airport at 4:30 and we went headed home to Zomora...We arrived about 7:30 last night and again we were pooped!! God is so good!!!!!I was up early this morning so had quite time with my Father and got my monthly report done and sent even though a few days late. answered emails and just enjoyed the quite time. Thank you my Lord!!!!

by Ray Ortlund     Happy beyond description

In 1851 a group of British missionaries to Tierra del Fuego was forced to winter in the bitter cold while they waited for their supply ship to arrive. It came too late. They all died of cold and starvation. On Good Friday, April 18th, Richard Williams, a surgeon and Methodist lay preacher, wrote in his journal, “Poor and weak though we are, our abode is a very Bethel to our souls [Genesis 28:10-19], and God we feel and know is here.” On Wednesday, May 7th, he wrote, “Should anything prevent my ever adding to this, let all my beloved ones at home rest assured that I was happy beyond description when I wrote these lines and would not have changed situations with any man living.”



“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23

A little more of this and that in Zomora

We got mail from Joy and I am so blessed to recieve photos and letters(handwritten) and art from grandkids.......Thanks so much.
 

                                        Here is a phot of a big bug on the front porch! YIKES!
 
Yesterday Rocky and I met with our language tutor for the first time and we feel like he will be a blessing and great help for us. We had to go and pick him up at his house and we came back to our house to meet. On the way back to our house I was turned in my seat talking to Carlos and I noticed a big rat justing lying on the carpet near the back door and I told Rocky that there was a dead RAT in the backseat and he said in the car now? Yes. He got it out when we got home. Rocky had taken the car and had the oil changed and they washed it and Rocky had a box in the back with Misc. things in it and they did not put the box back in when Rocky picked up the car. so next morning he went back and got the box and we think the rat got in  it the night it was left at shop.  It got in the glovebox and chewed a little paper and that is all we have found so far. No Se! why it died but glad and glad also we found it before it smelled.
      It is very wet here in Zomora. To be able to shake the salt out ,i have rice and crackers in with the salt and also have the salt shaker in a zip lock bag. I am really missing the taste of texmex food. If anyone would like to send me a couple of packs of dry taco seasoning it would be used. it could be taken out of original package and put in ziplock and then in envelope and maybe it would not cost  for me to get it.
    Rocky Black
    Correo Central
   Zomora, Ecuador
   South America
 We are learning to be flexible as nothing goes as planned. Be flexible or get bent out of shape.

Bible Study in Village

We arrived about 25 min. early and the house where we have the study was dark and quiet. The little children began to come around and greet us. But no parents in sight. After a few min. here comes a lady out of a trail with a hugh load on her back with a strap across her forehead and carrying a machete. She look worn out from working and carrying the load. It was the lady of the house and following close behind was her husband with his own load. They had been harvesting yuca which is a staple for the Shuar. Yuca is a root and to me it has no taste and is very starchy.  They came through the porch and greeted everyone and went to clean up. They came right out and sat down and we had bible study. I kept thinking that the kids were hungry but they did not say a word. There is 6 children from 15 years old to 2 years old , 5 boys and Jessica who is 9. The children got their bibles and sat on a bench and they looked up every scripture and follow along and sometimes they stand up and read the scripture. Mike and Pat showed us to take a bag of rolls with us and last night that bag of rolls were this family's supper with a glass of soda and they always serve all of the guest before they get a roll and drink. After they had eat that one roll they were satisfied and began to fall asleep from the youngest.

4 of the childrenJonatan and JefersonThe house where we have the studyJungle road we travelriver we crossthe bridge

  We are so very rich.