On Life and Ministry

There have been a number of happenings in our family life and ministry that have been left un-blogged in the busyness of these past few weeks. This post is an attempt to remedy that and do some "catching up" for the sake of family record and others who may be interested in the goings-on of a certain missionary family south of the border. :)

The picture above was taken the evening of Halloween. For most of our children's lives, circumstances have been such that this particular day never really needed to be addressed. Either our kids were too young and already sleeping by the time the trick-or-treaters came, or it seems we were traveling and/or otherwise occupied. Only once before (our last year in Michigan) have we personally done anything for Halloween. The girls vaguely remembered that, and so we decided to repeat the experience when it became obvious that this year we couldn't simply ignore the holiday!

As we explained to our kids this year, we personally choose not to participate in trick or treating. It's not because we think Christians can't but because personally we have chosen not to do so. One reason is the ugliness of the season; here in Chile where Halloween is relatively new (it was never celebrated when I lived here as a child) it seems like only the dark and evil costumes were imported along with the trick or treat tradition. Time is another practical reason we don't participate in this here in Chile. Kids don't start ringing bells until after 8 p.m. and some don't stop until after 11 p.m.! It just doesn't seem at all wise to have them out on the streets that late at night. And finally, besides the fact that our kids simply don't need all that candy, they especially don't need practice in asking for more things - we'd much rather they learn the value of giving instead.

Believe it or not, our kids understood this reasoning quite well. In fact, we had a lot of fun putting together our own goody bags for the neighborhood kids who might stop by. Assembly-line style, Eva, Isabel, Owen and I filled little baggies with assorted candies and in each one we also included a card which said "Jesus Te Ama" and on which was printed John 3:16. We hope that by doing so we were able to be good neighbors and extend kindness to those around us. I know the kids had fun doing it! They couldn't wait for the first person to ring the doorbell. (And I should mention that we did buy some special treats for our kids as well. Just in case you thought we were mean parents who deprived them of all things sweet and gooey!)

I think we may have come up with a Halloween tradition after all. :)

Our church ladies look like they know how to have a good time, don't they? This picture was taken on the evening we celebrated birthdays for the second half of the year. Typically, each of the ladies tries to bring a small inexpensive gift for those who've had birthdays and we enjoy a teatime and birthday cake, as well as a time of games and of Bible study and fellowship.

It has been a pleasure to meet each of these ladies this year and a privilege to be allowed to teach them and to enjoy their company! We are all looking forward to December 8th when we have our long-anticipated dinner out together and wish each other an early Merry Christmas. Next year come March, we'll pick up where we left off and keep learning together and encouraging one another. I'm thankful for these wonderful women.

These pictures were taken when some special guests arrived in Iquique for a few days. Mauricio Vilches and his wife Soledad are Chilean missionaries to Paraguay. They are also good friends of my parents, who have traveled to Paraguay to minister with them on various occasions. Our church here in Iquique recently took the Vilches' on for support and they agreed to come and speak during our month of missions. It was encouraging and challenging to hear of the ministries they carry out and the difficulties they sometimes face in that hot, hot land. They have been in Paraguay for nine years and faithfully serve in areas of leadership training and discipleship.

What surprised us the most on this visit was how Owen attached to the two of the,m but especially to Mauricio. On their final full day, we took them to out to Humberstone and Pica in the desert and Owen accompanied us while the girls were in school. Owen happily sat between Mauricio and Soledad in the van and merrily chattered up a storm in Spanish! The day they left, Owen uncovered one of their prayer cards. I was in the next room and heard him say, "Awww!" and then heard lip smacking noises. I peered over to see him lovingly kissing their faces on the picture! I think they definitely left an impression on his little heart.