Time is Flying!

First of all... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom! Such a faithful reader, she is.

This week has held a lot of typical things for Team Chile. Each morning starts at 6 with quiet time (personal d-v-t--n-ls), a group study of the book of M-tth-w, breakfast, a group study of one of the minor pr-ph-ts (Haggai, Zephaniah, etc.), practical work projects, visits, lunch, English class, more visits, more B-bl- studies, etc.

This week the team worked at the new house on the island of Tenglo for 2 days. The house is almost complete, and an American m-ss--n-ry family will be moving in soon. We did a lot of sanding and spackling, and Jeff pieced together some walls. Jeff and I also helped with the music program for the kids again during our visit. It is a very fun, but chaotic time. It is proving VERY difficult to explain music terms in Spanish. At times this is frustrating for me, since I know exactly how I would explain something to a little music-learner in English, but the phrases or terms just aren’t the same in Spanish. We press on. The kids are learning and enjoying their time, so it is time well spent.

This week for our day off (every Monday we have a day off of m-n-stry, and every-other week we spend time as a team on that day), the girls invited some local teens, including our coordinator’s son, to see a movie in town, while the boys and I went to the local marketplace; a day of wandering and talking and seeing interesting sights. The boys were very close to riding some toy horses/zebras downtown, but we decided to save that for next time. J

Before we left that day, a group of J-h-v-h's W-tn-ss-s came to Eduardo's house. I tried my best to listen to the conversation they were having, but it was pretty difficult at times. Eduardo has a great theory on conversing with people of differing beliefs. First, it is important that you know where you stand, and are gentle, but unwavering. He then listens to the people fully, with respect and a desire to learn. When they are finished, and he has asked all of his clarifying questions, he then has gained their respect and attention to respond freely with his beliefs. I can imagine it was hard for him to not be defensive or angry at times, because it sounded like they were saying some pretty spikey things to him. What a good example he has been for our team.


The same stomach virus I told you about last time is still sticking around. Right now the victim is our coordinator’s 4 yr. old son, Josué. When Kirsten was sick last week, she was VERY sick in the morning. Her bug came on quickly and forcefully. The team and our coordinator’s family gathered around her to pr-y, and I pr-y-d that she wouldn’t have to take any more trips to the bathroom (something that had happened very frequently all morning). After our time of pr-y-r, she fell fast asleep, and didn’t have any troubles afterward! No more trips to the bathroom! She was feeling 100% better by lunchtime! Glory to G-d!

This week and last week the team has spent a lot of time at our friend Roberto’s house, constructing an addition. Roberto is a future leader of our ch-rch, and the addition will help him to host groups at his house for B-bl- studies or pr-y-r meetings, etc. Roberto is also a Chr-st--n rapper! The addition will be partially used as a studio, too! Who knew?!

Yesterday had an interesting twist for the guys on our team. In the afternoon, they went to visit a new internet café (as usual, in a typical house) in our neighborhood. During their visit, they met a young man, and they had a small conversation. At the end of this conversation, Jeff and Clay asked if they could pr-y for this man. He declined, but they left the encounter feeling like something had begun. They were excited, and want to go back again sometime. Last night (the same day), our friend Marcos asked Jeff if he could help him with a small electrical problem. Jeff agreed, and was gone for a while. When they came back, Jeff reported that the problem was at none other than the SAME HOUSE! Crazy! We are excited to think that G-d may have something up H-s sleeve for the guys on our team with this house. Pr-y for cool connections there.

Also, last time I told you about the dog we semi-adopted. We’re not exactly sure if she belongs to someone, so when we see her, we invite her into our fence. If she wants to leave, she does. If she wants to come, she does. We like her, and she likes us, and we’re happy to be protecting her from any kinds of doggie injustices. I came in one night and the girls asked if she (oh, whose name is “Hope” now, by the way) was in our fence.  I told them that she was down the street, hanging out with her friend, Dry Ears McGee (this little black dog has the most painful-looking dry ears). Ever since that night, this little black dog, whom we have named “McGee,” has been sliding through the rails in our fence to keep warm with Hope. These two girls are so cute in the mornings, huddled together in a cardboard box. If you ever need a smile, just think of Hope and McGee, relaxing in a cardboard box, next to the house of the gringas. J

At the end of this week, we will be visiting a group on the island of Chiloe. We're excited for a change in the schedule, and are looking forward to meeting new people there. There have recently been some conflicts between this c-ngr-g-t--n and another there on the island. We will be visiting the other in just a few weeks, so please pr-y that we aren't stuck in the middle of something, and that we can be an encouragement to both.

Oh, and last Saturday, we finally received our Christmas letters from our families/friends! Clay, the lucky duck, got 6! Thank you again for all of your support! It is so exciting to hear news from home!

Ciao,

Beth