March/April 2010 Update
Hi, everyone! Another update is way overdue.
In the last couple of months, we have had many “firsts” that we have experienced. One was that
we attended our first “family retreat” with our church here in town. We went out to a campground about and hour and a half away.
It was quite interesting observing the laid back culture. Breakfast isn’t on time?? Oh, well, we will have devotions first then. Lunch won’t be ready on time….so we get in a few more competitive games before lunch. My thought was….why can’t I be like that??! Why do we get so uptight when things just don’t go the way we expect them to? It was so much fun to get to know our church family better. Tim Sanford and Paul Dye were here at the time and Paul was able to share during the morning session. We were asked to give our testimonies around the campfire that evening, and the Pastor reaffirmed how that they as a church consider us part of their family. That was so special to hear!
Another first was that we attended our first Bolivian funeral. We went with the Pastor and his wife, and upon entering the funeral home, we greeted family members and then sat down. As we sat there, a lady brought around some espresso coffee, then a bit later some snacks, then a bit later something to drink like pop, or water, etc. We just sat there for a long time visiting, and because the man who had died was related to our friend at church, our friend asked the Pastor to share something. So he got up and shared the plan of salvation to a whole room full of unbelievers. I was praying the whole time that he would get through to someone.
The third “first” was something that I hope I never have to repeat. I had been running a high fever that kept creeping up to about 104 degrees. I went to one hospital emergency room and they sent me home with some strong antibiotics. Nothing doing! The fever continued, so we went to another emergency room at a hospital that was known for having good doctors, although a bit more expensive. They could see that there was something else going on, and interned me right from the emergency room. After running all kinds of blood work and such, they finally found the “culprit”…….an infection in my lungs. It wasn’t the typical pneumonia….but a different strain. I had no cold or runny nose or cough. Thank the Lord they were finally able to find the nasty little “bugger” and after a couple of days of strong antibiotics intravenously, the fever came down. I was in the hospital for 4 and a half days! Funny thing though, was during this time God kept reassuring me that this too, was His will for my life at that moment in time. I just needed to be patient and be a witness for Him as much as possible.
Praise:
Dwight signed some paper work in La Paz to renew the organization that the flight program is under. This has been a long time in process and we are thankful to the Lord that the paper work has been finalized.
He enjoyed flying the plane to La Paz the following week where the elevation is 13,300 feet. You do not try to run any races at that altitude.
Prayer request:
-for more laborers for the field of Bolivia
-for Dwight Samuel as he begins his last semester of college (thank the Lord he
did very well in his classes last semester)
-for Darlena that her job will continue and she will do well
-for the Coria family in our church here; she fell which resulted in having a
miscarriage
Song that our church sings: (translated into English)
There are no problems that God cannot solve;
There are no mountains that He cannot remove;
In the darkest of trials, God will comfort you.
Yes, He took my burdens upon His shoulders,
And I know, my brother, that He will sustain you!