Hisacanes, Hurricanes and Tropical Storms – trying to keep dry! Aug.,2008

Tropical Storm Fay left lots of rain and water all over the streets in parts of Sanford and surrounding cities.  We personally had no damage at our home and the water has stayed at bay for which we are very thankful.

The street behind our mission, however, is under water.  Lake Monroe, which is part of the St. John’s River, has overflowed its banks and the road has been closed.  We are told that this weekend the river should rise more.  Many people’s homes are flooded.  Several days we had to find alternate routes to work as many of the streets between our home and the mission were flooded.  Her first week back at school Haley was overjoyed to have 3 days off because of the storm!!    

Now, we hear that another storm is brewing out there, Hannah, and will probably turn into a hurricane that could hit Florida.  Please pray with us that this storm turns and does no more damage as many folks have not recovered from the last storm. (For more pictures of the storms, check out our photo section).

Other than the storms, we are doing fine.  Heather is back from her month of training in Alabama and Mississippi and has started her college classes again.  Cody has gone back to Bible School in Wisconsin.  He is still working at McDonalds but praying that he can find a job that would pay better and have better hours.  Haley is not excited to be back in school (she is a sophomore).  She has some hard classes this year but she always does well with her grades.

I (Jackie) am still teaching 4th grade math and pre-algebra for our mission school and working in the Field Ministries Office.  I am looking for a part-time job to help with expenses but am finding that jobs are difficult to find these days.  Phil is staying busy in the carpenter shop in the mission.  He has built some new doors for the mission chapel and helping renovate a staff home for the mission.

NEWS FROM BOLIVIA:  Missionaries with the ESE EJJA and SIMBA tribes are both preparing for Bible  Conferences to be held with tribal people from their groups.  The Riepmas are praying to have 30 Ese Ejja families from five villages attend the conference. Missionaries with the Simba have invited the whole tribe so are expecing large numbers.  Pray that these conferences will glorify the Lord as tribal people are taught the Word.

Thank those of you who have prayed and given to help us be the ‘helpers’ to these dear missionaries on the field.  We love you!