We DID it!

We packed up this weekend...just to make sure it was all going to fit!  We did really well I think.  We have several things we are going to donate and a few things we held back for someone to tuck into their suitcase when we have visitors.  But other than that, we did really well.  All our earthly positions are now stored in a few containers at Jeremy's parents or in 10 suitcases.

So we are ready to travel!

10 checked bags

5 carry on bags

4 personal items

3 car seats

2 strollers

1 baby carrier

and these 3 crazy kiddos

We'd appreciate your prayers for traveling mercies!  HA!  We should be heading out later this week...still no exact date, we're waiting on the travel agent to get back into the office this morning. =)

Family Jungle Trip

Well we had a blast.  I've uploaded lots of pictures to tell the story but we had a few stories that we're captured on film (some were captured on video but our internet is WAY too slow to upload those).  So the story goes:

Not pictured:
1.  The first night out- we spent it sleeping on a sandbar stranded because we broke part of the prop on the motor and couldn't fix it yet (it did get fixed the next day).  We were too far up the river to turn back to the last village but too far away from the village we were trying to make it too!  Oh yeah- the other family we were with didn't bring their tent, so we lent them one of ours.  So Jeremy, me and the girls all slept in a 2 person tent in the pouring down rain. (Well the girls slept at least- J & I tried LOL!)
2.  Crystal was able to have a women's bible study with several ladies.  We studied Proverbs 31 and she taught them 5 questions they can ask themselves when studying the Word.
3.  Jeremy was able to teach as well in each village on Godly Wisdom.  We also were able to distribute several Bibles in Buena Vista.
 4. Crystal learned how to weave baskets/plates!
5.  They had a special service in Atalaya the last night we were there.   At the end folks prayed for our family and said their good-byes.  It was sweet.

All the stories that have pictures:

Addie sleeping ontop of the luggage on the boat ride up the river.

Everyone calls Addie "babydoll" here, but she really does look like one. LOL

The girls killing time in the hammock on the boat ride up the river.

Karis & her favorite friend in Atalaya- Ana!

Jeremy is teaching Luis the "fisherman's tail" way of taking a photo, so that the fish appears much larger.

Actual size of the peacock bass. LOL 

Addie & her favorite Peruvian Uncle Omar playing with dinner before its cut up.

Karis & Alton (Luis' son) playing on the steps of the house while folks play soccer.

Crystal and Karis

Buena Vista

River bank

Location of Bible study in Beuna Vista

Jungle version of a pack-n-play.  The mayor's wife saif this is what she uses for her grandbabies so that they don't have to sit in the dirt to play.  I thought it was sweet of her to get it out for Addie to use during Bible study.

Karis wanting to play in the "boat" as she called it.

Addie taking her morning nap at 6AM!  Jeremy was kind enough to stay in his hammock and let her rest awhile.  So precious how she has her arm resting on his. =)

Nothing like a 10 year old and an 8 year old gutting lunch down on the river bank.  And bringing their little brother down to watch.

Luis & Addie playing on the boat.

Karis is a very good observer.  She noticed that everyone nursing their babies lots in the jungle.  So she was nursing her babydoll and telling us we needed to be quiet, so she could feed! LOL!





Omar and Karis on top of the boat catching some air.  Do you think Karis likes it?



Addie after Daddy lifted her up high enough to feel the breeze.  Not a big fan!  Such a sad face.

Samuel & Alton (Luis' sons)  such precious boys!

God has a plan for Alton's life.  Before he was 2 years old (he is six weeks younger than Karis).  He has had dengue fever twice, dysentry, and a motorcycle fell down on him punturing his skull...he still has a hole in his skull from it.  He is a trooper!!!

OGM (Occational General Meeting)

Two weeks ago we were able to attend our first general meeting. It was all the IMB missionaries from 5 South American countries. It only happens every few years (thus the "O" in "OGM). It was a great time of training and sharpening skill sets needed for being on the field. It also provided us with an oppurtunity to connect with other missionaries. So often we get stuck in a rut of what's going on with my ministry, in my area...blah blah blah. It was great to get to hear what's going on in other folks lives and ministries. We tried to eat with different folks at every meal and we really were encouraged by it. We also think that we were able to make some connections to other IMB ministries going on in Peru and combine forces with REAP to better reach the least reached of Peru. We're excited about the possibilities that lay ahead.

The girls had a great time. Its the first time in latin america that we've been to something that had childcare provided. It was so great to be able to worship and sing praise songs with out distraction (I know that may sound silly, but boy did my soul need it). Karis was basically in kid's heaven- it was a super kid friendly place with play ground equipment, a pool and a pond to feed ducks & fish. She played so hard and is still talking about her friends she made there!

Here are a few pictures: Us after the Missionary Kid presentation the last day!

Karis' beloved fishes & duck.

Karis running back up the bridge with urgency to get MORE bread for the fishes.

Girls all bundled up for bedtime. It was cold at night and our little Jungle monkey's don't do cold! LOL!