Today it is pouring rain. Looks like an all dayer. We arrived back in Tarapoto the 17th of this month and have been readjusting to our surroundings. We had a great welcoming as we walked out of the baggage area of the airport. Twenty or more men, women and children greeted us with banners, balloons, whistles, cheers and blessings. You would have thought the president of the country had arrived. We were so touched we both began to cry. I will never forget this the rest of my life.
We are preparing to leave tomorrow to visit the area we believe our Lord is sending us to begin a new work of evangelism and church planting. We are excited. We will be there 5 days and hope to find proper housing that will not only be safe and secure but also have at least 3-4 bedrooms, a decent back yard or side yard for the animals, a place to keep the truck safely and good wiring for the computers so we do not have to lay out much money to upgrade. Seems like a lot to ask for but our Lord knows and will supply all our needs. Please keep us in prayer as we travel through the mountain region. Especially with all this rain that we will not experience any mudslides. :)
We have such great news regarding one of the pastors we have raised up to shepherd the church in La Florida, "The Living Rock" Church (Iglesia Roca Viva). Pastor Milton and his wife Rose Elena have been wanting a baby for years now. After 2 miscarriages, a baby who died after only 2 days of life and her last pregnancy ending in a hysterectomy due to the fetus forming outside the womb you would think their dream was over. But their faith never failed and never once did they blame God. They kept trusting God. 27 days ago a woman gave birth to a baby boy and asked them to adopt him. This last Sunday we dedicated Daniel Samuel Navarro to our Lord. What a great celebration of this most blessed event.
Let this be a lesson for all of us. God loves us and desires the best for us and as long as we remain faithful to Him, giving Him all praise, glory and honor in everything we say and do, He is faithful to give the desires of your heart that you may again give Him praise. We may have to suffer the storm, ride the raging waves, wait till we're 90 years old as Sarah did in the bible but He is ever faithful. And we must also remember, He knows what is best for us. We may not receive what we desire in the way we think it should be done but He will do it. His ways are greater than our ways. Milton and Rose Elena could have given up and lived the rest of their lives in despair but God had a greater plan. To Him be all the glory! Would you join us in rejoicing for the great blessing this family has received.
I am just loving being home with my pets. Yana, our Great Dane, readjusted to us immediately. This was surely a God thing because I had already prepared my heart for the possibility of her having bonded with the vets family in Lima. But the minute she saw us she was all over us. Chi Chi our mutt is doing great. Lulu our Macaw has been giving me kisses since we returned and Libby our box turtle ...well she just loves walking around her garden. She is getting bigger every day. Angel is licking his lips....but I have freed her from being stew meat so he will have to just let that go. :)
well back to work I go...still lots to do. We will keep you posted on the new location. We return Sunday.
