We can't believe its already the last day of November! How can it be winter when we are wearing short sleeves and flip flops? Just doesn't seem right!

We are in Huanuco now- and will be until the 16th of Dec. when we head to Lima and fly out on the 18th for home! We are excited about seeing everyone and ordering in a restaurant in English. I hope I remember how.

David had a good trip to Jauja while I was in Lima- he got to meet some great folks out there. My parents came in November 18th- we had a great time together. We walked around Lima, to the beach, the Inca Market, Harry's, Wongs, all the best spots in Mira Flores! The next day we made the trip out to Huanuco. Saturday we braved the busiest market day and Mama was awed by the produce! That was the most fruit I've bought at the market yet! Then we headed up to Panao for lunch- fried trout at Lao's restaurant with Edmin and Maura. The next day we went to church and walked around town a while. Monday we headed back to Lima- the back way through Ambo- a beautiful drive- but almost all of it is on gravel/mud roads- I think we made Daddy a little nervous. But they got to see more of the countryside and a lot of llamas. The next day in Lima we visited the Inka Market again- Ma's new favorite place! Then we made thanksgiving supper- my first! And it turned out great! They left late that night- we were all grateful for the time together and that Christmas is close!

David and I rested a day in Lima and then drove back to Huanuco. We are preparing for a research trip this Thursday - Sunday. Teammate Amber Smith will be joining us- this will be her first trek out of Lima- pray for her as she deals with the altitude for the first time. Also accompanying us is a couple from Huanuco- Lindor and Zoila- they speak quechua and spanish and are from the general direction of where we are heading- though they have never been to our destination. This will challenge our spanish considerably- as they don't speak english. Please pray for this trip!

For safety on the roads- the cops have gotten more aggressive seeking bribes in time for christmas and have been giving us a hard time.

For clarity in language.

For thoroughness in research.

For health for all of us.

Please also pray that David's permanent license will come in soon- the police have been giving him grief about that too.

Thank you for all of your prayers!! I will try to update once more before we leave for the states! Love to all

Blog Update :

I finally have a little time to update again. I am in Lima for a few days while David is out with another team.
Ironically enough, being a missionary has a slow season! Not really, but church trips from the states do start to taper off this time of year. Because of this, we were blessed to participate in a trip with our home church Grace Community Baptist Church this past week. For about 2 years now our church has committed themselves to church planting in the towns of San Jose de Quero and Usibamba about an hour outside of Huancayo. One of the great things about trips like this is that its like going home, without going home! It was so fun to see familiar faces and enjoy the camaraderie of folks from home. David's great aunt came on the trip and showed us all how to do it!!! 85 years did not slow her down and she was a joy to minister with and an inspiration to watch. Those Jones girls sure are impressive aren't they?
This trip was a dental clinic and over 85 teeth were pulled. On a happier note- over 25 people prayed to receive God's gift of salvation. This was part of the clinic- everyone was shared with while they waited for dental work. I will admit that I had a hard time with this form of evangelization, I always do. I cringe at the lack of relationship and I worry that they will say anything if they think they are getting free dental work. BUT- God really gave me a good reminder. I was able to share with four women and all of them prayed to receive Christ. Even after witnessing that, I was cynical in my heart. But God just reminded me that that is not part of my job. I just need to share His truth. He does the rest. He knows their hearts, He knows their sincerity or lack of and that is not my job to determine. I am still praying for these 4 ladies, that they meant what they prayed and that their lives will be forever changed. But I am resting in His sufficiency and thankfully that none of this rests on my ability or lack thereof. God is so good to teach us isn't He?

We had a great Bible study with the believers in San Jose one night and I had a great time sitting on a gas can with Norma and Maruja and seeing their joy in the Word and teaching. So refreshing to see their hunger. David had a neat opportunity to share with a construction worker there and after conversation with Guy and Mijail, he prayed to receive Christ as well. Please be praying for him, his name is Isaac.
We really enjoyed this trip- it was great to see God work and enjoy the fellowship of brothers and sisters. It was fortuitous timing for me. My grandfather went to be with the Lord the night before we went to the village. While it was hard for me to be around so many people right after I found out, I was encouraged by their gentle sensitivity to me and was encouraged by the ability to stay busy with good things- while having some time alone to grieve. The balance was good and healing for me. Please keep my family and I in your prayers as we continue to miss him tremendously.
David is on a trip now in Jauja, Junin, not too far from where we were last week on a semi-vision trip. Pray for him, he's such an amazing guy and can go go go without a dimming in that smile of his, but it is a lot of driving and it ain't over yet! So please pray that his heart will be encouraged by this trip- that the Lord will keep him healthy and strong to continue. He really is a great guy isn't he?

2 very exciting things that I have to share is that my parents will be here in about 2 days now and I'm so excited I'm not sure what to do with myself! I can't wait to see them and show them everything! Pray for safe travel for them and health while they are here! I am also excited that we will be cooking a Thanksgiving supper while they are here on Sunday- And I'm excited about stuffing and chocolate meringue pie. The other exciting bit of news is that my sister just found out today that her pregnancy is going very well and healthy and that she is having a boy this go round! I am excited after 5 sweet beautiful nieces that we'll now have a nephew to shake things up!
Please keep us lifted up before the Father as we seek His will and share His love with the people of Peru! Love you all!

Hey! I know its been awhile and I will try to briefly summarize the past several weeks!

After our first vision conference we drove up to an area in Pasco called Santa Ana de Tusi to do a little research. We found the large town deserted for the day and just about the only person we found was a 7 year old boy who was running the local hostal. He reminded me of Short Round in Indiana Jones' "Hey lady, you call him Dr. Jones!" Anyway- he gave us the lowdown on the accommodations in town. We searched for several more towns and found most deserted as well. We think there may have been a festival in a neighboring town that we didn't know about.

We decided that it would be just as easy to spend the night in Huanuco so we bounced our way home for the night. The next day we drove down to Huancayo to visit with the baby churches that our home church is working with. We were about 10 minutes away when road construction stopped us and we were informed that all of the construction workers were staying in the hostal where we were hoping to. So we turned around and spent the night in the city and headed out the next morning. We spent a great day visiting with friends in the two towns, chatting and trying to encourage and pray with them. This day stretched our spanish considerably but it was really fun.

The next day we headed back to Lima and picked up the incoming vision team up from the airport that night. The next day was spent in orientation with the 3 men from Salem, VA. Through some unforseen circumstances I ended up staying in Lima while David took the team out to Santa Ana de Tusi.

It was a very challenging trip for the guys. Because of a political rally the hostal in Santa Ana was full so they ended up having to stay in another town that was considerably higher elevation. They all suffered effects of the altitude which was very an extreme change after the sea level of Lima. As a precaution they ended up going to Huanuco for the night. David-trooper that he is- drove basically 20 out of 24 hours. Whew. After a day of rest- they tried looking into another village to minister in, however they found one of the biggest healthiest churches we've seen! They worshipped with them, and then headed back to Huanuco for the night. Their last day they returned to Santa Ana de Tusi and had a great day talking to people and praying in the town. After a potentially very frustrating trip, it ended up very well and they are going to make a recommendation to the church to minister there! Please keep praying for this church as they make this decision.

After that - we returned to Huanuco for a few days rest. Then the team from Crossroads church flew in and we went with them up to Panoa for a day or so. Then we came home and promptly got sick. David escaped with only 1 day - I was more ambitious and was sick for about a week.

So here we are - in town until the end of the week and then back to Lima for a trip with our home church next week! Thanks so much for your prayers! We miss you all!