Lima in the winter...

Its not so pretty. We've seen the sun for about 4-5 hours since we returned from Ica. Over 2 weeks ago. Vit. D deprivation is a killer! But the silver lining on our horizon takes place Monday! We will escape the gloom and head to the US! David is heading to Atlanta for a training conference for our Strategy Coordinator Churches and then flying up to VA when it is over for a few days. Pete and I are going straight to VA! And thus we embark on the adventure of international travel with a 3 month old. Pete is all set- he's got his passports (yes, he needs both of them to travel- his US to enter the US and his Peruvain to enter Peru-dual citizenship is complex). We are so looking forward to introducing him to everyone back home and letting his family get some time with him! I just want to lay by the pool. Is that bad?

Pete is growing growing growing!! It amazes me how much he changes every single day. This week he has learned how to really grab toys and has even found a few favorites. David and I were saying that he really seems to be engaging with us more now. This morning he was playing in his crib and I sneezed and he laughed really hard about that. Which is good because he used to burst into tears whenever I sneezed. Who knew a sneeze could elicit such emotion.

David and I have been especially busy these past few weeks. Of course this is the busy time of year, so there is the usual hullabuloo, but we have also been doing "team leader stuff". We've got a lot to learn and we need your prayers more than ever.

After our foray to the US, we will be back in Lima for a week and THEN! we go to Huanuco! It will be 11 months since I was in our old hometown and I can't wait to go! So we've got a lot of travel ahead, but we are looking forward to all of it.

Please keep us in your prayers! Thanks so much to all of you!

I am writing this from lovely Ica, Peru. Which is south of Lima (which is not so lovely this time of year) in the desert. We are in a beautiful place called Las Dunas and the best part is ...is that there is SUN!!! Oh- we are so glad to see that lucky ol' sun rolling round heaven all day!

Ok- we are here for more than just the sunshine! We are here for “OGM” which in real people lingo means Occasional General Meeting. All the missionaries from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela & Columbia have gathered here with our leadership team to re-group, talk, learn, pray and fellowship together. This has been a very encouraging time for us. We've learned a lot, met a lot of people that we've heard about but never seen, and enjoyed the sun. Have I mentioned the sun?? Anyway...
This past month has been a transitional time for us and our team. Our Team Leaders, Jeff and Liesa Holeman have returned to the US for their Stateside Assignment, which was a sad day for all of us. We will miss having them around, their guidance and leadership, their hard work, and their good sense of humor.

Since their departure, David and I have stepped into the role of team leaders. Yikes! I love it when we tell people that and they ask “why did they pick ya'll?” Good question! We aren't sure either! But we prayed through the decision and felt a peace about accepting this role for now. Please please pray for us and we seek to serve our team and handle the new responsibility. We are excited after this week about potential changes that our team can make to involve our Peruvian brothers and sisters in our ministry. Please pray for the implamentation of these changes and ideas. All in all we have really come away from this time refreshed and ready to face the grueling summer months ahead.

Personally, we are doing well. Pete is 3 months old and just the cutest baby ever. Everyone says so:) He is smiling and laughing and enjoying learning everyday. He likes to play with that cute little boy in the mirror of his crib. David and I are ever learning to take care of him the best we can. So far so good.

David is as smile-y and as patient as ever. He's a great husband and dad to Pete and he continues to be ever hospitable and gracious to our Peruvian friends. Everyone loves David- and with good reason.

I'm plugging along, suffering from sun deprivation in Lima, but enjoying living in Miraflores where I can walk where I want to go. I've made more cake this past month than I have in a long time. And I've cut my hair- love having it so short. I may never go back!

We miss you all and we covet your prayers- we need them!!! Thanks for all of you who faithfully lift us before the Father. Here are some things to pray for that are coming up...

Training conference in July- David will travel to Atlanta mid July to attend a Strategy Coordinator Church training. Pray that churches will attend and hear what our missionaries have to say.

Please pray for an upcoming Bible dedication in the Huallaga valley. Early August we will all travel to Huanuco to attend this amazing event. This is the presentation of the Word of God in their Quechua language. The first written piece in their dialect. How exciting!

Pray also for Watson Chapel Church who are preparing for a vision trip this fall to the Cerro de Pasco area.

Please send us prayer requests and updates for you and your family!