July 7, 1987 - Sarah's Birthday

Bogota, Colombia         - Warm

Today, our Sarah Beth is 11 years old, and becoming a lady in many ways. Yesterday, Joseph took her out to lunch and to see a movie (Star Trek 4). She dressed up really

pretty in a we between (blue) jumpsuit and a blue top. They had lunch at Pizza Hut. It was a really special time for Sarah, Joseph said she held is hand and talked constantly while they walked. 

Today I took her to Col Subsidio and she picked out a pretty blonde haired, blue eyed baby doll for her present. She was having a hard time deciding between the doll and the clothes, as if she was on the line for childhood and womanhood.  Joseph is in Medellin so Marta Castillo baked cupcakes and decorated them and we celebrated with Aunt Carol, Uncle Lyle, Soraya, Claudia, Patricia, Fernando (Soraya's sister & brother) and Mommy, Jessica, Ruth and John. We sang "Happy Birthday" and ate cupcakes, ice cream and lollipops from Uncle Lyle. 

July 6, 1987 - surrounded with troubles

July 6, 1987 Bogota, Colombia Cold

"God is our refuge and strength and ever present help in trouble." --Psalm 46:11

        Last night when I went to bed, I felt burdened. I felt as if everything around me was (is) being shaken. Dan's mother is dying of cancer, a young couple that the Dunaways know just lost their 2 week old baby, Mark and Tacee are going through severe problems.

       Lord, so much is going wrong in our Church back home. I feel so discouraged, like a real failure. We thought we were building right--what went wrong? I feel so bad for Rod and Sandi. Lord, what did we do wrong? But then with the Psalmist I can say you are our refuge and strength and ever present help in trouble and we cry out to you Lord.

July 4, 1987

Bogota, Colombia Rainy & Cold


We must be having our "winter" now, because it has been wet and cold for almost 2 weeks now. The Immel’s have gone home, it was hard to let them go, and the Dunaways and Pam & Karen are here. It has been a refreshing time for all, I think. I'm feeling pretty tired (the pace I guess). Ruthie has been pretty sick, she started last week with fever and coughing and now she has Tonsillitis. We finally had to take her to the Doctor ( A very nice man , Pediatrician) who prescribed some tests and had some tests run at a clinic. She began taking medicine Wednesday and finally today is feeling better. (PTL!) Joseph is also feeling better, no problems for about a week now.
Joseph and Frank plan to go to Medellin Tuesday. An Evangelist named Leroy Henry has come into our lives, he is a friend of Kico's. He is also very strange and always preaching even when we are at the table eating. If you name a place- he has been there. If you name a person--he knows them. Seems rather strange to me. His stories are rather incredible and trigger caution in me.

Father, I pray for him and ask that you bless him, but I also ask that you make it clear if you have sent him to us and ask for grace to receive him if he is sent by you. Sometimes it seems that Joseph accepts everyone, I just ask for protection and wisdom to recognize those who wish to deceive us.

Today is the 4th of July although it doesn’t seem like it. I am emotional and sad because of all that we have left behind. Help me Lord, to look ahead and to keep my eyes on you.

June 25, 1987 - The Big White Elephant

Bogota, Colombia Rainy & Cool

"Why must I goo about oppressed by the enemy? Send forth Your light and Your truth and let them guide me. "--Psalm 43:2

Lord, until we began to share our struggles with Dan & Grace and began to tease and laugh with each other, the tension and the oppression were an unbearable weight. Thank you Lord for sending your light and truth. Thank you for hearing our cries and answering. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Today, Frank & Carol arrive from Costa Rica and Pam & Karen from the U.S. Lord, please continue to guide and direct our paths. The men who have been touring Medellin, Hague and Calli are all blessed by their result and are having wonderful times as well as trying ones. The big white car has had several problems, the guys have even had to get you and push it some. Lord, please redeem this situation.

"Long Journey" Robert Plant and Allson Krause

God's given us years of happiness here
Now we must part
And as the angels come and call for you
The pains of grief tug at my heart

Oh my darling
My darling
My heart breaks as you take your long journey

Oh the days will be empty
The nights so long without you my love
And when god calls for you I'm left alone
But we will meet in heaven above

Oh my darling
My darling
My heart breaks as you take your long journey

Fond memories I'll keep of happy ways
That on earth we trod
And when I come we will walk hand in hand
As one in heaven in the family of god

Oh my darling
My darling
My heart breaks as you take your long journey

June 24, 1987 - "friction, friends and laughter"

Bogota, Colombia Cool

"As the Deer Pants for the stream of water, so my soul pants for you, Lord." --Psalm 42:1

            Father, my soul truly does desire more and more of you. Father, draw me closer, help me to hear your voice more clearly. Help me to see what you are doing. Lord, obedience does not come naturally even though my desire is to be obedient and submissive to you. Please forgive my willfulness and stubbornness. Please change my stubborn heart, I desire to be a willing and useful vessel for you.

            Lord, Joseph and I have had a lot of friction lately, and a lot of misunderstanding. I find myself being cool towards him and he toward me. In the afternoon, we went out with Dan & Grace and laughed and relaxed. Laughter truly is good medicine. It changed our perspective to a positive one. Thank you Lord, for Dan & Grace. Amen.

July 15, 1987 - giving thanks

Bogota, Colombia - Warm

"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me and prepares the way so that I may show them the salvation of God." ---Psalm 50:23

Lord, I thank you for everything and I pray for your guidance. I feel a great void inside. Lord, I pray that you would fill that void. Lord, I choose to forgive and forget that part of my life. Lord, heal the void and please end the ceaseless struggle within. You have been faithful in the past and I know that you will continue to be. You are a God of Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow and I pray that you would be with the child within me who is still unwhole.

June 22, 1987 - spiders and faith

Bogota, Colombia - Cold

"Blessed is the Man who makes the Lord, his trust." --Psalm 40:4

As I read from Elizabeth Elliot's book today, she was giving an illustration of faith. She had a picture of a large black scorpion on the screen from when they were in Ecuador. She said beyond it was a yard surrounded by large palm trees and a beautiful pineapple garden which was not evident in the photo. Faith, is being able to see past the ugly things in our lives to see the "bigger picture" and the bigger things that God is doing in our lives. Also, just as Jesus spoke the word "Peace" to calm the Sea, he is also able to speak the word into our lives to calm any situation.

Lord, please give me strength to see past the events of my own life to see what you are doing.

June 18, 1987 - site seeing

June 18, 1987 Bogota, Colombia Warm

"Oh Lord, do not forsake me, be not for you from me, Oh my God. Come quickly to help me, Oh Lord my savior."---Psalm 38:21

Father, I dont feel well today. I'm very tired and I have a sore throat and wanting to avoid people. Please touch me, body, mind, spirit at this time.

Yesterday Lyle took Dan, Grace, the Girls, Marta, Ellie to Monserrate and then we met them Downtown and had lunch together. Afterwards, Lyle took the kids home and we went with Dan & Grace to the colonial part of the city, the military museum, the Presidential Palace and then went home. Then last night, the guys went to San Andrecito and Dan bought us a Tv to go with the Beta Max so the girls are really into videos today. We also got our transfer and opened a Bank Account. It seems that things are beginning to fall into place.

June 15, 1987 - more visitors

Bogota, Colombia Cool

"Say to my Lord, I am your salvation" . --Psalm 35:5

Lord, more and more, I know that you are my salvation and my breath and my life and I thank you.

Joseph, Paul and the boys left Friday for Ibague and are returning today. I pray that Joseph is feeling well; he has been very sick with an internal infection. Dan and Grace arrived Saturday and it’s so good to have them, Although, I feel even more homesick by seeing them. They went to Buenas Nuevas last night with Lyle (He preached). I know its good for them to touch the culture before they come. The big girls start their month long vacation today.

June 12, 1987 - low point and prayers

Bogotá, Colombia Warm

"I sought the Lord, and he answered; he delivered me from all my fears." --Psalm 34:4

I can’t remember how many times I've reached a low point and cried out to you Lord, and you heard my cry and answered me. Thank you Father, for your faithfulness in me.

It is so good to have Paul here. He spoke at our home meeting yesterday and it was so good. Afterwards, the Holy Spirit was present so we prayed for a number of young people.

June 11, 1987 - prayer for healing

Bogota, Colombia - Cool & Misty

"For the word of the Lord is right and true, he is faithful in all that he does." --Psalm 33:4

Lord you are faithful, thank you. Father, because of your faithfulness I ask you to heal Joseph. Lord, guide us in what you have for us. You are greater than the power of the enemy, strike down the enemy that is attacking us.

It is good to have Paul here, I sense a release in God's grace for us. Last night we shared at Buenas Nuevas and were well received. Today, he will share here in our home with the people that attend our home meetings. Lord, please give us a sustaining word, direction and encouragement. Please speak to us Lord, Saturday Lucy said that we were spiritual parents for her and the Prophecy Ron P gave about me being a Mother in Bogota came back to me. Thank You Lord.

June 10, 1987 - visitors

Bogota, Colombia, Warm
"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." --Psalm 32:1

"Lord, I realize my smallness and weakness this morning and your greatness. I sense the price that was paid for my sins and what a blessing it is to be forgiven. Thank You, Lord."

Paul is here, it is truly a blessing. Becky sent me a letter and gifts for all of us. When I read the letter I began weeping, I don’t really know why.

I guess I sensed a kindred spirit, a sense of understanding.

Joseph, Lyle and Paul and the boys went sightseeing today. Paul said that he is surprised at Bogota's similarity to Belgium. Belgium was a Spanish colony some 200 years. We went to visit Eleanor Berchtold at 6 pm. Joseph is still very sick and in pain, Lord please heal him.

June 8, 1987 Bogotá, "sadness"

Monday Cool
"Weeping May Remain For A Night But Rejoicing Comes In The Morning".--Psalm 30:5

I feel sadness this morning. In conversation with Dan & Grace this morning they said that our mutual friend would not be coming, and that she is near a nervous breakdown.

"Lord, be near her during this time, watch over her, protect her and restore her. Lord, be her rock."

Dan & Grace will be arriving on June 13th at 6:30 pm, it all seems so unreal. "Thank You Jesus, it will be so good to visit with them. Thank you for the provision for them to come visit in 2 weeks."
What a faith builder. Even in the midst of all the homesickness and stress I feel the assurance of God's faithfulness to me. His constant gentle presence with me. This is my anchor --His faithfulness in me. I feel such quietness within me, as the Holy Spirit is brooding within me- "speak Lord, they servant hearth. Let it be done, to me according to Thy will." Amen

June 7, 1987 in the mountains

June 7, 1987 Bogota, Colombia
Cold

“The Lord Is My Strength And My Shield, My Heart Trusts In Him And I A Helped. My Heart Leaps for Joy And I Will Give Thanks For Him In Song". -- Psalm 27:7

Mom Holbrook called this morning and we talked for about 5 minutes, everyone is doing well. We went to Vima yesterday, a small area that has a Nursery (plants), a Furniture store, and a huge beautiful Playground for children with Llama rides. It is in the country about a 30 minute bus ride, we hope to take the kids there soon. It is surrounded by Mountains, I didn’t want to come back to the city, it is so restful. But we did come back to the city and it was so strange to see a 4 lane highway like Rte. 33 in Lancaster and stand there waiting for a bus.

Even stranger is traveling in a big bus like Greyhound which goes from city to city, stop in the middle of nowhere and pick us up. The bus driver was a really nice guy (in his 50s) wearing a hat with a brim. He was really intrigued with our English and asked Joseph to sit next to him to chat awhile. I must say, I am very fascinated with the buses. When we came back, we went to the bookstore that carries books in English. It cost $12 for 2 paperback books which would have cost $4-6 back home. Then we went to Bonanza (a Bario) and bought a table, a hutch, and 6 chairs for 67,000 pesos ( $250 US), loaded it all in a covered truck, hopped in and brought it home. It cost 1,200 pesos to have it all brought to our house. So now we have some furniture, its seems strange, the house seems odd to me. Thank you Lord for your blessings, we had a good meeting today with 30-35 people there.