Return from Costa Rica

November 9, 1987 Bogotá, Colombia –

Psalm 96.3“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Joseph returns from Costa Rica today. I pray that this was a good and beneficial time for your kingdom Lord. I pray that the Biggs and Dunaway’s have been blessed and refreshed.

Betsy called me yesterday to give me our schedule from Miami to Columbus on Nov. 21^st for only $405 – PTL! I’m truly glad Lord, I don’t want to worry about the money, so please help me to relax and trust you. Truly you are our provision for we have no jobs, we are in your hands. Thank you for the extra money that came in this month Lord, is it your desire for Joseph to attend the COMIBAM conference in Brazil? Please make this clear for us [Note from Joseph: apparently it was not … I was not able to attend. I did not make it to Brazil until almost 20 years later on a language scholarship]

Father be with us this day and grant us your peace and protection. Be with us as we go about our various ways.

November 5, 1987 - Costa Rica

November 5, 1987 Bogotá, Colombia –

Psalm 95.2“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Joseph left this morning with Basilio Santana to attend a conference in Costa Rica with Charles Simpson and Hugo Zelaya. Joseph is staying with the Dunaways. I really wanted to go and be with Carol and Jane, but not this time I guess. The Children and I leave on Nov. 21^st for the U.S.A. I feel torn to leave and torn to stay, Lord, give us grace please. 

There is so much to do before leaving. I am still taking classes at La Javariana and I think my Spanish is improving. Basilio’s son Hershy is staying with us while Basilio is in Costa Rica.

Hoping for a vacation

September 25, 1987 Bogota, Colombia

Psalm 86.2
“Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God.” Vs. 11, Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

Father, what is it that I am feeling? I feel so melancholy, so irritable. Claudia is nearly driving me up a wall. I’m tired of having people around me ALL the time – is there no peace? Father help me, I can’t stand it anymore.

We are going to take some of our money and go to Melgar (2 hours away) for a one week vacation. I hope it all works out – Father please go before us. Lord, my heart’s desire is toward you I need your strength right now.

My Spanish classes are going well – I am learning a lot. Our class has students from several countries and it is very interesting. It is very hard to express myself right now, so I think I will stop. Maybe I will write more later.

Love is Real

I dreamed about Debbie last night, only I didn’t know it was a dream. We were laughing, talking and spending time together – holding hands. My heart felt so full.

Then at some point I began to suspect it wasn’t real, and I asked her. She looked sad, and “no, I am not really here with you.”

But Love is real. And Love cannot die. And the Joy was real.

Sept 23, 1987, back to Bogota

September 23, 1987 Bogota, Colombia

“Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps." ~Psalm 85:13

Thank you Lord for going before us and preparing the way. Thank you Lord for the friends and family you have given to us, truly the lines have fallen out to us in pleasant places.

Last night I called mom and dad to let them know that Joseph and the kids made it ok. They sounded good, it is always nice to talk to them. Daddy said he was counting the days and I said “so am I!” Also, he said that when Ruthy came up over the ramp at the Columbus airport, she was dragging her backpack like it was heavy, but when she saw ‘papa’ it flew the rest of the way. When she got to daddy she hugged him and said, “you know what Grandpa? – I love you!” Johnny was speaking a combination of English and Spanish so Granma learned some new words like ‘venga’ and ‘vaca’ and Daddy thought he was saying “tobacco” and was going to give him his pipe. It was a rich time for all of them and soon the rest of us will go. John Wesley slept with Grandpa Holbrook and preferred him over Grandma. He is a real daddy’s boy, and of course Grandpa loved the constant attention.

I received nice letters from Vicki Meadows and Nancy Dawson. I felt weepy as I read them – so much has changed. 

September 22, 1987 Bogota, Colombia

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their heart on pilgrimage." ~Psalm 84:5

Joseph has returned from his trip to the states – refreshed and renewed in vision. Joseph had all day Sunday (9/12) with our parents – basking in the beautiful fall day. Thank you Lord for answering my prayers renewing and refreshing Joseph and for increasing his desire to pray. The time was right for him to get away from the battle for a while.

Today Joseph walked me to school and we had hot chocolate at the little café and talked about the future. I feel excited about the future again. Betsy wrote me a letter from family camp – labor day weekend. It sounded good. Dan’s father had a heart attack and is in serious condition, and his step-mother is slowing of cancer. Father, strengthen Dan and Grace as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death.