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.