So here is an update of what's been happening recently and how our trip went!
Last month we had our yearly kids VBS, and beach youth event. This is our third time doing the VBS and I think it went the most smoothly and fun for the kids and everyone involved.
We did the wordless color bible theme, which we have done the past two times, but every time we get different kids, and the past two times it felt like the message just didn't stick with the kids. This year, even though we had less then the previous year, we split the teaching up into stations, one person sharing each color with a color craft, having games in between. It went pretty good!
We were able to talk more on the level of the kids about the section of the story they heard, and what they thought of it while they colored and drew on their crafts. We made a wind-sock craft, with each color hanging off of it, and they colored and drew on the tags that hung off of it to help the, re,e,bet what was important about each color.
All the kids said they had fun, and the crew that came up to help really got to have fun and play with each kid.
The youth event went well too, but we sat out on that one due to an injury. Eder sprained his ankle in a hole hidden by grass walking over the hill to the beach. He is doing fine now, but the day off it swelled pretty bad! So we took Elena in the water to swim and give his ankle a break. But, everyone said it was so much fun and they got to hear a study as well.
We have women's bible study coming up this month, and a youth night, and the Newell family is heading to the states for a visit the end of this month.
Please be I'm prayer for them (safe and easy travels with their two boys, wisdom while I'm the states ministering, blessed time with family and friends), and for us as we hold down the fort while they are away (taking care of church service on Sundays/Wednesdays, taking care of their house and cars so they don't mold or rust).
We know the enemy will try to get us down during this time on both ends, but we know God is strong and trust He will watch over us.
Also, our car broke down and is no longer with us (junked). So that was our 2nd car we have junked this year. But, we have been blessed to be able to get a little more exercise getting groceries, and catching rides from the Newell's so we don't have to walk too far in this heat with Elena.
Please pray for God's will in the area of a car for us.
Our trip to America was a lot of fun! We were so blessed to see our family and friends, the home church, and to see everyone get to meet Elena and be blessed by her.
We got to share with the church a little bit about what we do out here and the vision of the church here in Nago, we helped on the worship team while we were there, and Eder got to share the Word on a Sunday morning. It was a really good time, and so much fun.
We hope to be able to head back soon, Lord willing, and be able to make it to Michigan to see the other side of our family.
Oh! We have a praise to report for those who were praying for Elena: her cough is gone!!! It was really bad when we got back from the states, and we were really concerned about it, not wanting it to become chronic or her to always have to be on medication. But! It is completely gone! She hasn't had it for awhile now. Praise our God :)
We are really blessed by everyone who prays for us, supports us, and thinks of us. We know we are prayed for, we can feel it.
We will post photos in a separate post soon, waiting to get pictures from the events!
Here are our prayer requests:
-wisdom in raising Elena
-leading of God in our lives
-ability in Japanese to grow
-wisdom and God's leading in renewing or changing our apartment contract, and visas.
-car situation
-health to stay good
.
