Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine

Think back to long ago when you had a summer vacation. You had three glorious months off of school, and besides having some chores from mom and dad, the summer meant freedom. You could pursue the things that brought you joy in life. Well that is what Mark and I have been doing for the past few weeks.

We have been trying to spend as much time as possible with the other missionaries on the mountain. There is a women's bible study every other Sunday afternoon - and I am actually able to go now! And there is a 5th Sunday prayer meeting that we have been able to attend since it is right across the street. Mark has also spent a few days helping Larry Smoak replace the tin on the kitchen and dining room of their ministry house.

Changing the tin

Missionary Prayer Meeting

Mark has been working on the truck. I shouldn't really say working on it because nothing is broken. I guess the right word would be tweaking or maybe even tinkering. He takes things apart, cleans them off and puts them back together. He adds things to give the truck a better performance, and changes parts that are wearing out. He practically lives on the Hilux Forum and enjoys seeing what the Australians (they have a big Hilux market in the Outback) are doing with their trucks.

The Hilux

Under the Bonnet

He has also been helping the high school across the street, Instutito El Rey, with their marching band. Since he was in the marching band and drum core while in high school, he has a particular love for music...and a particular hatred for bad music. So he has been going over a couple of afternoons a week and teaching the percussionists techniques that will help them play better and protect the instruments in the long run. I can tell you...I notice a difference in their playing from across the street. They are keeping time much better and it improves the whole band's performance.


I on the other hand...have broken out the sewing machine. I love to sew. I like making something useful out of scraps. There is such a redeeming quality about that. An old T-Shirt becomes a cute hat. Scrap material becomes a hand bag. An old pillowcase becomes a dress for a neighbor's baby, and a half of a yard of material becomes a relief giving heating pad for sore muscles. I am by no means a seamstress...I don't have all of the right tools or the know-how, so I make a lot of mistakes along the way. I guess that is part of the intrigue and the adventure!

Pillowcase dress for baby Eva.

Rice-filled Heating Pad

I have also been experimenting with some new recipes. I made my first chicken and sausage gumbo. I had to bring a little bit of New Orleans to the jungle, and I can tell you, I will be doing that again! It may even make its debut for some of the groups next year! Hallelujah!

I think this gumbo would make Mr. Joe Leblanc proud!

Things will be picking up the pace when the Williams family returns this week. They have had a great and fruitful time in the States, and they will be bringing back a team to put a roof on the new volunteer housing. This will have 4 small apartments and Mark and I will move into one of the units. Once the roof is on, we will be able to make more progress on the building even with the incoming rains! Praise God!

So although it is sad to say goodbye to the time of rest we have had, we are glad to welcome back the Williams family and a team who will bring us closer to our new home!