A lot of ground has been covered since beginning my Home Assignment May 1st. I’ve been in Arizona (no photo), Oregon, Alberta, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Ontario (in that order). I love God’s creation and all the scenery has been incredibly beautiful, even on those cloudy, rainy days.
I also made a trip to California for the PD Conference. It was great to reunite with 6 leaders from the El Faro church, another TEAM Mexico missionary, and the liaison of a partner church. Together we learned a lot and already new ideas have been implemented. Change will take time, but we’re moving toward developing a more healthy church that reaches the lost, disciples the believers, and sends out trained workers.
I am so grateful for each of my hosts and those who have taken me out for a meal or invited me to your home or to go hiking, etc., and for those who helped arrange meetings in churches or with other groups. I have slept in 9 beds other than my own and seen even more people than planned for. I have enjoyed time with relatives, supporters (prayer and financial), retired missionaries, church family, and making new friends. I consider all of you to be friends and am so grateful to God for blessing me with so many and such good friends. Thank you so much for a place to call home away from home, for the conversations, meals, bird-watching and other adventures. Thanks for letting me share about the ministry here and the interest shown. I am so grateful for your prayers and support. I know I’ve used “grateful” a lot, but my heart is full of gratitude for you. I do apologize that some heads were cut when making the collage (I can’t manipulate the photos in the program) and that I wasn’t more diligent about taking photos with everyone I’ve spent time with, but you know who you are and I love you all!
My last Sunday in Ontario I shared at one of the “unscheduled” meetings. A group of churches in the area minister to Mexican migrant workers. In addition to those in the photo, several Jamaican workers came, which meant that I did my own translation Spanish/English. I could see that one of the Jamaican workers was listening intently and I praise God that six men responded when the alter call was given at the end.
Thank you for your prayers for safety as I traveled. The only glitch so far was a medical emergency on board a flight that meant I missed my flight and had to take two others to get to the destination, but I still got there in time with no additional expenses. Please continue to pray for safety as I continue to travel.
I arrived back here in La Paz the evening of July 10th and got the signature on a letter that I needed. First thing on the 11th I was making the visa payment and then turned in all my papers requesting the visa renewal. Now I wait… and I’m not good at waiting. I’m starting to get nervous because my ticket to leave is for August 14th and I have to have the visa in hand before I leave. I’m waiting for them to contact me with the info for the next payment (if the visa is approved) and for fingerprinting, and then I’ll need to wait for the card. Please pray that it’s all done before August 14th!
Since being back, we’ve had one really good thunder & lightening storm with high winds, but the temperatures have remained hot (34-38 C/90-100 F) with humidity over 70%. You can imagine the reactions when the power went down 5 times over two days staying off at least an hour each time! The state declared an emergency. Fortunately, we’ve had uninterrupted power the last two days. I’ve also been able to cool off going to the beach with friends several times. I have a lot of footage for future videos, but I’ve made some for you to enjoy. Click on the Finescale Triggerfish 
to get to them. There is one long octopus video that I also shortened for those not as fascinated by them as I am, and the Balandra beach one features smaller creatures.
I have been able to work on several projects as well, so it’s not all fun and games. Some projects are finished, others are on-going, and at least one I need to do close to my departure date.
One of the main purposes of a Home Assignment is to raise the financial support that is lacking. I am extremely grateful for the supporters that the Lord has raised up, many since the very beginning. Death is the main reason that support is lost, inflation is another, and I could count on my fingers the few people who have dis-continued their support for other reasons. I received one such letter last month. This retired missionary met my Mom at Prairie and I met her daughter there. She wrote the sweetest letter to let me know that she was no longer able to send in support — she’s 94 years old! I so appreciate her and each one of you. And I’m thrilled to welcome some new supporters as well. God is the only one who knows how much support I truly need. Will you continue to pray with me that He raises up that full amount so I’ll be able to return to ministry here in November? Thanks!
So, to recap some prayer requests, please pray that the visa be granted in a timely manner, for the necessary support to be committed, for safety, for ministry here, and for the 2nd half of my Home Assignment when I’ll be doing a lot of driving through Ontario, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and New York.
Looking forward to how God answers,
Brenda
