School Starts!

Eddy is in the middle of his 2nd week of school... and he says it is going well. He's taking 5 classes-- including biology, writing and public speaking-- and has already written a paper and given a speech- way to go, honey!

Eddy's parents arrived a couple weeks ago and have been an incredible help during this time of change and adjustment. We've definitely started to settle in- Ben loves this "new house" and plays everyday in the backyard. And thank goodness for Craigslist, which has helped us frugally furnish the place!

I'm browsing the internet for job opportunities in the area. Ultimately, we'll need to figure out what to do with the kiddos while Eddy is at school and I'm working, before I can start applying. We'll keep you posted on our progress!

Thank you all for your help and support during this process!

Photo: Not the best shot, but only one I have that's accessible as I can't find my card reader... Ben in part of the backyard that will be a garden, splashing in puddles while wearing his rubber boots.

So Long MN... Hello OR!

As I write this, I gaze around our temporary "home" here on the Salem YWAM base- burp cloths hanging from the towel rack, bottles drying on the small sink counter, clean clothes piled on the table, dirty ones in a pile on the floor, 2 duffle bags have exploded in the middle of the room... Every available counter space covered with stuff- the completely necessary but ridiculously irritating items that are basically required with child rearing- diapers, wipes, chew toys, toddler toys, medicine, snacks, bottles, silverware, pack-n-play pieces... Our van outside is packed to the gills and suffers from post-roadtrip-itis: interior destruction by fast-food remnants and toddlers... *sigh*... Are we there yet??

We managed to pack up all our belongings, sell the stuff that didn't fit and jam it all in a 4' x 5' trailer and make the long-ish journey out to Salem, OR. It was touch-n-go there for awhile, the renter moving into our townhome out in Chaska on March 1st and our living room was piled with mounds of junk on Feb 27th... ugh. But with the help of some dear friends, we completed the task and moved to some friends' house in Eden Prairie, MN. While the plan was to immediately drive out west, in the process of packing, Eddy and I came down with pneumonia and Tessa and Ben got ear infections. So we regrouped, rested a bit and headed out a few days later.

The drive out was... ok. Which, as those of you with toddlers can attest, is GREAT. We had a few minor freak-out times, but all in all, 4 days of 7-8 hours of driving, the kids were stellar.

We will be here at the base until March 15th, the supposed closing date for our house. We've hit a few hiccups in the closing process that we're trying to iron out before then... we just will have to wait and see if it all gets sorted out in time. We trust that things will go well, that even if the house doesn't close, God has a plan and will direct us into his will. We've been so blessed by family and friends throughout this process- thank you all for your help and support!

Moving Out

The past few years have been a roller coaster of emotions- planning our move to the Land of Sand, getting there, coming back, having a son, going back, getting visas denied, having a daughter... and then waiting... and waiting... for something. Clarity? Renewed vision? For sure we wondered if we were supposed to push harder on some doors to get back into the country we had focused on for so long. And yet, we lacked peace.
The country was going through a major political and geographical shift- dividing North from South-- huge unrest. So, we waited. Waited for peace; waited for clarity.

And after much prayer, soul searching and God searching, we have finally found the clarity we were looking for. Eddy had always toyed with the idea of going back to school to finish his bachelors degree, which he started back in Brazil before launching out into missions. He had completed 3 years of a business degree. Now, with our eyes keenly focused on the unreached and an unquenchable desire to be "out there", we realize that by having Eddy finish his degree, we could more easily get into "closed" nations.

Eddy had tried finishing his degree online, but found it difficult to carve out time for studies with the kids, job, house, etc. We both agreed that physically going to a university would help him succeed. So we started the hunt for one that offered Physical Education/Coaching. As the last post suggested, we looked into schools in MN, FL, WY and OR; all the places where we have some sort of support system. And we ended up feeling more than certain that OR was the place to be.

Eddy was accepted into Western Oregon University and will start classes 4/2/2012. We went out early and researched housing options. Renting a house for our family in Salem, where we had lived before, would cost upwards of $1300/month (ouch!). So, we looked into buying a house- and found one! And all the expenses will put us well below the cost of a rental; crazy.

This is a bitter sweet transition for us. We have many friends here in MN- family, really- and leaving them will not be easy. But we know that God is moving us on and we trust in his guidance, as being in the center of his will, wherever he takes us, is the safest place to be.

Our official unofficial departure date is 3/1/2012; We have purchased a 4' x 5' trailer to haul all our belongings out West ... which has turned out to be a surprisingly small space for a family of four! We close on our house in Salem on 3/15 and we're fairly sure we have found renters for our home here in MN, which we will keep, for now.

Thank you to all our family and friends who have supported us through this time of transition. We'll keep you posted!

Pics: We've started to sell off our furniture- hence, lots of "floor time"... and Bath time- Tessa seems to be growing up so fast!

Breaking the Silence

We're breaking our completely unintentional silence and jumping back onto the internet grid... I'm just going to throw out a guess that it will take several weeks (if not months, or years??) for anyone to take notice; So really these first few entries could be complete nonsense. I could write my grocery shopping list, re-estimate our 2012 budget, throw down a couple of To-Do's, or list the words Ben is now saying (something we do often, as he's bilingual and verbalization of words is coming a bit more slowly)... But, no- I'm going to go out on the tip of this 10ft longboard web-wave rider and hope that someday, someone will read this uber-fascinating cyber-note... perhaps it's you??? : )

I'm home today with the kids. Wow. Can't believe I just said that so non-chalantly... who would've thunk it-- like 5 years ago, single, virgin-lipped lady... Now, married with 2 kids and has a wardrobe full of black stretch pants and hoodies. Proud of it. Yes, all of it. Stretch pants can look really good... while also being extremely comfortable. Anyway-- Eddy, along with good friend, Kevin, has driven down to Chicago to take care of some Brazilian Citizenship issues- like making sure our kids are just that, Brazilian.

I hear my children rousing from their afternoon naps- so we'll make this a little shorter. We are traveling to OR next week to check out the possibility of moving there in the next few months. Eddy has decided to go back to school to finish his college education, going for Physical Education with focus in coaching. We've found a great little university right near Salem that has that major and is much more affordable, when compared to say, the U of M.

So, we're heading out there on the 24th... If you're in the Salem area and we're friends, we'd love to see you!

Food for Thought

"It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense."

-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, March 4th

So well said. And that's where the Soboll's are at; wrestling with what we feel our call from God is and where we are at in our current circumstances. Life, work, kid(s), church, small groups, friends, errands, bills, dinner, changing the oil, fixing the ----- in the house.... So many things that we do need to do, but somehow, despite their fulfillment, still leave us like we just haven't quite "gotten there"... That nagging sense that there's something more we' should be doing. Perhaps a common thread in all of our lives? Or maybe just a Soboll anomaly!

In these times, I'm always brought back to a trusty teaching a friend shared with me once, a long time ago: If you're having trouble hearing from God and/or just aren't sure what you are supposed to be doing, go back to the last thing you heard from him, that he told you to do and be obedient in that. However big or small it may be. Like moving to a remote North African town or seeking him diligently every day or praying for so-and-so... I'm fully aware of this, but somehow lose sight of it in the daily grind. As it says in Samuel, to obey is better than sacrifice. And like the famous S. Korean Pastor David Yonggi Cho said, when asked how he leads a congregation of over a million people, "I pray and obey".

Even right now, as I'm typing, thinking, processing, meditating, praying, there are distractions, pulling my focus away... For one- my adorable, not-so-little bundle of 30lb joy, Benjamin, is hanging on my legs, whining for attention, craving time with mommy... So, um, maybe these times of prayer and seeking, hearing from God what to be obedient in, can be VERY short!

"Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him." - Oswald Chambers

Anyway- onto other news: Eddy is waiting to hear back on whether he received an entry visa into Sudan, for his trip coming up in a few weeks. He is also working part-time, with a wheel renovation company and coaching 2 soccer club teams. I too will be working part-time with a clinic here in the cities. And Benjamin, well, he'll continue to be the cute little chubby-cheeked guy he is, clingy and all!

Home, sweet... home?

And we're back! After two glorious months in the southern hemisphere with temps hovering in the 80's, we hesitatingly entered the icy winter wonderland of MN... ugh. Thankfully, however, we apparently toted some of that Brazilian heat back with us, as the temps here have been gradually rising, the masses of snow, close to 7' high on our front lawn, slowly diminishing and the sun shining... phew! (Well, that was last week... today = Blizzard... *sigh*)

While it was truly wonderful to see family, friends and supporters, we are grateful to be back "home". Benjamin was a trooper indeed, but by the end of our time the constant tra

vel and change had taken its toll on him. We both agreed that for his sake (and ours), we need to stay in one place for a time. Thirty-seven flights for a 15-month old is sufficient, thanks. He's well over-due for some good old-fashion routine in his life.

As I think we all are. It seems like we'e been living in a state of constant flux- ready to go or move or change at any moment. Our vision is propelling us forward, but our circumstances are hedging us in. One minute we're going to Sudan, the next minute, nope... Then we think of a new strategy, then we're going again; And then another hang-up, and we're not. Another idea, a new possibility; followed by yet another set back. Go, stay; Go, stay. And this has been going on for most of our 4-year married life.

And it's beginning to wear on us. While we'd like to be there, working among and serving the people God has put on our hearts, it's just not happening. At least not right now. So, we wait and pray and continue to listen and obey God as best we can. All the while, the "when" and "how" and "where" questions lurk in our minds.

So until those questions are answered we will be here, stateside, in MN... a

waiting the arrival of Baby Soboll #2, a girl-- due May 30th... Yay! Eddy is working part-time while also going back to school to finish his degree (online, so he can finish no matter where we are). I'm staying home with Benjamin, a full-fledged toddler now, who loves to take apart and undo all that I put together and do... *smile*.

And to help us feel a bit more settled for a time, and eventually act as a source of income for when we are overseas, we purchased a town home in a neighboring suburb here in MN. Prices are low and we found a great deal- a 3 bedroom, 3 bath costing us less than $700/month- for everything. We couldn't rent a place for that amount! We're very excited and are moving in this weekend- hopefully- and cleaning out Jess's mom's place, where we've been living.

Finally-- Eddy and his brother, Danyel, will be heading to the land of sand this next month to wrap up some loose ends, organize our stored possessions (currently scattered about the country)

and reconnect with friends/co-workers... We're hoping there are no hang-ups with their visas!

Photos: Ben walking in Brazil... Ben

n Eddy in front of the Christ in Rio de Janeiro... Eddy n Ben on top of Sugar Loaf in Rio, overlooking Copacabana... And Sudan...

Last week in Brazil and he did it!!!

We are almost heading home... We have one more week here in Brazil and few things to do.The time here has been amazing. Jess' Mom came to visit for the first time and to meet Eddy's Mom. It was a great time for them both. It was great to be together in family, spend some time playing yatzee and talking about life and the kids childhood.
We traveled a little in Brazil. Iguassu Falls and Rio de Janeiro were two places that we went. Eddy showed some of his home town (Curitiba) and parts of the Atlantic Forest. We had a bless!!
Now we are preparing to go back to the cold and white Minnesota.

Jess is doing great. The new baby is kicking and moving a lot. Jess is feeling more and more tired and the tummy is growing fast. Her legs are complaining a little with some veins that are showing a evidence of the amount blood and pressure on the body. She has to use compression socks and don't stand so much o the same place. It is amazing to see how a "trooper" she is.

Ben is WALKING!!! Yep, exactly 5 months after his first step up, he is officially walking. 15 months and a little late, but better late than never, right? It is so cute to see! The legs are a little stiff and the steps are not even yet, but at least, we have some hope for soccer now. At Eddy's parents he gave the first steps yesterday, Granpa and Granma are very proud to be the ones that "saw" it first happened. It seems like that Ben is pretty excited about that too...

Sudan seems like is going to be divided. The election in the Country are done and now is the process in how the South is going to be build up to become independent of the North and be its own Country. This probably will happend in June 2011. Please pray for the Middle East in general. Egypt is going through a hard political crises now and the Middle East is shaking a little.

Blessings!!!!

Pictures:Ben shopping with Daddy... he drives the cart and daddy buys the stuff. Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro. Ben driving the boat around Paranagua Port. Jess, Mom and Ben in Paranagua.

Bring the Heat!!!!!

Life in Brazil has been great! We are traveling a bit and visiting people. In some parts it's hard because some of our friends are traveling too. So many people we want to see but a little limited.

We are excited because of our new house in the States. Yep, we got it. We closed on the 28th and now we are home owners!!! YAYYYY!!!!
The best part is that it's going to cost us $674 a month (mortgage, interest, association, propriety taxes and insurance), so no more expenses a month other than the normal electrical bill and such. It is unbelievable that this is almost half of the amount that our rent worth today and we will be able to rent the place when we go back to Africa in Aug/Sep 2011 to help with our support.

On Monday (16th) Jess' Mom arrives from the US. She will spend almost 3 weeks with us and we will be going to Iguacu Falls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguazu_Falls) and to Rio de Janeiro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro). Then we will be going around here, Curitiba. This town is the greenest in Brazil- All about recycling and transportation. We are excited to have Jess' Mom with us. This is her first time in Brazil and the first time to meet Eddy's Mom.

Ben is almost walking... It seems like he needs that little "click" to stand up and walk. We are encouraging him and doing as much as he wants to walking holding hands. Now climbing, is his thing. He goes up on the couch, stairs, chairs, car and whatever he can reach. His communication is getting better too. He is pointing to everything and calls it "baby". The other day "baby" was the old man on the Quaker oat box. He points to the truck and says "baby". It's great. Dogs and birds are his favorite, he calls them "Keh-r" and points to them.

The hard part is that traveling so much makes his schedule a little rough... some "fun" nights... but we believe (hope?!) that he will go to College one day!

Jess is doing fine too. The new baby is already 20 weeks old and we can already see it moving. Her belly is showing and Jess is a little more tired than usual. Put my hand on her tummy and feel the kicks is so inspiring. Pretty soon we will have another baby in our arms, in our own home... ahhhh, sweet dreams!

Please, pray for Sudan! This week is a critical week for the country that is voting for the split of the North and South. Pray for the peace and understanding between Governments and tribes.
Blessings!!!

Pictures:Ben, ice cream and beach, just perfect! Eddy's cousins and aunt from the South. Ben can't stop driving grandpa's bug... Ben and sand! Ben pointing "Keah".

In Brazil

Yep, we came to Brazil to get away from the cold MN... Well, not just for that, I'll explain whats going on.
It has been almost two months... In this last two months we decided to buy a house in Minneapolis. We have some savings and with the market in the way that it is now we decided to invest our money in a different way. So we found the place and put an offer in the house. They accepted the offer after more than 45 days waiting (short sale). With that, we will pay for the house and all the monthly charges less than the rent price on the house that we are in now. A great deal!! When we go back to Sudan/Egypt we will put the house for rent and this will help us in our support. The closing date is Dec 28th and even in Brazil we were able to sign as many papers before we left the States and give a power of Attorney to a great friend.
Jess pregnancy is going great. She is already 17 weeks along and it seems to be a baby girl coming. the doctor on the last ultrasound told us that is 80% of chance in be a girl, but not for sure. Very different of Ben. At 9 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor in Sudan told us that it was a boy. We don't have the name for the new baby yet, we have to see on our hands and than decide. May 30th is coming very fast... and the best part is that Eddy's sister in law is pregnant with a due date for May 31st and Jess' best friend is due on the first week of June.

So our "plan" is to go back to Africa in Aug/Sep of 2011 to work with the tribe. January 9th is the referendum in Sudan about the division of North and South of the Country. It seems like that the country will be a little more unstable and the war may be start again. The oil fields controlled by the North part are located on the South part of the Country. With that, it would be hard for the North just "let it go" the great source of income and business with the World. Thinking in those lines, bring my family there is not an easy decision, so we are planning in going to Egypt to work with the tribe that is from Sudan but with a refugee status. The cost of living is much more less and the visa situation a little easier to get in, stay and get out.

Eddy is applying for college in the States. He will finished his Administration Business that he started in Brazil. After done, that could be a door to get into Sudan and work with a Aid Organization. The college is on line and it is credited on the US. because it is on line, Eddy can take the tests for the credits in Egypt (American University). It would be great to have the opportunity of going back to Sudan with a more stable way to there and with a more focused and strategic situation. The college will take between 12 to 24 months to finish.

We will stay in Brazil another month. Here we are visiting friends and supporters. We are trying to book some churches to speak and new supporters to get in contact. We hope more people in this Nation would join us on the task that the Lord placed in our hearts. Com on Brazil, this is your time!!!

Blessings!!!
Pictures: Our "new house". If it really comes to close on the 28th .3 bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2 car garage, around 1600 sq/feet. In Brazil at the Botanic Garden, Grand parents with kids and grand kids, little pool for little people.

Yep, what's next?

It has been so long since the last blog... We have been praying and wondering what's next?!

First of all, Jessica is pregnant again, YAY!!! We are very excited about the new baby that is coming in the end of May next year. We went to have an ultrasound this last week and the baby was 8 weeks along. It already has the head, spinal cord, arms and legs... It amazes us to see- how is it possible? The creation is so fast!! Ben is already one year old and soon we are going to be a family of 4.

We celebrated Ben's first Birthday and it was great. We had a "luau" for him. It is tradition in Hawaii to celebrate a first Bday of a baby with a luau. In the past, when the "white man" came to Hawaii, they brought with them many diseases and 2/3 of the population of Hawaii diedwith those diseases. So, it was celebrated the first year of a new person with a huge party... So we did ours. Not huge, but fun!

Our plan now is to stick to the States until the next baby comes in May, then out we will go, out again. We are praying and asking where we should go in Africa-- We want to work with the same people group, but maybe a different country, with more accessibility...? God will tell us.

Meanwhile, Jess is teaching health to a group of women who are coming out of bad situations in life. She is also trying to figure out how to do some mentoring/tutoring with some Somalians that live around us here in MN.

I'm trying to get my college papers ready from Brazil and finish my college degree. That would help facilitate us to get back to the Land of Sand and work with an NGO and the tribe. I still have to get all my papers from Brazil translated and then enroll into college. Let's see how this is going to come about!

Thank you for all of your prayers, we can feel and see how much God is blessing us!

And the Fall is almost gone...

What Next?

Already September... where did the summer go? Time seems to flying by and, funny, we're still here... Stateside... waiting. It has definitely been a time of gracious refinement. While we do have some tentative plans, nothing has been finalized, as we want to ensure that our Care Team and sending church are with us and "on board" with these plans. As of yet, I, Jess, have no visa with which I can return to the Sand Box with. And we as a family, we have been feeling not quite as peaceful about heading back- with uncertainty looming in the country's future, a big move to a much more remote location mixed with our desire to have another child... Something is leaving us with a nagging caution. We are praying and waiting. We know where we want to be and what we'd like to be doing; it's just a matter of timing. As soon as we have some confirmation and clarification about our thoughts, we'll fill you all in.

Otherwise, Eddy has been painting for a friend and feels exhausted and spent- which equals "awesome" in his mind! He loves providing for his family in a practical way- and we do too!

Benjamin is fast approaching his first birthday. We can't believe it-- one year-- so fast... too fast! He's hardly our "baby" anymore, more like our little toddler, minus the "little", weighing in at 27#... yikes! It's time for you to start walking, kiddo!

And me, well, I'm taking care of said toddler and our house, and trying to prepare our family for what's next... And if Eddy stops painting, then I'll start looking for some temp nursing jobs.

Photos: Our one day at a MN lake- "Lake Riley Beach", which, by the way, had officially "closed" for the season the day before- um, seriously??? ... Ben's first Fishing With Dad experience- not a big fan of the slippery lil' fella... And Ben's first boating excursion, and yes, that life jacket totally fit... And last, but most definitely not least, Ben's first MN State Fair Experience! (And probably his last, as it costs so much to get in... ugh!)

Out West

We've been in MT & WY visiting family and friends for the past few weeks. It's been overall very refreshing to be away from the city and surrounded by fields, mountains and wildlife. There's something about the beauty of nature that puts our minds at ease. *sigh*

But reality does coming crashing in occasionally... We got word a few days ago that my (Jess) visa through the community development organization was not approved by the government. This was difficult news to receive. We were hoping that there would be no problems and we'd be back in the Land-o-Sand in just 2-4 months. Unfortunately, this was not the case. No reason was given for my visa refusal. The Organization will try again in a few weeks.

This leaves us a bit more uncertain. We're not sure if it will ever be approved or when. We're not sure when they will re-apply and for how long it will take. We're not sure where we should go in the meantime, hoping it will be approved, but wondering if it won't. Do we stay in MN? Do we road-trip more, focusing more specifically on support raising? Do we take this time to visit Eddy's family and try to get me a different visa from the consulate there? Do we get jobs as a form of tent-making while we're waiting?

There are a lot of questions, and for right now, not a lot of answers. Eddy and Ben still have visas to return, and will have to before Dec. 1st, or risk losing them. We are trusting God implicitly to guide us during this uncertain time. We know that he has a plan and it's a good one! We just need to be reminded, often daily, that this is truth and worrying about the unknowns will profit us nothing... sometimes easier said than done!

Please continue to pray for us, as the nebulousness of it all is a bit exhausting. I think I never realized just how stressful it is to live in complete uncertainty or just how peaceful it is to have some stability. It's definitely taking a toll on our sanity!

Photos: The road-trip thus far... Red Lodge, MT with my brother's family, Yellowstone with my mom and family time with my mom and dad...

Second of the Day

Is all about the big guy of the house... BEN!He is 9 and 1/2 months and so cute!!! We are working on crawling, but seems like he is not ready yet! he can do a "military crawl" but not on his knees... He goes around a little but not that far... as soon as he gets tired (which doesn't take long) he lay his head on the floor and take a little rest...When we go get him after his naps or in the morning, he is normally on his bailey looking at the door. As soon as he see us, he put his head down and try to show us that he didn't know we were coming.
What adorable child!!!The waving is another thing that we are trying to get out of him. He can wave to himself but not to others yet. He is eating quite a bit and sometimes the bottle is not his favorite... he wants FOOD!

Standing is fun, when we go down on the floor with him, he can "climb" on us wanting to look what is on behind us...And he loves the soccer ball, plays and wants to eat it at all costs....
The best is with other kids around, he just loves child... always laughing and giggles to them.
We love our Benjamin!!!!

Wedding West

What a beautiful day for a wedding and what a sweet couple. I went to Oregon to be a part of Jason's and Melissa wedding.

What a fun time....

And I had a chance of seeing some supporters, Church and some most dear friends!!!

Jess stayed in MN wit her Mom and Ben. The Bachelor's party was a ride on the dunes on the Oregon Coast. A BLAST!!!!

Funny is that it was the first time that I stayed a part from Ben and I never felt that way... I missed him so much!!!

On the wedding party had a little baby and ev ery time I look at the baby I just wanted to hold her... I just couldn't wait to get home.

As soon as i got home, I went and held him... He was almost sleeping, but I just didn't care... He grew up in 5 days...

I love my son!!! !

We still waiting for Jes's visa to come

through... We will be leaving to MT and WY this week to visit Jes's family that are there for vacation.

July 4th and World Cup Final

It is incredible to be in a Country with freedom and be able to be around with friends and see that most of the things around us are well cared for.
So, we were with some friends here in Minnesota for a dinner and fireworks after. Ben did great with both. He loved the fireworks and they didn't scared him at all. I think he got a little bored after almost 15 minutes of lights and "boom" sounds though!

After a month of soccer, 32 teams and 64 games the World Cup came for its end. For Jess a relief of sports watching in home. For Eddy, 4 years will be a long wait for the next World Cup (in Brazil). For Ben... well he didn't understand much of what was going on and most of the time he was taking his naps... but anyway, for Ben it was something new.

We have Jess's Mom here with us for a couple of weeks, which is such a blessing to have her! She has been traveling on the "main land" since April and will go back to Hawaii at the end of August.
Eddy will be going to a wedding in Salem on July 15th than at the en of July we will be going to Montana and Wyoming to visit family, Churches and friends.

We are just waiting for our approval of the visa to come through and then we will be returning to the Sand Box as soon as we have the permit for Jess. She will start working with an Aid Organization managing projects with wells and dam construction in a remote area of the country.
Eddy will be looking for opportunities of opening the ice cream shop and connecting with the tribe. Our commitment with the Aid Organization is for two years.

Blessings to you all!!!!

Summer!

This is just a quick post to say that we.... LOVE SUMMER HERE! At least "here", in the states, where we can walk out our front door dressed in any manner of clothing... Where we have a park located not even a 1/8 of a mile away...

Where there are soccer fields, baseball diamonds, water fountains, playgrounds, restrooms... and families and kids playing together in this incredibly green and gorgeous place! And Ben loves it too...

Otherwise we are working on our newsletter, planning the rest of our time here with meetings and church visits and somehow preparing for our quickly approaching return to the Sand Box... although that date is still uncertain- most likely Aug/Sept. And, of course, we're trying our best to keep up with the World Cup... Go Brazil!!