When do they bloom?

We have had this Orchid plant for several years now. Where we were living last year, it was in a sheltered location where it received plenty of sunshine. We watered it, but the plant never received direct rain. It did not bloom that year.

When we moved into our new place, we placed the orchid in the garden where it gets plenty of sunshine and rain. It has grown immensely in the past ten months. As you may see in the photo, it has bloomed as well!

But here's the interesting part. It didn't bloom until we had entered the rainy season and it had been through many rain storms, putting up with all of the pounding raindrops. Twelve days ago a stem appeared and now we have the flowers.

Many times we as persons can't bloom until we have been through the storm and have been "rained on". Only then, can God take what we have and make something truly beautiful from it.

The Virtual Fridge...

Both Joel and Joshua really enjoy art. It's funny how when we were buying supplies for their art classes (the second time, in other words, we bought the wrong stuff the first time), Joel told me, "Don't worry dad. I know what I need." and he found it too!

This is one of the pictures that Joel liked best from his paintings and drawings this past spring.

Joel posing with his painting and Joshua at the science fair at school.

Surgery

This past Friday afternoon we saw a pediatric surgeon to get his opinion on an abscess that was growing on Joel's left arm. It was concerning to us as it continued to grow even after a round of antibiotics. Since it was ready to break-open, the doctor thought it best to take it out immediately and booked an operating room for the next morning (Saturday).

Even though Joel was nervous before the surgery, he was brave and was joking and talking with everyone, including the doctor, anesthesiologist and nurses. The procedure only took about 40 minutes but we were in the hospital from 9 am until 4 pm.

Joel is doing very well and already misses his friends at school (he is off from school this week).

Clowning around before surgery.

Recovering and showing off his wound.

Schools and blessings

It is so neat how God continues to open doors to give our talk. At the end of August we had the director of a school call us to request that we give our hyperactive children talk to the teachers. It was a bit strange for us to receive the request, but when we asked how he had heard about us, he mentioned that a family member of his had been at a church where we had given the talk and had called him to indicate that it would be of interest to the school. Praise God!

Broken window

We were with family at Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), when the 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit. Where we were it felt like a series of waves moving across the earth. It seemed to go on for about 35 seconds. What we heard of the quake from those in Quito was that it was very sharp and short. I suspect it has a lot to do with type of soil and what type of building you happen to be in.


When we got home, our dog was very nervous, probably in part because where she normally sleeps is directly below the window that broke and there was bits of glass all over the area. It must have been terrifying for her. The next day I went to find some glass to replace the window.

 

Allas para Volar

Con Alas para Volar (in English, "With Wings to Fly"), is a full-length movie made in Ecuador and sponsored by CristoPol (the organization of Christian Police). The plot-line follows a young couple who meet, fall in love, get married have a son and then separate. The story is told from the perspective of the son as he works at getting his parents back together. In the end the family learns about Jesus and how He needs to be Lord of their lives.

The story is great and very timely as it treats a topic which has been growing in importance here in Ecuador. The movie is receiving very positive comments from people exiting the theaters after viewing it.

Pray with us that God would use this movie to touch lives and marriages for His glory!

Closer to home

Last night at 11:23 pm we had a rude awakening. I woke up to the sound of glass smashing and then I realized that the building was shaking. Just 10 Km north-east of Quito was the epicenter for a 4.7 magnitude earthquake. It was quite shallow at a depth of 8 Km.

Joshua woke up and shouted earthquake and Joel slept through it all.

Marlene told me that the window in Joshua's room was broken and when we looked out through the curtains in our room we noticed that we didn't have much glass in our window either.

I went to find some plastic and tape to cover the windows. Before stepping too close to the building to put the plastic up, I was examining the windows and walls to make sure nothing was going to fall me.

There were two broken windows from the owner's apartment as well.

An hour later the lights came back on and we could try to get back to sleep.

From the reports we've seen this morning there was light damage, mostly broken windows and a couple of slight injuries as a result.