Peru 2011

Way up in the Andes Mountains, we ministered in Pacobamba, Peru. We had no English-to-Quechua interpreters so I had to speak my best Spanish to these Quechua-speaking people whose 2nd language was also Spanish. It was a challenge!

Guinea pig was the speciality food served at the last dinner as above, and is served with the head and tail still on.

This trip marked my last as a missionary associate with Health Care Ministries, so it is sad in some ways.

But on the bright side, being home for our kids now means a new puppy! And we have both found jobs, so we're staying in Springfield MO for now. And are able to afford to buy our son Zach braces and allow Josiah to compete in soccer for a change. So we are putting our family first priority and missions a little lower now.

At this time, there is still money in our missions account for us to go on trips on a less official and less frequent basis. Here are some examples: if a disaster occurs and a response team is formed, or if a project is being planned that needs a medical professional to accompany the team, or to fill in the gap where a medical missionary is on leave.

We are praying right now about whether we will be allowed to have access to those funds for future service. We will have a meeting about it in February, so please pray that God's will is done. Thank you.

End of missionary term Feb 1, 2012

We have come to the end of our missionary term. At this time, there is still enough money in our missions account for us to go on trips, but on a less official and less frequent basis. Here are some examples: if a disaster occurs somewhere and a response team is formed, or if a project is being planned that needs a medical professional to accompany the team, or to fill in the gap where a medical missionary is on leave.

We are praying right now about whether we will be allowed to have access to those funds for future service. I expect we will have a meeting about it in February, so please pray that God's will is done. Thank you.

Haiti update

Greetings prayer partners and supporters. I just had a very successful trip to Las Cayes, Haiti. We spent a week ministering to Haitians on the southern coast of the island through prayer and by providing medical care. Our team of five (one MD and his wife, one Pharmacist, one RN and me) joined the local missionaries to run the clinic. We saw about 700 patients and I saw almost 400 people wanting glasses. We had one Haitian that knew English come to translate for us. He had just been released from prison and was trying to get his life back. After serving with us a couple of days he spoke to Dr Jim and was led in the sinner's prayer. We are praying that God will radically transform this man so that through his testimony many will come to know Christ. In addition to running the medical clinic we were priviledged to help James and Rachael (the missionaries) run a childrens outreach. 350 children from the community came to worship, play games, and hear an evangelist speak. Every child was also given a bag of rice and other food to take home. It was fun to feed the children both spiritually and physically. Thank you for your prayers and support. We couldn't do what God has called us to do without your help. God bless you.

Aguascalientes, Mexico

What a terrific ministry week in Aguascalientes! Thanks so much to the 1st timers from Milwaukee and Giddings, TX! They were good workers, flexible, ready to jump in. Photos are on my facebook page and photobucket under mamapajamasmith. Of about 800 patients, 500 and some prayed with us to receive Christ. Only God knows their hearts but we know that means some good things happened. I saw people really being ministered to spiritually and many healings were reported for pain, insomnia, etc. I will keep praying that the 13 year old girl in the wheelchair receives healing though it didn't happen before my eyes.

path to the boys' home

I liked watching them go back to their rooms, bringing their dish back after breakfast, ready to start the day:) You have to wait a minute before anything happens on this video though.