Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

We are called to bring Jesus Christ to everyone we meet. This can be done in big ways and small ways. Often it is in the small ways that our children bring Christ to others. Here are a few examples:

The children often carry holy cards in their pockets and prayer bags to distribute to everyone we meet. This is one of their favorite things to do. “Everyone we meet needs to know who Jesus is” is their reason behind handing out the prayer cards. If everyone gets one then we have done our job. Their goal is to give away all of their cards by the end of the day. If they haven’t done so they get upset because they think that they might have missed people and have let Jesus down. We kindly explain that is not the case. Jesus loves the work that they do by handing out the cards and everyone that needed one had received one that day. Tomorrow is a new day with more opportunities to share about our Savior! 

The kids really had fun distributing the cards at the airport. There were so many people walking around. Everyone close to the kids received one including the people working in the airport. Leo had a big impact on two such workers. We arrived into Lima at midnight on our way to the States. While we were waiting for our luggage Leo went over to two workers and gave them a prayer card. They took the card and walked away. At some point they must have realized what it was because just as we were walking to customs they ran after us. They asked us to stop and wanted a picture with Leo. Leo was grinning from ear to ear. As they knelt down they said thank you to Leo and took a picture. 

Sometimes simply praying for someone in the moment can bring someone closer to Christ such as this experience. When we first arrived back in Wisconsin dad had a cough. Ruth heard him cough while she was eating breakfast. As soon as she did she stopped eating and said “Let’s pray over grandpa so God can heal him.” All of the kids ran over to him and laid their hands on him. They then asked mom to come over and lay her hands on him as well. They prayed that God would heal him of his cough and make him feel better. After the prayer the kids went back to eating breakfast. Ruth stopped eating a little later and said “ If it doesn’t work right away that doesn’t mean that God isn’t going to heal you. Sometimes God doesn’t heal you grandpa because you might have to suffer and offer it up for someone else.” She then went back to eating. 



Sharing your testimony is also a simple way to share the Good News with others. Malachi has been given this such gift. Throughout our time in the States Malachi was able to share this verygift. One such occasion was when we were asked to share at Peace United Church of Christ. As Carol Lowe was introducing our family she asked the questions “ What is missions and who are missionaries?” Malachi stood up and shared with the congregation that missions is bringing Jesus to the poor and those who do not know Him. He shared that we are all called to be missionaries and that they can be missionaries right where they are. They just need to go and do it.

 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:17

God can use everyone to bring His Good News to the world! You just have to be open to His will!

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Wisconsin- Thanks for the memories and your kindness!!!


We want to take this blog to thank everyone in Wisconsin. We were so blessed to be able to visit for three weeks. We were also happy to bring the warm weather with us! It definitely made the adjustment from 95°+ so much easier. It was so funny watching everyone sweat when it was above 70° and embarrassing for us to wear sweatshirts when it was below 70°. Alright we also wore our winter stocking hats as well. Yep we are those people that we always made fun of. I can say that we finally adjusted to the cooler weather by the time we flew back. 

We first want to thank FMC for letting us use the vehicle for our time in the states. You made our travels possible!

Surprise we are here!!!
Thank you Olivia for welcoming us into your home at 5:00am. The look on your face when you saw us standing outside your door as you were headed out for your run was priceless. Thank you for the wonderful coffee and the delicious egg sandwich. Oh and for letting us warm ourselves by your stove. It really helped!!!

Mom and Dad you are truly amazing!!! Thank you for a place to lay our heads. For all of the food, fun, and laughter. For being amazing parents and grandparents. Thank you for the date nights out and for the relaxing evenings on the pontoon. For all the amazing things you did. There are so many that touched our hearts and the hearts of the kids. Thank you also for keeping the kids favorite toys and sleeping bags. For keeping their pillows and blankets. Thank you for Easter and Christmas all on the same day!!! We are so blessed to call you mom and dad and grandma and grandpa.

We want to thank all of our friend for the time you made
for us. For welcoming us when we popped in. For all
of your prayers and well wishes. We were so lucky
to see all of you!!!

Monika thank you for all you did with Ruth!
And for the haircuts! We really needed them.





Jill Skaletski reading to the kids

We especially want to thank the following people for opening their homes to us. Ken and Dorene Schuster, Curt and Jill Skaletski, Ted and Briget Petri, Lynn and Garry Tamm, Jerry and Tammy Barta- Andy, Allison, and Jake, Brad and Kelli Heimke, John and Heidi School, and Andy and Christel Schmidt. The food was amazing and the stories we all shared along with the laughter was wonderful!
Andy and Allison Barta with Anthony
Andy Schmidt
and Faustina

Kim Madison thank you for taking the kids on a little date. They truly enjoyed the movie and they are still talking about the fun they had with you. 

I want to thank Mimi Ariens for our wonderful coffee chat. I truly miss our conversations. Thank you for all of the hugs! I also want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to have our morning prayer in your chapel. It was such a blessing!


A special thanks for the field trip to the Brillion Police Department. Thank you Chief Mignon for the tour of the police station, as well as the ambulance, and fire station. The kids had a blast. 

Seaton Catholic School- Sheboygan




We were so blessed to share our story with so many people while we were back. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our love for the mission and for the people of Peru. Relevant Radio, Holy Family Catholic School, Holy Family Faith Formation, Peace United Church of Christ with a special thank to Bob and Carol Lowe for organizing this opportunity, Seaton Catholic School Sheboygan and Father Matthew. We hope to be able to contact you all from Peru throughout the next year. Let us all pray for a good internet connection! 
Grandma Betty we love you so much! We are so thankful for you and your love. Your prayers help to sustain us. Know that we are praying for you!!! 

Thank you Father Timothy and Holy Family Parish. We are so blessed and honored to call you our home parish! Your prayers, love, and kindness is such a blessing. Thank you so much for the countless prayers and help in our mission. We are so excited that some of you will be joining us in February to help build the chapel. We can’t wait to see you!!


Luke and Amy Bolle thank you for taking this wild journey with us! Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for the prayers and late night or early morning conversations half way across the world. We are so blessed to call you our friends! We were so blessed to be able to spend time with you. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Don’t forget to book your flights for our Renewal of Vows ceremony in November!!!! 


Until next year!

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

The "robot", a high five, and mouths wide open

“And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

On July 1 Malachi came home from school with a broken arm. His class had gone for a walk in the jungle for science class. Malachi decided to climb a rock wall when his teacher asked him not to. As he was climbing he fell off the wall and landed on his arm. We knew instantly when we saw him that his arm was broken. We splinted his arm with our splint and took him to the doctor. Our town in Caspizapa has a doctor but they do not have access to an X-ray machine. After a few hours of waiting we were given an order for a X-ray and Taylor headed to Picota to try to get one done. The doctor there decided Malachi’s arm didn't look broken so he wasn't going to do the X-ray. Praise the Lord we work with two amazing priests. Padre Leopoldo and Padre Paco were not going to take no for an answer. The next day Taylor and Malachi were going to head to Tarapoto for a X-ray. Tarapoto is an hour and a half drive from our town. Our region’s hospital is in Tarapoto. Taylor was met in Tarapoto by Madre Clarece. Madre Clarece is a doctor and a sister who serves there. She was able to walk right into the hospital and demand a X-ray. The X-ray confirmed our thoughts. Malachi had a fracture in his arm right below his wrist. After receiving the diagnosis Madre Clarece, Taylor, and Malachi had to travel across town to find a splint and sling. They were able to locate the one store who sold them and purchased the items. They then had to return to the hospital for the doctor to approve them. Once they were approved the doctor sent them to the store to purchase more milk and yogurt before they could head home. Malachi was very proud of his spiderman sling but the excitement of having a broken arm slowly wore off during the next three weeks. 

On July 23 Taylor and Malachi returned to Tarapoto for a follow up X-ray. The X-ray showed that his arm was healing but that it needed more time. The doctor once again sent Taylor to the store for more milk and yogurt before sending them home. In three weeks it should be healed.

August 12 our whole family drove into Tarapoto to bring Padre Paco to the airport. He was headed home to visit his family for a month. The drive into Tarapoto was exciting that morning. The night before we had our first rainstorm in over a month. This caused a major mudslide on the road. Some semitrailers were turned sideways and now blocking the road. How were we going to get into Tarapoto in time to get Padre to the airport and Malachi to the doctor? We came to the Lord in prayer and he provided. The semitrailers had just been moved out of the way and now our line of traffic heading to Tarapoto were the first to go. Praise you Jesus!!! Padre Paco didn’t miss his flight and we were able to see the doctor. The good news ended there however. After Malachi’s X-ray we were told his arm was actually worse than it was initially. The fracture was wider now than it had been. The doctor said that there was nothing else he could do without surgery. We thanked him for his help and headed home. I immediately contacted our wonderful friend Anthony Luczak for help. I emailed him the X-rays and he went to work looking for an orthopedic surgeon who could squeeze us in on short notice. We were heading back to the states on August 25 and were hoping to have his arm fixed as soon as we arrived. Our appointment was set for August 27.


Fast forward to August 27. We were driving from Abbeville to New Orleans. During our drive we once again implored God’s help with healing Malachi’s arm. We came to Him pleading for the healing but only to show His glory to the world. Malachi was quiet most of the drive. He was trying to take in the thought of having his arm broken and cast. Our first stop was to X-ray. Malachi and Taylor headed in as I filled out all of the paperwork. We were then whisked away to the exam room. As we were waiting in the room Malachi broke down and started crying. He was pleading that he didn't want to have his arm in a sling for another six weeks. Just as he was in the middle of his sobbing the doctor walked in. He could see that Malachi was distraught. He asked Malachi why he was so upset and Malachi could only blubber that he doesn’t want a broken arm. The doctor then asked him why he was holding his arm like a robot, so stiff. Then he proceeded to do the robot. He then asked Malachi to come off the table and to give him a high five. Malachi gave him one with his left hand. The doctor laughed and said no with your other arm. Malachi was surprised and lightly tapped the doctor’s hand. The doctor said harder, so Malachi did it. Again the doctor said harder and Malachi slapped his hand. At this point both Taylor and I were sitting there chuckling with our mouths wide open. I swear my mouth was hanging on the floor. I could hear Taylor say “Oh God you are so funny.” The doctor then looked at us and asked if we had prayed over Malachi. We said that we had. He then said “Then you know exactly what this is. His arm is perfectly fine.” At this point Taylor asked to see the X-ray. When we went to see the X-ray we could see it was completely healed. You could hardly see where the break was and there is no calcification on the bone.


We truly do serve a real God who does real things for real people in the real world. We are overjoyed to be able to sing His praises and humbled that He has shown His glory through Malachi’s healing.