I am sitting at my parents’ picnic table, drinking a cup of coffee and typing between stealing glances at the countryside all around me. I can’t believe we are actually here and all that we have done already in such a short time. It has taken me a few Home Ministry Assignments to embrace that we have several places we call home. Right now it is really nice to be in our Pennsylvania “home.” I thought about writing about all the craziness we went through to end a school year, pack up our house, and immediately turn around and travel Stateside, all the while saying emotional good-byes to several of our wonderful friends and colleagues who will not be returning to Peru for the next school year. But honestly, it is just good to be here and I think I want to rest in that.
We arrived in Pennsylvania on the 1st and after a quick restock of Wal-Mart essentials and clothing that actually fit the kids (Can they please stop growing!), we left for Yellowstone and Grand Teton with my (Marcy’s) family. It was the trip of a lifetime! What a beautiful, beautiful place. Even my animal-lover Ella was tired of “Bison jams” by the end, and both kids nearly froze in the subarctic 70 degree weather (haha!), but it was absolutely amazing and so good to have my kids together with their cousins. I am so thankful God allowed us to get our trip in before all the rain!!
Upon our return, we dove into activities for the kids. Ella took up horse riding again and spent a few days at 4H Horse Camp. Liam has been at VBS this week and both will do church camp in July. Our July looks to be very full and already we are at a different church all but I think maybe two Sundays. Our time here is shorter, ending in early September, so we are trying to cram in as much as possible while also trying to re-energize for the busy year we know will be ahead.
We praise God for the provision of a new teacher and her family who are settling in Pucallpa in August! Our teaching staff is still thin, but this is a huge answer to prayer. I ask that you keep the Van Oosten’s and their acclimation to Peru in your prayers. I would also ask for prayer for all the projects happening while we are gone. A much needed new roof is going on to the main school building and lots of essential upkeep is being done all over the grounds. We pray for the staff and volunteers who are overseeing all that work!
I lay down to sleep at night with my head spinning, just running through the list of all the people we want to see and things we want to do. We very much pray we can spend time with each of you, catching up and seeing how you are. In the meantime, I can’t tell you how good it is to run into people at VBS pick-up, hear familiar voices on the phone, and sit and have meals and conversations with our loved ones.
Our schedule is still in progress, but here is a look at our summer plans so far:
June 26: First Church-Altoona, PA
June 29: Faith Assembly-Uniontown, PA
July 3: Indian Creek Baptist-Indian Creek, PA
July 19-26: Southern Road Trip
July 19: Home Office-Fort Mill, SC
July 20, 24: First Christian Church-Covington, VA
July 31: Mt. Moriah Baptist Church-Smithfield, PA
August 21: New Geneva Baptist Church-New Geneva, PA
August 24: Emmanuel Baptist Church-Parkersburg, WV
September 7: Depart for Peru
Mike and I both have new cell phones. Feel free to email or text/call us anytime.
Mike 724-963-9786
Marcy 724-963-9846
mmbrown@southamericamission.org
We look forward to catching up soon!
Family of 4 Serving 1 