Taellor is still working with Dr. Melba going to do clinics in the communities. Two of the clinics they are focusing on include one at a deaf school and another serving the elderly. Taellor is also going once a week to Blue Bird (Special Needs) Orphanage where she helps with their dance therapy. After going with me to teach a Bible study to the girls in prostitution, I noticed Tae off to the side. As I walked closer, I realized that she had taken the smaller children (5-9 year olds) and using my left over craft materials was doing her own makeshift class! So proud of her!! No translator, just a picture book, stickers and a willing heart! One of my greatest joys has been serving alongside my daughter in the field.
In between teams, Travis has continuing to work with the Furia Santa men. I had the privilege of going with him to meet one of their families. The depth of the conversation regarding accountability and choices was amazing during the ride home. It ended with Travis telling him that he had the opportunity to change his family for generations to come...generations. That is powerful. Travis was also able to go fishing with some of the staff that we work with. From what I understand, they hiked half-way around a lake and used fishing gear that they had made themselves. He loved it!!! The only downfall of the day was when he looked to see Jorge's fish (the only catch of the day) and it got away!
Slaton is doing amazing at school! Our "Mary Poppins" (Mrs. Andrea) has completely changed his world at school. The control she has of the classroom is unbelievable..with the grace and patience of no one that I have seen before. He continues to find ministry in places that I don't see...The other day at Subway (our super secret Friday after school snack!) he saw a homeless lady eating out of a dumpster and was appalled that she was eating garbage. As we watched, she ate an apple (half-eaten), part of a sandwich and some milk. Slaton slowly began to realize that she was hungry and that was the food that God had provided for her..just like his sandwich for him... He asked if we could buy her one which we did....but I think this lesson will go well beyond him giving her a sandwich.
Buster remains to be an amazing dog. He is Slaton's faithful companion...not a very good guard dog (He gets sleepy at about 8:00 and won't get up until Slaton does!)
I've recently started doing "Pan de la Vida" visits. Based on the Truth that Christ is the Bread of Life, Claudia and I are going door to door to every home in Mateare delivering a loaf of bread. During the visit, we have been able to have sweet conversation, pray for specific needs and relate woman to woman. I love being in their homes or on their front porch embracing their day to day life. One key culture point that keeps ringing true to me over the past couple of months is that to be a woman in a third world country is difficult. Difficult. However, what is even more difficult is to be a woman in a third world country without a good husband. Already, I have sat in the home of one recently single mother with two kids praying and crying and praying some more. She can't read or write yet knows the importance of education for her son. We are making weekly visits to her home and reading scripture with her. I continue to do Bible studies for the young girls that are affiliated with prostitution/sex trafficking. This has been such a blessing. I am starting to see some of the girls out in the community. At first, they wouldn't make eye contact with me but after I initiated conversation, they will freely talk to me. I love how the girls are becoming more "girly" during our crafts..giggling more, smiling. This is also the case in the Wednesday afternoon women's Bible study in the dump...a true fellowship is forming.
In addition to our growing ministries, we have undergone some pretty major changes over the past couple of months. The first (actually, they are all important in their own right...so no ranking...just random ordering...) is that we have moved from H.O.P.E. Central into a home of our own. The decision to move off of base camp wasn't one made lightly. In our plan, we expected to stay on base for a couple of years or so in order to learn the language and become more independent. However, God seemed to have another plan for us. As those of you know who have been to H.O.P.E. Central, it can be a very busy place. The busyness of vehicles, staff, teams and such combined with a very active now-five year old was becoming more difficult as team season approached. As God knows our needs before they happen, we found a home that is within a gated, guarded community of three other missionary families. One of the families has a son in Slaton's class at school and they are having a wonderful time together! We moved in this weekend and Slaton has been outside playing almost all weekend! In addition to a safe place to raise our family here, God has given us some fellow missionaries that are incredibly Christ and mission focused! This move also signifies a more permanent arrangement of a family home....it has been our prayer that we would be able to integrate.
Two weeks ago Wednesday, Travis had gallbladder surgery in Missouri. The symptoms slowly crept up on him until one night he awoke to what I initially feared was a heart attack. Dr. Melba attended to him while he was here (He was one of my first Ultrasound patients!) and thanks to Dr. Bob Powers, the transition to care was quick and seamless. He is doing so much better! The highlight of the visit back home in addition to seeing family, friends and our small group was being able to worship with our home church! What encouragement!!!
As we continue to settle into our new city, I will be posting more frequently. I am also on Facebook under Tammy Conner Stearns if you would like to follow us there. I am more faithful updating there. Mail can be sent to Project H.O.P.E. at 1419 S. Enterprise, Springfield, MO 65804. (Someone will bring the mail down to us when they come down.)
