July 2004 update
Hi, from Durango. We hope you are well and that life is full.
We are well and are in good health. The kids are all growing and changing. Joseph and Madeline are enjoying what is called "summer course". It runs for 3 weeks and goes from 9:00 to 1:00. They learn to swim, paint, play sports, and even get to learn English. They are really enjoying being with lots of other Mexican kids their age. Julian is a threat to all the green trees out there as he is absolutely addicted to making paper planes. I believe he nearly went through a ream of printer paper in a matter of a month. Any scrap of paper left lying around instantly becomes converted into a plane. I fear lying on the couch too long, as I'm sure he'd get ideas as to how well dad would fly if folded right. Sophia believes she can speak, and is not satisfied unless you give her your utmost attention. Unfortunately, her conversation is a mixture of Spanish, English, and I believe a dialect that she has completely invented on her own. She also knows no fear when to comes to heights or precarious positions from which one could fall. She needs much prayer. Anne Marie is fulltime mother and housewife, but is managing inroads with the Tepehuan language. That's the family as we stand.
Our coworkers, Barry and Candy Wingo, left for furlough last week. They had planned to leave the end of July, but their daughter Laura has been quite sick with her first pregnancy. She has been in and out of hospital a number of times and so they thought it necessary to leave early and go help her. Candy wrote yesterday and said that Laura is doing better, which is an answer to prayer. Barry and Candy would appreciate prayer for safety for their many travels during furlough, and for a good time with family, friends, and their supporting churches.
Scott and Lina Sutton and their 3 children recently have moved to Durango. Due to some changes in their circumstances, they found themselves looking for a team to join. After some praying and discussing, they have decided to join the Lajas team and work with us in reaching the Tepehuan. This has worked out well, as we would have been on our own until the Wingo's returned. Pray for their transition and getting settled in Durango. Pray also for them as they begin to integrate into the Lajas work, and begin to learn putting up with us. They are also trusting the Lord for an off-road vehicle in the near future that will be adequate for their family and the mountain roads.
Tomorrow we as a family will be heading out to Lajas. In the steps of George Bush, we are declaring outright war on scorpions and any "axis" insect that can cause similar harm. We have managed to procure professional strength poison and a spray pump for fumigating the house. We won't fumigate till we are ready to leave as the contents of the spray could possibly concern U.N. weapons inspectors. We will pitch a tent inside one of the rooms for Anne Marie and some of the kids to sleep in, and the rest of us will sleep in the back of our truck. Nighttime is the main concern as that is when scorpions look for food and are on the move. Daytime is a concern, but at least we will be able to see them. Even so, we would covet your prayers for protection and safety, especially for the kids. A scorpion sting can be fatal for an adult, and even more so for a child.
We are really trusting the Lord that we will be able to rent the house owned by Lucio Millan. Lord willing, we will be able to settle a deal with him this trip. Pray he will be in town and be willing to rent or sell his house. We are also praying for an opportunity to talk to the tribal leaders about the airstrip. Pray for an opportunity to do so, and that we can resolve the situation so that the airstrip is registered and repaired.
Apart from the above things, the rest of the time we will be just residing in Lajas and visiting with friends learning their language and ways. We trust they continue to get used to our presence out there, and that soon our living out there will be no great shock for them.
Thank you for coming with us through prayer. We look forward to reporting on our return next week.
For Jesus,
Andrew and Anne Marie
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