Saying Goodbye!

I have never liked good-byes and it wasn't any easier with our dog. I know she may not be the easiest to love because she barks a lot and jumps a lot but she is so sweet! I will miss her probably more than anyone in the family. Greg tried to be compassionate, but he was really happy to be rid of her. He is definitely NOT a dog lover. Anyway, I made it through the saying good-bye, I just hope she is happy on the farm. Thanks for praying! Love, Missy

General Update

Hi everyone,
I have tried all day to post this, I am making one final attempt!

I wanted to give you all an update on things here in San Lorenzo. Last night we had our Friday night meeting ,we had 16 adults attend and we were soo excited! (we usually have about 8-10 adults come)We were especially encouraged that Cesilia showed up. She hasn't attended in about 2 months and I really thought she had decided it wasn't for her. She came over to our home and shared that she was having a problem with another woman in the group. Doesn't that sound just like the churches in the states? So we talked about it and she is going to talk to the woman and clear the air. That is a praise!

The study went awesome and Prisilano (our hopeful new pastor) and Greg shared the teaching time and it went so well. The people talked and shared for a long time. The theme was what the bible has to say about worshipping idols. It is great when they come to terms themselves about what is wrong and what is right. They discussed this topic, using bible stories, for about 2 hours! I think they all saw Prisilliano as the new leader of the group! Great night!

I will share more about all 3 kids tomorrow. I have had many people ask about them. I quickly wanted to share about Annie's hand. I have mentioned that she has a ton of warts on her hand. After she had her hand burnt, one wart she had before,started to spread very quickly. Within 2 days her 3 middle fingers were litterally covered in warts. They are painful and look something like an alien. We tried banana peels for about 3 weeks and nothing happened. They continued to grow bigger and bigger. We tried the acid that one Dr. recommended and it was torture and didn't work! So, I researched on the internet and we are now trying duck tape. She has had them covered in duck tape for a week now. I will know how it is working in another week. Please pray that this works! If it doesn't I don't know what we will do! Thank you all for praying for our work here and for our family! We couldn't do this task without your covering us in prayer! Love to each of you!! Missy

Oh, Please pray for the kids and I as we have to give our dog, Coco away today. We are taking her to a friend's farm. We needed to find her a home before we leave for the states.

Annie creating her masterpiece

Annie with her picture

Annie's picture to Clay

Annie's school work

I told Annie that little Clay was having surgery today and we needed to pray. Of course in my mind I was thinking we could pray silently throughout the day. However, before I turned around to look at her, her head was bowed. She looked up as if I was crazy and said, "Well, we should pray now, right,Mommy?" My response, " Uh... sure honey, let's pray right now." So she began. Now, I never knew my daughter could pray better than me. I mean I am the adult, why all of a sudden do I feel like the student? "Jesus, (she began) You know Clay is hurting, and I know how he feels, You know that he is scared, I know how he feels, You knew he was going to get burnt, and You were there. Thank you for being with him and healing him." My eyes are still teary! I think Clay just might have a future wife here in Mexico. She decided to paint him a picture today in school. Keep in mind she is 5. I am sure his ears aren't that big! She has never seen a picture of him but did know he liked to fish. She painted him with a fishing pole and she added the black cowboy boots. I don't know if he owns cowboy boots, but she thinks he does! She also wanted him to have big, red, heart balloons. Anyway, I wanted to continue to plea with all of you to pray for Clay. His blog address is: www.claydavidfite.blogspot.com

Love, Missy

Pray for Clay!!

Dear friends, I am hurting. My heart is going through memories that just hurt. I have been made aware of a precious 5 year old boy named Clay. He was badly burnt in an accident in his backyard. He really needs all of Annie's prayer warriors to pray for him. Annie has been so interested in him. I really think she will be some kind of burn Dr. or nurse. Tonight when she said her prayers, she first asked exactly where he was burnt. I wasn't exactly sure but I gave her an idea of where the burns were. She mentally went through each part of her body and each part of his. She said, "I was burnt on one hand, he was burnt on two. I was burnt on my back, he was too. I was..." you get the picture. So then she started to pray and it went something like this...." Dear Jesus thank you for Clay, thank you for his hands and his back and his face. Thank you that you will heal him, thank you for his brothers. I know they feel sad. I know they want their brother better. I know they think it is their fault. Thank you that you will take care of them too. I love Clay, Amen." Of course my heart was melting into little bits as all I could think of were her words when she was burnt. She always told me that everytime someone prayed she knew Jesus was kissing her burns. So, she is now trying her best to kiss his burns through Jesus and make them all better. You can follow his blog at this address:
www.claydavidfite.blogspot.com

Thank you for praying for our boss, Donny, he is doing better, but still not 100%. They still don't know what he has/had but he is still the same old Donny, and that is a praise. (I think! Hi Donny!)

I will write more about my retreat soon. It was amazing! I am a changed woman! NO kidding! Love you all! Missy

5 Days without mom!

Hi everyone! I now know many of you who read this every day! (I met them at our retreat this weekend) Thank you so much, it really means a lot to me! I only have a second because I need to go teach. I just had to share some of the things I came home to. Annie learned how to tie her shoes while I was gone, Alex lost a tooth and the tooth fairy came the next day, and Jerod tried to shave his face. (he only has a small cut! ;o}) All in all, my husband did a great job! He took wonderful care of all 3 of them!5 days without any help! No grandparents to help, no one to cook,(except for one meal, the maid cooked) no one to do the laundry or teach them. He took them on a field trip and they learned a lot! I came home very happy! Love to you all! Missy

Oh, still no news on Donny, but I will update you when I know something!

Pray for Donny

Hi everyone, our boss,Donny is in need of prayer. He is the one who set this blog up when Annie was hurt.He is in the hospital in Richmond,Va. and they are running tests. I am not sure what to tell you except he was running a high fever that wouldn´t come down. I will keep you updated as I know something. Please also pray for his wife and children. Jennifer was here at the retreat and now is in route to Va. and should arrive there in the morning. (Monday am) They think it could be a reaction to a Yellow Fever vacination, but really don´t know at this time. Thanks for praying!

HAVING FUN!

HI EVERYONE! We are having a great time! God is doing wonderful things with us all! We have laughed and cried and eaten! We are off to Starbucks! It has taken me 4 years to like coffee and I am now a semi-lover of it! I will post some pictures as soon as possible. Please keep praying for us all and pray for all of the fathers and husbands. Thanks for praying!

Women's Retreat

Hi everyone! I will be leaving today with a friend to go to Mexico City. International Mission Board has made it possible for all of the women in our region to get together for 3 full days of learning, fun and fellowship. Please pray for the 120 women as they travel from the US, Mexico and all of Central America. We are all very excited! Please also pray for our husbands as they tend to our children, families, and ministries by themselves. I will let you know how it goes!
Love, Missy

Nana keri is with Jesus!

This is Nana keri, doing the thing she liked doing most, making tortillas! Now she is doing that for Jesus!


Well, the past few days have been really good, and really tiring! After we found out that Nana keri had died, Greg and I decided to go visit the family. When we arrived, we found most of the family busy at work, preparing the house for the people who would come and pay their respects. Sounds normal. Nana keri was lying on a table and was covered with clothing. People would walk in, look at her, light a candle and pray. We let the family know we would return at night to talk with Angelica and Salvador who had gone to buy the casket. So... that is what we did.

We had our Monday night meeting and talked about what a church body should do when someone in the church is suffering. Then most of us went to visit the family and share in their sorrows. When we entered this time, the house was filled with people. Nana keri was now in the casket in her room and people continued to pass in and out as they viewed the body. There were a group of men who gathered in her room and began to sing. They chanted and sang and asked God to please let Nana keri into heaven. We were told that they would come back every day for the next 9 days and sing and chant so that God would let Nana keri into heaven. The thing is, Nana keri accepted Jesus into her heart about 6 months ago and we know that she is already at the feet of Jesus! After about 30 minutes these men left and Angelica and Salvador asked us to pray together as a group around Nana keri. We prayed and then we sang about 3 praise songs. It was quite an experience as all of the family watched us enter in and do this "strange" thing together. We then left to go home.

The custom here is that the family has to stay up all night with Nana keri's body until she is buried. So people come and go all night long. Barbara (good friend and strong Christian) and I (Missy) felt like Angelica needed some company so we went back to visit her again at midnight. Love this custom! ;o} I thought we would be the only people there, huh, not so! The men were back, singing and chanting and begging God to keep Nana keri from Hell. I really felt bad for them. I wanted to go up and say, " Look guys, you are so sweet to do this, but she's already there, you can go home and rest. You really don't need to beg, it's a done deal!" Of course I couldn't do that, but that was my thought process! So they stayed until 1:30 am, right before I thought I was going to fall asleep sitting up. Then Angelica said, "Now it's our turn!" We went into Nana keri's room and starting singing as best as we could, every praise and worship song we knew. We sang, " I Can Only Imagine," We Bow Down," "I Love You Lord," "The Wonderful Cross," "Here I am to Worship," and about 15 others! We ( about 7 sisters in Christ) sang until 3 in the morning. It was truly the most precious memory I have made in our almost 4 years on the field. I will never forget that night as long as I live! My friends, have become very unique in their faith. They all have a different way of showing it, but last night, we were as close as any friends could be! Celebrating the life of an 80 year old woman and knowing that she was celebrating with Jesus! It just doesn't get any better than this! It really doesn't!!

Today was the funeral and it came and went like most funerals and we visited again with the family. They were exhausted! It was a good day and I am ready for it to be over! Thank you so much for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Salvador. He seems to be doing well. We are praying God will make Himself known to Salvador in a big way. Thanks so much for praying! You are awesome!

picture of Nana Keri and Tata Keri

Please pray for Tata keri as he is suffering now, from a broken heart.


Nana Keri

Nana Keri

Nana Keri is the word for Grandma in Purepecha. We have called 2 women Nana Keri. Barbara's grandma, who passed away a few months ago and Salvador's mom, Virginia, who passed away early this morning. Praise the Lord, both of them had given their heart to the Lord! Greg and I went to see the family as soon as we heard. Salvador and Angelica had gone to town to buy a casket and some other family members were at the home with her body. The custom here is to mourn together at the home with the corpse and bury the body the next day.

I am always amazed at the women here. They are such hard workers. While we were there Salvador and Angelica's 2 daughters-in-law were hauling water needed to make the food. They are 16 and 19 years old. They had their indigenous clothing on, high heals and they were carrying about 50 pound water jugs on their backs. Water is always a problem here. The spring has almost dried up because we haven't had rain in about 4 months. So not only were they all mourning the death of a loved one, they were trying to find water to make the food for the guests who will arrive tonight.

Please pray for this family. It has been feared that there will be a lot of fighting now, over her money. Nana Keri's husband is still alive, but the money will still be a problem. Salvador has 6 brothers and one sister and they are almost all greedy. Please pray for Salvador. Our fear is that he will start drinking and won't stop. He is a very violent drunk and we are fearful he is going to cause a lot of problems for his family.

Thanks for all of your prayers!

Thanks for praying!

This is the update I received from our friend, Tom. God is so good! Thanks for praying!

Thank you for praying. I heard that you have gotten an update, but I wanted to tell you directly. God clearly got me through those moments, and everything that has happened since as we have worked through it. Here is what happened.
I was on my motorcycle and a bus in front of me stopped without any apparent reason. Then the bus quickly backed over me. I was scrambling for a distance 32 feet under the bus avoiding wheels etc. while my motorcycle was next to me getting ground up between the bus axle and the road. Fortunately I had on a good helmet with full face protection. When I realized this guy wasn't stopping and was instead speeding up, I was sure it was all over. God permitted me to live.
As it turns out, it was the driver's second day as a bus driver, and he had suddenly decided to back up and take another route. He was going to back up about 100 yards!! There was a group of construction workers by the side of the road, and they yelled to him to stop. When he realized what was happening, he stopped a second, then he floored it and took off forward. Fortunately I still had my head down so the back bumper didn't take my head off as he shot off.
The construction workers threw rocks at the bus, then it got stuck in traffic two blocks away. The guy got out and ran, but the construction workers chased him down. He came back embarrassed saying he had been scared. We've have very friendly relations with him and his dad since.
They kept me in the hospital on IV pain killers last night, and I got some bruises and knots and scrapes, but mostly just some heavy duty neck and back pain, and weird nerve sensitivity in my leg. I think much of that happened as I twisted to jump from the bike as it was getting crunched, and the bus hit me and slammed me down. CAT scan says nothing is broken, SO it's all about waiting out the pain. It was pretty intense yesterday, but with various drugs it has been easing to the point that I am home, and walking around (a little like a zombie...but walking around).

God bless you!
Tom

Enjoying the sun!

As I took this picture you could hear their son singing a song he wrote for Jesus. It was precious music! This precious couple has been through many difficult times in their 80 something years together. They have been persecuted greatly for their beliefs in Jesus. Those times have passed and their village has come to accept their way of life. The village people still don't agree with them, however they allow them to live in peace among them. Please pray for their family as they have continued on with the church their son started many years ago.

As I was reading today I came across this verse and thought it applied to them.

Song of Solomon 2:11

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come.

Hope you all have a glorious day!!

Pray for our friend !

Please pray for our friend, Tom Dyson. He is a missionary friend of ours who lives in Oxaca, Mexico. Tom was on his way to seminary and was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. The extent of his injuries are unknown as of now, but we know he needs prayer. I will update this when I know more. Thanks for praying!

Sunday lunch

Homemade tortillas, and beans nothing better!

Jerod at church

This was Jerod explaining to the church about the story they heard. As you can see Alex was making sure Annie was paying attention. Is he MY child? :0)

4 months left!

Hi everyone. Our weeks seem to be flying by. It seems like we were just saying "Happy New Year!" and now it is time to say,"Happy Valentine's Day!" We now only have about 4 months left here in Mexico before we return to the states for our stateside assignment. (furlough) We are now on full speed ahead. We have some kind of bible study planned for every night of the week except Saturday. Greg is determined to go out with a bang! We have been trying to visit many of the Baptist churches all around us. They are never close, they are usually about a 40 minute to an hour and a half drive away. Please pray for us as we are traveling in some areas where the roads aren't exactly fun to drive on. The boys need prayer as sometimes they get REALLY bored at some of these visits. If it was, go to church and leave, they would be fine. However it is usually a good 2 hours after church is over that we leave. Everyone wants to feed us. A nice gesture but the kids get tired of this pretty quick! This picture of Alex was taken yesterday after church. We were waiting on the food to be prepared and he was doing his best to entertain himself! Annie always has fun on these days. She is such a "village kid!" She likes wearing her Purepecha clothing and playing in the dirt and generally doing whatever the other kids like doing. That is a blessing! Not much else to report. We will be going to our Monday night group study in about an hour. We are praying that we will have a good group. Thanks for your prayers for us! Some days that is all that gets me through the day!

Celebrating Greg's birthday

We had a great vacation! These are a few photos we took over the past few days.
We stayed at Greg's favorite hotel! He thinks the decor, is just beautiful! This was him, looking at the tile in the bathroom! It doesn't take much to excite him!


Annie did some shopping, this wa her, showing her new dress to daddy!




Me and my honey!




The family overlooking Morelia, Michoacan.





Viva Mexico!







Annie thinks McDonalds is the best restaurant ever!


Alex and Annie having fun!




Jerod trying out the motorcycle





Annie loving the heated pool!





Annie was so excited that you could barely see her scars!

Annie's therapy

It is always fun to hear what our children want to be when they grow up. Jerod wants to be a farmer and have lots of animals. He also wants to be a missionary. Alex wants to be a professional football player, no surprise there. Lastly, Annie has informed us all that she is going to be a Doctor. She has been playing Dr. with her dolls and I thought this was interesting. If you look at every area on the doll that is bandaged, these are the same places where she was burnt. She is always bringing her babies into the "hospital" and saying, "My baby fell into mole." (That is what she fell into.) So, her accident is definitely still on her mind and she is learning how to deal with all of these hidden emotions. She still talks about the Drs. who cared for her, by name and thinks they were all awesome! Which, they definitely are awesome! Thank you to all of you who donated to Shriners this Christmas on our behalf! God bless all of you!!

Not much to report....

Hellooooo,

Not much to report today. Our Monday night went well, although the priest won, as he was holding some party for the statues of all of the baby Jesus' in the village. Most every family has a statue of baby Jesus that they dress in baby clothes and put on an altar and then they pray to this baby. So on Monday night everyone brought their baby Jesus in his finest clothing to the priest and they had a party in honor of these dolls. Many from our group went. Although this is very frustrating to us, we are trying to be understanding and not be legalistic. Hopefully Friday night we will have more of our group back. Pray that we will have wisdom with this situations.

Praise! The priest, the one who had this party, has now left and gone to another village. He is the one who was waking me up every morning at 6:00am. This is why it is a praise! There is a new one coming and I am hoping that he doesn't follow with this same wake-up call idea! ( He was playing loud hymns at 6 in the morning over a loud speaker for 1/2 an hour so everyone would come to 6:30am mass) Please pray the new one doesn't cause us any problems.

Today we are leaving to celebrate Greg's birthday. The boys and I put our money together and got a hotel room for 2 nights in a nearby city. We plan on enjoying a little get away and eating some good American food! Please pray that we can enjoy this mini-vacation, and get a break from the village for a few days. Thank you all for your continued prayers! I will be writing my news letter in the next few days, so if you aren't on our email list, and want to be, let me know! Love you!