Ecuador?

Here are the newest pictures of Kiara that her father sent to me:
Kiara at 10 wks

For quite a few weeks I have been discussing with Geovanni (Kiara's dad) and with Tom Hines (Ecuador regional director) about a possible trip to Ecuador this summer.  July is really our only option.  I am taking a summer course through June 27 and I move back to IWU the last week of August, and Saltos family will be traveling the States the end of July and beginning of August.  I am so excited about this possibility.  I think about Ecuador and Kiara everyday.  Maybe it is where God has called me?  Idk, but I do know that when God gives you a passion, He wants you to work through that passion to honor Him and live according to His will.  Anyways, I cannot wait to meet my little goddaughter and hold her in my arms.  She is so precious and I know that is more true than me simply being partial!  Geovanni and Christine say she is finally growing and is healthy.  Being born quite prematurely in a "primitive" Ecuadorian hospital was certainly a concern for her health, but God is good.  Please pray with me that this opportunity to travel becomes a reality. 

A Very Sick Little girl...

Please pray with me for this little 10-year-old girl named Chrissy Briles. Late February she was admitted to Riley hospital with a variety of problems related permanent damage in both kidneys.  On March 20th Chrissy was readmitted to Riley with a rash. The rash has gotten continually worse since admittance and has developed into boils or blisters. There are infections in the boils from an allergic reaction to the medicine she was given for her kidneys. Skin patches roughly the size or 6" X 6" were falling off of her and many other blisters and rashes. She has severe blisters all over her body and inside her mouth and private parts. She has been placed in the intensive care burn unit. She is a very great deal of pain. Because her skin will not hold up to being taped, they had to suture her tube to her jaw. This pain medication has thrown her into very difficult breathing spells, and Chrissy is on a respirator/ventilator. The doctor sat down with Chrissy’s parents today and said that Chrissy is a very sick little girl. He has seen worse that have survived, but her odds at the moment are 50/50.  Here is the link to their family blog: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrissybriles It provides much better terminology and emotion than I.


Abba Father, Healer, Miracle Worker... rest your healing hands upon Chrissy Briles tonight. God touch her skin, take away this boils, stop the peeling… Father please take away her unbearable pain. May she not cry out in pain again tonight. God I remember the day You healed Lycia’s eyes… God I remember coming broken, in agony, to You in the shower months ago, and You healed my eyes too. I have seen Your miracles and I know that Your power is infinitely great. God I remember your words in James that say, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and to anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well’ the Lord will raise him up.” Father you are the Lord over both body and spirit, so I pray that you would touch both. Touch John and Jill, Matt, Andy, Steve… God I am offering this prayer in faith that you will give us a miracle and heal this sick little girl.

Kiara Sofia Saltos pics

I realize I never posted the updated pictures of Kiara, mi ahijada. Muy linda! No?

Razzle Dazzle!

I'm so far behind,

....I wont' be able to die for another 100 years!

In Him, I lack nothing

Pslam 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
     he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
     He guides me in paths of righteousness
     for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
     through the valley of the shadow of death,
     I will fear no evil,
     for you are with me;
     your rod and your staff,
     they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
     in the presence of my enemies.
     You anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
     all the days of my life,
     and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
     forever.

Quite unfortunately, this psalm has become rather cliché in Christianity today. I will admit it is a chapter I have quoted without much reflection or depth. Until now.
David’s 23rd psalm is a reminder of who it is that comforts us, sustains us, protects us, blesses us… and keeps us alive. Truly it is God and nothing/no one else.
God leads us through LUSH meadows and clean waters. He gives us rest. (1&2) He serves us a six-course dinner, revives our drooping heads, our cups brim with blessing (5). God does not withhold Himself, His blessings are not in shortage! He cares for us by meeting our needs. True to His Word, He lets us catch our breath and sends us in the right direction (3). When we go through the roughest of times - He is there! Walking beside us, securing us with comfort and protection. He doesn’t take away the danger, but He is there! When I was little and fearful, and screamed through the dark for my parents, they came and comforted me, not turning on the lights, but sitting beside me. Only then was I safe. Through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
God is my shepherd! I do not need a thing!

I wouldn't mind...

I wouldn't mind living here:


with people like this:

and this:

and this:

and this:

I wouldn't mind having a truck like this:

With 2 boys like this:

With traffic like this:

I wouldn't mind sights like this:

I wouldn't mind shopping like this:

Mi ahijada

Kiara Sofia Saltos

On Monday, January 28th, this little girl, was born to Geovanni and Christine Saltos. Geovanni is a national Wesleyan pastor in Racar, Ecuador. I met Pastor Geo and Christine in Ecuador in April. I built a strong and special relationship with Geo and Christine during my visit and we have maintained our relationship since my return. In a previous blog here I wrote about 'the best day in Ecuador', a day full of memories with Geo and Christine. That afternoon is especially forever impressed upon my heart and memory. In Geo’s muddy blue truck, Christine, Geo and I shared our testimonies, our fears, and our dreams. Through the bumpy mountain streets we sang together and we laughed together. Since April, Geo and I have continued to speak roughly once per week.
On Friday, February 1st, I received an e-mail from Geovanni’s brother-in-law concerning the arrival of Geo and Christine’s second daughter. I was equally surprised and concerned, as Kiara was not expected until March 10th. Kiara was born weighing 4.4 pounds and was 31 centimeters in length. Due to her health and size, Kiara was placed on a ventilator for four weeks, and she remains there today. The e-mail did not mention the baby’s name so I was very curious when I spoke with Geo on Saturday. Geo and Christine asked me to choose a name for their baby. It was an incredible feeling! I NAMED a little bundle of life, a little ball of joy. I chose the name that Kiara Sofia will be identified with all her life. It is seriously an indescribable feeling. THEN Geo declared that he and Christine wanted me to be Kiara’s godmother. I cannot express how special this is. I do not know the full responsibilities of a godmother, but I hope to exceed the Saltos’ expectations. Geo and I have been seriously considering our options for my visit to Ecuador in June and/or July. It is an wonderful opportunity which I hope becomes a REALITY. Please pray with me for the growth, strength and health of my goddaughter. Pray for the faith of the Saltos’ family that God will provide for their every need. Pray that Geo & Christine, myself, and Wesleyan missions can schedule my visit to Ecuador. Finally, praise the Lord for this beautiful and precious, new life.

Geovanni, Christine, their daugher Jael & myself

our last day together in Ecuador.