Sunday morning, we walked to church. The mission church meets in a storefront building two blocks from our house. That afternoon, my husband, Johnny and I went to Guano, a nearby town for a prayer meeting at a friend's house. When we got there, we found three other families from the mission church had come over for lunch. We were glad to see them all fellowshipping and enjoying time together. One family left, and the others stayed for the prayer meeting. Some other believers who live in Guano also arrived.
We had a good time of sharing and prayer for God's direction in beginning a new church in Guano. Afterwards, the two families from Riobamba rode back with us. We stopped near the park in Guano and treated everyone to mochaccinos. The coffee shop there has the best mochaccinos that I have ever had! They are topped with fresh-whipped cream. Mmmm. We are building a friendship with the family there and hope to lead them to the Lord. I call it Mochaccino Evangelism.
When we got back to Riobamba, Johnny and I spent a couple of hours giving marriage counseling to some local believers. I think that nothing makes me appreciate my husband more than giving marriage counsel!
Monday through Friday, I supervise Andrew and Hannah's schoolwork. They attend an online school, NorthStar Academy, and I have to be sure that all of the work is done and turned in. On Thursday morning, Andrew dissected an earthworm for his biology class as I helped.
Monday afternoon, I met a friend for coffee. She is from Honduras, has lived in New Orleans, attended the same college as our older son, is married to a man from Riobamba, and is a writer. I spent 11 years in Honduras, have lived in New Orleans, and now live in Riobamba. I also write. She and I have much in common and I enjoy spending time with her.
This week, I also spent time talking with our older son, John Mark, on the phone. He is a sophomore at the University of New Orleans. Two weeks ago, he had an accident in a recreational-type vehicle and broke his left leg. He'll be in a cast until May. We have an Internet phone with a US number, so we are able to talk with him without paying high phone bills. This helps me as a mom. I can't be with him during this time, but I can talk with him. I can also see him on the webcam.
On Wednesdays, Johnny and I have a lunch date. We spend the morning together and then eat lunch at a local restaurant. Yesterday, we saw some of our local believers and visited with them while we were out. A friend of mine recently had a baby, so we shopped for a gift. The woman at the baby store lives near us, and we invited her to attend the services Sunday. She sounded interested. Her son was there, and he knew Johnny. As they talked, Johnny learned that this young man had attended one session of an English Bible study that Johnny had taught in the fall.
Johnny and I also spent time together working on emails and paperwork related to the mission board. We have several volunteers coming down over the next few months, and we worked on plans for them.
Friday afternoons and evenings are set aside as Family Time. We take turns choosing a restaurant and planning our evening. Our Family Time has included hiking, swimming, horseback riding, board games, movie night, baking, going to a fair, visiting a museum, and other fun activities.
What else have I done this week? Meal preparation takes more time here. Everything I cook is from scratch. We have very few convenience foods. I make biscuits from scratch. Yesterday, I made chicken-barley soup with fresh vegetables.
In my free time, I read, exercise, listen to music, talk with our kids, play with our dogs, and play on the computer.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10 :31 (ESV)
