Why A Furlough?

In my last post, I mentioned a that I'll be taking a furlough in 2013.  It's been exciting to see God planning all of this--because it was definitely not what I expected for the first half of 2013.   

The Short Version:
Why a furlough?  Timing.

The Mid-Length Version:
Why a furlough?  Timing.  It would be better for me to go in early 2013 instead of early 2014. 

The Long Version:
Why a furlough?  Timing. :-)  I had a meeting in November with field leadership about going to a tribe with or without another single co-worker.  They shared with me that it was not a requirement that I wait for a co-worker, which meant that I would be able to get into a tribal work much sooner than I originally expected.  That evening when I arrived home, I had an email from a church asking me to be in the U.S. either in 2013 or 2014 for a missions conference.  I prayed about it over the weekend and decided that it would be better to be at the 2013 missions conference.  I sought wise council from friends and other missionaries, and we were all in agreement.  The more I have looked at the plans for the conference and a 5-month furlough in the U.S., the more confident I have been that this is how God is leading.

When I return to Paraguay at the end of July, I'll be able to start making better plans for joining a  tribal work in Paraguay: forming a team, choosing a work, and allocating there.  I'm really excited--not just about visiting all of you in the U.S., but also to get back to Paraguay and "get to work!"

December pictures

 

I shared with my church about my plans for 2013--including a short furlough! (Stay tuned)

 Playing games at youth group--somehow two of our leaders got to the end...hm...was that planned?? :-)

Decorating the church for the Christmas service

 

The names of Christ from Isaiah 9:6

Some November Pictures

 The second weekend in November I went to the country with the ladies from church.  Next Sunday NTM is going to the same place--looking forward to finding some nice places to take pictures!

The Catholic church in this town is ORANGE.  

A Sunday drive to the lake with Claudia and her family

Claudia's younger brother, Andres, and I got to take the muffler off the car after it dropped

Lake Ypacarai

Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 30th, with Fermin, Grachi, Andres, and Claudia

Serving up plates in the kitchen: chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, creamed spinach, salad, and cucumbers in vinegar

We finished the night off with chocolate cream pie & peach pie

And we watched "Ever After" and decided that we'll still love it when we're 80 years old!