Fill in the blank

As we posted almost a month ago (read it here:http://parrisinelsalvador.blogspot.com/2018/03/news-from-el-salvador_8.html), we are retiring from the mission field and returning to the US in July. We know the transition will not be easy, so please pray for us as we navigate the new waters we will see. Right now we are dealing with and I quote, "This is the final _______ here in Central America." We filled that blank several times already, i.e. campaign in Honduras, campaign in Nicaragua, Easter Sunday. It will be filled a million little ways over the next three+ months.

Nevertheless, we stand on God's promises and faithfulness as we seek to glorify Him during this time of great change.

Last trip to Nicaragua

As usual, the team treated the translators to lunch at Pizza Hut. It's always a great time of food, fellowship and testimonies.  Pastor Scott Betts (Crossroads Church, Bensen, NC) called us to come to the front so they could pray for us.  It's no surprise that it was emotional for all of us.

Click here to see the video

News from El Salvador

This coming June will mark the completion of our eighth year as missionaries in Central America. We are grateful to our home church, Abundant Life Church in Lee's Summit, Missouri, for supporting our ministry here. It has been a privilege to serve with Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva, and we are grateful for the prayer support we have received from our family and friends.
As we were called by God to serve here, we have always felt that our retiring would likewise be led by God's calling. After much prayer, we want to share with you that we will be retiring and returning to the States on or about July 8.
We ask for your continued prayers during this time of transition, and we look forward to God's further calling on our lives back in the States.

Welcome Back

Jon took us to the airport in San Francisco at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday night--our red-eye flight was supposed to leave at 12:30 a.m.  For some unknown reason it was delayed until 1:20 a.m. We got off the ground and on our way about 1:30, and landed in San Salvador a little before 9:00 a.m.  Good news was that immigration and customs lines were very short.  Guillermo was there to pick us up and we made it "home" about 10:30 a.m.

You may remember we had a not-so-good return last October when the power to the apartment had been off for an extended period.  This time we left everything turned off and unplugged hoping that it would all start up when we got back.  However, it seems that nothing is ever quite that easy here.  

We came home to a refrigerator that wouldn't cool, a truck that wouldn't start and no internet service.  Little by little things are being repaired and getting back to normal.  Elmer came by late Thursday afternoon and put more coolant in the frig.  Guillermo brought over a heavy-duty electric charger on Friday morning to get our truck battery going again and I spent an hour on the phone with our internet provider troubleshooting the internet.  As of Saturday night, all three things were working, although the internet is still spotty and slow.  

It was awesome being back at VidaNueva, hearing Pastor Steve preach and catching up with all our friends.  We have a week here at home and then three consecutive weeks of campaigns.  

Three Special Days--Day 3

Sunday after church and a quick snack at home, we headed to the Palo Alto Children's Theater production of the Ugly Duckling for our special day with A.  She was a bit hesitant at first, but was really enjoying herself by the end.  The production was targeted to kids ages 2-6, so there was lot's of crowd participation in the form of animal noises (we were pigs in our section), songs and several dances.

After the play we went to Sweet Tomatoes, her favorite restaurant.  She told her grandpa, "they have lot's of good desserts."  After two bowls of clam chowder, corn bread, various salads and a couple of small pieces of pizza, she had her chocolate ice cream topped with sprinkles.

Three Special Days--Day 2

Saturday we drove to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts for our second day with M!  She didn't want to know anything before hand so we were inside the theater before she realized what it was.  The King and I was the perfect Broadway musical for us to enjoy with her--just enough humor, great songs and amazing dancing.  

Of course, the theater has photography restrictions, so this is all we got.

 

Three Special Days--Day 1

We spent Christmas in Kansas City and not in California with our grandkids.  This year we decided (and their parents agreed) that our main Christmas gift to each of the grandkids would be doing something special together.  We found something that was age-appropriate for each of them and also something we thought they would love doing.

SAFARI WEST--This was a perfect gift for the boy who loves, loves, loves all animals.  It was more interactive than a zoo.  They had more than 900 animals across their 400 acres of land.  We had a 45 minute walking tour to see flamingos, cranes, ibis, guinea fowl, cheetahs, monkeys, porcupines, fennecs and more.  The next part was a 2+ hour riding tour through the park.  The safari vehicle had five seats, four on the lower level and one on the upper level.  They also had a rotation system which allowed everyone to take a ride on the top level.  We were "up" while driving through the giraffe and antelope pens--so cool.  Our tour guide, Leslie, was a walking animal encyclopedia; no question was too tough for her. There were zebras, bongos, kudus, impalas, cafe buffalo, warthogs, red river hogs, rhinos, elands, sables, gemsbok and more!

Here are a few pictures of our day!  It will long be remembered by all three of us.  The final picture is J's amazing drawing of many of the animals we saw and of the jeep he rode in.  

My journey to chemical-free living

I’ve never been one to formally make and announce a New Year’s resolution even though I usually have given some thought to a goal I’d like to reach during the year.  I’m finally getting around to putting my 2018 goal into words and practice.  Here it is:  During 2018 I will reduce my exposure to and my use of products that contain toxic or unsafe chemicals.  This goal is so broad that I broke it down it into the following four areas.  

• Home cleaning products (kitchen/bath)
• Personal products (shampoo, soap, body wash, body lotions, etc.)
•  Make up and skin care products
•  Artificial fragrances (candles, perfumes, air fresheners, powders)

The last several years I started making small changes in my buying habits, but I knew those changes weren't enough; hence, my 2018 goal.  

I’m so thankful for my friend, Hannah Shanks, who has helped me get off to a great start.  I’m happy to say that over the past several months I have phased out, replaced and/or tossed all of the bottles, spray or otherwise, of cleaning products that used to clutter the under-sink space in my kitchen and bath.  I can do everything (granite counters, tile floors, wood floors, carpets, stainless appliances, windows, cook top, sink, shower, stool and more with one bottle of Thieves cleaner.  It feels really good to have taken the first step in lightening the chemical load in my environment.  I know that not only will my lungs be happier, but my whole body will appreciate the changes that I am making.  

If you're interested in learning about chemicals in cleaning products (and more), you can start by downloading this app:  https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com/  It can be overwhelming to read about all the toxic chemicals in our homes, but this app was a good first step to "open my eyes" to the contents of the products I used.   

I encourage you to start your your journey toward wellness and feel free to reach out to me to hear how I've begun to change the way we live using the Thieves line of non-toxic products.  

I'll write more in future blog posts about changes I'm making in the other three areas.  It's exciting, healthy stuff!   

Recovery Continues

I had three packages to take to the post office today so I took my first solo drive since surgery.  After the post office I took the car to our local express car wash to get rid of the dirt and salt from the last two weeks.  It looks so much better.

We confirmed a ride to the airport on Saturday morning and have started thinking about what goes to California and then on to El Salvador.  It's looking like there won't be much extra space.

Home Alone

I've been at home since Wednesday when Stephen went to West Plains to visit his parents.  Baring anything unexpected happening, this is his final visit before we leave the Kansas City area.

Today I'm one day short of being 10 days post surgery and feeling, moving, eating much better.  Now that I'm getting back to normal I have to remember to obey the lifting (10 pounds) restrictions for two more weeks.  In fact, yesterday I thought I might try sewing a couple of small projects as samples for our women's sewing ministry (Hilo, Aguja y Biblia) in El Salvador, but caught myself before I lifted my sewing machine from the closet floor.  I'm guessing it weighs at least ten pounds.  I decided it wasn't worth trying to sew while sitting on the closet floor--better to wait until this afternoon when Stephen's back.

Snowy Sunday in Kansas City

Four days out from my gallbladder surgery I made it out of the house for the first time to go to church on Sunday morning.  When we left, it was extremely cold and snow was starting to fall.  By the time we got out of the service, the snow had covered our car, the parking lot and the roads.  The drive home was a bit treacherous, but we drove slowly and made it safely.

Update on Prayer Request

I came home (gallbladderless) from my laparoscopic cholecystectomy out-patient surgery late yesterday afternoon.  It's totally amazing to be going home an hour and half after general anesthesia. Dr. Slayden took a picture of the gallbladder and gallstone--YUK--glad to have it out!

Being nursed by Stephen Parris and taking it easy for the next 5-10 days.  I'll be following a low-fat diet for the first several weeks to give my body the chance to adjust.  I have a three-week no lifting restriction (10 pounds).  Sure is going to be hard to resist lifting my grandkids when we fly to California on February 17.    

Thanks for your prayers!

Prayer Request

Friends, I've been having periodic problems with my gallbladder and recently had an ultrasound. They discovered a 1.5 cm gallstone.  I saw a surgeon last Tuesday and he believes I should have my gallbladder removed.  We talked at length about whether it had to be now or could be at some point in the future as the flare ups aren't regular. 

His recommendation was to have it removed based upon my symptoms and to do it while we are here in a more controlled environment.  I definitely don't want to be on a mission trip and have a gallbladder attack that would require emergency surgery.

My surgery is Wednesday, January 31, at 1:00 p.m, here in the Kansas City area.  Recovery is 5-10 days at home.  It's no problem for me to fly on February 17, when we head to CA.  There is a 3-week restriction on lifting (luggage, grandkids, wet clothes, etc.) so I'll have to be careful with that through February 21.  

I'll update as I have more info.  Appreciate your prayers for me, the doctors and Stephen

Friday in Bogota

Friday was the last day of our campaign in Bogota.  We went back downtown and visited with people along La Septima, like we did on Wednesday.  Once again it was a fruitful morning with more than 30 professions of faith.

Friday evening the church rented out two indoor soccer fields and held a soccer tournament.  They ask the members of the church to form teams with their friends and come to field and participate in the tournament. Their goal was to have six teams, but they ended up with eight teams.  The gringos went to the soccer complex and shared the gospel with the team members and their families as they were waiting their turn to get on the field.  The exciting thing about this type of event is that the people being reached are all natural contacts of VidaNueva Bogota members which, of course, makes follow-up much easier.    

After the event, we returned to the hotel, ate a quick dinner, picked up our luggage and took the shuttle to the airport. Our flight to Houston departed at 1:30 a.m.  We landed in Houston about 6:30 a.m., made it through immigration and to our gate about an hour before our Kansas City flight.  We stepped off the plane in Kansas City to a temperature of 7 degrees!  

Wednesday in Bogota

Pastor Steve arrived on late Tuesday evening.  He was up bright and early to do the devotion on Wednesday morning and devotions just don't get any better than that.

We loaded up about 9:30 and headed to La Candelaria (downtown historic Bogota) where we shared the gospel along La Septima (7th Avenue.)  You see all types of people along that street and many of them are willing to listen to the good news of Jesus.

One of the members of Vida Nueva has a friend who works with families and children in a pueblo named Choachí, so Wednesday afternoon we traveled an hour and half over the mountains outside Bogota to get there.  The views were spectacular and the drop-offs incredible.  

We set up a VBS-like rotation with Bible story, crafts, snacks and recreation and were able to work with all 60 kids in about an hour and half.  We were also able to share the gospel with many of the parents who were there. There were almost 30 professions of faith during the afternoon.