Of Joy Abundant...

To My Most Amiable Readers;

My heart is enjoying His peace. When these sweet times come it's so nice to dwell in their rich, warm embrace; His very Presence reaching down, enfolding us, giving us a foretaste of Heaven. This is what we are here for, to enjoy, and be enjoyed by, God. This is Heavenly consolation.

What brings it; how can one summon it? Why does it leave?

I let the day's events run through my mind and found that nothing extraordinary occured. I did laundry, taught Sophia and read to her, changed Edison's diapers and fed him, checked e-mail, cooked, read in Luke. But, gradually it stole upon me; an infusion of joy. Edison has a fever so I held him until he fell asleep, his hot little head tucked under my chin, listening to his soft snore...my heart full, brimming over, thinking how wonderful a task it is that God gave us to look after our dear children when they are ill; how much of ourselves He gives us to pour out in compassion on our wee ones. These feelings, these thoughts alerted me; God is giving His consolation to me...

I laid Edison down and went to fold a basket of laundry. Our bed was now full of stacks of clean, dry clothes, neatly folded. The Spirit was in me because instead of thinking, "oh boy, now I've got to put all these clothes away..", it was "Wow! Thank you God, look at all the nice, warm clothes you've blessed us with! Lord, how many people must have sat in some factory sewing them up, may You bless each laborer!"

In moments like these we are quite capable of joyfully giving away everything we have to the poor, quite fearless to share what God has done for us with everyone we meet; we are full to the brim with the joy and fellowship of our Lord! Now, why does it go away...

It's a gift, given by Him when, in His perfect judgement, we are in need of it, or perhaps simply when it pleases Him to bless us especially. The in-between times of life can vascillitate between happiness, contentment, frustration; the full array of our human emotions, but the lack of Heavenly consolation is most noted by a presence of spiritual "dryness". Our prayers feel feeble, God seems distant, doubts about His reality hound us. Our perceived "need" in that moment is for God to do some trick; send an angel with a message, something to "prove" He's there.

I've been reading, "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis, and in its pages I've found the heart-cheering news that God gives the times of dryness too. In them we grow; in them we find our desperate need of Him, in them we have an opportunity to bless God with our devotion despite our "not feeling like it". An offering that costs.

"Even when You expose me to various temptations and hardships, You order these entirely for my own good, for it is Your way to test Your chosen servants by many trials. During trials of this kind my love and praise is Your due no less than when You fill my soul with heavenly comfort." -Thomas A Kempis

Your Devoted,
Sarah

Clearly Up to No Good

 

Rowing 101

Lock and Load: make sure your oars are locked in tight; if those puppies get loose you're in a world of hurt!!


Let's go! Remember to push first with your legs, blades in, then tummy, lean back, finally pull with arms, cock the wrists, withdraw blades, slide forward, don't flip, repeat....and look out for water traffic, sea lions, and buoys....

When it gets too dark to see, or more importantly, be seen, row on home...


Carry your boat, oars, and seat back to the clubhouse...

Rowing 101- Part Deux

Now, it's very important at this point to gather sympathy for any and all battle wounds incurred during rowing...even if this sympathy is no more than "Guess you should have cut your nails, huh?".

Make sure you hug your friends and help them put their boats up...

And on the walk home make sure you pick up some nice, healthy snacks!!

This Side of the Andes

To My Most Amiable Readers,

I have tried unsuccessfully many times to post pictures; I'm not quite certain why they aren't uploading, but alas, the woes of the modern age...

Sophia is currently learning her letters; we do "school" for about a half hour each morning while Edison is snoozing. We're up to "E" now. It's eye-opening when you teach, because you go into it with all your education and experience behind you; which makes it easy to forget that you had to be taught to write from left to right, to develop fine motor skills, and to space letters apart. I'm no expert at teaching, so my methods are a little comical (an "A" is up the mountain, down the mountain, cross the mountain; a "B" is down the mountain, hop, hop; "C" is a circle but not; "D" is down the mountain, one big belly and so on). We have fun.

Edison is getting longer and leaner as he crawls quickly all over the house. I call him a little cat...he loves to burrow his little face into pillows to sleep, is very cuddly, and is most content to be warmly wrapped in someone's arms, his ample cheek resting on someone's shoulder (preferably feminine). I find his one-year birthday arriving with a bit of a shock; where did that year go?? But...then I remember all the loads of diapers I've washed and memory returns : ).

Dustin has been busy out at the island getting the bathroom out there finished, trying to get that project wrapped up so our coworkers can have showers, and eventually even windows!! Funny how poverty changes one's perception of luxury. It's funny how happy I feel when I go into someone's home that is well-heated...such a treat! Dustin also has been making trips to the islands and soon to the mountains; me and the kids staying home for now while the weather is particularly harsh. Soon I hope to go again, but I wait on His timing.

I've been busy with rowing and along with that weight training and running. I feel strong and healthy from the exercise, and spiritually renewed by the opportunities I have of sharing God's love with the youth as I get to know them better.

If you'd like to lift us up in prayer, here are a few requests: continued improvement in language comprehension, servant's hearts as we go about our work, wisdom from God as we make decisions, and guidance as we are soon writing up our "Core Values" as a mission team here in Chile. Thank you, God go with you!

Your Devoted,
Sarah

Not Overcome

To my most amiable readers;

As of late I have been sorrowful of heart, starting with a dream several nights ago. In my dream a woman had just given birth, the baby in the arms of a another woman attending her. My mind's eye zoomed-in on the mother's plain face while she nodded assent. I looked to the attendant who started to twist the babies head, snapping it's neck and literally tearing the head off. Dark blood flew. I awoke.

I can't describe the horror I felt, the nausea, the darkness of it. I lay awake, the dream replaying itself in all of its terror. I thought of violence, how real it is, how far removed from it I usually am. I began too to think over the horrors of warfare, the maimed, the raped, the orphaned. 'How?' I thought, 'How could people do this? How do you get to the point where you can be so cruel, so merciless?'. I took comfort for a moment that I am on the side of the Light, that my side combats the deeds of darkness. Then I thought of the Old Testament, how God directed His people to take an entire city, leaving no survivors. Surely there were babies there, toddlers, pregnant women. To think that God had endorsed such atrocities...I could not bear it. I was shaken.

Today I was told that two babies had been found dead in trash cans here in Puerto Montt. One was newly-born, still had the umbilical cord attatched. The other was an aborted baby, seven months along. They were discovered because the dogs had found them. My dream flashed before me; two women, consenting to murder, innocent little baby newly-born. This was too much. 'How?' 'Dear God, why?'

In this state I prepared to attend a birthday party for a girl from rowing. I felt far from strong, full of sorrow in my heart. This girl does not know the Lord, and my heart's desire was that I would be able to share with her at the right time. Towards the end of the party, Deborah and I asked if we could pray for her on her special day. They turned off the loud music and we prayed, sitting on either side of her, blessing her life, asking God for wisdom for her in this her fourteenth year, thanking God for her life and friendship. I had to go, so after saying goodbyes all around, I started to go outside to catch a bus home. She followed me out and stopped me on the sidewalk, thanking me for my beautiful prayer (how forgiving of my poor grammar!). This was the softest I had seen her; usually she holds a proud, mocking front. God gave me words for her. She stayed with me until a bus came, standing in the rain, while her party went on without her. After many hugs I hopped on the bus...overcome with joy.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19

I think I still need help to understand the Old Testament, to more thoroughly understand the character of God and His motives. If anyone has any help for me in this, I'd greatly appreciate your insight. All I know in my despair is that God is good, that He loves me, speaks to me, and that I am completely lost without Him. Clinging to this hope, I am not overcome.

Your Devoted,
Sarah

Some Certain Sentiments

To my most amiable readers,

Due to technical frustrations, my writing has been impeded, but now I go on, bravely into the foray of digital communication once again! Take heart, young writer, and type!

Well then...surely that should be followed up by some profound insight or something of that nature....hmmm. Our dog got hit by a car, again. He's alright, he always gets babied after run-ins of that nature, and besides favoring his one leg is up and chasing away any and all other dogs who might seek to usurp his position of benefactor of our home. To my unprofessed delight, he follows me to the rowing club and sits on an old leather van seat while I lift weights and awaits me on the dock when I row back in. I've developed quite an unexpected fondness for the now-familiar streetdogs too. Especially one named "CHA CHA" who is a bundle of energetic muscle, vaulting off the sidewalk at every motorized vehicle attempting safe passage through her territory, giving them a good barking-at, and then sauntering cheerfully back to her perch.

I'm currently reading Middlemarch by George Elliot, having just finished Candide by Voltaire, both of which I am greatly pleased with. I'm a little startled by the similarity of Candide to Gulliver's Travels and The Odysey, and quite, even Pilgrim's Progress. If you have read Candide, please be sure to let me know what you thought of it.

May this find you in good health, high spirits, and close communion with God,
Your Most Devoted,
Sarah

Play Me a Tune

To my most amiable readers;

No, it isn't a world-famous rock band...yet. This is our church worship team, from left, Elizabeth, Constanza, Deborah, and Consuelo. The music is beautiful and inspiring. Liz and Deb are our co-workers' daughters and give selflessly of their time in leading worship and teaching the younger children in sunday school. Consuelo and Constanza are amazing young ladies who are gifted in music, teaching, and have a missions call on their lives. I so appreciate all of these ladies' approach to worship, not as a performance, but as a guide, leading God's people to adoration in song. You guys rock!

Even Dustin and I get in on the music scene sometimes...the other day we had a surprise birthday party for a guy in our church, and we were all sitting around laughing and talking. Someone got out an old out-of-tune guitar, an egg shaker, and the rest of us grabbed anything that made noise (including coffee cans and broken toys). As we beat out the rythym, we passed the Bible around and each sang out a line of a Psalm to the beat. It was so fun.

At home I'm still practicing guitar, and Dustin is still honing his i-Pod skills. Also, a couple from our church in the states sent us a hymnal, which I'm loving!! We have an echoey (did I just invent that word?) house, and it's very fun to sing in.

Well, this has been a bit of a rambling blog, but I just rowed 8 km. along with racing drills....and whew....

Blessings! Your Devoted, Sarah

Leather-Bound Journey

To My Most Amiable Readers;

What an odd thing it is to dip your mind right back into memories, emotions long past. I've been skimming through my dear journal. It's content is mainly imported; scripture verses, quotes from the famous and the familiar, songs, and recipes. Between these, scribbled-in with a fervent tilt, lay my writings, be they rants, be they raves, be they poems half-finished. As I read these I was astonished by the clarity with which I could plunge again into the very chair, into the very room or lakeside or rock edge, into the very mentality of when and where I put down my words long ago. I was there again, emotions surging again, pain or joy rocking me in turn.

Excerpts:

Argentina, April 18, 2006: "Would that I could run unheeded down steep trails cloaked in dark foliage, slapping wet leaves, pacing faster. On a small clearing to gather new breath and turn, running on hidden trails. Faster and faster, hearing water flowing. Seeing jewels through the mass of trunks and branches, cutting right to meet their brilliant rays. Ah, stream full of sun, I meet, I greet you. Happy feet slap you as I run, up to know your secrets, your falls, your pools. How peaceful you are and what a torrent am I. If you were as I am, I would be as you are. I must have some turbulence, in me or not...."

October 1, 2004: "Today we found out that Mom has breast cancer. We don't know what to do so we hold her a lot and we cling to hope. Cancer...even the name leaves you cold inside..."

November 1, 2003: "November is here and the day is unseasonably warm and sunny. The short days make the sunlight a coveted pleasure. Today we raised our noses to the reality of Autumn and stole back a few hours of summer. I laid Sophie in the thick green grass, naked and content, and subtly dared winter to show its frosty face..."

March 2006: "I want to be where You are! I want to please You and bring You joy!! Bind me to your side! I fear this mortal coil that can bring immortal death..."


As I read, it became clear to me the value of recording our history. In a way, it redeems the past; it makes us remember what God taught us, and how He brought us through despite our waywardness. By looking through our words to the heart of who we were, we can see the measured steps of growth and grace in our lives, or even perhaps, be shocked at our current state in light of more joyful, close times with the Lord.

As we read in the Old Testament, we find few characters who don't in some way let us down. David, a "man after God's own heart" robs another man's wife and orders his death. Samson, a man set apart from birth to serve God frequents prostitutes. We make an error if we read the Bible looking for "morality plays"...looking in vain for clean-cut models of beliefs we hold dear. So why read this twisted history? Not to look to be like Rebekah, or not like Rebekah. We read to discover the history between God and man; not to focus on the imperfect, stumbling, boorishness which pock-mark our living story, but on how it illuminates God's character. In knowing how we have been, we see how God has been in contrast. Our darkness, His light, our faithlessness, His enduring love and patience, our fickleness, His unchanging righteousness.

I look back on my story, the good, the bad, the ugly; and the beautiful thing is, I see redemption. God is redeeming me, redeeming my history, making my life a stone in His temple, something beautiful, and intregal to the kingdom.

Your Devoted,
Sarah

"He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud." -Psalm 103:14

"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." -Jeremiah 31:3

Rapelling off High Bridge

Was it really

that long ago???

Of Wildness Born

"Ocean Park" by Stephen Pitt
Really, I don't know how to begin...so many thoughts pressing...

Have you ever been taken hold of by a yearning, so fierce and bright with pleasure...

....when you plunge into a cool lake at evening, to just go on swimming, needing no reprieve, like a fish to the depths?

.....when you leap off a rock to not follow earth's tug downward, but to defy it, flying up and out, faster, Faster!?

.....when seeing shady, ancient woods draped in moss to go romping wildly through them, more deer than man?

....to meet a wild beast not with terror, but camaraderie, walking together?

.....when listening to music, to dance with abandon, joyous, laughing, embracing Celebration?

.....when in prayer, to be lifted up in loving arms like a child delighting in his father's attention?

I'm unsure to what degree you may be able to relate to any of these...but at times they possess the whole of my mind. This wildness, this unbelievableness, this passion which I believe to be more familiar to our original nature than what we are now. The more I have come to hope and live for the world yet to come, the more frequent these pangs of longing come upon me. Is it an odd way to anticipate eternity? Perhaps, but I have good reason to believe that God engages our imagination to express things we have no vocabulary for.

I think we do Heaven a great injustice to imagine it a solemn choir meeting...

I think too we forget God too much...

These surely are weapons of the Enemy, driving us to love this life so tenaciously, to make possessions of such delight, to fret so over our jobs, our money, our education, our theology, our very beauty. In the process of this, becoming fattened, petted, pampered, unsatisfied, fearful creatures. Oh to break free! To play and laugh like children in His company!! What, oh Earth, can you offer that does not break or rot or die?

Surely some will think I've lost my head. Very good that you should know regardless what is always humming below the surface of your dear,
devoted,
Sarah

Cleaning the World and Other News

To my Most Amiable Readers;

Sophia took the northern hemisphere, and I the southern. We met around the equator, hands covered in bubbles, sponges and brushes flying, giggling. The shower curtain in our apartment features a world map, and yesterday found us scrubbing it clean in a fit of giggles on the bathroom floor. I've found that curtain to be quite informative...I've started memorizing capitals, locations, and flags of countries...which probably means my showers are too lengthy.

In other news, my race on Saturday was quite the experience. Rising early we strapped the boats onto a makeshift rack on the back of a pick-up and made the beautiful drive to Valdivia, the mecca of rowing in Chile. Getting there we warmed up our muscles and took the boats out to get a feel for the river. Sea lions, BIG sea lions, were lying all over the shores! Apparently this is where they come when they're very old and ready to die. When it was time for my race, I took my place with five other rowers and assumed starting position.

At Go! I was right with the pack, getting a good quick, controlled start. But about 100 meters out, my sliding seat jumped its tracks, coming to a sickening stop. I raised my hand and called for the judge (they do a restart when a seat jumps in the first 100 meters) but he didn't hear me and didn't look my way in time. When he finally saw me, it was too late and I had to stand in my boat and fix my seat, by this time way behind. But I still had to finish so away I rowed...alone...in front of a big crowd...and a pep band.........smiling at myself. But I felt good about the day; at least my last place finish wasn't quite my fault, and I had a good time with the youth.

Your Devoted,
Sarah

Remembering...

May 13, 2000

Was it really six years, two children, three countries ago?

So many adventures since then:

-flying ten feet above treeline up in Alaska, chasing bears in a fabric plane

-braving the wilds of Saskatchewan, basking in the Northern Lights in sub-zero weather while studying Hermeneutics, Philosophy, and Tim Horton's Donuts

-living in the ghetto, getting robbed, and learning parallel parking on a hill, with stick shift, at night in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania

-flying to Ireland, finding my 5Xgreat-grandfather's grave, and then driving all around the grand isle

-the birth of our dear Sophia Grace (insert inexpressible joy here)

-God's call for us to be missionaries in Chile

-living in San Jose, Costa Rica for five months studying Spanish, peering into volcanoes, surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, teaching English, and romping through rain forests

-the birth of our precious son, Edison James (more of that aforementioned joy)

-arriving in Chile, our new home for three years, adapting to life here, learning the culture, loving the people, being loved and cared for by God in an intimate and tender way

I thank God for my husband, whose winning smile and fun-loving nature have always lifted my spirits. What a gift. What a blessing

Lions and Ferries and Boats...Oh My!

To my Most Amiable Readers;

If you weren't warned by the preceeding picture, I am yet again to speak of rowing. I've graduated to the "big kids" club; I now go out with the others to train further up the channel doing sets of 2000 meter loops. Previously I stayed near the club, and most of the time out of water traffic.

Quite a day to graduate...choppy seas and strong winds greeted me as I pulled towards the open water. If you've ever backed out of a tight parking lot, in an unfamiliar vehicle, in the fog, at night, with little children running around...you'll get the feeling I was experiencing. Forget good rowing form, the wind and waves kept trying to push me into anchored boats and buoys as I struggled to sweep by them before I was pushed into them. Not only that but I was constantly looking over my shoulder for ferries, yachts, or other vessels that can appear quite out of nowhere. And not flipping over was also high on the list.

Having crossed to a more peaceful stretch and focusing on legs-then-stomach-then-back-lastly-arms, I was greeted to a rather loud splash. Then quite a few more in ominous succession proceeding ever closer to my boat, the large furry form gliding just beneath the surface. Sea lions have a dogged curiousity. I think that was the fastest I've ever rowed. The adventures weren't over yet. A large navy vessel buzzed by us creating waves up to my head (which when sitting basically at level with the water is rather unnerving). Aligning my boat horizontally with them so as to not take on water I rode sideways up and over trying to maintain balance and not panic. It was fun...when it was over.

Continuing on I had one more encounter with the lion, a few cat-calls from a ferry, and called it a day. That was yesterday. This morning I was told that I'll be competing in a race this coming Saturday....

I've never raced, I've hardly even rowed quickly except when pursued by sea lions. I don't know starting position, I don't know a good 500 meter pace, I don't know "on your mark, get set, go" in Spanish.............so goes my panicky thoughts. I guess I have a week to learn.

I appreciate your prayers : ).

Your Devoted, Sarah

Our little Sophia.

Warm Greetings from us to you!

A word to our supporters; thank you so much for your generous gifts of finances and prayers. Thank you for keeping in contact with us, including us in your lives through pictures, updates and such. You know, life here is hard, but good. Daily we are challenged to do things we never thought we could or would do. For Dustin, the language is an ever-present obstacle, understanding and being understood, which we all know is tantamount to participating in a community. For me, I face the lesson of learning how to work cooperatively with others in a group. I prefer working alone on projects, but that is rarely the situation. We are being pushed to grow in areas where we are uncomfortable. Despair and frustration compete with joy and laughter as we face new challenges, each making their case, each attaining victory in turn. What continually gives us joy is our new-found dependence on God and His Word; that is beautiful.

Our house church is doing well; as of late we have been more unified in our vision, and have passed through some strong trials with His grace. Construction is continuing in the addition to the Hostetter's home and is already being used for our meetings. Dustin and Mike are also installing radiators in the rest of the house which will be heated by a water tank welded into our woodstove.

Hope this finds you in good health and high spirits!
Your Devoted, Sarah

Weight and Sea

To my most amiable readers:

After you've gotten over my magnificent pun you may proceed...hahaha. At rowing due to the choppy sea we have been inside working on weights. After three rounds of a twenty-station circuit where you do forty lifts in each one (interspersed with a mere eighty crunches and other horrid activities), one feels rather...good, actually. Sore, but good.

Winter has started in earnest, rain sheeting down outside (and dripping down inside, my buckets are handy), and the wind pounding and whipping around. In this fair weather Dustin and Mike set off on an impromptu (they had twenty minutes notice) trip to an island an hour and a half from here. An acquaintance, not a believer, invited them to come meet his family out on the island, which is home to roughly 3,000. Mainly nominally Catholic, the island has "five people who aren't like us", which by this he meant Christians. The island was settled completely by the Spaniards and has a very different feel than the mainland. There's no electric, but three buses and internet access...but I digress. What I wish to express is this; there are so many islands like this, so many places that don't have dedicated followers of Christ to show them The Way, The Truth, and The Life. We are in prayer for what our part can be in sharing with the families on this island, hand-in-hand with praying for more workers in the harvest field. Do you wish to share Christ's plan of redemption here?

Your Devoted, Sarah

Breakfast Club

To My Faithful Readers:

Me gustaria a compartir un poco contigo sobre nuestro desayuno muy especial...in other words, I'd like to tell you about our special breakfast this morning. Waking up, we got the kiddos bundled-up (it's almost winter here), hopped on a bus, then a small ferry, then hiked on a trail, and arrived at the Tenglo Island property. Eduardo and Juanita, our Chilean co-missionaries, had gone knocking doors the day before inviting all children to descend on their home for breakfast and fun activities.

We prepared hot cheese and ham sandwiches, hot chocolate, and other goodies and greeted the children as they arrived. After breakfast Eduardo gave a lesson on the first days of creation, then we sang fun songs with motions. After that we headed outside for some good rough-and-tumble games in the field. The kids caught on quickly to all the games, and we all had much to laugh about. After that we held a ping-pong tournament and a small snack and invited them all to come the next Saturday with their friends. This will be a continuing ministry, and it is certainly meeting a need as many parents go to the mainland during the day for work or errands, and the children are left with nothing to do. We're going to involve painting, crafts, and other activities in too. We had a great time having fun with these precious children, and look forward to more opportunities to get to know them and show Christ to them.

May you all have a blessed Easter, remembering Him who conquered the grave and changed the world forever!

Your Devoted, Sarah

This picture is cute...but it also served us well to put her in this old ski-lift car, a moment later two street dogs got in a huge fight right beside it, and Sophia looked on safely from inside this!