A Social Butterfly

A social butterfly describes our daughter very well.   Kids should beware as they enter the church nursery; she likes to give hugs, even to the toddlers who can barely stand.  At restaurants, she hardly looks at us, except for more food; she watches everyone who passes the table and tries to get their attention.  Miss Busy-body is so close to walking and will hardly crawl if anyone is around to help her walk.  It’s also not unusual to find entire food and Tupperware cupboards emptied. 

18 Months

Here we are, 18 months into our stay in the US.  We came for Albino’s US green card.  That’s taken care of, thank goodness.  We can come in and out of the US without a problem.  That is a huge relief for us.  Now on to the citizenship step in this crazy process of working with US immigration.

We came to spend time with my family.  Done, but never enough.  We have seen my brother and sister multiple times in the last year, which is quite a feat for us considering we are regularly stationed in Mexico, Peru, and Massachusetts.  The best part has been having the first grandbaby in the house with my parents.  They often say that their day is not complete if they do not see Doriana.  What a joy it is to see our daughter “run” to give her abuelitos a hug and a kiss when they come in the door from work.

We came so that Albino could learn more about US culture and become fluent in English.  Albino started with minimal vocab in English; he can now discuss events in the daily life, politics and religion.  I no longer have to translate for every conversation :)  We have covered a good portion of US territory: from the Rocky Mountains to the cornfields of Iowa, visited cities of Chicago and Boston, cheered at professional and college football and baseball games, learned US history in Washington DC, and touched the Atlantic Ocean. 

We came to find a new sending organization.  Though we had an excellent relationship with Wycliffe Associates and ATEK, we knew that God was calling us to a new ministry with La Casa del Maestro (www.casadelmaestro.org).  It led to a mutual parting of ways with WA.  We have now been accepted by the Reformed Church in America (www.rca.org) who will be our partner for the next three years at least.  God is good.

Summary

Snapshot of our life and ministry right now (check out other tabs for more details)

Doriana Grace - born in November, likes to smile, coo, cry, sleep and eat. She is the joy of our life (see Photos/Fotos)

Albino - learning English at the public school adult education classes and independent study, involved in BandOfBrothers (BoB Bible study), of course takes care of Doriana, and working on ATEK publications of discipleship manuals and Bible dictionary (see Ministry/Ministerio)

Sandy - stay-at-home, working mom. changes diapers, nurses and plays with Doriana, and tries to keep on top of housework and family needs. writing Sunday School curriculum for Quechua children (see Ministry/Ministerio).

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Time really has passed quickly these last six months that we have been in the U.S. I, Sandy, personally feel like just now we are able to settle into "normal" home life--whatever that is for us. Albino is enrolled in English classes four days a week at the public school. We received a great welcome at my parents' church. An outpouring of love and generosity has been betstowed upon us. We are so thankful for the community that surrounds us; we look forward to getting to know people better and continue our involvement. Albino and I are both involved in men's and women's Bible studies. I am also enjoying teaching second and third grade Sunday School. It's nice to teach again and not just write the curriculum.

The highlights of the last few months have been family events and having Doriana Grace (our two month old) here to share it with us. Being spread out, it is special to have family around. All the Wisners came together twice since September from Mexico, Michigan, and Massachusetts. The Rodriguez family has been able to watch Doriana grow from day one in the hospital via modern technology; the family put internet in the house just days before she was born. We truly thank God for Skype video. Abuelita Teodora is able to see her newest grandbaby on a regular basis. Here in Michigan we appreciate the ability to keep in touch with family who is so far away, being able to wish everyone a Merry Christmas "in person" or be together to celebrate birthdays. It closes the distance as much as possible.

Albino and I are working on making a "home." Home cannot be a location or a specific place for us. It is the presence of each other, Doriana, and whoever we are with at the moment. Knowing always that our true home is in heaven with our Lord. Whether we are in snowy Holland, Michigan or in the highlands of Peru we must find the secret of being content and appreciating the opportunities and ministry that God blesses us with in each location and the people we are with.