On the Gound- Literally

Dear friends, this is Jeanie. Wayne, or I will be updating the blog for a while because the village they are in has an old, very limited computer. We will be as accurate and thorough as we can but since this is second hand there might be a few missed details.

We finally got to talk to her on the phone today. The only phone in the village is a satellite phone. We can only call (she cannot call out) a couple of times a week because the phone serves all 200 people in the village.

She can receive e-mail, however, at nataloo87@hotmail.com. Right now that is a better way to get a message to her than posting on her blog. If you have time to send her an e-mail, I know she would really love to hear from you.

She would really appreciate concentrated prayer right now. In our last few communications with her she has shared that this has been a much harder experience than she anticipated. Of course, one of the reasons is that it is just a hard thing to leave your family, friends, country and familiar surroundings and comforts and go to a remote part of a foreign country for two months to share the gospel and live with people you have never met before. HELLO?! That's one reason we aren't all there! :)

Also, they (and we) can easily forget that there is a very real and powerful enemy that is doing all in his power to discourage and defeat these brave, faithful young adults from sharing the hope of Christ and the love of God with this remote village.

One of the difficulties is that she, and we, were expecting this village to be pretty much like the ones we worked with when we went to Peru with our Markham Street Bapt Church group for several years. It is much more primitive than most of those villages. Lots of dirt, no bathrooms, no showers, limited electricity and outside communication possibilities.

We expected they would be sleeping in beds, at least most of the time, but instead are sleeping on concrete floors. She did tell us today that they had been given some thin mats but they didn't help a lot. (One good thing, however, is that though it has been uncomfortable, at least her back has not bothered her much. That is a major reason for praise since she has had periodic back problems since childhood.)

She has also had stomach problems. On her worst day so far she threw up 4 or 5 times. (Not fun when there are not any bathrooms.) Most days, however, she has mainly felt nauseous and not been able to eat much. Please pray that she overcomes this so she can stay healthy.

Another tough thing that happened this week is that one of the girls on her team, Amy, has a heart condition that flared up and she ended up having to go home. She and Natalie have much in common and Natalie will really miss her, not to mention her concern for Amy's health.

Though they will surely miss Amy, their team seems to be gelling and she really likes all of them. The team leader, Leslie, has been in this area numerous times so that is a good thing. I think the communication problems with the translator that she mentioned in a previous blog entry have improved She has also really enjoyed her interactions with the villagers.

One of the best things about the trip so far is that they have had a good response from a man (I think he is the principle of the school, but I am not positive.) who had accepted Christ last year. On their first or second day in this village they invited the man and his wife to come and study the Bible with them and bring a couple of friends.

Not only did he and his wife come, but they brought several others with them. I think that they have had 8-10 for several nights this week. Those who have attended have been very interested and have asked many questions. The team really senses God moving in this village right now. Their plan at this point is to stay there for another week or so and then to move on to another village.

Sorry this has been so long, but then, those of you who know me I'm sure are not surprised. :) Maybe Wayne will do the next update and it will be a little more to the point! Thank you so much for partnering with Natalie in this mission. Your prayers and support have, and do, mean so much to her and to us! She hopes to be able to upload some pictures and be able to update the blog herself when they move to the next village. Until then we will update when we have news to share.

Blessings on each of you,
Jeanie

PS Please pray that Amy will get home and get the care she needs with out any problems.