Here are some quick updates that you can read through to find out what is new with us:
- We are up to 48% in support (Yeah!!!) and have setup some more church visits but there’s still a long way to go so your prayers and help are still appreciated.
- Kim is enjoying her job and she still “shadowing” and not yet on her own.
- Joel had a nice time at the Covenant Midwinter Retreat in San Diego. It was a good time for learning and reflection as well a nice opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some contacts for potential church visits.
- We have our last round of interviews for Ordination and Long-term Missionary Consecration on March 15th in Chicago.
- Simeon has started preschool and really likes it. He is doing better with his separation anxiety that he had been experiencing since moving from Ecuador.
- Simeon is still very small for his age but is finally on the growth chart so that makes us happy. He is still eating very well and is doing well developmentally. He is working on potty training right now. He will turn 3 on March 5th and we are taking him to Chuck E. Cheese because he loves pizza and loves playing in arcades.
- The Santiago Partnership (the non-profit organization that we are helping to start) has filed its first round of paperwork for being officially recognized as a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.
- Thank you for your prayers for Ruthie, Joel’s mom, and her difficulties swallowing after her surgery to remove a tumor in the back of her neck. Her swallowing has improved to where she is up to about 50% capacity though this has mainly come through compensating with non-direct swallowing muscles. More than likely, this will be her permanent condition but your prayers for complete healing will always be appreciated.
- Our good friends Henry and Olguita Burbano have recently given birth to a new baby boy named Nathan. Mommy and Nathan are both doing well.
- Kim recently sent down her undergraduate and graduate diplomas to Henry and Olguita and when they have time (see previous post), they will work on getting her licensing approved and her rural internship setup.
The Santiago Partnership