Monday, June 23, 2008
In case you've lost count...
...we will be in the States in 8 days...count 'em...EIGHT! We would appreciate your prayers for all the details that need to be taken care of in the mean time. Life is getting a bit hectic and crazy around here! We travel to Lima on Friday and head to the States from there on a 3 a.m. flight on Tuesday.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Here Comes the Bride...again
As I said in a previous post, in Peru you are not legally married in the church. You must have a civil wedding to be legally married. Many then choose to have what they call a "religious" wedding, too, and a number of people even believe that you are not married in God's eyes until you have your religious wedding. In our church, we choose to call this a celebration of their marriage that has already occurred! :)
This past Wednesday we had a special celebration service for Andrés and Nora. Here are some pictures.
Lili cut the ribbons preparing the way for the wedding party. (Sound familiar?!)
Lucas (Pastor Luis' son) carried in the Bible.
Claudia (Andrés and Nora's daughter) carried in the rings. This was a very special time for her.
Camila (Pastor Luis' youngest daughter) was the flower girl.
The dapper groom awaiting his new bride.
The bride's younger brother gave her away. Isn't that sweet?
Evita (Pastor Luis' wife) sang a special just before they said their vows.
The bride and groom saying their vows.
The rings...
The lighting of the unity candle.
And, here is where all of our camera batteries died, so there are no more pictures...bummer! But, we had a good time celebrating with them. Their wedding was simple, yet pretty. Their goal was to make it special, but not go over their budget. Her mom made the cake and they served tamales and chicha, a Peruvian drink made from purple corn. The ladies (and even two young men) from church all helped serve the food. It all turned out very nicely. It was such a joy for us to be able to celebrate this step of growth with them. We have been praying for them for quite some time. Please pray that this would be an encouragement to others in our church to take that next step of growth in whatever area the Lord desires.
This past Wednesday we had a special celebration service for Andrés and Nora. Here are some pictures.
Lili cut the ribbons preparing the way for the wedding party. (Sound familiar?!)
Lucas (Pastor Luis' son) carried in the Bible.
Claudia (Andrés and Nora's daughter) carried in the rings. This was a very special time for her.
Camila (Pastor Luis' youngest daughter) was the flower girl.
The dapper groom awaiting his new bride.
The bride's younger brother gave her away. Isn't that sweet?
Evita (Pastor Luis' wife) sang a special just before they said their vows.
The bride and groom saying their vows.
The rings...
The lighting of the unity candle.
And, here is where all of our camera batteries died, so there are no more pictures...bummer! But, we had a good time celebrating with them. Their wedding was simple, yet pretty. Their goal was to make it special, but not go over their budget. Her mom made the cake and they served tamales and chicha, a Peruvian drink made from purple corn. The ladies (and even two young men) from church all helped serve the food. It all turned out very nicely. It was such a joy for us to be able to celebrate this step of growth with them. We have been praying for them for quite some time. Please pray that this would be an encouragement to others in our church to take that next step of growth in whatever area the Lord desires.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Here Comes Another Bride...
In Peru, ordained pastors do not have the power to legally marry couples. So, they must first have a civil wedding. Yesterday, we had the privilege of accompanying one of the couples from our church at their civil wedding. Steve was one of their witnesses, along with Evita (Pastor Luis' wife).
First, they stand to listen to the registrar recite the Peruvian ordinances about marriage. He asked them several questions that they weren't expecting...the registrar used to be a teacher. Andrés commented later about being nervous he might give the wrong answer! Then they agreed to follow the laws that had been read and he told the groom he could kiss his wife. (Bummer, didn't get a picture of that!)
Then, on to the signing! There are several items to be signed before being legally married.
And, every signature needs to be accompanied by a fingerprint. This is the case for any legal paperwork in Peru. You can understand why paperwork often takes a long time here!
Both witnesses have to sign and fingerprint all of the same documents.
Their group of cheerleaders...The registrar actually asked them if all of these children were theirs! That would've made them having 9 children, including 4 gringos! They got a kick out of that one.
Here is the happy family...
While we are happy for the couple that got married this past weekend, this wedding was an especially joyful time for us. It was kind of like seeing our own kids get married! :) God has given us the opportunity to see three of this family come to know the Lord (all except their 1 1/2 year old daughter) over the last couple of years. And, now, to see them taking this step of obedience in their relationship with Him is such a blessing! They are wanting to be baptized and join the church soon, as well. Please rejoice with Andrés and Nora and pray for their family.
First, they stand to listen to the registrar recite the Peruvian ordinances about marriage. He asked them several questions that they weren't expecting...the registrar used to be a teacher. Andrés commented later about being nervous he might give the wrong answer! Then they agreed to follow the laws that had been read and he told the groom he could kiss his wife. (Bummer, didn't get a picture of that!)
Then, on to the signing! There are several items to be signed before being legally married.
And, every signature needs to be accompanied by a fingerprint. This is the case for any legal paperwork in Peru. You can understand why paperwork often takes a long time here!
Both witnesses have to sign and fingerprint all of the same documents.
Their group of cheerleaders...The registrar actually asked them if all of these children were theirs! That would've made them having 9 children, including 4 gringos! They got a kick out of that one.
Here is the happy family...
While we are happy for the couple that got married this past weekend, this wedding was an especially joyful time for us. It was kind of like seeing our own kids get married! :) God has given us the opportunity to see three of this family come to know the Lord (all except their 1 1/2 year old daughter) over the last couple of years. And, now, to see them taking this step of obedience in their relationship with Him is such a blessing! They are wanting to be baptized and join the church soon, as well. Please rejoice with Andrés and Nora and pray for their family.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Here comes the bride...
This past weekend the chidren and I went to Trujillo for the girls to participate in the wedding of a friend. She is a member of the first church we attended after arriving in Peru. Six Stilwells were involved in the wedding...Steve's dad, his brother Jon, niece Hannah, sister Martha, and our oldest 2 girls. Here is a glimpse of a Peruvian wedding.
The hairdos...after using 55 bobby pins and a significant amount of time, they actually stayed in place! Lili's comment was, "That thing is as big as my whole head!"
Some pics before leaving Steve's parents' house.
Claudi's opinion of all the primping and waiting.
The church all decorated and ready.
3 out of 4 of the Stilwell ladies waiting. Lili had already gone down the aisle, as she cut the ribbons for the others to be able to pass.
Steve's brother, Jon, ready to give the bride away. Jon is Flor's pastor.
The happy couple, Luis and Flor.
As they were leaving the church, all those involved in the wedding threw flower petals at them.
The wedding party. The couple in the back are the maid of honor and best man. He was the only groomsman. There were 2 little boys involved, one who carried the Bible and another who carried the rings, but they were not around at picture time. Three of the bridesmaids are the bride's sisters. The bride's mom made all of the pink/purple dresses plus the bride's dress.
Two of my dear friends from Iglesia Bautista Getsemaní, María and María. :) They make me feel like a giant!
Some of the Stilwell cousins enjoying time together during the reception...probably discussing whose lips were burning the most after the hot food that we ate! :)
The hairdos...after using 55 bobby pins and a significant amount of time, they actually stayed in place! Lili's comment was, "That thing is as big as my whole head!"
Some pics before leaving Steve's parents' house.
Claudi's opinion of all the primping and waiting.
The church all decorated and ready.
3 out of 4 of the Stilwell ladies waiting. Lili had already gone down the aisle, as she cut the ribbons for the others to be able to pass.
Steve's brother, Jon, ready to give the bride away. Jon is Flor's pastor.
The happy couple, Luis and Flor.
As they were leaving the church, all those involved in the wedding threw flower petals at them.
The wedding party. The couple in the back are the maid of honor and best man. He was the only groomsman. There were 2 little boys involved, one who carried the Bible and another who carried the rings, but they were not around at picture time. Three of the bridesmaids are the bride's sisters. The bride's mom made all of the pink/purple dresses plus the bride's dress.
Two of my dear friends from Iglesia Bautista Getsemaní, María and María. :) They make me feel like a giant!
Some of the Stilwell cousins enjoying time together during the reception...probably discussing whose lips were burning the most after the hot food that we ate! :)
Friday, June 6, 2008
What's been going on...
Caleb's newest trick. He can sit up as long as he doesn't lean to one side. If he falls toward the front he can raise himself back up.
If he goes to the side he is like this little leaning tower of Pisa and ends up...
...like this! At least he is happy about it!
Mommy's little man
Kisses for mommy...nice and slobbery ones!
Kisses for Caleb, too!
If he goes to the side he is like this little leaning tower of Pisa and ends up...
...like this! At least he is happy about it!
Mommy's little man
Kisses for mommy...nice and slobbery ones!
Kisses for Caleb, too!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Pobrecito
Remember this post (click to see)? Well, here is proof that the poor guy is still suffering! :) I think that with 3 sisters it is his lot in life until he is old enough to be able to defend himself! Then those sisters had better just watch out!
Church Anniversary
This past weekend we celebrated the 6th anniversary of the work in Nuevo Chimbote! We had special meetings from Friday through Sunday with an evangelistic emphasis. On Sunday morning after the service we had a special Peruvian-style cookout! We forgot to take our camera, so those pics will have to wait for another day after I get them from someone at church. :) Sunday evening we celebrated after the service with a cake.
Over the last 3 years, it has become my "job" to cut the cake each time. Not sure how that happened, but I'm getting it down to a science now. :)
It is a Peruvian tradition to bring gifts for the church on the anniversary. Those gifts are generally things that are useful for the church. This box held the gifts from our church people, which included toilet paper, copy paper, crayons, pens, white boards, cleaner, and toys for the nursery classes. We had a great weekend together celebrating God's goodness to our church family!
Over the last 3 years, it has become my "job" to cut the cake each time. Not sure how that happened, but I'm getting it down to a science now. :)
It is a Peruvian tradition to bring gifts for the church on the anniversary. Those gifts are generally things that are useful for the church. This box held the gifts from our church people, which included toilet paper, copy paper, crayons, pens, white boards, cleaner, and toys for the nursery classes. We had a great weekend together celebrating God's goodness to our church family!
Graduation
This past Friday, Evita (Pastor Luis' wife) and Soledad (another lady from our church) both graduated from a César Vellejo Universitay of Chimbote in Education Administration. Both are already teachers and both will soon be receiving another title which will allow them to administrate either a elementary/secondary school or an institute, which is a kind of like a junior college idea. It is a place where you can take classes to prepare for the university and recieve credits that will usually transfer, depending on the school. It is Evita's dream to one day have a Christian school ministry here in Chimbote. As far as we know, right now there are no Christian schools in all of Chimbote or Nuevo Chimbote. We enjoyed being able to be there to cheer them on during their special day!
Caleb is quite the ladies' man! :)
Caleb is quite the ladies' man! :)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Caleb's First Cereal
Caleb had his first cereal yesterday and did really well! He seems to be a better eater than his sisters used to be, at least less picky in the manner in which the food gets to his mouth anyway. None of them wanted anything to do with a bottle! He does great with a bottle, whether formula or breastmilk, and did well with the cereal, too. Of course, the baby cereal here has more sugar in it than in the States, so that might have something to do with why he ate it so much better than they used to! :) He didn't even make a face, just chowed it right down!
New Bunkbeds
Our girls are lovin' their new bunkbeds! They can make pretty cool houses on them. That seems to be one of their favorite activities right now. Today, Claudi built her house in the "basement" (the area where the drawers go) and Tali had hers on the "first floor." Claudi said there was room in the "attic" for Lili to have a house. :) Check out the rolling storage drawers that go underneath...that's what Mommy really likes about it, well, that and the fact that all 3 girls are on one set of bunkbeds which saves space in their room! There are 4 drawers and they are huge! They make great hiding places for the girls for now and will soon make great hiding storage space for the toys that keep finding their way all over the house!
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