We May Never Know...or Will We?

Dan meeting with the Stucky Team one last time before heading back to the States.

Four years ago a large group (23 all told) came from Marysville, Washington, to minister with us for 10 days. It was the most incredible and intense 10 days on record, which included 8 presentations that the group put on for two weekends running.

Several in that group had fallen prey to drug addiction BC (Before Christ). When the opportunity came up to visit a drug rehab just outside of Mossoró, they were more than willing to share their testimony of Christ's love and the victory that they each had had over drug addiction. Ken took them out to visit these guys, sing, share the Gospel and give them hope of a new life in Christ.

zipping ahead to the present...

Dan, the pastor who organized that group, was just here in Brazil for 2 weeks doing a Team Stucky ministry evaluation. Hours were spent interviewing students, teachers, neighbors, business associates, and then writing the assessment and suggestions.

Just before leaving, Dan was at the mall buying a few gifts for family and friends. Standing in line at the check out, a man turned around, looked at him and said, "Hey, I know you! You're a singer and a drummer!" Dan's first thought was that this guy was at one of the presentations at ALPHA. But that wasn't the case. "No, you came out to the drug rehab, sang some songs and told us about Jesus Christ. I will never forget it, because that was the day that my life changed. Not long after that I accepted Jesus and now I am a missionary. Just yesterday I was out at the rehab preaching to the guys there."

Wow. Speechless. Only God could orchestrate an encounter that would serve to be such an unbelievable and incredible encouragement after 4 years. I am reminded again how important it is to keep my nose to the spiritual "grind-stone" and let HIM do HIS work in HIS time. I may see results, or I may not, but that isn't the point. My job is just to be faithful.

Books I am Reading

Current read...written by twin 19 year old brothers. A must read for any teenager in your life. The authors challenge teens to rethink the low expectations that our culture places on youth and gives them hope to reach higher than they ever thought possible.

Also reading currently...I had read the author's first book in both English and Portuguese, so already knew the basic subject about how we all have a "language" that speaks love to us in ways that other things don't. This is incredibly insightful into the mind of a teenager besides the basic love languages. I guess it has been a while since I have been in a teens shoes and (amazingly enough) times are a bit different than they were 20+ years ago.

I always thought those personality types were made up by some modern day psychologist, but discovered that that is NOT so...Hippocrates (2500 years ago) nailed down the 4 main personality types. I have really benefited from reading this book, because I not only understand my own strengths and weaknesses more, but I see my co-workers and family with new insight into their unique personalities.

Wow...talk about convicting... I finished this book some time ago (read it every day before my nap time) and am still trying to put this priceless wisdom into practice. Ok, I'll admit it...I won't ever get it ALL "right" as a parent, but I am determined to move in that direction. Fantastic book that all parents need to read.

Not too long ago I finished reading RELUCTANT MISSIONARY by Edith Buxton, C.T. Studd's daughter. Sorry, no image was found...I think it was last published in 1968. It never fails to amaze me all that the pioneer missionaries endured and how much they sacrificed to spread the gospel. Then there are some things that they didn't sacrifice...British missionaries always made room in their luggage for tea and had one precious cup a day. So maybe I can have a wee bit of dark chocolate once a week? :) I pray that God would use me like he used those great men and women, who were just as human as I am.

Gone Fishin'

A few of my adolescent Sunday School boys (Berg, Julian, and Victor) out fishing for their first time.

After finishing our Sunday School quarterly, I wanted to do something special with the kids who had had faithful attendance for the last 4 months. The girls came over to our house Friday for a sleep over complete with pizza and a moonlight swim. This morning, Milton, one of our deacons from church, helped me take the boys on a wee fishing trip just outside of town. Here are some shots of our time out.

Awesome, beautiful, refreshing...in the middle of a very dry land.

We fished mostly for minnows, but I happened to hook a slightly bigger dude...since he was of the bigger variety, we threw him back in.

Milton got a tilapia with his net...we kept this one. :)

We've got company...thankfully downstream.

Our MINI fish...took them home and fried them up for lunch. MMM MMM!

How to Eat a Tanajura

Another addition to the previous "instructional" post...here's a video for your educational entertainment. If you are ever in the area, we will try our best to cook up a few of these babies for you.

Tanajura: Giant Leafcutter Ant

How to Change a Tire

At least we didn't BLOW it!

This July, our family + Ken's folks and our school secretary, drove almost 6000 miles round trip to the Everglades of Brazil. It was quite an experience to say the least. We actually crossed over the boarder into Bolivia for several hours.

Ken spent months planning this trip. Aside from making reservations, buying maps, installing Lazy-Boys in the back of the van (no joke), calling friends to see on the way, and finalizing the itinerary, he decided to buy two new tires. One of the tires was put on the spare rim and the other got stored under one of the bench seats in the van...just in case.

After reaching the point farthest from Mossoró, we started our week long treck back to the north-east. That's when it happened. A deafening noise came from the right, rear of the vehicle. Sure enough, it was time. Ken's preparedness had paid off. Time to put on a NEW tire.

Just in case you think this very thing might ever happen to you, I thought it might be helpful to share my instructions on how to change a tire when you are 3000 miles away from home. Feel free to even print it to save in your car so you, too, will know what to do.


Step 1: Act very dramatic for the camera as 8 people's luggage is removed from the back of the van so the spare tire can be removed.


Step 2: Ask yourself, "Is this for real?" Add other comments like, "This is making me hungry. Hope I don't have to use the bathroom anytime soon."

Step 3: Have the big strong men traveling with you jack up the car and remove the old tire.


Step 4: While the new tire is being installed on the car, add a little more drama for effect.


Step 5: Finally, find a truck stop (at 10 p.m. on a Sunday) that will put the other NEW tire (stored under the bench for such a time as this) onto the spare rim. None of those fancy pneumatic tire changin' machines here, ...flex those muscles!

ALPHA Jr. High Band 2009 Parent's Night

ALPHA's 2009 Jr. High Band is off to a bang with it's first concert. Of the 20 students in band this year, only 8 are returning students. The other 12 have only been practicing for 2 months. Because band is not part of the "school culture" in Brazil, many of the parents don't have a feel for the big picture. They hear their child practicing at home and wonder, "is this all there is to it?"


Our first presentation is dedicated to our band parents in an effort to draw them in, let them catch a glimps of the "big picture" and encourage them to put up with the squeaking and squawking for just a little while longer. It really will get better!


Below are two video clips of our presentation. First clip is everyone (new and returning students) together and the second clip is 7 of the 8 students who have been playing for at least a year. With no trumpets in our advanced band, an extra "student" filled in to cover the part. :)

I.D.K. is fun to perform with each section taking turns standing in the middle of the song,

and Big Beat Boogie is a "swing" piece for all you jazz lovers.

Catching Up

March/April 2009 have just whizzed by...I have no idea how. In an effort to make ammends, here are some of the "happenings"....

Anabel received a "Flat Stanley" that she took to introduce to her classmates at ALPHA before sending back to her 2nd cousin in Georgia. Check out the book to discover why a little paper man came to visit.

Unusually beautiful sunset in April.

ALPHA Staff Retreat at our British friends' house and church 40 miles from Mossoró.

Ron's brilliant organizational skills helped us get this 1008 piece puzzle put together before we finished the retreat (in less than 48 hours).

Atenildo checking out the "loo"...10 gummies for any correct guesses as to what that is!

Cooling off in the water hole.

Ok, one picture of my white legs is enough already! (From the looks of it, Jon thinks so, too.)

9 in 2009

Blow harder! Maybe it won't re-light next time. :)

Anabel is our "Millenium Baby". She just discovered that she shares the same b-day with David Livingstone, whose biography we just finished reading. It has been a long time for her to wait till she turned 9 years ago and just days after, she is already a pro at just "being" 9.

Perfume and jewlery...what more can a girl ask for?!?!

Her accomplishments this year are:

• Devouring as many books as she can get her hands on...she says that reading Portuguese is easier than English!
• Getting to go "upstairs" to the second floor at ALPHA for 3rd grade
• Learning how to cook
• Taking piano lessons

All who celebrated Anabel's 9th birthday. Parabéns!!!

Homeward Bound

The three of us with barely enough room in the Mazda 626...thanks Pete!!!

Jessica's birthday was eventful...she got to ride more than 650 miles from Springfield, IL to Atlanta, GA. Yipeee, right?!?! Before we even got started, we were graced with a wonderful breakfast with fellow missionaries. Later in the day we stopped for lunch with relatives in Nashville, TN.



The Brazil Birthday Breakfast Bunch


Meeting my aunt and uncle and folks (who were visiting) in Nashville for lunch on Jessica's birthday


Many have been asking Jessica about the violin and computer that she needed before we left the States. Well, the computer arrived 3 hours before we split out of Des Moines and the violin was waiting for us in Atlanta. How's that for timing?

Jessica with her new violin and computer.

Happy 16th, Jessica!

Having supper with friends


Jessica will be 16 on March 4th, but we had an early celebration since we will be on the road heading to Atlanta to catch our flight on the 6th.



The cake requested? Super Moist Chocolate Cake with Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa and, of course 16 candles...mmmmm!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESSICA!

Video: Jessica's Birthday at the Korthal's house. Enjoy!

The Tropics in Winter

Orquids in February at the Botanical Center in Des Moines

It has been 19 years since I have been in the midwest in the winter. My remedy to beat the cold has been to drink LOTS of hot tea and hot chocolate and wear as much clothing as I can and still be able to move.

Spending time with Jessica

Today just before it rained and hailed here in central Iowa, the three of us stepped into the Botanical Center to enjoy the plants, flowers and humidity. It felt just like home...only a teeny bit cooler. :)

What I wish my yard looked like...

Just enjoying being together.

As a sidenote...Ken found a wee job in the line of cement and agregate...

Demolition and concrete. Keeps him young. :)

100% HUMIDITY

Alicia and her cousin Andrew 4 years ago during rainy season in Mossoró.

There isn’t much that compares with the first real rain of the season. Maybe it is watching everyone run out into the rain to enjoy the awesome coolness after too many months of really hot, really dry weather. It could be the adrenilin rush that you get from racing for for the pans, buckets and basins to catch all the leaks (because of shifting ceiling tiles or windows that don’t seal) that have been forgotten in the last 8 months since the last real rain. Or maybe it is the excitement of running around and unplugging EVERYTHING because the lightning is ominously close? Once struck by lightning you never see your appliances quite the same again. Half of the appliances will burn out in the split second lightning strikes and the other half will burn out when the electrical current surges back just seconds after.

Looking out over into our yard from the balcony of our apartment. Beautiful!

Despite the inconveniences of leaks, power outages, and radio internet going down, the rain is more than welcome. The interior is in desperate need of water for crops, animals and daily living. Everywhere, the unbearable heat has been replaced by the coolness provided by cloud cover and the rain itself. The thick brown dust that has been covering everything green is washed off so colors are once again visible and vibrant. (Not to mention a little less cleaning for at least a couple of days!)

A peek at our house through the trees...freshly painted (the house, that is!)

Clara, who is scared of thunder, is quite happy for the "special treatment." :)