Patrick's 4th, 5th & 6th grade school trip

This morning, Patrick left for a school trip to a place called Lunahuana. There they will swim, play, hike and do all kinds of fun things. He was so excited. The thing that most excited him was the possiblity to fish. The thing was, if you wanted to fish, you had to bring your own pole. Well, we had lots of trouble finding a fishing pole here (there isn't a Walmart around to just go buy a cheap fishing pole for the weekend) We ended up finding a pole and spending more than we wanted to but his birthday is coming up. We are just holding our breath, hoping that nothing happens to it while he is gone. He is just so excited!!! He talks about fishing all the time and talks about all the times he went fishing with his PawPaw. I guess he just takes after his PawPaw with loving to fish! Hopefully he will have good luck this weekend and that the fish are biting. (The funny thing is, he doesn't like to eat the fish...guess that means more for us!!!)
Please be in prayer for the group that they will be safe and have a great time.

His,
Susie

The Great REAP Weight Challenge

We got back from our retreat safe and sound. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, study and preparation. We also took a field trip up into the mountains. It was the first time for the kids to actually drive through the Andes so it was a great experience for them and for us. It was sooo beautiful. I kept thinking...we would never be doing this in the states except maybe on vacation, but we live here! WOW! It was Arnold's first time to drive in the Andes so this was new for him. We had to put the truck into . The Lord kept us safe and returned us home with no problem at all.

While we were at the retreat, we began a challenge for each other. All of us want to loose a little weight with the exception of a couple. We have begun a Challenge of sorts to keep us all accountable to loose weight or to develop a healhier lifestyle of exercise. Our goal is to go until the end of July. Please be in prayer for all of us as we seek to glorify the Lord in all areas of our lives.

We also began the bible study series by Beth Moore called "Believeing God". I am really excited about this study and expect to grow alot in His word. Beth challenges us to look at our lives and see if we just believe IN God or if we are truly believeing God.

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. We miss you all!

His.
Susie

It's time for our team retreat

I hope soon to introduce you all to our new team family here in Peru. I guess you can say that we are having a family reunion this weekend. We should be leaving here within the hour and heading to a camp where we will attend bible studies, work through alot of up and coming details about the summer and get to know each other a little better.

The members of our REAPSouth team are: Mike and Kathy Weaver (leaders) Brad (Journeyman) Heather (Semester Missionary) Derek (Semester Missionary) Matthew (Semester Misssionary) Claudia (Peruvian counterpart) Cindy (missonary in Pauza) Vic (missionary to Cotahuasi). Oh yeah, and the Austins, Arnold, Susie, Alisha, Ben and Patrick (Career Missionaries) (and yeah, these kids are just as much of a missionary than we are! It is amazing what the Lord has done in each one of their lives....different story for a different time!) Getting back on track......Soon I will have pictures of each team member and introduce everyone properly.

Please be praying for our trip and for our retreat. Let this be a time of refreshing and making ties that bind our group in one common goal and mission.

Miss you all! Gotta Go!
His,
Susie

Science Fair Update

The results are in and the Austin Family comes home with 3 YES THREE Winners! 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons. Patrick won 1st place in the 5th & 6th grades, Alisha won 2nd in the highschool and Ben won 3rd in the middle school.

Congratulations kids. All your hard work paid off. Go ahead and start preparing for next year!

His,
Susie

Easter in Peru

We hope that each of you had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday. We had a wonderful Easter here in Peru. We awoke early to see that the Easter Bunny DOES come call the way to Peru...even if Peruvians have never heard of him or dying and hiding easter eggs. After eating thier weight in chocolate, the kids and us grownups got ready for church and went to the early service. Then after service we headed home where I got the gumbo and salad ready for our company. Patrick even made a bunny cake and decorated it. Boy was it YUMMY!

The Weavers, the Grady's (with Baby Samuel) and our friend Nick came over and ate lunch with us and we visited all afternoon. We had a wonderful day.

It sure is dificult being away from our family during holidays but the Lord is so faithful to provide us with new friends and family. We will always cherish our first Easter in Peru.

His.
Susie

Our English Fellowship Class Photo

Thought you might like to see some of our students from our English classes. This picture was taken at our Saint Patricks day class. (Can you find me? I am the white gringo in the back by the blackboard)
The main motivation for these classes is not primarily to teach english...because truth be told, most of them are going to school (college level) to learn English, they come mostly to practice and to brush up. But the main motivation by far is to train them to be translators for our volunteer teams that come from the states. Most of the groups that come do not speak spanish and need lots of help. This is where these guys are so important to our work as missionaries. Many of them are already believers, some are just seeking and some are new christians.
In our classes, we teach English through the Bible. We take a story or a lesson from the Bible and read it, talk about it and study it. This helps them understand biblical terminology as well as helps some of them learn how to study the Bible.
Please keep these students, the teachers and the classes in your prayers. We have lots of fun and are making lots of relationships. Please pray that the main focus is always Christ...because He is the reason.
Love you!
Susie

Moving out...moving in

Well today we officially live in our new apartment. We have been housesitting for our bosses the Weavers since right before Christmas in a lovely apartment, but in about 15 minutes, their plane will be touching back down in Lima and they will arrive home from the states. We have enjoyed being able to live in their place and take our time getting our house in order. Now, it is time to start living here. When the kids come home from school Monday, it will probably be difficult to remember to stop here (so Kathy might get some visitors!)

Alot of our team is really new and kinda getting the hang of things. I think we have done a pretty good job so far with a few bumps and scratches along the way but learning from all of it. We all get along so well and enjoy each others company. Next weekend we will take a weekend for a team retreat to get together as a team family and get our ducks in a row and get on the same page as we gear up for the summer missionaries and the teams that will be coming in. Please pray that this retreat will be a time of renewal and of vision casting for our team for the work ahead.

Love you all. Come on over to my house sometime!

His.
Susie

Semana Santa

It is hard to believe that this will be our 2nd Easter out of the country. Good Friday seems to be celebrated more here and in Costa Rica than Easter Sunday. Suposidly everything will be closed on Friday, so we have to make arrangements to get done what needs to be done by tomorrow.

The kids have been out of school this week so it has been really nice having them around the house. Patrick is begining to get a little bored though because his friend that lives near is out of town and Ben has been working on a project.

Looks like we will have Easter Lunch at our house to welcome back the Weavers. They will be arriving on Saturday. We look forward to a special time of reunion with them as well as a few other guests. We will be having an untradional Easter lunch of Gumbo!!!! (Made with my last 2 cans of okra!)

We pray that all of you have a blessed Easter! God Bless you all!

His.
Susie

MawMaw Update

We heard yesterday afternoon that MawMaw has been moved out of ICU into her own room. She has 3 arteries blocked but they have decided that she is not a candidate for surgery. They will try to help her out with medication but more than likely, she will not get "well". She will have good days and bad days. So please continue to pray for her.

We were able to talk to her on our SKYPE phone last night and had a special time with her. It is amazing all the things you try to say when you think it might be one of the last times to talk. It is a shame that you try to say all the things that you have neglected to say.

When we left Baton Rouge, we knew it was very possible that we would never see several people again because we would be gone so long. But I can say that we have no regrets. When we were in the states, every Saturday we were at MawMaws house. Patrick and I went over to her house almost every morning before I would drop him off at school and many times he would talk me into bringing her donuts. (that is one of his favorite memories) So even though we are sad not being able to be with her and the family at this time, the Lord has comforted us in many areas.

Please continue to pray for her strength and comfort! We love you and are amazed by your outpouring of love and concern! May the Lord bless and keep you during this Easter season.

His.

Susie