Going about your business in Latin America

Ok, let's start off by saying I am not the least bit surprised about my experiences today. In fact, I am excited that a good portion of what we set out to do, actually happened. So...We set out to do some errands.

The first stop was the cell phone company. When we left, they were to change the account from our mission to our family's name and drop the monthly plan, in favor of a prepaid. The latter was to maintain the same number and not have to change it on prayer cards, websites, etc. Well, neither happened. They did somehow reduce the monthly bill to a variant $11-$13 per month, which no one can explain, but that wasn't what we asked for. Susie has been dealing with this for a month, and now I have added two weeks to that. The problem is still partially unresolved. We found out that it is now a prepaid phone (but we haven't tested that it works as such), but it is still in the name of the mission. At least we are told that we can make calls again AND keep the same number. So far so good. Maybe it will be corrected by Christmas!

The second stop was our internet and landline phone company. We wanted to simply pay our internet bill and add a landline, which we didn't have while we were in the US. The journeymen staying in our house maintained the internet bill while we were away. It should not surprise you, but they tok our payment. They did not however let me add a landline service. Our residency card expired while we were away. we are in the process of renewing it, but with it in the current state, we could not add a landline to the account. That one will have to wait a month more.

I will end with a note of hope. Susie's reestablishment as a resident should be complete by the end of September. What that means is that the crate (see the facebook entry: ) can leave the USA on September 15th and arrive on October 1. As we've told you before, we are not without the little pleasures back home, they just cost a lot more. A LOT MORE! So the crate has deodorants, shampoos, and the occasional pound of community coffee in it heading this way. Some of you gave some things to us to include in the shipment, not the least to say, my mom. For that we thank you. Filling that thing got to be quite expensive.

We are now settling into our home again and getting about HIS business. Pray for us as we restart this journey!