Looking Back....

Wow how four years has flown by.
First...Thank you for all your prayers, emails, and care packages. Family, Church Family and friends have been so gracious with all that you have done for us over the last 4 years.
Second...I apologize for not doing better communicating what has been going on the ministry. I wanted to share more but always fell back into the loop of sharing what was going on in our family.
Costa Rica was fun enjoyable and a blessing. Costa Rica was hard difficult and well ryhms with carcel. Maybe it wasn't that bad, maybe so...there was times I wasn't sure which way was up. But it is all in the process of preparing for the field. Language is tough. It will always be tough, and I have accepted that. I have embraced it and now I'm enjoying it. Ministry is tough, I have accepted it, embraced it and now I'm enjoying it. My marriage is tough, It will always be tough, I have accepted it,embraced it and have been enjoying it for almost 21 years. Do you see the pattern. It's part of the process. That is the way God has designed it. I love it.
We are on to our next chapter in our lives. Monday we will be heading home for our first stateside assignment. We are all excited about seeing family and friends. Recharging our batteries. Getting some spiritual rest. Worshiping with our church family. It will be emotional to say the least but we are ready.
I'm a little nervous about going home.
My dad died about 2 years ago. We were blessed with being able to go home and be with family. But there is a lot of mourning process that we haven't went through. Like passing by the places we always saw him out doing stuff. Seeing him when we walk into the house. Drinking coffee with him in the morning. Or talking about work, laying brick or what is his next project. Dad and I had a neat connection in that he taught me how to lay brick. Something I will always cherish. He was a talented brick layer. It was done right or it wasn't done.
Also during our time while in Costa Rica my stepfather died. He was instrumental in our lives that he was one of the first to encourage us to follow our God calling to the ministry and missions.
It has been a while, I'm praying that I can hold it together for my children's sake.
I have been thinking on how I could recap these past 4 years. I can't think of anything more than to say it has been like my walk with the Lord. It has been one fun, exciting, emotional filled roller coaster ride. There is always excitement, nervousness waiting in line. It builds as you climb the first hill. You peak over the top, then you get a adrenaline rush down the other side wondering when it will stop. What can I say God is good.

A litte Late...

I know this is late but here are a few pixs from this past Christmas. Some have asked about it. The last few are our Christmas dinner.

Chistmas 2007

Rick and Bubba Show....

You know I never have been a big Rick and Bubba fan. I have listened to them time to time. I got the email when Rick's son died through facebook. I thought, "what a tragedy". I have just listened to part 1 of Rick's celebration time for his son. Yes I said celebration time. Once you watch this video you will hear what I mean. I am a fan of Rick's for sure. One of the most convicting videos I have ever watched. I will post more as I view them.

A Late September update....

Well it's the third of October so I'm not too late. September was rather slow. We are coming out of our winter and it just didn't want to let go. Just to let you in on some cultural things. By the time September got here heating fuel was at a low. Wood was hard to find and if you did find some, they had jacked the price up it just wasn't affordable. The country had a shortage of heating gas. We ended up heating with gas and electric, we had to watched the electric, it gets a little pricey as well. We normally have two milk companies that deliver to our town. We are not really sure why but the one that we like is not delivering here any more and we think that they have stopped delivering to the country all together. That is yet to be confirmed. The other choice is pretty nasty and getting used to the taste is going to take a while.
It is funny how the interior part of the country is...well, when things are happening they are happening fast. But when things are slow, you wonder if you should check the pulse of the people and the town. September I was checking my pulse frequently.
September was a special month, for my 40th birthday was at the end. Really no big deal I feel just as old as I did at 39. What is special about the whole deal is that now at 40 all my run races, road races and mountain bike races, I can race in the veterans class. Divisions run from 30 to 39 yrs old 40 to 49 yrs old and 50 above. So my next bench mark will be 50.
The kids are doing good. September was the second month of home school. things seem to clicking along for them. Garrett seems to enjoying it a little better. CoraBeth is really liking the DVD system. Mama is as well.
CoraBeth is active in gymnastics. She is doing it all over the place, living room, and furniture.
Garrett has gotten serios about racing. He races in the 15 to 17 year old division. That is for road and mountain bike. At the moment he has won second on several mountian bike races and is leading the points race for one of the national outdoor orginazations. His road racing is improving as well. He normally has to race in the Masters A division. (29 yrs old and younger) So far he has taken second and third in few of those races. I believe his involvement has helped him stay motivated in school . Knowing that if school slips, cycling stops.
As you can see by the photos I posted below. We stay busy with Garrett and Corabeth. This also allows us to meet many new people. Build relationships with people we would not meet if would for our kids. Through these relationships we can share what we cam e here to share.
I'm still teaching English as a second language. They are not learning much...a lot of that is my fault but they keep coming back...so I'm still going. Trying to make an impact thier lives.
The ministries that we are involved in are still marching on. Minas is moving on there. Here in Treinta y Tres is doing well. It has had a good influx of new people of late so we are very thankful for that. Santa Clara is going on with only two beleivers at the moment steps are slow but steady.
This past 27th, 28th and 29th of September we had an evangelical event called "Mi Esperanza". This a county wide event that is televised on the TV. I don't have are results yet but as soon as I have them I'll let you know.
This next month I will be taking myself and two pastors from here to participate in a Timothy Barnabas Conference in Monte, Argentina. This is done by First Baptist Woodstock. I'm looking forward to this trip. So I covet your prayers of a safe journey, and that all three of us would grow closer to the Lord.
I know the grammar is terrible, please forgive me. My English might be going to pot but I feel my Spanish is getting better. (je, je)
I want to thank all that sent letters and care packages for my birthday. The kids loved all the candy. And a special thanks to Cindy and Bev for the Starbucks Colombian coffee.
We have a special church family back home and we apreciate you so much. For all our prayer warrior, thank you agian for your continue intercession.
May God continue to richly bless you.
Michael, Teresa, Garrett and CoraBeth.

August Update in Treinta y Tres....

Wow another month gone...even though it has seemed to pass slowly due to the cold, it actually passed by fast. The ministry has been a bit slow as well. We still are driving two hours south to attend and encourage a new start in Minas. I've posted some stuff on them in some earlier post. They are doing well and Walter definately has a vision for his church. As we continue to build relationships with our friends we are finding oportunities to share one on one. We are looking at investigating some other areas of work in towns near by. Along with Minas, we are traveling every two weeks to a small town 1.5 to 2 hours west of here. There are three believers there and we have had two worship services with them.
I am still teaching English classes on Thursdays with anywhere to 14 to 20 kids.
Our Saturday youth nights has come to a halt. With the kids going off to school and others participating in sporting events Garret has been the only one available. Please pray for direction in that area.
As we look to September, it looks to be busy. We are preparing for the "Mi Esperanza". (My Hope) This is a mass Billy Graham event. It is in short, a 3 day event that will be broad casted over the television. It is reported that they have had many decisions in other South American countries. All the churches are looking forward to this event.
The kids are doing well. Both got started with their home schooling at the beginning of the month. Garrett is using the same system North Star Academy. CoraBeth is using something new. It is all on DVDs. It is like she is sitting in the class. She seems to like it so far. Only time will tell.
Teresa is managing all the homeschooling stuff. Working with their homework and administrating their test and cracking the whip when needed. She is doing a great job just taking care of us daily. That is a major ministry task in its self. I am thankful every day even though I probably don't show it enough. She is also taking care of herself quit well as well. She has been going to an aerobic classes everyday of the week. Making friends along the way.
Thanks you for all your prayers....
The kids are counting down the days till stateside...till next month keep dropping by, I try to post updates every so often.
Michael

Earthquake in Peru...

This was posted yesterday on the BP. As we pray for our IMB missy's please pray for all missionaries in Peru. Not only for thier safety and health but also that God would bring many more to the Kingdom. We have some dear friends their that we haven't heard from Lucas, Krystin and the 6 o 7 month old son. Thank you so much for your intercession.

Earthquake toll passes 400 in Peru

Posted on Aug 16, 2007 | by Kristen Hiller

LIMA, Peru (BP)--Missionaries Pam and Kevin Shearer were sitting down to dinner with their daughter when the Aug. 15 earthquake struck Lima, Peru, and nearby regions.

"We went out in the backyard ... and it felt like the ground was moving in waves, like you were standing on a boat," Pam Shearer recounted. "We could hear neighbors just screaming and panicking and it lasted about two minutes -– which seems like an eternity when everything is shaking."

News reports Aug. 16 from Lima indicated 437 were dead, 829 injured and more than 80,000 affected by the earthquake during the early evening of Aug. 15.

All International Mission Board personnel serving in the affected areas have been accounted for.

The earthquake's epicenter was 90 miles southeast of Lima, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Many have been left homeless in the towns of Ica, Chincha and Pisco near Lima.

"Many spent the night outside in the parks because they were afraid to go inside or because they didn't have a house to go back to," IMB missionary Judy Hughes said.

While the three towns sustained the worst damage, residents of Lima have experienced power outages, phone service disruptions and some structural damage to buildings.

IMB missionaries serving in the area planned to meet Aug. 16 in Lima to discuss possible relief efforts. Meanwhile, Southern Baptists are asked to pray for those affected by the quake.