The Missionary Community

Last night we had a going away party for some of our friends here, the Elmers (Mike and Esther). They are a really neat family that has lived in Nicaragua for the past 3 years. They actually aren't missionaries here - he basically helped build condos by the Pacific beach - but are involved with a lot of different ministries, loving and serving the poor.

When we found out we were pregnant last year, Esther came by and gave me tons of reading material, a maternity swimsuit, and baby clothes. I hardly even knew her at that point. We were really blessed by them.

The longer we have lived here, the more we have gotten to know and love them. Mike is one of those guys that thinks like David, so they can have these super in-depth conversations about eschatology, and Russian authors - you know like normal people do. And I have really gotten to know Esther and have enjoyed her sarcasm and wit.

So, anywho, we had a going away party for them last night (they are moving back to Atlanta soon) and tons of the missionary community was there. It was really cool to see all these people in one place - as that doesn't happen real often.


A pic from our house, looking down at the party. At the top of the picture you can see the Mariachi band. Because every party needs some good Maiachi music.

It's also cool to see/hear what all of them do. Some of them work with orphanages, others work with the people that live in the city dump, some of them work with Young Life, and others with vocational schools.

The Lord is so kind to us to bless us with these encouraging people. They are examples to us to live lives of sacrifice and abandonment. We are thankful.