Ants VS Missionaries

October 30, 2012 By

10-30-12

“Hey guys!” Tyler yelled in the direction of our cabin. “You want to see these ants on fire?”

Ants? It took me a minute to register. But it finally clicked: A few days ago, when they cut down a broken tree, ants started marching out of the tree and all along the path. They are pretty big, and they have the annoying (and sometimes painful) habit of climbing up pants’ legs and clamping down their jaws.

Anyways, Tyler and Antony were standing on the edge of the path, dumping gasoline all over the trail of ants.

“Stand at least 20 yards away from the gas and fire!” my dad shouted as Abigail and Elijah ran outside.

“Should I even get up?” I asked nobody in particular.

“Yeah, you should probably check it out. What if they blow something up?” I answered myself.

So, there we were, looking at an angry mob of ants and Tyler.

“Ready?” Tyler asked.

Whoosh! The gas caught on fire. So did the gas-drenched insects. And it came within half an inch of Tyler’s foot. If you don’t know me really well, or this is the first of my blogs you’ve read, maybe you’re thinking I would have screamed with terror, or prayed, or have thrown water in Tyler’s direction. But, if you are unfortunate enough to know me, or if you have read some of my blogs, you might guess that I stood in my front yard laughing. And that’s exactly what I did. I laughed my head off.

After he did a little dance to insure that he was flaming-ant free, Tyler happily shared his success with everyone on school campus.

Sadly, ants still cover the path, although they might have decreased by about 5% in that spot. Well, maybe 4%.

So All May Know,

Madeline Studebaker

Filed Under: Madeline

The Juice Thief

October 20, 2012 By

10-20-12

    A few days ago, we went with Tyler and Keri to Misahualli. Mom, Keri, Abigail, Elijah, and I went to Ms. Juanita’s store, and picked up some eggs, fruit, veggies, and we all got some juice. We walked to the square, and sat on a metal bench, and drank our juice. Then some monkeys came around. They were really cute, especially the baby. As soon we had opened our mouths to say “Awww…”, one jumped up and grabbed a juice bottle, right out of Elijah’s hands! Elijah was pretty shocked. He hadn’t expected that. From Abigail or me, maybe, but not from a cute little monkey. The thief sat in the middle of town, right in front of everybody, and opened the bottle. Then, she smiled like some evil plot had entered her head. She climbed up the covered bus-stop and laughed. A monkey laughing at you can be scary. They have friends. There must be 20 monkeys in Misahualli, and they work as a team. The Juice Thief unscrewed the bottle, and dumped the remaining goodness. She didn’t drink it, she didn’t even smell it. She dumped it. While we were busy retelling the episode, (and Elijah was sticking his tongue out at the thief) the other monkeys attacked. They took more juice, one took a tomato, and one fought me for my wallet. They laughed. Not like “Wah-ha-ha-ha” but little squeaks and chatters that let us know they were making fun of us.

Filed Under: Madeline

Didn’t know what I signed up for…

October 18, 2012 By

Hey,

Happy Thursday to you all.

Okay, I am a director of a news cast at the school, in my English class I am pretty much in charge of the whole project because the teacher (Mr. Roberto’s wife Mrs. Charmai went to Quito because of her eyes. When she comes back she in going to put it on Youtube so it has to be ready.

I have the hardest job of all, I have to make sure all my ducks are in a row and that everything is running smoothly. Let’s just say I didn’t know what I signed up for. One day nobody came prepared, and guess who got in trouble? I know, nice right?

Well it turned out okay, but if I ever say in my blog that I am going to be in a news cast remind me.

I am getting use to my new life. I still miss my friends but I am trying to make new ones. Make new friends but keep the old one is silver and the others gold. I like that poem.

I am doing good, all but one thing. Well, two. First, the bugs. I have at least 25 bites on each leg. 2nd the heat, it is getting better but every time I step outside I start sweating. Well even when I am inside I sweat because the windows are made of screen.

Check back soon,

Abigail

Filed Under: Abigail

It hit, and it hurt!

October 17, 2012 By

I crawled back into bed after a quick trip to the restroom. Ever so quietly so I wouldn’t wake anyone up I returned to my bed to sleep.

Then it hit me.

Suddenly and without warning. A searing pain from my hip across my back and down my leg.

Forget being quiet, just scream.

I do not know if the terrible little creature climbed into my bed and was waiting for me, or if it hitched a ride on my pajamas. I didn’t even know it was coming and never thought to check.

But I knew once it bit me.

A screaming mother in the middle of the night wakes everyone up. After checking all the blankets and everyone’s beds, they went back asleep. I lay in bed holding a compress on the bite.

The proof was about six inches long and three inches wide. It held a fever for three days. It is still there a week later, a reminder, but no longer is tender to the touch. I wonder how long the scar will last.

Sin is similar.

We get into a comfortable spot and let down our guard. When we are tired, have needs and just don’t stop to evaluate our environment or actions; the enemy awaits.

Then it hits us. And when it hits, it hurts. It usually doesn’t effect just one individual, the ripples spread to those closest to us. Those waves bring fear, concern and hurt. The scars remain, often serving as reminders for years to come.

Is there a sin compress? Something to draw out those poisons and speed the healing?

An activated charcoal and onion poultice just isn’t going to do it.

But Jesus can.

He has promised to wipe it away, throw it into the sea, and forget about it. The sin is going to cause pain, and the scar may linger, but until you get the poison out – it just isn’t going to heal.

Did you get stung by something?

There are no appointments needed and no co-pay , just stop in and see the Great Physician.

 

A

Filed Under: Eric and Amy

The Katydid Smasher

October 14, 2012 By
Sunday, October 14, 2012
It was 11:22 pm. I was supposed to be asleep. (Who’s supposed to be awake twenty-two minutes after eleven?)
Anyway, I was reading a really good book, Escape to Murray River, on my Kindle, and I couldn’t put it down. No school on Sundays, so I didn’t have a care in the world. Right? I was dead wrong!
Turns out that katydids are nocturnal. I… didn’t know that. And, a lot of nocturnal bugs are attracted to light. So, there I was, reading my lit- up Kindle, nothing going on.
Then, at exactly 11:23, I started thinking. Not like I don’t think a lot, or like my brain has some weird on/off switch, but hey, it was late. And the book was really good.
This is a good book. It reminds me of Number the Stars.
Uughh… This pony-tail-holder is pulling my hair out! I have got to get some thicker ones!
Wait a second… that is not my hair band. I’m not wearing one. Somethings…..
-Eeeeekk!- something was in my hair! I brushed my head off with my arm, then brushed my arm off on the bed sheets. Did not want to have it crawling on me.
What was that? Where is it? I thought.
I searched frantically around my tiny loft, trying to find it. I tried to remember what happened.
A second later, I saw something. Two somethings. Wiggling somethings. From under my Kindle. And, hold on, were the pages of Escape to Murray River turning?
Then it hit me- Right after I knocked that thing off my head, I smashed it with my Kindle!
Oh boy, I thought, This can only mean one thing…. one horrible, scary, jump- down- from- the- second- floor kind of thing…
Yes. That bug’s antennae were the only things that I hadn’t crushed. So there they were, wiggling helplessly around, hitting the touch screen, flipping the pages.
“Uuuugghhh….” I said.
I didn’t wait to see if it would finish reading my book. I rushed down the ladder and jumped into my little brother’s bed.
Have you ever watched Kung-fu Panda? Well, all I could think about was that katydid picking up my Kindle and throwing it around like Mantis.
This morning, it was gone. I hope it stays gone. FOREVER.
-The Katydid Smasher
Filed Under: Madeline

From the top of Tungurahua to the smallest blood sucking insect in this jungle…. His creation is incredible to me

October 14, 2012 By

Ecuador is a beautiful place. From the top of Tungurahua to the smallest blood sucking insect in this jungle…. His creation is incredible to me.

Tungurahua

The destructive blast of an 11,000 ft volcano is nothing compared to the glory of the one who created its insurmountable power and breathtaking beauty.

Psalm 8:1 says, O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, You who set Your glory above the heavens!

Wow! I can hardly breathe when gazing at His spoken creation. I can only imagine what it’s like above the heavens. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King….what a great a song!

Eric

Filed Under: Eric and Amy

Just Another Day in the Jungle….

October 12, 2012 By
Wednesday, October 11, 2012
I was in Iran. (My backyard.)
I was surrounded by the all-girl JKC News crew. (My English class.)
I was the anchorwoman of our news cast.
Plus, I was in charge of the class while Ms. Charmai- our English teacher- was in Quito.
There I was, forgetting my lines.
“Good afternoon. This is Madeline Studebaker with JKC News reporting to you live from… Where are we?”
“Cut! Cu-ut! Re-do!”
We have a pretty zealous director- my 10 year old sister Abigail.
Our camerawoman, Marisol, sighed. “Again?”
Twenty minutes later, (and behind schedule) I started interviewing the ‘Iranian pastor’.
‘He’ stepped into the set and I burst out laughing.
You would have, too.
Jadyra had a painted mustache, beard, and uni-brow. My handy-work, but not exactly a masterpiece.
“Sorry,” I said, wondering how this would appear on YouTube. “You look…. great!”
School, ministry, school, ministry,school, ministry, school, ministry.
We’ve been here for three months, almost exactly.
School, ministry, school, ministry, school, ministry, school, ministry.
I’m starting to like it here.
School, ministry, school, ministry, school, ministry, school, ministry.
I miss home, of course, and the people there.
School, ministry, school, ministry, school, ministry, school, ministry.
But, I am starting to like it here.
So All May Know,
Madeline Studebaker
Filed Under: Madeline

Wish List 2013… Care Package for February :)

October 11, 2012 By
Thank you for thinking of us!
Here is a list of things we would enjoy anytime:
Music (piano) books for the girls (Carolyn Filer might know which ones…. )
Benedryl Gel or Cream
Coldcalm by Boiron
Coconut Oil (at health food stores)
Colloidal Silver x 2 (health food stores)
Olive Leaf Extract (Liquid)
Eucalyptus Essential Oil (These oils are for making bug spray)
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil
Family and/or Childrens Christian DVD’s (Christian ones are so hard to find here so far…)
Beef Jerky
Turkey Peperoni
Dried butter beans or butter peas
Taco seasoning
Powdered Ranch
Micro fiber bath towels
Spanish or bilingual christian literature:
 (Bibles, Bibile study materials left over VBS materials in Spanish, CD’s, SMALL toys that share the gospel mesg)
Childrens books in Spanish or English for pre-k up to high school (Please- no magic, occult or vampires)
Cute school/craft supplies.
Paint Markers
Alphabet Cereal
Sample paint strips  for this activity :   http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/word-families-activity-2/
Colored pipe cleaners
inexpensive water color paints
jump-ropes
inexpensive blow up pool balls/water toys
Index cards (White and colored)
Index card boxes (4)
Gallon Zip Lock Bags
Pressure Canner
Canning jars
Tattler Reusable Lids
Leftover VBS materials
Leftover Sunday School Materials (kids)
Spanish Christian Materials (DVD’s, Bibles, tracts…)
Filed Under: Eric and Amy

A Plan, A Battle, Mouse 1 – People 0

October 11, 2012 By

In containers, in the fridge, put it all away where he can’t find it!

(Not sure why I have declared it a “he”…)

Peanut butter mixed with rat poison in place.  Right next to the spot where the soup mix and pancake mix used to be.

Lights out…

And we have victory.  All the peanut butter poison m ix has been eaten!

Well, we thought we had victory.

He was so thirsty after his poison snack he ate through the juice box.

Night #2, he ate through the raisin bag and another soup mix.

We’re going to town tomorrow night for a trap and more plastic bins to protect our food.

We lost the battle, but the war isn’t over Mr. Mouse!

A

 

Filed Under: Eric and Amy

The Dust

October 9, 2012 By

The Dust

 

“ The Dust”, as the locals call it, are barely visible to the naked eye, but the power in their microscopic jaws makes known their presence.  You thought an ant was strong and determined. If one millimeter of your skin is not covered (especially around the ankle area) you will know quickly that you’ve been visited.  Much like sin, “The Dust” are present and ready to devour our flesh when it is made available for their feasting.  I have found some important  things out through trial  and error. Bug spray does not  work. Insect soap only works temporarily. They must be deaf, because yelling only gives me a headache. By clothing myself completely, I am hot and a bit uncomfortable, but well protected. The breeze blows gently to cool me down, and “The Dust” is carried away on the wind.

We are clothed in righteousness by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 3:18). We are to put on the whole armor of God each and every day (Ephesians 6:10-20). And we must walk in the Spirit and not according to our flesh (Galatians 5:16). With the help of the Holy Spirit let’s starve “The Dust”.

Eric

Filed Under: Eric and Amy
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