Dear Supporters,
Sorry it has been a while since I last wrote. To get you up to speed on June 21st Joseph Andrew Roth was born. He arrived at around 5 pounds 14 ounces and measured around 181/2 inches. Since then he has gained about 3 pounds as of his last doctor appointment. We are still getting adjusted to him, the lack of whole sleep, and the crying. We know this will pass as he gets older.
Joseph is very healthy. He likes to stare at lights for entertainment. He has already started smiling at Katie but he is very reluctant to smile at me. We look forward to raising him and discipling him to know Christ, that is if we can maintain our sanity during this early stage. Christ is using Joseph to refine us.
Katie has finished her language studies at Wizard. She is very proficient at Portuguese. She was able to start at level 2 when we started and then was able to finish four days before Joseph came. God's timing is good. I still am working my way through level three. It is a constant struggle as it is very difficult for me to learn another language. Please keep me in your prayers in this area. Lord willing I will finish in two weeks which would be the first part of August. Then I will start taking the bus to CLM to start working on building up relationships with the kids. We will move there the weekend of August 21st.
We still don't know which house at CLM we will move into. There is a little bit of a crunch with the housing. We have to move out by August 25th, there is a house available but Kevin and Elaine could be coming down in that time frame, we don't know yet. Juan and Bethany are behind schedule on their house construction so they might not move out until the beginning of September. Worst case scenario we move to one place for three weeks or so then move to another. Moving is something that we have gotten use to.
Well recently Christ has been pricking our hearts in different ways. In Katie's life he has been show her how much she is enslaved to the fear of man. She is learning how that is an idol in her heart instead of trying to please God to glorify him. She is learning that instead of using people to get praise, she needs to love them and speak up about God's truth.
In my life, I have been struggling with learning the language. Some days after class I am very discouraged and want to quit. I am continually reminded that Christ called us here first an foremost to refine us more in his image. Regardless what I want I need to constantly remind myself that we are not met to go after the idols in our hearts, but to go after Christ's will for our lives. As I read God's word I am reminded the depravity of my sinful life and how much I am still in need of a savior.
We are thankful for this time in the city to get use to the culture, the language, and also being parents. We are excited to start ministering at CLM and building up relationships with the kids at the same time we are sad to move away from the friends we have made in Guarapuava. We are also anticipating Kathy and Emma (Katie's mom and sister) coming and meeting Joseph and helping take care of him during the transition. They arrive the 16th of August. Thank you for praying for us and supporting us in serving the Lord here in Brazil.
Trusting in Christ,
Andy Katie and Joseph
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
May 28, 2010
May 28, 2010
We can hardly believe it is almost June of 2010. Our time in Guarapuava is half-way finished and Baby will arrive in the next 2-4 weeks. Yesterday we finished getting Baby's things organized and put away so we're ready (although I don't think we'll ever be completely “ready” for how this little one will change our family!)
We have been humbled by the support and encouragement we've received from the Methodist church in Guarapuava as we anticipate the arrival of our baby. A few weeks ago, our Bible Study group surprised us with a baby shower. It was a humbling and joyful surprise and we I received many of the last-minute items I was needing.
As we've continued to build friendships here, we are reminded of how materially blessed we are in the United States. I'll share some examples of how being in Brazil has revealed how Andy and I take our things for granted.
We have been planning to buy a car since we arrived here but because of a higher cost of living in Guarapuava, we have decided to delay that purchase until we move to CLM. When we first realized that we would have to wait for a car, both Andy and I were feeling deprived and frustrated. Andy shared his frustration with a Brazilian friend and his friend sympathetically told him that it must be hard for Andy to got through this because when Andy wanted something like a car in the U.S., he could just work a little harder and save for a few months, and viola, he could have what he wanted. After the conversation Andy said it hit him that he must sound like a spoiled brat complaining about not having a car when many people in Brazil never own one. While we still see a need for a car when we are at CLM, not having one for now has made us more aware of idols of our hearts that we have set up.
In addition to the whole car situation, we forget how financially blessed we are as well. Even though we don't have a large budget by U.S. standards, we are still receiving more per month than many Brazilians couples earn from two full-time salaries. We don't have to choose between paying for my doctor appointment and buying any necessary clothing, we can do both. In fact, we take for granted doing both. One of our friends shared how she accidently broke her daughter's glasses but how she couldn't afford to replace them until the next month. We don't get any sense of complaining from our friends, they share these things as a matter-of-fact.
Yesterday again, both Andy and I were aware of our “pride of possessions” as we spent the afternoon with a Brazilian family who are friends of ours. When discussing jobs, Andy asked the husband what his dream job was. The husband responded, “Just something with regular hours and when I can have the weekend off.” Right now this man works at a gas station full time for about $3 and hour U.S. while trying to complete his degree in mathematics. Andy was humbled by his response because since we have been in Brazil, Andy has been struggling with missing his job, dreaming about what jobs he could do sometime again in the future. He admitted that for him a regular job is an idol he thinks will make him happy.
I was humbled as well yesterday when one of the ladies from church took me aside and gave me some encouraging words and then proceeded to give me R$50 and tell me that she wanted to support us this way each month. Proportionally, that is a lot of money for a Brazilian, and I was humbled by this gesture. I tried to tell her it wasn't necessary but she told me not refuse her the blessing of giving. Lord, teach us!
We share these things with you not to beat up on the U.S. culture or elevate Brazilian culture or condemn the owning of nice things, but to share how our time few months away have made us aware of what we do have materially in the U.S. and how we are learning to, as Paul puts it, “to be content in every situation.” God is using this time to show us what we are truly worshipping, and so far it hasn't been pretty!
Please continue to pray that God will teach us to be content in all situations, and that He will teach us to “keep ourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). Praise God that He is using our time in Guarapuava to conform us into the image of His precious Son and our Savior Jesus Christ!
Love in Jesus,
Katie
We can hardly believe it is almost June of 2010. Our time in Guarapuava is half-way finished and Baby will arrive in the next 2-4 weeks. Yesterday we finished getting Baby's things organized and put away so we're ready (although I don't think we'll ever be completely “ready” for how this little one will change our family!)
We have been humbled by the support and encouragement we've received from the Methodist church in Guarapuava as we anticipate the arrival of our baby. A few weeks ago, our Bible Study group surprised us with a baby shower. It was a humbling and joyful surprise and we I received many of the last-minute items I was needing.
As we've continued to build friendships here, we are reminded of how materially blessed we are in the United States. I'll share some examples of how being in Brazil has revealed how Andy and I take our things for granted.
We have been planning to buy a car since we arrived here but because of a higher cost of living in Guarapuava, we have decided to delay that purchase until we move to CLM. When we first realized that we would have to wait for a car, both Andy and I were feeling deprived and frustrated. Andy shared his frustration with a Brazilian friend and his friend sympathetically told him that it must be hard for Andy to got through this because when Andy wanted something like a car in the U.S., he could just work a little harder and save for a few months, and viola, he could have what he wanted. After the conversation Andy said it hit him that he must sound like a spoiled brat complaining about not having a car when many people in Brazil never own one. While we still see a need for a car when we are at CLM, not having one for now has made us more aware of idols of our hearts that we have set up.
In addition to the whole car situation, we forget how financially blessed we are as well. Even though we don't have a large budget by U.S. standards, we are still receiving more per month than many Brazilians couples earn from two full-time salaries. We don't have to choose between paying for my doctor appointment and buying any necessary clothing, we can do both. In fact, we take for granted doing both. One of our friends shared how she accidently broke her daughter's glasses but how she couldn't afford to replace them until the next month. We don't get any sense of complaining from our friends, they share these things as a matter-of-fact.
Yesterday again, both Andy and I were aware of our “pride of possessions” as we spent the afternoon with a Brazilian family who are friends of ours. When discussing jobs, Andy asked the husband what his dream job was. The husband responded, “Just something with regular hours and when I can have the weekend off.” Right now this man works at a gas station full time for about $3 and hour U.S. while trying to complete his degree in mathematics. Andy was humbled by his response because since we have been in Brazil, Andy has been struggling with missing his job, dreaming about what jobs he could do sometime again in the future. He admitted that for him a regular job is an idol he thinks will make him happy.
I was humbled as well yesterday when one of the ladies from church took me aside and gave me some encouraging words and then proceeded to give me R$50 and tell me that she wanted to support us this way each month. Proportionally, that is a lot of money for a Brazilian, and I was humbled by this gesture. I tried to tell her it wasn't necessary but she told me not refuse her the blessing of giving. Lord, teach us!
We share these things with you not to beat up on the U.S. culture or elevate Brazilian culture or condemn the owning of nice things, but to share how our time few months away have made us aware of what we do have materially in the U.S. and how we are learning to, as Paul puts it, “to be content in every situation.” God is using this time to show us what we are truly worshipping, and so far it hasn't been pretty!
Please continue to pray that God will teach us to be content in all situations, and that He will teach us to “keep ourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). Praise God that He is using our time in Guarapuava to conform us into the image of His precious Son and our Savior Jesus Christ!
Love in Jesus,
Katie
Thursday, May 6, 2010
My web log
Hello people who read our blog. It has been awhile since I last posted something so I thought I would write today. First and foremost, Katie is doing well with her pregnancy. She is healthy, and the baby is healthy. We had our first and only ultrasound done and I could see the baby's face. It brought to mind Psalm 139 :14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it well.” I still don't know if our baby is a boy or girl but I already love that child, even though it is still born a sinner like his or her parents.
Well the last post I wrote was more light-hearted but this one is more serious. I would appreciate your prayer support. First of all I am a sinner and still struggle with issues of worry, discontentment, and spiritual idolatry. These are all sins in God's eyes that are just as bad as murder, gossip, lying, and adultery.
To start off I have been struggling with discontentment here in Brazil. I am not able to live the same lifestyle that I had in the U.S. I can't talk well so it is hard to have any deep conversations with other guys here. More importantly I am struggling with not being able to buy stuff freely. We lived comfortably in the U.S. I had a good job at F.S. that I enjoyed. In my heart I want to turn back and head home where it is easy and comfortable. I have to remind myself and hide this scripture in my heart and meditate on it. Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” I am reminding myself of this truth that even though we went from one culture to another, it is still not as humiliating as Christ coming from heaven and living on this earth as a human. He even died the most humiliating deaths. He is not asking us to do anything that he hasn't done.
This also applies to my discontentment. I think that if my situation was different than I would be happy. I am not content with where God has placed me. I am also having to hide Philippians 4 :11-13 in my heart. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul wrote that and he was ship wrecked, imprisoned, beaten, stoned and left for dead, and that he battled a thorn in his flesh. If Christ can make him content in every situation than he can do the same for me.
I am also struggling with spiritual idolatry. I think that God isn't enough. Only changing my situation to live more at ease can make me happy. I am worshiping the god of pleasure and ease which isn't any better than the Israelites worshiping other gods instead of worshiping the one true God. Isaiah 44:9 “All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame.” Isaiah 44:20 “He [the one who worships idols] feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has lead him astray, and he can not deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
To top it off I also am sinning by worrying about our family at CLM. I am worry about how to protect my relationship with my wife. I also want to raise our baby to know God and glorify Him. I don't want to neglect my wife and children to minister to neglected children. I know if I have to choose between ministry and my family, I have to choose my family according to God's word. 1 Timothy 3:1-13. This could send us off the mission field if I can't spiritually lead my family effectively. I am having to hide Philippians 4: 6-7 in my heart, and continue to give this over to the Lord.
I know this is real heavy stuff but please remember us in your prayers. It is neat how Jesus can redeem sinners like us, and use us while we still are sinners. Better yet, he continues to refine us to grow and become more like Him. Thank you Jesus!
Trusting in Christ
Andy and Katie
Well the last post I wrote was more light-hearted but this one is more serious. I would appreciate your prayer support. First of all I am a sinner and still struggle with issues of worry, discontentment, and spiritual idolatry. These are all sins in God's eyes that are just as bad as murder, gossip, lying, and adultery.
To start off I have been struggling with discontentment here in Brazil. I am not able to live the same lifestyle that I had in the U.S. I can't talk well so it is hard to have any deep conversations with other guys here. More importantly I am struggling with not being able to buy stuff freely. We lived comfortably in the U.S. I had a good job at F.S. that I enjoyed. In my heart I want to turn back and head home where it is easy and comfortable. I have to remind myself and hide this scripture in my heart and meditate on it. Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” I am reminding myself of this truth that even though we went from one culture to another, it is still not as humiliating as Christ coming from heaven and living on this earth as a human. He even died the most humiliating deaths. He is not asking us to do anything that he hasn't done.
This also applies to my discontentment. I think that if my situation was different than I would be happy. I am not content with where God has placed me. I am also having to hide Philippians 4 :11-13 in my heart. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul wrote that and he was ship wrecked, imprisoned, beaten, stoned and left for dead, and that he battled a thorn in his flesh. If Christ can make him content in every situation than he can do the same for me.
I am also struggling with spiritual idolatry. I think that God isn't enough. Only changing my situation to live more at ease can make me happy. I am worshiping the god of pleasure and ease which isn't any better than the Israelites worshiping other gods instead of worshiping the one true God. Isaiah 44:9 “All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame.” Isaiah 44:20 “He [the one who worships idols] feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has lead him astray, and he can not deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
To top it off I also am sinning by worrying about our family at CLM. I am worry about how to protect my relationship with my wife. I also want to raise our baby to know God and glorify Him. I don't want to neglect my wife and children to minister to neglected children. I know if I have to choose between ministry and my family, I have to choose my family according to God's word. 1 Timothy 3:1-13. This could send us off the mission field if I can't spiritually lead my family effectively. I am having to hide Philippians 4: 6-7 in my heart, and continue to give this over to the Lord.
I know this is real heavy stuff but please remember us in your prayers. It is neat how Jesus can redeem sinners like us, and use us while we still are sinners. Better yet, he continues to refine us to grow and become more like Him. Thank you Jesus!
Trusting in Christ
Andy and Katie
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Language Learning
I don't think my teacher likes my American accent. I think it adds a little bit of charm. In the class this week she stopped me for four minutes to work on my accent. Ovo avos and ovos. What is the difference? Based on how the word was said it can mean many things. Ovo means grandfather, ovo with a goofy looking mark can mean grandmother. Both sound exactly the same to me. Yet they supposedly sound differently. Ovos means grandparents. Avos means eggs. Both sounding the same by the way. So my teacher didn't like the fact that I was saying I want to visit my eggs. I like to eat my grandparents with a slice of cheese and bread. I just don't think my teacher likes my charming American accent.
My book loving language learning wife just love Portuguese. She just loves the way the words glide off the tongue and flow together like a peaceful brook meandering down a waterfall. I have a two words for her. Showoff. Honestly, sometimes I don't think I was made to speak another language. I can't talk or wrote English good so how can I get learned good in Portuguese?
I think I will recommend to the missionary committee that we raise money for an interpreter to follow me around. I think I could hire 2 to interpret for me 16 hours a day. One for an 8 hour shift and another one for another 8 hour shift. But then again I would need another one for the weekends. 3 interpreters would do me well down here. They would probably only cost an extra 3000 per month. But they could also be used to help watch the kids. So really instead of sending 2 missionaries you would be getting 5, well actually 5 1/2 with our little one coming along. I really think that would be the best thing instead of learning the language. I am still irritated with the people in the tower of Babel making things that much harder!
Trusting in Christ
Andy and Katie
My book loving language learning wife just love Portuguese. She just loves the way the words glide off the tongue and flow together like a peaceful brook meandering down a waterfall. I have a two words for her. Showoff. Honestly, sometimes I don't think I was made to speak another language. I can't talk or wrote English good so how can I get learned good in Portuguese?
I think I will recommend to the missionary committee that we raise money for an interpreter to follow me around. I think I could hire 2 to interpret for me 16 hours a day. One for an 8 hour shift and another one for another 8 hour shift. But then again I would need another one for the weekends. 3 interpreters would do me well down here. They would probably only cost an extra 3000 per month. But they could also be used to help watch the kids. So really instead of sending 2 missionaries you would be getting 5, well actually 5 1/2 with our little one coming along. I really think that would be the best thing instead of learning the language. I am still irritated with the people in the tower of Babel making things that much harder!
Trusting in Christ
Andy and Katie
Saturday, April 3, 2010
First month plus in Brazil
We have been here in Brazil for over a month. We arrived on February 18th. Things are different now. The culture is different, the language is different. Katie's stomach is looking more different as the baby is growing. Life is hard here. We miss our church, we miss our families and friends. All our materialistic stuff that we have been used to is gone. It is strange not having a car and driving. Instead we have to walk everywhere. Every thing that I have been used to has been stripped away except our computer, some clothes, a few kitchen appliances, my bike, and our 30 dollar air mattress that we bought at walmart. Right now we are being stripped for the Lord!
Sorry, I hit the wrong button and it published which would be a unique phrase to end on. What I was going to say is we are the most useless we have been for the longest time. I don't have a job so we don't have much to give a way, I can't speak the language well enough to glorify Christ that way, I have nothing to offer but my heart to Christ.
Yet Christ still loves me. He died on the cross for my sins while a was still a sinner and even though I have nothing to offer. That is true love. The more and more I dwell on this I can't fathom how deep his love is for us.
As more and more of what was familiar is being taken away, I am falling more in love with Christ. I know it is not a love that is because he is blessing me with stuff, but it is a love based on a relationship which is growing deeper each day as we have to cling on to the Lord for dear life. I don't know how God can use a person like me who has nothing to offer in Brazil, but if all this experience does is draw a closer and refine us than I would say it is worth it. This relationship is becoming something I cherish more and more each day.
Also we don't have internet at our house. I don't know how to update our blog without our computer. Blogs here will be few and far between until we have steady access to the internet with our computer. I will also add pictures now if I can figure it out.
I can't do it the connection is too slow. I will describe the pictures. The first picture is of Katie. She is wearing clothes. Her shirt looks like there is a basket ball underneath it. The next picture is the kitchen of our house. It is white paint with a washing machine, table, and sink. Next picture is of our living room. It has brown couches, and tile floors. That is all the pictures I tried adding.
Trusting in Christ
Andy and Katie
Sorry, I hit the wrong button and it published which would be a unique phrase to end on. What I was going to say is we are the most useless we have been for the longest time. I don't have a job so we don't have much to give a way, I can't speak the language well enough to glorify Christ that way, I have nothing to offer but my heart to Christ.
Yet Christ still loves me. He died on the cross for my sins while a was still a sinner and even though I have nothing to offer. That is true love. The more and more I dwell on this I can't fathom how deep his love is for us.
As more and more of what was familiar is being taken away, I am falling more in love with Christ. I know it is not a love that is because he is blessing me with stuff, but it is a love based on a relationship which is growing deeper each day as we have to cling on to the Lord for dear life. I don't know how God can use a person like me who has nothing to offer in Brazil, but if all this experience does is draw a closer and refine us than I would say it is worth it. This relationship is becoming something I cherish more and more each day.
Also we don't have internet at our house. I don't know how to update our blog without our computer. Blogs here will be few and far between until we have steady access to the internet with our computer. I will also add pictures now if I can figure it out.
I can't do it the connection is too slow. I will describe the pictures. The first picture is of Katie. She is wearing clothes. Her shirt looks like there is a basket ball underneath it. The next picture is the kitchen of our house. It is white paint with a washing machine, table, and sink. Next picture is of our living room. It has brown couches, and tile floors. That is all the pictures I tried adding.
Trusting in Christ
Andy and Katie
Thursday, February 11, 2010
On the Way Out
There were some moments of weakness when Andy and I doubted if this day would come, yet here it is: we got our stamped passports back today!
We are leaving one week from today on February 18th. We are thrilled but it still feels surreal. We just moved back to Andy's parents' house where we are concentrating on packing only what we really need. Please keep us in your prayers in this busy upcoming week.
I'll try to write more later, hopefully my next post will be from Brazil!
We are leaving one week from today on February 18th. We are thrilled but it still feels surreal. We just moved back to Andy's parents' house where we are concentrating on packing only what we really need. Please keep us in your prayers in this busy upcoming week.
I'll try to write more later, hopefully my next post will be from Brazil!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A few more details...
As you have probably guessed from Andy’s previous post, he was a little perturbed by my foot-dragging in regards to updating our blog. “I know what you could do today,” he would hint, “You could update our blog.” “Yeah, that’s a good idea,” I would reply and then blithely go about the rest of my day, the blog woefully untouched. I suppose I could chalk it up to pregnancy forgetfulness but in all reality my abandonment of our fledgling blog has had more to do with my discouragement over our current situation than an abnormal amount of blonde moments.
Over the last four months:
- We have continued to wait on our visa. While we have continued to get regular updates from our Expediter in Chicago, we have yet to receive our coveted visas so we can buy plane tickets.
-We have moved four (count ‘em, four) times, and it will be five as of next week although we’re not sure where to yet (which has become “normal”).
-God has continued to provide work for Andy with both his brother as a truck driver, and with his dad as harvest help. A soggy and prolonged harvest benefited Andy work wise, and even though I always miss him during harvest and hauling we’re grateful for the work hours. Andy also has been helping Joe Gingrich with some construction work off and on, also a blessing.
-We have enjoyed the chance to spend time with family. My sister Carrie is back from her three months at CLM and she will be leaving next week for Moody. I’m so glad for the time with her. Andy and I got to meet our new niece last week, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
-We have become parents. Well, actually we’re enjoying the months of parenting where we don’t have to wake up to crying and our baby never disobeys us or challenges our authority or tries our patience. Just wait until June 25th…then the real fun (and real parenting starts). In answer to the question we have been asked multiple times, this does not change our plans for Brazil, babies are born in Brazil all the time and we hope that’s where we will have ours!
Over the last four months:
- We have continued to wait on our visa. While we have continued to get regular updates from our Expediter in Chicago, we have yet to receive our coveted visas so we can buy plane tickets.
-We have moved four (count ‘em, four) times, and it will be five as of next week although we’re not sure where to yet (which has become “normal”).
-God has continued to provide work for Andy with both his brother as a truck driver, and with his dad as harvest help. A soggy and prolonged harvest benefited Andy work wise, and even though I always miss him during harvest and hauling we’re grateful for the work hours. Andy also has been helping Joe Gingrich with some construction work off and on, also a blessing.
-We have enjoyed the chance to spend time with family. My sister Carrie is back from her three months at CLM and she will be leaving next week for Moody. I’m so glad for the time with her. Andy and I got to meet our new niece last week, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
-We have become parents. Well, actually we’re enjoying the months of parenting where we don’t have to wake up to crying and our baby never disobeys us or challenges our authority or tries our patience. Just wait until June 25th…then the real fun (and real parenting starts). In answer to the question we have been asked multiple times, this does not change our plans for Brazil, babies are born in Brazil all the time and we hope that’s where we will have ours!
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