Read below for an update on each member of the Goddard family!

Mike spends time sharing about cross-cultural tribal missions in local churches, teaching Chronological Bible seminars in local churches, building relationships with Paraguayans, and doing computer work (news articles, e-mail updates, updating the Mision Nuevas Tribus website, etc.). Recently, he organized a Pastor’s Forum and had the opportunity to go on a trip to an Ache tribal village with his dad. Tribal missions continues to beat in his heart, and what a great encouraging time he had with the Ache!

Trisha stays busy with taking care of the home and their 3 children. She and the kids get many opportunities to go with Mike to churches. Trisha also helps with the computer work and entertaining guests in their home. More recently she made a very good friend named Ruth, a 17 year old girl who has one more year of high school, is learning English and who loves the Lord. Trisha & Ruth can be found at least once a week, talking and drinking terere together in the Goddard’s home.

Michael is in Prescolar (Kindergarten). He is reading well in both English and Spanish. He enjoys playing soccer with his friends at school. Each week, he has a new friend, whether it is Carlos, Bruno, or Esteban. At home, he loves making flying ships with his legos and playing a game on mommy’s computer. In February, when the new school year starts, he will be in 1st grade, which means more school work, a 2 day camp, and more fun with friends.

Lea is in Jardin (Preschool). There are 7 others in her class, but her best friend is a little girl named Ruth. She and Ruth bring each other gifts at least once a week! She is loved by all, because of her character – fun, crazy, and loving. She can easily learn different languages, which amazes her parents as to what she knows! At home, she loves to find new family members and friends – whether it be an ant, a creepy bug, or a spider. And unlike Michael, she is more than willing to hold them and wants to keep them. She tells mommy that they are family and so cute, so we can’t kill them!  Lea will be in Kindergarten, which will be a fun challenge for her!

Kaleb loves to give hugs and kisses, which his mommy is always ready for. He loves to play with “bad” guys (whether it is legos, Rescue Heroes, or Batman and Spiderman). He usually has 2 in his hands, and he makes them fight each other. His favorite saying is “you stinky old man”, which then, he runs hoping that someone is close behind to tickle him. He loves to sing and begs both daddy and mommy to play Jesus Loves Me on the computer, so that he can sing along. In February, he will be going to the Spanish Christian school with Michael and Lea. He will be in Maternal (Pre-Preschool). This will be a new adventure for him, and he is very excited about going to school. He already says that he is 7 years old even though he’s only 2.

Two weeks ago, you would think Michael’s world came crashing down, because he got a new teacher!

He absolutely loved his former Teacher Paty, but because of her specialty with working with older kids, she was moved to the upper grades. Now Michael has a new Teacher; her name is Ana. Michael says, “We can’t play toys no more, only soccer one time, and lots of math and letters.” Teacher Ana is a great teacher, but to a 6 year old, his school day has drastically changed!

“Mia has a pink skirt, Ruth has a red one, and I want a Rainbow one!”

In preparing for International Day at Michael and Lea’s school, their classes have been practicing a Paraguayan traditional dance that they will perform that evening. Lea couldn’t wait to go shopping and get her traditional Paraguayan dress! On Friday, we told her that we would go shopping on Saturday to buy her skirt. She was fine with this, and said “Mom, I still need to take one of my skirts to school today so that I can be like my friends!”

Today, you should have seen the SMILE on her face, when we went shopping downtown to buy her pretty skirt as well as a special blouse and flowers for her hair. She was THRILLED to find a red, white, and blue skirt, a cream colored blouse with lace on the sleeves, flowers for her hair, and a bead necklace and earrings.

“I will be so pretty in my new skirt! Thanks, Daddy for buying it for me!”

It happened just the other day. We just had to have some ice cream! We don’t buy ice cream very often, for reasons you’re about find out. But on this particular day, we were determined to make it work out.

Our heart sank when each grocery store we stopped by, and ice cream parlor offered a gallon for about $40 USD! Trisha had a coupon in her purse, so we finally paid 12,000 Guaranies for 1 kilo of ice cream ($3.13 for less than one quart) and savored every bite.