Travis and Renee Whitman Connecting you to tribal missions in Paraguay God’s Faithfulness in 2010
We made a video of our first year here in Paraguay. Thanks so much for allowing us to serve here! Click on the link to watch it. http://www.vimeo.com/22221067
Canaan’s 7th Birthday!
For Canaan’s first birthday in Paraguay we were planning on going to a local park and play soccer but dad was sick with the flu so mom partied with the boys in our apartment. Canaan really enjoys watching and playing soccer here. We decorated the house with the colors of his favorite “futbol” team. We got to go to the park a couple weeks later.
Boy’s Graduation!
Canaan and Isaiah with Canaan's teacher.
Canaan and Isaiah graduated from kindergarten and preschool from Colegio de Canaan on December 1st. We are so proud of them. We thought it was an added bonus that the school’s name was the same as Canaan! God is cool like that!
July/August Praises and Prayer Requests
Hello Family and Friends!!
How we miss you! We have been here almost 6 months now! We hear of your new babies, camping trips, holiday reunions and summer fun and our hearts ache to be with you – yet the contentment of living in obedience to the Lord outweighs our feelings.
PRAISES:
• The Lord is good! He is so patient with us and gently guides us each day!
• Jordan Stone has grown into a healthy 2-month old. So far the Lord has kept him from sickness during this fluctuating winter weather!
• We thank the Lord that the air conditioners in our bedrooms can also blow heat!
• We have enjoyed a 3-week break from school with our boys! We have been able to mix many fun outings with language and culture learning!
PRAYER REQUESTS
• Our biggest prayer request this month is just learning this new language and culture!
o Pray that we will put the Lord first – although we want to learn this language and culture, our ultimate goal needs to be bringing glory to our Savior each day!
o Pray that we will use our time wisely – we have words to learn and memorize, we have people to build relationships with, we have language workbooks to fill out, we have culture assignments to fulfill…not to mention caring for our family and home! Time is a nonrenewable resource and we do not want to waste it!
o Pray that our ears will hear the sounds!
o Pray that our minds will begin to comprehend more and more words when we are talking to people!
o Pray that our mouths can pronounce the correct sounds so that we are able to be understood!
Going to the “Fair”…Paraguayan Style
Every year during the month of July, Paraguayan schools take a 2-week Winter Break (kind of like Christmas break!). During this break, the EXPO comes to town! People from all over the country and other countries come to show, sell, look and buy!
We bundled up in several layers of clothes, hopped on a bus and went to see what it was all about! We walked through the cow barns - they made us think of all our farming friends in Ohio! We also discovered what a “nelore” is (white animal above)!
We tried new foods!
One food we really liked was called a Brazilian Crepe. It tasted similar to a waffle on a stick with chocolate inside (left)! Ever seen anyone wear sock hats at a fair?
Our boys bought personalized keychains from this young man. No big deal, we’ve all seen those before, right? Well, here’s the difference: we stood there and watched as he cut out all the letters of the boys’ names, free-hand, using a coping saw. No stencils, no electricity! It was fascinating to watch!
On our way out, we saw a big crowd gathered around what appeared to be a small tennis court. They were watching 4 guys using their feet and heads to get a volleyball over the low net. The game name = Piki Voli.
We had a fun day at the EXPO and learned a bit more about Paraguayan culture!
June/July Prayer Requests
PRAISES:
• The Lord is here with us, He is so personal, He is faithful to guide us, He is our Rock (things here can be shaky!)!
• A healthy 1-month old to watch, cuddle and love!
• Quick recovery for Renee, she is gradually getting out and about again!
• Isaiah does not cry at the beginning of school anymore! Both boys are doing well in school!
• Our CLA consultant (another missionary) and our Paraguayan host family who are helping us learn!
PRAYER REQUESTS
• Daily time with the Lord, in His Word and in prayer. We have experienced that when He is not our focus, life goes haywire!
• Canaan – dealing with rough kids at school.
• Isaiah – dealing with hitting others at school when he is wronged.
• Travis and Renee – making our home a secure place for the boys, using the boys’ trials to train them in the ways of the Lord
• Renee – gets anxious when she feels there is too much to do. This only happens when I am not focused on the Lord!
• Finding our security in Christ, not in what others think about us. When we are worried about others’ opinions, our relationships and language learning are hindered!
Jordan Stone Whitman Has Arrived!
We are pleased to introduce you to our precious 3rd son!!
Why did we name him “Jordan Stone”?
In Joshua 3:14-17 it is written that the Lord stopped the flow of the JORDAN river, allowing the Israelites to cross over into the promised land. In chapter 4:1-24, the Lord told Israel to gather 12 STONES from the midst of the river and use them as a memorial…so that Israel would never forget what He had done for them. Likewise, we have seen the Lord do amazing things on this journey to Paraguay and since we have arrived and we do not want to forget what He has done! When we look at JORDAN STONE, we want to be reminded of all that God has done.
“…That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” - Joshua 4:24
Thanks to all of you who have been praying for a safe delivery and healthy baby! Thanks to the Lord for such a beautiful blessing!
The Birth Story
Twelve days (12!!!) after my due date, I awoke to contractions at 3am on May 11th. We called our host family, Moises and Elvira, around 3:30am and they arrived soon after! Elvira stayed with Canaan and Isaiah. Moises drove Travis and I to the hospital, about 15 minutes away. Moises had to work the next day but had made it very clear that if we needed them in the middle of the night, they would be there! (No, they do not speak any English!)
Once at the hospital, I labored in 4 different rooms, moving to the different locations as my labor progressed. I brought a birthing ball (large exercise ball) to help me though contractions but this was a very strange thing to the Paraguayan nurses!
Travis was a huge help! At one point he scared me because he almost passed out; this was due to not eating much and being extremely hot from the scrubs he was required to wear!
We were very thankful to have an English-speaking doctor and he delivered Jordan at 6:18am!
“Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from Him!” Psalm 127:3
Overdue Baby!!
Our baby is now 1 week “overdue”! Please pray that he or she will come soon and that we will rest in the Lord’s timing! Thank you!!
April Prayer Requests
Praises
• We’ve experienced amazing times with the Lord through these days of challenges and learning curves!
• We’ve learned so much in 2 short months – including language and culture (how to greet, how to pay for groceries, etc!)!
• Steady support from brothers and sisters in Christ!
Prayer Requests
• With Butternut arriving, more changes are coming soon for each one of us.
• Please continue to pray for Isaiah in the morning when we drop him off at school – he is experiencing some separation anxiety.
• Learning a new language and culture can be emotionally and mentally draining. Please pray that we would not grow weary in learning – this is God’s will for us right now!