Keeping Busy!

We have had some pretty busy days lately.

Getting back into the swing of school last week took some extra effort. It is always hard to get going again after vacation! Teddy is doing very well in school though and we had a good week.

On Friday afternoon, our friends, Joe and Sylvia Wells came over from Santo Domingo. We enjoyed visiting with them through the afternoon and evening. Saturday morning we all went to Porto Viejo for their Building Dedication. That made for a very long day. The service was very nice. Tony preached and did a great job as usual. 11 people besides us went over from our church. Cristobal, Nelly and Joselyn sang a special. There were several churches represented.

Today we had a good service here in Manta. We had 100 in the church service. With several first time visitors. Next Sunday we will have a baptism service and so far there are 3 people planning to be baptized.

We also had sign up sheets today for 2 new Bible Studies starting this coming week. One on Friday evenings at 7:30 and the other on Sunday evenings at 6:00. There are about 13 people signed up for each of those.

Starting this coming Sunday, Tony, Teddy and I will be making the trip to Porto Viejo on Sundays. Please pray for us as we lead this congregation until the Lord sends them a new Pastor. Pray for the work here in Manta too. At this time we will be going over there on Sunday afternoons.

Another special prayer request is for one of the ladies in our church, Barbara Castro. She is in the hospital now and is schedule for surgery on Tuesday.

Pray for Teddy, he seems to be getting sick this afternoon. He is complaining of a head ache and running a temp.

Thank you for your prayers!
Joy

Wedding pictures., Enjoy!

Getting beautiful...

At the nail salon...

Fixing the veil

In the Bride's Room

What a handsome boy!

Lexi and Teddy

Lexi and Tony

What a beauty!

3 sisters

The "princess"

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Taylor

The whole family!

Teddy, Lexi, Jonathan and Stephanie

The wedding party

Ashley, Shane, Jonathan and Lexi at the reception.

Teddy is definitely ALL boy! Walking into the reception.

Home Again...

Thank the Lord we had good flights back on Thursday. There was a delay leaving Orlando and then leaving Miami, but we arrived safely about 11:30pm...by the times we cleared customs and immigration we finally arrived at our hotel about 1:30am. That's ok, they were were expecting us...the room was clean the bed was soft and the air condition worked just fine! We slept in Friday morning, enjoyed the breakfast buffet...Teddy especially! :-) Darwin and Jessica picked us up about noon, and we arrived at our house here in Manta about 3:30.

Friday evening we got all the suitcases emptied and things headed in the right direction. Yesterday, we worked on getting things put away and also on preparing for the services today. Also yesterday afternoon, was the first ladies meeting especially for women 20-35. We had 10 attend and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.

This morning we had around 80 in the services. It was good to be back and to see everyone. Please pray for us during the next couple weeks as we get back into the work here. Also pray as Tony takes over the responsibility of a sister church in Porto Viejo, (about 40 minutes away).

God bless you as you serve Him this week!
Joy

The bags are packed and we're ready to go...

Good Morning! It is 8:30 on a chilly, overcast morning here in Central Florida. I am sitting at the kitchen table, thinking that, Lord willing, tomorrow morning I will be sitting in sunny, warm Ecuador, enjoying rolls and Cafe con Leche!

We have had a wonderful trip in this time. It was so good to have time with the girls and my parents. Also to have a few days with Tony's mom, and to visit with his Dad, Cindy and CG. The church here in Altamonte has been so gracious and generous to us as always. We have thoroughly enjoyed having the use of the Missions House and being able to visit with good friends. It was also great to visit a few of our supporting churches. 2 of which, although they have supported us from almost the beginning of our ministry, I had never had the opportunity to visit.

As you go through your day today and tomorrow, we would appreciate your prayers for safety as we travel. Our flight is suppose to leave Orlando at 4:00 this afternoon and we are scheduled to arrive in Guayaquil at 10:30 tonight. Darwin, from the church in Manta, is suppose to pick us up from our hotel tomorrow around noon, and drive us back to Manta. We are hoping to be home late tomorrow afternoon.

Also please be praying as we prepare for Sunday services there in Manta.
Praying God's blessings on you as you serve him!
Joy

Last few days...

Well or time in the US is winding down. We have enjoyed time visiting friends and family and also some of our supporting churches. This morning we were at Suncoast Baptist Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. We enjoyed renewing friendships there and being in their services.

This evening Tony preached here in Altamonte Springs at Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church.

We appreciate your prayers this week, as we finish up our time in the US. We are planning to fly back to Ecuador on Thursday.

Joy

Some Christmas Pictures...

"Papa" Tony with Ioan, Christmas eve

Teddy and Ioan, looking at books.

Bath Time in the kitchen sink...

Tony, Joy, Teddy, Grandma Wille, "Grandma Dixie" Carlson, Rebecca Carlson, Lexi, Papaw Wille, "Grandpa Preacher" Carlson, and Pastor Scott Carlson.

Teddy playing the piano for "Noni"...(Johnette Barton)

Teddy and Lexi with Papaw and Grandma Wille.

Teddy and Lexi

Tony, Joy and Teddy

Lexi and Teddy making candy

Lexi's shower

We are very grateful that we have such a wonderful church family here at Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church!

Home going...

Just wanted to let you know that Zonia went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, December 23rd. Thank you for your prayers for her. Please continue to keep her loved ones in your prayers. Tony and I were very sorry that we weren't able to be there, to comfort them, and minister to the family during this time, but we are grateful to see how the church in Manta stepped up and were there for them.

After we received the phone call from Luis that morning, we were sitting in the living room, praying together for them, and remembering Zonia with much love...I looked up and said, she's singing with the angels this morning, and Tony said, I was thinking the same thing. Zonia loved to sing and praise the Lord. What a blessing to think of her healed and strong, singing out with a strong voice praising and glorifing the Lord!

Joy