Hi, it’s Mickey writing this time 🙂
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For this blog post we thought we’d give you an answer to the question, ‘How are the kids doing?’ So, from youngest to oldest, here’s a quick update on our four lovely children:
JOSIAH
JJ is full of energy and almost fearless – which makes me slightly fearful! He is definitely ready to go back to doing full days at school next year. I’m not quite so sure I am, I feel like this year with him in Kindergarten doing half days has been a real ‘bonus’ year for both of us – well, most of the time it feels like a bonus to me 😉
His favourite things are riding his bike around our barrio and taking the dog for a walk (on his own) when he gets home from school. In all honesty the walk never last more than 10 minutes, but he feels very grown up!
JJ was very excited yesterday because he got to use his pocket money to buy a watch from the market for 30 Bolivianos (about £3). He wasn’t so thrilled about having to traipse around after me to buy fruit and veg. On reflection we probably did our purchasing in the wrong order…
Phoebe is our biggest extrovert! She just loves being with people and continues to enjoy school, despite having some learning difficulties to deal with.
A highlight of recent months was seeing her ride a horse on her own for the first time at our friend’s ranch!
Come rain or shine, Phoebe loves swimming! This was quite possibly the cause of an ear infection which caused her to miss a coupe of days school last week and discover that she can visit the Nurse’s office if she gets a bit bored in class!
Things are still pretty tough at school for Jemimah, but I had a really helpful meeting with her teacher the other day and I’m grateful that each of them have had just the right teacher to help them get acclimatised to their new school.
Jemimah had a real boost last week when she was awarded “Student of the Quarter” for her grade!
A few weekends ago she was asked to be the Madrina (the person buying and giving a gift) to a little girl called Rosario who lives at Talita Cumi (a children’s home very close to where we live). Jemimah took the responsibilty very seriously, asking different people what they thought would be good gift ideas and how much money she should spend. It was a real privilege to join-in celebrating of the birthdays of these precious kids!
DANIEL
Daniel is just thriving! Daniel doing so well has been one of the highlights of our time here so far. As you can see he’s shot-up since we got here and isn’t too far away from being taller than his Dad.
He continues to have drum lessons & play in the band at church and is now playing basketball for the school team. He has a really good group of friends who joined him a couple of weeks for his 14th birthday celebrations!
We’re so proud of Daniel, Jemimah, Phoebe and JJ. Each of them in different ways misses home – especially their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – and has found being here difficult. Nevertheless, each of them has ‘gone for it’, stepping-out of their comfort zones to get used to a new home; new school; new church; and new sights, sounds, smells and tastes.
These months have been challenging for our kids in different ways. But, many of these challenges are not uncommon to childhood (or adulthood!). On days when Jemimah has been really struggling I have written her a little note with a Bible verse that she has kept in her pocket and read during the day. This is one of her verses:
“For I hold you by your right hand, I the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
I love this image of God holding our hand.
It is His desire to help us whatever it is we are facing; whatever it is that is threatening to overwhelm us.
I love it that we have this promise that we don’t face things alone. Our heavenly Father is right there with us, by our side, holding our right hand.
With lots of love,
Mickey & Andy
We are pioneering Novō as self-supported missionaries. If you would like to support us financially you can do so tax-effectively through an organization called Stewardship. To make a one-off gift or to set-up a regular monthly donation, please go to: www.give.net/20171708 or send me an email.
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