An online web journal (weblog) of Mike & Vanessa Allbutt.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Change in Seasons
Greetings to everyone. Many things have been happening in the past few months, so sorry this is a lengthy newsletter. But we trust you enjoy the read!
Family Updates
We recently celebrated Priscila's third birthday with a party. Priscila had been asking for a pink and yellow party for months before hand, so that is what she got! We also organised a jumping castle for the event, which was a huge success with all ages.
Now that she is three, Priscila has started to attend Kinda two mornings a week. She has taken to it like a duck to water, and always comes out with a big smile and with stories of dancing, singing, playing and coloring. She has also picked up a lot more Spanish. The first words I noticed were: 'It's mine!'
We also enjoyed two weeks with Mike's sister and brother in law, who were able to stock up our supplies of veggimite and beetroot (among many other things!). We travelled with them to the states' capital of Oaxaca, and visited ruins, museums and craft shops. We also spent considerable time relaxing by the pool.
We visited El Tule tree, which is the biggest tree in the continent. During the visit, Joel went for a trip and landed with his forehead on the corner of the metal bench. But after the shock of seeing all the blood and the screams, and the great care of the local medical center, he returned to his normal self.
Our biggest event for the year will occur in late October, when we expect the arrival of our third baby. Vanessa is currently five months pregnant, and after surviving the first three months of nausea and horrible home sickness, she now only has to deal with the increasing size and uncomfortableness.
It's rainy season! This means it actually gets fresh when the sun doesn't shine. It also means it gets very muggy when it does shine. With all the water falling down, we have discovered all the holes in our ceiling. So Mike has been working hard to patch it up and clear the property so water can drain away quickly. It has been an eye opener to see the amount of water that can fall in 24 hours. And the season has only just started!!
Mike has arranged for a private tutor to commence formal language learning. This way Mike can learn at his own pace. He has reached a point in his Spanish where he can communicate what he needs, but using incorrect tenses. He feels ready now to take the next step.
Ministry Updates
We continue to attend the Thursday night Bible studies, building relationships and encouraging those we meet. Mike continues to go to the beach most mornings for a surf or catch up. He seems to have been made for this job, as he is able to start up conversations with so many people, seeking to bless them and help them.
He has also been spending some time practically helping friends in the surfing community with their needs, such as building a web page for a small business, setting up a website business for a family to run, translating menus and designing logos for a new business. He seeks to use these opportunities and his skills to further relationships and be an encouragement to our friends.
We recently attended a skate contest, the second oneorganised by our fellow workers, Mando and Myra. The aim of it was to build relationships with the local kids from the area, to encourage them and share God's love with them. It was a good time, with plenty of food and laughs.
Vanessa continues to attend a ladies Bible study every Wednesday night. It has really grown into a support group, with many of them struggling with relationship problems or facing decisions or changes in their lives. Vanessa continues to pray for guidance in terms of setting up a mothers group.
As it is summer now there are more tourists around, as well as community activities. There are two mission teams from the churches that Mando and Myra are affiliated with who will be visiting in the coming weeks. They will be running evangelism and beach ministries while here, and we hope to get involved with the work they do.
Other Updates
We continue to wait regarding visas. We are currently 'in process' and haven't heard anything negative so far. We are grateful for the provision of a lawyer based in Mexico City, affiliated with our local Baptist church, who is completing the entire process on our behalf.
We have entered into an agreement to purchase some land here in Puerto Escondido. It is a thriving community, quickly growing into a very popular tourist destination. Because of this, land value continues to grow. We have found a block of land close to town and the beach, with great views and the sea breeze. Our aim is to sell Mike's website business once the current contract ends. We trust the sale will bring in enough to cover the remaining cost, as well as provide some left over money towards building a suitable house for us.
Prayer Points:
- Health for Vanessa, as she has struggled with pain in her pelvis while lifting Joel
- For continued protection and development of the baby
- For a smooth completion to the visa process
- For the right outcome to the sale of Mike's business, which will be available in July
- That Mike will quickly understand and learn Spanish grammar
- For the community we seek to reach, for spiritual breakthroughs in individual's lives as well as the community as a whole
- Visiting summer mission teams
- Guidance as we continue to spend time with a couple with marriage difficulties, as they are currently considering divorce
- That we will continue to support each other in our marriage
Praise Points:
- For a good relationship with fellow workers Mando and Myra
- For the amazing continual support we have received from home, both financially and prayerfully
- That Vanessa has a good friendship with a local lady also with young children, and they are able to spend time together for the children to play as well as encourage each other with everyday frustrations and challenges that come with raising children and keeping a home.
Thanks again for your interest, support and correspondance.
Mike, Vanessa, Priscila and Joel
P.S. On Sunday just gone, we celebrated 6 years of marriage.
[ 8:21 AM ] Read...
I trust that this Allbutt Journalings helps bring you up to date with what I have been up to recently. If you want to contact me then click here. Thanks for reading some of my thoughts. If you want to read some of the older files then they have been stored in the archives here.
