Saturday Post -- 18/06/16

That's more like it.

We mentioned this weekend's missions conference (kicking off at 8:30am) in last week's entry, and so this will be pretty brief. 

The week's most encouraging moment came in the form of a simple WhatsApp message from our lawyer. It looks like the various agencies in town have finally submitted their reports, and a hearing on the adoption proper is due to take place the week beginning 4th of July...during which time we will have among us none other than one Ethel G. Cunningham! Two weeks out, it wouldn't entirely be a surprise if the hearing was delayed (say, because one of the agencies' representatives had a birthday party to attend), but we are just delighted that there has finally been some movement on this.

Staying with his lordship, Sam's condition has improved considerably following a check-up with the paediatrician on Monday. He is back to his usual, noisy self, and evidence mounts by the day that a Rubicon -- dividing the territories of 'baby' and 'toddler' -- has been crossed.

Caught in the act of raiding the DVD/games cupboard
(one of his favourite haunts; those Wii nunchucks
aren't half chewy)

More encouragement came in the shape of the English class, where the Intermediate level began. We are primarily running the classes this year to raise funds for the general work of Fundación Totaí, and there was plenty of space for more students by the time the Basic class had ended, so I (Craig) had tried to get the word out to anyone with a decent base of English who was interested in progressing further. It seems to have paid off, with six new students in attendance this week. If you've been with us a while, you'll know that the Intermediate level sees the introduction of a weekly reading class, in which we use an evangelistic text written in easy-to-understand English. The class responded really positively to the first reading lesson on Thursday.

Finally, another newcomer this week was, of course, Taylor, who has settled in well in her first week here, and we have enjoyed getting to know her, not least last night when we had her over to the house with another couple with whom we are friendly. During a vastly enjoyable game of Ticket to Ride, she was to bear witness to a rare board-game feat in Casa Cunningham: my consummate thrashing of Amanda. 

The perfect end to a great week.

Prayer

• Keep the prayers coming on the adoption. It would be a particular thrill to have confirmation in the same week as a family visit; pray that any delays would be minimal in any case.
• For the English students over the next few months as they study the reading text (called 'What Christians Believe'), that they would be able to take a few steps back from the 'trees' of all the new words and phrases, and be equipped to see the gospel 'forest'.
• Pray for the missions conference taking place today and tomorrow. It appears there will be a big focus on animism, the religious framework adopted by many tribes, of which we have hundreds in the Beni region alone. So it promises to be nothing if not practical and relevant. Pray for the participants from our own church in particular, that they would see that missions is not just the field of boring white people.

Praise

• For the adoption news, naturally.
• For Sam's recovery.
• For Taylor's safe arrival and positive first week.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda