Get to know Yekwanaman

My husband did this on his Face Book.

1. I was born in Laredo Texas, while living there, my Mom said I learned to speak Spanish from the Mexican nanny. My Dad was working in Texas watching for incoming missiles during the Cuban missile crisis, and then he went to Alaska for a year.

2. Due to my Dad's jobs we moved all over the United States, Phoenix Arizona, Raleigh NC, Columbia SC, Bound Brook NJ, Nashua NH, and Zanesville Ohio all before the age of 13. ( I found out as an adult that my Dad was offered jobs in Germany, France and England, which he turned down so that we could stay in one place while my brother and I went to High School. thus #4

3. I became a Christian when I was 6 years old (Colombia SC) and felt called to preach when I was 10 (Nashua NH) Christ has always been a part of my life. My struggle has been letting him truly control my everyday walk. To always live a spirit controlled life everyday is now my one true goal. I still get in the way alot of the time. I have always been a faithful church attender and the vast majority of decisions that directed my life have been at church, camp, or special services. I have never had all of the answers, but Christ always has had them for me, when I listened to Him.

4. I graduated from Zanesville High School in 1980, I enjoyed High School and most of my activities were centered around Band. Trip to the Orange Bowl parade in 1977 and playing halftime for the Cinci Bengals each year of High School were the Highlights along with playing in the Blue Knights Jazz Band. I also enjoyed Spanish class for 4 years.

5. I met the love of my life, at a church skating activity at Lind Arena in Zanesville Ohio. Her name is Rita, and she is a pastor's daughter with fiery red hair (I told my mom when I was 13 that I would marry a redhead, she giggled and said,"Don't tell me, Ask God! So I did) After all .... the bible says that houses and inheritance is from the fathers but a prudent wife is of the Lord.

6. Joined the Marine Corp in 1980 and left for Boot Camp before graduation day at High School because I needed to get back from Boot Camp to walk down the aisle with my brother as his best man by August 15th. So many of my decisions are based on choosing which path to walk.

7. Biggest Irony in My Life == In Boot camp I was ridiculed in front of the entire platoon for being a virgin. It lasted 15 minutes with two drill instructors mocking my choice to wait until marriage saying all kinds of things about me and the girl I would marry (the redhead was always on my mind when they talked about my future wife) the next day one of those Drill Instructors called me into his office and apologized to me and proceeded to ask ME for advice about his marriage and what he should do to fix it.

8. Very reckless... when I almost got into a fight with the live grenade instructor. He impugned the honor and purity of my future wife while I was holding a live grenade. I was so mad at him that I tossed the grenade about 5 feet over the wall and then went for his throat. He yelled and threw me to the ground (saved our lives). The officers, I was told, in the observation booth also dove for cover. When he let me up I tried to go after him, but the other instructors grabbed me. Once it was heard why I had gotten so mad, none of my drill instructors ever said a thing. After all, I was the marriage counselor!

9. Bible College in Springfield Mo for a year and then moved to Nashua NH to continue studying at Northeastern Baptist Bible Schools. Loved studying Greek. I was totally in love with Rita Riffe, traveling down to Florida any time I could. She said, yes! Christmas break of 1982!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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10. Got married July 9th 1983 The Greatest Day of my Life!

11. Surrendered our life to missions during final year at Bible school and made plans and preparations to move to Venezuela.

12. First daughter born, Jackie (McCobb now) 10 March 1985, 23 hours of labor. I still remember what it was like to hold her the first time at Memorial Hospital in Nashua NH. I was there by her side.

13. We moved to Mexico to study language, I had an uncle there in the town were we lived. My wife hated me because I never studied and yet still got 95% on my tests. That was when I found out from my mom that I had spoken Spanish as a child. I just needed a refresher course.

14. Moved to Barquisimeto,Venezuela and began pastoring a church for another missionary

15. First son, Joshua, born on August 4th 1987. We had to search the whole city to find a Dr. who would let me into the delivery room. 18 hours of labor.

16. Started another church and helped found a Bible Institute to train national pastors with another missionary

17. Birth of my second Daughter, Jewel, we found a Dr. who spoke English, son of a Venezuelan Diplomat who had served as a army Dr. in Vietnam. In the delivery room again.

18. We took into our home two Maiquiritare Indian Children and raised them as our own. They now have their own lives in **** Venezuela active in *******.

19. Fourth child born, Jayde, I was supposed to be there, but I took the girls to lunch at 11:30 and got back in 45 minutes to find my wife holding our newest daughter. Clearwater, Florida OOPS!!!!

20. Changed our ministry from the city to the jungle. We moved into the village of Chajuraña on October 12 1995. Began learning the Yekwana language. Established a church and trained the pastor.

21. Found out I was expected to help out in medical needs of the village. over ten years I helped deliver around 50 babies, relocated a few bones, sutured a lot of machete and ax cuts, helped in one toe amputation, pulled enough teeth to make a necklace (but didn´t). I gave so many shots I didn´t bother to count

22. Almost died a few times in rough plane landings, river rapids, falling trees, and snake encounters.

23. Married off my oldest daughter and she now has two daughters named, Elena and Abigail

24. Oct 12 2005, Expelled from our jungle home by the President of Venezuela along with all other missionaries in the jungles of Venezuela. Hundreds of Indians have died needlessly since then due to lack of any kind of help from the government of Venezuela. So much for Socialism...but don´t get me started.

25. Performed the wedding ceremony of my son, Joshua, to a wonderful girl, named Naomi. Two months later we moved to our new home and life in Paraguay South America and now our granddaughters are only 10 minutes away!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not so random but I hope it isn't dull!!!! I never thought it was!!!!