I was here, I saw it all. 4F, Barquisimeto, Lara

15 years ago, I was awakened by the phone ringing. We were told to cancel out trip to Maracaibo as there was military coup underway. We spent the morning listening to the news. The footage of the dead soldiers tore at my "mother's" heart. They were boys. Most had been deceived and told that they were defending the constitution, it wasn't until there that they realized THEY were the coupsters.
We heard a loud sonic boom and ran outside! And then another! It was the military jets chasing Broncos. They bombed the airport. You could feel the earth shake. A friend of ours called . He had served in Vietnam and was here visiting family. He said, "I know what that was! They are using carpet bombing. I remember how it felt in Vietnam."
We saw shadows, then heard the jets. Somehow, it felt safer outside. We took our 3 small children at the time and sat out in the yard. We saw a Bronco hit, and the pilot parachute out.
Joshua was a little boy at the time. I remember the male excitement in his eyes and voice as he said, "Mommy, one day can I do that?"My heart stopped in my throat...he didn't know what was happening it just looked and sounded exciting, but I knew my boy would one day be a man. Would he need to fight for his country?
I remember it all so well because it was the day before my birthday and we couldn't celebrate but had to stay home. I remember thinking what cowards they were to have attacked the residency where the presidents grandchildren were at the time. I remember the face of the Lt. Col. as he was taken prisoner.

Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias.

I remember him saying,"We have failed. Por Ahora. For now)"

Super Powers?

My son called me from college. He syas, "Mom, what is happening? People keep coming up to me and saying they are sorry about what just happened in Venezuela."
I explained about the new Enabling law. He says, "Oh? People here didn't know he was a dictator already?"
And then we started giggling. Because in spanish it sounds right down ridiculous.
The Mother of all Laws that gave President Chavez Special Powers. It sounds like a bad cartoon. It is so cheesy! Can it be true?

It's a bird...
It's a plane...
NO. It's SUPER CHAVEZ!!!!!!
However, we know the ONE who puts the king upon his throne. So we can trust in His plan....and giggle!

Just Me being...Me!!!

So... a few weeks ago I posted a graphic of a mom and her blog. Everyone was quick to point out to me that I do not look like this!! Thank you all very much for your love and respect in the manner you chose to point out that I am neither young nor...

But, I like the graphic because, I like to blog. I like to blog for different reasons:
1: I like to learn, I need to learn something new everyday or I feel as if the day was wasted. So when my daughter Jackie called me from Paraguay and said, "Mom, I have a blog." I did not like not knowing what one was. I checked her blog out. Loved it, and tried to leave a comment. Next thing I know, rather than a comment, I had my OWN blog! Still not sure how that happened!!!

2: I like to meet new people and I love a good debate. Not an argument, just sharing differences of opinion.

3: I love sharing with family and friends. Mine are spread all over the globe, literally!! Through this venue we all participate in each others lives in an active way.

4: I LOVE the Lord. This should probably be first, but half of my readers would have stopped reading at that point!! LOL tricked you! I want to share what God has done for me and my family even in difficulties in hopes of blessing others going through hard times.

5: I like to share the GOOD NEWS with people that might not normally hear it. If I reach someone through this blog, PTL. So many people are open if we present things in a way they can see and feel that the conviction is of God not from me.

6: I love HEARING from everyone who visits. PLEASE, leave a comment. Even if it is anonymous. Just let me know where you are from or whatever you feel comfortable with sharing. I have some LURKERS out there and I would love to know who you are and how you ended up here at my little blog.

7: I like to Journal, this is a way for me to record history, with world and family events to remember later...for myself, my children, and grandchildren.

OH!! I also love the graphic because the mom is drinking coffee!!



So this is me , the real Jungle Mom !! I am the mother of four and the grandmother of one, soon to be two, and a 40+ yr. old woman just wanting to TALK!!!

It is Official.

Venezuela as I have known it these past 20 years, is dead. The National Assembly gave the president the ability to rule by decree. We knew they would , but we held on , savoring the last few days before it was official. Now it is.
I know that I have been here so long , and came so young, that I perhaps identify to much with this country I have adopted.
I remember the other governments of the last 20 years, and I will be the first to say that every last one was corrupt! But they didn't take away hope , they didn't meddle in MY life. Some people ask me why I take it so personal...because it is.
I had my ministry taken away, my home taken away, my future as I had envisioned it taken. Sometimes I get mad over the silliest things! Like when I go to get my favorite cast iron skillet that had been my grandmothers and realize I don't have it because it was too heavy to lug out of the jungle!!! I can get angry about that. Or a book I need for homeschooling my children. It is mouldering away in the jungle. Silly things! But I find it easier to dwell on these things than to actually dwell on the people and friends we left behind.It is easier to get angry over STUFF than to actually have a broken heart over the people left there.

Then I fast forward to the city today, new friends, new ministry, what will be their future??

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.Proverbs 15:29

Pray for my righteous Venezuelan friends.

Check this out!!

http://dunellanoestachato.blogspot.com/


Many of you have noticed comments left by Rancher here and at Yekwanaman's blog.
You will enjoy the post he has with comments made by Castro and Chavez. It's a quiz from The Real Cuba. Go see if you can decide which one made which statement!!!

Venezuelans We Love

We had a fellowship meeting here at our house yesterday with many North American missionaries. We enjoyed the company and sharing time. We are all at different stages in our ministries and have different feelings on some of the happenings here.

We ALL agree things are BAD AND GETTING WORSE! But the differences are as to how bad, how much worse. It all boils down to...how much time do we as gringos have left here in the country.

Pray for us, some have been here a long time , I do believe we have been here the longest, by about 4 years. This is our twentieth year in Venezuela.

I tell my girls to try and think on the positive, so we do have good times!

One of the highlights for us last week at the retreat, where we had 20 Venezuelan pastors and their wives, was that over half of them came up to us and said things to us personally .

Things that MEANT a lot to us. Things like,"You were my first SS teacher.", "You were my counselor at camp","You baptized me","You led me to the Lord at VBS", "You taught me at the Bible Institute."

Even in hard times, GOD loves us and shows us His love through His people.

For God so Loved the World

More Photos of the Retreat

Here I am with Susan Arce, working in the kitchen.



Girls will be girls! A gab fest among the wives!


Dinner Time!



The impromptu soccer game was won by the Ladies Team! Of course, the guys "played Nice"!



I know this looks like a dance but it is actually the soccer game!

Venezuelan Pastor's Retreat

We had 20 couples for the four day retreat! Lots of fun and fellowship!


Some of the wives helping out with the fruit center peicecs for the dinner tables.

Boys will be boys

And Here we Go Again!!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-01-25-chavez_x.htm

The supreme one threaten to make the US ambassador, persona non grata. On Sunday,
we were told in English by the supreme one , "Gringo go home, go to ----". We were told to go to the "REFUSE" pile. I am trying to translate nicely, without being vulgar as he was.
He is using the same vocabulary he used right before he threw the missionaries out of the jungle. There have been rumors in the American ex-pat community of the possible closure of the US embassy in February. So far, just that, rumors. But maybe HIS Highness heard about the rumors and is choosing to be proactive and kick us all out first!
So check out the article above. And, anyone have a spare room available???

I'm Back!

But exhausted! I will blog some a little later but all went well and was very well received. I'll send pictures but for now... need to unpack and spend time with my girls.

Yekwanaman and Jungle Mom with the grandbaby Elena . 23 Years and Still in Love!

I will be leaving tomorrow for our Baptist camp in Nirgua. We are hosting a couples retreat for the national pastors. My husband is doing most of the teaching. Loosely based on Love and respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.


I am taking a sneak peek at some of his notes, and Hee,hee. Looks good.
Emotional Intimacy
Physical Intimacy
Communication with comprehension
Reconciliation
Faithfulness
Honor and esteem
Ladies Only: The Conquest
Chain of Command
Discernment- analyze and advise
Feminine Intuition
Friendship, companionship

My titles are:


Know your Man
The Jezebel Profile
Love Your Husband
Your Love isn't Enough!
Your Intimate relationship, changes everything FOR HIM
Meeting HIS real needs ( make it a priority)

VIVA MEJICO!!!

http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2007-01-19T062550Z_01_N19202599_RTRIDST_0_MEXICO-CALDERON.XML


Calderon welcomes the fleeing capital of Venezuela to relocate in Mexico!

This I Dedicate to all My Mexican Family

Price Controls and Shortages

Chicken , sugar ,and black beans are under price control and are no longer viable for the farmers to produce. It costs more than they are allowed to make.


Chicken is going into other products such as soup and CAT food which are not price controlled.


Sugar is being sent to other countries,and white sugar is controlled. So it makes more money for the growers to sell molasses and brown sugar.

Black beans are also controlled as it is a staple so the growers are swithching to red beans.
Chicken is more available at the government store, MERCAL. B ut have LOOOONG lines.

There is a joke in spanish. What animal has the longest "tail" (cola, which also translates as a line) in the world?The answer is... Chicken at the government stores!!

I noticed a lot of little things we used to splurge on at Christmas were missing this year. Due to the drop in importations..

I expect we will see more of this.

A different kind of Sunday.

I woke up this morning and went to check on Jayde. She had been running a fever last night and complaining of a sore throat and scratchy eyes. Sure enough, she was still feverish.
Clint and Jewel headed to church. He brought back some chicken for lunch. PTL!!
But he was awhile in getting here , due to a lot of meetings after church about the retreat coming up.
He ate, grabbed some coffee, and will be heading out to the stadium to do Baseball Chapel. Pray that goes well as it is the last of this season.
Jewel has Womens Choir practice at 5 but a friend will pick her up. Then Clint heads to church as he is preaching the 6 o'clock service tonight. I will still be here with Jayde as she is feverish and ,grumpy! If you dont beleive me just read her blog!
At least I have been able to get some notes on paper for my classes. I have been distracted with politics!!
So I sit here trying to remember the verse in english, Hebreos 12:2 ,"Puestos los ojos en Jesus" I think it is "Fixing our eyes on Christ". My english Bible is upstairs and the power Bible program ...messes me up! The Bible is a BOOK !!!With paper pages. I dont know about the TT, Byzantine,MT, etc, but I know it is a paper book!!
Anyway, I am trying to FIX my eyes on Christ. Spent the morning doing that. I have a lot on paper for the classes. Mainly just talking points as I hope the "girls" will open up and talk themselves. And I hope Beth can be there to help me with that. ;)
I only have 2 hours of classes as Yekwanaman is doing the bulk of the teaching and we only have 2 classes with the couples seperated, but we have a planned Open Forum each night. Those are scary as it can go ANYWHERE!!!
So pray for me to be able to keep my eyes fixed on Christ as I remember all the other things I need to do also. And all the logistical details of the retreat. And the Home schooling, and the regular stuff of a house wife...
I also webcamed with LeLe. That made the day A-OK!

Sempr Fi

https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/holiday/usmc2006/playmovie.asp?isc=gdbb1111&se=%2B

Aren't You?

Did you know that my family has been baptist for at least 4 generations? The Bible mentions a Godly generation and I thank the Lord for my family. What a blessing to be raised with the truth and the continuity of the same faith and doctrine. I think it must be unsettling for children growing up not sure what they are and what they should beleive or why. I pray the Lord allows my family to contiue to be blessed in our "goodly" heritage . Even apart from the salvation of my soul, even apart from the rewards I anticipate in heaven, just having lived this life with this foundation would be blessing enough!!
One of my most favorite family momentos is a large framed foto of my great-grandfather. He was a Baptist preacher. As was his son. As was his son, my father. As is my husband. As is my son. As is my son-in-law. I wont even start into the nephews! And brother-in-laws!

From the Mouths of Babes

"Under my thatch roof"
By Jayde Vernoy ( 2006)

I lay in silence,
Unable to sleep,
We'd move to the city,
so soon each day I'd weep.

President Chavez had said,
Right on TV,
That he didn't want to see in the jungle,
One missionary.

I felt like crying,
when he said those words.
I felt like I was being stabbed,
by a thousand swords.

I loved our home,
I loved it there,
how could Chavez say that?
It just wasnt fair.

So we packed a bunch of things,
some were old,some were new,
but when we boxed it all up,
we could only take a few.

"Plane Day" came,
and we all climbed inside the plane.
I did not like it.
I thought it was insane.

One last look,
At the Indian's lined up,to say goodbye,
It hurt me so much,
I thought I would die.

But here I am now,
One year later,
getting used to a new life
And no longer eating gator.

Just because we miss them...

Coco ,grandpa, and Aicha, grandma in Chajudana.

Just because it's beautiful

What do you get when...

You mix a third generation marine with a fourth generation baptist preachers kid????

Why , missionaries in the amazon jungle of course!!!!!!!!

Love and Respect

If you haven't already noticed, my blog is a little "random". Much like me. One day I might blog about US politics, the next , my kids. Then on to my "Chavismo" thing and later, the Scripture. You just never know.
So , I hope you all bear with me these next 3 weeks. Clint and I are preparing our material for a marriage seminar we are teaching for our national pastors. The Title is "LOVE and RSPECT".
The love she most desires and the respect he desperately needs. It is based on a book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I also will be doing seperate classes for the wives. Some material from "Created to be his helpmeet''' by Debi Pearl and that great little book , "For Women Only".
So I am sure my next few blogs will be heavy into this stuff. Hope I don't lose you all along the way! I may throw out a few ideas for you all to bounce around and see what happens. Of course since I have so many neices and nephews that come and read, I'll make sure and keep it PG!

Home sweet Home

The village as seen from the air. No roads,only way in is by air or 2 weeks on a dug out!

We built our home out of hand made adobe bricks. The roof is palm.

My Other Life

The plane we used to transport supplies, ourselves, and patients. After a long legal process and many "fines" , we were able to get the plane back to the states.


Clint cooking for the indians.

Clint the Dentist

My Son

My son left this morning. It was hard to see him go, but I know he is doing what he needs to be doing right now. I enjoyed seeing how he has matured and is becoming a man. I enjoyed sharing things from the Word with him. we read some C H Spurgeon together, how cool is that?!
I enjoyed his preaching with such confidence, I dont know what exactly God has in his future but I see the possibilities.
We even had a few cries together over not being able to be at home in the jungle. He never got to say goodbye to the people, no real closure and it hit him hard being here in Venezuela, at "home", but not at "home".
I thank God for the time he spent with his sisters and cousins. He is a good role model for them.
I miss him already, the house feels empty and very quiet. We will miss him and laugh at all his antics, and count the days til we see him again.
Thanks for letting me share, we had a great Christmas and New Years and we are ready for up coming events.
God is gracious and good!
This picture was taken his last summer at home in Chajurana, He was preparing for a 3 day hike with his dad thru the jungle to another village. That was his Senior Trip. He actually loved it, so dont feel sorry for him! But he misses that life.
But God is Faithful. We need faith to do and act even when we dont understand why things are happening the way they are around us.
Josh and I talked about Peter walking on the water and how he had faith to step out and walk, as he saw Jesus do, but apparently Peter didn't calculate the effect of the winds. When the winds blew he lost his focus and faith and faltered. We cant let the unexpected events shake our faith.
If you want to read more about our expulsion from the jungle by the Venezuelan government, go to www.bimi.org . There is a link to the World Magazine, volume 2 of 2006. The article is , "This had been our home".

Christmas at our House

Poinsetta brought home by Clint






Dining Room Corner
Outside lights. Notice the Hammocks on the balcony!So nice and warm and christmasy! Hanging outside in the tropical , balmy weather! Oh Yeah!!

Family Favorites

Made by my own sister's hands!

The stockings are hung on the stair way , with care, as there is no chimney anywhere!!

More oldie goldies!

Mini Nativity Scenes

Precious Moments Tea Set given to me by my Sisiter-in-law.




Indian Gourd Nativity Scene

Choir

Sunday Morning, Dec.25th

Nursery Class Nativiy Scene

TWO HOURS!!!

Josh will be here in TWO hours!

'Tis the Season to be busy....

It started last Friday with Jewels Banquet.They had about 100 teens! The teens ourcampground and had a formal banquet followed by all night games and such. They slept a few hours and then headed to the pool for the day. She got in just in time on Saturday to head to choir practice.
Sunday was a busy church day with extra choir practice for Jewel's adult choir, teen choir, and Ladies ensamble. Jayde had practicefor her childrens choir and stayed to practice her solo as well.
Monday we had a missionary luncheon and a gift exchange with all the MK's. (miissionary kids). Jayde got a Cardenales hat, Jewel got a bracelet, and Josh even got 3 deluxe chocalate bars. Eventho he wasn't here yet.
Monday night was the college and careers banquet at which Clint was speaking and Jewel was serving so.. everyone got home to bed around 1:30 am. We had about 100.
Tuesday was the adult banquet, Clint and I had made ceasar dressing for the Monday banquet, about 2 gallons. We had to make over 5 gallons and fry the bacon and grate cheese! Please , I never want to see garlic again!! We had 450 adults. once again, Jewel seved tables and her choir sang a short version of the cantata planned for Sunday. We had another late night.
Wednesday, I stayed home because, well I couldn't get out of bed. The old back, dont you know! So i didn't do much but the others had church and practices and....
I was feeling some better this morning but had only slept about 3 hours last night. Even so I figured I better get the groceries for Christmas bought before the stores ran out of everything.Already, we have no sugar and nuts in the stores and some other staples HOWEVER since I had bought up food in case of violence during the elections, we are all set!! Yeah!
I got home about 11 and could hardly walk, so Clint ordered me to bed. I woke up at 4:00!!!!!Good sleep and feel somewhat better. I think I am getting some arthritis mainly in my back, but have been having alot of pain in my knee and annkle, too.
Jayde had her SS christmas party, once again at the pool. Tht must seem odd to you all up north, but Cristmas without swimming would be like... Christams without snow????
Then Jewel hd volleyball practice for the womans church league. the tournaments are in January. Now Clint and the girls went over to help eat my sister-n-laws birthday cake. I still dont feel like sitting too long and want to rest up for JOSH. he gets in tomorrow. We are SO excited!
Tomorrow Josh arrives and we will take him out for Killers, the famouse steak subs here that Jackie posted the recipe for once.
Saturday we will bake and bake. Sunday is church and all the choir specials and Clint is preaching in the evening service. we will spend the day, Lord willing also celebrating the first Birthday of alitlle MK, Emma. Eating traditional venezuelan Christmas foods. Hallacas, pan de jamon, ensalada de gallina. Yummo!
On the 25th my in-laws are coming over toeat with us . we are having ham and all the fixins'.2 americanballplayers are coming also, and a single missionary who is from Ireland. He said he would bring something traditional Irish eat. I asked , "what?" He said, "potatoes" So Nigel is doing the potatoes if he can come.
Sorry this is long and rambling but thats how I feel right now, kind of scattered brained!
Love you all and have a very Merry Christmas! excuse the typos! cant get everything to work right and have sat too long for now.

Miss Venezuela. Isn't she lovely!

LeLe made my day!

I downloaded videos of LeLe in Paraguay and it brought back so many memories of her mother when she was that age. And then I creid becuase I am missing out on this cute age of hers. I dont normally cry, but I did today. So, then I gave myself a pep talk about how good I have it! I mean I have a vonage phone, email, videos, my BLOG! What a great day to live in if one has to be seperated from loved ones! No more pity parties!So, I feel better counting my blessings and besides.... Josh is coming home in 5 days!!!

For my bi-cultural familia!! This is a favorito of the season!!

THE TEX-MEX VERSION OF "THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"
Jim and Nita Lee (Dec. 1972)
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa,
Not a creature ws stirring -- Caramba! Que pasa?
Los ninos were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pijamas,
While hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos and malos,
A nice batch of dulces and other regalos.
Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my feet like a fightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?
Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.
I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Beto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"
Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,
Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala,
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos --
For none of the ninos had been very malos.
Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad!

Happy Birthday, Shane!!!

I cant get my picture to upload, but this is for you , Shane!

S: sweet as can be

H:handsome and then some

A: awesome

N:nice, too

E:Excellent, in all ways

R:really, really fun to be with

I:intellegente,dont we know

O:only one of his kind

S:Silly, just the way we like

Life Goes On

We have all been a bit depressed around here, so we decided to put up our tree. We can only be encouraged when we remember , God loves us, sent His son to be our Savior, and will come for us at the appointed time. The girls did most of the work on the tree and Clint and I did the outside lights. This is the largest tree we aver have had. we inherited it used from some other americans who left Venezuela. Clint and I went out looking for lights and it took almost the whole day. But, hey thats socialism for you! (oops! I let that slip)