in between bites & sips ...

thanks for stopping by! here's where i put various thought, quotes or stories. most will be brief, some may be extended - but all will be somehow connected to my world. enjoy your stay!



Friday, May 30, 2008

Bolivia - Day 8

Wow - that week went fast!

I'm so disappointed I wasn't able to blog for you this trip - but I have LOTS of video and pics! The internet went down, and then the wireless access went down when the internet came back up - and - when there are 22 people all wanting access to 1 internet connection to be able to phone home, well, you can guess that I didn't have time to sit at Rich Farthing's cpu and upload blogs, pics and video.

That being said - right now, I'm in Santa Cruz, awaiting a flight to Miami that will bring Tim, Jason & I home.



We've had an amazing time, and can't wait to share all the details with you - I'll be making additional posts in the next few days, recounting some of the events of the week so that those of you who have been faithful to check in with this blog will be rewarded!

Since I'm about to board the plane - let me leave you with this pic - one of the many reasons the Bolivian Hope Center

Keep Praying


















Well, it looks like the internet has been more down than up. I haven't heard from Rob, but he said in his last phone call he might not be able to call again for a while. Keep praying for the team, that their work would continue to bless the missionaries even after the team leaves. Pray also that the team has a safe trip home. God bless you.

Mary Jo

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

From Mary Jo, Live from Liberty!

Rob and the gang in Bolivia are experiencing technical difficulties!

The internet is down so Rob cannot post on this blog until the net is up and working again. Thankfully, they are all doing fine. So keep praying that God would bless their efforts as they work at the Bolivian Hope Center.

Have a great one everybody!

Mary Jo Morris

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Bolivia - Day 2

Day 2 has come to a close in Cochabamba and I'm about to hit the sack. It wasn't exactly a full day of work, but it was a full day of ministry that began when we participated in a program for the children living in the prison. A children's pastor is a part of the team and he did a number of object lessons that had the kids ooing and ahhing. After a couple of songs, we passed out candy and prizes to the children and left. It's always sad to see the living conditions in the prison and what these children know as 'normal'.

Next we went to the Hope Center to mingle with some of the 400 children which are a part of the 'Compassion' food and education ministry that is held there. It was fun playing with the kids and resuming my 'caballo' career for them.

Then it was to work - sanding the walls and putting a sealant on the walls. Tomorrow we begin painting!

I must say, the walls I built look particularly sturdy and straight!

VIDEO BLOG ... use this link -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfbciWtIEhk

Grandpa Roxby

Nana & Grandpa Roxby

Today was my grandfather's funeral. Sadly, I couldn't make it since I am in Bolivia right now - but - that doesn't mean that my family wasn't on my heart today.

Grandpa Roxby was the best kind of grandfather you could imagine. He'd always be trying to make you laugh - he was a master of facial expression - he was curious and loved to share his findings with anyone in his viscinity - an adventurer, a scholar, a comic --- I know there are a million other things I could say, but at this moment - these are the things that come to mind.

One thing I'm so pleased about is that I know my grandpa is going to continue to speak to me. I was blessed by getting a lot of his Bible study notes. Admittedly, I haven't looked at them much - but - I've looked at them enough to know that he didn't merely read the Bible ... he studied it.

He was 98 years old, and not doing so well in his last years - but his memory will live on forever for me. The next time I go off the beaten trail on an adventure or see someone smile with a glow in their eyes that tells me it comes from the heart, I'll think of Grandpa Roxby.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Bolivia - Day 1

WE MADE IT!

After taking flights from Pittsburgh to Miami to La Paz to Santa Cruz to Cochabamba ... we've arrived safe and sound.

It's so great to be back here again. It feels like I've just experienced a time-warp and that I never left! When I was here in January, the weather was like it is now, the ride on the back of Freddy Andretti's pick-up truck (Pastor Freddy, that is, but he drives as fast as Mario Andretti) is just as I remember, the house is as comfortable as ever, the smells are the same, many of the faces are the same ... it's like the January trip just got a 10 day extension.

I can't wait to get to work.

The sense of accomplishment in January was wonderful, and I know that we will work hard again this week to help make the dream of the orphanage for the children of incarcerated women a reality.

Tim and Jason seem to be fitting in great and I'm sure we are in for an incredible week.

Click on the link below to see the video blog - and please ... pray for us and for all the people we are here to bless!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Fy7hMPJBs

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Bolivia Bound!

What a thrill - I get to go to Bolivia again!

Right now, we are sitting at the departure gate at Miami's airport just waiting to take the 8 hour flight to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

I'll be posting regularly here, so that anyone who is interested can see the progress that is made on the Hope Center.

Also, stay tuned for video blogs that will allow you to SEE what's going on! I'll generally be writing at night, so - log on first thing in the morning and get your update!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I Wish

I wish our dryer would dry the clothes completely the FIRST time.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

To buckle or not to buckle ...

It's a never ending battle ... getting my kids to buckle up when we go for a drive.

The other day, I tried a new tactic with my 6 year old son.

"Son, you HAVE to wear your seatbelt when you are in the car."

"Why, Dad?"

"Because if you don't wear a seatbelt, I'm breaking the law as the driver of this car. If a policeman were to pull us over and he saw that you don't have your seatbelt on, I would get in trouble and could get a ticket or even go to jail!"

"Hmmm. For how many days?"

ugh

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Arachnaphobia

Sunday afternoon I was moving some papers in my basement and suddenly I pain shot through my left hand. I dropped what I was carrying, looking for the sharp object that had hurt me.

Nothing.

But, oh the pain! I've never felt anything like this before. It felt like a bee sting, but without the flutter of bee's wings as it sticks you.

I guessed that most likely I was bit by a spider. After a few minutes, I saw a dot in the palm of my hand, then a white circle forming around the dot, then a redness throughout my palm. My hand got a bit swollen and then the inevitable happened. The decision that has torn many a marriage apart - do I go to the doctor or do I tough it out?

Only whimps go to the doctor! Plus, it's Sunday. Plus, I had other things to do. Plus, only whimps go to the doctor!

But, it was Mother's Day. I decided to forgo the traditional debate with my wife and go to the hospital. This was my special way of saying 'I love you and respect your opinions' to my wife. (Also, I knew that if I didn't go to get it checked out, that if I felt any pain or discomfort for the rest of the day, I would get ZERO sympathy from my wife - but rather, get the 'I told you to go to the doctor' speech. yuck)

All in all, I'm glad I got it checked out. I got prescriptions in the event the pain worsened (every few minutes it felt like I was getting pricked again) and got a lot of information about the Brown Recluse spider which can be found in our valley (rare, yet present). Now, we feel a whole lot better about letting the kids play in the basement as well as what to look for if they ever get bit by a Brown Recluse.

So, thanks Mary Jo - you were right - it was a good thing for me to go to the doctor.

(although - only for the information we received, not because I needed to go!)

Monday, May 12, 2008

Wonderful Sunday!

On Mother's Day, we had just a wonderful worship service.

We know that God is always there - we don't need to 'feel' His presence for us to 'know' His presence. That being said - a day like yesterday is always nice ... and necessary. As much as we know He loves us, we also need to experience Him now and then.

Perhaps we would experience Him more, if we listened a little more! (ouch ... on me!!!)

Of special bonus, was that it was Pentecost Sunday on Mother's Day. Now, normally I'm very aware of Pentecost Sunday. I think it's a shame that so many Pentecostal churches don't give that day more of an emphasis. This time, knowing the emphasis I gave the day last year and the overlap with Mother's Day, I decided months ago that I wouldn't preach on the topic of Pentecost this year.

This just makes yesterday even more special, because had I remembered it was Pentecost Sunday, I might have been inclined to lead the service as I did. But, because I didn't remember - I can honestly and truly say - the Holy Spirit was the boss and gave the directions for the day!

DO IT AGAIN, GOD ... DO IT AGAIN!!!