His strength made perfect

We really love this picture. This picture was made at our gardener, Saw Etamu's wedding (Saw Etamu is standing next to Chad). Take a second and compare us to the people surrounding us. We really laughed when we first saw this picture...this is a great look at what we look like in the middle of the people here...at least a head taller than most people we meet. We certainly stand out...not just because of our height, but because of a little pale-skinned, red-haired girl who is always with us, our language differences, and a number of things about which we are still learning! As we first looked at this picture, we thought, "What a beautiful picture of His strength made perfect in our weakness!" The One we serve is able to cross ANY barrier to glorify His name. Where we are weak, He is made strong! We are so priveleged to witness His miracles. We believe it is truly a miracle that He is able to use us, who are so different from the people we want to befriend. But pr--se Him! We see Him work this miracle anytime someone grasps a foreign concept, or is willing to befriend us, or welcomes us into their culture. We are truly priveleged to stand by and see His mighty works like these all the time. May He be glorified all the more in our weaknesses, and we will continue to boast in our weakness!

On the way to Saw Etamu's wedding

Maggie and Alysia riding to Saw Etamu, our gardener's, wedding.

Sad day

This was a sad day for all of us, because it was the day Mom and Dad left and we had to say good-bye. That last morning, it started raining, and just like at home, Dad was standing outside watching the rain. Maggie came in the kitchen and saw Dad watching the rain, and sat right down next to him because she wanted to watch, too. As hard as it was knowing we were about to say good-bye, this scene was very precious to me!

Papaw's little helper

Dad completed a number of projects around our house while he was here. He set up a fan in our kitchen, fixed up our van, and got our generator running properly, among many other things. Here Maggie is, right in the middle of one of Daddy's projects. She wanted to see what was going on and help him. She loved having Papaw here.

Out to eat

Here we are, together at our favorite restaurant in Yangon. Mom is wearing a traditional longyi one-set, which we had made while she was here.

Maggie in the village

When Mom and Dad were here, we all took a trip out to our helpers' village. Maggie had a wonderful time there...there were so many animals and children to see (her favorite things). She was especially intrigued by the pigs and the baby ducks. She was so cute chasing the ducks around, as you see here!

Dad and Maggie

This picture is sometimes hard for us to believe...that my parents were actually here in our country with us! Here is my dad, riding around with Maggie in our van. Maggie quickly adapted to having them around...there was no doubt in her mind that they were HERS. If she wanted to ride up front with Papaw, that's what she would do! She had a great time. Also, for all you "car accessory" lovers out there, notice our beautifully contextualized leopard-fur dashboard cover. These types of dashboard covers are actually quite popular in our country. Hey, we are just trying to blend in. :)

Easter

Easter fell during the Water Festival this year, and because of the Water Festival, during daytime hours we were trapped in our house. It was such a blessing when some friends suggested we get together at sunrise to celebrate this holiday so precious to us. Our friend who hosted us even had an Easter basket and some eggs for Maggie to play with. This Easter celebration was a true gift for us!

Water Festival

This is a picture of what our road looked like during the Water Festival. Cars lined up for as far as we could see, filled with people. They drove by these homemade stages, where people stood spraying others with water. It was a huge party...a little crazy at times. When we went out to see what was going on, we got soaked with the best of them. During the Water Festival, pretty much nothing was happening but partying. Stores were closed...this is one of the biggest holidays of the year in our country!