Don't try this in your own home
JULY 2, 2000
Family & Friends,
Remember Mardondes? He has been in prison for a couple of years for theft. He was given one
week to spend at home; his testimony was refreshing. God has indeed changed him and now he and
his wife (Silvana) are praying for the salvation of their two teenage sons.
Please pray for Edna's father (Antonio) who was assaulted in broad daylight today as he walked
home from town. He was shot in three places and has undergone several surgeries attempting to
patch up his intestines and other wounds. He lost lots of blood and is in the ICU. Pray that Edna
will give testimony of Jesus' peace to her Godless family.
Jesus' Brazil workers - Ken & Lori Stucky
KID'S CORNER: I suppose we can learn SOMETHING from every Science experiment, even
those that don't go so well... Jessica & Alicia were out behind our acerola grove this morning
attempting to duplicate something they evidently learned in school?!?! I later found two stacks of
bricks each supporting one end of a cross member (board). On top of the board was another row
of bricks end to end with a second board on top of them. This all served as a fulcrum for a third
board balanced precariously cross wise looking much like a modern day teeter-totter. After
patching up Alicia's face, scrubbing out my bloody shirt and calming the family down, I gathered
from the sobbing eldest that they were "trying to see which things were heavier." What we do know
for sure is that a 7 year old's foot is heavier then a 4 year old's lower lip! Mind you, this was not a
miniature apparatus they were assembling back there. It was a full scale clandestine weapon with
boards over SIX FEET LONG. Alicia later confessed, "next time we haf too bee mowa careful so
dat we don't git hurt soo much". "I tink dat we shood twy to get smaller owees dat don't haf soo
much blood in dem."
(top of list)
jus dwink it
JULY 9, 2000
Family & Friends,
Our semi anual church business meeting was held last night. It was a thrill to elect the church's first 3
deacons unanimously! Three new members were received as well. The evening was tainted by
negative reactions to the pruning process which our church is going through. Inactive members are
being pulled off the membership roll and this settles poorly in a non-confrontational society. We
deeply appreciate your prayers this week both for our church ministry as well as for the Alpha
School. Classes will recess for the last half of July giving us a needed break from the routine. Pray
that God's truth will find its place in hearts and that Christian unity will gain a foothold. Thanks so
much for your interest, e-mails and support of our ministry.
Love - Ken, Lori, Jessica, Alicia & Anabel
KID'S CORNER: Alicia decided that she was too sleepy at lunch time to eat her baked potato.
After her nap, she still wasn't interested in eating it. Sunday School is at 5 p.m. and by 6 o'clock
choir practice time she was famished. (The girls go to my mom's place during choir practice up until
the 7 p.m. church time.) Lori, however, had instructed Grandma that Alicia was not eligible for a
snack. Church got done at 8:15 and Alicia helped me drop people off in the van until 9:20 p.m.
Finally, she was fully ready to cooperate with our eating program. We later found out that Alicia
had done her best to sell "Gama" on the idea of some chocolate milk. "Alicia, your mommy said you
couldn't eat anything because you have not finished your lunch yet." "Oh, Gama, dats ok, I won't eat
the chocolate miook, I'll jus dwink it..."
(top of list)
Passion Fruit
JULY 16, 2000
FAMILY of FRIENDS,
Tomorrow we make our second to the last payment on THE ELEVEN acres destined to become
ALPHA's permanent home! This is a great milestone as only 90 days ago we signed a contract with
fear & trembling, but believing that God would provide. It will take under $10,000 to complete the
PROJECT. Please pray for the needed pledges to be made by August 17th.
I arrived home on Thursday afternoon, getting in on report card distribution and the tail of our
second Parent/Teacher meetings. We have successfully completed ALPHA's first semester and are
official taking a two week summer break. I traveled to Fortaleza to pick up three short term
missionaries; Steve, Melina & Suzanne are plugging in wonderfully and are already making an
impact on our kids, youth and adults.
Have a good week - Ken for the Stuckys
KID's CORNER: Our guest were sampling new fruit juices and giving their opinions about the
tropical varieties. Jessica piped up and said, "I like compassion fruit juice the best!"
(top of list)
I don't dwink
JULY 23, 2000
Friends & Family,
Our concerns regarding safety have escalated now that we are working 10 to 15 feet up on the
second floor of the school project phase two. My dad is the on-the-job foreman and he will be
furloughing in less than two months. Pray for the resources needed to have this building usable by
mid September.
Please pray for an open air evangelistic service scheduled at Antonia's home this Saturday at 7 p.m.
She is not a Christian, but has been eager to have a service in front of her home.
Counting up several more responses, the ALPHA Property Project has gone just over 80%. Praise
God with us for this progress.
Needing your prayers - Ken for the Stuckys
KID's CORNER: After church on Sunday evenings, we have a fellowship time w/ tea & coffee.
Brazilians are ok with sharing these drinks w/ their very small children. We, on the other hand, don't
allow our girls to partake. Last Sunday Alicia came to me just bawling about the hot coffee she had
spilled down the front of her dress. I comforted her and after realizing she was not burned I
"instructed" her. She claimed someone had given it to her and that she had "not axed fowuh it." We
rehearsed the appropriate responses "fowuh next time." Later that night I asked Alicia what she
would say if someone offered her coffee; her quick response was, "I don't dwink."
(top of list)
Whose fault
JULY 30, 2000
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
The last 16 tiles are now in place! Phase two of ALPHA's building is now being plastered and will
soon be ready for paint. Our two week summer recess is over on Tuesday so the staff & students
are tooling up to jump back into the routine. I think the parents of the ALPHA kids are the most
eager to have classes back in session...
Over 65 people heard the Gospel preached last night at an outdoor Evangelistic Service. Pray that
on each final Saturday of the month there will be fruit from the meetings designed to spread the
Good News.
Steve & Melina Blake from Monroe, WA are helping out in Mossoro till August 21st. We are
enjoying the boost that Steve's saxophone gives our accompaniment team.
Yours for Mossoro - The Stuckys & Blakes
KID'S CORNER: Alicia accompanied me on my van rout one Sunday. As we neared home she
had a rough sounding coughing fit.
KEN: Oh Alicia, that's Bad.
ALICIA: What's bad daddy?
KEN: Your cough, honey.
ALICIA: Oh daddy, I wasn't bad.
KEN: I know, honey, it isn't your fault.
ALICIA: Dat's wight daddy, it must be sumbudy elses fault...
(top of list)
Not Handsome
AUGUST 6, 2000
Friends & Family,
Two new computers were delivered to ALPHA this week. Don & Maria from Texas are visiting for
3 weeks along with Maria's cousin (Mary Grace) from Canada. Within 10 days we expect to have
everything installed in the new computer lab; Evani (the 1st grade teacher) is eager to have these
budding techies move out of the corner of her class room which they now occupy.
Next Sunday is MUSIC NIGHT. The entire service will be music presentations done by the
congregation, choir and small groups. Pray for friends, relatives and neighbors who are being invited
throughout this week to take up the challenge and come to this special program.
From Rainy Mossoro - Ken for the Stuckys
KID'S CORNER: Learning English can be a challenge for a couple of kids who go to a
Portuguese speaking school. In Brazil, there is one word "bonito" to describe someone as good
looking. Soooo, it was a surprise to Jessica & Alicia to learn that there are at least two words in
English. This week Alicia came up to Lori saying, "Mommy, you are pretty and I love you!" Lori
asked, "why do you say that I am pretty, sweety?" "Well it's because you sure aren't handsome..."
(top of list)
Lumps for kid's corner followers
AUGUST 13, 2000
Hello Everybody,
Tonight was a highlight as almost 150 people filled our little auditorium for an "All Music" program
featuring the IBCV Choir, Steve on the sax and a men's quartet. The gospel was clearly presented
and a dozen first time visitors were among the guests. Praise the Lord for His strength as we carry
on the teaching, preaching, administering and building responsibilities here in Mossoro.
My brother Ron and I will be traveling with some guests from the USA visiting two neighboring
states during these next ten days. Pray for our families who will hold things together back here at
home.
For the lost sheep of Mossoro - Ken and the ladies
Nothing funny to report tonight. I'll tell you about Anabel though. She is a delight. She is outgoing,
loves to smile and hates to lay back. Anabel always wants to be "standing" or leaning forward so
she can be a part of what is going on. She loves to go swimming with her siblings and to take a
shower with her daddy. She is chunky and cuddly but is beginning to get around in the walker and
can roll forwards and backwards. Best of all, she sleeps from 8 p.m. until Daddy comes to check
e-mail in the office (where her crib is) at 5:50 in the morning.
(top of list)
Such Big Teeth You Have!
AUGUST 20, 2000
Hello Everybody!
Another week has flown by. I am not sure if that is good or bad, but we will let you be the judge of
that! Monday morning Ken and his brother Ron left (on a 10 day trip) for the neighboring state with
some of our American guests. They went to the camp where Ken and Ron grew up and to a few
other mission stations to see the works there. Friday they arrived in Fortaleza to be ready for a
service in the church where Ron and Ranelle served before coming to Mossoró. Tomorrow and
Tuesday they will see our guests off and head back home Wednesday.
In the meantime..."while the cat is away, the mice will play," right? Well, not this time! Things have
been a little stressful here on the home front. Alicia came down with a really bad case of hives and
some blood tests also showed an infection. Not knowing the cause of either has been puzzling. She
is getting treatment that is proving successful, so we are very relieved. Everything else continues at a
breakneck pace, so there is never a dull moment! Thanks for all your encouragement. We
appreciate everyone of you!
For the 4 of us "home alone" and Ken,
Lori
Kid's Corner: A few new phrases added to the vocabulary of the 7 year old....
Sweet tooth: What you say when someone really likes sweet things. If you don't be careful, it might
result in the following....
Pulled tooth: What Grandpa got this week when it broke off. He wasn't feeling too good...I wonder
if it had anything to do with his sweet tooth?
Baby teeth: The teeth that don't have anything to do with being a "baby" but don't hurt as bad as the
"pulled tooth" when they come out.
Milk teeth: What the "baby teeth" are called in Portuguese.
Salad dressing teeth?????: Alicia had been listening to all this talk about "teeth," and just couldn't be
left out. As close as we can figure, it might be a combination between "sweet tooth" and "milk
teeth."
(top of list)
Coming Home?
AUGUST 27, 2000
Friends & Family,
Alicia is nearly well from her rash/infection/allergy attack/parasite problem. I arrived home at 2 a.m.
on Wednesday and have been scampering about getting bills paid and catching up from 10 days on
the road. In just over two weeks, Joe & Jeanie (my folks) head out on a two month furlough. Since
dad is the on-the-job-site guy at Alpha's construction project, we are pushing to put the roof on
before their departure. Finish work will be completed over the next 10 weeks.
My first emergency run for Alpha involved one of Alicia's classmates, a sharp desk corner, a half
pint of blood and a two stitch solution. Marília is doing just fine, healing from a deep but narrow cut
in the middle of her forehead.
Pressing on - Ken & Lori Stucky
KID'S CORNER: One evening last week I made a brief call home to comfort Alicia who was
worried about my lengthy absence. "Daddy, I am getting all bettuh from my spots. But Daddy,
aren't you gunna come home any mowuh?"
(top of list)
Ok, ok, handsome or beautiful?
September 3, 00
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Milton & Dalva welcomed into their family a baby girl mid morning last Monday. Milton has been a
faithful guitar player at church and Dalva teaches Sunday School. She is taking a break from her
teaching as they adapt to parenting. Praise the Lord for this faithful couple and pray for their
adjustments as a family.
Joe & Jeanie (my folks) tool up for furlough beginning a week from Thursday. Our main push is to
get the roof on the second floor at ALPHA. Pray for safety as we are work about 27 feet up; our
scaffolds are also dangerously close to power lines. Pray for a short term loan to come through to
push us over the top, being able to close up the building and begin using it
.
Pray for a drama team to emerge from our church group. Small skits and short plays can be
instrumental in touching hearts.
The King's Kids - Ken and girls
KID'S CORNER: Remember the handsome/beautiful dilema with Jessica back a few weeks ago?
It gets worse... The other day she said, "I thought that Jesus was man." "Well, He is, Jessica." And
about then I heard what song was playing on the CD player... "Isn't He, beautiful, counselor, mighty
God, isn't he..." Ok, when we are talking about some ones looks, we use one word and when we
are referring to their qualities and character we use others. What can Eye say. English is uh rather
complicated language, ewe no.
(top of list)
Sugar and Starch
SEPTEMBER 10, 00
Family & Friends,
Hail! At 2 p.m. (today - Sunday) I awoke to the sharp staccato of tiny hail stones hitting our clay
tile porch roof. I leapt from my hammock and headed for ALPHA as the light hail turned to heavy
rain. Water was half way up the curb as I flew from the truck, unlocked the gate and climbed to the
second floor to rescue our construction project from this misplaced Sunday downpour. The roof is
to be installed this week but the painting on the first floor has been already completed so it just
wouldn't do to have water seeping through the ceiling. I was shocked to see that the rain was
blowing at just enough angle so that most of the water was absorbed by the thirsty walls barely
running to the floor where it would have soaked through to the first level!
ONE more day of wall building and then we start bolting the roof in place. Finished or not, we must
load the van by Thursday at 11 a.m. and shuttle the Elder Stuckys to Fortaleza for their late
afternoon furlough flight to San Paulo and then Atlanta. Pray us through this one Please. Praise that
a loan has been secured to pay for the roof.
Come Hail or high water, your missionary builder - Ken
KID'S CORNER: At supper the other night...
Jessica: Please pass the chips, ketchup and cookies.
Ken: Oh honey, how about some salad?
Jessica: But today I studied about starch and sugar in school.
Ken: Oh yes, but salad has fiber and vitamins in it.
Jessica: Oh, daddy, that sounds nice. Maybe tomorrow I can study about them and THEN I will
want to try some salad...
(top of list)
Was Murphy's last name Stucky?
SEE NEW PICS: http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/index.html
SEPTEMBER 17, 00
Hello Family & Friends,
The press was incredible. Dad & I rushed to organize our crew to get the first most dangerous
sections of the roof in place before he flew to the USA. Finally Wednesday at 5 p.m. (That is
supposed to be our day off...) we put up the first 4 of the 63 ten foot long tiles. Thursday morning
while I did paper work, dad helped with another 8 tiles. It seemed that everything was going nicely.
At 10:15 I showed up with the van at my folks' place (scheduled time to leave was 10:30 a.m.)
Now it was Dad who was doing paper work... Ooops. By a quarter to 11 we finally headed out
but had to stop by the school to solve some personnel problems. Eleven fifteen we were making
tracks out of town. It is not even tempting to speed as the van is equipped with a device showing
the highway patrol a print out of all the van's activity. One stop for souvenirs at basket heaven, one
brief lunch break and we reached Fortaleza's outskirts around 2:20. Stopped in Lagoa Redonda for
chlorine, then the mission home to pick up letters some colleagues wanted to send to the USA. I
opted to drop Dad & Mom off at the airport along with Jessica and Evaristo (a gentleman traveling
along to keep me awake at night on the way home). I pulled out from the air port at 3:15 and
headed down town to pick up more letters and some documents for my folks. A record breaking
trip got me back to the air port at 4:10 - tragically my mother's purse had been stolen at 4:07! Gone
were her Brazilian ID card, driver's license, visa card and several other items. Dad fortunately had
her tickets and passport. Several cell calls and a cooperative ticket counter made it possible for
Ron (my brother) and Lori to dig out a photocopy of mom's documents back in Mossoro and for
Lori to then run these to down town Mossoro and fax them directly to the air port. Copies in hand
they boarded with the last call, just minutes before take off at 4:57 p.m. Next job was to exchange
phone numbers with lost and found and Transbrasil ticket counter. Now a call to Ron to get the
Visa Card Canceled back in Nebraska. Then strait to the Civil Police to file an "occurrence bulletin"
as they call them here. Now it's 6 p.m. and time to do some quick shopping and get supper and hit
the already dark highway.
Amazingly in isle 9 I took a call from Ron who had taken a call from cousin Phil who had gotten
word from colleague Jonathan who had been called by the American Consulate who had gotten a
call from a lady 20 minutes away from the air port who had found mom's purse tossed into her front
yard with only a Visa card and some cash missing. The R$7 will not be missed. By now the Visa is
canceled, mom and dad are flying somewhere over east/central brasil, I am frazzled and God is
good. A total of nearly a dozen people had rallied to get my folks onto their plane and the purse
back to us. Next week Ed Lieb (a retired missionary) will hand carry the purse to the USA. I did
drag into Mossoro before midnight and slept in until 8 a.m. Friday.
First stop was to see how the roof was going. WOW! They had put up another 25 of the 63 tiles!
Great progress. Then just after lunch as I was laying down for a quick nap, it started to rain. By
sheer determination I jumped up and rushed over to Alpha to discover about 10 broken leaking
tiles; something had gone desperately wrong with the installation! Other workers arrived just in time
to scoop buckets of water out of the uncovered hall way as water was pouring into the lower level
through the OUTLETS!!! (It was running right down the conduits into the outlet and switch boxes.)
Well, Monday we will pull the tiles off and start over; as they say in Brasil, back to fence post #1.
For sure God sent us the inch+ of rain to show us the problem; it would have been much worse to
discover these leaks and more about mid February of next year... And the moral of the story is:
make sure to have extra copies of all your documents in your carry on bag.
Exhausted for Jesus - Ken and girls
IF you still want kids corner after all that, you will have to check back next week...
PS. As I was getting ready to send this update, the winds kicked up, the power went off, tiles
started blowing off of our house and the sky went black. We rushed to unplug our computers and
other equipment. Lightning struck my dad's antena 100 feet from our house and a huge surge came
through the power grid. It appears that the casualties are my brother's two computers, electric
shower heads, a several transformers, circuit breakers, outlets and switches; oh yes, Dad's phone
line seems to be gone as well. Sparks flew out in the work shop and a trail of soot is there to prove
it. It seems nothing blew up at church, but the light switches in Ranelle's (my sister in law) kitchen
flew all over the room. In the mean time Dad's float valve in his cistern toasted and the storeage
building is flooded. With some tricky do-it-yourself wiring jobs, we have power in most of the
buildings again and will figure out the damage tomorrow. Ron's computers were backed up a week
ago, but the equipment will definately need help.
Pray for us to display a gracious spirit in the middle of it all. Let me tell you what, lightening makes a
deafening sound when it lurks around in your back yard!!
(top of list)
Only up
September 24, 00
Friends & Family,
I can't describe it but somehow the monotonous aspects of ministry mixed with the uncertainty of
working with people bring us to times of fatigue & discouragement like these. Pray for us to
discover an effective plan for taking a day off each week; pray also for a renewed reliance on the
Almighty. I realize that this isn't an evangelically correct sort of missionary update, but it is the raw
struggle I am facing right now. Fatigue, burdens, disappointment and ruined equipment crash in from
every side leaving us only the options of burnout or complete trust on Him...
Pray for the Salvation of:
- Gizelda (our architect's wife)
- Reginaldo (construction worker)
- Jose Wilson (our welder)
- Evaristo (married to a lady from church)
KEN
(top of list)
That's talking you know...
New pictures of Anabel -
http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/anabel.htm
OCTOBER 1, 00
Family & Friends,
Doing much better this week. Several dozen responses boosted us through our discouragement.
Thanks for ministering to us...
True to form, my holiday of the month was overridden on Saturday when the back hoe operator
called just after 7 a.m. saying he was on his way over to dig a trench for laying pipe. We have been
hounding him for 6 weeks to come! I said, "but today is a holiday!" And he said, "yep, I know, that
is why I can get away from the other job we have been working on..." So, we commenced 6 hours
of sun drenched digging, laying pipes and filling in the trench.
Please continue to pray for the salvation of Gizelda who is searching for answers.
KEN for the Stuckys
KID'S CORNER: I had given permission for Alicia to sleep w/ Jessica in her double bed the
other night. When I headed to bed, I noted she was back in her hammock already. When I inquired
the next day, Alicia said that Jessica had kicked her out of bed. Jessica said that she sure had and it
was for good reason too - Alicia wouldn't be quiet. Alicia said, "but Jessica, you were talking too."
Jessica replied, "No I wasn't, I just said for you to be quiet..." Alicia cut her off and said, "Jessica,
that's talking you know."
PS Mom's purse is once again safely in her possession in South Dakota.
(top of list)
A gentle warning...
OCTOBER 8, 2000
Friends & Family,
The back hoe arrived early on Monday to finish the trench digging/pipe laying job. Soon water will
be flowing from my brother's well to the current Alpha installations.
Ricardo (a young father of 5) is studying the Bible with me once a week. Praise God for his interest
and pray that he will grow in the Lord. Some time ago he made a decision to trust Christ, but over
the past 3 months while working on our construction crew he has developed renewed interest in
Spiritual Truth.
Keep praying for Gizelda who is still searching. We made visits to her home this week and she has
faithfully attended services over the past 2 months.
Fifty people from our church boarded a rented bus yesterday to visit a church across town. Our
choir did its first short road trip, presenting 4 numbers at a Bible Conference on the Christian
Family.
PRESSING ON - KEN & LORI STUCKY
KID'S CORNER: Jessica & Alicia went to Theo's third birthday party (he is one of Alicia's class
mates from Alfa). In typical Brazilian fashion, tables were laden with party favors, cake and soda
drinks. Everything was about an hour and fifteen minutes behind schedule and folks were wandering
around waiting for the honored "sir" to finish his bath so that pictures could commence and then the
PARTY! Lori heard a quiet little voice singing in Portuguese, "Oh be careful little hands what you
touch, oh be careful little hands what you touch..." She looked around the corner and there was 2
year old Marília reaching for the cake and 3 year old Alicia giving her a gentle warning...
Our New Web Site address: http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/
(top of list)
Late night driving...
OCTOBER 15, 2000
Dear Friends & Family,
Last week we failed; this week we are set to succeed. Readers over the past several weeks have
been campaigning with us to see the "day off" concept plugged into out missionary experience.
Thanks for your encouragement; to last long term on the mission field, we must implement a day off
into our routine.
Why did we fail last week? Thursday is our scheduled day and it turned out this week to be a
holiday. In Brazil, holidays provide rare chances for training and special events. Lori and I got up
before 4 a.m. and drove 3.5 hours to Fortaleza taking a van load of Sunday School teachers to a
regional intensive seminar. We would have been home by 11 p.m. but encountered danger on the
late night high way... As we fueled at a truck stop, three alarmed truckers pulled in: ONE had a
shattered windshield, ANOTHER had dings & bruises all over the cab of his Mercedes and THE
THIRD had an overheated diesel. A band of vandals lining the ditch would fling gravel at passing
vehicles. A large stone penetrated the last truck's grill and nearly destroyed the radiator causing the
overheating!
I distracted the ladies while we awaited police to come investigate the situation. When the traffic
flow resumed after 10:30 p.m., we drove the last leg of our journey getting home by midnight. Sooo
you can see it wasn't much of a day off; it was, however, refreshing to our teachers.
Praise God for his continued protection. THIS WEEK we are headed to the hills for 2.5 days of
rest.
PRESSING ON - KEN & LORI STUCKY
(top of list)
Millionites!
OCTOBER 22, 2000
Friends & Family,
We did spend two delightful days in Martins, a couple hours from home and 2000+ feet above sea
level. With 70's there compared to the 80's and 90's down here, we were able to relax, read, roller
blade and get some Sabbath. If you can't understand why we can't kick back for a day now and
then here in Mossoro, you should come and visit to find out why.
This Saturday will be our General Assembly (church business meeting); pray that God will work in
our group and draw us together for His Glory. Pray for wisdom in setting goals as a church; we
desire to lay out the various steps involved in fencing, ground breaking and building on the church
property. We expect to launch a tithing campaign soon as well.
PRESSING ON - KEN & LORI STUCKY
KID'S CORNER: Even at age 32, the Old Testament occasionally alludes me. Imagine the
confusion a 3 yr old encounters trying to sort it all out... A few days ago, Alicia came to me asking,
"Daddy, just who were the millionites and why was Isreel spozed to dustroy dem?"
Our Web Site address recently changed; here is the new site. http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/
(top of list)
Walking carefully
OCTOBER 29, 2000
Family & Friends,
We enjoyed a ½ day away from town on Wednesday afternoon. We loaded the kids into the truck
and went an hour north to visit missionary friends Lori had never met and I had not seen for 14
years! The Aldridges’ home over looks the Atlantic just up the coast. Jessica & Alicia ran wild
picking up lemons and coconuts from their fruit trees. Lori visited with Janey and I swapped
construction stories with Bobby.
The highlight of our church business meeting last night was the launch of a campaign to build a wall
around our church property 5 blocks from here. Someone suggested we go march around the
area... We anticipate beginning to build in about 3 or 4 months. Please pray that each church
member would take steps in faith as they plan their financial giving even in tough economic times.
For Brazil - Ken & Lori STUCKY
KID’s CORNER: The remodeling project in our home includes yanking out termite infested 2.5 X
7 inch pieces of wood which have been held in place by four nails whose heads were secured in
concrete over 20 years ago. Sooo, when the wood is pulled up, it leave 4 nicely spaced nails
sticking up ½ inch. The very next job then is to flatten these lethal snares with a hammer. Regardless
of our meticulous work, some of the nails are still capable of snagging things and catching your
shoes as you walk over them. As interested parents, we have warned the girls many times about
using their sandals... Alicia informed me this week that she has “learned to walk vewy cafwuly on
duh nayuls.” (Editor’s note: she does this procedure barefoot.)
Our Web Site address recently changed; here is the new site.
http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/
(top of list)
Sticks & Stones
NOVEMBER 5, 00
Family & Friends,
In the process of construction and other duties, my extreme lower back was injured last week. Pray
with us for solutions. Tomorrow we will research the possibilities of getting treatment here in
Mossoro. I am in much pain and unable to do almost everything.
Last week I met with a young architectural major who is proposing to draw up ALPHA's campus
as his final project for his degree. This is a one year project and will help get ideas rolling for
Alpha's permanent home. Even though this project is free to us, it has the benefits of being
accompanied by experienced professionals who oversee the architectural department of the largest
university in our state!
For Brazil - Ken & Lori STUCKY
KID'S CORNER: Wednesday/Thursday our family took a one day trip out into the bush. On the
way back, Jessica said, "Daddy, can I ask you a question?" Said I, "Hit me." "Oh daddy, I just
wanted to ask you a question..."
(top of list)
Not Ready for the FIRE!
November 26, 00
Friends & Family,
Tonight as I was taking folks home from church, a truck flashed its high beams and proceeded to
drive down my side of the highway. I braked and pulled right. As we met, I noted it was a fire truck
hosing down our side of the highway?!?
Let me take you back 4 months ago. A friend who sells construction supplies down town had a fire
in his store; the fire truck never made it to the site. The department claimed to be out of water (we
have no hydrants in Mossoro). THE REST of the story is that there is only one fire truck in our city
of 300,000 residents.
You know what? Mossoro's fire truck scenario is similar to many people's spiritual condition. They
are totally unprepared for the big one. What if a fire call had come in tonight at 9:15 just when the
truck had finished emptying its water on the dark highway? Someone could have lost their life over
that miscalculation. So it is, with many who don't yet know Jesus. And that is exactly why we are
here in Mossoro; to help folks avoid the big fire in the end.
Your Brazilian Fire Fighters - Ken & Lori Stucky
KID'S CORNER: Last week Alicia learned to swim. This week Jessica learned
to ride bicycle. She is still much better on a slight down hill grade than
going back up, but the art of balance is becoming her specialty. Another
mile stone for a kid.
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We have a "finder" among us...
December 3, 00
Friends & Family,
Visitors from Africa are to arrive this week. For the first time ever, three Stucky siblings, their
spouses & children and of course Grandpa & Grandma will all be together for a grand gathering -
this includes Christmas. My sister Deb and her husband Sam are scheduled to arrive about midnight
on Tuesday; they plan to stay till December 31st.
Tomorrow we expect two billboards to be posted on two of Mossoro's main avenues promoting
ALPHA. Pray that 100 students will enroll for 2001 and that God will bring us two or three
excellent Christian teachers to round out our staff for classes beginning February 1, 01.
In Jesus' Name - Ken & Lori Stucky
KID'S CORNER: Anabel is mobile. She crawls and loves to "find" things. She loves to "swim" no
matter how cold the water is and tries to keep up with her sisters. Lori's choir director music book
was among the casualties - things that Anabel "found". This month, our three girls along with their
three boy cousins will have lots of chances to make memories and have fun together.
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We could go with them...
December 10, 00
Family & Friends,
Sam & Deb Dick flew in from the USA this week; our family reunion is under way. Brian &
Andrew (my sister's kids) are enjoying playing with Jessica & Alicia; in fact, the girls have one more
week of classes at Alpha and then they have "plans" for all sorts of fun and games.
Tonight, a gentleman named John pulled me aside asking for a home Bible study at his place. He
used to be part of a local cult but said that this time he wants "preparation" before deciding to join
something religious. Pray for John and his wife Kaline who have attended services off and on over
the past two months.
The front of ALPHA has been panted and tomorrow we reinstall the sign about 20 feet up. Lots of
people are talking, but we are still wondering how many will enroll their children for next year. Pray
for an adequate student base to meet our operating expenses and for two more teachers to be
found soon.
For Jesus - Ken, Lori and girls
KID'S CORNER: Alicia is my partner for taking folks home after church services. Tonight we
had 27 in the van including two pregnant ladies! We do have enlightening conversations after
everyone is dropped off and we are heading home. Tonight's question was, "when can we go visit at
Brian & Andrew's house?" Bamako (in Mali West Africa) really isn't that far from Mossoro,
however, there isn't a good way to get there from here. A direct flight would probably take about 5
hours, but by the time you go via San Paulo and Paris etc. it makes for about 20 hours of flying
time! So I told Alicia that, "we really can't go to their house, it is too far away." Her reply, "but they
made it all the way here, we could just go back with them." How can you tell a four year old any
differently? Did you know that Alicia turned 4 on Tuesday? She is becoming quite a lady.
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GO BIG RED!
DECEMBER 17, 00
Friends & Family,
Rain, rain, rain! For two whole days it rained lightly and this is only the middle of December! Praise
the Lord despite the fact that the roof is not finished at ALPHA and our house roof is also being
repaired.
This week we are tooling up for the Christmas Program to be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas
Eve. Pray as invitations are being handed out to friends and coworkers, neighbors and relatives. It
will be held outdoors if the weather permits.
ALPHA year one is history. Thanks for praying and supporting this ministry. We are still searching
for two more teachers, numerous students and 50% sponsors to help needy students pay half of
their tuition. Thanks for your interest in Mossoro and those who still need Jesus here.
Ken for the Stuckys
KID'S CORNER: Our miniature Doberman is named Red; she is more or less light brown or
reddish in color. We kept only one of her pups and I took the liberty to name her Go Big. I will give
you a hint; I lived in Nebraska for my 4 years of college. One of my nephews has a fear of dogs.
Andrew came running to his daddy saying, "I think the world is about to end." "Why do you say
that?" asked Sam. "It is because I just got barked." Mind you, Go Big is about 5 inches tall and in
her playful way, she indeed "barked" my dear nephew. So you had better watch out for Go Big and
Red!
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