Ken and Lori Stucky
Friends & Family
E-Mail Updates
I lost my gums!
JANUARY 16, 03
FAMILY of FRIENDS,
We are home from field conference and busily pressing on with enrollment at ALPHA. Thanks for praying for students; many
families are touring the school and making progress through the enrollment process. More students have applied for
Scholarships than the funds we have available. Pray with us for more sponsors for these needy families.
Remember Evaristo? He is the gentlemen who is battling cancer and has lost his hair because of the chemo treatments. Ken's
no hair style has been a hit and sure raised a lot of questions making it possible to witness about the Love of Jesus and to
challenge smokers to stop. The best news, though, is that Evaristo trusted Jesus as Savior this Sunday. We have been
witnessing to and praying for him for the past 7 or 8 years!
IN HIS SERVICE - Ken, Lori and girls
KID'S CORNER: VBS was a hit at field conference. Jessica and Alicia had been looking forward to the activities ever since
school got out in December. They had a great time and can't stop talking about how much they enjoyed it. I knew they had
done a lot of unusual stuff, but I was alarmed to hear Alicia comment that she had lost her gums. WHAT? Not really too sure
what she was talking about, I asked her to clarify. "Well, Mommy, I got some candy and stuff from the people at BBS and I
ate one of my gums, but I lost all the rest. But that's OK, 'cause I didn't need them anyway." WHATEVER!
FRIENDLY REMINDER: New e-address: kenstucky@mikrocenter.com.br
(top of list)
A bone to break
January 31, 03
FAMILY of FRIENDS,
Classes began on Thursday and today we held our first assembly; our first short week of classes is history! We have 56
students registered and are expecting 20 more to sign up in the next 2 weeks. Thanks for praying with us toward the goal of
70.
The rains have set in heavily; we have had about 15 inches in 2 weeks! Though we really appreciate rain, we still have four
roofs to install in order to be fully prepared for the season; this will require some overtime and weekend effort on our part.
Youth Group outing: 19 of us went to Fortaleza for a youth rally last Saturday. For some of the kids, it was the first time out of
state! Though our guys lost badly to a more experienced soccer team, we had a good time. We toured a light house, did the
mall, went to the international air port and then out to McDonalds. For half of the kids, all of these things were novelties. Some
of the guys had never even been on an elevator before and embarrassed the girls to death by riding up and down for 45
minutes.
Please keep Evaristo in mind. He is the gentleman with lung cancer. Since coming to Christ a couple of weeks ago, he has
begun discipleship lessons but is really struggling as his chemo treatments are not reducing the tumor size. Pray that God will
give him grace, strength and healing.
ALPHA: don't forget to lift us up in these critical first steps of the new year. This is the first year at ALPHA for over half of our
students. Probably as many as 65% of these kids are from broken families and very difficult home situations. Opportunities to
dispense Grace are abundant. We are still lacking about 25 students sponsors to come along side poor families helping them
with 50% scholarships.
Please pray for the salvation of: Paulinho, Edilson, Abreu, Francisco, Reginaldo, Reinaldo, Edmilson , Junior, Gilmar, Ricardo,
Raimundo and Airton - these are all men who either work for me or with whom I do business. The first 6 have on occasion
visited church upon my invitation and the other six have yet to show interest in the Gospel.
Incredibly blessed,
KEN for the Stuckys in Mossoró
KID'S CORNER: Grandma bought a Turkey on sale after the holidays; it was a monster weighing in around 25 pounds.
Jessica and Alicia helped her deal with the bird. At lunch today, Jessica was commenting on the wish bone procedure.
"Mommy, Alicia and I broke the wish bone and guess how it came out?" It happens that it broke right in half so they each got
half a wish I guess. Alicia was really excited because her wish came true. Alicia said, "Oh dat was easy, I jus wished for
somting dat had alweady happened." Think about it a minute. A six year old was not any less pleased to have used the
opportunity to be grateful for something already history than to selfishly expect something new and interesting to befall her.
Maybe we could rename that silly bone - how about "The Thankfulness Bone"?
PS Pray for us to manage some time off; fatigue is setting in.
(top of list)
Would you believe 85?
February 10, 03
Dear ALPHA Fans,
Fantastic news! Thanks for praying for more students; our goal was 70 and we now have 85! Classrooms are bursting; music
and PE classes had to split because of the squeeze; up to 4 students share a monitor in computer class; there are traffic jams at
7:00 and 11:30 each morning out front; even the drinking fountains can’t keep up. So, can you guess what our critical need is?
Nope, we are not asking for new computers, a commercial water cooler or a wider street (though all of those would be nice).
Our hot spot is chair despair. That's right, the chair shuffle is getting to us. Up the steps for staff meeting, down again for music
class, outside for Bible, back in for English. Upstairs for youth group, down again for Sunday school, to the court for
Assembly, over to the reception area for students’ parents who arrive early. Doesn’t it make your back ache?
Here is how YOU can help. Be a donor. Buy a chair. We have found a fantastic price on durable plastic ones, which won't
rust, rot or warp. They can be sat on, dripped on, and then wiped off or simply hosed down. They stack nicely and yet sit
comfortably. Can you imagine a chair you would rather donate than this one? Can you think of someone who needs one more
than ALPHA? Take a peek; Go to:
http://www.grosfillex.com.br
(click this sequence: entrar, produtos, basic, conhecer a linha; it’s the top left chair named "Cadeira Miami Bistrot") This chair
is on sale at Toc Stok until the 23rd for R$21.90 which comes out to just US$6.25 each.
THE RULES:
1. You can donate ONLY ONE chair.
2. Your check may include funds for up to one chair per person in your household.
3. For greater flexibility, but only in extreme cases, dependents (past or present) living with you (or somewhere else) can
participate, provided they don't mind having a chair (JUST ONE) donated in their name.
4. If you encounter difficulty, there may be exceptions and allowances for alternate spellings or nick-names.
- Checks Payable to: BGFM
- Send to: P.O. Box 355, Springfield, IL 62705-0355
- Please enclose note stating: "For ALPHA" (don’t write ALPHA on check)
- To help us count up the chairs, please e-mail us if you participate.
Thanks so much for your interest in ALPHA and the Christ Is Life church. Since the school facility is used weekly for 6 or 7
churchfunctions, your chair will be pump out double duty.
Humbly yours - Ken Stucky (for the ALPHA kids)
PS Our church families are being challenged to each sponsor a chair. For some of these families, the donation will represent
the equivalent of 2 days income…
(top of list)
Violation of the rules!
February 13, 03
FAMILY of FRIENDS,
Hi everybody. I wanted to clear up a couple of matters.
1. Why the limit on the chairs? Was it a trick to get people to give?
ANSWER: Actually, it was my attempt at humor. I also wanted to demonstrate that the gathering of bits and pieces makes
into significant ministry.
2. No, there will not be points lost for those who fail to follow the rules; you are welcome to give in your own style.
3. To see the progress: http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/alfa/2003.htm
4. Thirty-seven chairs have been donated so far!
Pressing on - KEN
(top of list)
eighty-nine by one hundred thirty-nine
February 21, 03
Dear ALPHA Fans,
Exciting news! Our goals are being reached.
ENROLLMENT: We had prayed for 70 students and we now have 89!
CHAIR DRIVE: I secretly aimed for a number between 89 & 200 chairs for our seating campaign. (89 is the number students
and 200 is the approximate number who attend ALPHA Assembly every other Friday.) We now have 139 chairs pledged so
we are well inside the window.
It is not too late to make a pledge and push the project to the top. One donor creatively suggested contributing chairs in the
names of some of the students. Nearly anything is workable.
To see the progress, go to: http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/alfa/2003.htm
Please pray with us for a number of students who come from fantastically difficult home situations. We will write more about
some of these kids later and since is isn't prudent to mention their names right now, please just remember the students and their
lack of love, guidance and basic needs at home.
Yours for the ALPHA kids - KEN
KID'S CORNER: Raoni is our unusual student of the year. He is 14 but because of learning difficulties he can read or write.
English class seems to be one of his favorites though; as he and the other 4th graders walked by me in the hall way he said
rather loudly, "HI KEN". Had it been any other student, it might have been considered disrespect, but from Raoni? Well, the
hall roared. I guess you would have to have been there.
(top of list)
You have till next Wednesday...
"So that all the peoples of the Earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no one else" 1Kings 8:60
MARCH 9, 03
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Nearly 70 from church retreated from the CARNIVAL season this year gathering in three homes for fellowship, food and fun.
We shared verses, heard Scripture lessons, cooked and cleaned up together, swam, played soccer, had group games and
closed the retreat with a tube steak feed at the church. Helping each other grow is rewarding when contrasted with the way
many Brasilians spend this Flesh Fest Season.
Turned Ten on Tuesday: JESSICA has gone double digits on us. The challenges of growing a young lady begin to balance out
as we see the qualities of helpfulness, compassion and maturity take root. Pray for Jessica to enrich the lives of her classmates
(2 or 3 don't know Jesus). She also takes her turn at the church nursery and helps teach English to the 2's and 3's at ALPHA.
Reading is her passion; honestly, how many kids do you know who get excited about doing book reports?
CHAIR DRIVE: At last count 154 chairs have been pledged. We are preparing our order awaiting for the funds to become
available. We consider the project a TOTAL SUCCESS. If you want to hitch a ride you can still e-mail us your pledge for the
rest of this week.
ALPHA year 4 is moving smoothly. We continue our search for one more teacher and will soon begin building the one
classroom yet needed. A couple of work teams join us this summer to help with the construction of facilities needed for 2004.
Abundant opportunities have wedged themselves into our schedules; some of the new ALPHA families have expressed
spiritual needs and interest in Truth.
-- Pray for Edilson & Francisco, two unsaved men, who have attended Sunday services continually since November. Edilson
bought a Bible and said he is contemplating a decision for Christ.
Thanks for your partnership with us in the Harvest Field
Ken, Lori, Jessica, Alicia & Anabel
KID'S CORNER: Spectacular NEWS; it happened on March 4th. Our "Go Big" (50% miniature Doberman) had pups.
Since this event coincided with Jessica's Birthday, she has been pressing me for one of these balls of fur to become her very
own. I gave the standard, "We will see." answer pushing it off a couple of days. Yesterday, Jessica pulled me aside as though
to negotiate a matter of business. "Daddy, you have until next Wednesday to decide." "Decide what, Honey?" "You know,
about the puppy." "Why next Wednesday?" asked I. "Because the puppies will be two weeks old and they will open their eyes
and you will have to decide if you are selling them or giving me one." I replied, "Oh, I see." Said she, "And, if you let me pick, I
would really like the black one, ok?"
I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE but I am going to give YOU a chance to impact the life of our daughter through this
electronic poll. Help decide.
YES, she gets the black pup
Or
NO, just go ahead and crush a little girl's heart.
You have until Saturday (March 15) to help decide. Now don't be angry with me, but in case you were just holding off, the
CHAIR DRIVE ends on Saturday too. Oh yes, don't mix family with business, right?
(top of list)
where is my "churanchula"?
Brand new pics - http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/alfa/03sch1/index.htm
Chair Project results - http://harmonline.hispeed.com/stucky/alfa/2003.htm
MARCH 17, 03
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Several children and a young lady came to Christ since we last updated you on the Mossoro Ministry. Thanks for standing in
prayer with us. Please keep remembering two men (brothers) named Francisco and Edilson; they have been to church for
about 10 or 12 weeks without fail. Edilson purchased a Bible and proudly carries it with him to services.
Charlie & Caroline Regier have been visiting Mossoro for the past two weeks. They have given their lives to Christian School
ministry for the past 38 years in Corn, OK. Their encouragement and advice has been invaluable. They attended Bible College
with my parents hundreds of years ago but even so have brought us a fresh perspective to the Christian Education Adventure.
Lori caught a creepy who was trying to sneak into our house Saturday night. His wheel span was about 6 inches. My wife
bravely captured him in a pretzel container to show the visiting gringos. She has since preserved this giant spider in alcohol for
the trip to his new home in Oklahoma. Our kids were captivated by this entire process.
Praise the Lord for protection for Charlie and me as our van was hit by a truck with a stack of plywood hanging 18 inches out
to the left side. It scared us a bit, but there was only a couple hundred dollars damage to the side of the car; no personal
injuries!
In His Service - Ken and ladies
KID'S CORNER: "Daddy, what happen to our ting on duh fridgeratoh? It's gone; wanna know where went?" So I inquired of
the excited 2 year old as to what time the star had appeared. "Just what is dis ting, sweety?" "Oh daddy, it's a churanchula: it
sposed to be wite heeoh!" (pointing to the pretzel container on the fridge) "Nobody sposed to take it fwum us; it's our
churanchula!" (Anabel didn't realize that Lori had deeded the critter to the Regiers after packaging him for international
departure.)
FYI: Anabel turns 3 on Wednesday. Her proud accomplishment is that she can now swim! Now and then she remembers to
lift her head above water for another gulp of air to be able to go another 5 or 10 feet. She jerks and squiggles, humps and
wiggles reminding us quite literally of a fish in the water.
PART TWO: When the "critter" was being captured and confined in the original pretzel container, Jessica reminded Lori to
"not forget to punch some air holes so he can breathe." Quite frankly, we were not even the least bit concerned about the
"churanchula's" oxygen intake.
PART THREE: The results of the e-poll were 33 YES votes for Jessica's puppy and zero NO Votes. That was an
overwhelming affirmative response. I will have to make that 34 votes, because if you can't beat them? Well then join them.
(top of list)
Gwapes or Chawees?
MARCH 30, 03
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
THREE HIGHLIGHTS!
ONE: MILTON - An overwhelming load of responsibility is being lifted slightly. We invited a young man to join the ALPHA
team as an official "office boy" (as they are called in Brasil). My list of jobs for him has about 25 items. It includes trips to the
bank, hand delivery of accounting records, being a monitor at snack and recess time, running errands around town, light
carpentry, life guarding and being a general backstop. We are grateful that MILTON (as soon as he finishes his responsibilities
at the driving school where he now teaches) will join the ALPHA staff. Two HUGE side blessings are: 1. MILTON is vitally
interested in music and 2. He has a motorcycle he can use for running errands. MILTON is a 5th year student at the Mossoro
music conservatory; he also is involved in church leadership as a deacon and worship team musician. We anticipate that he will
soon step into the ALPHA music program giving Lori a boost as she coordinates special events, writes curriculum and teaches
8 weekly music classes.
TWO: ANDREW JOHNSON has accepted a 7 month internship at ALPHA! He graduates with a Computer Science
Degree on May 7th and then heads down to Brasil to cover for Ron & Ranelle Stucky who begin their furlough on the 20th.
ANDREW is an MK who spent some of his growing up years at the same camp that my parents founded in the mid 70's. We
are grateful that he can come cover for Ron's computer classes with the staff and students and also teach English and
co-sponsor the youth ministry.
THREE: FURLOUGH 2003: It is 5 years since our family furloughed. With MILTON & ANDREW coming along side to
help us it finally seem feasible to get away for 10 weeks. We have reservations to leave home on September 8th and return on
November 30th. It is exciting to begin planning to see our friends in the USA but it is a pretty big deal to pull the girls out of 10
weeks of classes and to transfer our responsibilities to other team members who already have too much to do. Praise the Lord
with us for our family's growing excitement over this trip but please also pray for His provision in every way for this furlough.
Overwhelmingly Grateful - Ken, Lori, Jessica, Alicia & Anabel
KID'S CORNER: At 3:30 p.m. today (Sunday), Lori headed to church for the music team's weekly practice; it was my job
to funnel the little ladies toward the bathroom to clean up for 6 p.m. Sunday School and then the 7 p.m. Worship Service. All
was quiet while I shaved and showered. After about 25 minutes, the smallest of the trio showed up in my room wearing a cute
little dress with cherries on it. "Daddy, look at my gwapes!" "They are cherries, honey." "Nope, daddy, dey are gwapes, see?"
(as she pointed to several pairs of cherries) "Anabel, I am sure they are cherries." "Ok, dey can be chawee gwapes if you
want." "That would be fine sweety." About then, big sister came in the room. "Jessica, look at my chawees! Daddy tinks dey
are chawee gwapes, but dey weally are chawees." Did I really say "it would be fine for dem to be chawee gwapes"?
PS THE LANDSLIDE VOTE of 40+ yes votes and ZERO no votes has given Jessica custody of CLARA, a silly black
puppy who brings great joy and many little surprises. That really isn't so surprising, is it?
(top of list)
with or without the fish?
MAY 12, 03
FAMILY OF FRIENDS,
We survived the May 1st all church outing, youth leadership retreat and Mother's day program. Now it is time to hit the
summer ministries.
ANDREW JOHNSON: Our new computer teacher graduated from College on Wednesday, packed on Thursday, caught a
flight on Friday, arrived in Brasil on Saturday, spent Sunday with his mother and sisters and comes to Mossoro via bus today
(Monday). Andrew will have one week to observe and tool up to take over computers and some English classes. He will help
me sponsor the youth group during my brother Ron's furlough.
SOUTH DAKOTA TEAM: Three young adults and one grandpa are scheduled to arrive at 1 a.m. Wednesday. I will pick
them up in Fortaleza and shuttle them to Mossoro just in time for breakfast. They plan to be with us just over 2 weeks to dig in
and minister along side us. They will be bringing tools and a fresh perspective to encourage us.
STUDENTS FROM WYOMING: Three young men were scheduled to arrive in Brasil on Tuesday, but had delays because
their travel visa applications were rejected several times. When they arrive, they will spend a week with us and then will go
across the plateau to Limoeiro do Norte in the next state west of us.
BAPTISM ON MAY 18th: Eight students and adults are preparing to be baptized next Sunday. Pray that they will be able to
calmly share their faith to the many guests who will be present. This is a key time for family members to make their first ever
visit to church and hear the Gospel.
Hey, besides these extras, we have the normal chuck/packed schedules. We need God's grace, strength and stamina. Thanks
for praying for and supporting our ministry in Mossoro. Jot us an e-mail or make a brief encouragement call soon.
Home: 011-5584-312-1012
Direct to Ken: 011-5584-9411-2103
Your Field reps,
KEN & LORI STUCKY
KID'S CORNER: A couple of evenings ago Lori left for choir practice. I gathered the troops for supper and Jessica said,
"Yummy, tuna fish and egg sandwiches!" Alicia responded, "why do dey always put fish in duh tuna sandwiches? Can't dey
make a kind of tuna wif out fish? Den we could jus have tuna egg sandwiches." Jessica replied, "Don't be silly, tuna IS fish."
Alicia retorted, "I tink it's jus because dey don't WANT to make it wif out duh fish!"
Editors:
When you discover a special tuna "wif out duh fish" please ship a few cans for the little lady.
(top of list)
Summer Ministries
JUNE 6, 03
FAMILY OF FRIENDS,
Summer ministries were successful! Thanks for praying for safety and effectiveness.
THE SOUTH DAKOTA TEAM: Three young adults and a grandpa arrived as planned. They were involved in painting,
wood shop projects, construction, teaching English, helping with the youth group, devotionals, testimonies and a special
number at church. They visited in homes, slept over with a Brazilian family, went to the beach and bought cashews to take
home. Thanks for coming Melvin, April, Andrea and Andrew!
STUDENTS FROM WYOMING: Nathan (better known as "Fowler"), David & Luke arrived one day late because of
document problems. We whisked them off to Mossoro and put them to work. They helped with painting, plumbing,
construction, special music and youth group. They fell in love with Guarana, Brazil's equivalent of Root Beer. We praise the
Lord for their help and for the chance to show them missionary life in Brazil. Just before they left to Fortaleza, we split up into
pairs to visit Brazilian homes. David and our daughter Jessica (who went along to translate) went to Luana's home. She is a
single mom who has faced tremendous struggles raising her two kids. As a result of this visit, Luana invited Jesus to be her
Savior on Sunday night; now that's a highlight!
BONDURANT - IOWA: On the 26th of May, we picked up on more set of guests, these being from IOWA. Kayla, Kathy,
Jessica & Gilbert came to encourage, help and observe the church and school ministries. They taught English, taught
swimming, recorded books for children to read along, heaved concrete, painted, grouted a ceramic tile floor, shared
devotionals with the ALPHA staff, cooked and did puppet skits. We give a special thanks to the Bondurant Federated Church
for sending them as well as the project funds that will be used for CD players in the classrooms, portable room dividers and
barbed wire to secure the future ALPHA campus.
How about you? Next Summer?
Your Field reps,
KEN & LORI STUCKY
(top of list)
A decade; how quickly it vanishes.
JUNE 9, 03
FAMILY & FRIENDS,
Every time we are discouraged and hurting, He knows all about it (ahead of time) and will lift us up if we trust Him enough to
lean back. Faith, however, isn't easy to come by. It often takes more than we have to offer. God's promises, however, are
sure; they don't fail; His mercies are continually renewed.
A perplexing mile stone overtook us. The Christ Is Life Church celebrated it's 10th anniversary last night. I got to wondering,
"Have we failed to meet our goals for this decade? Have we failed to meet God's desire for our first 10 years of service in
Mossoro?" It is no secret that you only have a few decades to offer; the mid 30's are a few strides down the trail from the mid
20's.
All Saturday afternoon I toiled in my video lab digging for footage to assemble for our church's celebration. The further I
rummaged, the more discouraged I got. Clips told tales of washouts, failed relationships, wayward disciples and folks who left
because they simply didn't like us or our style. I will never again undertake this task alone; bring along a partner to shoulder the
load and filter for facts next time. I immerged from this venture with 6 minutes of incongruous video and I was thoroughly beat
down.
Sunday Night was a total surprise. Oh yes, I knew that our Brazilian siblings were putting together a party. In fact, I dutifully
bought 4 liters of Fanta Pop (2 of orange and 2 of grape - my old favorites) to add to the celebration. What shocked me was
the depth that a dozen of our home grown leaders wove into their very simple but eloquent presentation. One by one these
budding Christians described a quality, essential to a healthy church. They then placed a figure of a hand onto a tree; each
hand had inscribed in bold letters the name of that quality. It was a collection of concepts to rival any significant venture on
earth. I especially remember a few. "Compassion, Prayer, Leadership, Forgiveness, Teaching, Giving." Together they filed
back to the front and taught us a song of commitment. No pastor could ask for a more noble list of qualities with which to face
the riggers of ministry! Their hearts spoke to mine; I was changed. I came home at nearly 11 p.m. uplifted and ready for a few
more (decades that is). Remember that verse that reminds us to, "Not be weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap
the harvest."
Sorry my friends, I have no exciting reports for today and certainly no funny quips from our kids, but I do have a heart full of
gratitude. I am grateful to Him for patience and forgiveness. I am thankful for a small army of His people that we have been
allowed to win to Faith. I appreciate you who have stood beside us in prayer and sponsorship. I pray that He will multiply our
efforts and give fruit beyond belief over the next 3 or 4 decades or as long as He has for us to be in Mossoro.
Humbly - K
(top of list)
What kind of pirate would he be?
JUNE 29, 03
FAMILY OF FRIENDS,
JUNE 14 (6:30 p.m.) the church men rallied at the property for a work time. Since it was past dark, we set up the generator,
a cement mixer & lights and got to work. We dug holes to set steel pipes in concrete footings to mark out the church's
property boundaries. There were 20 men and 20 boys digging holes, clearing brush, hauling rocks, scooping sand and
aggregate, heaving 110 pound sacks of cement, mixing concrete, wheel barreling it to the extremities of the property,
measuring & marking for the corner pipes, puzzle piecing large rocks into the footings, pouring concrete... Everybody had a
chance to contribute! The ladies joined us after a couple of hours with cold juice & water, cake, cuzcuz (coarse corn meal
mix) and hot Brazilian style coffee. We tanked up and headed back to finish up our work and load the equipment to haul
home. Unfortunately, the evening had only begun...
JUNE 14 (9:15 p.m.) I took a call, "Ken, you gotta come quick! There has been an accident..." Two cars had met head on;
my mom w/ 3 passengers encountered another car with a driver and 2 passengers. God graciously spared all 7; the impact
was sufficient for things to have been much much worse. We were up late, sorting out the pieces.
JUNE 16 I went to collect passport photos from the lab; since Anabel had temporarily become a monster during the session, I
was concerned that the pics would not turn out. In fact, all the shots had to be taken twice because of a mix up. Patrick called
me back behind the counter to show me something, "Look, pastor, I printed some extra sets for you to give to you friends,
they turned out great!" I'm doing the math; thinking of the bill you know. He stuffed the envelope in my pouch and said, "Hey, I
gotta get back to work. By the way, it was such a pleasure to meet you kids; these are free."
JUNE 18 we got up early for the 4 hour drive to the closest Federal Police Station. Arriving about 9:40 we were informed the
processing would take 5 days. Alicia smiled sweetly, Jessica asked about the map on the wall and Anabel put on the "naughty
act". By 11:30 (less than two hours later) we walked out with three freshly printed Brazilian Pass Ports. That gave us two extra
days (the girls had no school) to spend with friends in Natal, resting and being away from the pressures of ministry.
JUNE 24 Lori lost her voice
JUNE 25 beginning of a 3 day ALPHA Expo. Ken steps in to MC for Lori.
JUNE 26 (7:00 p.m.) Sr. Daniel attended the ALPHA program; Ken spent 45 minutes sharing the ALPHA vision with him.
Daniel is a committed Christian city council member; he proposed some steps that the Mossoro City Council can take to
support ALPHA in a tangible way.
JUNE 26 (9:15 p.m.) Ken lost his voice. But he can still type.
JUNE 27 I went looking for someone to give me a injection for my voice condition. An elderly lady with a toothy grin gladly
punctured me and then insisted on telling me a story of how a petite, young lady had treated her with such consideration one
day when she was trying to buy a Bible. As I tried to pay for her service she said, "No charge." It turns out that the lovely girl
who had helped her out was my secretary, Cristina, and that the veteran nurse was returning a kind deed. It still hurt.
May God be praised through our lives and yours! Please pray us through some very strategic steps being taken over the next 6
months which deeply affect the vision for growth and effectiveness in the Church and School ministries.
Humbly yours - Ken for the Stuckys
PS Both broken cars have emerged from body shop and appear to be road worthy.
KID'S CORNER: Alicia hears things a bit differently from how they are actually said at times. Last noon, a visiting friend
named Earl was having lunch with us. He told of possibilities of signing up and becoming a Navy Pilot. However, the rules
seem to have changed for him now that he graduated from college. If he wouldn't rise to the top in the training and selection
process of the flight program, he would still be obligated to do time on a ship. Before, the recruiters had said he could opt out
should his plans to fly not become reality. At this point in the conversation, Alicia popped out with, "So then, what kind of
pirate would he be?"
Can anybody answer the little lady? I will publish the best answers in the next F&F. Replies from Air Force people only get
superficial consideration.
(top of list)
Mad carrot sickness
JULY 4, 03
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Happy 4th of July. Last night we celebrated one day early with about 25 of our Brazilian friends out at the church property
(well away from buildings). We took Jessica's American flag and said the pledge and sang the Star Spangled Banner. We told
a bit about the United States of America and then shot off $23 of sparks variously sized and colored. Most of them did what
they were intended to do. All this was followed by a big thermos of hot chocolate for everybody.
Today is "work as usual" except for one detail - it is the last day of school for the semester. We are eager to take a break
which will last 4 weeks for the kids and 3 for the staff. Remember Earl? He has helped me install wires at school; this rewiring
is related to the construction of one more desperately needed classroom, an additional bath room and one more store room.
Unfortunately, to add this footage, we had to yank out the wires to 3 of our existing classrooms; once again everybody has
power.
Anyway, I told you about Earl's pirate/pilot aspirations. Here are the responses:
- Tell Earl to be patient and weigh all his options carefully. He should seriously check out the Air Force and the other branches
of the service and see what they have to offer. Paula and I certainly enjoyed our time in the Air Force and would do it all
again, but with even more gusto next time! Earl should also consider Mission Aviation Fellowship. MAF is always looking for
young men who desire to be pilots! Rick
- He'd be one of the "Pirates who don't do anything, if he can't fly planes." (A little Veggie Tales humor.) Lawrence.
-The pirate who doesn't do anything? (Veggie Tales - Jonah movie) OR Navy Fighter Pirate? Pete
- I guess that would make him a flying pirate. Sarah
-Earl the Pearl Pirate. Jeff
-If you have heard the song, Earl would be... a pirate who don't do anything, we just sit at home and lay around. And if you
ask us to do anything....we'll just tell you, we don't do anything. Take care we will be praying for you. Kurt, Shauna and Zach
-WELL, SINCE HE IS A CHRISTIAN HE CAN'T BE A POINTIUS PIRATE. Tom & Esther
Editor's Note: Obviously the American people have been brain washed by some sort of vegetable virus or similar infirmity.
When we furlough this fall, we will have to check into this. Ken
(top of list)
Vacation
JULY 17, 03
FAMILY & FRIENDS,
Family Vacation for one week! We leave in 25 minutes and won't have e-mail until next Thursday. Please rejoice with us for
being able to get away briefly between one semester and another. When we get back, the rush will be on to prepare for
furlough coming up the beginning of September.
Some high lights at church:
1. In August we will build a fence around the perimeter of the property
2. Youth group takes a trip on July 26th
3. Lindomar, one of our deacons, preached a fine message on following Christ this Sunday
Time to load the van.
Ken for the Stuckys
(top of list)
Suprise-oh-Mellow
AUGUST 8, 03
FAMILY OF FRIENDS,
Family vacation was a great get away. We spent a week in northern Ceara where my growing up years took place. It was fun
to show Jessica, Alicia & Anabel the places where many of Grandma’s "Debbie, Kenny & Ronnie" stories actually happened.
We picked up shells on the beach, ate shrimp, spent two days on an isolated island, rode a concrete boat, ate fish, sang a
group special number at a Bible Conference, climbed up to a light house, swam in two beautiful lakes, kayaked, ate
fish/shrimp, jumped off a high dive, jumped off the rope swing, visited lots of friends, toured a municipal school to get ideas
and stayed at a nice hotel one last night on the long drive back home (this time we ordered chicken & beef). Besides 5
Stuckys, we took along my secretary, 4 teachers, 3 students from ALFA and Luis & Daisy (a couple we have grown close to
over the past months). Family vacation Brazilian style indeed!
Second semester (our school year starts in January) is one week gone. So far we have lost 1 but gained 3 new students this
semester. On Tuesday, a youth group from Salem, Oregon will sponsor activities for all the students and then do a special
assembly last hour just before lunch. Skits, puppets, music…
Pray for the three-week rush as we prepare for furlough. In addition to teaching, preaching, construction, Bible studies, youth
group, church music and the rest of our regular ministries & family life, we need to produce a furlough video and brief others to
care for our responsibilities during Sept/Oct/Nov.
In Christ – Ken for the Stuckys
KID’S CORNER: Our youngest asked, "Mommy, can I haf a mash-oh-mellow?" "No, sweety, I’v got a surprise for you."
"Is it a mash-oh-mellow?" "No, it’s a surprise." "Is it a suprise-oh-mellow?"
(top of list)
Lunch or Supper?
AUGUST 24, 03
FAMILY & FRIENDS,
Since our last update 2 weeks ago, we have been blessed w/ activity. Here are some of the entries on our schedules:
- PREACHING: Ken did a mini-series on Ephesians 1; pray that our church will live the royal life we were called to live by the
King of the Universe.
- GOSPEL TEAM from Salem, OR did three programs in our community; the last night was at our church with over 200
people present (about half of them were unsaved families who accepted ALPHA’s invitation to the event.)
- EXECUTIVE MEETINGS: Joint meetings between the BGFM Home Executives, Field Executive Committee, and
ALPHA’s board. During 3 days, extensive analysis was done of the ministry’s beginning, current functions and long range
plans. We sense that progress was made in our development strategy.
- FENCE BUILDING: work is officially under way. Praise the Lord for a supplier who not only gave us the barbed wire at
cost, but also solicited an additional 5% discount from the manufacturer.
- 2003 CLOSING PROGRAM: Lori has written the ALPHA program to be presented on December 12th. Pray for Sr.
Milton who covers Lori’s music classes during furlough; one of his jobs will be to teach various musical numbers to nine
groups of students ranging from age 2 to 4th grade.
ONE HUGE ITEM in progress. Pray for our furlough video which is being produced by us. The lion’s share of our time this
week will be dedicated to this project. Unfortunately, we continue to carry a full schedule of dealing with staff concerns,
counseling issues, teaching, youth ministry, construction and of course, fence building. Thanks for taking an extra moment to lift
us up. Stay tuned for our itinerary to follow later this week.
IN CHRIST (a term right out of Ephesians) – Ken for the family
KID’S CORNER: Some little MKs in Brazil were observing their daddy prepare the communion elements for the Worship
Service. One little girl asked, "What is dat?" Her sibling replied, "Dat’s duh Lord’s Supper." "It doesn’t look like Suppuh to
me, maybe its jus duh Lowruds Lunch."
(top of list)
To Tribe or Not?
SEPTEMBER 3, 03
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
As I write this update, the final product (Furlough Video 2003) is being recorded to VHS! It is 3 a.m. and we have a couple
of hours of work to do before bed. In 7 hours we depart for 3 months of promotional tour. Pray with us for those stepping
into the gaps Lori & I leave here in Mossoro. This truly is home for us and we are torn as we embrace our friends a last time
for a few months.
Below are pictures of the fence progress. Soon the Christ is Life Church and the ALPHA Campus will be secured. Thanks
you to those who helped buy fence posts.
Praise the Lord for Clenilda who came to Jesus last week.
Ken for the Stuckys
KID'S CORNER:
J - Daddy, what is a tribe?
ME - Well, it's a...
J - Group of people?
ME - Yes, that's it.
J - So would Anabel, Alicia and I be a tribe? Because I need to know in case it is us three mommy is planning to take to town
this afternoon. I just need to know so I can fit it in my schedule.
ME - Well, you better plan on it. Inside, I am thinking, "what sort of a schedule does a 10 year old pack in order to maybe not
have time to go to town and get some new cloths?!?"
(top of list)
Missionary Journey #6
September 14, 2003 - Iowa
Hello Partners,
The Stucky trip around America is well under way. We arrived in Atlanta 15 minutes early on September 5th. After insuring
the van and transferring the title, we departed to North Carolina where we spent two days with Ron & Ranelle and extended
family. We then drove to BGF Mission headquarters w/ stops in Knoxville and Nashville. Yesterday we came to Bondurant,
IA for our first church visit.
PROMISED ITENERARY: I failed to get this hammered out and therefore couldn't send it to you; however, here is a down
payment with some bits of our rout:
Detroit - September 16
Chicago - September 17
Minneapolis - September 18
Pierre, South Dakota - September 20
Huron, South Dakota - September 25
George, IA
Omaha, NE
Central City, NE
Scottsbluff, NE
Spokane, WA
Kettle Falls, WA
Monroe, WA (Seattle area)
Salem, OR
Fresno, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Albequerque, NM
Las Cruces, NM
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Montgomery, AL
Atlanta, GA
So there you have an outline; we will feed the specifics your way as they define themselves. Pray for effectiveness in sharing
the ALPHA Project and safety in our travels. Please remember to pray for our family to grow deeper in our love for each
other and Jesus Christ as we reside @Chrysler.65mph
Ken & Lori for the ALPHA kids
KID'S CORNER: Our budding 6 year old reader was noticing things along the interstate soon after our arrival in the USA.
(Since Alicia goes to Brazilian school, some of her more interesting discoveries are in English almost as a second language.)
After a number of miles and a few off-ramps, she commented, "What is duh deal here, do all duh towns have duh same name?
All duh signs I see are for dis placed named 'EXIT'."
Subject Line? Indeed this is my 6th Short Furlough since we went to the Field in 1991.
(top of list)
October 5, 2003
Catching Up from Iowa
Hello E-mail partners. This week's update is longer than usual because we have missed a few weeks being on the furlough
trail this past month. If you are new to our Team Prayer - Prayer Team, Welcome! We are gratefull for a good 1/3 of our trip
and at the same time are eager for the other 2/3 to go quickly. Pray us through this adventure.
FURLOUGH IN AMERICA: One month of travel has taken us to 11 states and 5 supporting churches. Jessica, Alicia &
Anabel have become reacquainted with their Wortman Grandparents and cousins. Several new sponsors have adopted needy
ALPHA kids. Fall is in the air, leaves are turning red and yellow and harvest is in full swing. Jessica "helped" Laverne Decker
combine beans north of Huron, SD; Alicia rode with Jim Gross combining corn east of town and Ken rode with Leon Haskins
planting winter wheat west of Pierre.
ALPHA SCHOOL: In Brazil, things are going well. My brother and his wife (Ron & Ranelle) have arrived back in Mossoro
after a 4 month furlough. Between the time we left to the USA and the time R&R got back, there was a 2 week period while
we were both gone. This was a great time for some of ALPHA’s budding leaders to help administer the school. We are
tremendously pleased with Francisca and Leila’s dedication and developing leadership skills.
CHURCH GROWTH: September 30 commemorates the abolition of slavery in Mossoro. Our city was one of the first to
take this step in all of Brazil. This year, a team of people at the Christ Is Life Church organized a special program for the 30th.
They also presented a drama on Sunday the 28th of September. Three people came forward indicating their interest in
accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Pray that their decisions will have been sincere and that they will grow in their newly
discovered faith.
ITEMS OF PRAISE:
o For the salvation of lost souls
o For Brazilians who have helped with special events at church
o For new sponsors for ALPHA students
o For a fence being built around the ALPHA property
ITEMS TO PRAY ABOUT:
o For our family to actually enjoy furlough travels
o For additional teachers for the Sunday School program
o For the salvation of Reginaldo, Abreu, Orlando and Marcos
o For work teams to join us in the 2004 construction projects
Humbly and incredibly grateful – Ken for the Stuckys
KID'S CORNER: (see vocab below) As we travel, you could hear Anabel say something like: "Daddy, aftuh we wide on
the Ameriga Go Wound, can we go out to eat and have sum corwun bwead wiff peanut budduh on it? Den wen we find a
house wiff lots of toys can we do some scullering and take a baff tub and den take a nap?"
Merry-go-round = Ameriga Go Wound
Corn on the cob = Corwun Bwead
Butter = Peanut Budduh
Bath = Baff tub
Coloring = scullering
Stay over night = take a nap
(top of list)
I wanna go home
November 26, 2003 – bright and sunny; slightly cool
Family & Friends,
Here we are in Pensacola, FL – the beautiful beach was a pleasant discovery. Our Northeast Brazil coast line wins, however,
due to the temperature of the water. We have one more 6 hour drive to negotiate on Friday before boarding for Brazil on
Sunday. With only four days remaining, the whole family has an aggravated case of Senioritis curable only upon arrival in our
own home.
Back home in Mossoro, enrollment for 2004 is about to begin. Please pray for our transition back into home life, church
ministry and the ALPHA Project.
PRAY FOR:
* The sorting, packing, security checks & boarding process.
* The air travel, luggage, customs ordeal.
* Readjustment into effective field ministry.
* Exercise program for Ken, Lori & Jessica (somehow Alicia & Anabel were too excited to eat for 3 months)
Eager to be home - Ken for the Travelers
KID’S CORNER: Is there hope for MKs? At the grocery store Lori and daughter were nearly finished when the checker
said, "Paper or Plastic?" Lori said, "Plastic." An innocent little voice said, "What is paper?" Well, maybe our readers can help
us out on this one. Do you think:
1. We have not introduced our children to the English word "paper" yet
2. Brazilian grocery stores don’t bag your groceries for you
3. There are not enough trees left in Brazil for making paper bags
4. Mossoro grocery stores all use plastic bags
(top of list)
Passed Away
November 30, 2003
Family of Friends,
This is it. We are packed and have overweight though we vowed we would not. Paul picks us up in 1 hour and we head to
ATL. Pray as we go through customs and the security checks. Furlough was fruitful all be it exhausting. We expect the van
with drivers upon arrival in Fortaleza. Pray that we will get on an earlier flight so that our arrival in Mossoro can be around 8
p.m. on Monday rather than 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Ken for the Stuckys
KID’S CORNER: This morning we looked out of the patio door and saw two deer walking slowly by. Later Anabel told
Jessica, "We saw duh deer but dey passed away." Jessica asked, "Did they get hit by a car?" "Nope, dey passed dat way right
behind duh trees."
(top of list)
Standing or Sitting?
December 26, 2003
Hello Fellow Celebrators of Christmas!
(Warning: this is uncensored material from a 3 year old. Too bad for those who skip to the bottom of my notes to read
KID’S CORNER and then quickly delete. )
EDITOR’S NOTE: to all faithful readers: for nearly a decade, family expansion has supplied plenty of material for this column.
Since the youngest among us soon turns 4 and no further developments seem to be forthcoming, please enjoy the few
remaining issues mindful that even the most enjoyable of things invariably comes to a natural end. This I write in honor of a man
who taught me this concept, "Son, when a tool’s edge grows dull it must be laid aside for another one less familiar but more
effective." JPS
A WORD ON RESPONSIBILITY: A few nights ago (while caring for a water management issue) I felt a little hand on my
hip. Not immediately recognizing this touch for what it was, I nearly lost control! A little 3 year old voice spoke forth, "Daddy,
why do you go poddy standing up?" "Because I am a boy, that’s why." To this she said, "I tink you go different den me cuz I
am a girl and hav rusponsubility to go sitten down." Well put little lady, indeed being a girl is a responsibility filled venture…
THE HIGHCHAIR: As we have sorted through things in the house following 3 months of being Stateside, some items have
been set aside for storage. One of these is The Highchair. "Daddy, why don’t I get to use my highchair anymore?" "Well, it is
because you are not a baby any longer, right?" "Hunnn, I don’t want to tink bout dat right now." I thought to myself, I must
have touched a raw nerve there… It must have to do with the "rusponsubility" of being a little girl torn between being the
spoiled youngest in a family and an intense desire to be and do everything her nearly 11 year old oldest sister is and does. The
tough choices the modern 3 year old faces…
Now, for the most faithful of readers…
ALPHA YEAR END: On Friday evening December 12th, all 92 members of the 2003 ALPHA Student Body, 13 teachers
and 5 board members showed up to honor our Kindergarten graduating class and to enjoy a musical/theatrical program put on
for parents of the ALPHA Kids. Report cards were handed out and good-byes were said to those who would be moving on.
ENROLLMENT 2004: On Tuesday evening December 23, we paused the student registrations for 20 days. PTL for 118
students fully enrolled and another 8 who have yet to pay. Last year we had half this many on the day classes started. Five of
our classes are full and we expect to fill over 90% of our 148 desks for the year.
HOME GOING: Just hours after ALPHA’s closing program Auxiliadora (her name means "helper") went to be with Jesus.
She was a fine Christian lady who lived next door to the school and hand delivered ALPHA’s photo copies a dozen times
each week. She was 45 years old and the mother of 5 grown children. She married at 14 and faced many hardships during the
last 10 years of her life. Pray as we interact with her family members some of whom are not walking with the Lord.
20 DAYS OF VACATION: Not! While we take a break from ALPHA enrollment, there is the flock to tend, a youth group
outing, an all church New Years Dinner, Field Conference (I chair the committee in charge of lodging, food, speakers etc.),
new teachers to hire, family needs to care for, lost luggage to find (1 trunk is still missing from our furlough flight)… Pray for
endurance to finish the year strong and roll over into another year full of fascinating opportunities. Thanks for standing with us.
KEN for the STUCKYS & the ALPHA KIDS
PS AWEE it was a hot one in the 90’s on Christmas Day and yes, we did go swimming!