And a still small voice...
July 6, 1998
Friends & Family,
We spent July 2-3 with Dave & Kathleen in the Bay Area. Then, on the grand holiday, we headed to Salem, OR and we are staying with Bill & Esther Haburn until Wednesday morning at which time we will head to Seattle. Our travels have gone well and we are eager to be at Melina Flickinger's wedding this Saturday in Monroe, WA.
Praise the Lord with us for one new supporter in Fresno and pray as we look for a few more 1% sponsors. We plan to get a news letter in the mail over the next 2 weeks and we will spend some time editing a video to show in homes and churches over the next months. It is hard to believe that we have been gone from home for almost a month now and yet we have covered a lot of ground (almost 4000 miles) since leaving Houston.
Some folks wrote back after our last e-mail update wanting to know if Lori really passed her drivers test. Soooo, here is the clarification. Lori was looking at the dash of the Chrysler Sebring (sports car she borrowed for the exam) and noted a little button with a snow flake. She ascertained that it was the rear defrost button so she turned it off; actually it was the A/C. Her Afro-American examiner apparently was not comfortable in the heat and quickly passed her so he could get back to his climate controlled office. THENNNN, two weeks later, Lori found a valid Nebraska drivers license in her purse; she didn't know she had it - soooo, you be the judge, is she driving a) legally b) illegally or c) doublegally?
We have updates on Mossoro saying that things are continuing normally without us. Pray that the lost will continue to come to Him and that each new Christian will grow in the Lord and desire to be a living witness to friends. Thanks for your interest in our work.
Ken for the Stuckys
ALICIA'S ANTICS: We have been trying to teach Alicia to say "please" but it is slow going. We offered her some animal crackers and got her to say "crak" about a dozen times, but "please"would not come out. I looked over at Lori and said, "how much do you wanna bet she will say it within a month?" Ten seconds later from the behind my seat I hear a faint little voice, "peas, peas?"
JESSICA's CORNER: Driving through Oregon after spending almost 10 hours in the car on July 4th, I asked Jessica if she would like to stop and have an Ice Cream cone... She thought she would like that, but then said, "Daddy? Could I have some ice cream in it?"
Who's Having a baby?
July 12, 1998
Friends & Family,
The Great North West is just as beautiful as we had remembered it to be! Narrow roads winding through dense woods, snaking along streams and rivers with occasional patches of blue sky peeking through the branches. Actually, we usually come to Seattle during the summer and we seem to bring sunny weather with us for which the locals are really thankful...
Today we gave a short report of our Mossoro work to MCC, one of our largest supporting churches. We have many relatives in the church and there are always those who come up to me and remind me that they are my third cousin twice removed or my daddy's great aunt's sister-in-law or some shirt tail relation who used to be a Stucky or at least knew of one...
It's good to renew these relationships and forge some new friendships in each church we go to during furlough. Lori & I noticed a scary trend though; the number never decreases...
One highlight of our first weekend in Washington was Melina's wedding. She was a Flickinger and is a real live relative (actually, her grandma's cousin is my dad making her a second cousin once removed). Melina spent almost half a year with us in Mossoro piloting a program for one on one short term missions. That is one teenager to one missionary family. If you know a top notch teen who needs some hands on and a cross cultural view, contact us for info on this program. We have had young people join us seven times since Melina came FOUR years ago!
A special prayer item: Pray for extra glue to hold our little family together. Months on the road and the unique challenges of traveling and being in different homes each day with small children is enough to do us in, that is, unless we have a double serving of God's grace. Pray that Lori & I will make time to be together and that some folks along the way will be able to spell us with the kids. Pray also that we will faithfully meet with God for the recharge necessary for daily life and ministry.
Yours for the World - Ken, Lori, Jessica & Alicia
JESSICA's CORNER: (In case you wondered, Yes, she did get ice cream IN the cone.) For the past few months, we have been teaching Jessica about God's plan for families. Across the street from our home there are many teenage girls who have babies but no husbands; we have made short simple statements about the proper order of things... Anyway, Jessica summed it all up on wedding day when she said, "Wow! Now Melina can have a baby! And if it grows up real fast, and learns to walk, it can play with Alicia so I don't have to so much."
By the way, when I tucked her into bed tonight, Jessica said, "I am so so sad." "Why, honey?" "Because Brazil was not spozed to loose the big game. I just want to go home to Brazil." Well, I guess I would have to agree with her on those two points...
GOOD NEWS:
Until Further Notice, We can be reached day and night by phone at (503) 580-5369
Dirty Thirty
July 19, 1998
Friends & Family,
This has been a wild week for the Stuckys. I have had 4 important meetings with pastors, mission committees and potential supporters. Then the whole family came down with nasty colds... On wednesday I turned 30 years old. Lori & I were preparing to leave the house in the afternoon for some shopping and Jessica threw up all over the bed. We eventually sneaked out for a date after the girls were finally in bed for the night. July 15th, the day I turned 23 exactly 7 years ago was the day we arrived in Brazil as CAREER Missionaries; this is an anual mile stone for us.
Praise the Lord that we have another confirmed speaking engagement in Central Iowa; pray that a couple of new churches will take us into their missionary budget. In two more weeks, we head to the midwest to get in on some real summer weather; we have really enjoyed our time on the West Coast.
Six weeks down and 5 months to go - And our furlough goes on...
Ken for the Stuckys
JESSICA'S CORNER: When tooling up for furlough, Jessica set her own agenda. She wanted to go to parks and swing sets all over the country. When we got here, she noticed a nicely maintained cemetary and said, "Wow, mommy & daddy, look at that pretty park." So we had to tell her about American Cemetarys and that they really are not play places.
This morning, we drove by another nice cemetary on our way to church and Jessica came up with some new questions. (It is at moments like these that you wish you didn't have to answer your child's questions.) "What happens when they bury somebody and then have to dig them back up again?" I quickly ran through some options for an answer when Lori spoke up saying, "They don't allow you to dig in cemetaries." Can you guess what Jessica said? "Well then how do they bury any body else?" I guess she got us on that one... By the way, how do they bury any more bodies? If you have a good answer for Jessica, e-mail us. Don't forget that they don't let folks dig in cemetaries like Jessica's mommy said...
Who do you work for?
JULY 26, 1998
Friends & Family,
Wow! It's a new week and we are preparing to head toward Spokane - then to the Midwest. We visited a new church today and spent the afternoon & evening shuttling from house to house seeing friends and relatives. We ended up with blueberry pie and cheese slices.
Our bodies are on the mend; the whole family is nearly over the cold virus. Jessica & Alicia are in the bath tub (they love it - we don't have tubs in Mossoro) and heading to bed soon. Lori is doing well, but missing home; we just called Lori's folks and they will be keeping the girls while we take a train ride back West in September. This will be a pleasant break for us and a chance for Alicia to discover her other set of grandparents. Jessica is delighted.
Continue to pray for our contacts with 3 or 4 new churches we are interacting with. Speaking engagements are lined up and we are hoping full support will be in place by late Fall. Picture cards are in the works and will be shipped out to everybody as soon as we get them from the printer.
Let us know your news; e-mail us or give us a call night or day at 1-503-580-5369. Thanks for praying for a good furlough for us. We appreciate your team effort.
Yours for the Brazilians -- K, L, J & A STUCKY
JESSICA'S CORNER: "Daddy, what's an employer?" "Well, honey, it's someone who hires you to do a job..." "Daddy, what kind of employer do you have? Well... "Daddy, do you like your employer?" Now that was a tough one because I am not sure just who my employer is. After all, as a man of the cloth, I could say that God is my employer. Our supporters, on the other hand, could be considered employers... Maybe it is our mission board? Actually, we pay social security tax as self employed; could I be my own employer?
I was stuck looking for an answer when Jessica piped up saying, "I was tinking dat you should be gracious to your employer, Daddy. God will help him to be a good employer most of the time; aaand, actually (this seems to be her favorite word these days) Jesus says to show mercy, don't you tink?
Now it's your turn; what do you "tink"? Who is my employer? I will publish the best answers in the next edition of F&F.
Bizarre Salvation Theology
AUGUST 2, 1998
Friends & Family,
Dead folks (spiritually) all over the place - The mission field is here! We came over Steven's pass from Seattle heading to central Washington. Along the Tumwatter Canyon we pulled into a much needed Rest Area. A couple of gentlemen were giving out free coffee and cookies in exchange for donations to their cause. I took the plunge and began to tell them of our mission in Brazil.
One guy piped up and said, "I'm religious too, I live by the 11th commandment - do unto others before they do unto you and do it good..." The other guy said, "oh yes, our family is religious too. I have two daughters; one is a Doctor and if she can't take care of me, the other one will." Oh ya? "Sure," he said, "she is a minister and she can pray me into heaven, you had better believe it!" Sooo, I took the chance to share the Gospel in a nutshell.
When I finished talking with them, the first guy said, "I never did a dishonest thing in my life. I stole a watermelon once, but I did it honestly..." Come again, I thought to myself?!? So as I left their stand I pleaded with them to dig into God's treasure chest for once and search the truth for themselves; after all, religion is man's system for reaching God. Christianity, on the other hand, is God's plan for reaching lost man. So, you see, I took the plunge and shared Christ with some lost guys. Write and tell me about your experiences; if we don't tell them, who will?
The Mossoro Missionaries - Ken & Lori Stucky
JESSICA'S CORNER: If you've been reading this corner, you know we are trying to walk Jessica through the hard questions of Life & Death. Well, just as we thought we were getting it solved, we drove past a hay field tightly packed with golden bales. Lori said, "look, Jessica, see the hay field with all the bales?" "Oh Mommy, it's beautiful, but actually I thought that was a cemetery!"
PS Lori & I celebrate 9 years of marriage this Wednesday (August 5th); coincidently, this is the day we have scheduled to drive from Pullman, WA toward Pierre, SD. We plan to spend the entire day on the road getting as far as possible... For a donation of $9.00, I would be delighted to publish your opinion on this creative anniversary option. (FYI: 2 years ago we drove 777 miles celebrating our 7th anniversary.)
999 or bust!
August 10, 1998
Friends & Family,
Washington is over 1000 miles behind us! For our ninth anniversary on Wednesday, we traveled a little over 600 miles which is about 999 kilometers. Here in Pierre, SD, we are enjoying house sitting giving us a chance to "be a family" for a week. Our next stop is George, IA where our children's Grandparents live; of course everybody is excited about that leg of the journey.
On Saturday, we spent a few hours on the river with Tom & Esther Harmon. He took along his camera and got some shots for the web site they maintain for our family. If you have the capability, make sure to check out the new pictures.
Furlough is 1/3 over! Our itinerary is packed full! Pray for continued endurance as we report to our supporters and recruit new sponsors. Give us a call to fill us in on how your family's summer is going - our travel number is: (503) 580-5369
Real soon we will send out a news letter launching the Van Project fund raiser. We invite folks who don't normally support the Mossoro work to consider making a one time donation to this project. Take this chance to make a difference in Brazil - the van will be used weekly to transport Brazilians who don't own a family vehicle.
From the Stuckys in Pierre, South Dakota
JESSICA'S CORNER: Having traveled extensively lately, as we enter a new state we have seen designated stopping points where visitors can get to know about the state and its tourist attractions. As we walked into Rex & LeeAnn Haskins' home (where we are staying this week), Jessica pointed out, "and down there is the visitor's center" pointing to the family room in the basement.
ALICIA'S ANTICS: She is 20 months old now and likes to mimic those she sees. We were tooling up to leave the house one day - everybody was shaving, combing their hair, pulling on socks and shoes... Alicia got ahold of a can of bug spray and pretended to spray under her arms so she could be "all ready to go too"...
Q. WHAT NUMBERS 300,000 and goes "roar, roar, ROAR"?
A. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally; you gotta see it to believe it!
Loose Change
AUGUST 16, 1998
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
We arrived in Iowa coming from Pierre, SD after stopping off at the Center For Infectious Diseases in Sioux Falls. Lori & I got our yellow fever shots in preparation for our short term mission trip to Mali, West Africa later this fall. My sister Debbie and her family are eager for our arrival. Here in small town George, Lori's folks were eager to see us. Alicia met them for the first time and has begun to warm up the Wortmans. Jessica has been out for walks with Grandma and even went for a ride with Grandpa who drives school bus taking the foot ball team back and forth from early season practice. All of Lori's siblings were in town for the weekend and we spent part of Saturday at the lake riding Deb & Jason's Jet Ski. Lori & I spoke at Tabernacle Baptist church in town this morning.
Our picture prayer cards will be heading to the printer this week and the traveling Stuckys will proceed to Huron, South Dakota. Thanks for praying for stamina in our many visits. We are holding out pretty well but are eager to get back to Brazil. Drop us a line letting us in on YOUR Fall schedule.
Yours for God's Kingdom - K,L,J & Alicia Stucky
JESSICA & ALICIA'S CORNER: What strange practices we have discovered here in America! In a couple of public places we visited these past two months we have seen wishing wells or fountains full of coins which have been tossed in for good measure. The challenge has been to keep our kids from fishing out some of these shinny treasures! Late in July when we were heading down the Tumwatter Canyon over the east side of the Cascades, Jessica looked out of the car window and said, "It is so pretty, mommy, can we throw in some pennies?"
CONTACT US AT: 1 (503) 580-5369
Houses, garbage, & robbers...
AUGUST 23, 1998
DEAR FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Last week we traveled to Huron, South Dakota. Farm country here is hurting for rain; grain prices are dreadfully low. Jessica & I went to the field with Jim & Eric Gross; when we got back to the house, she said, "I really like those green Rain Deer Tractors." Tonight we reported to the Mount Olivet Church; this is my mother's home church.
This week we head to Central City, NE and then to Omaha after 2 additional stops. Our trip has been good overall, but the thought of going home is increasingly appealing. We have wrapped up our shopping for summer cloths which we wear all year in Brazil; 3 or 4 years of cloths is quite a guessing game. Fall stuff is predominant and kids are heading back to school.
The biggest change in Huron is the loss of the Camp & Christian School facilities in the James River Valley. I did time at both of these. My mother grew up at camp Byron spending many summers working there. She was also in the first graduating class of James Valley Christian High School. Over a year ago, a flood took both facilities...
Keep praying for endurance for us and our hosts. We are grateful for the folks who graciously keep us. Pray also for our church back in Mossoro; a number of students are not walking close to God and their attitudes of rebellion have negative impact on the entire youth group. Reriton (our Brazilian staffer) is heading up the youth ministry starting this week.
YOURS for Mossoro - K, L, J & Alicia Stucky
JESSICA's CORNER: Our oldest likes to make up songs and sing them in the car. Last week she sang, "Jesus is my Father, Jesus is my everything, Jesus is my Father and Jesus is my mother..." Hey, wait a minute, Jessica, maybe you should say, "Jesus is my Big Brother." "Well, He is my mother too..." I tried to explain some of the finer doctrines of the faith... Her next number went something like this, "Jesus is my opportunity, He is so nice to me, Jesus made the trees, He made the stars, and the bees..." I asked her, "What didn't He make?" Jessica answered, "Jesus didn't make houses, garbage and robbers. Men make houses and garbage, but Satan makes the robbers."
Oh no! A ticket...
AUGUST 30, 1998
Friends & Family,
This week we traveled from Huron, SD to Central City, NE visiting the Deichmann family; I also stopped in at Nebraska Christian Schools to see my 7th grade English Teacher from 18 years ago; we also saw our good friend Wes Garrett who visited us in Brazil 2 years ago. On Thursday we made one stop in Henderson and a couple of stops in Lincoln. Friday, we went with Pete & Jill (Lori's sister) Welling and our kids' cousins to a museum and then out to eat at the Chucke Cheese Restaurant especially for kids. Today we are in Omaha. We reported to Community Bible Church and spent the rest of the day w/ two supporting families. Tomorrow my personal Concrete Expert plans to show me some job sites so I can learn techniques to use in our many construction projects in Brazil.
Monday gave us a scare! EIGHTY THREE mph winds whipped up in no time causing considerable damage to trees, cars and buildings. God spared us and our borrowed van found a home in the Hofer's garage just minutes before the storm hit early in the morning. Praise the Lord with us for continue safety on the roads and otherwise.
God bless - KEN for the Stuckys
JESSICA's CORNER: Jessica was riding home from THE BARN (family dining in Huron) with Quint & Mari Hofer when she said, "please go faster, we gotta get there before my parents do..." Mari tried to explain to her that going faster meant you would get a ticket! "Oh goody,"she said, "that means we have permission to go faster, right?" Daddy tinks she is not quite ready for a drivers license, what do you tink?
Why a holiday?
SEPTEMBER 7, 1998
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Thank you to Rick & Paula Bragg for a week of hospitality! Right before leaving Omaha, we enjoyed lunch with Dr. Jim Eckman at the Garden Cafe; Jim is the President of Grace University and was among our favorite teachers 10 years ago.
Having worked our way across Iowa, we then drove to Chicago yesterday. Today (Labor Day) we got up at 3:20 a.m. and drove to Detroit to visit a new supporter we met over the INTERNET. Tomorrow, we head back to Chicago to drop off Eric Flickinger who came along for the ride and fellowship. Wednesday we go to Springfield, IL for debriefing at headquarters and on Friday we head to Cedar Rapids, IA. Saturday we head to Clear Lake, IA and speak on Sunday at a church which is new to us. Next week we head to Seattle, but that is another story for another week. Just minutes ago, we got word via text message on our phone that Mrs. Francisca passed away at 11 p.m. yesterday. The funeral is at 3 p.m. today; this is a first for our church. Rejoice with us that Francisca came to know Jesus at age 78 and lived a testimony for Him these past 4 years. Her pain is over - she rests in God's reward. Pray for my folks who are doing the funeral service and comforting the family.
SEPTEMBER 7 is BRAZIL's Birthday - 176 years old today. So you see, today is a holiday in our two favorite countries!
Half Way Home - Ken, Lori, Jessica & Alicia STUCKY
JESSICA'S CORNER: On Friday Jessica spilled her gut three times. She claimed to be in pain all over more than anywhere else. On Saturday, she was sitting on my lap and we had a father/daughter conversation about her condition. Said I, "how are you feeling today?" "Oh daddy, I just hurt in my back, head and all over; but I am feeling much better. Besides, I haven't even trowed up yet today."
Where is the grave's victory?
September 13, 1998
Friends & Family,
Last Monday, the funeral service was packed out as the Gospel was preached to 300 people in attendance! Mrs. Francisca who died on Sunday (September 6th) was buried on the 7th, a holiday in both Brazil & the USA. She had a stroke 2 years ago and was ready to be with Jesus. Her life was a vibrant testimony even in her pain; praise God for her witness.
At last update, we were in Detroit! We enjoyed meeting Barbara Johnson and her children for the first time. They came into our life through cyber space with a web search almost a year ago. She became a sponsor of our ministry after many letters back and forth across the Atlantic. Driving those extra 600 miles to Detroit was worth it!
Next we toured AWANA headquarters in Chicago where our second cousin (Eric Flickinger) works. Eric is part time staff in our church in Brazil; he has been to Brazil 3 times and contributes significantly to our ongoing computer operation. Then we hit Springfield, IL and were debriefed at BGFM headquarters. Friday night to Cedar Rapids; Saturday to Clear Lake where we spoke on Sunday and then this evening we arrived at Lori's folks in northwest Iowa.
We are truly needing rest; we will get it as we Amtrack our way from the Twin Cites to Seattle beginning Wednesday at midnight. This trip will be without Jessica & Alicia. Praise God that we are over half done with Furlough....
Ken for the Stuckys
JESSICA's CORNER: Friday night at almost midnight we pulled into Jerome Korthals' place in Cedar Rapids, IA. Jessica, who had been so excited about this visit, looked around kind of confused and said, "But daddy, I don't see the Cedar Rabbits anywhere!"
Train Wreck
September 20, 1998
Family & Friends,
Thirty-six hours by train and we find ourselves in Seattle... Lori & I dropped the girls off in George, IA for two weeks while we came west in search of new sponsors and to report to existing supporters. We have rediscovered life as a newly weds; several phone calls have confirmed our fears that the kids are pretty fine without us. A special thanks to Grandpa & Grandma Wortman.
Pray for Marco & John whom we met on the train. Marco is a skeptic who doesn't believe the Bible to be the Standard - we are sending him a copy of "Evidence That Demands A Verdict" which is packaged up and ready to be put in the mail tomorrow morning. Marco lives in Chicago and is a waiter on the Diner Car.
John is a college student just beginning class in Cheney, WA; he was on his way out from the East and sat across from us for dinner on Thursday. He believes the Bible is true, but feels that behavior (works) is the key for Eternal Life. Pray that our bold witness will produce fruit.
Feel free to give us a call to chat at 1 (503) 580-5369.
Ken & Lori - for Mossoro
JESSICA's CORNER: Back in Iowa, the girls are enjoying less travel for the next two months. One of Jessica's highlights is that she can attend AWANA. As she was studying for her entrance test, she had to relearn the verses, this time in English. In her words, "For God so loved the World, that He gave His only FORGOTTEN Son..." oops!
PS We did see a derailed grain train along the way; it held us up a little bit, but we got in to Seattle less than one hour late...
We almost miss the girls
September 27, 1998
Friends & Family,
What a good week! No responsibilities of parenthood! These 10 days in the Seattle area have gone well and frequent calls to Iowa confirm that the girls are enjoying their stay with Lori's parents. Jessica passed her entrance test and now has an AWANA book & vest; she is really excited about it all. In two more days, Lori catches her flight back to the Midwest to pick up the girls; after a couple of stops, they will meet me on October 11th in Nebraska.
The word from Brazil is that several or our church families have lost their jobs. Various economic factors influence the job market. Please pray for Francisco, Janaina, Leomar and others to find jobs soon. Also pray for Ediocelio & Nadja who just gave birth to their first baby who apparently had downs syndrome. We are exactly three months from going home; our excitement is mounting.
Taking The Good News to Mossoro - Ken & Lori Stucky
ALICIA'S CORNER: A few weeks ago we were visiting CBC in Omaha, NE. After speaking, taking questions and finishing up our presentation, we turned it back over to the leader of the Adult Fellowship Hour. They were about to take up an offering for us and asked a gentleman to pray first. Just as he finished the prayer, Alicia said real loud, "Ameeeeeeeeeennnnnn!" Pretty soon we will be able to cut the girls loose to do all the fund raising...
Food for Thought
October 3
Friends and Family,
We have now joined the ranks of those who have a jet-set lifestyle! Tuesday night Ken got on a plane to Anchorage and I got on a plane to go the opposite way...to Miniappolis. Ken is helping a supporter in Alaska finish some excavating jobs. I drove to Iowa to pick up the girls who had been staying at my parents. They had done incredibly well for two weeks away from Daddy and Mommy.
Since Wednesday, I have attended AWANA with Jessica, taken Alicia for her last vaccination till she starts school, gone to a homeschool swimming party, helped with opening excercises in Sunday school and just tried to repack and get ready to travel again.
The girls and I are going to make a couple of stops on our way to Omaha, NE in the next couple of days. Ken can be contacted on the mobil (503) 580-5369 and I have the e-mail.
Next Monday Ken will fly in to Omaha and we will pick him up, so us girls get to play while Daddy is away. :) Till next week! LORI - for us all
Jessica's corner:
Some of America's traditions are a little lost on Jessica....as we were walking up to a Wal Mart, Jessica exclaimed at all the tomatoes piled up in front of the store. The suspicious looking tomoates turned out to be pumpkins awaiting a very big BLT.
I have a funny feeling...
October 10, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Well, tomorrow we pick up Daddy from the airport here in Omaha....there are two very excited girls waiting to see him. Jessica has already been practicing her greeting. It sounds very much like a high pitched squeal! Ken is also very excited to get back to the good old midwest where the temps are still in the 60's and 70's during the day....the 20 degrees of Alaska's October was a little hard on him I think! Wonder what he is going to do with all that long underware? I sure hope we don't need it before we leave for home!
The girls and I had a great week. We left Northwest Iowa for Columbus, NE on Monday to visit some friends; headed for Lincoln Tuesday to see my sister; Gretna, NE was Wednesday and we arrived in Omaha on Thursday. Friday the girls and I visited a friend's 6th grade class to talk about missions as a career option, Saturday we attended a friend's soccer game and Sunday we spent the entire day out at church and visiting more friends. Hard to believe that in less than two weeks we will be heading to Europe and Africa. Until then, there is lots to do. We sure appreciate your prayers and encouragement. You are a tremendous blessing to us. Thanks again, LORI for us all
Jessica's Corner: As we were driving along in the car Jessica was reciting some of her AWANA verses (voluntarily, I might add!). We got to "S is for Saved" Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."
She was having trouble remembering the reference and just finally proclaimed what the problem was. "Mommy, that Acts thing give me a funny feeling in my tinking!"
Mashable - say what?
October 21, 1998
Dear Family & Friends,
In a few hours our plane departs O'Hare for France. After a layover and some missionary visits, we head to The Republic of Mali in West Africa where my sister and her family live. This is a combo missions/vacation trip and we are really excited about this opportunity!
Letters from Mossoro confirm that life goes on in our absence. With each report we are even more ready to be back onto the field. A young man who created an embarrassing situation in the church 10 months ago has come back confessing that he was wrong and has had no peace with God since the scandal. Pray for Neto to be fully repentant and that he would draw near to God and His people again; pray that the church will forgive and be involved in the restoration process. Several children and ladies have come to know Jesus in the last weeks; pray for men to respond to the claims of Christ as well.
VAN FAN REPORT: Forty families have contributed to the Mossoro Van fund! Praise the Lord that 25% of the project money needed is already in hand. Write for more information if you are interested.
If you would like to write Jessica & Alicia while we are gone, they can be reached at:
E-MAIL
jwortman@rconnect.com
SNAIL MAIL
2363 Kingbird Ave.
George, IA 51237
Pray for our safety as we travel and that we will be a blessing to the 10 or 12 missionary families we will minister to. Please continue to pray for the work in Mossoro and our December return home.
IN CHRIST - Ken & Lori Stucky
JESSICA's CORNER: She is pretty normal for an active 5 year old; her desire is to learn to read and write. Jessica has been practicing by copying words she sees; she has all kinds of questions about the words she copies. (It is increasingly sobering because children are watching everything we do and say; they copy more than just a few words here and there.)
Alicia, on the other hand is discovering things. She digs through boxes & drawers and pulls things off of shelves. She unzips anything with a zipper and likes to explore. Some times things get smashed or broken in the process.
The two worlds met the other day when Jessica was copying words. We saw a little paper she had drafted which read, "Mashable Crayolas". I thought to myself, is she describing Alicia and her practices of writing utensil destruction? Then Lori pointed out the slip in penmanship; can you guess mhich letter of the alphabet she mrote upside domn?
Vocab Lesson
October 30, 1998
Friends & Family,
Wow! How can I tell you everything we have taken in this past week? I write from Birmingham, England where we are staying with the Harkness family; we met them in Brazil last year when they were visiting mutual missionary friends. We are off to the Lake District for one day and then on to Northern Ireland to spend a week with the Cochranes who are also missionaries in Brazil.
One week ago, Lori & I flew from Chicago to Paris and promptly set out to Chambery to visit cousins who are studying French in southern France in preparation for their mission in Ivory Coast. On our first full day in France our rental car had a window smashed out by vandals who apparantly did not find what they were looking for; our things were spared.
Next we drove to Geneva and rounded the south end of the great lake. Then through Switzerland and the town of Thun where our Stucki roots are; we studied a few churches and cemetaries which was rather intrigueing. Next stop was the Black Forest Academy where we have cousins both studying as well as teaching. The Fall leaves were beautifull and the Swiss and German country side was gorgous!
Monday we departed Germany and visited a concentration camp just into France - sobering. On to Luxemburg, Belgium and overnight close to Calai where the Tunnel departs for Dover, England.
Tuesday saw us under the English Channel and into the mother land where everybody speaks our language, all-be-it with an interesting accent. The left hand driving has been the biggest challenge to adapt to.
Wednesday we visited one of the best preserved castles in the UK. The hospitality of God's people along the way has been outstanding and the food has only added to our furlough weight gain difficulties.
Africa awaits us on November 11th and we are excited to discover lots of things about God's world and God's family as we travel the country side. Even missionaries have a good time now and then. Thanks for praying for us and the girls; they are doing very well with Lori's parents in Iowa.
Your Travelers - Ken & Lori
Vocab:
fortnight - two weeks
boot - trunk of the car
motorway - interstate
autoban - suicide
Please Don't send me to Africa...
November 12, 1998
Friends & Family,
Under the right wing of the Airbus 310, all I could see was a haze - a cloud of dust extending to the horizon. What was I to expect when flying to the south edge of the dessert? We inniciated our approach; as we decended, some shrubs and a few trees gradually peeked through the haze. Approaching Bomako from the northwest, we touched down at 5:49 p.m. - slight breeze, smoke and haze everywhere - 92 degrees - ouch!
Confusion at imigration; rudness in the queue; wrong paper work; illegible visa stamp; yellow fever vacination proof; miscelaneous fees; helpfull people everywhere; miscelaneous fees; smoke and haze; one more X-ray check; a few questions by the officials; miscelaneous fees; load the bags in the car; miscelaneous fees; head out of the parking area; miscelaneous fees; pull out onto the main road into town - smoke and haze everywhere... And then would you believe it? A fellow came up beside us pounding on the car telling us to stop or we would have to go back to speak with the customs officials again - you guessed it... Miscelaneous fees!
Europe was enjoyable; besides visiting 3 missionary families, we spent time with several other families taking in the sights & tastes of the mother land. Many experiences and discoveries await us over the next two weeks here in Mali, West Africa. It has been fun to get to know our nephews (Brian & Andrew) and to catch up on the news with my sister Deb and her husband Sam.
One thing is certain; we won't need our jackets and ear muffs until getting back to the USA. Pray that during this visit in Africa we would have an effective ministry of encouragement. Pray also as we are gearing up for our return to Brazil; we are increasingly eager to get back on the field.
Your travelers - Ken & Lori
SONG OF THE WEEK: If you get a chance, listen to the song "Please Don't Send Me To Africa" sung by Scott Wesley Brown. If you are missing "Jessica's Corner", you are not alone. We are eager to get back to the girls; they are enjoying Grandma's house in George, Iowa.
Deep Into the Bush
November 24, 1998
Friends & Family,
"Off Road" has taken on new meaning! On Monday we headed across violently rough terain to deliver two Literacy Teams to their remote camps. Arriving at the first out post, we discovered overwhelming fumes in their hut coming from the propane ice box. After "jerry rigging" an exhaust system to clear the air, we discovered a number of dead rodents and a network of catacombs under the hut where they had tunneled.
The second station - another hour and a half accross barely navigatable rocks. After doing some repairs on their stove and grabbing a late lunch, we headed toward Bamako - it was after 4 p.m. and the sun was dipping low. Our worst trail was to come - it took nearly 2.5 hours to conquer the last 17 miles. The city lights were a welcome sight. My hat is off to these pairs of young ladies who have given 8 months to minister to Malians who have been illiterate for as many generations as they can remember!
On Tuesday our task was to measure and outline the foundations for a brand new church in Kolokane - 135 kilometers north of Bamako. Tooling along the gravel road in a 4X4 Toyota Pickup, we hit a series of holes, bending two motor mounts and completely severing an exhaust bracket. Pipe wrench repairs got us back on our way after an hour in the scorching sun.
One week from today we arrive in Chicago; praise God with us for our time in Africa. Please pray for Fred who lives in Anchorage to trust Jesus Christ soon - he recently discovered he has 2-6 weeks to live given advanced brain cancer.
YOURS from AFRICA - KEN & LORI
What do you have under there?
December 7, 1998 (Dad was born 7 days after Pearl Harobor was bombed? Grandma said he was
an aftershock!)
Friends & Family,
It is good to be back in IOWA with Jessica & Alicia! Our return from Africa went smoothly; we climbed out of Paris at 4:30 in the afternoon on Dec. 1st and in a few minutes the sunset brightened the sky - this was to be our longest sunset ever as we were flying about 1000 km an hour westward. SEVEN hours later over Detroit we saw the last glow of the setting sun - INCREDIBLE!
We are off to South Dakota and then Nebraska, Kansas and finally Texes where we return our borrowed Toyota and tool up for Brazil. We have a Brazilian Passport to get for Alicia and lots of packing and decision making to do yet. If you would like to talk with us before we head home, call our mobile at 503-580-5369.
Thanks for praying for our ministry in Africa and the girls here in Iowa in our absence. They had a wonderfull time with Lori's folks and we have broadened our World View considerably. Praise the Lord that the Mossoro Van Project is 1/3 complete; write for details if you want to be a part of it.
GOD BLESS - KEN for the Stuckys
JESSICA'S CORNER: Some weeks back a snow storm hit Iowa and Jessica was all excited about going outside to play. Grandma told her to go get her snow suit on. Excitedly, she had her first real contact with the white powdery substance enjoying herself to the max. After coming into the house to warm up, Grandma told her to take the snow suit off - Jessica looked at her with a contorted face as though that seemed strange to her. Later Grandma understood why when Jessica pulled the suit off and all she had on was her panties... I guess if God calls us to live in North America we will have to teach her the fine art of staying warm with layered clothing, don't you think? She had never worn a snow suit nor seen one put on, so how was she supposed to know? And then I ask - What do you have under there? Just Underwear?
God, the Consulate or the USPS?
December 13, 1998
Friends & Family,
Who gets the credit? We rushed like crazy people in order to get Alicia's passport application in the mail on Tuesday. It slid in at 5:29 p.m. as the Post office closed. At 4:30 p.m. on Friday we got a phone call from Don Lott in Houston saying that Alicia's new passport had been issued and was in his hand at the Lott residence! In less than 3 days, the pictures, application in duplicate, money order, old passport and self stamped-self addressed envelope were all shipped from Pierre, SD to the Brazilian Consulate in Houston; it was then processed and delivered again by the good old postal system. Listen here folks, THAT IS SIMPLY A GOD THING!
We travel from Hutchinson, KS to Dallas tomorrow and then to Houston on Tuesday. Four days to pack, return the van and wind down. Sunday we board at 3 p.m. for Miami. Overnight at the Comfort Inn East. Monday at 8 a.m. check in; fly to Sao Paulo for 10 non-stop hours; disembark, deal with customs and imigration, check in for a Tuesday morning 1:15 flight back northward. By 8:30 Tuesday morning, maybe we can be in bed at the mission home in Fortaleza. From there it is a 4 hour bus ride home and (Lord Willing) we can do a green Christmas at home sweet home...
Praise Him with us for a fruitfull furlough - KEN for the Stuckys
JESSICA & ALICIA's CORNER: I overheard Jessica singing to Alicia - "God loves a cheerfull giver, ha-ha, ha-ha, ha; whoever sows sparingly, reaps sparingly - whoever sows generously, reaps generously; God loves the cheerfull giver, ha-ha, ha-ha, ha." Anyway, the song goes on for a while and ends with Ha-ha, ha-ha, HA... When Jessica was done singing it, she looked at Alicia and said, "Do you want to sing 'Jesus Loves Me' with me?"
Alicia looked at her and said, "NO! Ha-ha, ha-ha HA!"
HEADING HOME
December 19, 1998
Friends & Family,
SIXTEEN hours till we leave for the airport and then to Brazil! We are all packed and ready to go; please remember to pray for reasonable overweight charges and customs fees. My folks don't know when we are arriving in Mossoro so we plan to surprise them for Christmas.
Our e-mail address will continue the same; you can reach us by phone until about 2 or 3 p.m. on Sunday (Dec 20th - Central time zone). We plan on taking it pretty easy for a few days after we get back, but we have guests scheduled already for the 27th, then again the first week of January and also again on the second week of January...
Thanks for your interest in our family and ministry in Brazil. We appreciate you prayers and support as we hit the field running.
Ken - for the Stuckys
PS Jessica lost her first tooth this week and is excitedly awaiting her other teeth to get loose.
OUR PHONE NUMBER UNTIL 3 p.m. on Sunday - Dec 20th is (503) 580-5369
Hopelessly Tored Out!
December 23, 1998
Friends & Family,
HOME! Fifty-three hours of travel from Houston to Mossoro! We paid overweight and handling, but no duty at the boarder; what an answer to prayer. 1000 pound of luggage including gifts, tools, equipment, office supplies and cloths for another term on the field - I handled these bags 19 times during this trip - you can do the math...
Jessica's dog Frisky has four puppies and she named one of them Muskrat; the other three are still up for grabs. City water has come twice in the past month at our house; the lawn is nearly dead. Our church folks are excited about our return and we have gotten lots of hugs. Alicia is getting reacquainted with Grandma & Grandpa, but remembers Grandpa's lap at ice cream time.
Six & a half months:
Praise the Lord for safety, fun and fellowship with so many friends. Praise the Lord also for several new sponsors who have joined our support team. We gladly celebrate Christmas quietly at home after such an overwhelming year of ministry, travel and blessings.
FROM MOSSORO - Ken for the Stuckys
JESSICA's CORNER: Termites are a perpetual problem in our home, so we had the wood floor removed from Jessica's room and the hall way in preparation for ceramic tile for which the termites have not yet acquired a taste. As Jessica & I walked into our house for the first time after furlough, I said, "look, honey, they tore out the floor in your room." She let out a little cry and said in a highly distressed voice, "Daddy, they tored out my bed! And they tored out my cloths! And they tored out my toys! And they tored out just everything too!" Well, daddies are for comforting the bereaved, so I had some explaining to do...