Tathiana's First 6 months

Hey everyone, this is Tathiana writing today.

I don't even know how to begin this update; so much has happened in the last 6 months. Moving to the USA has been challenging for our family, each of us has coped in different ways. We've faced days of exhaustion, confusion, feeling misunderstood, frustration, and mourning the distance from family…from the familiar.

I've heard from missionary friends who've also gone through similar transitions that, after a while, it's normal for people to assume you’ve adapted and are adjusted to the new phase. I think the 'honeymoon phase', that new season where there is always something new and intriguing, has passed. The longing to return home is stronger—missing the food, the people, the climate. The seasonal dreariness is real and I have felt down more than usual.

Amidst this, we are raising support. We need a much larger amount than ever before due to the cost of living here. Donations have not come in yet as we imagined, adding to my disbelief and lack of perspective. My faith has wavered based on circumstances. I've prayed to God to allow me to be emotionally and spiritually stable. My faith has faltered, much like the apostle Peter's when walking on the water toward Jesus. Peter needed help trusting, even though Jesus was right in front of him with outstretched hands. I need help believing that He will provide once again and that He didn't bring us to this country to not be able to make ends meet.

Isaac and Sara are, in general, more adapted. Isaac recently had his Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed to help him with his auditory processing disorder and ESL assistance. Sara is doing very well in English reading and writing and making new friends. We really like the school; the teachers, administrators and assistance professionals are helpful and sensitive people who spare no effort to assist our children. 

What I prayed for the most from God in the last days in Brazil was real friendships, people who cared about us. I see God's care in this area, providing sweet individuals. God has truly provided good friendships for the kids and for me and Jon. I thank each of you, dear friends, for every word of encouragement and acts of service you've rendered to us.

I've been meditating on the term 'pilgrim' in the Bible. May God show me that my ultimate homeland is not Brazil or the USA, but the celestial homeland I long for.

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household" - Ephesians 2:19

Thank you to all our friends, family and partners.
- Tathiana

Tathiana's Family Update: Nov 2017

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Over the past months I have felt a desire to send a family update. I believe this is a way to connect with you, our friends and supporters, with our family.

Isaac has made significant progress in his social interaction and speech development. His therapist is very happy with his development, and his evaluation scores put him in a not-at-risk position of the autism spectrum. However, he still has a hard time making new friends and describing details due to a limited vocabulary. He has a hard time remember names, also. We have continued to speak only Portuguese at home in order to help him. He told us several months ago that he “decided” to not speak at school, which is odd since he talks all the time at home and with other people in other environments. We believe it is in part due to his shyness, insecurity and his strong desire not to make a mistake. Due to these issues e some other factors, Isaac’s therapist suggested we increase his speech therapy sessions per week.

Currently, Isaac has 1 session with his therapist and 3 speech therapy sessions per week. That has generated a lot of extra getting around in during the day and extra financial strain. Together with his first year of school, the busy routine in a big city has been tiring and stressful, not only for Jon and I, but also for Isaac. We have good days and bad days, trying to trust in God’s provision and goodness. The truth that I seem to constantly forget is that God loves our little boy more than we do.

Sara is growing up, both in size and in personalty. She is a spunky and extroverted 1-year-old. She loves dogs and cats and destroying anything her brother builds. She spent the Brazilian winter months sick with ear infections, colds and allergies. She has begun a 6-month preventative treatment for asthma because of all these respiratory blights.

At the end of August, I underwent surgery in my right leg to remove screws and a plate from a childhood surgery that had begun to cause inflammation throughout my upper leg. My recovery has gone reasonably well, and I continue to walk with help of a cane and a noticeable limp. I imagine it will take several more months before I am back to normal. My doctor suggested I do water aerobics to gain flexibility and strength, but I have yet to begin.

Jon had 2 full-time jobs these past months - house dad and missionary. I am very thankful for his selfless service to me and the family. Beyond a doubt, the surgery was one more stress factor for our family, we’ve been exhausted!

Friends have continued to tell me that this difficult phase will pass. We are asking God to send challenges one at a time. I do believe God uses the “storm” to reveal himself and, also, reveal the sin in our own hearts. Oh, that my hope would be in His word!

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

I would like to ask for your prayers in these areas:

• Financial support
• Tathiana’s recovery
• Rest for Jon and Tathiana
• Isaac’s speech development
• Marital and Emotional health for Jon and Tathiana
• Sara’s health

Thank you for all your care and support! - Tathiana

Baby Alert!

Tathiana and our staff ladies at a retreat.We have hit the home stretch. It’s November, and Isaac will be here sometime this month. Tathiana is doing well; no health issues for her or the baby, nursery pretty much ready, hospital bag packed and doctor appointments scheduled. If only the Brazilian summer heat would ease a bit, 9 months pregnant and 90º heat don’t make for a enjoyable tandem.

We will be sure to post photos via Facebook and website, so stay tuned. Life and ministry are about to change as we know them!

Pray for these specific things: 

• For the delivery, a C-section (because of a surgery that Tathiana had on her legs when she was a child), so that always is a bit scary, and the recovery is longer.
• For Isaac to get through the first days with no health problems, feeding issues or infections.
• For Tathiana to rest and recover as she adjusts to full-time mommying.
• For Jon to have the heart of a servant beyond his natural ability, to have the heart of Jesus.

Tathiana's Reflections: Nov 2012

ABOVE: Audrey, Tathiana and Rafaela. BELOW: Dora, Tathiana, George and DuncanDiscipleship Group

I’ve been meeting with these girls, Audrey and Rafaela, for two years and I say that it is a privilege to see them growing in their vision to serve others and in their relationship with God.

We are in the middle of a Bible study of Romans and learning that we Christians have an enormous capacity to settle for just doing the “right things”. Sometimes we forget that we are sinners in need of grace daily and not to look at fulfilling the law.

Church Children's Ministry

One of the things that has brought me so much joy this year has been teaching 3 children at our church. Dora, George and Duncan, all between 10 and 12, are children of families who attend our church.

We have spent 6 months studying about different heroes in the Bible and I have seen such change in their hearts and outlook over this period. It is so encouraging to see vulnerability and repentance in these little guys who have such little life experience. I admit that I like the comic relief they provide, and even mediating their in and out of classroom conflicts.