pastor John

As you can see, I have asked my children to enter a blog post. Gus and Sami wanted to get it out of the way (so my personality), but Sarah wanted to wait for something "good", she has to do it by the end of 2010.... so be on the lookout for it!

Yesterday was a fun day. It started off going to the village church and listening to my husband preach. Yes, you heard me correctly, our pastor asked him to be the "guest speaker" so John talked about Ephesians 3 and the 4 things that Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus. He was so good. He made a point to be cultural in his examples and he stressed the importance of our heart verses the external.

Yes, the above picture is John with the translator, Stephen. Stephen is getting married this Saturday, so we cannot wait for his wedding. More on him later.

These next few photos are of the trail past the church to our pastors "retirement" lot.

The pastors retire with whatever is given to them in one of their churches, during their time in the ministry. Our pastor still has one more term before retirement, but had never received any land. Our church gave him a plot and is helping him with his foundation. It is quite an interesting setup they have.

Take a look at the picture above. I know this looks like any other village hut that I may have shown you, but really look at it. Can you imagine living like this? Really, living like this?! I am blown away by the lifestyle of the village. To be honest, there is something that I am drawn to, and I am not sure what it is.... maybe it is the simplicity!

This Hausa carving is on the podium for the pastor at church. If I was a really good blogger, I would have gotten it translated before putting it on here, but I will someday know what this means. It looks like it is Habakkuk 2:20..... you can look it up.

Well, the day started off with John, but then it ended up with us decorating the house for Christmas. Very fun and very festive and it took about five minutes.... I will show you those pictures tomorrow....

BIRDS ANDS INSECTS

My mom wanted me to blog. I was walking around my house and i noticed that there was a dead bird in the gutter. So I asked my brother if he could take a picture of me and the dead bird a couple times. Then we took a picture of the trap I made to catch a grass hopper. Because I wanted to show you how I could eat a grass hopper.

I can actually eat a grass hopper if it's cooked. I think a big rat killed the bird. But at school a boy named Kumi in my class had some cooked grass hoppers. The brain is taken out before you eat it. But actually it has spices on it to make it good.

I JUST FOUND OUT IT IS MY UNCLE HENRY'S BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE HENRY!!! HAVE A GOOD DAY.

THANKSGIVING DAY

Two days ago it was thanksgiving and my mom wanted me to do a blog before the new year so I am doing a blog on thanksgiving dinner. When everyone got to the house we prayed and then we got in line (I was the first in line to get food) and we all got food. There were lots of desserts as you can see to the left and I loved the brownies. There was lots of delicious food but I loved the mashed potatoes and gravy the best. While we were eating every person said what they were thankful for, and after that we played a long game of fish bowl, boys against girls, in the end the girls won. I loved that we could spend thanksgiving with our grandma and grandpa. I am so sorry this is such a short blog. BY:Gustave Todd Guckenberger

thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence.

William Jennings Bryan

I love this quote. I just received it this morning and isn't this the truth behind the day. The stark reality that as a people group we would not have survived the circumstances without the help of others. It is was good.

Isn't it the same with us as believers, that we daily need to declare our dependence on the Lord. Without Him, we would not survive our natural state. I am so thankful for Jesus, who died on the cross, for my sin, so I can live forever with Him. As Americans, we fight for Independence, as believers we fight to remember that we are dependent. I think I need daily reminders.

Yesterday, one of Sarah's friends, joined us as we cared for the OLA children. She brought some great donations and then helped us clean, clothe and play with each child. Us being a part of these children's lives and spending time and energy serving others, reminds me that isn't this life? We serve, others serve, it is all in an effort to survive the winter before us. We cannot do it alone.

I woke up this morning to the song, "It is well with my soul." I don't usually enjoy waking up to music blaring in the neighborhood, but this morning, I laid there and listened and hummed along to the entire song and felt the effects deep within me. I am thankful that it is well with my soul.

We are having a little Thanksgiving party tonight, I am looking forward to it except that I am the responsible one for the three turkeys (chickens). SO, hopefully we get to eat them and enjoy each other's company. Tonight I am going to celebrate that if it weren't for the people in front of me, those we have come to love and those we already had loved, John and I might not have survived living here. We are grateful and tonight I look forward to celebrating our dependence! I will pass along some snaps tomorrow after the little shin dig.....

Have a great Thanksgiving Day celebrating the dependence of America in history, and how it should remind all of us believers of our need for daily dependence.

a need

Good morning everyone!! I hope your Tuesday before Thanksgiving is going well. It is weird to live in a culture where Thanksgiving isn't even a thought. I know you might be thinking in Mexico it wasn't either, but at least we had the larger community talking about it. Here, not even most missionaries are American. They are Canadian, British, Danish and American....

Either way, our community is celebrating it and we cannot wait!!

I have really gotten into a groove of writing blogs and I have really been enjoying them. Something we have been blessed with so far is the lack of need to talk about our financial support. The Lord has always provided by the hearts of giving in so many of you. However, today is a different day and I feel the "push" from the Spirit to maybe be a little more honest about the need of the day, today.

As John and I have looked at our year ending account and looking forward to the financial needs ahead in the New Year, we find ourselves short about $7,000.00 USD. Now, being the people that the Lord has "going" to the ends of the earth, it is never easy asking for funds. Especially in a hard economic climate. BUT, we realize that being the ones "sending" must not be much easier on the financial end either. As we are pretty certain you are communicated almost daily with the financial needs of others and the question of what is your role in it.

So, here it is: please pray. IF the Lord requires of you to give, then please be obedient to HIM and nothing else. If the Lord does not require it of you, then please don't give to us. We know HE will provide. He has the plan and the people, but either way, please pray. We are grateful for Him and to Him for all things.

If you are desiring to help us financially, please note the following information:

for contributions on behalf of Back2Back, its ministry programs, and staff:

“Contributions are solicited with the understanding that Back2Back Ministries has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.”

To donate, send a check to:

Back2Back Ministries
P.O. Box 70
8118 Corporate Way
Suite 201
Mason, OH 45040

(Please note that the check is for the account of John and Corrie Guckenberger)

Thanks for being willing to know if this is what you should be a part of or not. I am so appreciative of both sides of this ministry, the "senders" and the "goers" with full confidence in God who makes both sides function. Have a blessed day.

38 years old

This past Saturday, John turned 38 years old. I am showing this photo because everyone who is looking at this photo right now probably has one just like it somewhere in their picture library. Am I right? He has a tendency to steal, "snap" and return before you even know you were missing your camera. Happy Birthday John!!

Here is just a another shot of him, in honor of his day! Will and Theresa had the kids over at their house Saturday so we had his family birthday meal during lunch. SKYLINE CHILI. Thanks Woelk family for contributing the Cincinnati meal for John and thank you to the Reeds for enjoying our three children that night.

These last two pictures are just of the chapel service on Friday at school. Sami's class was responsible for the teaching time. She was Potiphar's wife.... (hmmmm.....). Gus was sitting right in front of me, I couldn't resist.

After Thanksgiving we have Sarah's birthday, so many things to celebrate and enjoy. I pray that as a family we take each moment and use it as an opportunity to reflect and give God thanks for "every good and perfect gift comes from above."

Have a great day.

9 years old

A couple of days ago was Sami's birthday. She had asked for just a family party and then she decided upon a "formal" dinner. Here are my parents with their three grandchildren from Africa. I think this is a great photo of everyone.

These next two photos are of the party we threw for Sami in her school class. I hired one of the kids' moms' to make a beautiful cake for her (I know better now to just let some things go, like me baking her school cake :)). I really enjoy Sami's class. It is just her and two other american children and the rest are nigerian, but they are a special class.

Today, her class is performing the chapel and Sami is Potiphar's wife and "narrator #5".... she will be cute I am sure.

My parents bought her slippers that she was wanting for awhile now. Needless to say, she LOVED them. They are now permanently on her feet and she couldn't be more thrilled.

This was her candle that she blew out (yes, I know, very bootleg, but it worked).

Overall, very cute girl on her birthday. Tomorrow is John's and then soon after is Sarah's.... a busy season, but every one of the events is special. Have a great day.