It’s been quite a while since you’ve got an update - you can probably make a pretty good guess as to why.  Looking back it has been just over 3 months since Josué surprised us with his early arrival.  It’s been quite a journey – new, challenging, marvelous.  My only wish looking back is that there had been more time to just be.  In the midst of my partial maternity “leave” we were overjoyed to have family visit from Oregon, California, Washington, and Honduras.  We also trudged through more than 2 weeks of a dear cousin’s unexpected stay in the ICU, and two better weeks of nursing him back to health in our home.

Around the middle of July a colleague and friend from Cuba visited the Philadelphia area after attending the Baptist Peace Fellowship Conference.  It was a joy to be able to offer a tiny bit of hospitality after having stayed in her home on several occasions in Cuba.  I also pitched in with a number of church visits and translations along the way.

Just two weeks ago, the International Ministries Cuba Discovery Team returned from a prayer filled, Spirit inspired week with the Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention in Santiago de Cuba.  I am deeply grateful to Carlos Dario Peralta who stepped in for me as team leader because I was not be able to make the trip.  Even though I did not travel, there was quite a bit of legwork to get this group out of Miami and in to Cuba.  While this has been a big transition in our lives as a family, work, ministry, & life, continue on with business as usual.

Looking forward, there is a lot to be excited about!

- This week I’ll take part in a Cuba mission event at North Wales Baptist Church and hear about Professor Houghton Kane’s 3-weeks of ministry in Cuba.

- Sept. 29 We will dedicate Josué at Calvary Baptist Church in Norristown, PA.

- Sept. 30 I’m off to New York City for Cuba advocacy meetings with government and religious leaders in the US concerned about the US-Cuba relationship. You can expect some reflections on those issues at the end of the month.

- In early October I head to Central Illinois for 8 days of visits to local churches. For all of you IL supporters, send me an email and I’ll send my schedule.I’d love to see you!

- October 17 I head to the West Coast for the Central Pacific Coast Annual Gathering.  Same goes for all you OR and CA folks, I’d love to see you!

- More advocacy meetings are on the schedule for November in Washington D.C., more church visits, and the list goes on.

In the midst of all the trips, meetings, and adventures, there are still tons of emails to get caught up on, funding reports to submit, new social service and White Cross projects to complete, and the list goes on.

- Please pray with Jorge, Josué, and I this month as we seek to find balance in all that we do.

- Pray for Jorge as his job is extra demanding and offers little flexibility lately. October marks the first of many flights & adventures for Josué: pray he adjusts easily to new places & new arms to hold him & continues to be the happy little boy we love.

- Pray for me as I continue adjusting to working full time, being a parent, & being on the road again (sometimes with, sometimes without, the little guy).

With you on the journey,

Kim