Settling in Tepic

Dear friends & family,

It seems that a lot has happened since we last sent out an update – besides the ELM newsletter, that is.  Back in August, we left Guadalajara and settled into the apartment above the church for a few weeks before heading back to Canada for a visit.  Speaking of which, we could write a book about all we experienced getting Naomi’s Canadian passport so that we could travel, but suffice to say that we got it with 15 hours to spare.  [Matt: An outsider might have thought we had turned into Pentacostals… there were so many “Praise the Lord”’s flying around once it arrived.  :-) ]  We had a wonderful time in Ontario, and enjoyed time with our home church, a week with each family at a cottage, and a few visits with friends.  The time was too short, and we didn’t get to see everyone we would have liked, but so it goes. 

When we returned to Tepic, we got to work looking for our own place to live. And the LORD provided!  We are on the 3rd level of a 6 unit, 3 level apartment complex, and we love it! Not only is the breeze incredible (even on a warm day it stays nice and fresh), we live just around the corner from the church – a 3 minute walk!  [Perfect for meeting people around the church too.]  And it was so nice to move into an empty place.  Does that sound strange? The Lord gave us what we needed for the first year and a half of marriage – 4 different furnished places – but it was sure nice (especially for me, I think) to set up our own place for the first time.  What a blessing a home is.  And we pray that our home will be a blessing not just to ourselves. 

We do love it here.  Matt has jumped into the work with both feet, and is keeping busy with… preaching and leading Sunday school every 3 weeks,  meeting with his tutor [up to] 4 mornings a week, leading Bible studies, attending Toastmasters, fixing piano keyboards, making mosquiteros (screens) for our windows….  And I’m sure I’m forgetting a few things.  He’s also excited to set up a stand at the Saturday morning tianguis (outdoor market).  Hopefully this Saturday.  [We’re starting this as an outreach method.  Lots of people will pass by and hopefully be wondering why in the world a gringo would ever want to set up a tianguis stand.  And so I’m hoping to “rope them in”.  :-)  I’m going to have some free Gospel tracts and also some books for sale.  But if it fails, at least I’ll enjoy some good reading time!  :-) ]

I have a tutor come 3 or 4 mornings a week.  I also go walking a few times a week with a friend from the church who has a baby just a month younger than Naomi.  She is from Argentina.  And so we have a lot in common – new moms in a foreign country.  Our friendship has been a real blessing to me.  I attend the Bible studies with Matt and also the ladies Bible study.  And otherwise I enjoy caring for my family and doing those regular things that Moms get to do.   [Ordinary things, perhaps, but in an extra-ordinary way!]

Naomi turned 6 months on Monday.  She loves to sit up (although can’t quite do this on her own yet) and grab at whatever she can reach.  At times her mother underestimates her abilities.  And so, this afternoon I found her with marker on her face! (Thankfully washable).  Her favourite toys are things from the kitchen.  Matt said that he wanted to bring some balance to her life and introduce her to some of his tools.  But then he thought better of it.  [Just because she might not quite be ready for the circular saw yet.]

Some highlights from the past while:

• Thanksgiving dinner with the Bouts.
• Having our first guests from the church for Sunday lunch.
• A funeral service at the church for the mother of someone seeking membership, a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel to many!
• Setting up a real true baby room for Naomi – we now have a change table, a little rocking chair in the corner (a beautiful gift from Rev. & Mrs. Bout), and the blanket that hung over my crib as a baby on display.  And the walls of the apartment are light yellow – perfect!
• A few times when talking English, the Spanish word popped into my mind first.  Yay!  [Wen thee Inglish start geting mixted up, thee Espaneesh ees veeri good.]
• The visit of our friends Jasson & Kim from Guadalajara.  They plan to move to Tepic in December or January, and with another pilot family hope to set up a base here in Tepic.  Their objective is to assist pastors by flying them to remote villages in Nayarit. 

Please pray.  Thank the Lord with us for the opportunities we have had to share the good news, for a repentant heart, for our new place, for safety, for our healthy, happy little girl, and for the Bout family who have been such a blessing to us. 

Please pray also for those in the church who are struggling – lack of work, legal difficulties, health problems, and spiritual struggles.  For our ability in the language (especially for me).  For opportunities to build relationships with our neighbours here in the apartment.  Thank you.

In Christ, Rev. Matt & Anne-Marie & Naomi Van Dyken

Meeting Grandpa & Grandma Van Dyken for the first time.

 

Cousins! 

Four generations.  We love you, Oma Blokker.

Matt fishing.  A holiday wouldn't be complete without a little of this. 



Cousin Julia, just 3 1/2 months apart.

Naomi's good friend Rebekah can always get a smile out of her.

A family from church - our first dinner guests in our new place!

A grasshopper of sort, taking shelter in our front door wreath, which was expertly made by Jessica.

Naomi, six months old already!