Hochstetler Prayer Update January 2012

Dear Praying Family and Friends,

Enjoying a Congolese Meal on New Year's Eve!

We had a wonderful Christmas break with Austin and Emily both here with us.  We were able to get out of town for three days and enjoy some quiet fresh air with three other families.  It was a great time.  The kids (ranging from 9 to 25 years old) had an experience with a snake that joined them in the river for a while.  When they scramble out to get away from it the snake came out with them.  The oldest chose to behead it since it was showing aggressive behavior.  We don’t usually have run in with snakes so we now have an adventure to tell.   We also were able to enjoy some games together both while camping and at home.  We had several Christmas events at our house and Emily said that it wouldn’t be Christmas without having lots of visits with people.  We all missed Mitchell in a great way but continue to be thankful that he has a job.  We are praying for his future and what God has planned for him.

Now that they have left we are all feeling rather gloomy.  Rod was also gone all last week to visit Lubumbashi which is in the southeastern part of Congo.  As chief pilot he went to fly along with the other pilots to be sure they were still performing well in their work.  Both pilots did a great job.  Rod brought cheddar and mozzarella cheese back for us too.  One of the flights Rod was on in Lubumbashi was in support of medical or people displaced by fighting on the eastern boarder of Congo.

While Rod was gone I had a few stressful days and nights and slept VERY little.  I am amazed at how well I have slept the last two nights since he got back.   I am hoping I can learn to put things aside and sleep at night.  The problem is that I don’t even realize I am hanging on to something in my mind.  Please pray for peace for me.

Lydia is working diligently at raising money so she can travel back to America this next summer for a reunion with her many MK friends that have left here.  She is baking cookies and crackers to sell to raise the money and is about a third of the way there right now.  She is also in a musical at school, “The Suessical”.  She is having a lot of fun with that and will be involved in practices 2 to 5 days a week until the play  is performed the weekend of March 22^nd to the 24^th.

Facing the stress of my children leaving on a jet plane. :P

Austin’s appointment was very informative but as Austin says, “The problem with [this doctor] is that as a world renown authority on corrective jaw surgery he can charge whatever he wants.  That means $53,000...all of which must be payed before the surgery.”  That is only for the surgery, not the orthodontist and hospital too.  So Austin has chosen to find another surgeon and to possibly wait a couple of years. 

Emily is finishing up the last of her classes to get her Bachelor of Arts Degree.  Because her partner needs a little more time to raise support they are not planning to leave until March now. Please pray for full support and that God would prepare relationships and work for them ahead of time.

If you want to see photos of our activities please befriend me on Facebook.  I love posting photos and we have been having a great time with the youth group, other families, and just life around here.  We rarely can take pictures in public because the culture considers it a form of espionage.

 

Thank you so much for your prayers,

Love in Christ,

Valerie Hochstetler

Summary of praise and prayer:

Praise:

1)    Safety in flights both in travels for our family and in our MAF team’s flying

2)    We had a great time as a family over Christmas break

3) Once again we praise the Lord for our faithful supporters who provide for us financially and/or pray for us regularly.  We are overwhelmed at God's provision.

 

Prayer:

1)    Rod’s trip to America, for great learning experiences for him and peace for Valerie and Lydia here in Congo while he is away.

2)    Austin: for wisdom about his teeth and jaw, finding the right surgeon and knowing the right timing.

3)    Mitchell:  Guidance for his future.

4)    Emily and Janel:  They would receive full support quickly and that God would provide work and relationships ahead of time for them.  Ephesians 2:10

5)    Lydia: for time management and organizational skills as she works diligently with her business, the musical and school.

6)    Wisdom in our work here in Congo, dealing with government officials and passengers for Rod and students and parents for Valerie.