35 Years South of the Equator

Well, not very far south, maybe 4 or 6 degrees? I guess that's why it stays so hot year round on our island. The rains we thought had started didn't really yet, but they will. At least the acerola bush started giving its cherry-like fruit so high in vitamins.

Yes, 35 years yesterday, Jan. 21, that we first arrived in Brazil, stepping off that Boeing 707 in the middle of the night in Belem. Been quite an adventure since then: language school, a year and a half in a town on the Trans Amazon Road, nearly 16 years at the Seminary, return to Belem for 10 years, and soon to complete 6 more years back at the Seminary. All interspersed with leave-times in the States. During the years God gave us three wonderful children. One became a scientist, one a school teacher and the other a web master, all bi-lingual, married and beginning to give us our grandchildren! All living in the U. S. but with 'saudades' of the land of their birth. God bless them!

Should point out that we are citizens of three places: The U. S. by birth, family, mission and church affliation. Permanent residency in Brazil by missionary calling and career. Heaven by God's mercy and grace. The adventure continues!

Great Visit & New Year!

Was a great time with our granddaughter and her parents over Christmas! We managed to visit many of the significant places and people from our daughter's growing up years here in Brazil. The baby is a great traveler and charmer wherever she goes, as you can see. After four days of sightseeing in Rio, the family braved the Brazilian airline slow-down, arriving in S. Luis 12 hours later than anticipated. Right after Christmas we were off to a nearby beach house for two days and then spent three busy days in Belem, an hour's flight away. Other than several of us catching colds, things went really

well throughout the wonderful visit till we had to say goodbye today. AND, news from our oldest son in RI is that our newest grandson is doing well! However, others in that family are fighting colds. Our youngest son and his wife missed most of the bad weather in CO and are now back to their jobs in Arkansas. So it goes in the Stoner family. The New Year celebrations included my marking one more birthday. Am thankful to God for LIFE, health, family and ministry. Btw, the rains have started!