Erin in Tenerife

In our never-ending search for fresh produce on this island, Mama Emma and I have been trying out all the grocery stores and local markets. It is surprising how different the produce sections are from store to store. Our favorite is still the weekend farmers' market. We try to get there as close to 8 am on Saturday before it gets crowded. That in itself, shows how much we love it.   Mama Emma was so excited to see bananas as soon as we walked in. Besides produce, there is a butcher, goat milk and cheese counter, a couple cow’s milk cheese counters, a bakery, and local artisan goods.     This week I purchased ingredients to make Chilean charquicán (a vegetable stew). I forget how long it takes to cook from scratch with all fresh ingredients. Well, the beef was packaged.     For lunch that day we had Chilean charquicán , Ecuadorian rice, and Chilean green bean and tomato salad.     I am learning that food is something to linger ove...

On Wednesday morning, I arrived at the airport in South Tenerife, Canary Islands with all my suitcases, a few stomach issues, terrible jet lag from traveling for two days, and a smile on my face. I figured the middle two were probably linked and would improve with rest. A neighbor of the Dye family, whom I met once last year picked me up. I didn't know what photo Steve had sent him, but I knew I definitely looked worse for wear and snapped a selfie so he'd be sure to recognize me. It wasn't pretty, but I was smiling! I am glad to be back. Mama Emma is my roommate at Steve and Priscilla's house. She was born in Haiti, emigrated to Venezuela at 19 and has more recently traveled to the US and Ecuador where her kids live. She is hanging out in the Canary Islands while working to get her visa paperwork so she can go live with her son and his family in South Carolina. (Venezuelan citizens have a special amnesty in Spain and don't have the same hassle to get a visa like th...

I (finally) got me some wheels! For over a year now, I have gotten by borrowing my mom’s or dad’s vehicles to get around when needed. To their relief, I have my own set of wheels now! Last May I had saved up $3000 to purchase a used car only to become discouraged when I saw the market prices. Used cars have become especially prized commodities these days. So, I continued to save and began praying for God to align the finances, the right time, the right car, and all those other details involved in owning a car.  After a year, God finally brought about the right one. Just a couple weeks ago a member at our church had fixed up a 2000 Toyota Camry and was selling it for $3000. The same amount I had hoped to pay originally! God is so good! Sure, the car is old, a bit worn, and, according to my mom, needs hubcaps. But my niece and nephew always ask if they can ride in my “cool new car”. This car is a blessing so I can drive to medical and visa appointments, church visits and even provide...

[Most of the text below was taken from a newsletter sent via email in February 2022. Some details and photos have been added for context.]   I trust this email finds you well and thriving in spite of so many challenges we have all had to face the past couple of years. I hope this letter brightens your day a bit and encourages you that God is still doing amazing things all around us.   As you may know, I have been back in the States for over a year now after handing over the mission work in Ecuador to the local churches. They continue to grow and thrive together with a new sense of responsibility for the churches, the children centers, the school and even a new church plant in Colombia. Please keep them in your prayers as God continues to work in and through them.   When I returned from Ecuador, I decided to live with my folks in Missouri for many reasons, among them: the rise of cost of living in California, my nephew and niece and the soon arrival of a new niec...