September Newsletter

The Savage Sightings

September 2012

For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting.  Praise the Lord!  (Psalm 117:2)

Carolyn, Kyle & Gray having a picnic in our backyard.

Recently we moved to a different house in the same area of the Los Chillos Valley.  The move was brought about when we learned we were being exposed to dangerous gases and fumes. We praise the Lord for providing another house so quickly, and removing us from danger.  Our new house has proven to be a tremendous blessing and it feels like home to everyone.  It is a great reminder of God’s continuous grace and provision for us.

We visited "Old Town Quito."

Updates

Our Spanish comprehension is increasing “poco a poco” – that is “little by little” as we continue our studies.  In context, we can hold basic conversations.  We are excited about our remaining six months of language learning that will bring us to a sufficient level for communication.  We are eager to be able to “reach and teach” here in Ecuador.

At this point it is difficult to communicate with any kind of depth. However, we have been giving out pocket-sized copies of the Gospel of John in Spanish as well as directing them to the church we attend Iglesia Biblica Bautista.  These booklets are a great resource and one of the tools we plan to utilize in the future.  We use the ones pictured below.  If you would like to donate some for us to hand out please contact us via phone or e-mail for more information.  Thank You for your continued prayers and support! 

Please Pray:  Language learning, culture adjustment & opportunities to share God's Word!

Contact Information:  Brad & Kim Savage - savageb@globaloutreach.org - 901-405-4747

Gas - Gas - Gas

“Gas – Gas – Gas” the words I heard while training in the Marines when facing possible exposer to dangerous chemicals or gases.  Though Kim and I and the kids did not have anyone yelling “Gas – Gas – Gas” to warn us of the possible dangers, we did learn recently the house we were living in was exposing us to dangerous gases and fumes.

Another cultural learning opportunity I suppose because everything here runs off of gas – the stove, the water heater, the dryer, etc., and all are things we use on a daily basis.  Like many other things here we are often not sure what is normal and what is not.  However, maybe this one should be placed into the  “DUH” category of not being normal to have the smell of gas in the house, but we had never used propane tanks before.

To make a long story short Kim and I were able to find another house to live in and we moved two weekends ago and are settling in without the aroma of gas in the house.  We thank God that nothing bad happened to anyone and no one seems to have any negative effects from being exposed to the gases and fumes.  

Christmas in June & Birthdays in July!

June & July were months of celebrations and gifts for us.  This month we celebrated Gray's 2nd Birthday on the 23rd and Kyle's 9th Birthday today the 30th.  Aside from our family time of celebration with them, Kyle received a package for his birthday from the BMX Boys Club from Shirley Hills Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA.  Shirley Hills is the church my(Brad) mother still attends and the church I grew up attending.  It is also the church Kim & I were wed almost 17 years ago.  Needless to say Kyle was very excited to open the package!

Some of the many great things in the gift!

Kyle's BMX Boys T-Shirt!

In June we also received a bunch of wonderful things in a gigantic package from the Sunday School Class of Dennis Wofford from Immanuel Baptist Church in Olive Branch, MS in June.  It was like we were having Christmas in June!

WOW!  What a package!

Christmas in June!

Gray loves orange Tic-Tacs!

FIELD TRIP

Playing with snakes at the Vivarium (Reptile House) in Quito

This past week Kim & I and the kids took a field trip into Quito with our Spanish teacher.  It was great to have a change of pace from our normal routine, and it is always a great experience taking the bus into Quito especially with the entire family.

Aside from visiting the Vivarium we went to Quito's biggest park, and ate at McDonald's.  Yes, McDonald's.  That may not seem like such a big deal, but it has been 4 months since we have had McDonald's, and it took us 3 buses, a long walk, and about 1 hour and a half to get there.  They are not on every corner.

Alayna outside Vivarium.

Marisol our Spanish teacher.

Trying not to fall in the park.

Gray in Vivarium.

Kyle in the park with some strange kid.

The Lord Provides!

In our previous newsletter I mentioned our need for a vehicle.  We asked people to pray and give toward a vehicle as they felt led.  Praise the Lord, in just two short weeks God has provided a vehicle for us!  We found out this past weekend someone is giving us a vehicle!  God continues to amaze us as HE provides for us.

If anyone gave specifically toward the vehicle we want to thank you for your generosity, and ask that you rejoice with us in the Lord's provision.  All money given toward the vehicle will be used for ministry in reaching the people of Ecuador for Christ!  Thank You!


"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" 
                                                                                          -  1 Chronicles 16:34

One of Ecuador's active volcanos named "Tungurahua",
 letting off a little steam.  The black smoke & ash on top
of the clouds covering the volcano.

Sharing some pictures :)

This is where we live. We  are on the top floor . A very kind widow lives underneath us.

We got a puppy for the kids. She is a french poodle and they named her "Daisy".

Alayna got a cat of her own. Her name is "Ginger".

The view out our kitchen window!

Doing "Nature Study" in the backyard.

These are just a few pictures that we had posted on Facebook but I know not everyone is "on" Facebook so I thought we'd post them here too. More to come as we settle in! :) ~kim

Sipping Water From A Fire Hose

We live on the 2nd floor.

Our first week of language school is complete and after a weekend break where we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior we have started our second week of language study.  Realizing our child-like state in this endeavor we are mentally exhausted, but press forward.


A fellow student appropiately described the first few weeks of Spanish learning: "It's like trying to sip water from a fire hose."  What an excellent description of how Kim and I both felt this past week.  Eager to learn we began soaking in the language one drop at a time while simultaneously drowning in the vastness of the Spanish vocabulary, gramatical rules, and exceptions coming our way.

 We Praise the Lord for the time and opportunity to concentrate on learning the language, and trust the Lord will use it in us for years to come!  Thank you for your prayers and support during this time of learning.    

Carolyn & Gray in the backyard