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Madison NewsWow, December already? This is our family's favorite time of year. The anticipation of Christmas tops the list for the kids. We hope everyone places celebrating our Christ's birth above all the hoopla. Here in Peru it is our first view of how the locals celebrate. So far it is not that different from back in the States. Although it is a little weird without the cold temps and snow. But the 70 degree weather is just fine by us. We got a small Christmas tree & decorated it with Peruvian handmade ornaments. The kids colored pictures we put up on the windows. But we won't be in Peru for Christmas. We will be heading to California to spend Christmas with our families. We have not spent a Christmas with them for 6 years. We are anticipating a great time. The school year here ends Dec. 14. So this week is exams for the kids. We will be returning to Peru after our furlough for the next school year. We are not sure exactly what grade or subjects Dan will be teaching yet. Conner will be in 5th grade! And Sophia will be in 2nd :) Please pray for all the students over their summer break here. And please pray for us to have safe travels. Dan and Conner will also be traveling to Pennsylvania. They are looking forward to some time with our church (St. Paul-Calvary UMC) in Williamsport, and visiting friends. [Feb. 8 – 14] We wish you all a safe, healthy, and Christ-Centered Christmas! Love, The Madisons Dan, Talicia, Conner & Sophia October 2011 news
There has been so much going on here we have not updated you all as often as we would like. So for all those who are following our ministry here in Lima, Thank You !God is so good ! And he makes that clear to us everyday here. We are so blessed to be doing His work in Peru. And we are so thankful to all who have been praying for us and supporting us. We could not be doing this without you !We are just finishing the third quarter of the school year here. We all continue to progress in our Spanish. Conner especially is learning so quickly. He continues to love soccer (futbol), and basketball. The school staff enjoy his good-natured attitude & fun-loving spirit.Sophia is learning piano. She is loving 1st grade and has an amazing teacher. Her handwriting is improving and she is getting excellent grades.Conner & Sophia will be having their first birthdays in Peru in October (turning 7 & 10).Talicia continues holding down the fort at home and keeping us all on track and sane :) Her Spanish is the best in the family & she practices daily. She has been personalizing our home & garden. She has not mastered Peruvian cooking yet though :)Dan loves his job & is thriving leading the kids. The feedback from the staff & parents has been encouraging. Although still learning how this whole classroom teacher thing works. He gets many pointers from the other wonderfully helpful staff.Monterrico Christian School (MCS) continues to be a wonderful place to work & do ministry. There are so many opportunities daily to engage kids in getting closer to Christ. It is a real challenge to try to overcome the dominate cultural Catholicism, language barrier, and general indifference to the Gospel. The young people in Peru are not very different to the young people in other places in their tendency toward complacency. Unfortunately this is a global societal problem. So how do we make Christ relevant to today for these kids ? The message remains the same, as Christ remains the same yesterday - today - and forever. But the avenues we use to communicated the message needs to adapt to the times we are living in. Not to water down, dilute, or change things to sound more pleasing. But to reach these kids where they are. Jesus went to the people where they were, even the socially unacceptables. This all takes time. It takes relationship. One person at a time getting past the fluff and digging deep. It is not for the faint of heart. It is hard to put yourself out there for rejection and get personal with people. But that is what we are called to do.Through the school here I have a captive audience of kids who have to listen to me :)And I take that responsibility as imperative. I know I can not change any of these kid's hearts. God is working in them, and I am a seed planter, and a waterer. And sometimes I am blessed as the one that reaps that harvest and gets to participate in their accepting Christ. But all those who came before are all a part of that victory for the Kingdom.We pray for all of you in your lives and walk with the Lord.Please pray for us. Especially in the areas of:- The hearts of the kids we are trying to reach- Our kids to make good friends- Our PA house to sell- All of our Spanish progress- To trust more in God to meet our needsThank you so much for all your prayers, support, and Love. We enjoy receiving all the emails and Facebook communication which helps us feel close to home :)Love,The MadisonsDan, Talicia, Conner & Sophia :)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/madisontd
Blogspot: www.madisonfamilyperu.blogspot.com/
Dan Madison:
St. Paul-Calvary UMC
Madison Missionaries
1427 Memorial Ave.
Williamsport, PA
17701
Videos from Summer of 2011:Message from DanThe Madison Family |
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