Settling in Indiana

While Andy recovered from his surgery, Lisa and Spencer (along with Lisa's mother) went to Belize last week to pack up our house and to say our good-byes. It was difficult to leave Belize, but we have been reassured along the way that we have made the right decisions. Of course even knowing this, we will miss Friends Boys School and our neighbors very much!

Andy is doing much better now. He is able to drive and has just started a new job at White's Family Services working as a clinical supervisor in the foster care office. He has to be careful not to do too much now that he does not feel the pain that used to prevent him from doing things. He still has a lot of restrictions, but he is able to move about so much better than just a couple of weeks ago. We are so grateful!

Andy's surgery

Thank you to all who prayed for Andy's surgery last Tuesday. It went very well, and we are encouraged that this will really help him. The surgeon seemed more positive after the surgery that this would help Andy as the disc was herniated more than it had appeared on the MRI's.

Lisa is making arrangements to return to Belize to pack up our house, visit our students and friends, and tie up all our remaining loose ends. Thank you for your prayers and support, and please continue to pray for us through our ongoing transition.

Leave of Absence

A lot has happened since our last blog update at the start of the new year . . . Andy had to travel to the U.S. for a second spinal injection in early February. This time he did not get the relief that he felt for a couple of months after the first one. His pain worsened very quickly, and we as a family returned to Indiana the end of February so Andy could be near the medical resources he needed to deal with this condition. After a month of unsuccessful physical therapy, Andy is now scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday, April 11 to remove the part of the disc that is pressing into the nerve. This should relieve the pain he has in his leg and foot. We are praying that his back pain is stemming from this leg pain and that this procedue will be all he needs even though this surgery does not tend to ease backpain.

Meanwhile, we, together with FUM, made the decision that we will take a leave of absence from FUM since Andy is going to need ongoing access to medical facilities for some time to come. Since we do not have a clear timeline this leave is indefinite, and we will seek other employment. FUM will continue to provide our insurance and salary through May to allow us a transition period. Lisa is planning to return to Belize to pack up our house and take care of all the remaining details there as soon as Andy has recovered enough from his surgery.

Thank you to all of you who have been supportive of us and our ministry at Friends Boys School. We anticipated serving there for many years, but we know that God is leading us back to Indiana for now.

New Year. . .

We are getting settled back into the school routine as the boys start their first week after a three week Christmas holiday. We had a quiet Christmas and enjoyed being home together more than normal. Then we had a work team from FUM here Dec. 28 - Jan. 4. They did a work project to improve FUM's property at La Democrocia.

Spencer is growing, growing, growing . . . He is on the move crawling and exploring all those things we take for granted. He is long for his age, and most people think he is older than he is. It is a joy to watch him grow and learn every day.

Six months already. . .

FBS takes part in Basketball. . .

Our boys are participating in basketball with other local schools in a league through the National Sports Council. We only have 7 players, but they try very hard. So far we are 0-3, but we are working on having good sportsmanship and attitudes.

Just too cute. . .

I can't help it, he is just too cute!!!

Spencer is still growing and loves to laugh.

He loves to roll aound and has just begun using a walker and already can go forward and backwards!!!

We are looking forward to him getting into EVERYTHING!

Thanks

We wish to thank everyone who has been praying for us during the past few months.

We are back at Friends Boys School and beginning to get back into the swing of things. This afternoon is our first basketball game! Lisa and I have never coached basketball before, so it should be very entertaining!

Please continue to pray for the school, the students, and field staff as we continue God's work here in Belize.

Andy & Lisa