In the process of learning a new language, we’ve discovered that we knew some of the words already—we just didn’t realize it.

In this country, for example, “taco” means “stay,” and “nacho” means “dance.” Of course, “burrito” means “indigestion” in any country.:)

Other words are just confusing. For example, “Momma” means Uncle, you call your Aunt (your father’s younger sister) “Poo-poo,” “Aunty” means “ring,” and “Daddy” means Grandmother (on your father’s side). An elephant is a “hottie,” bellybuttons are “nobby,” “book” means chest and “boy” means book!

The command to eat is “cow!” Cows don’t say “moo,” they say “humba-humba!” Even the animals speak a different language!

Our prayer is that God would give us joy in English and “joy” in Bangla (which means victory!).

Christy took this picture on our way home from visiting the orphanage last Friday.

Click here to sing the ABCs with Claire!

I gotta say I’m busting at the seams with pride over my sister’s most recent accomplishment…she passed the Florida Bar Exam! Despite a landslide of obstacles, she persevered and showed us what real endurance looks like. Atta girl, Bethany!

A BIG thanks also goes out to everyone who sustained her with your prayers.

The other day I went with a friend to an auto mechanic to help him get his steering column replaced. The mechanic could not find a new part, but he was able to pull an old one out of a wrecked car. Even used, the piece was very expensive (by local standards).

When my friend heard the price, he said, “Just for that little part?”

In an effort to sweeten the deal, the mechanic said, “It has a guarantee.”

My friend asked, “What kind? One year? Two year?”

“One week,” came the reply.

I reckon my friend was satisfied because he had the part put in the next day.

* * *

Yesterday, while riding a rickshaw, someone in a car pulled up next to me, rolled down the window, and asked me which country I was from.

Being a language student, I try to take every opportunity to practice, so I said in Bangla, “Guess!” (andhage korun).

I could tell that the man thought I was from a country named “Andhage korun,” so I tried the other word that I learned for “guess” (aunuman korun).

All I received a blank stare.

So then I asked in Bangla, “Do you speak Bangla?”

“Of course.” Then the man said in perfect English, “I’m sorry. I can’t make heads or tails of anything coming out of your mouth.”

At that point, the policeman directing traffic waved us through the intersection. The car pulled away and I was left guessing.

Mention the Bible character “Boaz” and a portrait of a benevolent, kind, honorable, and godly man comes to mind. For Ruth, Boaz was quite the catch. Boaz was a wealthy landowner. He was well respected in his community. Boaz showed unusual regard for the young widow woman from Moab.

Boaz married Ruth. Their great-grandson David, the most famous king of Israel, was called, “a man after God’s own heart” and penned a large portion of the Old Testament.

Not only that, but Boaz and Ruth are in the genealogy of the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Himself.

In the book of Ruth, Boaz is seen as a redeemer, one who rescues the widow Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. Boaz the Redeemer is a type, a foreshadowing of the Ultimate Redeemer, the Lord Jesus.

While spending time in the Word, Christy made some powerful observations about Boaz that I thought profound. Her observations give us great hope in parenting Claire. Parenting has been a subject on our minds lately as Claire grows and begins to assert her independence.

Boaz displays the kind of character that parents want in their sons, and many parents pray that their daughters will marry someone like Boaz. But what makes the character of Boaz so astounding—the fact that had escaped my notice until Christy pointed it out the other night—is that Boaz’s mother was none other than Rahab the Harlot. Boaz was raised by a former prostitute.

Rahab, a Gentile, is known for hiding the spies who came to scout out Jericho before the “walls came a-tumbling down.” Her actions revealed her faith in the God who delivered the people of Israel from the Egyptian Pharaoh 40 years earlier. Her faith is memorialized in the “Hall of Faith” found in Hebrews 11. Not only was she the mother of Boaz and the mother-in-law of Ruth, but she also stands in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

Who can miss God’s grace at work in taking a woman from the Red Light District, incorporating her to be part of God’s Chosen People, and helping her raise a son who became a powerful and respected leader in his city? Despite her checkered past, God empowered Rahab to make a break with her heritage, raise a godly son, and leave a legacy of faith.

We draw great strength from this story as we, two young parents, struggle to raise our daughter, because we see that our limitations place no limits on God.

We spent Easter at the Home of Love. The orphans are so sweet to Claire. They had a blast burying her in the sandbox.

Claire makes friends everywhere she goes. Here she is with a new friend she met at the zoo.

The entrance fee to the zoo is $0.20, so we like to go often. Even though you can’t help feeling sorry for the animals, this zoo does have some advantages over zoos in America. For example, without the strident safety standards of America, you can get a lot closer to the animals. Unfortunately, they have removed our favorite exhibit, the “domesticated canines—for sale.”

“This life is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness. It is not health, but healing; not being, but becoming; not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we will be, but we are growing toward it. This is not the end, but it is the road.”
—Martin Luther

Click here to see Claire’s latest dance-music video: The Wheels on the Bus.

First, hand make the lasagna noodles.

Then, whip up a batch of cottage cheese.

Pop it in the oven and …

… Yum yum delicious!

…But I’m not sure I do.”
—a great quote from Christy

Click here to see a music video of Claire: “If You’re Happy & You Know It.”