After eight years of celebrating Christmas in the heat of summer, it is refreshing to be back in cold New England, surrounded by friends and family. I love the build-up of the Christmas season here, and have missed the communal celebration of Advent, hearing Christmas carols, and singing Christmas hymns. May the joy of the birth of Christ be with you all!

We want to thank you for your love and prayers, and for your support in our ministry in South Africa over these past eight years as we have endeavored to share the light of Christ with those around us, particularly in the prisons. Your concern for all our children, especially Phoebe, has touched our hearts and shown us what the body of Christ is capable of. May God bless you in all aspects of your lives!

This past year has been exciting and unsettling, as we readjust to life in the U.S., while simultaneously trying to keep a presence in Cape Town. I think we all have suffered from readjustment stress to some degree or another.

The most exciting news is that Ana is getting married on December 17 in Hawaii to Frenchie Gamero. Frenchie has been a staff missionary with YWAM Kona for the past seven years.  He and Ana share a passion for seeing youth transformed for Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Frenchie is a dynamic international speaker, and also works with a local youth group.

Isaac moved into our Park Street Church apartment with us in August. He is working part time at Patagonia while taking a computer programming class, and is figuring out his next steps. He just signed up to attend the Urbana Conference after Christmas, which is a student missions conference sponsored by InterVarsity.

Margaret is working at Puttshack in Seaport. She is enjoying being part of a team of servers, and is saving her money for her future adventures. Please pray for her as she is trying to figure out her life with God, that she will hear His voice as she considers options.

Phoebe has adjusted well to Charlestown High School, after a rocky beginning bouncing between various schools. Charlestown seems to have the best services for her needs, so we are grateful. We are also grateful that Phoebe now has an insulin pump attached to her, which we replace every three days. This has made dosing insulin much easier.

I have been immersed in two classes at Gordon Conwell: Survey of Church History and Leadership in Urban Ministry. I had not expected the classes to be so time-consuming, so will be relieved when I pass in my last paper before boarding the plane for Hawaii Monday morning!

Alberto has been a great help to my parents in attending to fix-up projects at their house.  He had wanted to attend to our rented house in Quincy, but time has escaped us. However, he had the opportunity to visit Lowell prison last week.

Again, thank you for your partnerships.  It has been a joy to reconnect with so many of you, and we look forward to continuing to do so through the spring, when we return to South Africa.

If you would like to support our ministry in South Africa, please do so on the Park Street Church online giving forum: www.parkstreet.org/give.  We are listed in the drop-down box as “Missions: Parada PM” which means we are partner missionaries through the church, and receive only a portion of our support directly form the church.  The majority of our support comes through individual and families.  Or if you would like to support Ana and Frenchie, choose “Missions: Ana Parada” in the drop-down box.

May the joy of Christ’s birth bring you hope this Christmas season.

Love,
Alberto, Joanna, Ana (and Frenchie), Isaac, Margaret and Phoebe Parada

Alberto, Isaac, and Margaret are pictured above painting frames to be used at the upcoming Mission conference, which we will be finally able to participate in, in person!  The conference runs from Fri Nov 4- Sun Nov 13.  You can see the schedule here.  We will be doing the following:

• Concert of Prayer and Praise for the World (Friday)
• Kids’ Missions Program (first Sunday)
• Noon Time Prayer session (one of the days)
• Stories of the Kingdom (one of the evenings)
• Missionary Panel and Seed Stories meals (second Sunday, all services)

The Missions conference has a special place in our hearts, clearly, as we want people to get excited about mission work here and abroad!  It is also at the missions conference that we met the Blisses 25 years ago, and through that relationship, God watered a seed that had been planted in my heart years earlier to serve in South Africa.

We feel settled in our downtown apartment, and, as of last Wednesday, are finally getting into a routine.  That’s because last Wednesday Phoebe started school!  It’s been a very bumpy start, with this being her third school assignment: Charlestown High School.  She’s currently in a classroom for kids with different medical diagnoses, as opposed to just autism.  The teacher has medical training, and there is a nurse assigned to Phoebe.  I have cell phone numbers for both teacher and nurse, and have been communicating with them throughout the day.  (Hopefully that will die down soon!)  The staff seems very capable, despite the fact that they have yet to hire a 1:1 aide for Phoebe.  (Her last aide did not want to commute to Charlestown.)  They have told me about some great extracurriculars Phoebe is eligible for, but first they need to do a complete evaluation of her to create a Boston Public Schools IEP (Individual Education Plan).  We are definitely on the road less traveled!   The good thing is that this school is a 15-minute bus drive, as opposed to 65-minute drive to Hyde Park.

One of our goals in coming to Boston was to get Phoebe a diabetic pump.  Next Monday is the day!  We have finally mastered the pen, which is the precursor to the pump.  We have had various appointments and video sessions, so we are quite far along the learning curve, but have not actually practiced on the real thing!  Please pray all goes well on Monday!  Her pump is an Omnipod 5, which is a tubeless insulin delivery system just slightly larger than her existing Dexcom sensor, which we will continue to use.

Another goal of mine was to study!  I am currently taking a class on Church History through Gordon Conwell Seminary and Leadership in Urban Ministry through CUME (Campus for Urban Ministerial Education), which is the urban branch of Gordon Conwell.  The church history class is a huge amount of information, but I find it fascinating to watch how the church has interacted with God and fellow people throughout time.  Overall, I am enjoying being a student again: learning, being part of a class, and working towards a degree.

Happy Fall!  One of the things I have missed about Boston is the beautiful change of seasons, particularly the fall.  It is a joy to be here as the colors change, and to go apple picking again!

I have also missed being close to our church brothers and sisters.  It is a blessing to be able to worship with so many of you, and to reconnect over coffee.  Please reach out to us if you want to get together, or if you would like us to share at your small group.

Part of our Missionary Care Team is pictured above.  They pray for us faithfully.  Please let me know if you would like to join our monthly gatherings.

Happy 19th birthday Margaret!  Margaret enjoyed a brief stint of working at Tatte Bakery and Cafe, but is now working at Puttshack in Seaport, where she enjoys the overstimulating environment, and has the opportunity to become a server.

Ana and Frenchie are excitedly planning their Dec 17 wedding in Kona, Hawaii, where they are both missionaries with YWAM.

We loved going to the All-Church Camp late August, although it seems like a distant memory at this time!  Our last Family Camp was in 2014, so they have definitely changed over the years.  We enjoyed connecting with old friends, and meeting new friends!

Happy 23rd birthday Isaac!  Isaac moved in with us at the end of August, much to my joy!  Having him with us is an extra blessing from God, which has redeemed all the pandemic time that we spent apart!  Isaac is in the process of applying for a job in the IT field.

We recently attended Isaac’s weight-lifting meet, and saw a culture I knew virtually nothing about!  He did great!

Naomi recently came to visit us from Switzerland.  As you may remember, we stopped off in Switzerland to visit Daniela Roth Nater on our way back from South Africa.  Naomi and Margaret have a special bond, as they have been friends since birth!

Prayer Requests

• Park Street’s annual mission conference: to educate, challenge, and excite people about their role in the Great Commission
• YWAM’s 30th anniversary celebration in Cape Town this week: that through their ministries, many more people will proclaim the name of Jesus
• Phoebe: to adjust well to the pump and to her new school, and to get a good 1:1 aid
• Ana and Frenchie’s wedding plans: for peace in the stress of organizing
• Margaret’s gap year: to be spiritually, socially, and financially beneficial
• Isaac’s job search: to be guided by God

We are now Boston residents!  I took the above picture of Boston Common from our living room window.  Needless to say, we are incredibly grateful to be living at Park Street Church.  Besides being able to be in church in less than two minutes, we are able to walk out the front door and instantly be part of the hustle and bustle of city life.  I love walking to do our errands, and strolling through the Common.  Well, “strolling” may be an exaggeration, as life continues its fast pace.

We landed in Boston at the end of June, and felt the usual sense of being overwhelmed by being home, surrounded by so many friends, and in a familiar culture!  I had gotten used to being the minority, used to the simpler life of fewer choices and less efficiency.  Walking into church the first Sunday is always an emotional experience for me, as the organ’s vibrations surely can be felt under my feet!  “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” has got to be one of my favorite hymns!

We spent the first month with my parents in Weymouth, and scurried around at the usual appointments at Children’s Hospital.  The most important medical appointment was with the endocrinologist.  Phoebe was approved to use the insulin pump by insurance.  We are now using the insulin pen as a stepping stone, which, like the pump, necessitates that we use an app to count carbs and get the right insulin ratios.  Once we have adjusted to the app, she can begin with the pump.

The other important appointment we had was with Boston Public Schools.  We registered Phoebe easily last month, and last Friday she received her school placement: New Mission High School in Hyde Park.  She was placed there because of their autism program.  I have a list of questions for the school, so hopefully we can talk to them soon!  Meanwhile, I am doing lots of research.  (If anyone knows anything about this school, please let me know, as I hadn’t heard of it before.)

It hasn’t been all work though.  We attended  a missionary retreat in NH with other PSC missionaries.  Immediately after that we attended Family Camp with the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Washington DC.  This is the Spanish church that we belonged to before moving to Boston 25 years ago!

Another recent highlight was attending the Joni & Friends Family Retreat in NH, where we were surrounded by people who celebrated Phoebe.  This organization sees disability as a ministry, not only in terms of how you care for someone with a disability, but also as a way to see God and His heart in an alternative way, a way made possible only through the struggles of the disability.  Walking the path of disability is often very lonely, and Phoebe’s needs are my daily reality. To have this reality recognized and celebrated was very encouraging to me.

Reconnecting with friends and family is one of our goals for our time of furlough, so we are trying to take every opportunity to do that!  Later this week we head to Maine for Park Street Church’s camp, which I have been sad to miss for the last eight years.  I am thrilled we can go this year!

In terms of our furlough, I begin classes through Gordon Conwell and CUME next month, when Phoebe starts school.  Alberto is trying to do some work at Park Street Church, some work on our Quincy house, and visit his family in El Salvador.  We also have the joy of planning a trip to Hawaii in December for Ana’s wedding!

Ana and Frenchie got engaged recently, and are planning a December 17th wedding in Kona, Hawaii, where they both work as missionaries with YWAM.  We are thrilled to welcome Frenchie into the family, despite the fact that Hawaii is the absolute opposite end of the globe to South Africa.

Isaac will be moving in with us this week!  It is an unexpected blessing to have him with us in Boston, after having been separated from him for so many years.

We hope to see you soon.  Thank you for partnering with us!

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Congratulations to Ana and Frenchie!  You can read more about their story in Ana’s latest update.  They also created a facebook page Frenchie and Ana- YWAM Kona.

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Margaret has enjoyed reconnecting with various friends, like Sofi, pictured above in our old camping spot at Ponkapoag.

Margaret is now working at Tatte Bakery & Cafe near Berklee School of Music, which she is enjoying.  She is trying to earn as much money as she can, so that she can go backpacking in Europe.  Having a home base in Boston is ideal for her, and I am happy we are here.

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Phoebe has loved all the attention she has been receiving.  Andrew, pictured above at the Spanish camp, is one of Phoebe’s favorites.  She hadn’t seen him in three years!

Naomi adored Phoebe at the Joni & Friends Family Camp last week.  You can read more about this amazing ministry here.  Joni and Friends is answering the call of Luke 14 to “Go out quickly…and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…so that my house will be full.”  Since there are 1 billion people around the world living with disabilities, the need is great.

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My sister Audrey and her two kids came to visit from Denver.

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Prayer Requests

• God’s blessing on the people and projects we have left behind in South Africa, including the halfway house in the planning stages with Hope Prison Ministry, the feeding outreach in the local township, and the upcoming discipleship training schools through YWAM,
• A good teacher and classroom for Phoebe, and a helpful school nurse,
• God’s guidance and blessing on Ana and Frenchie’s wedding planning,
• Margaret’s gap year to be spiritually, socially and financially beneficial,
• God’s guidance and blessing on Isaac’s time with us.

As I mentioned in the last update, we are coming to Boston for an extended furlough.  Since we have been with YWAM for more than seven years already, we are eligible for a 6-12 month furlough.  And since Margaret has graduated, we no longer have to rush back for an early August school start date.  Isaac will have more flexibility to see us, now he has graduated.  Triza, the lady who has been helping me with Phoebe at home, is returning to Malawi.  So, it seems like the right time to take a furlough.

We will be in Boston from July through the end of the year.  I am so excited to see you all, be in a familiar culture again, enjoy fall and winter, and celebrate Christmas in winter.

Specifically, these are some of our goals, in no particular order:

• Reconnect with our church community.
• Fundraise, as the budget we drafted nine years ago does not accommodate ongoing inflation.
• Visit Alberto’s family in El Salvador, who have never met Phoebe.
• Get Phoebe an insulin pump, which is the next step in diabetes management.  This pump will be attached to her body and administer insulin, and has been on our wish list for awhile now.  Phoebe’s endocrinologist at Boston Children’s Hospital requested we make a six-month commitment to being in the Boston area to receive support during our learning curve.
• Put Phoebe in an autism program through the Boston Public School system.  I have been managing Phoebe’s education from home these last few years, and I am in need of more support.  I would like to learn new strategies and technologies that may help her.
• Provide a home-base for Margaret as she figures out the details of her gap year.
• Study.  I am five classes short of a Masters of Art in Urban Ministry at Gordon Conwell.  I would like to take some live classes at CUME, the urban branch of the seminary.
• Do some manual labor on our Quincy house, which has been rented to the same family since we left Boston.
• Rest.

We will be staying with my parents in Weymouth for the month of July, and at Park Street Church’s apartment from August through December (with the option of extending, should we need it).  Gratefully, we have found people to stay in our Cape Town house who will watch over the property and the pets.

Getting all the details ready for a big trip like this has been exceedingly stressful.  Adding to the stress was a very challenging and unexpected situation.  Last week we were harassed and threatened by Richard, the husband of Triza, the Malawian lady who helps me at home with Phoebe.  Richard decided that we owed Triza more than $1000 for sick leave that she never took. Legally, there are no cash pay-outs for sick leave.  But Richard was on a mission, and decided he was going to take me to court.

This was a complete slap in the face to us, since we have treated Triza with the utmost respect and a generous wage.  I sought legal advice, and was told that his claims were unlawful, that I should register a harassment complaint with the police, but be ready for a possible tough outcome since judges tend to favor the laborer, regardless of the law.

I reached out to our Missionary Care Team and asked them for prayer.  And then a miracle occurred!  Richard did seek legal advice, and was told to go home, as he had no case.  He came to me in repentance and explained his motive was out of fear, since Triza and their sons are moving back to Malawi soon, and he feels great financial pressure.  We were able to give him a gift, which is much more freeing than being forced to pay someone.

This whole situation was very unnerving, not because of the money, but because of the threat from someone we considered a friend.  I felt like I was trapped in a very unhealthy relationship.  We have since straightened things out with Richard (Triza never seemed involved one way or another) but our relationship will never be the same.  Knowing the law is flexible is also a very unnerving feeling, and gives me greater empathy for innocent people who are judged guilty by a corrupt system.

Alberto recently participated in a Restorative Justice conference and is pictured above speaking on forgiveness.  Since he is always telling me stories about the inmates, I thought I should be more intentional about sharing them with you:

“Xholani is so thankful to God for sending us to prison where he is doing his sentence.  His first language is Xhosa.  He is incarcerated for armed robbery.  He had no problems with drugs or alcohol.  Guns, women and money were his weak points.  Before the Restorative Justice conference, he was having a very challenging life filled with revengeful thoughts.  With the information he received at the conference, he gave himself the best chance of a new life by giving Jesus the opportunity to be his ally in his journey.”

Margaret, Phoebe and I flew out of Cape Town on Monday  (the same day Ana flew to Hawaii.)  One of the perks of living so far away from the US is lay-overs.  Frankfurt is a major lay-over city between Cape Town and Boston, and is not far from Zurich, Switzerland.  So, Margaret Phoebe and I are currently visiting Daniela Roth-Nater and her children in Switzerland!  I met Daniela 24 years ago when she was working in the missions office at Park Street Church. Naomi and Margaret have been friends their whole lives!

Coming to Switzerland has been a dream of mine since I was a child.  Spending time with Daniela is sweetness to my soul.  Being with such a good friend in a neutral environment is helping me process the stress of the past few weeks and allows me to rest before the busyness of our Boston trip begins.  We arrive in Boston June 27.

Meanwhile Alberto is finishing up more house projects.  He is a hero.  He will meet us in Boston July 1.

Last month, Isaac graduated from Messiah University with a degree in computer science and a minor in finance.  Ana and I attended the graduation, much to my joy!

It was wonderful to see Isaac, see his world, meet his friends and their families, and spend so much time with him.  I loved every minute!  Ana was present for the graduation, but left shortly thereafter for a missions conference in Kansas City.  My parents, sister, niece, and friend Rochelle Karakey came to the celebration as well.  What a happy reunion!

I assumed I would be worried about Phoebe, having never left her for that long of a period of time, but I was able to release her into Alberto and Margaret’s capable hands, and they did an excellent job!  Thank you to all of you who prayed for this trip.

Isaac is now working for Ambassadors Advisors in Lancaster, PA.  He and his college roommate are living in the basement of the roommate’s parents’ house.  Many of their college friends live in the area.

Equally as exciting is Margaret’s graduation from high school.  It was bittersweet for her to graduate, as many of her friends will leave Cape Town and not return.  On the flip side, Margaret is more than ready to embrace what lies ahead, as unknown as it may be.

Margaret is taking a gap year before college, though does not know exactly what she will do yet.  She will look more diligently for work when she gets to Boston later this month.  She is no longer considering a DTS through YWAM, despite the fact that I think she would love it, and God would use it to draw her closer to Him.  It is something I have released to God, knowing He is creative in His ways to connect with us.

Happy 15th birthday, Phoebe!  I continue to learn more about God, life, perseverance, joy and living in the moment, through Phoebe.  (She has two candles on the cake as she is still working on blowing them out!)

Daniela and Phoebe at the Rhine Falls on the Swiss/German border yesterday.

After spending a few months with us in Cape Town, Ana is now in Kona, Hawaii embarking on the next chapter of her life with YWAM and Frenchie, pictured above.  She is currently fundraising to work with the YWAM headquarters and a local indigenous youth group.  You can read her latest update here.

Payer Requests:

*Safe travels
*God’s guidance and blessing on our furlough time
*Ana’s fundraising and adaptation to the Kona base
*Isaac’s new work life
*Margaret’s gap year
*Phoebe’s pump and school placement
*Deon’s daughter was recently shot in a gang cross-fire, and is now suffering from PTSD.  (Deon and Deborah run the soup kitchen we support.)

Greetings to you all!  As we enter fall and temperatures start to drop, we are keenly aware of the needs of those in our surrounding communities who lack the basic necessities of food and warm clothing.  Our friends Dion and Deborah continue serving their community, pictured above, home-made meals three times a week.  Their motivation is to feed those in need, both physically and spiritually.  Their love for Christ burns bright in a community plagued by gangs and violence.  It is our privilege to be able to help sponsor this program.  I am reminded of how partnership works: some people have a dream, but lack the resources to make it happen.  Others have the resources, but not the opportunity to act.  Thank you for your indirect partnership with this program.

As you will see in the pictures below, my parents came to visit!  It was a wonderful time of reconnecting, and they were able to see our lives here.  Also, we are in the midst of praying about and planning a slightly longer furlough this summer.  Stay tuned for more details.

Pictured above are Dion and Deborah, resting after a busy morning of cooking and feeding their neighbors.  They live in a “Coloured” township and Afrikaans is their mother tongue.  South Africans, by and large, still live in racially segregated neighborhoods.

Ana turned 25 recently, and has just left for the U.S. She is visiting Frenchie’s family in Texas, and will attend “The Send” missions mobilization conference in Kansas City with him before joining me for Isaac’s graduation on May 7.

Although I am excited and grateful to be able to fly to PA to be at the graduation, I am also nervous about being so far away from Phoebe for a week.  Please pray for Alberto as he takes over Phoebe’s care, and for my travels!

Margaret graduates from high school May 27.  She is still planning on taking a gap year, and is still looking for a nanny position for the summer and fall.

I (Alberto) had the opportunity to get to know Silver, pictured above, in one of my most recent Restorative Justice programs. He shared with me how he ended up in prison: one evening as he was returning from work, one of his friends came running to him to give him the news. He said his brother was lying on the floor injured and needed help. Without delaying, Silver went to try to help his younger brother. As soon as he saw him, he realized that he had been hurt by two guys at the bar. He said he asked them in a polite way to let him help his brother. They refused, and started to attack him as well.  He felt he had no other choice than to defend himself, and in the process, he hurt the two guys. He was arrested and now is in prison. He is taking responsibility for the crime he committed, and says he wants to start his own construction business when he gets out. I also had the honor to pray with him to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior. To God be the glory.

Sometimes economic disparities seem so great that they paralyze us in our ability to relate to each other as human beings.  Yet it is the simple things, like freshly washed clothes, that we can all appreciate!

Praises

*Our new brother in Christ, Silver
*The official end of the COVID-induced State of Emergency.
*Family filling our house
*Ana’s opportunity to be in the U.S.
*My official acceptance back to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary

Sheep heads for sale, in case you are making soup!

Prayer Requests

*Peace in Ukraine
*Silver’s dreams in a challenging future
*Soccer ministry
*Blessings on Margaret’s final stretch of high school, and guidance for her next steps
*My trip to PA next week and for stability of Phoebe’s glucose levels while I am away
*Logistics of figuring out how to come to Boston for an extended visit starting in July, and possible schooling for Phoebe
*Finding people to stay in our Cape Town house while we are away
*Resolution for an unexpectedly high medical bill we received for Phoebe’s lab work from the Children’s Hospital of Cape Town, not covered by insurance

The challenge with writing updates every other month is that news becomes outdated so quickly!  The picture above was taken on New Year’s Day at a vineyard, though it seems like ages ago already.  Neither Ana nor Isaac are with us now in South Africa, so we can only cherish the memories of happy times together.  I loved having a full house again, and at one point, we were seven!

Allow me to introduce Frenchie (whose full name is Fransisco).  Frenchie (33!) and Ana (24) met briefly in Hawaii three years ago, and have stayed in touch ever since.  Their paths did not cross again due to Covid.  When Frenchie heard that Ana was returning to South Africa, he planned a trip from Hawaii, and stayed with us for three weeks last month.  Frenchie is an incredibly respectful man (he asked us if he could date Ana, and asked us to pray over them).  He is Hispanic, born in Texas to Mexican parents.  But most importantly, he loves Jesus.  He has been with YWAM in Hawaii for the past seven years.  His ministry is “Fire and Fragrance” which is about sharing both the power and the sweet aroma of Jesus with the nations.  He ran the camp Margaret attended in Hawaii last summer, and helps run the DTS there.  He also travels to different countries as a guest speaker.  Currently, he and Ana are in Nepal.  He invited Ana lat minute to join him, and she accepted.  They are having an amazing time, and seeing many lives touched by the gospel.  I will say, however, that getting to Nepal was a bit of a challenge.  They were denied entrance onto the flight to Qatar, because Nepal had red-listed South Africa on Qatar Airlines, but there were no such restrictions on Emirates Airlines.  They rebooked through Dubai two days later, and got their covid test results as we were driving to the airport…in faith!

Less stressful news is that Isaac was offered a job!  He is working part-time at Ambassador Advisors, in Lancaster, PA.  He was interning with this investment company, so was excited to receive the job offer.  He will start working full-time upon graduation in May.  This brings me to the next point. Isaac graduates early May, and Margaret late May.  It seems ludicrous to fly to the U.S. for just a short visit, but I don’t see any way around it.  Also, such a quick trip would be very stressful for Phoebe, so Alberto will most likely stay here with her, while I travel.  Please keep this trip in your prayers.

Onto Margaret…Margaret submitted the rest of her college applications recently, so we are all able to breathe a sigh of relief and wait patiently.  There were moments when I wondered if she would get any applications in at all, but she rose to the challenge!  She is still planning on taking a GAP year, as she still wants to do YWAM’s six-month DTS in Hawaii starting in September (with Frenchie).  She would like to work in the Boston area before and after that time.  We are praying and brainstorming about possibly coming back to Boston as a family for at least part of the time Margaret is in Boston, so as to give her a place to stay, and to reconnect with all of you!  Every time we come it is so rushed, so a slightly longer visit would be nice!

Another possible benefit for coming for a longer period of time is that I could possibly finish my Masters through Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary’s CUME (Center for Urban Ministerial Education).  I started classes there when Ana was a baby, and surprisingly enough, my classes still are valid.  I only need five more classes to graduate with a Masters of Art in Christian Ministries with an Urban Ministries Track.  Maybe I could finish those classes while back in Boston?  Lots of things to pray about.

Meanwhile, I continue to enjoy leading our small group in Cape Town and attending leadership meetings at the YWAM base.  I love how Christ-centered our YWAM leadership circle is, and appreciate their diversity and energy.

In terms of Alberto’s ministry, soccer is back on the fields, and all prisons are open again!  Omicron hit South Africa in December (us included), but since then most restrictions have been lifted.  Alberto actually spent last week in Pollsmoor Prison doing a “Restorative Justice” conference with the Hope Prison Ministry team.  Pollsmoor is the high security prison close to us, and was one of the last prisons to open, as it had the tightest restrictions.  Alberto was thrilled to get back to this prison, and to see some familiar faces again.  This particular conference had 29 participants, and was made up of largely gang members, competing gangs at that!  The conference culminated with the family visit day last Saturday.  This is the day when family members are invited to come to the prison to see their incarcerated family member, and to start the reconciliation process.  They are allowed to come and ask any questions they want.  Usually, a mother comes.  This is often the first time she hears the truth as to why her child is in prison.  Although it is always exciting to see lives change through the conference, it is also heart-breaking when no family members come to visit, as is often the case.  Just because the prisoners change, doesn’t mean the family is ready to accept that.  Sometimes trust needs to be re-earned.  Please keep the RJ conference attenders in your prayers, that the change in their hearts will result in a change of lifestyle which will be evident to their families.

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Merry Christmas to you all!  It really has been another challenging year full of uncertainty, but God’s faithfulness is evident.

The year started with closed borders and a challenging holiday season.  This Christmas, our borders are open, so both Ana and Isaac have come home after two years!  Of course I cried at the airport!  Their trips were not without challenges though, as the UK red listed South Africa due to Omicron, so London cancelled Isaac’s flight.  It seemed impossible to get him home for a reasonable price.  Then we discovered the direct flight from Newark to Cape Town, which was not originally available when I booked months ago.  That ticket ended up being cheaper than the original one!  When Ana left Australia, she knew she would not be able to re-enter, due to their closed borders.  This was bittersweet for her, as she left behind friends she has invested in for two years.  She is grateful that she completed her Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies, her Barista course, and was able to staff another School of Biblical Studies.

As we try to focus on the good of this year, we see God’s provision.  When most schools shut down due to the pandemic, we were able to start an amazing home autism therapy program for Phoebe.  She has also enjoyed swimming, hippotherapy (horseback riding therapy), physical therapy and surf therapy!

Margaret just finished her first semester of her senior year of high school, and has sent applications into a number of schools in California, much to her excitement and our apprehension!  She received her first acceptance from Azusa Pacific University.  She is still considering taking a GAP year, but wants to get college lined up first.

As we look back on the soccer ministry, it is encouraging to watch the boys grow up.  We are starting to see the fruits of them staying in school or working, some are going to church, yet some are still struggling to make the right choices in very challenging situations.  Soccer ministry was the least affected by pandemic restrictions.

Salvations continues to happen in the prisons, where the name of Jesus is exalted and glorified.  Prison ministry, however, was greatly affected by fluctuating lockdown restrictions.  Alberto was able to do a few Restorative Justice conferences and some prison visits, but this year has been focused mainly on working with released prisoners and families of existing prisoners.

Food distribution has continued, and we are grateful that we can share with our brothers and sisters in need.

John 15:5 has been particularly meaningful to us this year: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

We praise God for the miracles He is doing in people’s lives, and we are grateful for your support and partnership with us.  Your faithfulness always touches and amazes us!  If you would like to support our ministry here in South Africa, please do so on the Park Street Church online giving forum: www.parkstreet.org/give.  We are listed in the drop-down box as “Missions: Parada PM” which means we are Partner Missionaries through the church, and receive only a portion of our support directly from the church.  The majority of our support comes through individuals and families.  If you would like to support Ana, she is exploring some exciting ministry options, and is able to receive support through the same link, but choose “Missions: Ana Parada” in the drop-down box.

May the joy of Christ’s birth bring you hope and joy this Christmas season.

Park Street Church’s annual Global Missions Conference is always a highlight for us, as we reconnect with the global body of Christ, and more specifically with our Park Street Church family (albeit virtually).  This year’s theme was “Jesus in Global Cities,” which as the name implies, told stories of how Jesus is working in and strategically through cities, and gave a voice to many of us to share about ministry in the city.  We spoke on the panel “Invisible Cities: Jesus and Incarceration” which discussed the unseen web of power, control and communication in the prisons and the communities from which the prisoners come.  Most people are unaware of this intricate web, as prisons are purposefully hidden away from society.  Yet God does not discriminate, and despite society’s efforts to make prisoners disappear, God is using that intricate web to make Himself known and spread His kingdom.  We know how the story ends.  He has the ultimate victory.

As part of the conference, we were encouraged to make a drive-by video showing different aspects of city life.  Alberto and I (and Phoebe) made an attempt at this, which you can see here.  Along with South Africa’s incredible racial and cultural diversity comes a huge disparity of wealth between rich and poor.  56% of the population live in poverty, while a minority live in opulence (source).  South Africa has the worst wealth income inequality in the world, according to the World Bank (source).  This contrast hits the visitor pretty hard upon arrival, and is one of the reasons why South Africa has been tugging on my heart all these years.  But, I dislike taking videos of people, as I feel it invades their space and encourages a victim mentality.  All this to say, our video is pretty simple.

A highlight of the conference is always the Women’s Benevolent Society’s luncheon, where missionaries from all over the world Zoom in and chat with the faithful women who have been praying all year long!

In regards to prison ministry, Alberto and his team are currently on an intense six-day Restorative Justice Program in a nearby prison.  Please pray for the Holy Spirit to transform lives and reunite families.  Saturday is Family Day, which means families are invited to come to the prison to see and hear their relative.  This is obviously a very emotional and potentially life-changing day.

The soccer team recently had a Christmas party to mark the end of the season.

Margaret is pictured above on her 18th birthday.  I am treasuring every day I have with her, since I don’t know where she’ll be living next year.  She is still considering a gap year, but is also applying to a few colleges in the U.S. Her stress is high with looming deadlines.  Meanwhile, we have submitted the FAFSA in preparation.  Please pray for God’s guidance in her life!

One of Margaret’s favorite classes in school is Advanced Marimba.  The picture at the top of the update shows her class giving a performance.  Click here to listen.  (She has the marimba with the yellow diamond, and is to the left.)

Much has changed in Ana’s life in the last few months.  She finished her coffee internship in Port Macquire and managed to get back to Brisbane, where she received her diploma from the University of the Nations: an Associates in Arts in Biblical Studies (pictured to the right).  She also received a certificate of completion of the barista course.  She is now staffing a Biblical Core Course and  taught on 1 and 2 Kings this week!  The school ends in December, at which time she will fly to Cape Town!  I am so excited to see her again after nearly two years!  Please pray for Ana’s next steps, as she has a few options on the horizon.

Phoebe is growing quickly and putting on weight, now that we have treated the bacterial overgrowth.  She continues to make great strides with her autism therapists.

At a recent swimming lesson, a mom approached me to ask if Phoebe has diabetes, as she saw the sensor on her arm.  When I responded that she does, she told me that her son also does.  This was my first time ever meeting another mom of a child with Type 1 Diabetes (South Africa and U.S.).  She proceeded to invite me to a support group for mothers of children with Type 1 Diabetes!  I went to the first (post-covid) meeting, and was amazed to meet about 15 other moms.  I have spent years researching each of Phoebe’s disabilities and am part of various on-line support groups, but have not had the opportunity to meet other moms of Type 1 children, strangely enough.  Such a gift!

Isaac is pictured above on his fall break visit to Emilio Karakey.  Isaac is enjoying his computer science and finance classes, and his internships have been going well. He is also coming to Cape Town for a month over Christmas!  He graduates in May.  He is looking into job opportunities now, so please pray for that process.

We recently adopted a cat from the animal shelter.  The poor thing had a broken leg, which necessitated his spending his first four weeks with us in a cage.  Out of the kindness of her heart, Phoebe snuck in her iPad, hoping to cheer up the despondent kitty!

Leo, the cat, now has a completely healed leg, and a high tolerance for Phoebe.  Maybe you can spot him under her stack of cards!

Covid update: 33% of South Africans are fully vaccinated.  We are currently on stage 1 of restrictions, which is the lightest of the restrictions.  Life seems almost back to normal.  Please pray against a possible 4th wave after Christmas.

Electricity is in short supply these days.  This has been an ongoing struggle marked by corruption and inefficiency, so please pray for a solution!  Last week we averaged 7 hours a day without power

It’s spring, and we are back in Cape Town!  Thank you to Park Street Church and all of you who welcomed us back to Boston in June and July.  You reminded us that we are still friends and family despite the distance, despite the challenges of the pandemic, and despite the passing of the years.

After such a packed and eventful time in Boston, it was hard to get excited about our return to cold, wet Cape Town and the lock-down restrictions of the pandemic.  We arrived on a freezing cold night last month, and my heart was torn.  I missed everyone in Boston so much, yet was welcomed by Alberto and saw the fruits of his labors in our house.  It was at that moment that I realized that I have two homes in two very different places, yet they are both home.

When I say “cold” in Cape Town, I mean “cold.”  With no central heating, indoor temperatures mirror outside temperatures, which dip to the 30’s.  We have seen snow on the mountains, and have sleet and hail.  We are grateful for our wood stove, which takes the chill out of our bones.

As I reflect, I am grateful for so many things.  Thank you for your prayers for Margaret when she went to camp at the end of July.  The whole experience was a miracle in terms of her openness to going, the timing, financing, etc.  She had a life-changing experience as she listened to amazing testimonies and saw the Holy Spirit working in and through her life and the lives of the other high schoolers. She came home with the scales lifted from her eyes, and excited to know God more deeply.  She is considering doing a DTS after graduation, which I am very excited about!

As parents, we want nothing more for our children than for them to walk with God, experience His joy, and want to grow in relationship with Him.  Sometimes that dream seems so distant, and other times it smacks us in the face and catches us by surprise.

Phoebe had a total of 14 appointments at Children’s Hospital while we were in Boston.  That is our new record!  She had a GI procedure, liver ultrasound, and eye exam under anesthesia on July 30, which necessitated our moving our flight back (and Margaret missing some school.)  The results of those procedures are that Phoebe has SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), a slightly fatty liver, and no diabetes-induced retina damage.  The SIBO we are treating here.  The fatty liver is possibly from diabetes, and requires no intervention at this point.  The clear eye exam is a blessing.  Phoebe is putting on weight again, so that is also a praise.  Please continue to pray for her and all her challenges.

I am so grateful for the doctors at Children’s Hospital in Boston, and our doctors in Cape Town.  We are able to do more tests in a short amount of time in Boston, and have everything covered by insurance.  In Cape Town, it’s just a bit more complicated and expensive.  But, the Cape Town doctors follow us more regularly, so all in all, it is a great team approach.

Personally, I am also feeling stronger and healthier.  I am also putting on weight again, so that is a relief.  I jumped back into my roles of teaching Spanish and leading our YWAM group.  As COVID restrictions start to relax here (despite the fact that only 12% of the population is fully vaccinated), it is a joy to start to gather with groups of up to 50 people.

We had our YWAM annual conference this week and discussed the importance of intimacy with God and vulnerability with each other.  We are only a remnant of what we used to be in terms of missionary numbers, due to a mass exodus during COVID.  Some people returned to their home countries to be closer to family during the pandemic, while for many it was a financial decision, as their missionary support dried up.  Again, I want to thank all of you who are faithfully standing with us and not giving up on us during this trying time.

And now, some words from Alberto…
Spring is arriving, and the vineyards are starting to sprout new leaves.  I thank God for the ways He has protected my family and me throughout the stormy days that are left behind.  I had my second COVID vaccine last week, which gives me courage to continue in strength and be responsible for the calling God has honored my wife and me with, here in South Africa.  Thank you for your partnership.

Please pray for the Department of Correctional Services, as crime has increased by 60% since the start of the pandemic, which means more overcrowding and stress for the incarcerated, and more work for the correctional authorities.  Prisons are once again closed to outside visitors, so we are currently focusing on outreach to prisoner families and ex-prisoners.

Kara, my dear friend and Missionary Care Team leader, visited me at my parent’s house shortly before our departure.

Ana Martinez from PSC and an OT student, worked with Phoebe for about 15 hours each week while we stayed with my parents.  This was an incredible blessing to us all!  We miss Ana!

Phoebe helped me point out family members during our PSC reception.

Our Missionary Care Team made this poster board for our reception.

Alberto and Edwin, our YWAM leader, putting the last touches of paint on the walls.  We now have a sturdy floor, leak-proof and freshly-painted walls, a new bathroom, a repainted closet, and an outdoor patio area!  Well done Alberto and friends!

Pictured above are some of the boys who play soccer every Saturday with Alberto.  Over the years, some of them have repeatedly shown up to play barefoot.  This has proven to be rather inconvenient, as some players have cleats.  Alberto finally decided to buy some of the boys sneakers from our newly created “soccer fund.”  Of course, the whole team will eventually want new shoes, but this is something we are happy to provide for the general safety of the team.

Margaret is pictured above in her school uniform.  She turns 18 next week!

Margaret started school immediately after we arrived.  She had actually missed the first week of school due to our needing to move our flights for Phoebe’s procedure.  Starting her senior year was quite emotional!  She is taking 3 AP’s this year (Art, Language and Composition, Statistics), Marimba, Voice, Business, and Gym.  She is stressed with a full academic load, and many decisions for next year.  She could apply to art schools or liberal arts schools in the U.S. or Europe, or take a gap year.  The good and bad of growing up overseas is that the whole world seems to be at your fingertips.  Nothing seems out of range.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance for us all!

Ana is pictured above with her ministry partner Maddie Mae on the day of her graduation, which she could not attend in person due to COVID.  She graduated from YWAM’s Brisbane’s Basic Leadership School, her cafe internship, and received an Associates in Biblical Study.  Since her Australian visa is tied to her classes with YWAM, it is about to expire.

The problem is that Ana is still in Port Macquire.  She extended her internship as the provincial borders are closed and she cannot get back to Brisbane.  Because the international borders are still closed as well, she cannot easily or cheaply leave the country.

She has applied for a visa extension, which would hopefully allow her to stay until the borders open up.  Please pray for wisdom for her, as there is just so much uncertainty.

Please read Ana’s latest update here.

Isaac (pictured with his roommate Michael) is in his senior year at Messiah University.  He completed his summer internship at Ambassadors Advisors in Lancaster, but is still interning with them remotely.  Since I only saw Isaac on the 4th of July weekend, I am really hoping he will celebrate Christmas with us in South Africa.

This is one of the best books I have ever read.  It is extremely insightful in providing a context for the current racial tensions in the U.S., which can be historically traced back to the forefathers of our nation and how they institutionalised a caste system based on race.  Parallels are drawn to Nazi Germany and the caste system in India.  This book is especially helpful in South Africa, where the legacy of apartheid continues and racial tensions and violence are mounting.

In order to have a voice here, we need to be aware of these tensions and understand the context in which we live.  As missionaries, we know without a doubt, that what the devil meant for evil, God can transform and use for His glory.  Working with multi-racial teams with YWAM and Hope Prison Ministry is an excellent example to the world of restoration made possible by the blood of Jesus.

 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”(John 13:35)

A generous friend of a friend (from the Church of the Holy Nativity) sewed some vests and pillowcases for the children in a home-run program that we were associated with in our early days of being in South Africa.  Pictured above are some happy kids!  Sadly, most of the kids do not own pillows, so the teacher actually cut the pillowcases in half and inserted small pieces of foam, thereby doubling the number of kids who could benefit.

Prayer Requests

• Movement of the Holy Spirit through the prisons
• Guidance for our children to follow Jesus and not the currents of this world
• Wisdom for Margaret’s senior year and college search
• Open borders for Ana
• Continued healing of Phoebe’s and my gut

We made it!  After 25 hours of traveling on three continents, we arrived safe and sound in Boston (pictured above).  Praise God!  So much stress, so much uncertainty, so many potential roadblocks, but we made it!  Thank you for all your prayers.  Phoebe’s inability to wear a mask was a non-issue.  No one asked for any of our copious paperwork.  All our three flights arrived on time, as did our luggage.

We left South Africa in the gulf of a third wave, with no mention of vaccine access.  It was cold, dark, wet, and depressing for me.  We left the airport on the only international flight, an almost empty plane with the other foreign-carrying passport passengers.  I felt like we were escaping.  I felt sad for leaving Cape Town in the midst of need.  At the same time, I couldn’t believe we could actually fly to Boston.

Arriving In Boston felt unreal.  I felt like I was walking in a movie.  We had left all the stress of the pandemic behind and arrived in Boston on a beautiful summer evening.  The contrast was too much for me!  Seeing my parents after two years was a gift! Seeing Kara, who has been in constant contact with me and organizes our Missionary Care Team, was also unbelievable.

I cried on my first Sunday back at Park Street Church.  Being surrounded by my church family, participating in a seeming post-pandemic gathering, listening to amazing organ music with voices lifted up in worship to God, hearing the Word of God preached from a pulpit instead of Zoom…it brought tears to me eyes!  The stress melted from my shoulders and I felt immersed in God’s blessings.

It has been wonderful to reconnect with so many of you.  Thank you for welcoming me back!  We are here until Aug 6.

This Sunday I will be sharing in each of the services at Park Street Church, and will speak at a lunch reception after the 11:00 service.  It would be great to see you!  Please stop by!

We arrived just in time for my mom’s 81st birthday, pictured above.

Isaac came up for the 4th of July weekend.  It had been 18 months since I last saw him!  My heart was instantly filled with joy!  He is enjoying his internship at Ambassador Advisors in Lancaster, PA.

While here, I decided to see a doctor myself!  I never really knew what made me so sick last year.  I was sick with digestive stress for a full month, and have had a few relapses since then.  So, I had a my first colonoscopy!  They did a scope of my digestive tract, and found that I have lymphocytes colitis, which may explain things.  I’m on medication now, so praying that it helps, and ultimately that God will heal me.

Margaret has been working in Quincy Market selling ice-cream and cookies.  She is happy with the extra income.

She has the opportunity to attend “Infusion” youth camp at YWAM, Kona, Hawaii next week.  It is an absolute miracle how this came to be, and I am amazed at how God works through the impossible!  Please pray that God will draw Margaret close to himself during that week!

Phoebe is pictured above, rubbing her arm after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.  Margaret, Phoebe and I were able to get both vaccine shots here.  What a relief!

While here, I have been scheduling as many medical appointments for Phoebe as I can at Children’s Hospital in Boston.  She has seen the Down syndrome program, endocrinologist (diabetes doctor), diabetes dietician, diabetes nurse (twice), otolaryngologist (hearing), ophthalmologist (vision), dentist, gastroenterologists (digestion), physical therapy (for a DMO, or Dynamic Movement Orthosis top).  We are still waiting to be seen by Augmentative Communication (for ipad communication ideas).  All these appointments represent areas of concern for Phoebe’s Down syndrome or diabetes.

Most areas tested well, though there is still question as to why she is not gaining weight.  She is growing quickly, so that is reassuring.  The GI department will do a scope on her digestive tract on July 30.  They will also do an ultrasound on her liver, which has been in question in the past.  Also while under, her vision will be tested (don’t ask me how), since she was uncooperative for her vision test.

It is a lot though, and has been challenging for me to squeeze everything in while we are here.  I am however, grateful for our insurance and continued care from the same doctors year after year.  Overall, they are happy with her progress.

Alberto stayed back in Cape Town.  He is pictured above roasting marshmallows after having a devotional with ex-prisoners and a police officer, who was converted to Jesus by the guy he arrested.

Alberto is also doing a lot of work on our house, namely floors, walls, patio, and bathroom.  This is the longest period of time we have been apart.

Ana is enjoying her outreach at Port Macquarie Anglican Church.  When not in the cafe, she works with youth and a kids club, which she loves.

Australia has been minimally impacted by COVID.  Their international borders are still closed.  Provincial borders were also recently closed, which means Ana’s outreach will be extended by a month, as she cannot get back to Brisbane.