A Testimony of His Faithfulness

One week left of classes and graduation from the Spanish Language Institute is just around the corner (Friday, August 14). We received back our final exams and we did well, Praise the Lord! Becky especially ranked especially high in her oral exam, and received a higher qualification that I did!!

But what is especially exciting about this for me is that the story really begins when Becky and I were engaged. She was particularly self-conscious about her ability to learn a second language, and didn't think she could. One day, she could hold it in any longer and blurted out, "You'd be better off with someone else, I'll never be able to learn Spanish, I could never be a missionary's wife." She assumed because I already "knew" Spanish at the time, that I wouldn't have to go to language school. I remember assuring her to trust in God, and that He would help her.

As she began to her studies at the language institute she felt as though her worst fears were becoming a reality. The academic director discovered through a pattern of her tests, that she was dyslexic. Which made conjugating verbs and knowing where to put pronouns nearly impossible. She was then put in a lower level grammar class. But she didn't give up. God put some great teachers in her that didn't give up on her and pushed her as well, saying "!Si se puede!" (Yes you can!). She found a way that helped her learn, talking and practicing with friends and neighbors and always finding a way to reinforce things orally. She went from barely passing grammar tests in basic concepts, to receiving A's and even a 100% in the more complex mood of the language, the subjunctive! Does he call the equipped, or equip the called? Isn't just like God to take something that looks impossible by human standards and turn it around for His glory?

Oh God, great is your faithfulness!

Another affirmation that Becky is not a missionary's wife nor called to be one, but a missionary, now equipped to share the saving gospel of Jesus in Spanish.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (II Corinthians 12:9)."

Can I phone a friend?

Steve and I finished our final exams! Now we just have to wait for the results. Our grammer exam consisted fourteen pages over three hundred questions, and over three hours long. Needless to say Steve and I are excited to have the weekend to relax. Our oral exams were yesterday, and we feel like they went well. Praise God for what Steve and I were able to learn through our time here, much more then another language. We are looking forawrd with anticapation to coming home and touching base with our family and friends and our supporters. We will be home for a little bit over a month. Pray that God will use us to encourage those who need to be encouraged, and that God will use our time in the states as he sees fit.
(We will be arrivng August 18th.)

Praise God for what he has done through us, and what he will do in our future!

Becky for the Diems

Is that your final answer?

Please be in prayer for Steve and I this week as we take our FINALS. We have an oral exam, and a grammar exam (13 pages) Thursday and Friday of this week. Pray that we will be diligent in preparing for these exams. Also we have home work, and regular tests in our other classes as well. We are happy to be drawing to close here with our language learning, yet sad to have to say good by to our church here, our neighbors and friends.

Cute story, Our nanny who watches Elliott during the week was watching both of the boys because the schools were shut down in CR for the swine flue. Adina was talking to Josiah about how she wanted to come see his Grandma, and Josiah said " you can come on the plane with us, we'll all go see her together" Adina explained to him that she couldn't because she doesn't have the paper work that she needs. Josiah ran and found some old plain ticket stubs that he had been saving and wrote her name on it so that she could go. When she was retelling us the story, she was crying.

Many emotions! Some of great joy as this chapter comes to a close, and others of sadness anticipation of more changes, and saying good by and starting over again in another country and culture. We are excited about this new chapter in our life! Please be in prayer for the adjustments that we will all be going through individually. Pray that he will give us exactly what we need to adjust quickly to the new chapter in Argentina.

Thank you for your prayers!!

Becky for the Diems

All to the Glory of God!

By Gods Grace alone we made it through the week without too many complications while Steve has been gone in Panama on a missions trip. Of coarse there's always fun stories to tell, like when I discovered that Elliott can open doors, and found him typing at the computer while I had been making dinner. All I saw was a blue screen that basically said, if you see this good luck, call your computer agent. God is good, and my friend was able to help me fix it over the phone after trouble shooting for a while.

Next week the school is closing the day care part of the school because of the swine flue out break. The whole country is shutting down there schools for a week to take time to clean them,and try to minimize the contact between children, who are very likely to catch and contain this deadly virus. The Adult section will go on as scheduled.

My language class ate out today, and I think something I ate did not settle with me well. I have a very sharp pain in my stomach, and full body sweat. Pray that God will give me the strength to finish out strong tomorrow until Steve comes home. Thanks!

The boys have been great, we've made lots of fun memories together! I've enjoyed the extra time with them by myself, but we are ready for our Daddy to come back from "nanama."

I look forward to hearing in more detail all about the opportunity's that Steve had to share the gospel. He said they have been very busy, and have had to turn people away, because there was only so many they could help in one day. It's sounds like he's really enjoying it. Look forward to sharing more details with you all soon! Thank you for uplifting the boys and I while Steve has been gone. Thank you also for praying for Steve's safety and the team in Panama.

God Bless, Becky for the Diems