Word Made Flesh is a contemplative community. One of the ways that we contemplate what God is doing in the world and in our lives is through the reflection articles that we write. We invite you to read, learn, and celebrate with us.
The home behind the old wooden fence…
April Folkertsma – Nov. 1, 2008
Dear Friends: Lately I’ve been thinking about and praying more than usual for the young ladies who come to our center. Many of them have been on my heart and I’d like to share a bit about a couple of them. (I’m changing their names for confidentiality reasons). Maria has been coming to the center…
A little bit of the Spirit World
The first Friday of the month in Bolivia is a spiritually dark day. Traditionally on this day Pachamama, the Andean Mother Earth, receives sacrifices and petitions for the coming month. Our friends who are registered in local brothels are required to take part in these sacrifices of alcohol, small animal carcasses, or plastic objects representing…
snapshots
Dear friends, It's a beautiful autumn day here in Galati, the bright sun warming the chilly morning air. At our Community Center in “the valley” we greet over thirty children each day, but I have the privilege of working with a group of five who aren't children anymore – they're young adults. This month I'd…
2008-11-01
Dear Friends & Family, Thanksgiving is coming soon and I know that you are all busy planning your celebrations and get-togethers. While we always miss being there with you, we will be helping to put on a big Thanksgiving dinner for some of our American friends here in Rio. One tradition that we began…
November 2008
November 2008 Dear Friends and Family, Recently one of the teenagers who frequents the Valley House here in Galaţi was talking to one of our staff workers, Ana. He was smiling an unusual amount that day, so Ana asked him how he was feeling. He said, "Happy," and then upon being asked why,…
November Prayer Letter
October 15, 2008 Sweet Family & Friends, By the time you receive this letter our South America Regional Retreat will have passed, we'll have voted in a major election and I will be packing my bags to come spend a couple of weeks in the great mid-west. I first of all want to thank you…
November 2008 Prayer Letter
November 2008Beloved Family and Friends, This September, Walter and I celebrated 10 years of life overseas!!! When we stepped off the plane and into…
Beloved
Dear Family and Friends, Grace, hope, and peace to you. Life is good here in Freetown. God is gracious with us as we stumble forward. Ever patient, He is working everything together for good. We are grateful for many things: 1. The Lighthouse board of directors is showing renewed compassion and commitment to at-risk youth.…
April Folkertsma – Oct. 15, 2008
Dear Friends and Family: The weather has turned cool and it rained for hours this morning leaving us feeling damp and slightly moldy. The wind is rustling in the trees and, feeling domestic, I’m making a pot of soup and a pan of brownies. Sort of a ‘welcome autumn’ celebration and, I must say, our…