Ken and Lori Stucky
Friends & Family
E-Mail Updates
2 down and 1 to go
JANUARY 9, 2000
Family & Friends,
ISP problems last week kept me from reporting on the first Sunday of 2000, but we are up and at it
again. This week was intense for me as I was responsible for the kitchen at our field conference; we
fed about 85 people for four days.
Ron & Ranelle arrived safely from furlough in the USA and are beginning to get involved. The walls
on the new school building are nearly complete and finish work is about to begin. I found my
second teacher today and continue needing your prayers in finding just one more. Jessica & Alicia
are eager to start school on February 15th.
Tonight we had about 90 people in our worship service; about 20 visitors came. I signed up several
additional youths for Carnival camp in March.
Pray for us to wisely use our hours as we race the school launch dead line the middle of next month.
Thanks for your support as we reach Brazilians for Jesus.
Yours in Christ - Ken & Lori Stucky
KIDS CORNER: Alicia was walking around the house making various sounds like, "ma ma, doo
doo, yah yah, me me, yo yo, he he" and then there was a buuurp... Without hesitation, she looked
at me and said, "dayudy, what's dat noise?"
Are you my mommy?
JANUARY 16, 2000
Family & Friends,
This was an exciting week as we started to see part of the school building covered. Nine concrete
ceiling tiles that Ken has been working on for the past month were set in place over the future
office/reception area and bathrooms. A friend of a friend came with his truck hoist and had them up
in less than two hours even with taking a break for a short thunder storm. There is still plenty of
work to be done before the February 15th deadline (the day school starts)...wiring, plastering,
installing doors and windows, etc. The secretary and one of the teachers are getting a crash course
in computers. Curriculum is being decided on and school uniforms will be researched and ordered
this next week. It is more than enough to set our heads spinning! If you haven't done it yet, check
out the progress on our website. New pictures are being added all the time.
http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/
Yours in Christ - Lori (for us all) Stucky
KIDS CORNER: One day this past week I had some errands to run downtown. Alicia went along
for the ride. We stopped at one point, got out and entered a building. While I was talking to the
receptionist, Alicia decided that she didn't appreciate being somewhere so unfamiliar and took off.
As soon as I was aware of her disappearance, I started to search for the little blond headed 3 year
old. Suddenly someone called out to me that there was a little girl out on the sidewalk. Seems she
was headed for the car, which was across the street, when she was apprehended by a kind young
lady who asked her were her mommy was. Alicia's response? "I don't want my Mommy, I want my
Daddy, and I am going to go find him!"
(top of list)
January 23, 2000
Family of Friends,
One more week of construction brings us closer to opening date at Alpha School. We discovered a
gentleman who owns a truck with a hoist who graciously offered to put our ceiling tiles up for free!
Two thirds of the building is now covered and its a good thing because the rains have become more
intense; we got an inch and a half yesterday.
I have an interview lined up for Tuesday; pray that God will show us if this is the right teacher to
round out our teaching staff. Registrations begin this Saturday; we desire to draw in 25 to 30
students to make up our first student body. Pray for every detail to fall into place over the next three
weeks. Check our web site to see the progress at the building site.
http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/school.htm
Companions in Ministry - Ken & Lori Stucky
KID'S CORNER: Alicia came flying through the house getting out of control
as she rounded the corner into the family room. She crashed to the floor
and went into impressive contortions as she tried to recover from the
misscalcultion in her trajectory. Sitting up, she brushed herself off,
looked around, got up and said, "Wow! I almost falled down."
(top of list)
JANUARY 28, 2000
Friends & Family,
Can you believe it? My weekly update is early! Our mission board just expanded the possibilities
for Christian School Ministries by establishing an account to help fund Schools. The Alfa
Educational Center is the initial school in this program and some friends from Boyden, IA were the
first charter donors with a $250 contribution! God is moving and we are running to keep up with
what He is doing in Mossoro. Please check our web site for brand new pictures of the school
facility:
http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/school.htm
We are progressing with our "to do" list in order to be ready for the first day of school on February
15th.
ITEMS ALREADY PROVIDED
1. The use of a facility, donated by Joe & Jeanie Stucky
2. Salaries of the teaching staff will be funded from student fees
3. Extra classes like English, Music, Computers and Bible (volunteer staff)
4. 50% of the furniture (desks, chairs, cabinets etc.)
5. One used computer has been donated for running the school office
6. A volunteer director (me - Ken)
7. Two students (Jessica & Alicia)
ITEMS LACKING
1. Furniture needing to be built/bought $750.00
2. Two computers need to be purchased for the lab $2000.00
3. One water cooler $250.00
4. Lazer printer for office/lab $600.00
5. Software, power back up systems, scanner $1000.00
6. White boards, overhead projector, bulletin boards $550.00
7. Phone line & installation $175.00
8. Grass, trees and clean up $250.00
9. Toys, equipment for playground $400.00
10. Miscellaneous office, class room and first aid supplies
11. Twenty or thirty students for the year 2000.......
Any contribution designated to Alfa will be used where the need is the most urgent. If you prefer
giving toward a specific item need, let us know so we can honor your desire. We have also
encountered needy students seeking scholarships; inquire if interested. Our intention is for Alfa to
not only be self supporting, but that it will also one day be a springboard from which missionaries
will evangelize the World! Seed money for getting started will boost us toward this goal. Feel free to
ask question about anything, including our teaching philosophy, financial accountability, specific
needs etc.
Yours for JESUS In Mossoro - Ken & Lori STUCKY
PS Thanks to God for providing our last teacher this Tuesday!
(top of list)
Cows, Sheep, Pigs & 64 Rams
FEBRUARY 06, 2000
Friends & Family,
Augusto did it! He trusted Jesus tonight! Have you remembered to pray for the 10 men whose
wives are Christians? You share the reward! Keep praying for the others; let me know if you would
like a reprint of their names.
Alfa is about to burst - well, not exactly from too many students, but from the excitement of a
ministry about to be born. For analogy purposes, lets say that the pains are about 2 minutes and 13
seconds apart. Half a dozen students are signed up and we are praying for another 14+. I bought a
phone line on Friday and expect it to be installed by the end of the week in time to start classes. We
are trusting the Creator of the Cows, Sheep & Pigs to bring us about 64 Rams by Next Monday
(my choice would be to divide that up: how about 32 meg for each of two computers for the school
lab.) Pray for more students, endurance, students, rams, students, physical strength, students and
for us to not be weary in well doing. Am I sounding like a toasted circuit? Ok, it is bed time...
Your crew in Mossoro - Brasil (the Stuckys)
KIDS CORNER:
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings. KJV
Do everything without complaining or arguing. NIV
Don't be a gwump, smile a lot. AMS (Alicia Maria Stucky)
(top of list)
A prayer & a visa
FEBRUARY 13, 2000
Praying Friends,
After an intense week, ALFA is just 32 hours from lift off:
- The school sign was painted on Monday
- Old chairs were sandblasted and painted
- The wood and roof tiles were installed on Friday/Saturday
- Ceramic tile was laid all week on the remaining 75% of the floors
- 150 square feet of glass was installed in the windows
- Wires were laid into conduits for lights, fans & outlets
- The wall around the school property was painted
- Plumbing continued (the sinks won't be done in time)
- Some school uniforms have been delivered
- 150 man hours of painting has the inside of the building nearly finished
- School books are ready to be picked up tomorrow morning
- Two computers and a printer were ordered
- Plastic tables were purchased for temporary teacher's desks
- A class schedule was organized
The list of things to do is long, but I have resisted the temptation to postpone the beginning of
classes. Pray for a smooth first week with students arriving a 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Praise the Lord
for 88 people who attended our Sunday Worship service tonight. More visitors have come each
week; pray for their hearts to be overwhelmed by God's Word and His love shown through our
local band of believers.
Running on fumes - Ken & Lori
PS Please remember the financial needs of ALFA as we are running on a prayer and a Visa card in
that order.
KID'S CORNER: In promoting ALFA, I wrote up a small brochure to hand out, encouraging
parents to consider the spiritual and moral well being of their children. I wrote that I have a more
acute sensitivity to the education needs in our community because we have two impressionable
daughters ready to begin school. Jessica saw her name in the text and later came to me asking,
"Daddy, what did you say about Alicia & me in the pamplip?" "The what," I asked? "You know,
daddy, that pamplip that we folded and handed out at the houses in our community..." "Oh, Jessica,
you mean the pamphlet!" "Yes, daddy, that's it, what did you say about Alicia & me in the panflip?"
I then had to ponder whether we are in the business of rearing children or frying hotcakes...
(top of list)
Elbone
FEBRUARY 20, 00
Friends & Family,
Week one is Alpha History! We started w/ ten students and ended with nine. WHAT?!? Oh, I
forgot to warn you, but this is how schools start out in Brazil. We aren't discouraged about the small
student body and I hope you aren't either. Actually, this is a unique opportunity to learn, making our
mistakes on a smaller scale. We are developing our method of teaching, discipline, attitude toward
lateness, leaning how to handle terrified children, caring for Department of Education matters,
setting up our office, computer lab and physical operations in general. We are walking unfamiliar
paths in this educational venture.
We praise God for a staff which is pulling together; we also praise Him for very bright prospects for
the year and beyond. Dr. Marcelo & Dr. Romeica (he supplies aggregate for our construction and
she is Jessica's Eye Dr.), from one of the successful business families in town were upset at us for
not telling them that we were starting a school; they had just enrolled their son in another school and
might have chosen ours... I expect that we will end the year with about 20 students and will have
100 when we open the doors in 2001!
Getting out of building mode and into a routine - Ken & Lori
KID'S CORNER: Anatomy class is different these days. Alicia has been off to preschool for one
week and came home one day telling mommy that, "we mus bwe careful to not fall and bwake our
elbone." In case you don't know which bone that is, think about half way up your arm...
(top of list)
Plugged in
FEBRUARY 27, 00
Friends and Family,
Well, Monday started off by waking up late. (Ken gets up at 4:45 on Mondays to leave for deacon
training classes.) I barely got the girls to school on time! When I dropped them off at the door,
Alicia didn't even turn to say "good-bye" so I guess that she is adjusting to her life as a scholar. I'm
not so sure her mommy is, though! Ken has been trouble shooting electrical problems, solving
discipline issues, smoothing out parent concerns, racing after late orders of curriculum and school
uniforms. He started setting the shop in order so that school desks can be made over the next two
weeks. It seems his staff will put up with holding classes on the floor for only so long. He just
mentioned to me that he has tried every sort of mathematic gymnastics to figure out how to pay the
$700 of monthly school expenses with student fees that amount to only $230. Please pray for him in
the middle of these pressing matters.
Carnival retreat begins this Friday. Ken and his brother Ron will be taking 25 students to Arquiraz
(a 3 hour drive from Mossoro) for camp with 75 other kids. Pray for their safety and that the
messages on the end times will be challenging to the whole group.
Lori for the Stuckys
KID'S CORNER: Alicia had just taken a shower and was feeling a little congested. It really
bothered her, but I didn't realize how much until she declared, "My nose is all plugged in!" I got a
charge out of that...
(top of list)
Jesus still likes me
MARCH 05, 00
Friends and Family,
Ken is off chaperoning our young people at a youth retreat this weekend. Carnaval, the most pagan
holiday (maybe on the face of the earth) is here again, and every year we provide an alternative for
our youth to celebrate life with Christ instead of celebrating the flesh. You may remember that last
year we invited a church from Fortaleza to participate at the Christ is Life Church's retreat. There
were over 60 young people here! The same church we invited from Fortaleza had organized and is
hosting this year's retreat so our church has traveled to be with them.
Jessica turned the big "7" yesterday. Even with Daddy gone we were able to make the day special.
She had a few of her school and Sunday school friends over for a swim and hot dogs afterwards.
Alicia announced that she is waiting for her birthday to come now! I think it was a little hard on her
to see big sister get so much attention in one day.
Signing off for another week. Hope you all have a great one!
Lori for the Stuckys
KID'S CORNER: A Drop of Wisdom: Jessica and Alicia were having one of their usual little
spats this morning. Alicia came into the kitchen and announced that Jessica didn't like her any more
(because of some injustice committed against her). I just about started to say that that wasn't true,
when she finished her statement with, "but Jesus still likes me!" Now what if we would all take it in
stride like the 3 year old, instead of getting all offended when someone hurts us......
(top of list)
Who will cook for us
MARCH 12, 2000
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Twenty Seven people to transport to youth camp! Our van holds 15; what to do? Julio who owns a
bus suggested we rent a few seats in a bus already heading toward Fortaleza; we gave it a try.
Twelve brave souls climbed aboard an already bulging bus for total of almost 70 people in a 48 seat
bus. Sometimes the folks at the Federal Police check point smile on this and sometimes they don't.
After getting lost trying to follow inadequate directions and then the bus getting lost trying to follow a
second set of inadequate directions and then a huge luggage mix up, we made it to the camp
grounds just before 1 a.m. Only then did we discover that the large house would hold only the girls
and ladies - the men were left to hang their hammocks under the trees and on the porch surrounding
the house.
The next morning we discovered that there was no shower for the men and that the fridge which
was to provide cold drinking water was broken and that there were only 27 chairs for 107 people
and that and that and that... Four days later, we arrived home at 4:24 a.m. after a full schedule of
games, messages, Bible memory, good food and saying goodby to lots of newly discovered friends.
Pray that God's Word would become increasingly lived out in the lives of the youths who attended
camp.
For Christ in Mossoro - Ken & Lori Stucky
KID'S CORNER: The Dr. ordered Lori to rest to get her over a small hump as she enters the last
month of pregnancy. This charged up my Mr Mom instincts and with the help of a girl from our
church I put on a nice pot of soup for lunch yesterday. Sitting at the table, Jessica looked at me and
said, "Daddy, do you want me to make some lunch or something? I could make some toast so we
could have something to eat..." With my most offended look and tone of voice, I asked her, "what
about this soup?" Jessica did some quick thinking and said, "Oh Daddy, I was talking about desert."
(top of list)
Anabel Jewel
March 19, 2000
FAMILY & FRIENDS,
Anabel Jewel was born at 8:10 a.m. today. She is three weeks early but the Dr. let us go home just
after supper. Lori did miss leading the choir nd playing her bass for church tonight, but everyone
seemed to understand. Anabel is 48 cm tall and weighs 2.85 kilos. (Dig out your conversion charts)
We left for the hospital at 3:30 this morning and called for grandma to watch the girls. Jessica &
Alicia are thrilled and have all sorts of plans and schemes that only three girls could execute. They
were amazed that Anabel opened her eyes for them because they thought it took 8 to 10 days like
with puppies.
Rejoice with us and pray that Anabel will develop onto the charts quickly as she is smaller than
average. And in case you are wondering, "No, I don't regret having to give a girl's name to our
baby." We offer special honor to a friend in Northern Ireland after whom our Anabel has been
named. We pray that ours will be a precious jewel and a spiritual blessing to many - just like Lady
Annabel from NI.
One man and four ladies - Mossoro, Brazil
KID'S CORNER: Please be patient. Our kids were getting too old to be funny
so we are working on some new material...
New Pictures have been sent to our Web Master; Please check soon to see them.
http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/
(top of list)
Baby system
March 26, 00
Friends & Family,
Lori & Anabel are adapting to a mutually acceptable eat/sleep schedule. Anabel thinks that the
universe revolves around her and Lori wonders how a critter which lays perfectly still even while
awake could possibly have spent the whole last 3 months doing gymnastics in there... Tomorrow
we expect to get the Dr's ok to receive visitors in our home. We are still adjusting to the idea of
Anabel coming almost a month early; Lori & I were planning a little get away for last week - it was
not to be. We are grateful, however, for a safe delivery.
Pray as we are negotiating a purchase on some land for the permanent installations of Alpha. The
property immediately adjoining our future church site became available and everything looks
favorable for this purchase. Our next major project will be the search for 1/10 acre sponsors; this
may include a short furlough for Ken in May.
From the Line - Ken and Girls
KID'S CORNER: "Alicia, what are you doing, sweetheart?" Our middle child was stuffing all
manner of books, papers, toys and trinkets into a bag. "Daddy, I am getting some pwesents for my
baby system." "Your baby system or sister?" "Dat's what I mean, my baby sistuh!"
PS The baby's system works just fine!
(top of list)
When is your birthday?
APRIL 02, 2000
FAMILY OF FRIENDS,
A very thorough Dr. checkup on Tuesday confirmed that Anabel is all there. She is actually awake
a few hours a day unlike the first few days. Anabel Jewel is fun to have as part of our family and the
other two girls are accumulating a long "to do" list for when Anabel gets a "little bigguh" as Alicia
puts it.
Another exciting development is the Alpha School Property. We expect to close on 11 acres later
this week. Tomorrow at 8 a.m. our dozer guy is supposed to meet us at the site to clear the
property boundaries so the topographer can do his thing. On May 3rd I depart to Houston for 3.5
weeks of intense furlough travel looking for 110 sponsors to each contribute $400.00 to buy 1/10th
of an acre.
This School site adjoins the future Christ Is Life Church building site which primes us up for a highly
strategic campus setting in which all these ministries will be able to share facilities! Praise the Lord
with us for His provision; some of this praising we do in faith that He will prepare hearts. Lori & I
humbly signed up to be the first 1/10th acre sponsors. 109 more to go. Please consider what God
would have you do... Consider the challenge of being key players in this venture. Alpha will be
totally self supported in a short time; locking in land early in the game helps us avoid costly loans,
interest and strangling payments as the school develops.
Yours for Mossoro - K, L, J, A & A Stucky
KID'S CORNER: Two weeks ago when we brought Anabel Jewel home from the hospital,
Jessica was lamenting. "Too bad she was born on a Sunday! That doesn't leave much time for
birthday parties..." How long do you think it will be before she discovers that March 19th isn't
always on a Sunday?
PS Be on the look out for pictures of the future site of Alpha Ministries!
(top of list)
Seven Sponsors
APRIL 9, 2000
Friends & Family,
We did not close yet on the school property, however the dozer guy has finished clearing the
property lines so boundaries can be marked. Praise the Lord for an initial response of 7 sponsors
each pledging $400 to pay for 1/10th of an acre! There are 103 more to go to wrap up the 11
acres. Someone asked if a pledge can be for an amount other than 1/10th of an acre; the answer is
"Yes."
My May furlough will take me to Fresno, Portland, Seattle, Pierre - SD, Huron, George - IA,
Omaha, Central City - NE, Hutchinson - KS & Houston. Expect at least a phone call from me
during my travels. Please pray for a profitable trip; praise the Lord for supporters from Houston
who are providing travel and lodging, driving me around the circuit in their motor home.
These are exciting times as the vision for an ample campus is being locked in. We are grateful for
your prayers and ideas of how to make this a successful ministry. If you know of a fellowship
group, Sunday School class, family business or any other group who might be interested in
sponsoring a portion of an acre, please contact us or forward our letters to them.
MAKING JESUS CHRIST KNOWN - Ken, Lori & girls
KID'S CORNER: You know how kids are often have these "right" answers? Well, the other night
Lori asked the girls what they had liked most about the day. Jessica said, "Sweet Tarts in my snack
bag." "How about you, Alicia?" She gave Lori a shy look and said tentatively, "getting a spanking?"
And all this time, I thought they dreaded those things! No wonder spankings don't seem too
effective; THEY LIKE THEM!
ALPHA SPONSORS: 103 more to go...
01. Ken & Lori - Mossoro, Brazil
02. Rev & Mrs. D - Omaha, NE
03. Mr. & Mrs. R. - Monroe, WA
04. Mr. & Mrs. Smith - Houston, TX
05. Mr. & Mrs. Lott - Houston, TX
06. Malinda Johnson Memorial - KS/OK
07. Dr. & Mrs. S - Flagstaff, AZ
08.
09.
10.
(top of list)
In her pants...
APRIL 16, 2000
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Tomorrow we close! It's been a strenuous process with so many folks involved. We had dozer
problems, realtor dissatisfaction, an inaccurate deed & original survey work, metaling relatives,
skeptical opinions... But, in faith, we are taking the land in hand tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. our
time (7 a.m. Central). Here is how it works, tomorrow we sign the contract, making a 20% down
payment. We pay the rest over the next four months. A loan for $20,000 has been secured to get
us started and we are eager to see how God will provide the rest - in other words, I am hoping to
not have to sell my work truck, power tools and kids...
Praise God for 8 sponsors who have each signed up to pay for 1/10th of an acre. These $400
sponsorships are an incredible investment! Mr. & Mrs. Y are two of my teachers from MK
boarding school who impacted my life. Over a decade ago, they gave up their jobs to launch a
Christian School with similar vision to ours for Alpha. Mrs. Y wrote me an encouragement note two
weeks ago saying something like this: What a head start Alpha will experience with this land
purchase in its early days. Our school has dealt with rental properties since it was born and we see
the tremendous advantage Alpha will have, being situated on its own property from the beginning!
Pray with us for 102 more individuals to come along side, each sponsoring 1/10th of an acre. To
view some pictures of the school and our family, go to:
http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/
FOR JESUS' SAKE - Ken & Lori Stucky
(top of list)
Pressing On
April 24, 2000
Friends & Family,
An nearly overwhelming week looms ahead of me. It is 4:30 on Monday morning as prepare for
deacon training. My "to do" list for the week is huge; please pray for stamina as I prepare for my
May furlough...
Monday:
5:15 leave for Deacon Training
6:50 take the girls to school and make sure things are running smoothly 7:30 oversee construction
workers on bathroom fixture installation 8:00 take a church member in search of a Doctor
(specialist) because he has been hiccuping non stop since Tuesday...
Ok, so I had better not list everything for you, but here are some items you can pray about with me
as I tool up for being gone the month of May.
- Church finances (1999) need to be wrapped up so tax papers can be filed
- Interviews with 3 people from our church
- Accompany a well drilling project on my brother's house building site
- Travel to Fortaleza for mission business meetings
- Teach Bible classes next weekend
- Prepare a promotional video for Alpha to present in the USA next month
- Head up the first ever Parent/Teacher gathering on Friday at Alpha
- Prepare the Alpha staff to carry on for a month in my absence
God reminds us in Zech 4:6 that it is "not be strength nor by might, but by my spirit says the Lord of
Hosts."
Have a good week - Ken & Lori Stucky
Updates have been posted: http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/school.htm
(top of list)
Vegas or bust
See a new family picture: http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/
May 1, 2000
FAMILY & FRIENDS,
It is 6:20 a.m. on Monday and at 7:30 our church climbs onto an old bus heading into the country to
spend the day at a friend's farm. This is our anual outing for church members and their families only.
Tomorrow we finish up the Alpha video and on Wednesday my brother drives me to Fortaleza to
catch a series of flights going to San Paulo, Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix and finally Las Vegas. I
wrote that we need funds for the Alpha property and I figured that with a little seed money and a
trip to Las Vegas... Actually, my chauffeur has left Houston ahead of me and plans to put some
miles behind us before I even get there. My first major stop will be in Fresno. Please pray that God
will burden hearts for this tremendous opportunity. For three weeks, sponsors of 1/10th acre
parcels of land have been pledging $400 each helping Alpha gain a significant 11 acre foothold in
our community.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Request a picture: e-mail us asking for an aerial view of the current and future Alpha installations.
Post the picture and support Alpha with prayer. - Search for sponsors: forward information to a
friend, small group or business which is interested in third world education. (Tax deductions are
available.)
- Pray for the four Stucky ladies who will be home alone for a month as I travel the West and
Midwest.
- Praise God for 15 sponsors who have already made their pledge!
- If you would like me to call you this month to talk about Alpha, please e-mail me saying so and
informing of your current phone number.
YOURS for God's Kingdom - Ken, Lori, Jessica, Alicia & Anabel STUCKY
KID'S CORNER: Do you get excited about going places? Our kids do. Yesterday a 7 year old
came over to play for an hour so Lori told Jessica & Alicia to run to their room to get something on
their feet. Several minutes later they made it back with their thongs on. "What took so long?" "Oh,
we had to unpack our bags to find them..." They had been ready for our May 1st outing about 48
hours in advance; by the way, we leave in less than two hours and I have got to run! Oh my, Alicia
just came in informing me that "we gotta take along some kleenexes so that her nose won't git all
snarfuled ouuut." Now I really gotta run!
(top of list)
Hurrah! He made it
May 7, 2000
FAMILY & FRIENDS,
Ken called me from Fresno, CA today to tell me that he finally arrived the States. He is officially on
the road with the goal of covering the western half of the US in the next 3 weeks. This is his
itinerary...
May 7 -Fresno, CA
May 8 -travel to Salem, OR
May 9 - Salem, OR
May 10 to 14- arrive in Seattle, WA area
May 15 - lunch in Ephrata, WA and supper in Spokane, WA
May 16 - travel toward Pierre, SD
May 17, 18 - Pierre, SD
May 19 - Huron, SD
May 20 & 21 - George, IA
May 22 & 23 - Omaha, NE
May 24 - Central City, NE
May 25 & 26 - Travel to Houston
May 28 - leave for Brazil
Call Ken at (503) 580-5369 to find out when and where he will be showing video of the Alpha
Educational Center and it's recently acquired property (not to mention most recent pictures of
Anabel!).
Holding down the fort,
Lori, for Ken and the girls
KID'S CORNER: We have been in perpetual remodeling around here for some time. The latest
thing was to put a new back door in...only there is no door, just a metal grate. Consequently there
are also no screens as of yet, so the flies can be a little perturbing. Jessica was supposed to be
taking her afternoon nap when suddenly I found her out in the kitchen where I was. "I just can't
sleep, Mommy. The flies keep interrupting me!" I didn't ask if they were talking to loud.... she never
did get her nap...
(top of list)
A Lack of Personal Hygiene
May 21, 2000
FAMILY & FRIENDS,
This week started with an open air meeting. A recent convert wanted to do this in front of her home
as a witness to her neighbors and (at the same time) to celebrate her birthday. We had a great time
with over 100 who attended and heard the gospel.
The count is up to 43 Alpha 10th acre sponsors! A big THANKS to all those who have
contributed this way. We are excited to see what God is going to do through the ministry of the
Alpha Educational Center. To see the progress on this project, check out our site...
http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/school.htm
Ken has one more week left in the US. It has taken every one of us here on the team to keep up
with Ken's responsiblities at Alpha, church and home. We are anxious to have him back, not just so
he can take back his jobs, but (of course!) because we miss him. Alicia, Anabel and I are going to
welcome him in Fortaleza. Jessica will be in school back here in Mossoró, but she gets to spend a
week with Grandma and Grandpa! She is quite excited with that prospect. Here is the rest of Ken's
itinerary.
May 22 & 23 - Omaha, NE
May 24 - Central City, NE
May 25 & 26 - Travel to Houston
May 28 - leave for Brazil
Here in Mossoró,
Lori (for Ken, Jessica, Alicia and Anabel)
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO ALICIA:
Jessica and Alicia were invited over to Grandma's house. Grandma must have been
suspicious about Alicia's cleanliness, so she asked her when was the last time she washed
her hands. With a totally straight face, Alicia responded, "Tuesday." And if she could
have it her way, I am sure that would have been the last time she had washed her hands!
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Folded blanky
JUNE 4, 2000
HELLO FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Eight years ago Lori, my mother (Jeanie) and I attended a one week seminar on starting Christian
schools. We left the conference determined to start a school in 3 years... Late in 1998 we finally set
the launch date of February 2000. Joe & Jeanie (my folks) gathered their savings and inheritance
money and bought a small piece of ground 3 blocks from where we live. On this property they built
phase one in which the Alpha Educational Center holds classes. They are right now building phase
two which will increase our space to handle the 100 students which we expect in February of 2001.
We consider this first year of Alpha's operation to be a dress rehearsal with a dozen students and a
dozen staffers. Four Brazilian teachers, a staff & curriculum coordinator, a secretary and a cleaning
lady make up the paid staff; three Stucky families volunteer as the director, assistant director,
computer teacher, English teachers, music teacher and building foreman. We are thrilled to see a
growing interest in our community and incredible opportunities to share Jesus Christ with people
because of this Alpha Adventure. Though we our current facility is being provided by the elder
Stuckys rent free, we anticipate that the school will outgrow its space in about three years. For this
reason we are buying 11 acres of land. During May, I traveled thousands of miles presenting the
land project. So far 52 people have pledged $400 each sponsoring 1/10 of an acre. If you know of
a family, a business or a Sunday School group which would be interested in seeing our 9 minute
video presenting the Alpha Project, please zap us your mailing address; we will have a video to you
in about a week. Consider sponsoring any amount of Alpha property at 10 cents per square foot.
Above all, pray that God will guide us in this huge undertaking. Alpha's purpose is to provide an
excellent education for needy Brazilian kids AND to win people to Jesus Christ, disciple them in the
Christian walk, equip and train them for service and then to send educators around the world!
I'm glad to be home - Ken for the kids at Alpha
See more at: http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/school.htm
KID'S CORNER: half an hour ago I went to tuck in the girls. Jessica was all snuggled in her
oversize T-shirt with her arms and legs all tucked in. She hurried to untangle herself to give me a hug
and I asked, "Why don't you cover up with your blanky?" She said, "Oh, Daddy, I didn't want to
undo it, it's folded so nicely..." Come to think of it, the girls had cleaned their room this morning and
the blanket was indeed nicely folded at the foot of the bed. I have to wonder if this is a rare
occupance?
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Hurt Feewings
JUNE 11, 2000
Friends & Family,
As I crawled out of bed this morning, the phone rang; it was the crane operator, calling from the job
site. Can you think of a better way to spend Sunday morning? Ten minutes past noon we arrived
home having positioned 24 more ceiling panels. Only 30 more to go! We are especially grateful to
Mr. Antonio, the business man who donated this $400 job.
Two more 1/10th acre sponsors signed up this week; just one more will put the project at exactly
50%. This whole week was spent getting documents in place for our early morning trip tomorrow to
Natal (a 4 hour drive). We will be initiating Alpha's registration process at the Department of
Culture & Education. I have no fewer than 45 pages of documents and required reports to submit
to the officials tomorrow!
Thanks for being on the Alpha team through your prayers, notes of encouragement and financial
support!
Ken for the Stuckys
KID'S CORNER: I asked Alicia how children's church went. "Oh, Daddy, it was scaaaawy."
"Why?" "Mr. Milton went ‘grrrrr' and ‘guuunk' and ‘grrrr.'" "Did he hurt you?" "Unhun!" "Where?"
"He hurt my feewings and my heart and Jeeesus." "How did he hurt Jesus?" "Daddy, I alwedy
towed you, he went ‘grrrr and ‘guuunk' at me." "Sweety, I don't think he hurt Jesus..." "But he sure
hurt my feewings dough." By the way, Milton is the most gentle man in our whole church. He and
his wife (Dalvinha) are expecting their first baby in three months. Maybe he is practicing being mean
so he can do some heavyduty parenting?!?
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A prayer of faith
http://ww2.sd.cybernex.net/~te3/stucky/school.htm
JUNE 18, 2000
FRIENDS & FAMILY,
Tonight we had a full house; the message was about Peter - his faith, courage and sacrifice. Soon
we will need to buy a couple dozen more chairs for the church!
Tomorrow we travel to Fortaleza for 8 days of Conference & Retreat. Though it's hard to leave
tasks undone in Mossoro, this is an important week for planning and being refreshed.
Remember our early Monday morning trip to register the Alpha School? Everything went smoothly;
we have officially begun the process guaranteed to take at least half a year! The Alpha land project
officially broke 50% this week. We have 56 of the 110 sponsors. Pray with us regarding the last
two payments due on July 17th and August 17th. Praise the Lord with us for a faithful school staff
who covered during my absence in May, our trip to Natal last week and who will do just fine during
our week of conference. Pray for our search for additional staffers equal to the demands for next
year.
Ken & Lori for Mossoro
KID'S CORNER: I leave the house at 4:30 on Sunday afternoons to pick up a van load of folks
for the 5 p.m. Sunday School hour. Choir practice is at 6 p.m. and Church at 7. We get out around
8:30 and then it takes almost an hour to drop off a van load or two. At 9:30 we finally sat down at
Grandma's for our Sunday supper; Alicia was asked to pray. "Jesus, tanks for duh food and tanks
for duh good day and Sunday School and tanks for us all to get beduh and not be sick - Amen."
What faith! Somehow she just knows we will all get beduh (better) before it even happens!
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