Beautiful View in Caracas Venezuela

Here I am in Caracas, Venezuela. What do you think when you here the word "Caracas"? Do you think of poverty? Hugo Chavez? Socialism? This is only my second time to Venezuela, and I have to admit that I was a bit nervous/scared to travel here because of the "politcal issues" and the danger to American Citizens, due to anti-American sentiment, but so far I've had a positive experience. Granted I've been stuck in an office to this point in the trip reviewing expenses and dealing with property issues. But tomorrow night I will be travelling to Maturin, Venezuela to visit with National Church leaders and attend a church inaguaration on Sunday. I am looking forward to experiencing the more rural side of Venezuela. Even though we will be staying in a hotel in the city of Maturin, I will hopefully be able to visit a farm project where a LCMS missionary couple is working.

I'm staying at the mission office right now, which is also the house of Missionary Pastor Ted Krey. Pictured here:

I'm just getting to know Pastor Ted, but I think he is a good guy. He works really hard training young men to become missionary pastors. I met some of them the other night while eating homemade Hawaiian Pizza. We dug into God's Word and had great fellowship. A fun time was had by all.

Even though, things are going well here in Caracas, Heidi got sick the night that I left and went to the emergency room with a really severe headache. They gave her a morphine shot to take away the pain, and I told she had to stay home from work yesterday, which she did. From what I can tell when we spoke on the phone, she is feeling a lot better. I have to say I was a little upset that I was traveling when this happened. I wanted to be there for her. But our fellow missionaries in Panama, Arthur and Eva and Carissa took care of her. Thank you! I go back home on Wednesday, so I have a while before I get to see my family (Heidi and Sophie) again. Here is a picture so you can remember them too:

I will write more when I'm in Maturin, if internet is available! I hope you all have a blessed day!