“Just as perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”

Proverbs 27:9

“¡ Pobrecita ! ¡Está aquí sola! ¿Cómo podemos ayudarla?”
(“Poor Thing! She's here by herself! How can we help her?”)

…and so began a beautiful blessing in my life!

In 1990 I arrived in Uruguay (serving as a missionary with the International Mission Board) still not very secure in Spanish skills and already homesick after having been gone from home over a year while in language school in Costa Rica.

Mónica Rey de Silva, at the time, was serving on the Executive Board of the Woman's Missionary Union of the country of Uruguay. She and I became close friends and I have enjoyed this friendship with not only Mónica but also her WHOLE family ! I spent every holiday in Uruguay with this wonderful family. They are an indescribable treasure to me.

When I first met Mónica, she and Teco (Juan – her husband) had three children – Victor, Gabo (Gabriel) and Lali (Laura). Today they have four (Martín) children, two daughters-in-law – Jacqui (Jacqueline) and Deby and one son-in-law, Nico and three grandchildren (Rocío, Mateo, Federico).

There is so much to tell about God's Grace to me through this family – which, I'm sure, over time, you'll be seeing and hearing some of those stories on this web site. But for now, I wanted to introduce you to my Uruguayan nephew, Martin!

There is a 20-year gap between the birth of Lali and Martín! Mónica and Teco have often pondered this and have said that the Lord has a special blessing to give because of Martín. He is named after my daddy because – as Mónica said – “You have told me so many Godly things about your daddy, he must have been a special man and I want to name Martín after him.” I feel so honored. “Tía” is the Spanish word for aunt but Martín has decided to call me “Tita” which, of course, I cherish! Check out “Martín's page” to learn more!

“Martín's page”