Eccl.3:1 To everything there is a season...

Well, here it is,the last day of July. Hard to believe. The seasons here don't really change much so it's hard to think of one season passing and another one coming.

I had a big heartache a little over a week ago. Lobo died. It broke my heart. He was such a good dog. I miss him walking with me. When I went to feed the geese, he was right beside me. He would walk me to the wash room, wait for me to leave, and then walk me to the door of the house. Where I went, Lobo went. I miss him putting his left front foot on my left foot and standing against my legs so I couldn't move, all because he wanted me to pet him. However, I do not miss his barking just before bedtime. But I miss his greeting when I come home from school and when I leave in the mornings. This is from someone who supposedly doesn't like dogs. Go figure.

On the other hand, I had a great blessing this month. After sharing scriptures with Denia, the Lord healed her stomach, and she has returned to Him. That is the greatest blessing in this world, to have someone return to the Lord after being away for so long a time. And what a difference it has made in her life. Our English lesson has turned into a Bible study which is great. I still teach her son English.

I was so glad that yesterday was Friday and that the week was over! It has been a couple of weeks of chaos for this gringa. There were days that I didn't have all my classes because they were practicing for the Day of the Indian, meetings with parents to get their children's grades, and now practicing for the parade on Sept. 15 which is Honduras' Independence Day. I was so tired when I arrived home yesterday. But then I had an English class with Denia's son. But Rodrigo said he would like to have his English lesson on a different day. He wants to have that afternoon free. Boy, do I understand that. So we are changing it to Wednesday when I don't have a Spanish lesson. God does take care of the little things, doesn't he?

It's interesting that I have witnessed to adults since I have been here. When Eva and I talk, I either confirm what Ramiro has told her or vice verse. We are always confirming the word to her without the other one knowing it. But she always tells me that Ramiro told her the same thing. What a blessing for her and us. God will always confirm his word to us one way or another. Either a brother or sister in Christ, a sermon, something. He loves us so much and he wants us to understand.

It was my turn to do the devotional yesterday for the teachers. I talked about how important it is to read God's word daily. Many go to church, but they don't open their Bibles during the week to see what God is saying to them. We can't stand on or obey his word if we don't know what it says. Pastors don't have the time to teach us everything about God. And besides that, God wants to speak to us individually through his word, and he wants to have a personal relationship us. Amen?

So the word gringo. I have been told that it originated with the words green go. Our American troops were here for whatever conflict, and when the Hondurans wanted them to leave, they said green go because of the green uniforms. Hence, the word gringo. Gringa for the female. I don't take offense with this word, although some people do. And it's interesting when I see people that look like Americans, I call them gringos without even thinking about it. I guess it's because I know that they won't be staying here. I have been told that I'm a catracha which is the nickname for Hondurans. Every Central American country has one of these nicknames. It's like Yankees from the north in the U.S. and Rebels from the south. Not too big a deal.

So I'm going home to KS on the 12th of August for 4 days. I am so looking forward to seeing my family that lives there. I haven't seen them since Jan. And, I will be able to attend my granddaughter's wedding. What a blessing. What an exciting time in her life.

One of the evangelistic churches from Tegucigalpa is starting to meet here in Valle on Thursday nights. This past Thursday night was the showing of the film Facing the Giants. Of course it was in Spanish. I cannot keep up with the language in a film. But I knew what was happening because I had seen the film with my son Ken. So I am planning to go to their services on Thursdays. My friends here in Valle attend the church in Tegu. I have been there a couple of times including this past Mother's Day. I believe one of the pastor's will be having the service and not one of the leaders. Leaders are not pastors, but are trusted to minister the Word, etc.

I am so counting the days until I go home for a visit. Thank you Jesus that I have a family to go home to.