Saturday, August 21, 2010

Eph. 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God...

What a great time in Kansas, minus my daughter-in-law's bout with MS, of course. But the timing was right so I could help out with the trips to the doctor.

Kelcie and Derek's wedding and reception were beautiful. I pray that Jesus will always be at the center of their marriage, and that the smiles they wore on Saturday will forever be there for one another through good times and bad. God bless you both, and the children that are to come from this union.

What a great time to visit with the other side of the family from Montana. Grandma Harter and I have a beautiful family in common. It has been several years since I have seen them, and it was good to chat with the different members of the family. It was good to visit with Uncle Dave. He and I shared a rental car in 1996 when we were in Belgium at the same time to visit Gary, Susan, and family. Kelcie was about 6 or so then. So I'm glad they all made the trip.

I had discovered a black speck on my front left tooth. So I decided while I was in the states that I should check on getting an appointment in Dec. when I return to the states for a longer time. So I went to see about an appointment on Saturday, and the secretary asked how Monday morning at 8:00 would be. Absolutely wonderful. So off to the dentist. Praying that it wouldn't cost a lot. So the dentist came in, asked me where I was living now, looked at the tooth, and said he could buff it out. OK. That sounded good to me. So he did. As I was leaving, his associate said he wasn't charging me for anything. Wow! Thank you, Dr. Hall. May God bless you in blessing me.

Pastors Bryan and Julie came to visit me on Monday afternoon with little Elliott, and that was a real treat. Thank you so much. I had gone to church with Doug on Sunday and didn't get to see them. I miss them as my pastors and friends. And little Elliott is now 7 months old, and is a very happy baby. Plus he's absolutely gorgeous.

I was suppose to leave on Tuesday, and after Doug and I arrived at the airport, they were saying that the flight to and from Houston would be delayed due to bad weather there. So we decided that I would stay another day and leave on the morrow. Worked out great. So back to Doug's house. He left for work very early, and after Jen got the kids off to school, she went to get some much needed sleep. I was really tired so decided to follow in her footsteps. So I went downstairs and slept till 11. It was great sleeping weather. Raining, and everyone knows how good it feels to lay down, listen to the rain, and then fall asleep. I can't even remember the last time I slept till 11:00, if ever. But it sure felt good, and I didn't feel too guilty!

So the return home was without event, although I visited with a missionary that lives in Canada. He was coming here for whatever business his church has here. Also visited with a father and son on the way to the states that had come here on a medical mission trip. He was Independent Assembly of God. I don't know the difference between the two because spiritually we believe the same things. The Assembly I went to in IL was Independent. So he gave me the name of the pastor that has a church here that is not to far from Valle. So maybe I will meet him some time. It would be interesting to know if he knows people that I know.

When Becky and I walked into my house, we were hit in the nose with a horrible smell. We discovered that all the meat in my freezer was thawed and spoiled. The electricity had been off for a couple of days. However, that would not have thawed the meat, especially when no one was opening the door. Something had happened to the fridge again. It was blowing hot air instead of cold. So back to Becky's for the night. Mario brought a small refrigerator the next day until the other could be fixed. And it was fixed the day after, so that was good. The scripture, give us our daily bread came to mind. I had enough meat for a month or so, because it's nice to go to the supermarket in Tegu when I'm there and stock up. Guess I should rethink that. Especially when the electricity is not so dependable this time of the year with all the rain. Well, welcome to Honduras where things are so unpredictable. You really do have to depend on God, because He only is unchangeable. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. So whatever the need, He will supply it.

So now the kids have to write letters to their sponsors in the states. The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are writing theirs in English. I hope!!! They also are memorizing the 23rd Psalm in English. I am memorizing it in Spanish. I didn't think it was fair to ask them to memorize without me doing the same.

I praise God for his goodness and blessings, and someday I will see his face, but more important is to hear the words, Well done my good and faithful servant.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

John 14:2 In my father's house are many mansions:...

Friday afternoon Eva and I went walking. So let's go to the cemetery. I've been to just about every place else in town, but not there. So we did. The most peaceful place is a cemetery. No one there to bother you. This one was a little creepy looking to me because the graves are almost on top each other. And some of the headstones and vaults were not standing straight. I was sure the path we were on went over some graves. Grandma always said you never walk on a grave. It's disrespectful. So I felt a little guilty. They have a lot of graves above the ground with the casket inside the concrete vault. One family had several vaults built on top each other, and the whole building was made to look like a castle! (Made me think of the Father's house wherein are many mansions). There really was no room to walk between the graves. That's how close together they were. Some were covered with the ceramic tiles, others were plain cement or painted. I guess I'll have to take a picture. Never thought about it Friday. Speaking of cemeteries, I went to my second wake a couple of weeks ago. And that always makes me think of my own! Unless we're alive when Jesus returns, we'll all go that way sometime.

Before I leave in December, we are talking about going to the mine that's near Valle. They used to mine silver from it. It also had a beautiful waterfall, but that was destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. The rain from Hurricane Mitch did a lot of damage in Honduras.

Last week seven schools came to our school. We hosted a fair day where the different schools brought things made from recyclables. We took first place in every area. What an accomplishment. Made us proud, the right kind of course. Now they are planning a science fair for the seventh graders. That ought to be interesting.

Work has begun on finishing the "cancha" for the high school. That's an answered prayer for me. It's something these kids need. I'm so thankful for those of you that sent me an offering to help with this.

We have an epidemic of dengue at this time. It's caused by a particular mosquito. The hospitals have been full. A campaign has been underway to clean up dump sites and to empty any vessel outside that can hold water including flower pot saucers. Cities have been using pesticides to kill the mosquitoes and their larvae, but it rains just about everyday, so the fight is continual. Dengue can kill. There are three basic types and the one that causes a person to bleed from different areas of the body is the worst. Right now we have a teacher that is very sick with it. She is suppose to return to school in another three days. I hope so.

In two days I leave for KS to see my kids, grand-kids, and to attend my granddaughter's wedding. I am soooo excited. Hopefully, I will get to see ALL my kids. Thank you Lord for my BIG family. What a blessing they are to me. And thank you for all the friends that you have given me. They, too, are a blessing in my life.