Luke 18:1...that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

I think I'd better use the same scripture this time as last time!! What a two weeks this has been. Well, I didn't have to fix lunch. Ritchie made pupusas in my apartment. But then he told me that he had invited all the teachers! Thanks for that heads up while you're fixing lunch!! So I went next door to borrow some plates and forks. I have four plates, four saucers, and 4 salad forks, the little ones. But all went well. God always takes care of things and us. The teachers enjoyed the food. Pupusas are made like small tortillas, only they have cheese, meat, and/or beans inside. Really good. It appears that there is a controversy as to who "made" pupusas first: Honduras or El Salvador. Hondurans say they did, and El Salvador says they did. I don't really care, I'm just glad somebody did! They are one of my favorite foods in Central America.

And I found out from one of the missionaries that is stationed here that it is ok for me to walk by myself. Thank you Lord. Leticia and I usually walk on Mon. and Tues. Last Saturday we took the bus downtown and went to one of the museums. Very interesting. Today, Saturday, Robyn and I went downtown and ate at a little restaurant called " El Spoon". Good food!! And then we went to the national museum which is housed in the old army fort here in San Jose. Of course, Costa Rica doesn't have a military of any kind today. What was really interesting was the drawings and writings on the walls of the "jail" that was used for disciplinary actions towards the soldiers or for political prisoners. Some of the dates were from the 40's. And most said, "remember..." Very
interesting. One day this week Robyn and I walked down to one of the malls, ( a mile or so away)
and then went to another store that is like Dollar General. Good place to buy school supplies.

So now my assignment for this week is to tell the story of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, in Spanish, of course, to the 4 year old kids in our day care. And there are only 4 here at this time. Do you know how bad I dislike doing something when I'm not for sure exactly what and how to do it? There's a reason I teach junior high and high school kids. I've been told it doesn't have to be perfect (like it would be anyway?) because they're only 4. Well, excuse me, I don't care if they are only 4. It needs to be done well. We're talking about a miracle that God performed. So the Lord will definitely have to perform another for me to do this. Am I complaining? Nope, it's just the way it is and my feelings about it. I can sit on the floor or in a rocking chair with kids on my lap and tell them stories, but this has to be with props and other things for them to do. Oh, and I have to teach them a song and a prayer, in Spanish of course! So I chose Jesus Loves Me for the song, and I'm praying for the prayer to come. Thank God for Robyn. She said she would draw the pictures for me, and I can write the story on the back. Smart, talented girl. Thank you Lord for her and her willingness to help me. And I was given a printer today so I can copy some pictures for the little guys to color when all is said and done. God is good and he does supply. And He will help me on Wed. The printer will be passed on to someone else when I leave here.

So in another week we change teachers. Hopefully, I'll be where I need to be. It's not a good thing to get a test and not know a thing on it. I'm thankful I have a college degree, and I don't worry about grades anymore. But at the same time, I want to do my best. However, when you don't know something, you don't know it. And today, Monday, I found out that I can go back a level when we change classes. Thank you Lord for that.

Before the Lord sent me to HN I never really thought about missionaries a lot. One reason was I didn't know too much about their lives. I listened when they came to the church, and I have supported them as a whole through the church. But when you're living around them, you see a whole different side of life for them. Like here, we have pre-school, elementary and junior high kids. They're great, but they have no place to go to visit their friends because they're all back in the states, and there is no place here for them to play outside. The little, and I mean little, park outside CINCEL's gate is not good because of the doggie leftovers that owners are suppose to dispose of and don't. And they have to learn to pick wisely what kind of gifts they want for birthdays, Christmas, etc. because it will all have to be shipped to wherever they are going. And that means weight and money. They have left grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, toys, bicycles, their schools, etc. because the Lord called their parents to be missionaries. Sometimes they go through some tough times emotionally and physically in order to adjust. What great kids these are. When they go past my door, I usually hear a "Hi Miss Beverly." They're from the the south, can't you tell? I praise God for them and I pray for them. I had to change schools a lot when I was growing up, so I understand that it's not always an easy thing to do. So I hope you will pray for the kids along with their parents.

So this is a little different than what I've written before, but life is life and sometimes it's tough. And yes, God is here helping and working with each of us and will use all the tough times to teach us and help us become what he wants us to be. And He always uses those tough times farther down the line, and they always increase our faith in him. But it is difficult to see that when you're in the battle.

Once again thanks for your support. Love and prayers.