Gen. 2:7, 21-22 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground...

A few weeks ago I was asked to describe the first two chapters in Genesis by looking at drawings that really didn't do much to help me. I remember saying that God said it was good after every creation. My teacher said no, that God saw that it was good. She was right. Saying and seeing are two different things. So I have gone back to reread this part of Genesis again, in Spanish of course. So a couple of nights ago after I went to bed, I started thinking about God creating everything. All was spoken into existence except man. He formed man from the dust of the earth. And I thought about that a lot laying there in bed. I believe a baby's heart starts beating a week or so after conception, and he forms from the inside out. In my mind I could see the Lord down on the ground forming Adam. He had to start with the insides. And what a mind! I don't know which part he formed first, but forming the heart, the lungs, stomach, all the different systems: digestive, nervous, respiratory, skeletal, glandular, and all the rest. And then I thought about that little thing called the gall bladder. Just the right amount of bile released at the right time or there is a lot of pain and anguish. Wow! The mind of God. Every part had to work just right with all the other parts. And of course in my mind he had to use water, right? I can remember making mud pies, and I had to use water or there was just the loose dirt and no pie, which of course, no one wanted to eat after all my labor. The Bible doesn't say he used water. But I can see him on his knees or sitting, and moving around on the ground forming his first son of flesh. And when he finished with all that makes a human body, there it laid on the ground. This big creature of dirt. And then he breathed the breath of life into him and the thing formed became flesh and blood. Now isn't that the most awesome thing ever? This big form of DIRT that turned into flesh. The many times that I have read this in Genesis and it never hit me like this. Scripture describes God as having eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc., but we never see him getting his hands dirty. But I see him working in that dirt with a love that is indescribable. This man child Adam was perfect in every way. He was made with God's own hands. And then the Lord turned around and made Eve from one of Adam's ribs after he put Adam in a deep sleep. And in them he put the seeds necessary to populate the earth. I am amazed. And we are always in a hurry to shed this body that God made with his hands. I understand all the reasons, but at the same time I don't think we give him enough glory and honor for this part of ourselves. But then we love to see new babies, yes? Just think how God felt when he looked at Adam and Eve. And now when he looks at us. Such love. There is none better.

Ps.116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

This weekend has been one of surprises, some good and some not so good. I was suppose to meet with my special group on Saturday and interview one of the mother's for my project, but I received a call from the missionary on Friday telling me that one of the kids died that day. What a shock for his mother (and the rest of us) because he hadn't been sick. They think it was a seizure. The "kid" was 42 years old. So needless to say, the meeting was cancelled Saturday for the funeral. Funerals are held within 24 hours here just like in Honduras. I didn't know Minor personally, but I sure feel the loss. And I pray for his mother. There will be such a void in her life, because Minor was happiest at his mother's side, but I know God will comfort her. His father died a few years ago. It's so precious how the Lord moves. I was thinking about Minor this morning and calling him a child, and I thought how we are God's children. Just like Minor, we are his children regardless of our age. God doesn't have grandchildren. And then the message in church this morning was about being God's child. Totally awesome! When we are adults, I think we forget that we are children in God's sight. His children. My oldest is 50, and I introduce him as my son or oldest child, or something to the effect that indicates he is my child. He doesn't become something else because he is an adult. And it's the same for my other four. Regardless of our ages, they will always be my children. Bless their hearts. And the same goes with them and their children. I am so blessed to know that I am a child of God, and He will never leave or forsake me, and will continue to teach me until the day that I stand before him in my new body.

On a happier note, when I answered the phone yesterday, a fellow started talking to me in English saying that I knew him because he had been with one of the teams that had come to HN. Well, there were several teams that had come, and I relayed that to him, because I surely didn't recognize his voice. Well, what a great surprise, it was Pastor Ken from MA. And I was able to talk to 2 of the ladies that had come on the team. AND then I talked to Becky, my missionary, who is their guest missionary for a few days. What a great surprise. God knows just how to bless our socks off! It's so nice to know that someone is thinking about you.

It has been so quiet this weekend. Most went to the beaches, but Sara and I stayed here. The peace is wonderful!!! She shares an apartment with two other girls. So we've went shopping, to church, and ate at the food court at the mall. There is a store here that is named El Rey, and it is like Dollar General and Family Dollar rolled into one. I spent a whole dollar! And the other store that is super cheap and closer to home is Pequeno Mundo. Fun places to go and look. We don't buy the things that we normally would because we are only allowed so much weight in our suitcases, so we definitely don't spend a lot of money on stuff.

So yesterday and today, I have spent a lot of time listening and watching Spanish television. Sometimes I don't understand at all, and other times, it's right there. Oh well, this is is a life long endeavor for sure.

For those of you that read my blog, please pray for Minor's mother and the rest of the group. The death of their special child lays heavy on their hearts at times. Thanks and God bless you for doing so.

John 16:33...but be of good cheer:I have overcome the world.

Hallelujah! One project completed and another started! Yesterday was Capilla de Las Culturas (Cultural Chapel). We all had to speak about the country where we are going. Of course all was spoken in Spanish. Oh, my, the many times I had to practice with the recorder in front of the bathroom mirror at the school! Wow! I could talk about Honduras forever, I think, but it's a little more difficult in Spanish. But as I listened to all of us, I remembered Ps.24:1 that the Lord gave me when when he was leading me to go to Honduras. He has created the whole earth and everybody on it. That means all the different peoples, languages, and their cultures (and of course every culture has its good and bad). He values everyone of them because they are his. He made them. What a variety! That speaks mountains to us or should. He didn't make us all alike, but how many times do we want to be like someone else or do something as well as someone else when He hasn't given us that particular gift or talent? And when you hear all these things and see the pictures, it makes one really appreciate the peoples and God's handiwork. We all fixed some kind of food and/or drink. I fixed baleadas and horchata. The baleladas are flour tortillas with beans, crema(like a sour cream) with cheese on top. The horchata is a traditional drink made with rice, cinnamon, sugar, and milk or water. What a job that is to make! I don't think I'll make it too often from scratch. The fake stuff can be bought in a package like Kool-Aid. Don't know if they have it (hochata)in the states, but maybe.

On Tuesday, we were given an assignment to write about the last century, 1900-2000, and life in the U.S. It was due on Wednesday. Oh, wow, when I began to think of all that I have seen, I realized my age like never before. AND I only have 33 more years before I'm 100, if the Lord permits. When I started writing the changes, it was absolutely astounding. And it was like the Lord was saying, Celebrate your age! Well, ok, but how do I do that when older age isn't valued so much anymore? I guess I'll find out. But then He told ME to celebrate it, not everybody else! But there have been tremendous changes in every aspect of life, from communication to how children play. Incredible.

In Latin American countries, you will hear people exclaiming Jesus' name or !Dios Mio! which means My God. Yesterday, one of the workers exclaimed Jesus' name, and I cringed because it really hurt my heart, and I told her that Christians in the U.S. don't say that because it's not good. She said that her husband says it all the time(he's Latino) and I asked if he was a Christian and she said yes. I guess I was shaking my head because she asked why was it bad. I showed her Exodus 20:7 in my Spanish Bible, and she immediately said, No more! She told me the next day that she went home and showed her husband, and he also said no more. Hallelujah!!! I am so tired of being told about the culture and to accept it. Well, I understand that, but at the same time when the culture, which ever one it is, runs a muck of God's word, don't we need to speak up. And if they aren't told, because they don't know and aren't given the chance to know, nothing will change, and will we not be held accountable? And I understand one doesn't go around shooting his mouth off all the time, but at the same there is a time to speak (and a time to be still, according to Eccl). And yesterday it was time to speak and the Holy Spirit moved. Praise the Lord for his saving grace. Sometimes we don't speak up because we're afraid of offending or being persecuted. Wow, every time Jesus spoke, someone was offended because he spoke truth. He didn't speak to offend, but to save. And he was persecuted. Isn't that what comes with that cross we are suppose to carry? I, myself don't like that cross, because it was and is a thing of torture, but I love the One that gave the commandment to take it and follow, and if persecution comes, and it will, so be it. He overcame the world, and by his grace, I will too.

So now it's time to work on my next and last project. It will be about people with disabilities and their relationship in the church.

Thank you Lord for all you have done in me since being here. It is not a place that I have wanted to be, but you have done tremendous things, and I praise you for it, and understand that if I had not been here, they might not have been done. Muchas gracias por tu amor.