Mark 10:29-30 There is no man that has left house...he shall receive an hundredfold...

So yesterday marked the 194th year of Independence from Spain for most of Central America. There were seventeen schools participating in the parade here in Valle. In every city, parades were taking place.  All the bands had different colors of uniforms, and they were all beautiful.  I was pleased to see and talk to some of my former students and other friends that were enjoying the parade.  

Tomorrow all the teachers and workers at the school are going to La Ceiba for a spiritual and physical retreat. It will be a welcomed break from the regular schedule. It will also be a time to just relax and get to know each other better. And may the Lord refresh everyone of us by his precious Holy Spirit. Many of the teachers are looking forward to swimming in the ocean.

I am so thrilled that a new missionary associate has arrived to teach English in the lower grades at the school. She also lives here on the property in her own small apartment next to my house. She already loves it here and calls it home. When the Lord moves you to where he wants you, it's amazing how soon it becomes home. My daughter-in-law, who was in the military for several years, always said that your home is where your feet are. A little different from the old saying that home is where the heart is.  It's wonderful when God puts them both in the same place at the same time! And thank the Lord that her family raised her to follow his leading, and has given her their blessing to be here and to obey his calling.

My Spanish classes are going well. The holes are being filled. Thank you Lord! One little fellow was walking by the house this morning, and when he saw me, he said hello and thank you. I asked why he said thank you, and he said it's what is said in the pulperias (little stores). He doesn't, however, speak English. Then he asked if I was the English teacher in Macuelizo. I told him yes, and then he asked me if I knew Jennifer Maria. Yes I do, and he told me that she was his sister.  Jennifer will continue to learn English from our new teacher, Jesslyn.  So hopefully he can pick up some of the language from his little sister.

We will be spending Thanksgiving in Cancun. All the missionaries from Latin American countries will be there hopefully. It will also be a spiritual retreat for us. It happens every two years. The last time was in San Salvador, and boy, was it hot. I'm sure Cancun will be hot, too.  God blesses in so many ways when he calls you to leave your families.  And these retreats are just one of the ways that he does so. I have met some people that are afraid that God will send them away from home and their families. They really don't understand the way of the Lord. He never asks anyone to give up things without blessing them beyond measure in one way or another. Our God is a giver, not a taker, and we cannot out give him.

We just finished our 3rd nine week period. One more to go, and the school year will be over. Wow, I will have finished my 6th year here. Doesn't seem possible.

So now, I must finish packing. Thank you Lord, for the retreat that is coming.

Here we are, the first of August. The kids in the states will soon be starting school, and here we are getting ready for the parade for Independence Day in September. So for three days of the week, the kids will only have part of their classes. the other part of the day will be spent practicing their part in the parade. Some will just be marching, while others will be practicing twirling their batons, playing the drums and lyres, and others bearing the flags of Honduras and the other countries that received independence from Spain at the same time. The parades are quite a big deal with most schools participating. The costumes from each school are different, but the theme of the parade is the same, whatever it happens to be.  

So last week I started taking classes at the Spanish school around the corner from where I live.  Since I don't have but one class every other Friday at the school, it seemed a good idea to learn more Spanish-Honduran Spanish.  Speaking Spanish is a little different in every Spanish speaking country, and I need more every day conversation that is spoken here. You really aren't taught much everyday conversations when taking most formal classes.  The director of this school understands and speaks good English. So if the teacher and I run into a snag, she can be there to help us.  So along with the formal, I will receive the other. It's really interesting that they have some of the same sayings that we use such as, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, throw in the towel, you're pulling my leg, etc. 

And I was happy to realize that I understood most all of what my teacher was saying. A couple of times, I asked her to slow down, which of course she did.  The director told me that I could basically write my own program.  I will see. I explained that I have holes in different areas that needed to be filled. She said that she understood because she has the same in her English. God knows exactly how to meet our needs, doesn't he?

Well, the little old 96 year old lady that lives around the corner...God has laid her in my heart!  Ok Jesus.  You know the Lord will interrupt your life in order that his will be done, not only for your life, but for the lives of others.  So it has happened with Ms Betty and me.  Some things have happened to her since she returned here in May or June, can't remember which.  Things that have been done by her "trusted" friends of 20 plus years including the stealing of her money.  Trusted "Christian" friends.  She has been so disappointed and discouraged.  The Lord helped me to find a good woman who will cook her meals, clean her house, and help her bathe, etc.  I don't have the time to do all those things for her. But I thank God for Ms Juana.  She is faithful.  She told another friend of mine that she doesn't want money from Ms Betty, because Ms Beverly teaches her daughter English, etc. So she is basically doing it for me. What can I say to that except, Thank you Lord for being faithful to me, and pour out your blessings on Ms Juana.

And can you believe that one of those "trusted" friends told someone that I had stolen Ms Betty's bottle of Vodka!!!! So funny.  I don't drink alcoholic beverages, but when I did, it definitely wasn't Vodka!  Horrible stuff.  Well, I did let that "trusted" friend know that it wasn't me. She didn't know what to say.  And that was good because she didn't need to say anything.  

I see the Lord move in so many different ways, it just makes me cry. He is so good to his people. His promises are so real.  But many of his kids don't know those pronises and sometimes they aren't willing to wait for his timing.  Boy, I have learned some of that the hard way.  But I thank God that I have learned.  My favorite time of the day is when I get up early and spend time in his word.  How rewarding that has been.  He has so much to share with his kids about himself.  He wants us to know him, not just memorize scriptures.  I remember one day a few years ago when I was walking through my house talking to him and I quoted that famous verse,  This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice in it, and just like that I heard the Lord say, "Will you?"  It made me stop in my tracks!  I just stood there and thought about what I had said and what he had just said, and I said, " Yes, Lord, I will." And I did.  It's in the doing with a faith believing heart in obedience.

My students have learned the song, What A Day That Will Be.  Some of them really like it.  They didn't know what to say when I told them that I wanted it sung at my funeral!!! I have so much fun with them sometimes. 

So now, I must finish cleaning my house.  God bless each one of you, and if you have the time and space on your prayer list, please pray for God to strengthen Ms Betty physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually.  She has a strong, sound  mind, and I praise God for that.  Thank you so much.

Wow! I have not been on here for a long time! I apologize to my faithful readers.  A lot has happened since my last note.

I went to IL to my youngest daughters for a week in June. We always have such a good time, doing nothing mostly, just enjoying each others company and going shopping for summer clothes for me.  And of course, my son-in-law reminding me, almost everyday, that when I leave HN I have a home there. Bless his heart and hers. But we will see what the Lord has to say about all of that when the time comes.  And  we were able to have lunch with a couple of sisters-in-law that I hadn't seen for some years.  It was a really enjoyable time together.  And as always, I was able to visit with my brother which is always fun. 

Well, let's see what has happened since the last time that I wrote. One Wednesday night before I went home in June, I locked myself out of the house! The minute the closed behind me, I knew that I didn't have my keys. So I couldn't get in my house or go out my gate! I tried everything possible to open the doors. Nothing worked. It had been raining off and on, so I thanked God for the hammock that hung on the porch. I could wrap up in it.  Not too warm, but better than nothing.  I didn't think that Will would come because of the rain. He doesn't have a key to my house, but he can get through the sky light after taking it apart!! So I'm laying there thinking there has to be a way to get into my house.  Finally, I thought of the key that Will uses for the rooms and bathroom that he uses when he is working here. So I jumped up to go get it and prayed that it would fit my door. It didn't, but it did fit the  bedroom door that used to be inside my house.  So I slept, if you can call it that, in one of them.  I had no more laid down when the rain came and rained most all night.  I praised the Lord for his goodness and safe keeping of me.  So when I got up the next morning very early, I was thinking about the teacher that rides the van with me.  She walks on the road next to the house.  So I hailed her as she went by and told her what had happened and to please pass it on to the director and to please call Becky who in turn would call Mario who would call Will, etc.  And then one of my students mother came by, so she told her daughter who came to the house about the same time that the van came.  Inside they were laughing but Eva had Becky on the phone.  So before long, Mario, Becky, Will, and my student were here.  So all turned out well.  I had put a key outside before but had taken it in the house, so Mario told me to put one outside, again.  And Will hadn't come the night before because his little one had had an asthma attack.  But God is so faithful to take care of us.  When my pastor found out why I hadn't attended church, he told me that their house was my house, and that I could have come there.  When I told him that I couldn't open the gate, he understood.  And in the back of my mind for the last two days had been the feeling that I needed to ask for that day off to get ready to go to the states.  Well I didn't pay attention to that "small voice" but ended up taking the day off anyway.  What an experience.  I'm so thankful that I know that the Lord is with me at all times by his Holy Spirit, and that I am never alone, and He knows the beginning to the end of whatever comes along.  He is not surprised by anything.  And of course, nothing happens to me without his approval.  but I don't want a repeat of the experience.  The teachers asked me if I had been afraid.  I told them no because I wasn't alone.  The Lord was with me.  They would have been afraid.  Of what?  No one could get on the property unless they cut the fence and crawled through somehow.  And I don't think they would have attempted that with Brownie barking and growling at them. 

What else?  I was asked to preach at the church on Wednesday night a couple of weeks ago.  One of the ladies that goes there speaks English translated for me.  She is the  English teacher  at her school where she teaches.  My pastor told me that he liked the message and that I could preach on Sunday.  I said oh, no, but I have a feeling that it is coming. Thank you Little Ethan for your prayers.  I was asked to give my testimony for the women's group in August.  I know that the Lord will sift through my 70 years and give me what I need to share.  

Every other Friday, we have the children's devotional at school.  There are three groups and each has its own devotional with a teacher presenting the Word.  So on the opposite Fridays, I have one class, if there isn't something else taking place, and usually there is.  So I'm going bonkers with nothing to do.  So beginning next week, I'm going to start taking Spanish classes at the language school around the corner from where I live on Fridays.  Yes, I can get by and have for seven years, but I want more than just getting by, and especially if the Lord is going to have me speaking His word.  I don't always want to have to have an interpreter.  And I want more.  There are people that I understand fairly well, and then there are those where I don't understand anything that they say.  And just like with English, they use idioms and expressions that I don't know.  And the slang??  Well, that's another issue.  One of my friends told me that it's considered rude when when you don't acknowledge someone that is passing by you on the street either with an adios or hola.  So she said that one day she said to herself that she needed to give a person the tongue of her shoe because they didn't greet her!  Get it?

So classes at school are going well.  I gave a little paper person to each of  my 9th graders.  They had to decide whether it was male or female and then give it an English name.  I was surprised that most of my girls said their's were male.  They were to take their "person" wherever they go, introduce him/her to their parents, etc.  Some were excited, and some just wanted to crawl under their desks! But we will see what happens.  They have a week's vacation, so hopefully they will practice their English this week.  I told them they could use the "crazy Gringa" as an excuse to help them through any embarrassment!! Their assignment is to speak English to him/her everyday and to write the conversations.  This will be used for their final for the next 9 week grading period.  We shall see what happens.

We have had this week off because it's the Week of the Student.  So for the last 3 days, my stomach has been giving me fits, but by faith in the stripes that Jesus bore for me, I know I'm healed. So until later.

God bless you all.

Hello from Honduras!                                                                                                             

     I hope this finds all of you walking in the presence and blessings of our Lord.  There is no better way to live.  Amen?

     Don’t you just love it when the Holy Spirit speaks to you and then confirms what he said? It’s totally awesome. So what am I talking about?  I was at a place last week where I didn’t know what to teach next to my 9th graders.  I teach everyday conversational English.  There are many people here that have been taught English verbs and other words, but they can not carry on a simple conversation.  I want my students to be able to do so.  So before I even arrived at shcool, I heard the words “Start them reading.” So I’m sitting at my desk listening again to the words: Start them reading. I said, “Lord,  they don’t like to read at all.” Then I looked at my lesson plans and I had written the question, would you rather listen to or watch… Without really thinking, I reached over to the book shelf and pulled out a book.  I did not  look at the title.  I just opened it to the first page and read these words: Tell me.  Would you rather… That did it!  I gave the Lord thanks, and  I read that book to them at class time..  They liked the book, and of course, they understood it especially when they looked at the pictures and could identify the objects in Spanish. They then had to choose a partner and pick a book to read together.  After they had been reading for a few minutes, I asked them if they liked it.  I received a very positive, yes.  The Lord knows what he’s doing, and he knows the plan that he has for each of these students and their learning the English language. And He knows how to speak to me. The  books that they are reading are books from Dr. Seuss, etc. Lots of crazy, wonderful words and sounds.  There are, of course, other small books with characters, plots, etc.  So now the challenge is for them to understand these elements in order to really understand what they are reading.  Kids here do not read for pleasure.  They only read because they have to do so. Rote memory is the norm here.  And the next great blessing was when a few of the kids came and asked me if they could have some of the other books to read at home.  Was this teacher on cloud nine?  Absolutely! I should know by now that the Lord knows what I need and when, and He will supply that need especially when we know that he sent me here to do exactly what I’m doing.

     I want  to thank those of you that support me by writing to me, praying for me, and supporting me with your finances.  I thank the Lord for each of you.  And I praise Him for the new friends that I have because of your coming here on a team to minister to the students,  or building new classrooms for them, and even supplying eye glasses for the community where our students live.  You efforts will not go unrewarded buy our Father. Once again thank you.    

In His Service,

Beverly                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

It has been a great week of vacation! I have 2 more days after today, but I'm almost ready to return to school.  I definitely needed this break.

I learned that my grandson didn't break his collarbone. PTL! That was good news. He did however do something to his shoulder. Not for sure what. The Dr. said  to wait to see if whatever was wrong would heal on its own. I pray so.

Not much happening here.  Big parade in town with their statues going before them to celebrate Good Friday.

Becky and I went to Choluteca on Tuesday to visit the school there. They were having a kind of vacation Bible school for 2 or 3 afternoons.  It's so good when you see the church working with the school. There were lots of kids there. PTL. And the temp was 102 degrees!  Very hot and dry in southern Honduras.

On the way home we stopped at a place where they remove the salt from the sea.  It appeared to be a fairly simple operation.  We want to take our 9th graders there for one of their events during their 9th grade trip before they graduate. However, the man told us that they only operate the salt beds from January to April. After that they do the shrimp beds.  But that will still be good for us to see.  I wanted to buy some salt, but the man wouldn't let me pay for it.  I only wanted a little for my use, but he gave me quite a bit in a large plastic bag.  So I have been passing it out to friends.  Becky is supposed to give him a call when we take our trip.

This afternoon I'm going to go to the church and help the ladies plant flowers.  I have a really good pastor.  He was not feeling well last Wednesday night and didn't attend the service.  We had a very drunk man come in, but he didn't stay.  In fact  there were 2 or 3 in the street when I walked to church.  But they didn't bother me.  Pastor usually walks me home after Wednesday night services because it's dark.  But that night, I caught up with Brother Rafael and finished walking home with him since he goes by my house to get to wherever he lives.  But about 5 or 10 minutes after I got home, Pastor called to see if I was ok. He speaks some English and it's interesting how we mix our English and Spanish to talk with each other.  It's funny, but we get our messages across.  It's interesting to look and see just how God makes all  things work to our good and for his glory.

Until later, be blessed!

As of this week, our classes at school begin at 7:00 AM. So now I leave my house at 5:45 and return home between 1:30 and 1:45 PM depending on the time that we leave school.  And that's not all. The government has said that the students also have to go on Saturdays. Wow! They only have to attend for 2 or 3 hours. Really?  Well, we will have to see how all of this plays out.  I have heard that there are some very unhappy parents, not to mention some teachers!! Some kids have to walk for an hour or more to get to their school.  The idea is that the kids will learn more.  Some of the public school classes have 40-60 students. That's too many for any class for any time period. So we will wait and see what happens.  Saturday is my day! I can sleep till at least 5:00 AM. And it's the one day that I don't have to go anywhere unless I want to go. And I enjoy being at home!! But if I can help some of my students that are having difficulty with their English lessons, then I will go to the school.  And will smile about it.

The weather here is still a little chilly, but not like the states. Wow! That's a mess. I'm glad I'm here.

My 96 year old friend left for the states today for a few months. I will miss visiting with her. We have such a time together.

I received sad news a couple of weeks ago. One of my dearest friends was killed in an automobile accident. Apparently he had fallen asleep and missed a curve on his way home from Wichita.  I was really shocked, because he had always said that he would be dead a couple of days in his house before anyone found him because he lived alone and in the country. I guess I really believed that he would die that way. It is believed by his family that he didn't suffer any, and I am thankful for that. I will miss him. He was such a humorous guy. Always playing tricks on someone and joking around.  Of course he had his serious side, too. I have heard that the county or whoever is looking into making some changes with that curve because there have been so many accidents there. I hope they do. I appreciate my youngest son attending the funeral, and the other kids helping with the flowers.

So now, I must study some Spanish!  Oh, oh, my son is calling! My grandson just had his collarbone broken. Ouch! So they are on their way to the hospital. This was his last wrestling match this year. Last year he broke a finger in his last match. There must be something memorable  for these last matches!!! I pray the Lord that all will mend correctly with as little discomfort as possible.

So now back to studying!!

 A lot has happened since my last blog. I went home in December to see my family, and I was also able to spend a week in IL. I was able to meet a new great-granddaughter who was 4 months old. What a bundle of joy she was and is. And she definitely loved her Grandmama! And then on the Dec. 20, a great-grandson made his debut. What a bundle of joy he was. And it was an added blessing that he was born on his great-grandpa's birthday. My family just keeps growing! Praise the Lord for all!

Becky and I returned here the second week in Jan. to meet a group from MO. They worked on one of our schools in San Pedro Sula, and a couple of ladies had brought eyeglasses to give to people. Some of us had gone through the neighborhood before handing out fliers to announce the give away, and the time for the church service since there is a new pastor at the church. The response was wonderful. Many people came and received glasses. Praise the Lord for this. And the church was filled on church night.  We had the opportunity to pray for the people at the end of the church service. It was great. Our only hitch during the group's stay was that one of our older men fell and broke his hip the day before they were to leave for the states. Ouch!! He was taken by air to the states, and I hear he is doing fine.

So now school has started. Once more I am teaching 5th-9th grades. I have a few new students at the junior high level. But I'm really looking forward to seeing my 8th and 9th graders take off. They have remembered a lot. Yay!! One of my former students is coming on Tuesdays after I finish with my regular classes to continue learning English. She was such a great student before so I know she will do great. She now has a husband who will encourage her, and that is a BIG blessing. I also have her younger brother who is an awesome little student, too.

I only have 2 students coming to my house, and unless the Lord says differently, that's all I'm taking.  My youngest daughter told me that I need to do something besides work.  I wonder where she got that wisdom??!! So I decided she was right.  So I want to learn to cook Honduran food. And Monday afternoon, I decided to make sauerkraut. That's not Honduran. I made a quart. It will be ready to eat tomorrow or I can let it do its thing longer. Will see how it tastes and then decide if it's where I want it to be. I didn't realize how easy it was to make. Cabbage and salt. And today, on TV, I saw somebody talking about making sauerkraut and how good it is for you. Hmmm!  

I have been invited by my pastor's wife, who is also a pastor, to go with her to visit a mother and her 25 year old physically handicapped daughter. We went yesterday, shared the Word, and then prayed together.  It was great. The daughter reached out and took my hand and gave me her teddy bear. My pastor's wife told me later that the young lady doesn't normally do that. So once again, thank you Lord, help me to be a blessing to them.

Now it's time to go to church.