Wednesday, September 16, 2015

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.