Rom.4:3...Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him fpr righteousness.

So what is happening here? A lot. Some super good, others not so good. Life, yes? So the good first. God is always faithful and has a plan for each of us.  Sometimes we understand what He is doing, and other times, it's by faith that we stand firm on His word.

I was asked to be on the Pastor's board of our small church. Of course, I said yes.  We meet once a month and discuss whatever is on the Pastor's mind and ours.  He always wants our opinions and thoughts. It's very refreshing to go to a meeting and know that the decisions have not already been made by others before the meeting.  And now I have to prepare a short message for our next meeting. I really want to do it in Spanish even though the pastor or our secretary could translate for me.  So we will see what happens.

I also preached about three weeks ago.  It was on the works of Abraham.  What were his works?  In a nutshell, he believed God's word and acted upon it. He is called the Father of the faithful.  So if we are one of the faithful, then we should also believe God's word and do what he tells us.  Faith and obedience.  God appeared to Abraham, so Abraham knew him and his voice.  When the three men appeared, he knew one was the Lord and the other two were angels. Jesus said his sheep would know his voice and another they would not follow. Abraham knew God's voice. When he was told to sacrifice Isaac, He never hesitated. He knew the promise that the Lord had given him concerning Isaac. That promise couldn't be fulfilled if Isaac was dead. He also knew that if he did kill Isaac, the Lord would resurrect him (Heb.11). He also knew that the Lord was different from the gods that the people around him served. They offered their babies/children to their idols. God never requires such a sacrifice.  He knew God would supply a sacrifice.  Jesus said that if we loved our son, daughter, etc. more than  him, then we weren't worthy of him.  Abraham loved the Lord more than he loved Isaac. Can we say that?  And then there are those that know what God requires of them, but they are like Jonah.  They choose to go their own way.  I believe that there are may in the belly of the fish today, slippin' and slidin' around not realizing that if Jonah had not come to himself, repented, and prayed, he would have died there as food for the fish. And then there is Jeroboam, the one who made Israel sin. He did not believe the words that God spoke to him about ruling Israel, hence always behind his name are the words, he who made Israel to sin.  What a horrible legacy.  Which one of these are we? I pray that we are like Abraham and his son Isaac who believed and had faith not only in his father but also in the God that his father believed and served.  

Two weeks ago today, our church went to Cantarranas for a baptism.  There were five this time. Thank you Lord!  After we were on the bus and ready to go, my pastor comes by and says to me that he wants my help.  Doing what?  Helping him baptize!  Yay!  my heart's desire. I have always wanted to do this.  Baptisms are so beautiful.  So I did. What a blessing.  So I had no other clothes to change into, since Pastor didn't tell me until we were on the bus and ready to leave, but the sun dried them on me  and all was well.

Ah! An earthquake tremor about 9:30 PM night before last. I was in bed and it started rocking. I'm thinking ok, here we go.  A few seconds and it was over.  I learned a long time ago that if God doesn't protect you, then nothing or no one else can do it. So, peace.

So now the not so good. Our school is really going through some things that I know our Lord is not pleased with.  There needs to be some serious changes. I pray and believe that the Lord will move quickly.  And it's something that I don't feel needs to be discussed.  Just pray for the Lord's will be done.

God bless you all.

Mat.7:13-14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

It seems the times for blogging are getting farther and farther apart!  I have never really liked to write, but it is a needful thing.  However, after teaching and learning all day, sitting down and writing is the last thing that I want to do!  I learned in one of my college classes that even professional writers do all kinds of things to avoid the actual sitting down and writing.  So I guess I'm in good company.

This year the government has said that the kids have to to go to school on Saturdays basically to play. Now our teachers and students don't have to since there are only two that are not attending the university on Saturdays.  They can play on Fridays. And the kids leave during the week at 1:00, but teachers have to stay until 2:00.  So our administrator is going to ask the district if we can leave at 1:00 also since there is nothing for us to do after the kids leave. I pray so since I get home maybe 30 minutes before my first student comes to my house for English on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  And on Mondays and Wednesdays we have English from 4:00 to 6:00 and then church at 6:30.  And now some good news.  We get to leave at 1:30!!! So much better.  What a difference thirty minutes makes. Thank you Lord.

I surely did get an education yesterday when reading in Jeremiah. Jeremiah told King Jehoakim about his death. So I went on line to see about this horrible king. The Jewish encyclopedia gave quite an account of this wicked king. And then I learned a new word-epispasm. That gave me understanding of what Paul said in I Cor.7:18-19. I'd never heard of such a thing. It seems that the Jewish men wanted the prasie of men more than God's praise.  I thought what do God's people do today to be accepted by the world, but rejected by the Lord.  We walk a very straight and narrow road.  If you don't know what this is and you want to know, then you need to look it up and read for yourselves.

Classes at school are going well. One of my students that comes to the house came by yesterday to ask for the correct pronunciation of the words mother and brother. She had had a test in her English class at school and her teacher had marked her pronunciation wrong when in fact it was correct.  She was happier knowing that she had pronounced it correctly.  I still believe that languages should be taught by native speakers. Oh well.

Until later, be blessed.

Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony...

What a blessing this teacher received yesterday!  One of the cooks had told me that one of my former students wanted to come to learn English.  She came to see me one day last week and we set up her times. She wants six hours a week.  Wow!  No problem since she can come to the school when I don't have other classes.  Her first time was yesterday.  She had kept the handout that I give each student that contains verbs, food words, and other vocabulary.  I had this young lady for 5th and 6th grades when I first came.  She is now 20 years old!  It just blew my socks off!  She still remembers some, so this is good.  This young lady did not like me at all in the 5th grade.  She would get mad for whatever reason, but when she graduated 6th grade, she gave me her 6th grade graduation picture with a letter saying that she didn't want me to forget her!  Are you kidding?  But she did change her attitude while she was in the 6th grade.  Praise the Lord! I had her brother who is a year older than she is.  He was just the opposite as a student.  It's absolutely amazing the way the Lord works in each life.  But I could not believe that she had kept that handout.  

So the two weeks before, Jesslyn and I didn't have classes on Fridays so we didn't go to the school.  I told Mario when he asked me why I wasn't at school.  I said that I could not go out there and sit for 7 hours with nothing to do.  Well, boy, that changed in a hurry.  He called the administrador and said that I was to have each 7th-9th graders 5 hours a week.  YAY!  So now I have 3 classes and Jess has 2.  It's better tah none at all.  And now the government has changed the hours to be at school.  You can choose 7-2 or 8-3.  We chose 7-3.  But get this.  The kids leave at 1:00 and teachers at 2:00.  So now I barely make it home before a student comes to the house for English.  And now we take our lunch, which is not a problem.  So counting the time on the bus and school time, we are gone for 9 hours.  It doesn't leave much time when we have students at home too.  We have reserved Friday nights for ourselves.  We go out to dinner, and then watch a good movie at my house. Sunday of course is church, and Saurday is for cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry.  I do miss those Fridays!

Last Wednesday night I shared with the church all the things that the Lord did from the time I reached Cacun to the time I returned to Honduras.  When the Lord gave me Rev. 12:11, I had no idea the testimony that I would have and share with my church here.  I related some to my pastor and his wife when I returned here, and he told me that the church needed to hear it.  So I wrote it all out in Spanish.  Silvia read it and corrected the few mistakes that I had made, but none were big.  For that I thank the Lord.  So all the things that we would consider to be small or to a degree insignificate really are the things that God blesses us with.  Without them, our lives would be more difficult and perhaps sad.  Many watch for big miraculous things, not understanding that everything God does is big. So now I watch everyday to see what He is doing.  By the blood of the Lamb and our testimonies, we overcome the enemy.  I apologized to the church that I had to read most of what I said because my Spanish was not as good as theirs nor did I  speak as fast as they do.  It was received well, and I know that more is coming.

Malachi 3:16-17 talks about a book being written about those that talk about and think about the Lord. Jess and I are always talking about Him and what he is doing.  It is so nice to have someone to talk with about the things of the Lord.  I want my name in that book of remembrance.

Num.6:24-26 The LORD bless thee and keep thee: the Lord make his face to shine upon thee...

Yay! I have been home for two weeks now, and what a great blessing.  It feels so good to be here.

This coming Monday, teachers will return to school.  I don't think I'm ready yet.  I have been staying up late, 9:30-12:30, and getting up around 7:00.  And next week, I'll be back to going to bed at 8:00, and getting up at 4:00.  I keep saying that I'm going to bed early, but it hasn't happened yet.

It was great to visit my church in KS even though there are a lot of new people that I don't know.  I was able to spend some time with Pastors Bryan, Julie,  and their two boys.  And how my heart did sing when four year old Ethan said, " Bevury, I pray for you everyday/night." I love the way he pronounces my name. Cute!  And I praise the Lord for this little guy's faithfulness.  Thank you Pastors Bryan and Julie.  And since I arrived in the states without checks, etc., I'm thankful that Pastor Bryan could use online banking to help me stay faithful with my giving. 

It was great visiting with family and friends.  After church, Barbara and I went out to eat in Hutchinson since Carriage Crossing is closed on Sundays :( We ended up in this little Mom and Pop restaurant. Well, when we looked at the menu, we thought that we had made a big mistake.  We wanted a full meal, and the menu basically was sandwiches of one kind or another. Barb suggested that maybe we could drink our coffee and leave, but we continued to sit there.  Finally we decided to eat chicken fingers, but they also had chicken planks. When I asked the waitress, who was new, what they were, she said that she didn't know, but would ask.  About that time the owner appeared above the half wall that was next to us and explained that the planks were made form the breast of the chicken whereas the fingers were made from the meat under the wings.  So we decided to get those with mashed potatoes, etc.  Well, we decided that those chicken planks were pretty good, and we were glad that we had stayed.  But let me tell you, we had some pretty good laughs about our adventure. 

It was also great to visit the Ladies of Martha Circle.  I shared the scripture that the Lord had given me from Rev.12:11 as I did at Covenant Assembly.

Well, I started this a week or so ago. I'm so bad about writing any more.  But school for the teachers started this past Monday.  Jesslyn and I didn't have to go today because of meetings with the directors and other important people.  So I've cleaned my house etc. this morning.  Now to get some songs copied and made into booklets for my students.

Instead of going to the language school around the corner, Silvia, friend and teacher, is coming to my house on Mondays anf Fridays to help Jesslyn and me to continue our Spanish.  I'm so glad to be able to do this.  So my homework has been to help me get my message ready for the church.  Pastor is always asking me when I'm going to preach.  Well, my message is going to be my testimony from this past November and December.  I never write out a message that the Lord has given me to give.  I only write the the scriptures and a few points that I'm going to talk about.  But this will be in Spanish and that's a whole different ballgame.  So it has begun.  I'm almost finished with it, but then I need to practice it orally!  I thank the Lord for his ever present Holy Spirit.

So today is Friday, the only week day that I don't have a class in the afternoon.  So it's the one night that Jess and I go out to eat dinner, and then we watch a movie after.  What a great and relaxing time.  We need a girl's night out.  And that's what we do!

So I pray the Lord's blessing on my family and friends. Until later.

James 4:14...For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away.

To my faithful readers, I do apologize for this long period of not writing. I can offer no good excuses.

So here it is a new year. So I will start here and work backwards, and I hope you see the Lord's hand in the things that have happened.

I did go to Cancun for the retreat on November 23. These happen every two years in a different country. Becky and I registered, ate dinner, and then I went looking for my two friends from Colombia. I found them and was so happy to see them as they were just as happy to see me. We hadn't seen each other since 2011. This was the first time that they were able to come to one of these recent retreats. So we spent a couple of hours talking and enjoying each others company. Wow! I couldn't believe that their son is now attending a university in the states and their daughter is now eighteen. Seeing them was definitely a blessing from my Father.

When I returned to my room, Becky told me to sit down because she had something to tell me. As I sat she told me that my brother had died. I couldn't believe it! What a shock. My youngest son and daughter had called trying to talk to me. They both knew that I was going to Cancun and that I wasn't taking my computer. (I don't carry that thing unless I absolutely have to do so. Like now when my son goes in and performs all his magic to bring me up to par). So I called them because I had decided not to fly to IL for his funeral. He was cremated which just creeps me out. Yes, I know. It's everybody's personal preference. I knew that I wouldn't see him for one last time. Becky told me that I could go home, and I knew that, but I just couldn't. Then I started thinking about my kids wondering if they would even go back to IL from KS for the funeral. Then I thought, ok, I'm going back. I called my daughter and told her that I was coming home. She said that she had been praying and asking God  to make me come home. That he could speak to me because I would hear Him, and I would do what he said because she needed me to come home.  She said it hadn't even been five minutes since she  had prayed when I called.  So Becky and I made reservations for me to fly out the next morning. So I had one night and two meals in Cancun! But when I needed to see our area director to tell him what was happening, we always met him coming towards us! God is always meeting the need! He told me to go, which I did. 

So let's go back from there a couple of weeks. I always give a specified amount every month to the church that I attend in Valle. When I was getting ready to write a check to the church, I thought about writing one for two months, and then I thought no because I would be back in Valle for ten or so days before I flew to KS for Christmas break. And I could write a check then for December. But I wrote it for two months anyway. When my Pastor asked me why, I think I shrugged my shoulders and said that I didn't know.

Well, now we know, because I didn't return to Valle when I was supposed to do so. I came to the states. Jesus said that He would never leave or forsake us. He sent His Holy Spirit to us to lead, guide, and teach us in His physical absence. How faithful He is in every situation. He knows everything that will touch our lives from beginning to end. How I praise Him for His goodness and what He has done for me and my children in the last few weeks.  So I stayed at my youngest daughter's for a couple of weeks. My kids came back for my brother's memorial service. And since I was going to KS to visit and to fly back to HN from there, my daughter asked if one of them could meet us in Kansas City, and I could ride home with one of them. Well, it just "so happened" that two of my son's would be there that weekend, and I would go with them. So we met in KC and I rode home with my youngest son and his wife.
I always called my brother every month or so. And we would giggle a lot about the craziest things! I will miss doing that.  I didn't get to say "good bye" to my brother, and it really bothered me. However, I am thankful that his son was able to go to my brother's house while the coroner was there.
He was able to spend that time with his father. The coroner said that Donnie, my brother, had a heart attack and had died instantly.  For that, I am thankful.  But as I was thinking about never seeing him again in this life, and not being able to see him one last time, the Lord gave me the above scripture about our life being a vapor. We're here and then we're gone.  What a comfort that was and is.  I thank God always for His word. Moses said in Deuteronomy that God's word is not a vain thing, but it is our life.  And truly it is. The Lord laid Rev. 12:11 on my heart. We should have an ongoing testimony of what the Lord is doing in our lives. We are covered by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, but we need to be glorifying the Lord with all the things that He does in our life.  Some of the things I have mentioned may be considered insignificant to many people, but I know that things happened only by God's intervention and mercy for me. He is the same with all His children, but many times He does things that we don't even notice. We take them for granted. But when we begin to pay attention to the things that are happening in our everyday lives, we will see His hand. People look for the big things and miss the little things. But for those of us that trust Him with our very lives, there are no little things. They are only big things from a big God. May we all give Him the glory that is His.
So tomorrow, I will fly back to Honduras. I am so ready to go. I have been here almost two months! And school will be starting a couple of weeks after I get home for us teachers.  I will be ready.  I have enjoyed my time here with my family and friends.  It has been a time of rest for me. And to help my grandson with the little bit of Spanish homework that he had was a blessing. It was great watching my granddaughter do her routine for her cheer team that competes with other teams in different cities. They do some interesting moves! And my grown grandkids?? Well, they are adults with families of their own! But I have "flashbacks" of when they were little! And they have the cutest little ones, naturally!!! God has been good to me and my children.  I always tell the girls in the family that Mother is a good title. And then it gets better with GRANDmother. And the best so far is GREATGRANDmother. Your title just gets better and better!  Will I make it to great great grandmother? Only the Lord knows.
So the school year ended with us taking the 9th graders to Amapala. They loved swimming in the Pacific and eating seafood from a restaurant on the beach. We were also able to visit the port of entry near Choluteca, but were not able to board one of the ships there :( Some of them want to continue English classes at my house when school starts. We will see if that takes place. Jesslyn and I may begin teaching English to our church depending on how the Lord leads. There are several that speak some English and others that don't but want to learn. So we will see.
Until later may God bless.

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!