Ps.68:19 Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits...

Here it is, a new year. As a child I never thought the year 2000 would be a reality. It was like a sci-fi movie that just wasn't true. I just couldn't think that far ahead. So now it is eleven years after! Many people make new year resolutions and I probably did to in my younger years, but no more. It just doesn't make sense to me to do that. I have goals, but it's one day at a time.

Christmas time was good. I spent time with my family and friends. And I loved seeing the changes in my grand-kids. They are growing up so fast.

And now I'm in Costa Rica at CINCEL, the language school for the missionaries that are going to Spanish speaking countries. It's a close knit bunch already. God's people connect with each other, and they grow into families. And the family just keeps growing! It's amazing to think that I have brothers and sisters all over the world. It is interesting to hear everyone's story of how the Lord moved in their lives to get them on the mission field. Every story is unique, but then so is each one of us. God has a plan for each of us, whether we're on the mission field or not, and he uses everything in our past one way or another to bring us to where we are today and to use it for his glory. I shudder to think where I would be today if God was not active in my life. It's a scary thought.

I have been here for 4 days and it has been busy. My apartment is 2 big rooms with 2 baths. They made 1 big apartment from 2 one room apartments. I'm so glad because I need space. Perhaps that's why I like to live in the country. God is so good, and he takes care of little things. For example, my rooms are shades of my favorite colors, green and brown. The coffee cups are like mugs that I like to use to drink coffee. I have a large closet and a queen size bed that is very comfortable. I have cable and the internet. I'm right across the driveway from the entrance to the school. It can't get much better than that.

This morning we went to the fruit market. It was very big. We share things when there are too many for one or two people. Ritchie (who is 25 , single, and stationed in El Salvador) and I split avocados and limes. Too many carrots in a bag? Share them. I just bought one huge carrot which will last me all week, whether I cook it or use it raw. There is nothing like fresh vegetables and fruits. Right now I'm cooking 3 beets, and in a few minutes 3 of us are going down the street to buy eggs. So we went, and now we're back. Great little store down around the corner. We also found a nursery, so I want to buy a couple of live plants next week so my nest will really feel like home. Just gotta have plants in the house!

There are many AG churches in San Jose, but tomorrow we will go to the one around the corner. I think it has 2 morning services. So it has to be really big. Will see.

Well, today we didn't go to the one around the corner! We went to another, and the pastor is the Superintendent over the AG churches here in CR. Some things I understood, and some I did not. However he likened Gen.1 with our lives. The world was created by God and then God brought order into it. Our lives are not in order when God calls us. He brings order by bringing light which of course is Christ. And then somewhere in his message he said that we have to live God's word and culture and not the culture in which we live. Ritchie nudged me and said that he felt like he was sitting in my living room, because I had just "preached" that culture message to him before we left for church. He had said,"oh, my God." When I said you ought not say that he responded that it was the culture here. Well, that was an open door and I walked right through it! They say it in Honduras, too. When I asked why he said it, he said he didn't know. We ought not be using God's name in vain. The culture of the kingdom of God is different than the culture here, in the U.S., and Honduras. Jesus went against his culture many times, and was loved or hated by those around him. We have to follow in his path. This is the second time that this culture theme has been confirmed for me. The last Sun. in the states, I went to church with my youngest son, and his pastor also made the same statement. I love it when God confirms something that he has given me. Oh happy day...

One missionary is here from Chile and is going to India. She is here to learn English and then Indi (?)when she arrives there. I will be helping her with English while she helps me with Spanish. Grandma used to say "turn around is fair play".

So tomorrow classes begin. I am so ready!!

Many thanks Lord for your peace, and for your daily care of us, and you truly do load us daily with benefits: family, friends, everything that we need and desire even when we aren't sure what those things are. And thank you for remembering my family always.

Ps.81:10...open thy mouth and I will fill it.

From Oct.24-29 we went to Choluteca with a group from Alabama. They added another room onto the school there, and I had my regular job of sifting sand! Two of the young ladies in the group decided to sponsor two children at the school. We praise God for that. Of the 4000 + students in our schools, only about 1000 + are sponsored. How much more we could accomplish if more of our students were sponsored.


Well, this past month has been really busy. And I'm sure I have forgotten some. Two girls working with Convoy of Hope stayed at my house after visiting the schools with Becky. We had a good time visiting and going shopping before they left. I was also able to visit with Jay and Nancy. What an entertaining time that was!!!

Went to San Pedro Sula for the Field Fellowship meeting and to celebrate Thanksgiving with the missionaries in San Pedro Sula. I was given the honor of giving the devotional at the meeting. God did well!! He got me so excited that I couldn't sleep part of the night. And I was just as excited when I shared what he had given me. And before I went to bed, I didn't have a clue on what I was suppose to talk about. But he brought the scripture to my mind about opening my mouth and he would fill it. But the minute I sat on my bed and opened my Bible, the Lord began to speak. What an awesome God we serve. There is none like him.

I will speak at the 6th grade graduation today on Pro. 3:13, the scripture on their invitations. So once again, he will fill my mouth. I also gave the devotional for the teachers on my last Friday at school. One of the teachers said at the end,"Wow! I learned something today." I praised God for that. So 3 times in the last 3 weeks. I'm amazed!

Then we will go to San Pedro Sula again on Wed. for 3 days of teacher workshops. Then the school year will officially be over. Hooray! I'm getting excited about going home and then to Costa Rica in Jan. for a year of language school.

My internet will be disconnected tomorrow in preparation to leave here. I have been told that I will get my house back when I return in 2012. That is a blessing. God takes such good care of me and all his children, if we let him.

So another month has come and gone. I am so ready to see my kids and grandkids AND great-grandkids. And to see my pastor and family, and friends. I am so blessed. Thank you Lord for all.

Ps.91:5-6 thou shalt not be afraid...nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness...

I just returned from a week in Belize with Becky doing 3 teacher workshops. All the teachers were appreciative for the information they received. We stayed with Tom and Kathi Moore, missionaries from Texas. We enjoyed Kathi's cooking tremendously, and I was grateful for all the knowledge that Tom shared with us about the people, country, and other things in general. Great stuff.

Our first workshop was at the Central Assembly School in Belize City. After the initial presentation while the teachers were making teaching tools, I heard the most awesome sound. It was a hymn being sung in English coming from the church! I haven't heard a hymn since leaving the states. I needed that!

Then we were off to the Banana Bank Lodge near Belmopan. What a beautiful place. It is owned by a couple from the states, Jerry and Carolyn Carr. They have lived there for 34 years. Carolyn from Tribune KS, and Jerry from Montana. On the grounds are several cabanas with thatched roofs, large swimming pool, very large bird cage, a jaguar, and 2 monkeys on chains with signs on their roped areas that says,"BEWARE monkey bites". Cute but dangerous. Since Carolyn is an artist, the rooms have many of her prints on display. Beautiful pictures of the jaguar. The live jaguar never came out of her cage while we were there. And one morning there was a donkey's head in her cage to feed on. It stunk! And the smile on it's lips wasn't very inviting either! Many of the windows are stained glass. Absolutely beautiful. Carolyn shared supper with us one night, and this is where I learned about the bot fly. I had noticed that she had a place on her shoulder that was dark red, and I thought that maybe it was a wound that was healing. Oh, no, I was informed that a dead worm was in there! I couldn't believe my ears. You mean you're sitting there with the larvae of a fly in your shoulder? Oh, yes, but it was dead because she had painted the area with clear finger nail polish (another good use for it other than our nails)! However, she was going to the Dr. to have it removed. I had never heard of this before. Well, I received an education, probably more than I wanted. Anyway this egg is dropped on your flesh either by a mosquito or the fly itself. It burrows into your skin and there feeds on you until it comes out as a fly. Oh yuck! They itch at first just like a mosquito bite, but then it begins to hurt because they are eating away on you. I looked them up on the internet, and they look just like Tom described them. Want to feel vulnerable? Check it out. I decided to stand once again on the scripture Ps. 91:6. During the meal Becky told about some kind of moth landing on the chin of a missionary while he slept. It laid its eggs there and he had to go to the doctor to have them removed when they began to grow. That freaked me out, too. Well, the next morning Carolyn met me outside and said she had to tell me that after she went to bed, she heard this fluttering noise. She turned on the light and saw this moth. She knew it wasn't the kind that Becky had talked about, but it was like the Lord was saying to her that they had such fun at my expense that...We laughed about it because God does have a sense of humor.

The second school was Valley of Peace. Teachers were engaged and really liked the recipes for making glitter, play dough, and using white toothpaste to stick things to the walls.

The last school was at Red bank, a Mayan village. They, too, enjoyed the presentation and making the teacher tools. When we arrived there, the first thing was to eat in the home of one of the villagers. Two vegetable sized serving bowls were given to each of us. One bowl contained white rice and the other a soup with a couple of large pieces of chicken. NO spoons! A huge basket of tortillas were placed on the table. They use the tortillas to soak up the soup. There's no way that I could have eaten all that food. Tom or Kathi asked for spoons. So thankful for those utensils!! It was delicious, but far too much. They cook in a different building outside the main house. The main house consisting of one room with a very small table, the one where we ate, 2 bedrooms, and I think one bathroom. This main part had a metal roof. The other a thatch. In the "kitchen" there was a sling of sorts hanging from the ceiling, and inside was a 7 month old baby girl. Happy as a lark, she was. Talk about innovation. You could give a little push and swing her to sleep. The only problem for this westerner was that she could only see the ceiling. She could hear all that was going on around her, but couldn't see anybody unless they poked their heard in her "sling". I don't know what else to call it.

Belize is suppose to be very hot and humid. I really did pray that it would not be so, because I sweat so much to the point that it looks like I just washed my hair. Some people perspire, but this lady sweats! So I figured I'd be changing clothes a couple of times a day. Well, lo and behold, if God didn't do it again. The weather was beautiful. NO sweating!! Well, one time at Red Bank, but not enough to speak about. I praised him everyday for that. Of course, no one else was complaining about the weather, either, not that we Christians complain :-)!!

Belize truly is a small country. Less than 400,000 people. But most of it is jungle. I would not want to live there . Everyday commodities are very expensive because most is imported from other countries. They do have jaguars there that like dog meat, so we heard, but they usually stay hidden from human eyes.

God has truly blessed me in coming to Honduras. He has allowed me to visit other countries and meet many of his children. He has protected me, kept me healthy, provided for me, and taught me more about himself. I love him and give him glory for all he is. Truly he will bless his people in their obedience and love to him.

Ps.147:8 ...who prepareth rain for the earth...

Here it is, the middle of September. This school year will soon be over. I think we are all ready to see the end in sight. But always, there with the relief that it will soon be over, is the sadness that comes with the realization that you won't see some students again. It is especially sad that my students won't receive English next year. The 7th and 8th graders are just really getting comfortable with using the little things that they have learned. So it's really a downer for me. But God is in control over all, and He has the plan for their lives, not us. We just have to do our part when he puts them in our lives.

Last month, Becky and I enjoyed cherry pie and ice cream. Heavenly!! We still have 2 cans of the pie filling left, so 2 more before we leave in December. Yee-Ha!!

The last two months have been a little trying with all the rain. The road to Macuelizo is a disaster. We have had to get off the van and walk a little ways in order for the bus to get unstuck or to get over the humps that were formed by traffic going through the mud. It's a mountain made of rock, but the crevices have been filled in with rock and dirt that's like clay. But all the rains have washed it away. Last year we didn't receive this much rain and I wondered if Honduras really had a rainy season. Oh, yes, it does. So many people here get scared when it rains very hard. It's because of all the damage that the rain caused during Hurricane Mitch in '96. One of the fellows that owns the pulperia, where I wait for the van to go to school, told me that he was afraid when it rains hard, and he asked me if I was afraid. I told him no, because I'm not, and he looked incredulous. He wanted to know why, and I said it was because of God. A couple of days later, he asked if Jesus had been a man. I said yes, and he didn't say more. So the Lord is busy. And it's interesting that the pastor preached on God's promise that He would not destroy the earth with a flood ever again and about the covenant rainbow with Noah. A very timely message.

The cancha at school has been finished, and now the guys are working on the other building. (Before they are finished working this time, they will also replace the guttering on the kinder building). The kids enjoy being able to play soccer on the new cancha. What a blessing all this is from the Lord. I'm so glad He supplies his people, and when they give when He says give, so much can be accomplished. I don't want this school to always be the poorest of our schools here in Honduras. So much the Lord has to do here. I want it to be the light that He has called it to be.

On the 15th of this month, we celebrated the Independence Day of Honduras. Our kids looked great. Our drummers played the whole distance. Why the judges were at the end of the parade route, I will probably never know. Our drummers were in the 5th and 6th grades. They played the whole distance which was probably a mile and a half, give or take a few feet. But it was uphill over half the way. On the last stretch, our little ones in kinder had to quit. They just couldn't go any farther. The little girls were twirling batons. So cute. And the little guys had drums. So needless to say, the judges didn't see them. The judges did thank the extranjeras(me and Becky)for coming to Honduras and helping them. It was so hot, and all the kids wore uniforms of one kind or another. They were actually sweating, too. Not just this gringa. So now, no school till next Tuesday. And today is Teacher's Day. I received a message from my phone provider saying Happy Teacher's Day.

I received a very nice gift from Silvia, my Spanish teacher. A new Spanish Bible. I have a parallel in Spanish and English. And I always cover the English side when I read for her. Not good enough! So this one is a 2000 translation of the 1960 that I already have. So praise God. It's so funny, because she'll ask me if I understand after I read. I have to tell her the truth. Of course I understand what I just read, because I know what it says in English. She just sighs. God bless her!

And last Tuesday during my lesson, I found out that Valle has a POST OFFICE!!!! Silvia said. I couldn't believe my ears. Are you kidding me? For two years I've been saying that we don't have one. Well, today, during my lesson, we are walking there. So in 2012 when I come back here, si Dios quiere, (if God wills)I will have a mailbox here. Do wonders never cease.

Thanks once again for all your prayers and support. God truly does hear and answer our prayers. God bless all of you.

Eph. 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God...

What a great time in Kansas, minus my daughter-in-law's bout with MS, of course. But the timing was right so I could help out with the trips to the doctor.

Kelcie and Derek's wedding and reception were beautiful. I pray that Jesus will always be at the center of their marriage, and that the smiles they wore on Saturday will forever be there for one another through good times and bad. God bless you both, and the children that are to come from this union.

What a great time to visit with the other side of the family from Montana. Grandma Harter and I have a beautiful family in common. It has been several years since I have seen them, and it was good to chat with the different members of the family. It was good to visit with Uncle Dave. He and I shared a rental car in 1996 when we were in Belgium at the same time to visit Gary, Susan, and family. Kelcie was about 6 or so then. So I'm glad they all made the trip.

I had discovered a black speck on my front left tooth. So I decided while I was in the states that I should check on getting an appointment in Dec. when I return to the states for a longer time. So I went to see about an appointment on Saturday, and the secretary asked how Monday morning at 8:00 would be. Absolutely wonderful. So off to the dentist. Praying that it wouldn't cost a lot. So the dentist came in, asked me where I was living now, looked at the tooth, and said he could buff it out. OK. That sounded good to me. So he did. As I was leaving, his associate said he wasn't charging me for anything. Wow! Thank you, Dr. Hall. May God bless you in blessing me.

Pastors Bryan and Julie came to visit me on Monday afternoon with little Elliott, and that was a real treat. Thank you so much. I had gone to church with Doug on Sunday and didn't get to see them. I miss them as my pastors and friends. And little Elliott is now 7 months old, and is a very happy baby. Plus he's absolutely gorgeous.

I was suppose to leave on Tuesday, and after Doug and I arrived at the airport, they were saying that the flight to and from Houston would be delayed due to bad weather there. So we decided that I would stay another day and leave on the morrow. Worked out great. So back to Doug's house. He left for work very early, and after Jen got the kids off to school, she went to get some much needed sleep. I was really tired so decided to follow in her footsteps. So I went downstairs and slept till 11. It was great sleeping weather. Raining, and everyone knows how good it feels to lay down, listen to the rain, and then fall asleep. I can't even remember the last time I slept till 11:00, if ever. But it sure felt good, and I didn't feel too guilty!

So the return home was without event, although I visited with a missionary that lives in Canada. He was coming here for whatever business his church has here. Also visited with a father and son on the way to the states that had come here on a medical mission trip. He was Independent Assembly of God. I don't know the difference between the two because spiritually we believe the same things. The Assembly I went to in IL was Independent. So he gave me the name of the pastor that has a church here that is not to far from Valle. So maybe I will meet him some time. It would be interesting to know if he knows people that I know.

When Becky and I walked into my house, we were hit in the nose with a horrible smell. We discovered that all the meat in my freezer was thawed and spoiled. The electricity had been off for a couple of days. However, that would not have thawed the meat, especially when no one was opening the door. Something had happened to the fridge again. It was blowing hot air instead of cold. So back to Becky's for the night. Mario brought a small refrigerator the next day until the other could be fixed. And it was fixed the day after, so that was good. The scripture, give us our daily bread came to mind. I had enough meat for a month or so, because it's nice to go to the supermarket in Tegu when I'm there and stock up. Guess I should rethink that. Especially when the electricity is not so dependable this time of the year with all the rain. Well, welcome to Honduras where things are so unpredictable. You really do have to depend on God, because He only is unchangeable. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. So whatever the need, He will supply it.

So now the kids have to write letters to their sponsors in the states. The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are writing theirs in English. I hope!!! They also are memorizing the 23rd Psalm in English. I am memorizing it in Spanish. I didn't think it was fair to ask them to memorize without me doing the same.

I praise God for his goodness and blessings, and someday I will see his face, but more important is to hear the words, Well done my good and faithful servant.

John 14:2 In my father's house are many mansions:...

Friday afternoon Eva and I went walking. So let's go to the cemetery. I've been to just about every place else in town, but not there. So we did. The most peaceful place is a cemetery. No one there to bother you. This one was a little creepy looking to me because the graves are almost on top each other. And some of the headstones and vaults were not standing straight. I was sure the path we were on went over some graves. Grandma always said you never walk on a grave. It's disrespectful. So I felt a little guilty. They have a lot of graves above the ground with the casket inside the concrete vault. One family had several vaults built on top each other, and the whole building was made to look like a castle! (Made me think of the Father's house wherein are many mansions). There really was no room to walk between the graves. That's how close together they were. Some were covered with the ceramic tiles, others were plain cement or painted. I guess I'll have to take a picture. Never thought about it Friday. Speaking of cemeteries, I went to my second wake a couple of weeks ago. And that always makes me think of my own! Unless we're alive when Jesus returns, we'll all go that way sometime.

Before I leave in December, we are talking about going to the mine that's near Valle. They used to mine silver from it. It also had a beautiful waterfall, but that was destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. The rain from Hurricane Mitch did a lot of damage in Honduras.

Last week seven schools came to our school. We hosted a fair day where the different schools brought things made from recyclables. We took first place in every area. What an accomplishment. Made us proud, the right kind of course. Now they are planning a science fair for the seventh graders. That ought to be interesting.

Work has begun on finishing the "cancha" for the high school. That's an answered prayer for me. It's something these kids need. I'm so thankful for those of you that sent me an offering to help with this.

We have an epidemic of dengue at this time. It's caused by a particular mosquito. The hospitals have been full. A campaign has been underway to clean up dump sites and to empty any vessel outside that can hold water including flower pot saucers. Cities have been using pesticides to kill the mosquitoes and their larvae, but it rains just about everyday, so the fight is continual. Dengue can kill. There are three basic types and the one that causes a person to bleed from different areas of the body is the worst. Right now we have a teacher that is very sick with it. She is suppose to return to school in another three days. I hope so.

In two days I leave for KS to see my kids, grand-kids, and to attend my granddaughter's wedding. I am soooo excited. Hopefully, I will get to see ALL my kids. Thank you Lord for my BIG family. What a blessing they are to me. And thank you for all the friends that you have given me. They, too, are a blessing in my life.

Eccl.3:1 To everything there is a season...

Well, here it is,the last day of July. Hard to believe. The seasons here don't really change much so it's hard to think of one season passing and another one coming.

I had a big heartache a little over a week ago. Lobo died. It broke my heart. He was such a good dog. I miss him walking with me. When I went to feed the geese, he was right beside me. He would walk me to the wash room, wait for me to leave, and then walk me to the door of the house. Where I went, Lobo went. I miss him putting his left front foot on my left foot and standing against my legs so I couldn't move, all because he wanted me to pet him. However, I do not miss his barking just before bedtime. But I miss his greeting when I come home from school and when I leave in the mornings. This is from someone who supposedly doesn't like dogs. Go figure.

On the other hand, I had a great blessing this month. After sharing scriptures with Denia, the Lord healed her stomach, and she has returned to Him. That is the greatest blessing in this world, to have someone return to the Lord after being away for so long a time. And what a difference it has made in her life. Our English lesson has turned into a Bible study which is great. I still teach her son English.

I was so glad that yesterday was Friday and that the week was over! It has been a couple of weeks of chaos for this gringa. There were days that I didn't have all my classes because they were practicing for the Day of the Indian, meetings with parents to get their children's grades, and now practicing for the parade on Sept. 15 which is Honduras' Independence Day. I was so tired when I arrived home yesterday. But then I had an English class with Denia's son. But Rodrigo said he would like to have his English lesson on a different day. He wants to have that afternoon free. Boy, do I understand that. So we are changing it to Wednesday when I don't have a Spanish lesson. God does take care of the little things, doesn't he?

It's interesting that I have witnessed to adults since I have been here. When Eva and I talk, I either confirm what Ramiro has told her or vice verse. We are always confirming the word to her without the other one knowing it. But she always tells me that Ramiro told her the same thing. What a blessing for her and us. God will always confirm his word to us one way or another. Either a brother or sister in Christ, a sermon, something. He loves us so much and he wants us to understand.

It was my turn to do the devotional yesterday for the teachers. I talked about how important it is to read God's word daily. Many go to church, but they don't open their Bibles during the week to see what God is saying to them. We can't stand on or obey his word if we don't know what it says. Pastors don't have the time to teach us everything about God. And besides that, God wants to speak to us individually through his word, and he wants to have a personal relationship us. Amen?

So the word gringo. I have been told that it originated with the words green go. Our American troops were here for whatever conflict, and when the Hondurans wanted them to leave, they said green go because of the green uniforms. Hence, the word gringo. Gringa for the female. I don't take offense with this word, although some people do. And it's interesting when I see people that look like Americans, I call them gringos without even thinking about it. I guess it's because I know that they won't be staying here. I have been told that I'm a catracha which is the nickname for Hondurans. Every Central American country has one of these nicknames. It's like Yankees from the north in the U.S. and Rebels from the south. Not too big a deal.

So I'm going home to KS on the 12th of August for 4 days. I am so looking forward to seeing my family that lives there. I haven't seen them since Jan. And, I will be able to attend my granddaughter's wedding. What a blessing. What an exciting time in her life.

One of the evangelistic churches from Tegucigalpa is starting to meet here in Valle on Thursday nights. This past Thursday night was the showing of the film Facing the Giants. Of course it was in Spanish. I cannot keep up with the language in a film. But I knew what was happening because I had seen the film with my son Ken. So I am planning to go to their services on Thursdays. My friends here in Valle attend the church in Tegu. I have been there a couple of times including this past Mother's Day. I believe one of the pastor's will be having the service and not one of the leaders. Leaders are not pastors, but are trusted to minister the Word, etc.

I am so counting the days until I go home for a visit. Thank you Jesus that I have a family to go home to.

II Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him...

Well, what a deal!! I had to go to the ATM at the service station which is a mile, give or take a few feet, from my house. Of course, I walk. Well, lo and behold, it was gone. The station doesn't have one anymore. The only one that I knew about in Valle that takes MasterCard. Boy did the thoughts begin. Basically, no money except a few $ in U. S. and very few limpiras. So I'd have to go home to get them plus my passport or go to Tegu or call Becky or....I'm praying, Lord, what do I do? My cable is due today. Am I going to have to go to Tegu every month to get money? I had a few limpiras, so I decided to buy the laundry soap and coffee. Before I got to the store, I thought I'd ask the guard at the other bank if they had an ATM inside. Sure enough, Praise God, they had one that takes MasterCard. I usually go to the other bank down the street to pay my phone bill and electric bill, and they don't have an ATM or at least I've never seen one. Will check that out the next time I'm there. Nothing like having money and not being able to get to it-or so I thought. There is a little building at the park in the center of town that has an ATM, but it doesn't take MasterCard. So praise God there is one here that I can use.
I will be getting a new Spanish teacher next week. She is a cousin to my former teacher, Denia. Due to the classes at the university in Tegu, her time will not allow her to continue teaching me. But I will still get to visit with her on Friday afternoons since I'm teaching her son English. A few of our classes turned into a Bible study, and due to the moving of the Holy Spirit, she is going back to church. Hallelujah!
I split my 5th and 6th grades into two classes each. What a difference that makes. It's amazing how much the attitudes change. I still have a couple in the 6th grade that I think need to be in their regular class and not in mine. They could care less and they don't respond in a positive way.
I am so thankful that Jesus said he would never leave or forsake us. Truly he is a very present help in the time of need regardless of how big or small. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.

Mat. 7: 12 ...whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them...

Well, now I'm meddling as Bro. Gruver use to say. But I went walking after listening to the news about the Gulf Coast, and I was thinking about how the Americans give, not just big corporations and the government, but little people like you and me whenever there is a national or international disaster. And now that we face another in the gulf states, I hear a lot about how we are canceling our vacations there. Why is that? The people there depend on us for their livelihood especially the little restaurants owned by Mom and Pop and the small hotels and motels. It makes me sad that many vacationers have canceled. Because why? They can't swim in the ocean? Probably for most, it wouldn't be the first time that they swam in the ocean anyway, or took a boat ride out to wherever. Wow, wouldn't it be great to see all these vacation people go there anyway and help these people retain their livelihood? If I was home and was going on vacation, I would go there. I've never seen an oil spill(not that I ever wanted, too), but it's there. Maybe I could even help clean some of the stuff off the beach, I don't know. We help everybody else, why can't we help them? I'm not saying send money to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or any other charitable organization. Just go on your vacation. Can't think of anything to do while there? Maybe you should just do nothing and rest. Wow, there's a novel idea, especially when Americans have said that rest is their #1 recreation. Well, rest is not a recreation. It's a bodily need in order to stay healthy. America is facing BIG problems in every area. But this is one area that we can do something about. Just go on the vacation. We can choose to help our brothers in need. Maybe it won't keep them in business for the next ten years, but it might. Sure can't hurt. Who's to know? And they need to see our bodily presence there and know that we do care about them, not just people from government offices who are paid to go there to help fix the problem. Jesus said it's more blessed to give than to receive. But we do receive a blessing when we give of ourselves and our money. Almost nothing feels better than knowing you have helped someone else when they were in need. And if we were one of those in need, would we not appreciate someone coming and helping us?

I love my country, the U.S.A. And in my heart, I feel one of the reasons God has blessed us so is our willingness to give. Didn't He say that when we gave, it would be given back to us, pressed down, shaken together, running over? We can't out give God, and he cares about these people. So maybe He's saying to you, "Hey, why not go south to the Gulf this year?

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit...

El Salvador! Beautiful from the air. The country looks like a beautiful patchwork quilt with all the fields a different shade of green and brown. It's much flatter than Honduras. We arrived in San Salvador on Wednesday afternoon after a forty minute flight. Received a visa for ninety days for ten dollars. After going through customs, we met up with our guides that loaded us onto a bus to take us to our hotel. Not everyone stayed in the same place. Our hotel was Hotel Siesta. Very nice. I was thankful for the air conditioner, especially when it was time for bed.

After settling in, we were taken to the church for the evening service at 7:00. Those of us from HN all wore blue shirts that had been ordered for us. We looked good! There was close to 400 people there for the seminar, not counting the workers from the church. Of course, everything was in Spanish, but the one message that stood out for me was for us to remember the dream/vision that God gave us. That brought back the message that Pastor Vernon gave me when I went and talked to him about what I believed God wanted me to do. He told me that God had given me the vision, but it was up to me to keep it alive. I really didn't know how much I needed God to renew my spirit when I went to El Salvador. But I did, and He did. Thank you Lord. How much He loves and cares for His children and provides what we need when we need it. I wasn't too thrilled about going to a teacher conference, because most is the same thing all over again with maybe a different name than what I had learned. But this was a Christian missionary/teacher's conference. What a difference. The mornings were filled with messages from the different pastors/leaders over LACC. After lunch, there was time for two workshops, dinner and then another service. So we were there at the church from 8 AM to 8 PM or longer. They have a school there also that goes from preschool to twelfth grade. It's also bilingual, but so is El Salvador. The food they served was wonderful. The grounds of the church and school are beautiful. On Friday afternoon, we had about three hours to go on a tour. We had three or four choices. Becky and I chose the volcano. But it rained off and on all day and by time the bus got there, it was so foggy that we couldn't see anything. What a disappointment, but the restaurant that we went to offered us free tea or coffee. That helped, plus the restaurant itself was beautiful and peaceful. A time to relax. Then back to town and the last service.

Between dinner and the evening service, we had the opportunity to watch the high school band. What a band. They take part in competitions and have been number one in El Salvador for the last three years. I could see why. The formations they performed were absolutely marvelous. Every note and movement memorized. They have a great teacher. Every time they were finished, we would all want more, so they obliged and gave us a couple more performances. May God continue to bless them.

U.S money is used in El Salvador. The driving there is like Costa Rica and the U.S. The literacy rate is over 90% just like Costa Rica. The literacy rate here in HN is under 50%. So sad. So many people here do not believe that a formal education is important, much less reading. As a whole, Hondurans do not want to read, especially for enjoyment. I mentioned to one of the teacher's last year where I teach that the kids needed to read. She said something about the parents being afraid to let their kids read. I asked why and she said perhaps the parents were afraid of losing their children. I said, "Are you kidding? What do they think the internet and cell phones will do?" She said she didn't know. Fear-so much in this country. So much ignorance here due to the lack of a good education. I was talking to one of the teachers at the high school where I teach, and I mentioned Anne Frank, and she had never heard of her. I couldn't believe my ears. I thought everybody in the world had heard of Anne Frank. The teacher knew about Hitler, although I don't know to what extent, so therefore I thought for sure she knew of Anne Frank. Not so.

Well, this week is vacation for all the schools. I'm so glad. We all need a break. So this week I'm working on a small booklet of English vocabulary for the kids. The schools here are required to teach English, but most of the kids can not carry on a simple conversation. So that's why I'm making the booklet. I want my students to be able to converse, albeit very simple. I'm also trying my hand at writing very short stories for the kids to read using the vocabulary that they have learned. Will see how that works out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Blessings to all.