Ps.145:1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

In the last church service that I attended here before going home for the holidays, the pastor was talking about how the word of God is meant to change our hearts when we hear it, and that Christians should know what sin is and is not. He used as part of his message I Cor. 6: 9-10 and Galatians 5: 19-21 among others. And when he was going through the list and using examples, he used some states in the U.S. as an example for homosexuality and allowing marriages of homosexuals. I wanted to crawl under my seat, or better yet, just disappear into thin air. I was so embarrassed for my country. People here look to the U.S. for leadership in different areas. When I watch the Honduran news channels, the U.S. is always part of the news, whether it's the weather or happenings in Congress. And in this area, I believe the people are shocked at what the U.S. is doing.  What has become of the nation that was built upon godly principles?  I'm afraid that it, like ancient Israel, has forgotten the One that made it great. It breaks my heart. It's scary. Matthew Henry said that if a nation doesn't serve the Lord, it will serve its enemies. And since God is no respecter of persons or nations, what does that mean for the U.S.? What has happened? Even as a kid, I knew people that didn't go to church, but they knew the difference between right and wrong. There is no way they would have voted for the passage of homosexual marriage, legalizing marijuana, abortion, etc. What a dangerous time that we are living in, when the people don't know their right hand from their left.  The pastor also mentioned that just because something may be culturally accepted in any country, it doesn't mean that it's accepted by God. Amen to that!

So now that I am home again, I praise God for all his goodness to me. I was able to stay with my granddaughter, Cassandra, and her family. What a great time we had together. And my great-grandchildren, what a blessing they are.  I was also able to got to IL with them to visit my youngest daughter, her family, and my brother.  Plus I was able to see all my grandchildren and even my new great-grandson. He is absolutely beautiful. Born 5 1/2 weeks early, he is very healthy. And his mama gets to be a stay-at-home-mama! That is totally awesome. I know that sometimes, mama's have to work,  but when they don't have to work, it's great. I was also able to see my Aunt in Salina that I haven't seen for a few years.

The ladies of Martha Circle were a blessing to me as always, as I hope I was to them. I told them that while most people are looking for the great big things of God, He works  in the "little" everyday things in our lives, and many times we don't pay attention to them and/or we don't tell (testify) to what he did. And especially in a missionaries life. People are looking for thousands to be saved in a day, etc. And should we look for those? Yes, but we also need to recognize what he is doing in our everyday lives. So I have to testify to what he did on Saturday after the women's meeting. While I was talking to Laurel during lunch, I asked her if she had heard anything about a former student or his father, and basically, she hadn't.  Well, while I was at the home of another friend, Larry O, this student happened to call him, and I was able to talk to him. Wow! I was so happy that I was able to talk to this kid, although he isn't a kid anymore. He is now the father of two. He was such a good student. He never, and I mean never complained about homework or whatever he had to do. He never said that something was too hard or that he couldn't do it. And he never used his disability as an excuse to not learn something. This kid will always have a special place in my heart. Even though this may seem a small thing to some people, it was a great big thing that God did for me, and I continually praise him for it. Who would have thought that my former student  would call Larry in the short time that I was there? Our Father answers the desires of our hearts.

I traded a cold KS for a cold HN! Oh, my, it has been cold and rainy! Even the small jet from Wichita to Houston was cold. One of the guys sitting in front of me got up and got his heavy winter coat out of the overhead compartment to wear. I was thinking about not carrying the light winter jacket home again with me, but decided against that. Wow! It was cold. So of course, the ole nose decided to start running! So on Saturday I made eucalyptus tea and drank it all day and a couple of times on Sunday.  I was able to sleep without the dripping nose. Thank you, Jesus for some natural remedies.  Eva sent one of the kids with some fresh leaves this morning, since all mine were gone. Did you know that Vicks is made with eucalyptus? And check out the lemon cough drops. Some don't have any lemon at all. It's eucalyptus. That's just for your info. Can't think of the acronym of it! English just sometimes disappears   from my vocabulary!

So now I must start preparing for this year's English classes.

Thanks for all your prayers and support. May God continue to bless each and everyone of you/

Heb.13:5...I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

YEAH!! School is out for this year! Everybody is so thankful. It has been a difficult year, but now it is over.   So take a breath and begin preparing for next year, right? For me, I think this year was difficult because I missed last year, and my students didn't receive English. Well, the 7th - 9th received a program from an organization here in which our school is involved. I don't like the English workbooks  because there are many grammar mistakes  and other mistakes. Also, the teachers at the school don't know English, and therefore the workbooks are not checked properly.  Due to my experiences, I truly believe that textbooks in any language should be written by native speakers, and not by those that have learned a language as a second language. Many errors would be avoided, I think. And then as with many programs, the students are not taught everyday language. What a difference there is in the classroom lessons, and the real thing.  So therefore, the focus for my students is everyday language. I want them to be able to speak about everyday events.

This morning I went to the bank to pay my telephone and electric bills. I heard someone calling me, and it was the guy that owns the shop where I bought my cell phone. He wanted me to make a bank deposit for him. Wow! Talk about trust. He does speak English and has lived in Florida. But still...thank you Lord for favor.

I've been reading the Old Testament in Spanish. And this morning I was reading about Moses being taken from the river by Pharaoh's daughter. Saved from the Nile (?) and then later saved from the Red Sea, all by the hand of God. Interesting. God is ever present, isn't he?  I find it interesting when Christians pray, "Lord be with us".  Really?  He said he would never leave us nor forsake us. So if he isn't with us, where is he?  A Latino group, Rojo, sings a song called No, No, Me Soltaras. It's absolutely my favorite in Spanish. And that's what it says, "He will never leave nor forsake me".

I get to go home for a month in 17 more days. I'm getting excited. In fact my suitcase is coming out of the closet before I go to bed tonight. Some Christmas shopping starts on Monday.  I will get to hold my new great-grandson!  And another grandson is due about the time I return to HN. I have lived to see my children's children's children.  And not all of them have even started!!  God is so faithful, and his word cannot be broken. I'm so thankful for that.

So when I return to HN in Jan., I have to buy a car. Thank the Lord that Mario and his wife will be doing the looking, pricing, etc. I want to have an afternoon class for the parents that want to learn English at the school, and for that I need a car.  Will see how God moves in both of these things. He answered my prayer for buying a new sofa, so I know he will lead and guide in this area, too.

Also, I have been given another job by Mario; evaluate the teachers that teach English. Oh, wow! (Another reason to have a car). But the Lord will help me here. It was interesting when Becky and I went to San Pedro Sula for the graduations. At the William Smith school, two of the teachers were translating the speeches in English, since there were other Americans there that did not speak English. (They don't translate for me when I'm there :).  Anyway, one of the teachers said we need an American to come and help us with pronunciation. One that does not know any Spanish! I told her to please say that again! Truly, sometimes I mix  the English and Spanish. What a mess! And what a blessing that I met THE William Smith and his wife and party that was there. I always wondered who this man was that the school was named after. (I'm really trying to write without leaving a preposition at the end of the sentence. It's rather difficult to change old habits). He has a ministry that is worldwide. And do I remember the name?  No. I'll look it up later.

And it has been interesting to know that a few of our schools were started by the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. (I hope I spelled his name correctly). And of course, when Jimmy had his big trouble, money for the schools stopped coming. But thank God for the faithfulness of his people like Mario and his wife. They and those that helped them kept the schools open. God used Jimmy to help me when I first came into Pentecost. What a blessing he was to me,  and there is a special place in my heart for him. God forgives and forgets upon repentance. Too bad people don't.

I talked to my brother today, and I'm so excited that he is thinking about coming here to see me next year. I just want to shout hallelujah! We have such a fantastic relationship. I think it's so special because we didn't get to grow up together. And when we are on the phone, sometimes we just giggle. Crazy! I keep reminding him that money is being spent just for us to giggle together!  But he's worth every penny, or should I say dollar? I love him and thank God for him.

God says for us to to talk about the things that he does for us so people can see and know how good he is. But many times Christians don't talk about the things he is doing in their lives. Why is that? Are we ashamed, embarrassed, what? And maybe I'm guilty, too. But  I have learned that we can tell what he has done, because it is he that does the work. If others have a problem with our testifying, it truly is their problem. And why am I talking about this?   I have no clue. Maybe someone needs some encouragement here. Oh, well, I'm going to go get my suitcase out of the closet!!!!

Ps. 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good:for his mercy endureth for ever.

Many things have happened since my last post. A team from Coffeyville, Ks came the first week in November.  What a great team, and what a good time we had. They poured a ceiling/floor for another room at the school. They painted desks and played with the kids. It was very hot, as always, but God gave us a breeze on most days. Poured a floor. That doesn't sound too difficult until you realize that all the cement was mixed and carried upstairs by hand. The nationals are pros at this. Again the heat, work, food, and climate in general, took its toll on some of the guys. But they recovered nicely, thank the Lord. 

The construction of classrooms are a tremendous blessing, but when team members decide to sponsor a child,  that is a an added blessing because we know that the school will continue. And many from this team chose a child or two to sponsor. I praise God for them. The kids will continue to be taught the word of God, and they will receive an education, and with these, their lives will be changed.. 

A Seventh Day Adventist group came last Friday and used the school for a medical clinic. Over eighty families received some kind of help. I met some of the ladies. One was really surprised that there was no toilet paper in the bathrooms, and that she had to use a bucket of water to flush, and to throw the paper in the trash can and not the toilet. I went to find her some toilet paper and explained that she needed to carry some with her at all times. Some restaurants have it, and some don't, just like the school.  I'm so glad I grew up in an era where some people still had outside toilets!  Just think, the Israelites  had to carry a little shovel with them! 

So this Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. I definitely miss being home on that day. It is my favorite holiday. So Becky and I will go out to eat. Maybe an American restaurant here will have some mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, and pumpkin pie, but I won't hold my breath! But regardless of where we are on this most precious holiday in the states, we need to be thankful everyday for all God's blessings to us. I am so thankful for my Christian heritage and my family that is continually growing. Wow! 

I have been reading my Spanish Bible everyday. Some words I have to look up, but not too many. I started this week in Genesis. And it's amazing to see again the parallel between God the Father, Abraham, Isaac, and Jesus. Why some are told to only read the New Testament is a mystery to me. Without the Old, there wouldn't be a New. God is so good, and so real.

So today, I have to plan where to go with English for my classes next year. The kids have done so well with their conversation. One of the Seventh Day Adventist ladies  told me that one of my students came up to her,  introduced herself,  and began talking to her. She was very surprised with that and how well the student spoke English.  I praise God for that, and I know which student it was. God has blessed my soul, and has made me a very happy teacher.

So be blessed family, on this Thanksgiving Day.

Ps. 37:4...and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

Wow! What a day Becky, Maria, six 9th graders and I had on Thursday. We took the kids on a field trip to Tegucigalpa which is about 45 minutes away depending on traffic. Becky and I discussed places to go, and it was my bright idea to take them to the post office, San Felipe Hospital, the airport, and hopefully to go inside one of the passenger planes. My treat for lunch at Denny's.  Well, we couldn't go into a plane because we needed to have a letter written a month ahead to the airline company which of course we didn't know.  But now we do for the next time. But I wanted them to be able to see a plane take off and land so bad. So we decided to go to university museum instead. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. That isn't a scripture, but the principle is true. First we went to the hospital. The people in charge did not honor the information that was given to us originally. What's new?? However, a lady named Rebecca, (Becky and she got a long well !), took us to the maternity ward. We walked right in there with the mothers and their new babies! How precious! In our group of kids, we had one boy of 16 years. He was enthralled with the whole situation. He had his camera/video going full blast. It was totally awesome to watch these teens. Next we went to the post office. There they have a museum. There were things there that I had never seen. Very interesting. Again the kids were just soaking up everything. Then we went into the normal post office. You should have heard their exclamations of surprise and joy when Becky opened our box and mail was there. Well, guess what happened? I had a notice saying I had a package at the airport! Woohoo!!! I knew the package was from one of the ladies from ND that said she would send me multiple copies of beginner readers for my students. So off to the airport we went. We decided that Becky would park the van and pick up my package while I took the kids inside the airport. She said we had to leave there at a certain time in order to be on time for the rest of our journey. So I was keeping an eye on my watch. God is absolutely the best! They saw a small plane land, and two big passenger planes take off. Our fellow was thrilled. Again with the camera! Next to Denny's. Another adventure for them. Watching them trying to figure out what to order was very interesting.  Next we went to the university. So we saw stuffed animals, skeletons, babies that didn't make it, in jars, live crocodiles, snakes, and other such stuff. One of the girls asked me if the babies were real. She didn't think they could be. So Becky explained about natural abortions-miscarriages. And then we headed for home. We left the school at 8 and returned at 5. It was a full day. A joyful day. I couldn't stop praising the Lord. He had  answered so many prayers.

Now all this sounds a little boring for most folks, until you realize that these kids have never been to any of these places in their entire lives. Only two of them had been to downtown Tegucigalpa. To see the awe and joy on their faces is a picture I will never forget. One reason that I wanted them to visit the hospital is because they had never been to one even to visit someone. I found this out after I had written a short story about a boy being in the  hospital with a broken leg after being in an accident. Their assignment was to write a conversation between the boy and two friends that were visiting him. They had zilch! They were totally lost. I hope visiting the mothers and babies helped in this area! Will see. Let me give you a picture of the maternity ward. It is a long rectangular room with single, simple beds (not hospital beds) on each side. One half of the room was for mothers who had had caesarians and the other half for normal deliveries. There were no curtains between the beds. No such thing as privacy.  Compared to the U.S. some  things here are still quite primitive.

I'm still praising the Lord for that day. What an awesome God we have!

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

We are in the countdown for the school year's end. And we are all ready. It has been a difficult year for a lot of the teachers. New kids with a lot of discipline problems, need for at least 3 more teachers, etc. When a teacher has 42 students, it is very difficult to do the job well. There is not time to help those that are having troubles in the learning and behavior areas. It is so different here! But we have good teachers, and they do their best. Today we had a meeting between the director, me, Becky and the other two teachers from the elementary school and high school.  We met to discuss problems and solutions. We need to have behaviors and consequences written on paper to give to parents and students. Plus each of the teachers all need to be on the same page! We also will now have a calling tree. Woohoo!! So on Saturday, the 27th, they are coming to my house so we can do just that.  Becky and I are fixing lunch!

I had some really good news today. While in the meeting, the director said that one of the director's in a public school here has one of my former students, and he told her that this student speaks very good English compared to the students that are using the program "Hi Honduras." When this student was asked questions, he answered all of them correctly!!! I am so pleased. There are a lot of mistakes in this program.The national director has asked me to go through the books and mark down all the mistakes. He is going to take it to the district and talk to them about it. What a job!

I started this a few days ago! So now I must finish it. Today a group of four came to the school to check the Jr. High kids for Chagas disease. They prick the finger and take a blood sample. I went on line to check out this nasty insect that can cause big trouble when it bites a person. Hopefully, none of our kids will have the disease.  There is no cure, and the two medicines that are available are expensive and has many side effects.  This is the second insect that I have learned about here, and they are nasty critters. The first was the Bot fly. UGH!! 

So tomorrow is Friday! I have to give the devotional for the teachers. So we'll see how well my Spanish works!

I am  looking forward to December! Even though it will be cold, I need the time there. I praise God  that He is always with me.

Duet.28:2 And these blessing shall come on thee, and overtake thee...

Wow! What a week this has been. The students marched in the Independence Day parade on the 15th.  They did great. The parade started about 9, but we all had to be there at 7. We finished about 12. They marched, played their instruments,and twirled their batons the whole time. What a bunch of kids. I'm sure they were as happy as me not to have school this week.

After the parade, Becky and I headed for Tegucigalpa. After church on Sunday, we had lunch with Pastor Miguel, his wife, sons, Pastor Bill and his wife Maria Luisa. And then on Monday, the teachers came to Becky's for lunch to celebrate Teacher's Day. What a peaceful, restful time. That night we went to Pastor Bill's to celebrate his birthday. And what a surprise I got. Maria Luisa bought a small cake for me for  my birthday to take home! I wasn't expecting anything! I was there to celebrate with Pastor Bill who is only two days older than me! Surprise, surprise, surprise!

On Tuesday after a little shopping, Becky took me back to Valle. We had to stop at one of the nurseries to get her some plants for her little patio off her living room. Her green thumb is beginning to grow!!! So we had to go buy a few groceries after we reached Valle. I was looking forward to a week of no teaching, but who did we run into? One of my lady students, Elida. And of course I couldn't say no when she asked if we were having class the next day. But she is such a good student, and a friend, I might add. I have so much fun watching her read stories in English. How I wish my students were as enthused as she is. On to Thursday. My birthday!! Well my student cooked and brought me lunch!! What great food and fellowship! I received lots of b'day greetings. And my youngest son sent this little ditty. I didn't know he was a poet!!

Just a little note to say

That I hope this day went your way

Just another year behind

May the next years shine and shine.

Simply great!

And today the teachers gave me a small lamp that uses candles. I like those things a lot. And when I got home from school my former tutor brought me 2 dozen roses: red, pink, yellow, and white. They smell sooo good!  This birthday has lasted a long time. May God bless my family and friends. To be sure, they have blessed me with their messages, money from my Ladies in KM, gifts of all kinds, and most importantly, their love and friendship. Muchas gracias por todo and especialmente, gracias Jesucristo por todo!

And my scripture reference? This is my favorite chapter in Deuteronomy. Many years ago, one of my kids asked me if I ever wanted to quit or got tired of following the Lord. I replied that sometimes I felt like throwing the Bible in the closet and letting  it go especially when things were hard. BUT this chapter kept me because of verse 4. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body... That meant my kids. I wanted them to be blessed.  God has a way of keeping us, doesn't He?  Truly I am blessed with a large family, and it keeps growing bigger!  And God has blessed me in this foreign land. What an awesome God He is. Always faithful when we fall flat on our faces due to sin, etc. He's there to forgive, pick us up, and never to remind us of our failures. Truly His blessings have overtaken me.

Rom. 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance,

YEAH!!! I received my residency on Thursday the 6th of Sept. Wow! What a blessing this is. No more leaving every three months and living out of a suitcase for a week or so. And no more buying extra visa time. This is great news for me, not only for my wallet, but also for my frame of mind. I don't have to be concerned about my students not receiving English because I have to leave at a time that is not convenient. I am so grateful for this blessing.

Another thing happened this past week. The national director named me subdirectora (like vice principal) of the school where I teach. This is not a position that I ever sought or wanted. I remember when I went in for my interview to work for SCK-SEC in Kansas as a special education teacher, and the director of the co-op asked me what I wanted to be doing in five years, and I told him teaching. I had no desire to be a principal, administrator, superintendent, etc. I had no desire to climb up the ladder. I just wanted to teach. He looked at me a little funny, but that was ok, because he hired me. But I have learned a few things. God will do the moving, whether you feel like it or not. Our best interest and the glorifying of His name is always on His heart. And He will provide all that is needed to do what He has called us to do.

And don't argue with the Lord because we won't win. The last time I told Him that I couldn't do something, He asked what if His son had said that he couldn't go to the cross. Well, that melted me, and I did what I had to do. And I don't want Him to get angry at me like he did with Moses when Moses kept saying why he couldn't do what God said for him to do. Neither do I want to end up in a whale's belly!!  But I know for a fact that He is always with me and He will never leave me. So here it is, whatever it is! So I covet the prayers of my church family as I  remind myself that God put me here, and He knows exactly where my Spanish is. And it was interesting to see the confidence on Mario's face when he told me that I could do this. Whew! Makes me sweat!! But I know his confidence foremost is in the Lord, but I also know that he has confidence in me, too.  And if the Lord has called us to something, we can and will do all in His strength that He gives us. So, here I am. The Lord told me several weeks ago that a person can't teach what they don't know. So I know I'm here to teach others what He has taught me. The people here can quote scripture like you wouldn't believe. But many times they don't know how to apply it to their daily lives. I had to learn how to do that, and so do they. There's more to obedience than going to church, singing all the songs, memorizing scripture, etc. There's that personal walking, talking, believing, and doing every word that comes from the mouth of God, and as my former pastor said, we only do what we believe. And this is especially true at the school.  But God has a plan!!

So once again I'm reading about Moses. The Lord always opens new understanding to things we have read a hundred times.  Like when at the burning bush, Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God, but in chapter 33 he asked God to show him His glory! And God found a way to answer Moses' request even when Moses could not look upon God's face and live.  Our God is truly awesome, and the more we know Him, the more awesome He becomes. 

Rom.10:15 how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace...

Wow! It has been a while since I've posted. We have had two teams since my last post.. One from CA and the other from RI. The one from CA ministered at my school. What a blessing they were. They also preached at the church next to the school, and the Holy Spirit moved mightily. What a blessing.  Several were baptized in the Holy Spirit. The team from RI went to our school in Choluteca. The team did a VBS for the students. It was great! The weather was extremely hot just like San Pedro Sula, and everybody sweat buckets. The last couple of days that we were there, it rained in the afternoons. Those kids were so happy to see rain that they were out in it playing. Forget the shoes and uniforms, it was raining! One of the teachers said it had been a long while since it had rained there, and those kids were rejoicing!  Choluteca is kind of like the southwestern U.S. Hot and dry.

God's people are such a blessing to those that come to minister. They try to take care of any needs that we have or that they think we have. And all the team  loved the typical food that was served to them.  Good stuff!

So this last week, I returned to my normal schedule except it wasn't normal nor will it be for several weeks. We have entered the time for different holidays: The Day of the Child, Teacher's Day, and Independence Day. So three out of five mornings are spent practicing the drum band, and all the students marching in  the Independence Day parade in Valle the 15th of September. And I just found out that nine week exams are to be given for my students on Monday! There is no such thing as a school calendar. Sometimes you're just flying by the seat of your britches as my Dad use to say. I don't feel like my students  have received much these last few weeks. However, Eva helped me out this last time when I had to be gone for which I thank God and her, of course.

And one of the greatest blessings for us is when members of a team decide to sponsor a child or children as the case may be. When you see the children crying because a team is leaving, you cry, too. Relationships are formed regardless of the short time that is spent together. And when you see a boy cry, that really touches your heart. 

So I praise God for all that He does not only when teams come, but the things you know He is doing in hearts even when you cannot see it. Just as a seed starts growing beneath the soil before you ever see anything, so also the Word of God. To Him be the glory forever.

I taught my three high school grades to sing Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord last week. They have a Spanish version, so the tune wasn't hard for them. They will sing it at the all school devotional in a week or so. Their faces showed their pleasure in singing one of their songs in English. 

Four hours were spent this week with Elida. Me helping her with her English, and she helping me with my Spanish. I've decided it's a lifetime adventure! However, I'm better than I use to be. When I write, it's Spanish and English intermingled! And sometimes when I'm giving the students new vocabulary, I'm writing in Spanish instead of English. We just laugh! I'm sure they must be thinking "crazy gringa" sometimes. And that's not used in a derogatory way. And I heard this week that another lady wants me to teach her English. Will wait and see how the Lord moves.

Please pray that our kids will be taught the practical side of God's word. They can memorize and repeat scripture like you wouldn't believe, but knowing how to apply it sometimes is another story. Thanks for all your support in this.

Eccl. 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever... r

So many days have passed since my last post.  And many things have taken place since, of which I cannot remember all.  But two more teams have come and gone since then.  My students did their homework while I was in San Pedro Sula, and that made me happy.  Them, too!!   So I need to work backwards here.

This last week the colegio had a four day seminar here in Valle that was sponsored by a young lady from California. The first two days were about moral values: honesty, self-discipline, good citizenship, etc., and then sexually transmitted diseases.  All were excellent, and these students needed to hear it all.  I asked a couple of my students, who I knew would tell me the truth,  if they learned anything and if they liked the seminar, and both responded with a strong  "yes". I wish the same could be done and said for adults, especially parents.  You can't teach what you don't know, and many of our parents have not been taught and therefore they can't pass the knowledge on to their children.  Things that we take for granted have not been taught here for the most part.  Things like waiting your turn, throw trash in the trash can, cross streets at that corner if there is one,  get out of the way of oncoming cars, etc.  The last two days were for crafts.

The team that came to San Pedro Sula was from San Antonio, Texas.  About half of them were Spanish speakers.  What a team!  The helped build a classroom and also ministered to the kids when they weren't building.  They also ministered in the church services.  One young man witnessed to one young national in particular.  He stayed behind one afternoon to help build when the rest of us went to the banana plantation.  Well, the last night they were here, which was also a Sunday night, the young national brought his sons and his nephew to church.  Of course, he and the Lord had a talk, and now they have a walk!  That's what it's all about in the end.  Jesus cares!

It's interesting to watch teams when they come!  You can tell the ones that could not live on the mission field.  Then there are those whose hearts have been touched and want to return.  The ones who only want American restaurants and food, and the opposites who want typical food.  Those that are afraid of everything even when we tell them they don't need to fear, and those who aren't fearful.  Those who realize that the missionary is the head honcho, and those who don't.  What a difference in their attitudes! Those who came to minister and serve, and those who came to increase their number of mission trips, etc.  It's interesting to me who was never on a mission trip before the Lord called me here.   Am I judging their hearts?  Nope.  It's just things I've observed.  But I am amazed at times.  But all in God's plan and time.  

A funny thing happened with one of the ladies that came for the Missionettes.  She was Skyping with her husband when she came running into my house yelling that a man was coming in through the gates. She was so scared!  I tried to quiet her because it was Wil, the man that takes care of my place.  We all started laughing because it was funny, not that she thought so!  Finally, when she was calm, she realized who he was. Evidently she wasn't here when the others either met Wil or was told who he was.  She called her husband back to explain what had happened, and he had almost called another husband of one of the other ladies that was here.  Can you imagine the chaos that would have caused???  She did give me permission to tell the story.  But it was so funny.  Wil is not a big person at all, nor scary looking.  Are you kidding?  There were 13 women in this house!  But her fear was partly because she didn't realize that he used his keys to get in the gate, and she didn't know if he had a gun.  What a time we had with that incident.  When I told Wil about it, he laughed, but then said how dangerous it can be in Tegucigalpa, but not here.  So he understood her fear.  He's such a blessing.

I am so thankful for the life that God has given me here.  Yes, I miss my kids and theirs, a lot.  My home church and my friends.  But when you are where God wants you to be, there is nothing like it, even in the loneliness that comes from being away from those that mean the most to you.  But the One is never away.  He fills that place with himself and with others that he puts in your path.  So for the last two months, He has put Gabrielle here.  What a girl!  I will miss her when she leaves this coming Tuesday.  I thank Him that He found me worthy enough for her to live with for two months.  She did learn that she could cook chicken by boiling it, and that macaroni and cheese could be made on top of the stove instead of the oven!  What fun!

So what has God been doing! Everything!  He is always  doing something even when we can't see it. You can't plant a seed today and reap a crop tomorrow.  He is so awesome and has such a sense of humor.  I praise Him for loving me and taking care of me. He knows exactly what is needed and when, and He is never late.  I praise Him for lifting my sad heart.  In the last couple of weeks, two friends have died, and another is on her deathbed.  I know all are appointed unto death once and then the judgement, but I will miss not seeing them again or hearing about them.  I pray the Lord comfort their loved ones, and I know He will.

There's nothing like getting a message from a program that has worked for four years saying that it is no longer supported by the previous program. Whatever!! Amazing how we trust something that is so unstable. The internet, cell phones, etc. Oh well, that's life in the 20's.

And it's amazing how time seems to fly! It seems I just posted and here it's been almost a month. And about that long ago, Becky, Gabrielle, and I was in a bank in Tegucigalpa getting a check cashed when this lady walked by and started speaking in Spanish. I had no clue to what she said. Several minutes later, she was in my face telling me how bad my country was, that I should leave Honduras, and that they were poor and broke. And then she proceeded to tell me that we were the biggest killers in the world. I just sat and listened and never said a word. What an experience! After she left, a lot of thoughts went through my mind. It's interesting how much she hates Americans, but spoke perfect English! I just hope she got everything off her chest. I sent a prayer up for her. Poor thing!

This Friday we leave for San Pedro Sula to be with a team that is coming. Again no English for my students, however, I'm leaving plenty of work for them to do. Will wait and see if it gets done.