Beverly says,                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                      07/2014

Hello from Honduras

What a glorious God that we serve! He is always involved in everything that touches our lives. Even when we don’t understand what is happening, we know that He does, and He has all in his hands.  He has a plan, and it will be accomplished in His time. 

Some of you know the struggle that I was having at the end of last year and the beginning of this year in attending the church that I have gone to here in Valle since my arrival here in 2009.  To make a long story short, God has placed me in another that also believes in the baptism in the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking in tongues and with other signs following. Hallelujah!  I have peace and fellowship that was not present in the other church.  I praise God for this change.  Sometimes we are very reluctant to change from the status quo.  However, God is always on the move, and sometimes that requires us to move too.

I didn’t have to go to the school this week since it is the Week of the Student.  We were supposed to have this week off in June. Wouldn’t you know it?  Two days after buying my tickets the government said the free week would be in July!  I went to IL anyway with the Director’s blessing.  I understand the people here having no hope sometimes.  When you are told something by the government, you make plans for that time, and then the government changes everything at the last minute. It can be very frustrating and disappointing at the same time.  I’m so glad that God isn’t like that.  When He says something, you can stake your life on it.

English classes are going well in the school and here at home.  The father of two of my students here at the house stopped me on the street outside my house yesterday to introduce himself again and to thank me for giving classes to his daughters.  They like their classes. Yay! Thank you, Jesus. The high school kids have learned the song “God is Good”, so the sixth grade teacher liked it and asked me to teach them the song also.  Boy, I am not a singer, but the Lord does make up the difference!  So when Americans come,  the kids usually sing the English songs for them. I’m so proud of them! Speaking of Americans, a group came from LSU a while back and ministered to the kids in skits, playing games with them, and having an overnighter at the school with a bonfire.  When it came time to pray for salvation and other needs, I never saw these respond to a group like they did this one.  And most of their requests were for family members to know Christ.  It was totally awesome.

Thank you so much for your financial and spiritual support.  I appreciate it so much.  I pray God bless you in your faithfulness. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             In His service,                                                                   

Beverly

AGWM Acct#2946234

    

Ps. 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me , and Israel had walked in my ways!

Well, I think I'm becoming kind of political in my older age! I watch the news and see what is happening in the "home of the brave and the land of the free", and it just kind of makes me sick! Matthew Henry said that if we don't serve God, we will serve our enemies.  I believe we are seriously getting there. This country that has served as a beacon to the world is slowly dimming. How sad for a nation that was built upon Godly principles.  I guess the important word here is "was".  God told the nation of Israel in Duet. 8 that when He brought them into a good land,  built goodly houses, and their gold multiplied that they not forget Him.  And verse 17-20 reminds us that it was God who gave us our wealth and freedom, etc. God is no respecter of persons or nations.  He punished Israel for her departure from Him, and I don't believe the USA is any better.  Jesus said to whom much is given much is required. We as a country have been given much.  What is happening to us? And where are we headed?

So I was able to go to IL for a week in June.  What a wonderful time I had with my daughter and my brother. And I was able to do some shopping and to get a decent haircut! Yay! Of course, two days after I bought my ticket the government said that the school didn't get that week off. Well, I went home with the director's blessing since none of this was my fault. But I did feel bad, but not bad enough to change my plans. And if the truth be known, I needed the break.

This week there is a group here from CA to minister to the kids at school and to paint some of the classrooms. Yay! Both are needed and appreciated. My students were using their English which made me very proud of them.  My work and their is showing!

So much of me in the last month has not wanted to write! And it's true for today also. So later!

II Chron. 20:15...for the battle is not yours,but God's.

Here we are in the middle of May. Wow!  The year is almost half over.  Amazing how time seems to fly.  So we had a week off in April for Semana Santa. I stayed home and enjoyed it immensely.  I washed windows and curtains, etc.  I made sure I went to town just about everyday to keep from becoming a hermit which I could do with no trouble.

Mother's Day has come and gone.  I talked to my children in the states by Skype or email, etc.  Thanks kids!!!!  I do miss seeing you on this particular day.  And some of my students here also blessed me. One brought me lunch, another brought me a really nice Dumb Cane plant, and tonight my one class of four students, with one adult, is taking me to the pizza place here in town.  And I can't forget Will. He knocked on my door early morning on Mother's Day to tell me happy MD and then gave me two yellow roses from the yard here. And of course he had a big bouquet for his wife. I thank the Lord for him and his family always.  We had our normal Mother's Day celebration at school.  It was good. 

So I just returned from having pizza with my class.  What fun we had speaking in English and Spanish.  My adult student who is a teacher in the public school here kept reminding the girls to use English.  The girls presented me with a coffee mug filled with goodies, and my adult student gave me a top with a picture on the front representing Valle.  What a great surprise! As we were talking about this and that, the subject of my age came up.  And when I told them that I would be 70 in September, they looked a little shocked.  So I asked them how old they thought I was, and they all in unison said 55!  I wanted to kiss them all!  So that's twice in the last two weeks that I've been told 55. Interesting.  God has blessed me with good health and friends in this new land called home.  He always gives blessings for faith in his word and obedience.  When he says go, you go. When he says do, you do, yes?  We learn those things in the process of learning who our God really is. That doesn't mean that we don't stumble and fall at times.  But he is there to pick us up, and we learn from those times.

So what is happening here?  Well, supposedly there is a new public school opening near us. The government has promised to pay parents if they will send their kids there. Interesting.  Teachers were a little concerned, but like I told our director, God knew about this long before she did. And He has a plan regardless of what does or does not happen with the other school.  We need to watch and see how he works. Isn't our Lord the best?  Nothing happens or is planned without His knowledge, and that's knowledge to rest in.  We will continue to do what God has called us to do.  Some things have been said against us by the person who has authority over the opening of the school, but the battle is the Lord's, and whoever fights against us when we aren't even fighting is really fighting against the Lord, and we all know who wins that battle.  So God's will be done.

A team of young people from LSU will be here next week to minister to the kids at our schools here in Macuelizo and Tegucigalpa.  That will be a busy week.

So I do believe that the rainy season has started.  It has rained some every night this past week.  That also means some cooler weather especially at night. Yeehaw!!  Valle has such good sleeping weather all year round.  I love it.

So now it's time to get busy.  Be blessed.

Well, I just remembered something that happened last week, and I have to record it before I forget it again. I have found that when you are living in a foreign country, you can miss the goofiest things sometimes, like cherry pie, the Olive Garden, etc. Well, one day this past week after we boarded the van to come home, I had the strongest desire come over me. I wanted so badly to walk down my lane,  open my mailbox, and reach in and pull out a letter or even a flyer!  I didn't care as long as it was real handable(is that a word?) paper something. I just wanted a real paper letter. Yes, I know I can print an email.  Sorry, it's just not the same.

Newsletter

Hello from Honduras                                                                                    03/2014                                                                               

Dear Friends                                                                                                                          

I hope this finds you all walking in the blessings of our Lord! And speaking of His blessings, seven of our students accepted Jesus as their Savior yesterday during our devotional time at school. The moving of the Holy Spirit is an awesome thing to behold. As they were asking Jesus to come into their lives, I saw some of the seventh and eighth graders praying and wiping tears from their own eyes.  And I was especially blessesd when I saw the boys doing so.  So many times the teachers work and pray and see nothing for all their labor, and then it happens. Fruit is born.  We sometimes forget that seeds are growing under the soil before we ever see a little seedling. God is so good not wanting any to perish. He has a plan for each of these students, and my prayer is that I fulfill my part in their lives.

The English classes are going well.  The kindergarten teacher is teaching English to the second graders fulfilling  part of her university requirement to become a certified teacher. This is so great. She had them when they were in kindergarten and they remember some of the things she taught them at that time. They want to learn English, and they asked their regular teacher to learn with them. And she is. PTL! I really do see this school as a bilingual school in the future. What a blessing for this area that is looked down upon by many of its neighbors. But isn’t that just like our Lord to lift up the poor and downtrodden?

Besides teaching at the school in the mornings, I now have six coming to my house in the evening or late afternoon. There are three adults and four girls.  One of the adults is a teacher here in Valle at the public school. Most of them know English words and phrases, but cannot carry on a simple conversation. They make my day because  they are so eager to learn. I also had a chance to teach some literature classes in one of our schools in San Pedro Sula when a team from McPherson, Ks came at the beginning of the school year to help build two school rooms. (They didi an excellent job)! The school is bilingual so it was an easy teach for me.  Even though the students read every word correctly, they did not understand all that they read, so it was a blessing that I was able to explain those things. When it was time to leave, they asked me to come there and teach, even to the point that the they asked Mario, the National Director of LACC in Honduras, to send me there. He didn’t because that’s not where I’m súpose to be!! But it’s a great feeling to know that you’re wanted!! Also one of the teachers told me that they need North Americans to come and help them learn the correct pronunciation of English words. Do you hear the call?

The biggest prayer right now for the school is to have more qualified teachers and the money to pay them. Our kinder class has 60 plus students, and  our principal is now helping our one teacher. Our first grade has 50  students and one teacher.  The fifth grade has 34 with one teacher. We need more sponsors for our students because part of that money helps pay our teachers. Several of them come from Tegucigalpa on the bus everyday. It is a need not a want. Once again a BIG thank you to all of you that support me both prayerfully and financially. May God continue to bless you for your faithfulness.  

In His service,

Beverly                                                                                            beverly.blumer@gmail.com                                                           

                                                                                                           beverlyblumer.blogspot.com

  acct# 2946234

                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                     

Ps.15:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

One more week and then a week's vacation.  Yeah!!! This coming week I will be giving the 9 week tests. The 7th-9th grades will be oral. The 5th and 6th graders will be matching English and Spanish vocabulary. The week after Santa Semana will be for recuperation. Those that didn't pass their tests will have to take them again. 

I have experienced two firsts in the last two weeks. Last week I went to my first Honduran baby shower. It was a lot of fun, and they basically do the same things that we do in the states. However, there were some fathers there, and they had to participate in some fun activities just for them. It was hilarious to watch them. And yesterday I went to one of my student's celebration of her 15th birthday. That birthday is a big deal for the girls here. They are not adults, but at the same time, they are not considered little girls either. It took place at the church. The pastor gave a small message encouraging the young people there to keep Christ first place in their lives, parents next, and then the church. There was a time of praise and worship. I was able to meet her parents which was a blessing. And then, shock of all shocks, one of my former students came and gave me a hug, and then said that she was his sister. Are you kidding? No, he wasn't! What a difference, and I'm sure he told me that his father was a cop when he was in my class.  Well, that wasn't true! Oh, well.

The church that I now attend has a new place to meet, and it's right around the corner from where I live. I was praying that it wouldn't be far from the village, but I didn't know that the Lord was going to put it so close. Bless his name!

I started this a couple of days ago, so I guess I'd better finish it. I always try to call my brother very four to six weeks since he doesn't have or want a computer. We giggle all the time, over dumb stuff, but that's what brothers and sisters do, yes? Anyway, as we started talking he proceeded to tell me that he was going next week to pay his funeral bill. Oh, boy, another funeral conversation! In the past month, our family has lost three people that was fairly close to some of us. And that brought up the subject with my youngest son and his wife about what will happen to dear ole mom if something should happen to her in HN. And then my youngest daughter told me about a dream she had of me and my coffin! It seems that she was somewhere with it, and she couldn't keep track of it. It just kind of disappeared from her possession at times. And she said it was one of those dreams where everything was all messed up and confusing. I still laugh because I can see this picture clearly. It wasn't funny to her at the time of the dream, but really, a runaway coffin? That would be me, no? Not really. My personal belief is that the Lord gets us prepared for that event. There are so many in the Bible that knew they were going to die.  And it's interesting to note that when I worked in the medical field, they always went in three's. Eva says in sixes or sevens here!!! Oh, well, I've had no "premonitions" or anything else in that category, so kids, be at peace. Now those are interesting words, huh?

So all the tests that I left to give are to my 5th and 6th graders. And then on to free time for a week. Although Eva has asked me to help her with her homework for the university, but that won't be everyday.

It is so dry and smokey here. We need a rain, but the dry season is here for a couple more months. It's smokey because the farmers are burning their land getting ready to plant the next crop. But it sure plays a number on the breathing! And it's HOT! Finally.

I had a couple more people ask me to teach them English. I had to decline. I was sick a couple of days last week and just bone tired. The Lord let me know that I was not to take on more students. And then a couple of people basically said the exact same things to me that didn't know what the other had said or what the Lord showed me. I praise Him for taking care of me, and that He will confirm His word to us. I also have a better understanding of how people can let their ministry take over their lives to the point of losing focus of everything else including their families. Not a good road to go down.

It's my turn with one of the other teachers to do the devotional on Friday for the teachers. So I need to
ask my Father what His will is for that time, and that He will open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, and our hearts and minds to understand, and then to do whatever it is that we need to do to serve Him.

Pro.3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Here we are in the middle of March. I can't believe that one month of school has already passed.  Many things have happened since returning in January.

A team from McPherson KS came the last of February for ten days and left the first week of March.  We went to San Pedro Sula in the North, and it was very HOT! The team helped put up walls for two more classrooms. PTL.  I did get to teach a literature class three times while we were there, and I loved that. The school is bilingual, so it was easy for me. The students know a lot of English, but had some difficulty understanding the story.  So I was glad I could help them understand. Before I left, the teachers and students were asking me to come there to teach. And then when Mario came, they asked him to tell me to come there to teach! Funny!  And even explaining that the heat for me would be very difficult, they said that I would have an air-conditioned classroom and an apartment! Bless their hearts. However, after a few days, the air conditioning bothers me, too. For me to be somewhere else, the Lord would have to do some changing of the ole bod. And of course He could do that if I was suppose to be somewhere else. But I know where I'm supposed to be. Thank you Lord. And the one teacher who gave me her class said they need Americans to come and help them with the correct pronunciation of words. My prayer is for retired people to come and help us. They would be self supporting and would be able to stay for prolonged times. I appreciate people that give two or three months of their time, but it doesn't help much in teaching language when there is no one to take their place when they leave.

And great news!! My friend Chepe is alive! He wasn't the one killed in October.  Becky saw him a few weeks ago. I feel for the family of the man that was killed, but at the same time, glad for Chepe and his family.

God laid it on my heart to give money for a roof over the cancha ( like a court for tennis, basketball, etc.) area. This area will be used for graduation and other events. It will also help protect the bathrooms from being flooded when it rains. So I thank all of you  that supported me last year because your dollars also went into this project. 

English classes are going well at the school, and I now have two more adult students coming to my house. One of them teaches at the public high school here in town. And one of my former students at the school is coming to the school for more English. He comes at times when I don't have a class. He came to my house last Sunday when I was getting ready to leave for church. "Beverly, I want to learn more English." When I asked him why, he said that he wanted to work at the embassy. I'm so glad that he has a goal to work towards even if he doesn't end up at the embassy. There are jobs here that require English.  So...

An interesting thing occurred last night. I was watching TV when I heard the most awful sound. It sounded like someone was trying to break down my door. I opened it because I knew there was no one else here. Oh, my!  Brownie, the German Shepherd, was foaming at the mouth big time, lying on her side, and her legs were paralyzed. She couldn't straighten  them out. I started praying immediately. I called Will soon after. She was able to move by the time he arrived. He asked if I had any milk. We gave her what I had, and he went to the corner pulperia to buy more. Evidently she had grabbed this big brown toad that is extremely poisonous. The milk took care of the poison in her after a little bit of time. Evidently she had a seizure and the noise I had heard was her body banging against my door. I am so thankful for Will!  I wish I knew all that he knows about plants and animals. He took one look at there and knew instantly what the problem was and what to do. Thank you, Lord for answering my prayer and for Will being the fellow that he is.

A few months ago, before I went home in December, I went through a strange and trying time. I would get up on Sunday mornings and would not want to go to church. Sometimes, I would get dressed to go,  and at the last minute, wouldn't go. My spirit was saying no, but my mind and everything that I believed was saying yes. I would feel guilty on the days that I didn't go. I prayed about it all the time, but the feeling wouldn't leave. Finally, when I came back in December, I decided that I was going regardless of the feeling. Well, I went, but it was not a joyous time. I still was feeling guilty and not really wanting to go and still praying. Anybody that knows me knows that I like to go to church and worship, etc.  One morning while I waited for the school van, one of the ministers from the church was doing his morning walk, and he stopped to talk to me. He invited me to join him and others to worship Sunday morning in another place.  So I went and have been going ever since. God by His Holy Spirit leads and guides his children, but I didn't understand what was going on, and He didn't tell me. But I knew something was wrong, and decided the problem was me.  But the problem wasn't me. It was something else, and He wanted me to move on.  Last Sunday during the service, I was thinking about how people react when some leave a church and start another. They are accused of following the devil, trying to disrupt and destroy the church, etc., etc. But as I was thinking these things, the Lord let me see that this is not always the case. Sometimes He leads others out to build another gathering place for other people to hear His word.  So I give Him praise for helping me through this and for giving me understanding. Also, for putting me in a place where I can worship Him in the Spirit and in truth. My Lord and my God, how great you truly are.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...from hymn

BRRRRRRRRRR!! It has been on the very chilly here since coming home last Tuesday afternoon.  Wednesday night the wind blew really strong all night.  I'm so thankful that the house that I live in is well built.  Otherwise, I may not have had a roof Thursday morning!  Fifty plus degrees and the low sixties are really cold here. I see you all laughing, but being 4500 plus feet above altitude is a little different than sea level. 60 degrees should feel a little warmer, I think! Friday appeared to be a little warmer than Thursday, but it was cloudy, wind blowing, and a lot cooler :( ! I keep hoping it will become a little warmer.  Speaking of weather, an interesting conversation took place last Thursday when I went to put more minutes on my cell phone. The fellow that I purchase them from has citizenship in the US, but he is from HN.  He said the reason it was so cold here was because of the weather in the states, and that God was wanting the people in the states on their knees praying. I replied that the Lord also wanted the same for the people in HN.  He told me that 70% of Hondurans believed in God, implying that most of the people in the US did not. I came back with the statement that even the devils believe in God, and it's not what you know (believe) but what you do with what you know.  He did not know what to say, but I pray he will think about what I said.  (The scriptures that I referred to is James 1:22 and James 2:19).  I have known him since I first came to HN in 2009. He lived close to the place where I used to catch the bus to school, and when he saw  that  I was an American, he began talking to me in English. He is married and he sends his two little girls to a bilingual school here in Valle.  It's interesting to me that the US is to blame for the world's ills.

I think this past time in the US was probably the best that I have had since leaving in 2009.  I was able to see all my kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. What a  blessing!  And one of those grandkids was born after I returned here last year. What a sweet bundle of joy! He always had a smile and was softer than Charmin!!  And his daddy, mommy, and sisters drove from OK to IL to see me.  Wow,  was I surprised to see them.  I had good visits with all my family and my friends.  And it was especially nice to spend a whole afternoon with Barbara whose husband passed away this past year.  He gave me a word of wisdom before I left for HN the first time.  I didn't understand it at the time because I was in the honeymoon stage.  But since I'm in the "marriage" state, I understand it completely.  I thank the Lord for Leroy and the word that he gave me.  I remembered it several times last year!

So now it is Monday, and I'm starting to work on plans for the coming year.  Decisions, decisions. School starts for teachers in 2 weeks and the kids the following 2 weeks.  I will be ready with God's help.  The two sisters that come to my house will now be going to school in the afternoons, so if all goes well, they will have lessons with me at 5:30 after their regular classes.  And Elida will be here most other evenings for English and to help me with my Spanish.  So begins my new year in HN.

And it appears that I have been invaded by fleas!!! I have killed more fleas in the last two days, and I also sprayed.  So I hope that will take care of them.  I think that I would rather have cockroaches if I had to have anything.  At least they are bigger and they don't bite you.

So now I must get busy.  Once again I thank all of you for your prayers and financial  blessings.  

Beverly Sends Greetings This Holiday Season

Truly this is the season to be thankful, not only for Thanksgiving Day, but also to remember that Jesus Christ was born in order to save us (the World) from our sins. Christmas is a time to truly remember the reason for the season. Let us give Him thanks always for his mercy and grace.
And now I’m in the states for a short time and hoping that the new snow only lasts for a little while! Brrrr!! I know everyone wants a white Christmas, and it is gorgeous, but I am no longer acclimated to what comes with the snow! The COLD!!!! But this too shall pass! I hope.
Funny things happen when I’m here! Like looking for the waste paper can when going to the bathroom and not finding one, and then I realize where the paper goes. Oops! And when my son and I were at the mall, we went to one of those coffee stands, and I told the fellow what kind of coffee I wanted. When asked if I wanted half and half, I responded with a no by explaining I wanted more coffee then milk!!! The fellow waiting on me looked at me really strange. As did my son. Then I saw his carton of Half & Half. Another oops! In Honduras they give you half a cup of coffee and then finish filling your cup with hot milk. So I always tell them that I want more coffee and a little milk. They look at me strange, too, but they give me what I want. So all works out well. So I need to think the American way?!
2013 was a very busy year. We had many teams that came to minister to the students, the national ministers, and others. It’s always a blessing to meet new brothers and sisters and to renew old friendships.
And what’s happening with the English classes? Well, we are continually learning more and more. There are those that could care less, and then there are those that truly want to learn English, just like students in the states. But God never wastes time nor talent. He has a plan for each of their lives, and He has a reason for them to learn English. It’s really been fun teaching them the Christian songs that they already know in Spanish, such as Father Abraham, Open the Eyes of My Heart, If You’re Happy and You Know It, and Joy to the World. The seventh graders really enjoy singing. I hope they don’t change.
I have two girls that are sisters that come to my house twice a week to learn English. They are an absolute joy to teach! And they are so funny! It seems that when I’m tired and would rather not do anything, God uses them to liven me up. What a blessing they are. I still have Elida, an older lady, who also comes twice a week for lessons. She is so faithful, and she always helps me with my Spanish. God truly does supply all our needs.
I want to thank those of you that support me prayerfully and financially. You truly are a blessing to me from our Father.
I wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a happy, properous New Year.
God bless you all, Beverly
Visit my blog at beverlyblumer.blogspot.com 

John 14:9...he that hath seen me has seen me has seen the Father...

Yeah!! Final exams are finished.  I'm tired. The kids are tired. Everybody is ready for the school year to end. That's normal. And it will be just as normal to be excited when the new school year begins in February. However, I have already started working on next year's classes. This coming Tuesday and Wednesday, Becky, me, the director, and two teachers are taking the 5 ninth graders to Pulapanzak Waterfall and to Omoa where there is an old fort which I still have to read about! But it will be a fun time. 

So it has been a busy time the last couple of months. Penny and Steve, daughter and her hubby, came for ten days in September during my week off. What a great time we had. We went to Amapala one day so they were able to swim in the Pacific Ocean and enjoy the black sand that I like so very much. And to ride in a boat taxi from the mainland to the island.  We didn't climb any mountains!!!! They rented a car at the airport, and Steve drove everywhere. He did a great job. His video game, whatever it is called, helped him drive here, he said. Haha! They really do drive crazy here. Even though there are rules of the road, they aren't adhered to much at all.  On the way back from Amapala, Penny said she knew the reason that the U.S. was in so much trouble.  Really?  Well, yes, God was in Honduras protecting everybody that was on the road.  It was funny! But you had to be there to really enjoy the humor. It was such a great week. We didn't do much except enjoy the peace and quiet in Valle and each other's company.  However, Steve enjoyed watching the rain come over the mountain towards us. And it is beautiful. But then it is beautiful where I live. So we shopped a lot, ate a lot, visited a lot, and watched movies they hadn't seen before. They also watched our Independence Day parade on Sept. 15. Our kids do so well, considering they learn everything in August and September. It was just a good time. I hated to see them go. But I have a promise that they will return. Yeah!

And speaking of the parade. Our school did it again in the 28th. It was another holiday for delivering documents to whoever, whenever. Honduras has so many holidays. Some we work, and some we don't.

So my favorite holiday is just around the corner. Thanksgiving.  And I do miss cooking the dinner and having my kids and their kids at my house. And playing hide-n-seek after dark.  This year I'll be in El Salvador with the missionary family. Family, yes, but not the same. Sorry guys.

It's amazing that another school year has come and gone. Today, I just feel free. No plans to make for tomorrow or the next week, etc. Teaching is a 24/7 job.  It's always in the back of your mind even when you aren't in class. Well, I guess I should qualify that and say it's that way for me.  I do have my students here at the house, and they are just the best. But their classes are coming to an end in the next three or four of weeks until next January.  I will miss them.

What is God doing?  Everything.  I have been thinking about that a lot lately.  We can't always see what he is doing, and that is a problem for a lot of people.  But you don't plant a seed today and reap the fruit tomorrow. When we pray about something and know that he hears us, the answer will come in his time and not ours. Sometimes we see and know something is bad and nothing seemingly is being done.  But God has a time when he will bring the bad to light and then it will definitely be taken care of.  And here I'm speaking about powerful men that seem to get away with evil.  But they really aren't getting away with anything.  God in his mercy always sends warnings before judgment comes.  I am so thankful that he is a merciful God.  Jesus told the disciples that when they saw him, they saw the Father.  We all love Jesus, but do we "see" our Father through the actions of Jesus?  Do we really think about the Father when we pray "Our father in heaven"?  Jesus only did and said what he saw his father do.  Just some food for thought.

Ps.116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Today I learned of another friend being killed in El Progresso.  The first was a few months ago when I was in the states. His name was Raul. He was married and had two children. Today I learned that Chepe was killed last night. He leaves behind a toddler and an expectant wife.  These two guys were my best friends. They were the ones who taught me how to sift the sand for making cement. And if one of the workers that didn't know me would come to take "my" job, Raul and Chepe would always tell them to leave me alone because I knew what I was doing. Of course I did, because they taught me.

Raul was shot while leaving his house one morning. Chepe was killed while guarding the high school.

My heart and prayers go out to their wives and children. I talked to Chepe a couple of weeks ago when Becky and I went to El Progresso to deliver Christmas gifts to the kids that have sponsors. He was so happy about the new baby coming. And we were always glad to see one another. We talked about missing Raul. Who knew that in a couple of weeks, Chepe would be gone too?  Only my Father in heaven. I just don't normally ask God why something happens, but this time... The scripture that comforts me is Isa. 57:1. 

And I know that nothing can happen to a child of God without his express permission.  God has a plan, and it's a good one even when things don't appear to be so good. I thank God that he allowed me to have these two men and their families for friends.  They were the best! And one day, I will see them again.