GETTING RE-ACQUAINTED

I was waiting to have something exciting to tell you, but life here so far has been a little dull. We got together with one key couple Wednesday night for dinner. As most of our friends here, they are not yet believers. We talked about some couples from the group who have moved away, and they suggested that they could invite some new people. We agreed, of course.

Last night we visited the friends whose house we use for the meetings. They greeted us warmly and visited for a while.They informed us that they already had a place for our Valentine´s Day dinner. It is a pizza and sandwich restaurant right on the beach. Our friend said we could go see it today during his lunch hour. So, we picked him up today at work and we went to see the restaurant. It is a very popular spot here for tourists and surfers as it is right on the beach. They have added an upper terrace since we were there last. We are acquainted with the owner, who is European. Our friend had already talked to him, but he sat and talked to us. He asked us right away if this was a religious meeting. We were taken by surprised by the question because our meetings are not religious although we talk about God. Later our friend said that he had told him that we would not be having any alcoholic beverages. Any way, the owner said then that we must be a charitable organization, and we agreed. He let us used the space without charge and agreed on a top price per person. We won´t be paying any taxes, either. We had a delicious lunch right on the beach, by the way. While having lunch, our friend got a call from his wife. Their three-year-old boy was running a fever; so, we went to his house, picked up the sick boy, who talks non-stop even when sick, and took him to the clinic right in our compound, and then home again. He has problem with his tonsils. Anyway, he wasn't acting that sick that I could tell.

Yesterday morning we went for our first walk on the beach. We met another one of our friends who works at the beach club. The first words out of her mouth were: "Oh, my gosh, you guys are sooo white!" I thought it was funny and the fact that she treated us as real friends because she felt safe to say that was very important. We are having dinner with her and her live-in fiancé tonight. They have gone through a lot of family problems and really want to talk to us.

Tomorrow is our first get-together with the couples. We have to figure out what we are going to serve because all three pizza restaurants in town are closed. We are going to research take out chicken, local style. We will do this tonight as we go out with our friends. It is always good to take locals when you are asking about prices. 

We have also called  the pastor and another family to let them know that we are back. The pastor wanted John to preach this Sunday, but John said that the following Sunday would be better for him. He needs time to acclimate before preaching.

Now you are up to date. As I said, things have been a little dull, PTL!

Until next time...from the beach...