Friends

We are getting reacquainted with our local friends. Monday evening we were invited to have dinner at the house of one of the managers here. People who work in administration live in a compound just outside the main gate. They have houses and apartments available at a low rent. They are very nice, with all the amenities that we enjoy here, definitively above the local construction standards. This couple met here, but they are both from different parts of the country. We have known both of them since we bought our condo, while they were still single. They have three daughters, the two younger ones are two-year-old twins, but they also have adopted a nephew whose mother has drug problems and was not taking care of the boy. Anyway, we were invited because they had friends from Boston visiting, but when we arrived, we also found two girls from church there, one works as a nanny for the twins and the other is a good friend. All total, there were 14 people there for dinner, which was delicious. It consisted of salad, fresh lobsters, mixed vegetables, rice and beans (of course), garlic bread, and cheese cake for dessert. Our hostess is a gourmet cook and everything was delicious! Here is a picture of the twins:

They don't stay still long enough for a good picture.

These people are very nice, hard working people with excellent values and good goals for life, but they don't know the Lord. Please pray for Luis and Margot.

Tuesday night we invited another friend from the administration team to come over for dinner. I call her "Cousin" because her last name is the same as my mother's maiden name. She is an accountant and lives in the same compound as the other family, but in an apartment because she is single. I have witnessed to her for six years now. She even started to attend a good Bible-teaching church in the capital, but she is back in the Catholic church.We try to have dinner with her at least once every trip. Since I was cooking this time, the meal was simple and within our diet. She talked a lot about the possible sale of this place and her spiritual journey. I inserted what the Bible says every time I could, as part of the conversation. We had a very nice visit also.

Yesterday we met the pastor and his wife for lunch at our favorite restaurant.  It was his birthday, so we bought a small cake and brought it with us. Restaurants here don't usually have cakes. We had a two hour lunch! They had a lot to share with us about their personal struggles and problems with the congregation. Please pray for their marriage and wisdom to shepherd the flock. There is an American couple who is in the construction business and who has taken interest in the building of the church; therefore, they have donated the materials to build the church, and the church is paying the workers. We still have not gone to see the building because John was sick last week. There is also the matter of the loan. The pastor is worried that the people are not being consistent with their faith-promises. Please pray for maturity for the young congregation. They are all recent converts. They are also poor and struggle to find steady jobs. At the end of the meal, the waitress brought the cake, a candle and matches. The pastor was delighted! Both he and his wife had two helpings of the cake. They, of course, took the rest home, as they have grandchildren to share it with.

Tonight I get to teach a Bible study at church. We are going to talk about Joshua 3, crossing the Jordan. Pray that the Holy Spirit will touch their hearts.

We still have not been to the beach. John is feeling better, so we have started our morning walks, but the tide is high now to walk on the beach. The next low morning time begins on Sunday, and that is why we are going to have baptisms. I will be sure to take a lot of pictures. (Bob and Penny, we are walking there on the beach, not going through that swamp again!)

We are probably going to get together with American friends on Friday, and have the next couples' Bible study Saturday night. Please pray for these couples. I just feel that our time here is short! I feel an urgency to see them all saved!

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