Morning Walks

Hello, dear friends! We arrived safely and started getting together with friends right away. The first couples' meeting was on Saturday. We were a little disappointed because only four couples came, but it was a great meeting. The smaller group made it easier for people to share what was on their hearts. One particular couple, Fabian and Alejandra are having in-law issues. They are not married and do not know the Lord. We actually had a group therapy session, but they need to resolve a lot of issues. They do not live in town any longer, but come to the meetings whenever they can. They have visited a new Calvary Chapel church where they lived and liked it. They said that they "talk like" us. Pray that the Lord will touch their hearts. Sunday we went to both churches to re-acquaint ourselves with everybody. The second, bigger church across the creek is doing very well.  Our little congregation is struggling and not growing.  We visited two families on Sunday afternoon and went out to dinner last night with Yirardi, the boy with brain cancer (in remission now, PTL!) and his family. Tonight we are going to have dinner at another home with the pastor and his wife. Pray for all this people, that they will really experience a personal relationship with the Lord.

We also talked with one of the gardeners, who is a very nice young man. He did not look well, so we asked him what happened. This is a story of socialized medicine: He was in a lot of pain in his stomach and went to emergency three days in a row, but all three times they told him he had a virus and was sent him home. One the fourth day, he could barely stand up, so his father and his brothers pool their money together and took him to a private doctor who immediately sent him back to the hospital with a note saying that he had a burst appendix and needed surgery right away. He almost died. He lost a lot of blood and had to stay in the hospital for 10 days. They gave him 30 days of medical leave and he is back at work, but he still weak and in pain. He asked for another appointment and will see the doctor again in two weeks. I asked him if I could pray for him, and right there we put our arms around him and prayed for healing of his body and salvation for his soul. Please pray for Armando.

Which brings me to prayer requests:

• For Armando´s healing
• For Fabian and Alejandra to come to the Lord and resolve their issues
• For another Christian married couple, Sergio and Bianka, who are separated
• For the little church in Pinilla, for a deeper commitment to the Lord
• For Yirardi's health and...
• For himself and his parents to come to the Lord
• For wisdom for the pastor and his wife
• For the couples' Bible study on Saturdays

Below you will see a few pictures that I took today during my morning walk. These are mainly for Sonny who requested pictures. I took my camera along this morning. These are unedited. I have Windows 8 here and can barely work the computer. It has been very windy, so it is hard to maintain focus while the wind is blowing your camera.

I start the walk from our condo. This is a view of our building. Our condo is next door to this one at the end.

These gourds that I hope you can see are what they use for "maracas." In Cuba they were also used as containers by county folk.

I start down this path. You can see that the morning sun is on my left.

I enjoy walking through the nursery. The ground keepers always need to replace plants, so they have their own nursery.

Another view of the nursery. It goes way back.

I like these bushes, but I don't know what they are called.

This is a yellow oak. The blooms will be gone soon because of the winds

Same oak, from the other side

Now I am on this paved path under the mango trees. It will take me all the way to the beach.

They are always monkeys around this area. They are very loud. This is a whole family. I walk gingerly under them.

A quaint little bridge

A traffic circle, but there is no traffic

Can you see the nest?

The path goes up and down a lot

This is a cashew. The seed that we eat is outside the fruit, which is very tart.

Termite nest

Arriving at the beach

Playa Avellanas

Low tide

Playa Avellanas, just one family in the distance

Beach Club - Our HOA voted to join, so now we are members

Sit and rest a spell - then turn around and walk back

Home again! This is our front door

Thank you for your prayers! Until next time...from the beach...