Last Week

Well, time has flown by and it is time for us to leave. We will leave on Sunday morning, arriving at California at around 9:00 pm.

When we arrived here seven weeks ago, we were feeling disappointed about the work here. We just did not feel that we were being effective at all. We know that the work belongs to the Lord and it is not up to us, but we were wondering if it was time to shake the dust off our sandals and go home. This is one of the reasons we invited Luis and Elizabeth to come visit us here. They are matured Christians with many years of ministry experience, and we needed an evaluation from people not involved here. They were such a blessing for us! Their conclusion is that the harvest is ready here, but what is needed is a couple who would live here and would become part of the community. We need a pastoral couple with a heart for visiting, discipling and counseling, which is what we have been thinking all along. Pray that the Lord will provide such a couple.

John's sermon on Sunday went well. During the sermon he said that he does not have the gift of preaching, and after the sermon, the pastor said that he may not have the gift of preaching, but he certainly has the gift of persuasion!

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were quiet days. It has been raining a lot, so we spent the time enjoying the rain and reading. Irene came over Wednesday morning for prayer. We are going to try to communicate better through Messenger, so that I can pray for her more effectively while we are away. Yesterday, Thursday, we had lunch with the pastor and his wife. It was Independence Day here, so she was able to join us because their shop was closed. We really did not talk much about the ministry, mostly about our families.  We said our good-byes because we won't see them again during this trip.

Independence Day is celebrated here with a lot of parades. Unfortunately, it was raining very had Thursday morning, so I don't know how the local parades went. The best students from each class get to march in the parade, carry the flag, and be recognized. Hernan, Luis Carlos and Irene's son, was one of the honorees. Irene is going to Adult School, and she was also honored during the evening parade, except that it was raining hard and they got soaked. We did not attend any of the parades.

Irene, Luis Carlos and Hernan

Irene ready for her parade

Last night we went back to Eduardo and Arelys' house for the last bible study on the series of Who is Jesus? We just reviewed all the main points and answered questions. They told us about some so-called pastors around here that are really way off base. At least they are now better at identifying false teachers.

Tonight we are having dinner with Randall, Arleth and Yirardi. They have many questions about what to expect when they travel to California. They are very nervous! Please remember to come to our house on Saturday, October 15 at 6 pm for dinner and to get to know them, since so many of you prayed for Yirardi when he was battling brain cancer. We will take them to the Spanish group at EFCC while they are there. Tomorrow will be the last couples' bible study. We are going to talk about God as our Father, using the song "Good, Good Father," which has been translated to Spanish. We will listen to the song at the end. It is going to be a long night, as we say good-bye to our dear friends. It is always so hard to leave!

Random pictures:

The red fuzzy things are a fruit that I have only seen here. It is very good

An afternoon at Francisco and Luz's house

If you want green plantains, you just go up to the tree and get them

This is my view every morning as I sit outside to read the Bible and half my coffee

Prayer requests:

• Pray for the Lord to raise the right couple to come live here and minister.
• Pray for Arelys' court appearance on September 27, that the decision will be just, according to the laws of this country.
• Pray for all the families that we have touched with His Word. May His Word not return void.
• Pray for Randall, Arleth and Yirardi's upcoming trip to California. 

Thank you for your faithfulness and your prayers!

Until next time...from the beach... 

Sixth Week

Sunset

I can't believe that another week has flown by! Last Saturday we had our regular couples' bible study, but with the added twist that we celebrated Luis Carlos and Arleth's birthdays. They were born on the same date, same year, but Luis was born in Colombia and Arleth here. We studied John 3, talking about physical birth and spiritual birth. Just as we celebrate birthdays, there is a party in heavens when a person experiences the new birth. We had two piñatas to celebrate, one for the girls and one for the boys. Those women just love the piñatas. They really get into it.

Birthday boy and girl

She hit it so hard that the stick broke

The women go for it

On Monday we were invited to Arleth's grandma's house for the family birthday celebration. We were the only non-family members who were present. We had a great dinner of something they call "sweaty chicken." The name sounds funny, but it is very tasty.  I don't remember telling you that you will have a chance to meet Randall, Arleth and Yirardi because they are coming to the USA to visit us in October. They got approved for a 10-year visa. We are planning on having a party for them on Saturday, October 15. You are all invited, so let me know if you can make it.

Singing the local version of "Happy Birthday"

This is doña Odilí, Arleth's grandma

Irene came over Wednesday morning to pray and talk. This is the first time we were able to get together because we had company. She just tells me what is going on with her entire household, and we pray together. It is such a sweet time of fellowship for both of us! Bianka, Sergio´s ex-wife, has been coming here for dinner on Wednesdays. We have not talked about any deep subjects with her, but she said that they are "dating" and trying to get to know each other again PTL!

We had lunch with the pastor for the first time on this trip on Thursday. He told us the good news that he has decided to stay. He feels that he is where the Lord wants him to be at the moment. He is concentrating  on the big church, and doesn't come here much, even to Sunday School. Last night we were back at Eduardo and Arelys' home. Praise the Lord that it was not raining. They are like a couple of sponges, absorbing the Word and putting into practice. We have been studying who Jesus is. The previous week we talked about Jesus, our advocate. This was very close to home for Arelys because she is involved in a legal battle with a previous employer. Too complicated to give you details, but she says she has been claiming that promise all week, telling Jesus that He is her advocate. Well, she got her court date; it is on September 27th. Please set that date on your  calendar to pray for a fair judgment.  Last night we talked about Jesus as our King, which implies complete obedience on our part, and also looking forward to His return. We stayed two hours because they had so many questions. They really get it!

Eduardo, Arelys and Evans

John is preaching at the "big church" on Sunday. Pray for him. Preaching is not one of his spiritual gifts, so he never feels quite up to it, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, he always does a good job, and the people appreciate him. Luis and Elizabeth got back to Bolivia safely. They are already deep into their ministry there. We talked with them on Monday.

Prayer requests:

• Pray for continued protection on our last week here, health, protection from mosquito-transmitted diseases and traveling mercies as we drive on dark, rain-washed, difficult roads
• Pray for John preaching on Sunday
• Pray for a fair hearing for Arelys on September 27th
• Pray for Eduardo and Arelys' walk with the Lord
• Pray for the pastor, as he struggles to shepherd the flock in the second town. May the Lord give him wisdom
• Pray for Luis Carlos and Irene that they will grow strong in their walk with the Lord
• Pray for Sergio and Bianka
• Pray for protection for our family back home

We just appreciate you all praying for us...thank you...Until next time...from the beach...

Fifth Week

Last Sunday John, Luis and six other men from town went fishing on a boat. They had a blast! They caught 13 big fish, tuna and red snapper. Besides the excitement of catching all the fish, they were also boarded by the local Coast Guard and a park ranger. The ranger claimed that they were fishing in a protected area, but the captain had all his papers in order and a GPS which showed that the protected area was a few miles away. All the guys thought that they were going to end up in jail! But no problem, they continued fishing and having the time of their lives. Sunday night we all met a Luis Carlos and Irene's  for a feast. We had ceviche (raw fish with onion, lime, celery, green peppers, and cilantro) and grilled snapper and tuna. We did not eat all the fish and will have more tomorrow at the couples' bible study.

On the boat

Showing off

Ceviche

Tuna filets waiting to be BBQ'ed

Luis, Francisco and Luis Carlos

Monday evening we had Eduardo, Arelys and Evans over for dinner. I made roast beef in the slow cooker and Cuban coconut cookies for dessert. They loved them! I am getting a reputation of being a good cook around here. It is very funny because most of you know that I do not like to cook.

Tuesday morning we went for our usual walk on the beach. The estuary has been blocked for the past few months, but now that torrential rains have started, the river has nowhere to go, which it is causing flooding upriver. The flooding blocks access to Lola's restaurant; therefore, the owner hired some guys to dig out the opening of the estuary. They had started to dig when we went up, but by the time we came back, the river was rushing out and we couldn't cross it. We had no money and no phones with us. After a while considering the possibilities, Luis went up into the estuary and decided that it was calm and low enough for us to cross. The guys had swimming trunks on, but Elizabeth and I were wearing running shorts. We started walking across to the point where water was waist high. Everybody was walking very slowly, feeling our way, until I reminded them that there are snakes and crocodiles in the estuary, That made them pick up the pace. The water was brown and smelly because it has been stagnant for months, but we made it across and went into the clean ocean, clothes and all to wash away the dirty water and the awful smell. Then we went home and took long, hot showers. None of us showed any skin rashes the next day. Praise the Lord!

Tuesday night some of our friends wanted to come over to say good-bye to Luis and Elizabeth and to give them some gifts. We had a party! I had a pan of lasagna in the freezer left over from our last trip. Luz brought some delicious empanadas, and other people brought other foods. It was fun. The men were still bragging about all the fish they caught. The stories are already getting better.

Party at our house

Luis, Luis Carlos and John

Wednesday it was finally time to say good-bye to Luis and Elizabeth. We drove them to the bus station to catch the bus to the capital. They spent the night at Carlos and Rosario's home and flew home on Thursday. It would take them two days to get home. We haven't heard from them yet. They were really a blessing for us. They encouraged us and worked alongside us in the ministry here. Luis is a great teacher and preacher. Elizabeth is sweet and very knowledgeable of the Bible also. They are a great team. Some people asked me about the possibility of their coming  here full-time, but they have a good ministry back home. They work training future missionaries. It is a great program, two months Bible study and four months practice on the field for two and a half years, under the supervision of local pastors. We really miss them. The house seems empty without them.

Saying good-bye at the bus station

Checking luggage at the bus

Last night we went back to Eduardo and Arelys' for Bible study. It is getting harder to drive the roads due to the rains, but we only have two more weeks left here. Today we are taking it easy. We need to gather our strength for the weekend.

We have heard of two dear people who have passed away back home. It is hard to be away, not to be able to comfort our friends, not to be able to go to the funerals.

Prayer requests:

• Pray for Luis and Elizabeth as they get back into their busy schedule back home
• Pray for Eduardo and Arelys, as they continue to grow in their faith
• Yesenia is not back yet from Nicaragua. Pray that she can come home soon
• Pray for protection from mosquito transmitted diseases
• Pray for all the Bible studies, the visits, the small group of believers, that the Lord will bring a great harvest
• Pray for protection for our family back home

Thank you for your prayers...until next time,,,from the beach...