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...