Third Week

Getting ready to pass roses on Mother's Day

Hello, Prayer Warriors!

Life at the beach continues to be exciting. Never a dull moment!

First of all, my back: I had to go see the local doctor. We have a clinic here in the Hacienda for employees and guests. The doctor gave me a physical to make sure that I had no neurological problems, but I told her that this is an old problem that just flared up due to the stress from the roads. She gave me a shot of Diclofenac and B Complex, plus some anti-inflammatory pills for the next two days. I wish I could tell you that it was an immediate relief, but it wasn't; nevertheless, I am felling much better today, a week later.I think your prayers are being more effective. I am wearing a brace we have here from previous back problems and using the heating pad whenever I can. Keep praying, please.

We continued with the Bible studies last week. We had a good visit with Christian and Daniela on Thursday. Since they have not made a commitment to the Lord yet, we just had a short talk on the storms of life based on Mark 4:35-41. We will return to there next week.

We had our second couples meeting on Saturday. As I mentioned on my last blog, we changed the location to the little house that we rent for Sunday School meetings. I meant to take my camera, but forgot. Anyway, Diana cooked a delicious chicken dinner, plus she cleaned the house also. When we arrived, the table was set with a white table cloth and everything was ready. She worked very hard to make it work. We met on the porch, just like we did in the other house. The front porches here are used as living rooms and dinning rooms, since it is so hot inside the homes.

Sunday morning we had a good group at Sunday School. The pastor had a good message. We all stayed around and talked. Interestingly, both Luis Carlos and Irene were there. Now, if a couple has separated and they meet at our church, it is a little awkward, but the church is very large, and it can work. Now imagine a very small room with 14 people, and you can see how awkward that can be. They made the best of the situation, and in fact, they both stayed with us after everybody left. We really wanted to talk, but their son was there also. However, we took the opportunity to talk about the fact that the lady who teaches catechism in town is promoting first communion among the kids. Some people in town are very strong in their religion and are putting pressure on family members. Hernan, Luis and Irene's son, wants to do it because everybody else is doing it. We talked about it. I think the parents are going to leave it up to him. He is very smart. We will see what happens. They are all caught up in the excitement of the clothes and all the trappings, really.

Our printer died. It was 12 years old, but things here at the beach do not last as long as back home. Must be due to weather and humidity. Anyway, they just opened a Walmart one hour and a half from here a month ago; therefore, on Monday we took the long drive to Walmart to get a printer. They sell printers around here, but they do not sell ink. We wanted to buy the printer where we could get replacement ink cartridges. We hardly go to Walmart when we are home, but here we were excited to go and get a few things besides the printer. The long ride did not help my back; besides, we were having dinner at Francisco's house that evening. The section of the road by their house is the worst! We took Walter and Yesenia and their two daughters with us to Francisco's house, and the pastor and his wife went also. The pastor and his wife had never met Walter and Yesenia. Again, we had a very nice time together.

Dinner at Francisco's - to my left Pastor Alejandro and his wife, Alba. To my right Walter, Luz, Yesenia, Juan (Francisco's brother), back to the camera, John and Francisco

From this view you can see John and Francisco

Dessert at Francisco and Luz' house. Walter is next to me

Tuesday was Mother's Day here. It is a big deal, a national holiday. On our way back from Walmart on Monday, we stopped by a florist and bought 3 dozen long stem roses for the mothers in town. So, Tuesday after lunch, we walked around town passing out roses to the mothers we know, and some we don't know, but know who we are. This is our third year of doing this, and it is greatly appreciated by all.

Tonight we have our regular Bible study with Eduardo and Arelis. Tomorrow will have dinner at Water and Yesenia's with Randall and Arleth. Then, this weekend is the big couples retreat that we have been planning for a while. There will be eleven couples all together, counting ourselves, Carlos and Rosario and another couple friends of theirs. We will leave here at 1:00 pm on Saturday and will return on Sunday afternoon sometime. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work on all of our hearts, that we will know His will.

Which brings me to our prayer requests:

• Pray for the retreat, traveling mercies up and back, good times, and that the Lord will pour his Holy Spirit on the meetings.
• Pray for the speaker, Luis M. and his wife, Patricia.
• Pray for all the children left behind staying with relatives. They have never done this before. Pray that they all be safe.
• Pray for healing for my back.
• Pray for Luis Carlos and Irene and their son, Hernan.
• Pray that the Lord will keep the rest of the families together.
• Wisdom as we teach and counsel.
• Safety and health for us.
• Traveling mercies as we drive on these crazy roads.
• For our family back home. May they be safe in our absence.

Thank you, John Spots, and the rest of you who write words of encouragement and who are praying for us. We greatly appreciate your ministry to us in prayer.

Lady and her son, Victor. She attends SS once in a while

Miguelina and Raquel, her daughter, they used to attend church

This is Yesenia

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