First Week

Greetings, Prayer Team!

I always start with a picture of our surroundings just so that you know that we are not suffering hardship here; although sometimes nature infringes on our property: when we arrived late on Tuesday night, we turned on the outside lights and notice that they were a little dark. We looked up, and there it was, a nest in the lights. It happens all the time around here. The birds own the place. We just pay the HOA.

We have completed our first week here. As usual, it has been a flurry of activities. Usually, on our first day here, we just go to town to get groceries and gasoline and then rest the rest of the day; but this year it was my birthday, so the group had organized a party for me. They were so sweet. The men decorated Christian and Daniela's living room. They even had a piñata. All of the couples were there. They had a cake with my picture on it. It was an ice cream cake, which had melted by the time they sang "Cumpleaños Feliz." They served grilled fished, rice vegetables, beans, fried plantains. It was an expensive dinner for them, and I appreciated immensely.

Thursday was a holiday here. This province where we live was annexed to the country in 1829. No wars, just by referendum. They made the right choice.  This country has been a steady democracy all these years, as opposed to the one to the North. The local elementary school was having a celebration with folk dancing. It was very nice. I love to see the traditional dresses. Besides, we score brownie points with the community by being there. That day we went to town three times, visiting and passing out dolls. The little girls just love those Barbies. Thank you to those of you who donated the dolls. We also had another birthday celebration for Evans, who turned five on Thursday. We continued visiting and getting reacquainted with the couples Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There was no couples' bible study on Saturday, since we just met for my birthday. Saturday night we went to a soccer game. The men 40 years old and over played another town, but here. Alas, they lost 4 - 2. We sat by the field and visited with people. It was fun. Last night we stayed home, but had someone over for dinner, and tonight there is another birthday. There are a few birthdays in July, August and September. We will be eating a lot of cake on this trip!

Some of the little girls and their dolls:

I am reluctant to bring up the next topic, but we need your prayers. As you know, we have been praying and looking for a couple to come live here permanently and take over the ministry. We have been disappointed time and time again, but we are trusting that the Lord will bring the right family some day. Well, now we have other candidates. This couple is from Venezuela.  They are in dire need to leave the country, since the economy is so bad there that their support has dried up. People are literally starving in Venezuela. They can come here as refugees. Carlos and Rosario know them from their short-term trips to Venezuela over the years. The plan is for them to join Carlos' organization and come to live in our little town for at least a year. We will evaluate after that. Together with Carlos, we have written a memo of understanding/work plan for them. They are still in Venezuela going through all the process that they need to leave the country legally. We are hoping that they will be here on the first week of September, which will be our last week here. They are really over qualified for the position we are offering, but it is their only option if they want to leave their country. Both of them have PhD's and their masters' is on counseling. He has been a pastor for 17 years, as well as a seminary professor. We are hoping that they will be well received by the town. Small towns are hard on outsiders. Please pray for the Lord's will on this situation.

Prayer requests:

• Pray for good health for both of us - last night I was running a fever, but I am fine today
• Pray for all the Bible studies in homes - that the Lord will convict hearts 
• Pray for the couples' Bible studies - we will start on Saturday
• Pray for the retreat on August 10-11
• Pray for the couple from Venezuela, José and Ana María, and their son, Samuel
• Pray for traveling mercies
• Pray for our family back home -  that the Lord will keep them all safe

Thank you for your prayers!

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