Fifth Week

 Greetings from the beach...!

Getting ready to watch the movie

Instead of a Bible study Saturday night, we showed a cartoon for children, Superbook. (Thank you, Levi, for your donation) We chose a segment about miracles because they are so many so-called healers and miracles workers in this country. They are everywhere. The movie's point is that Jesus' miracles were to show his power and authority and to be aware of fake miracle workers. The kids were upfront and personal. I asked the children comprehension questions to check their understanding. They got it! By the way, the adults got it also. We talked about the difference between real and fake miracle workers. For the game, I had true/false questions about the movie. We had a three-way tie. Finally, Christian and Daniela won.

Last Sunday John and the guys from the group went fishing. They had a great time. John got a big one!

Guys ready to go

Francisco got the biggest fish

John got a big one also!

Where's the fish?

Eduardo had a big catch also

Waiting for the fish to cook

Eduardo and Christian at work

Yum!

Early Sunday evening we got together for a fish cook out. It had rained and it was muddy. The kids were running in and out, and even though they took off their shoes to go in the house, the front porch was muddy, It was similar to the "mud room" homes have back East. All the kids ate fish. Nobody complained that they did not like fish. The mothers served them, and they ate; some ate more than others, but no complaining. They are like that. They are use to eating whatever there is to eat. No running to McDonald's because there is no McDonald's! It was about 25 of us, counting children. There was plenty of fish for everyone with leftovers.

We had a Bible study with Eduardo and Arelis on Monday. Since we had not study together since August of last year, we just reviewed. At Walter and Yesenia's house we had her sister-in-law, Maria Elena, join us. She had a few questions. I had left Yesenia an assignment researching the names of God in the OT. She had done three and had questions. Hopefully, she will continue. I can follow up even when I go back to the States.  It was a very good time around the His word.

Today John found out that Arleth (her son had brain cancer, remember?) is having panic attacks. She's on medication, but John found her crying at the club house where she works. It has been tough for her, but the problem is that they have not accepted the Lord. They are afraid of what their relatives will say. There is tremendous pressure in a small town as this one. Pray for her and her family.

Prayer requests:

• Pray that Randal and Arleth make a commitment to the Lord
• Pray for her mental health and Yirardi's continue good health
• Pray that the Mendozas will be able to leave Venezuela on Monday
• that they will be well received
• for humility and wisdom
• that the Lord will bless their ministry here
• Pray for health and protection for us
• Pray for protection for our family back home

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

Fourth Week

Greetings from the beach!

36 arrangements of roses 

August 15th is Mothers' Day around here. For the last few years, we have bought long stemmed roses for the ladies in town. We bought 36 roses (not 3 dozens, but 36, they don't sell them by the dozen) and went around town spreading the joy. We gave some to our friends, and some to complete strangers. There is always a Bible verse included with the rose. Unfortunately, we ran out of roses before we got to Luz's house. That was a big faux-pas! She was expecting us and was hurt because she even had purchased a cake for me. She called us sounding like she was about to cry. We humbly apologized and had to go to her house on Sunday to mend fences. All is well now. We will save roses for her next time.

Mothers' Day cake three days later

There was no couples bible study on Saturday because a lot of them were going to the capital for a quinceañera. We were supposed to have a bible study at Eduardo's house on Monday, but Arelis had a job interview late that day, so they cancelled. We still have not had a study at their house. On the other hand, Walter and Yesenia love to study the Bible. They do their homework and are ready for us. I enjoy going to their house. I told them that they can go over the same studies with family members. So, Yesenia said that there is a sister-in-law who is interested. It would be great if others join us. Today we are supposed to go to Yua and Diana's, but I haven't heard from them.

There is a guy in another town who has repaired our car's air-conditioner. His name is Angel. He is from the Dominican Republic. He lives here with his wife and three children. John ran into him the other day, so he invited us to stop by to say hi. We went on Friday. Fortunately, we still had two dolls and some little cars left for his kids. It had been two years since the children saw us last; therefore, they did not recognize us, but they got very friendly once they saw the toys. :)

Playing Santa in August

Prayer requests:

• Pray that they apply the lessons learned during the retreat
• Pray for Eduardo and Arelis' commitment
• Pray for the home Bible studies
• Pray for the Venezuelan family, the Mendozas
• that they will be able to come on Sep.2nd
• that they will be well received here
• for humility and wisdom
• that the Lord will bless their work here
• Pray for health and protection for us
• and for our family back home

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

Third Week

Greetings from the beach...!

This morning during my walk, I encounter a family of monkeys:

Monkey high wire act

I saw a horse trying to read the road signs. He was lost, obviously!

The retreat was very nice, even though the weather did not cooperate this year. I forgot to pray for good weather as I have done in the past. We ended up with an extra room because Christian and Daniela couldn't get a sitter for their girls; therefore, Carlos brought a couple who are retired music teachers. The plan was for both of them to bring the worship, but the wife was getting over a cold, so she could not sing. The topic for this retreat was improving one's self-esteem. Carlos talked about the causes of low self-esteem on Saturday night, and Rosario talked about the solution on Sunday. They are great teaching together. Rosario gave each couple a little box with pictures of ideas for creative activities to do together to encourage each other. We have received a few comments from some people on how the talks touched their hearts.

"Yökö" means "fire" in their original language

A few of us enjoying the thermal waters

Miravalles Volcano. It was cloudy the whole weekend

Carlos Cordero

Each couple got this little box

Carlos López

Rosario

In the box, Rosario included pictures suggesting activities for couples. We have to follow up with them to make sure that they are doing it.

McFlurry's! We always stop at McDonald's on the way home

Carlos and Rosario stayed with us Sunday and Monday to work on the little house for the Venezuelan family. We delivered the washing machine on our way back from the retreat. Ricardo and Miguelina went in our car, so they also were with us. Ricardo will do some extra work needed. We will pay for the materials. One of the issues is that behind the house there is just empty land, and Carlos feel that the back door is not secured enough, so we are going to purchase a better door with a safety lock, plus a safety door, and install a light back there. There are also a few unfinished things in the house. Carlos talked to the owner to get her permission and agreement. Ricardo will do the rest of the work, and she will give Carlos a discount on the rent for a few months. Monday morning, Carlos went with Gardy in his truck to the town by the airport to pick up the furniture that was purchased. Rosario and I went to clean the stove and the refrigerator that came with the house. 

We drove Carlos to get his car back from Gardy's house after we were finished. While there, we saw Arleth's mother with the baby, so we all got out of the car to see the baby. The car was on a slight incline in front of Gardy's house. All of the sudden, the car started to roll back. John was going to jump on it to stop it, but Carlos pushed him out of the way, slipping on some gravel as he did that. We all thought that the car was going to land on top of him, but he was able to roll out of the way, get up and stop it. This all happened in a few seconds. Carlos skinned his entire right leg and got dirt all over him, but nothing major happened. The Lord protected us. Praise His Holy Name! They left Tuesday morning after breakfast and got home safe and sound.

On Monday evening, Yesenia called us to cancel the Bible study at her home because her mother was very ill at the hospital in Nicaragua, and she needed to go be with her, since she is the only daughter. It's a Latin thing. I am always concerned when she goes back to Nicaragua because she always ends up staying for weeks. We prayed on the phone for her mother's health. On Tuesday, we went to her house anyway to pray for her trip. The plan was that she would be leaving very early Wednesday morning. Well, she told us that her mother improved enough to leave the hospital; therefore, she wasn't going! Yeah! She also told her mother that she has faith in my prayers. I reminded her that her faith should be on the Lord Jesus Christ, not on my prayers.

We are also encouraged because Eduardo and Arelis want to re-start their Bible studies at their home. We did not have any meetings at their home last trip. They went through a crisis and separated for a few weeks, but they reconciled; nevertheless, they are the only couple in the group still not married. Pray that they take that step. We are supposed to start on Monday.

Prayer requests:

• Pray that the lessons learned during the retreat be applied
• Pray for Eduardo and Arelis - that they will make a serious decision to get married
• Pray for all the home Bible studies
• Pray for the family from Venezuela
• that they will be able to come on September 2nd
• that they will be well received in town
• for humility and wisdom
• that the Lord will bless their work here
• Pray for good health and protection for us
• Pray for protection for our family back home

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

Second Week

Greeting from the beach!

Last Saturday we had our first couples' meeting, almost everybody was there. We told them the story of Bartimaeus, emphasizing his faith and how he followed Christ after he was healed. After the story we distributed the readers we brought from the States. They had a great time trying on the glasses and deciding which ones were the right ones for them. Some were amazed at how sharp the letters were with the glasses. :)

Sunday we went to see the new Lion King with a group of 14 from the town. There is a new movie theater near by. It no longer takes practically a whole day to go to the movies. We had to pick up Yesenia and the girls, while Walter went in another car. On the way home, John stressed the lessons from the movie to the girls.

We also started two home Bible studies, one at Walter and Yesenia's and the other at Yúa and Diana's. They are really interested in learning more about the Bible. Diana is reading the Daily Bread that we brought.

This weekend is the retreat up in the mountains at a thermal waters resort. It is at the same small motel as we went to last year. Carlos and Rosario will bring the talks, and another couple friends of Carlos will bring the worship. Pray for traveling mercies for everybody and that the Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts. The topic will be self-esteem, since it is a roadblock for many around here.

Carlos brought up the needs of the family from Venezuela to his organization. They have responded overwhelmingly. They have donated enough money to purchase the airplane tickets for the three of them and to purchase brand new living room and dining room furniture. They have donated small electric appliances and a washing machine. The donations keep coming. I think the Lord has plans for this family. Pray that they will know how to be humble and that they will learn to assimilate into the culture here.

We have been enjoying good health. Thank you for your prayers.

Prayer requests:

• Pray for good health for both of us 
• Pray for all the Bible studies in homes - that the Lord will convict hearts 
• 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

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