First Week

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 NIV (Emphasis mine)

We have been here a week already. It always takes us a couple of days to get the place in running shape. This time it took us three days. The A/C was out when we arrived. It was very hot inside! We got our friend who fixes A/C's to come the next day. We thought it just needed Freon, but unfortunately, it was the condenser!😟 Parts have to be ordered around here. It always takes a couple of days. Also, our friend is an independent contractor, and he can't accept credit cards. We had to go to the bank and withdraw funds. Finally, it was fixed and all is well. Another problem was no internet. When I tried to log in, I got a message that our service was discontinued because of lack of payment. What??!! We pay the Hacienda's property management office to take care of our bills here. So, we called the office, but PM was not responding. So we went there. Well, it turns out that they did not make the payments. Not just ours, but quite a few others also. That took two days until they got it solved with the cable company.

Now that the place if back to normal, we turn to ministry. As many of you already know the Venezuelan family did not work out and returned to Venezuela, but our friend Carlos Cordero found another couple to live in town. They are from Cuba. Actually, she was born in my home town. They left Cuba two months ago through Nicaragua, crossed the border to Costa Rica and planned to live here permanently. They are workers, like we are, not pastors. They need to find jobs to support themselves. So far, they have been doing odd jobs. They are in their late 30's with no children. He is an accountant and she is a beautician. We have spent a lot of time this week getting to know them and driving them around.

Carlos happens to be in the area with a group of short-term workers from Germany. The group is sponsored by Visioneers, a German organization. They also work with refugees in Germany. We met the couple in charge yesterday, a young couple. They are very nice people. I sent Matt Paschall their contact information, and it turns out that he already knows them. Anyway, this group might send a volunteer to our little town to live here for a year and work with the teachers at the local school. This is just in the works. There is nothing specific yet. Carlos is forever making connections and thinking about how to help the ministry.

Last night we went to the rehearsal for the "Quinceañera" (Sweet 15 party) for Luz Elena, Francisco and Luz's youngest daughter. Tradition requires the young lady to dance her first waltz with either her dad or an older brother, along with 14 other couples, all friends from school, church and town. Francisco is too shy to dance, so her older brother, Osvaldo, will do the honor. These dances are choreographed and rehearsed carefully. There is a party organizer who directs the choreography. The rehearsals are always a lot of fun, more than the actual party, because all the kids are relaxed during the rehearsals, but very nervous on the actual day. The party is this Saturday. We will bring her here early for pictures. Then, we will drive her to the party. John has been given the honor of escorting her with her father on the other side. Pastor Alejandro will bring a short (I hope) message, and John will also do the toast. We have known Luz Elena since she was three years old. It is nice to see her grown up.

For those of you who have been praying about my cousin's situation: his hearing has been postponed for March 19th because his lawyer's father is not expected to live. He is an elderly gentleman, former priest, who knows the Lord.

The Lord has brought about solutions to a lot of things that were heavy in our hearts. Praise His Name!

I will tell you about the Quinceañera next time, with lots of pictures!

Prayer requests:

• Good health, safety and stamina for us. We are getting a little old for all this!
• Pray for the Mora family. That they may find jobs and be welcomed in the town.
• Pray that the people attending the Quiceañera pay attention to Pastor Alejandro's words. May the Lord touch hearts.
• Pray for the possibility of a volunteer for Germany, if it is the Lord's will.
• Pray for safety for our family back home. Our oldest granddaughter is leaving for winter camp Friday with the Jr. High Dep.

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