Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Rains, breakdowns, no shows, but blessings!!!

The cold and the rains continue here (not cold like you're having up there, but cold for us nonetheless) - yesterday I dragged the air compressor and drill rig 3 hours into the mountains to drill and once there and set-up the air compressor came up w/a new problem, so we hauled it back to town so the authorized dealer can look at it when they go back to work next year (we did test it before we left and thought everything was working fine) - last night a group of college kids who had visited our children before called and asked if they could come visit the kids today. Certainly, when? 9:00 a.m.....they never showed, never called and the kids are left wondering why? - still trying to get the house ready; we're making great progress, but just when you think you can get it all done a couple of workmen just fail to show up..Honduras

BUT,

In the midst of it all we are incredibly blessed! Joyce and I, and then us and the children were discussing this morning after bible study how the Lord has provided for us and how we never dreamed we might be able to live in a house like we have now. Think of it; 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms...it's awesome and it's all God...and you! Yesterday a gal from our church who has a ministry of helping orphanages took Joyce and the kids to town and bought everyone new sneakers! All God!

Thanks again for your incredible support and your more incredible prayers on our behalf,
Mauricio, Fabiola, Antonio, Rosa, Cesar, Angel, Pedro, Joyce, and myself

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Back again.......

Sorry we've been away for so long, but it has been a hectic two weeks. We moved into our new home on the 15th of December and it has been the sound of impact drills, hammers & chisels, dust dirt, water leaking through ceilings all while trying to find a home for all the boxes that a family of 9 accumulate. We didn't have internet for the first 8 days, so that's my first excuse for not writing.

You know the saying, "all that glitters is not gold"...well that's the condition we found our new house in. The biggest headache was our shower leaked through the ceiling into Antonio's room soaking everything in, including all his clothes. It took 10 days of impact drills and hammer and chisel to get through the solid cement ceiling to find the water leak (think noise and dust), but finally they found it, repaired it, and soon the ceiling will be repaired as well. We've had leaky faucets and valves, burned out heater elements, faulty lights and fans just to mention a few things. We still have workmen here all day everyday and that doesn't help us to get things a home!

But we do have much more space: Antonio, Rosa, & Fabiola have rooms of their own while Mauricio & Angel share a room w/a bath and Cesar & Pedro share a room, but must use the bath in the next room. When we finally get settled we will be in a much, much better place. The location is great...we're twice as close to things as we were in old home and the travel is much safer and quicker...no traffic jams.

Things don't work the same here as in the U.S...all the things I mentioned to you earlier that were faulty, we're paying to get fixed...if you want it fixed, you fix it. The unexpected expenses left us short on our Christmas, but you wouldn't know it to watch the kids open presents this morning. It almost brought tears to my eyes to see such joy in them while remembering where they came from. God has truly blessed them. We actually got through the day without one major flare-up. We had the usual toys broken five minutes after opening, but no major problems, no whippings. Makes me think I'm getting soft!

BAD TRANSLATION: Some friends at church gave Joyce money to get her hair done before Christmas...you know, make the grey go away. They took her to a new beauty shop and one of them told the gal what Joyce wanted and then left. Two hours later I got a phone call from Joyce who said, "Bob, I'm coming home; don't be frightened." I didn't know what that meant, but as soon as I saw her I figured it out.

She came in the door with a black plastic bag wrapped around her head and two holes punched in it for eyes. She wouldn't take it off, she just kept saying you won't believe it. Finally she removed the bag and I wasn't sure it was her...her hair was a cross between black, brown, and red...I don't know how to tell you what color it was, but it definitely wasn't blonde. She brought home a home dye package determined to get back to her 'natural' color....but, it didn't do anything to her hair. The next morning our tutor took her to the biggest beauty salon I've ever seen; there must've been 40 chairs! The first dye job didn't take again, so she got another. This time it lightened the hair enough to where I tell my wife was in the house! Believe me, when mama isn't happy with her hair job; nobody's happy!

Last night I was one person in a two person play at the church. It was pretty long so there was a lot of 'line-learning' to do and Fabiola was my training mate. She ended up knowing the play as as good as me. Tomorrow I'm preaching, so it's been a busy few days.

Thanks for all your support and all our prayers...we're grateful for your presence in our lives,
Bob, Joyce, & Kids

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Moving, moving, moving...

For the past 3 days we have been busy moving from our house here in Campisa to our new home in Jardines del Valle. Literally all of us have been moving...the kids have been doing a great job of helping, even the little guys.

There's still lots to do and it will keep us busy for some time to come to get everything moved and then into it's correct place, but we are looking forward to the change. Wednesday is our move-in day and we have help coming from some of the men from our church to move the beds and appliances.

Maybe we'll open a new business in Honduras....Coder's Kids: You have it, we'll haul it!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

More sick call....

I just spent the last two hours in the emergency room w/Angel...104% temperature. They gave him an IV and did a blood test. He has a viral infection and they gave him some additional meds to start on tomorrow.

He is a real trooper...he's been through this enough times that he knows the IV is coming and of course, the fear builds up in him. But he lets out a little cry on the first prick and then that's it. He's fine after that...tough little bugger!

Sick call...again!

Nothing alarming, but we do have half of the kids sick with runny noses, coughs, sore throats, fevers, vomiting, etc. I've been to the pharmacy and we have the meds and they are taking them, so hopefully all will be well again in a matter of days.

All prayers are accepted for :Rosa, Pedro, Angel; and for the rest of us not to contract whatever this is.


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Saga continues...

Today I went back to Transito (traffic court) to pick up my 'constancia' and, of course, it wasn't ready. However, this time I only waited about 1/2 hour before the lady got into see the Jefe to get his signature. Amazingly today, he had time to sign it. Now it was on to the insurance office to fill out more papers which they couldn't find immediately. After that I had to go get two estimates even though the car has to go back to the dealer for repair because of the warranty. Then I'm tolk after the insurance company receives the estimates (I don't take them; they send them) I can go there and pay my deductible! Lovely, isn't it?

Now it's off to the theatre with all the kids...someone gave the kids, plus Joyce and I tickets to some type of play tonight...I hope it's in English!!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Justice always prevails...

It's true that justice always prevails even here in Honduras...it just sometimes takes an unbelievably long time.

Today I went back to Transito (traffic court) to pick up my 'constancia' or the judicial report of my accident which was 10 days ago. The hearing was last Tuesday and I was declared to be NOT at fault, but told I couldn't get any insurance work done until I picked up my 'constancia' today.

After waiting for one hour I finally got to speak w/ el jefe (the chief). He told me my constancia had not been signed (by him) and I could come back tomorrow to pick it up!!!! Apparently he was too busy to sign his name today....imagine that!

Jackets, sweaters, hooded sweatshirts...

I know it's not as cold here as it is wherever you may be, but it is all relative and here in Honduras we are COLD! The kids and me all have long sleeves on and we're sitting here in the house cold. As you would guess there is no heat in the homes in Honduras and we're cold. The rains are still with us daily and there seems to be no relief in sight...this year rainy season really is rainy season.

As uncomfortable as we may be I cannot imagine living in one of the pieced together tin shacks on the 'bordo', the river banks, or in the hundreds of poor villages in the country. Sometimes it's difficult to come to peace with the conditions of this world and the conditions of the poor around the world. Living in a tin/wood/cardboard shack w/dirt floors(w/all the rain more probably mud floors), no electricity, no running water, and worst of all...no hope! How do they cope? Their only hope is for us to bring them the Light of Jesus and on a cold and damp morning that call seems particularly relevant to me. PRAY, GIVE, GO!!!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Ready for the Big Stage...

Last night we all went to the theater to watch Fabiola and Rosa perform on the 'Big Stage'! They both did great jobs and now have 4 more performances to pull off, including one tonight. The girls were pleased to see that 5 people from our church made the trip to watch them. They've come a long, long way in 1-1/2 years!

Like new....


A couple in our church (Tara & Jorge) have a ministry of helps to other ministries and when they visited us once and saw the condition of our couches they decided we needed help! So, they had them re-stuffed and re-covered and now they're clean and cushiony! In addition they gave us a ton of fruits and vegetables. God continues to provide for us in these lean times. Bless you Tara & Jorge!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Cold, Rain, & Family Outings...

The cold and the rain continue here in Honduras without any let-up. It's long sleeves and long pants everyday and that's just hard to believe for here...on top of that it's still raining everyday.

Last night was the girls (Fabiola & Rosa) first night of dance recital and Joyce took them and stayed through the performance w/them. (6-10 p.m.) Meanwhile I took the other 5 to KFC for a fundraiser for the school that Fabi, Mauricio, and Angel attend. They had a great time in the huge indoor playground since most of their school chums were there to play with. The deal was we all bought our dinners and the school got a percentage of the cost of the meals. Our time was shorter (5-8) but I guarantee it was much, much louder.

Tonight Joyce will take the girls to dance and I will bring the rest of the crew so we can all watch the girls.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

I shouldn't say this but...

I know that living in San Pedro Sula I'll regret saying this, but today................................I'm cold!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Rain, rain, rain.......

The rains just keep coming; day after day, after day, after day....everyday! I've been hoping to get at least one more well done before we move on the 15th to help offset the expenses, but it isn't looking good.

I thought we could really help ourselves with two wells before the 15th, but now it's beginning to look like we won't get any done. Satan never tires of 'messing' with our finances; it seems he doesn't realize we work for JEHOVAH JIREH!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Honduran Justice

Spent two and half hours this morning in a Honduran traffic court...you wouldn't believe it! After a bit of jabbering by the other party the judge pulled out the mock drawing of the accident provided by the police and declared the other guy to be 100% guilty! Great right? Not so fast...

Since he has no insurance and no visible means to pay my insurance will cover the accident; AFTER I pay my deductible. That's winning in a Honduran court...he's guilty and I get to pay my deductible! Good deal, huh?

Prayer request...

Friends,

Please pray for our ministry...we are in desperate financial straits and need your help. Please share our information with all of your friends and invite them to join you in supporting us. Our monthly support is dwindling seemingly every month while our expenses continue to rise. As you know we have no paid employees in this ministry and so, 100% of your donations go directly to supporting God's work! If you can step up your monthly support by any amount, please do so now. If not, please help us by soliciting others to come along side and join us in making a difference for the Kingdom!

We also would like to invite each of you to pray and consider helping us as a Board member. Recently several of our Board members have had to step down because of personal reasons and we are seeking 'new blood' to bring us a refreshing and to assist us in the operations of these ministries. Ask God if He would have you to become involved in a deeper, more personal way and then let me know and we can discuss the details involved.

Thank you each for your continued prayers...they are our lifeblood!

Bob, Joyce, Fabiola, Mauricio, Antonio, Cesar, Rosa, Angel, Pedro

Monday, November 29, 2010

Surgery day...

Today we spent 3 hours in the doctor's office having viral warts cut/burned off Mauricio, Cesar, & Pedro. Cesar was particularly loaded with them on both his hands and feet.

They did a great job as they each had to take a needle in each wart and then it was cut, and/or burned off...sometimes both! We had NO CRIERS! Tough bunch, these!

We did have one bail out on the procedure..."mama" was going to get some growths removed from her, but after seeing the needle and hearing that they were completely benign she decided another day would be good for her.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Dancing Beauties...



It only took a month...




It only took one month to be in an accident with our new car. Fortunately it wasn't my fault and fortunately we have insurance. I was traveling down Avenida Junior yesterday at a leisurely pace when an independent bread delivery man decided he was late and had to get his bread delivered now!

He was parked on the right side of the road (a boulevard, a street with a tree lined median) and I was in the left lane heading the same direction as he was parked. Immediately in front of me was a break in the boulevard where you could make a u turn and he was about to do just that. He pulled out from his parking space and went directly left across two lanes of traffic trying to reach the u turn area, leaving me no where to go. I blew the horn, hit the brakes, but didn't quite make a complete stop before hitting him in the driver's door. Fortunately I was going slow enough that there was minimal damage, but it is a real pain.

First I had to wait 1-1/2 hours for the insurance guy and the Transit Police to show up and write their reports and now I have to go to court Monday morning for a hearing on the accident. In the interim they take both of our licenses. I'm told that I will likely have to go to court at least two times to get my license back and in spite of the fact that the accident was totally his fault I will likely have to pay the deductible on my insurance since he doesn't have insurance! Not to mention we will be without the car for at least a week, and I'd be surprised if we got it back that quickly. In addition, since the car is new I will have to take it back to the dealer for repair in order to keep the warranty in tact which means more delays and more money. Sitting in court all day Monday was not what I had planned....

Friday, November 26, 2010

Water for Maranantha


On Wednesday Joyce & I took the 4 kids who are not in school, Rosa, Antonio, Cesar, & Pedro to Maranantha to complete the well there. This is an extremely poor village with homes of patchwork tin, particle board, and lumber; no electricity and no water. It's also in a mountainous area that is very dry and we had to hike far down into the valley to be able to find water; but God provided and now they have 'living water'!
Antonio, Rosa, & Cesar hand out gifts on the way out of the village

Across this rivulet lies our well location.

The hike back up out of the valley, Rosa looks ahead to Antonio.

Some of the local men enjoy the fruits of their labors!

Finally they have water.
Antonio plays in the water by the pila while Pedro looks on.

Pedro thinks he's found a water park!

Cesar's looking for someone to splash.

Assemblying the pump head and stand.

Outreach



Mauricio & Fabiola went with the class at school to help finish a home in the village of El Plan. They put "mezcla" in between the blocks...we would call it mortar. They also painted the front of the house on the outside. It was a great day of giving back to those who are less fortunate...their school works hard at teaching them good life lessons and not just academics.
Mauricio says, "Food makes everything all right."

Break time

Hard at work

Fabiola shows the girls how it's done.

Maurico says, "Watch me!"

Fabiola gets the hard ones down low!

Who's under that hat?

She painted and there wasn't any on her pants!!!

Monday, November 22, 2010

No dieters allowed....

Sunday we had our Thanksgiving dinner at church with 120 in attendance. Great time, great food, great testimonies! This week we'll take the Good Seed kids on another outreach for Thanksgiving.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

School projects...

Today Mauricio, Fabi, & I picked up their Administrator, Principal, and Teacher and took them to the mountain village of Maranantha to preview their outreach program for 4th, 5th, & 6th graders next Thursday...they were thrilled with the possibilities. It's a very poor village with houses of scrap tin, lumber, and cardboard; no electricity or running water! We obtained a list of each of the 45 families by name and age and now the school will prepare individual gift bags for each household.

Tomorrow we take the 5th and 6th grade kids to San Manuel to add the finishing touches on a house being built for someone who previously lived in sub-human conditions. I love this school and their emphasis on giving, doing, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

School is out..........

At least for half the 'brood' school is out for 3 months! The 4 kids at Rodolfo Rojas (Rosa, Antonio, Cesar, & Pedro) are out for 'summer vacation' until Feb. 15. The other 3 are on an American schedule. BABY SITTER POSITIONS OPEN...VOLUNTEER ONLY, NO PAY!!! (I hope I don't get too many responses)


Monday, November 15, 2010

Prayers needed...

Although we don't know exactly where they live we do know that Gershon, Karen, & Jesus live in Colonia Lusiana. This morning in the paper there is a plea from the patronato (head of the neighborhood) to the city government for more protection. They say the streets aren't safe and that the delinquents are running the Colonia.

Pray that God continues to put legions of angels around our "three"!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Saturday and other things...

Rainy Saturday morning (and cold for here)...Joyce has taken the girls to dance, so the 5 boys and I are off to the barbershop (read joy, joy). We're back home from haircuts and in 40 minutes we'll load up and head out to pick up the girls (Mama is at a ladies luncheon for our church).

The truck has a parasitic electrical drain and so far we haven't been able to identify it, so everyday I have to disconnect the batteries. I've been working on a well in the mountains behind Pimiento...a tough one mile hike in and back out; and somehow it's uphill both ways!!!

It's rainy season (almost daily) and Tuesday is the last day of school for the 4 youngest kids...seems like a double whammy, doesn't it?

Mauricio can now play "Blessed be the Lord" on his guitar and soon we will have him to play in front of the church...pretty cool!

Last night we had a family meeting...we all sat around the table and threw out ideas for rules for the family...after writing down all the ideas we voted to select the top 5 rules which are:'
  1. Play together w/o fighting
  2. Be good in school and obey the teacher
  3. No crying if you're not in pain
  4. Do not interrupt others
  5. Do not ignore others .....pretty good for the kids coming up with them.
Then we fielded ideas for punishments for violating a rule and they are:
  1. No television
  2. Not permitted outside
  3. The "whippin' stick"...nobody wants this one
  4. Go to bed after dinner
  5. No toys, inside or out
  6. No swimming for a week
  7. Pick up the dog poop
  8. House cleaning
  9. Mouth washed w/soap
Remember the kids came up w/these as well. The way it works is this: we made numbers from 1-9, folded them over so you can't see them, and put them in a jar. When you violate a rule you pick a number from the jar and match it to the corresponding punishment. Thus you have selected your own punishment and must accept it. Should be interesting!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Gold Medal Day....

Last Saturday the kids at Good Seed School had an Olympic Day consisting of various foot races. Our three came home with medals hanging on each of them...Angel picked up one Gold, Fabiola garnered two Golds, and Mauricio captured three Gold Medals!!!

Sorry, but our camera didn't work so we don't have pics....and the computer is driving us nuts which explains the lack of posts.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Dangerous start to the morning...

Joyce was overdue from taking the kids to school when I received a call from her telling me she was stuck in the middle of a manifestation and they wouldn't let her through. She told me if one large rock was moved she could get through. So, I jumped in the truck and headed up to where she was to find her surrounded by hundreds of yelling and screaming Hondurans who had blocked the major artery into and out of the city on the North side.

I parked the truck off the road and pushed my way through the crowd to where Joyce was sitting in the car. In front of the car were several large rocks prohibiting her from going around the blockade of cars and even larger rocks. I grabbed the rocks and threw them off to the side and motioned for Joyce to move forward....she made a few feet before a guy ran around me and threw the largest of the rocks back into her path blocking her from further movement. He was yelling and swearing at me as I bent over and again, removed the rock. Now two other guys came pushing me and throwing the rocks back into her path. As they closed in I pushed back to give myself some room and not permit them to completely overrun me. The longer I was in the confrontation the more men came to harass me and it became apparent I would not be able to get the car out of there. So, I went to Joyce and got her out of the car and forced our way through the mob before they could get the courage, or the stupidity to do something more dangerous or harmful to us.

We got back to the truck and watched for an hour as they continued screaming and blocking all traffic in both directions. Finally the police showed up and they began to disperse; at least enough for us to get the car out of there. We're back home now, but haven't been able to get the vehicles to our house yet. It will take a while for the traffic to clear out before we can drive into Campisa.

Honduras is definitely different...............

Monday, November 1, 2010

Outreach day...

Yesterday afternoon we loaded the kids into the truck along with 4 large boxes of items to give away to those more needy than us. We headed out to La Sabana where we've become a part of the village since drilling wells there. Not only do Joyce and I have good friends there, but all of our children as well....when we pull into the village they all come running calling out our names. It's a great feeling!

We unloaded our boxes and then the kids began giving out the clothes, toys, books, etc. to the villagers. It was awesome to see the look on our children's faces as they were able to evoke huge smiles from the villagers as they accepted their gifts. The kids are truly learning the joy of giving and it was great, great fun!

Sadly, neither Joyce nor I remembered to take a camera so we have no pics to share; but you can believe it was a day that the people of La Sabana and our kids will remember for a long, long time!

Angel's New Birth............

Happy Mama w/newly born Angel

Angel's 2nd Birth


Ready for the plunge

Telling the people, "I have Jesus in my heart!"

Confession of faith w/Pastor Bill and church

Saturday, October 30, 2010

God blesses...

Today we were able to finish the well in San Luis de Santa Barbara. The well will provide water for a Bible college, a hospital, a missionary family, and a radio station....of course, all glory belongs God!

Brad Foltz a fellow missionary and friend helped us complete the well for Daniel Melton, his family, and their compound. We literally worked until dark and didn't get home until 8:00 p.m., but it is a good tired! Thanks for your prayers!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Mountain drilling/school tests...

Still drilling in the mountains...down to 125' and have some water, but not enough. Need to go to the airport today, so I'll return to more drilling on Sat.

Today Fabi & Mauricio are getting an opportunity to retake some tests they failed last week. The teachers are permitting them to retake the tests since this is the first time they have ever really taken a 'real' test. Fabi is struggling developing the discipline to study with the intent to learn and retain. Right now she does homework to finish...not to learn and it's causing her some problems. She will overcome them, but it will take growing new habits.

The colds and coughs are mostly gone and everyone is back to near normal health. The rains continue on almost a daily basis...not all day, but some everyday. Actually we aren't complaining too much since it keeps the heat down.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Nighttime excitement....

Last night after everyone else had gone to bed I was sitting half watching, half vegging out to the TV when some movement caught my attention. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something moving on the wall and turning my head that way I saw the largest black tarantula I've ever seen! It had to be at least 7 inches across and it was slowly making its' way down the wall toward the floor where I sat shoe-less. I got up to get a shoe with which to smash him, but when I looked again it had climbed just far enough behind the TV that I couldn't get a good swing at it.

I needed reinforcements! Rushing upstairs I shook Joyce awake and told her to follow me...once downstairs I got a broom, the bug spray, and told her to stand by. Slowly, carefully, stealthily, I inched toward the desk and the TV, behind which I expected to find our intruder. Gingerly lifting the sheet we used as a cover I peeked in, around, under, and behind the TV and stand; but found nothing. The only place left were the drawers in the stand.

I handed Joyce the broom and told her to get ready...I was sure when I pulled open the proper drawer this nighttime invader would come leaping out at me. One by one I tip-toed up to the drawers and using my lightning quick speed, ripped open the drawers only to find....nothing! Our assailant was nowhere to be found! That would mean going to bed wondering if he would feel the need to venture upstairs!

We made it through the night safely, but still have not located our new friend! You can be sure I look down at my feet much more often than normally and I imagine I can see things moving around my peripheral vision only to find it was nothing. Our hairy friend is lurking somewhere waiting to appear when least expected! Stay tuned........

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Antonio and his ripple effect...

Yesterday Joyce took Antonio to a child 'psychologist' at the request of his child 'psychiatrist'. The new doctor confirmed everything the prior one had diagnosed and made it even clearer that Antonio has serious, serious issues. He agreed that as Antonio gets older and stronger he will continue to get more and more aggressive and his acts will begin to get more and more physically harmful. They tell us that his personality does not allow him continuous satisfaction; he must have new conquests each time to satisfy the urges and lusts of his body. This causes him, or will cause him, to do whatever is necessary to create his next 'high' regardless of what bodily harm it may cause others. For this reason the doctors are telling us we must separate Antonio from the others, particularly in the bedroom...he must have his own bedroom! They also told us we can never leave him alone with the other children for an extended period of time.

The new doctor has prescribed a new depressant medicine for Antonio, but it is difficult because he is epileptic many meds are not suitable for him...and we asked the doctor to be sure we don't end up w/a zombie. The new meds will most likely prolong his bed wetting days as well. The doctor wants to try to help us, but warns us that it will be a very long process. He says it will be two years before he can give us any reliable prognosis for Antonio's adult life...although for now he says it looks very, very bleak. He believes if he isn't able to reverse the mind of Antonio that he will eventually have to be separated from society. Obviously we need all the prayers you can muster for Antonio...it certainly looks like we need a direct intervention from God to save this young man from what the tortures of his early life have done to him.

The other side is...money! Everything takes money as you know: more meds, more doctors (now he will have two appointments/week, one w/a psychiatrist and one w/a psychologist), and the necessity of moving to a house where we can provide a bedroom for Antonio alone. It's tough and we need your help prayerfully and financially.

Reliant upon you and our God,
Bob, Joyce, & Kids

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Status Report....

Today Rosa stayed home from school because of her cold. While here she sneezed and out came a tooth! Wild, huh? All the other kids are still fighting coughs and we changed meds again tonight...can't seem to shake these coughs and phlegm.

We killed a 4' tamgas snake right outside our front door tonight. These snakes are a lime green color and it was entangled in the palm tree outside our door. They are very difficult to spot when in the trees and are said to be deadly. Reportedly you die within two hours if bitten. Fortunately for us our cook was sitting outside and saw the critter sliver across the driveway and into the palm.

I've been hitting the books hard w/Fabi and Mauricio this week as they have testing in every subject. Tonight was English and Bible; we've already done math, Spanish, Science, and have social studies and reading to go yet. I'm getting pretty 'boned' up in 5th grade subjects...tough to stump me now!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sick day continues...

I preached today and afterward I was set to baptize Angel; however, he and Rosa had fevers again this morning and couldn't go to church so it has to be postponed. This afternoon the kids all slept while Fabi & Mauricio studied for a math test on Tues.

Still fighting minor fevers, coughs, some 'runny bottoms'.................

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Sick Call....

Today started at 4:30 a.m. checking Angel's temperature which was 103! By 5 we were in the emergency room getting him an IV. After waiting for his temp to go down and getting meds we got home around 7:45. Now everyone is on the meds because they are each developing fevers except Mauricio and Fabi.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Prayer for Antonio...

We continue to take Antonio for sessions w/a child psychologist and the findings are becoming more and more worrisome! As he begins to open up to her he reveals things from his past which you simply would not believe. His sexual deviation is deep, aggressive, violent and according to his doctor will only become worse and more pronounced as he grows! He has already begun to show aggressive and inappropriate behavior toward female students in school. She recommends that we get him on some type of medicine that will suppress his sexual desires!

She has now recommended that we take him to a child psychiatrist for another thorough evaluation and we will make that appointment today. The doctor told Joyce, "Antonio has no conscience!" How is such a thing possible? God created each of us with a conscience, with a soul, with an inner "knowing" of what is right and wrong; so how is it possible that Antonio has no conscience?

Joyce and I firmly believe we are dealing with demonization! With generational curses! We understand that many of you will read this and think we are radicals or extremists, but the Bible tells us that these things exist and that " our warfare is not of flesh and blood, but of strongholds and spiritual powers of darkness...". Why are we so hesitant to believe in demonization when the Bible itself reveals it? We need to stand in prayer against our enemy and his devices...skirting the issue will not help; we must pray! The fact that some of you may not believe in demons or demonization does not make it untrue. Antonio needs the kind of help that can only come from intercessory prayer! Please join us in these prayers for his release!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

You will not believe this....

You all know I had an accident w/the truck a month ago and it has taken forever to get it repaired, but today...finally, Fabi & I picked it up. While driving home the low fuel light came on so I pulled into a service station and told the young man to fill me up with diesel.

He walked to the tank and opened the cover and just stared (I was watching in the mirror). Then he walked to the back of the fender and looked up and down, returning again to look inside the gas cap cover. He just stood there looking mystified. I couldn't believe it! All I wanted was some fuel...was that too much to ask for at the end of a long and frustrating day?

I got out of the truck and walked back to the tank. The young attendant, looking lost, pointed to the cover. I looked in and although I am in no way a mechanic; I quickly discerned the problem! They forgot one little detail in the repair...there was no GAS TANK! Just an empty hole...I swear I'm not making this up!

And that friends, is life in the fast lane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!