"Shall we gather at the river..."

Anael, Bessie, and Rigo Andino

Sunday saw another baptismal service for the Church at Margarita- this time Bessie and Edwin, 2 more siblings from a catholic family that have become delightful additions to the growing family here. There are now 4 of the children baptized and actively serving in reaching out to the mountain communities with Anael, on the left in the picture. Rigo Andino(R) and his family have been helping Anael with the church leadership since last summer.  Less than 2 weeks and we will again be with these awesome folks, applauding at what the Lord is doing!

"Shall we gather at the river..."

A time to mourn and a time to dance....

Receive regular news from our Honduran home and wanted to pass on something for you all to lift up in prayer. Veronica is a young woman who has worked at the hospital since before John and I arrived in 2004. She left to get married and have her children, and came back to us to work in the lab a few years ago. This past weekend, her husband was murdered in San Pedro. Please remember she and the children in the aftermath of this tragedy. Also pray for our fellow missionary, Christine, as she is particularly close to Veronica, having been her supervisor in the lab.

Sabbatical- a long Sabbath rest, right? In ways this past 3 months has provided that- daily exercise in a nearby gym to stave off the seasonal affective disorder, and using that exercise time to listen to favorite podcasts like John Piper and Alistair Beggs. We've both done a LOT of reading, as our church here has a great library, and we find we can read on the treadmill or elliptical machine! Always loved to multitask.  I've learned to knit and crochet,  and almost done with scarves for the 3 littlest grandgirls. We've enjoyed being in much better touch with all the kids and grands during this time home.  Here's 4 of them celebrating Savannah's birthday. She had a mermaid party, I think it was!

Winter Wonderland

Dark and gloomy below the inversion- but gloriously sparkly and sunny, with cloudless skies, above!  Kind of like life at times! Our friends of 40 years took us snowshoeing on New Years Day- and the outing gave us new perspective!

We visiting our Honduran neighbors, the Greenes,(here in Wa.  in Bellingham). What a fun reunion! We met their adult kids, their grandkids, and managed to take in a delightful Celtic Christmas concert.  The main fiddler was a Scottish miss, who could dance, fiddle, and sing all at the same time!  Made us homesick for Iain and Liz McKenzie back in Honduras, with 2 hours of that accent!

After Christmas, the cabinet man arrived for a day of BIG MESSES to put in the countertop. Now have hooked up dishwasher, and rearranged cabinets, waiting expectantly for arrival of the remaining few cabinets to complete the kitchen project the end of January. Then we can put in all the flooring- these past months here we've been treading lightly on plywood flooring to prevent slivers!
We've delighted in calls from our Honduran coworkers, and missionary friends. Xiomara, now doing her social service at the hospital, seems to be thriving. We talked to her and her 5 yr old son this week- sure put smiles on our faces! Another 2 coworkers are revving up to begin nursing school in February- that will make 7 homegrown nurses! A slow trickle has begun to enter the workforce at the hospital- raised in the area, with family there, so not likely to leave us! Slowly they are learning to use email so keeping in better touch when we're out of Honduras. Looking forward to returning February 8, just in time for opening day of this year's LPN program, in which we will have 2 scholarshipped students again, one in the private and one in the public. God is good in providing the needs of Loma de Luz!