Last trip to Nicaragua

As usual, the team treated the translators to lunch at Pizza Hut. It's always a great time of food, fellowship and testimonies.  Pastor Scott Betts (Crossroads Church, Bensen, NC) called us to come to the front so they could pray for us.  It's no surprise that it was emotional for all of us.

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News from El Salvador

This coming June will mark the completion of our eighth year as missionaries in Central America. We are grateful to our home church, Abundant Life Church in Lee's Summit, Missouri, for supporting our ministry here. It has been a privilege to serve with Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva, and we are grateful for the prayer support we have received from our family and friends.
As we were called by God to serve here, we have always felt that our retiring would likewise be led by God's calling. After much prayer, we want to share with you that we will be retiring and returning to the States on or about July 8.
We ask for your continued prayers during this time of transition, and we look forward to God's further calling on our lives back in the States.

Welcome Back

Jon took us to the airport in San Francisco at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday night--our red-eye flight was supposed to leave at 12:30 a.m.  For some unknown reason it was delayed until 1:20 a.m. We got off the ground and on our way about 1:30, and landed in San Salvador a little before 9:00 a.m.  Good news was that immigration and customs lines were very short.  Guillermo was there to pick us up and we made it "home" about 10:30 a.m.

You may remember we had a not-so-good return last October when the power to the apartment had been off for an extended period.  This time we left everything turned off and unplugged hoping that it would all start up when we got back.  However, it seems that nothing is ever quite that easy here.  

We came home to a refrigerator that wouldn't cool, a truck that wouldn't start and no internet service.  Little by little things are being repaired and getting back to normal.  Elmer came by late Thursday afternoon and put more coolant in the frig.  Guillermo brought over a heavy-duty electric charger on Friday morning to get our truck battery going again and I spent an hour on the phone with our internet provider troubleshooting the internet.  As of Saturday night, all three things were working, although the internet is still spotty and slow.  

It was awesome being back at VidaNueva, hearing Pastor Steve preach and catching up with all our friends.  We have a week here at home and then three consecutive weeks of campaigns.  

Three Special Days--Day 3

Sunday after church and a quick snack at home, we headed to the Palo Alto Children's Theater production of the Ugly Duckling for our special day with A.  She was a bit hesitant at first, but was really enjoying herself by the end.  The production was targeted to kids ages 2-6, so there was lot's of crowd participation in the form of animal noises (we were pigs in our section), songs and several dances.

After the play we went to Sweet Tomatoes, her favorite restaurant.  She told her grandpa, "they have lot's of good desserts."  After two bowls of clam chowder, corn bread, various salads and a couple of small pieces of pizza, she had her chocolate ice cream topped with sprinkles.