Feliz Dia De La Madre

Happy Mother's Day--it's a bit early for everyone back home--but May 10th is the "day" here in most of Central America.  Several years ago, the government added it as an official holiday so banks, government offices and many businesses are closed so families can celebrate the day.

I thought I'd also take this opportunity to share the most recent projects of the ladies of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia.  Although the group was smaller than usual, almost everyone finished the baby bibs which we started in April.  The reversible bibs have cute cotton fabric on one side, absorbent terry cloth on the other and close with a plastic snap!  They will soon be worn by cute grandchildren or gifted to new mom's in the church.

We also started work on our next project--hanging kitchen towels.  We are going to make 50 of them to give as gifts to attendees at a women's ministry event at our church in Apopa.  Here's a sample of our work.

Hilo, Aguja y Biblia--On the road

February has been a very busy month for the Hilo, Aguja y Biblia ladies.  We've had four different activities:  breakfast for friendship month, baby shower for Pastor David and Maritiza, regular Saturday meeting to make up packets to donate to a school and a trip to a school in Aguilares (yesterday) to share the gospel in three classrooms.  

Breakfast:

Baby shower:

Packing bags for the schools:

School evangelism in Aguilares:

I'm so proud of this group!  They've worked hard, studied hard and had lot's of fun over the past month.  

Final Prep and Fruit of our Labor

The Hilo, Aguja y Biblia ladies met yesterday to prepare all of our items for sale.  We finished up a few more Christmas towels and individually packaged all of the items, including the miniature fabric trays.  The signs were printed, the change boxes were prepared and the sales scheduled was finalized. At the final count, we had 70 towels (33 Christmas and 37 Jesus Te Ama) and another 70 small fabric trays.  If we're able to sell everything, we should raise about $300.  

I was able to give them an early Christmas gift--their very own Hilo, Aguja y Biblia t-shirt.  Every lady received a shirt, even if they weren't going to be working at the sale.  

This morning we sold our wares.  Since Stephen wasn't scheduled to play the piano, he and I went to Lourdes with towels and trays, and I wore one of our new shirts.  The congregation was very supportive, and we came back with almost $45.  

I stopped by the hotel to drop off the very few towels that were left from Lourdes and added them to the "inventory" for the final service at the hotel.   

We don't have the results from the sale at the main church in Miralvalle, but between Lourdes and the hotel we raised $164!  Praise the Lord--we will use the money to clean/repair our sewing machines and cover the cost of some of our future projects.

Cambio de Rumbo--Sunday morning

The rain from Saturday night forced a schedule change on Sunday morning.  Originally, we were going to have a very early devotional (6:00 a.m.) at the big tree up on top of the hill.  However, it was too wet and muddy, so we were able to sleep in, do our personal quiet time and be ready for breakfast at 7:30.  

After a time of worship, we met in small groups for our third study in Jonah.  Like the other sessions, we had two hours to talk about everything that happened in Chapter 3.  The power of the study came from the personal, application questions.

After the morning session, it was craft time.  The ladies of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia worked really hard to sew 140 fabric whales.  Earlier in the week, Maria Elena and I put the fabric whale (still wrong side out), a needle, buttons and a bookmark with instructions in individual bags.  Maria Elena gave the four-step instructions relating each step to our lives.  

Step 1:  Change your direction:  turn the whale so it is right-side out.  Be sure that your whale maintains the correct form.

Step 2:  Focus your eyes on God:  sew on the two white buttons first and then add the black buttons on top. 

Step 3:  Fill your life with the Word of God:  pour in a pound of dry rice.

Step 4:  Hide his words in your heart:  Sew the opening closed.

(The rice bag serves a practical purpose, as well.  It can be heated in the microwave (1-2 min.) and used on sore muscles OR it can go in the freezer to be used on swollen feet, ankles or to cool down after exercising.)

It was quite a process trying to explain the steps to everyone at the same time, but we had excellent table leaders who helped with the process.  

Getting Ready

Vida Nueva's women's retreat is this weekend.  There's been so much preparation for this weekend and we're praying that the 140 women who attend will be richly blessed.  The theme of the weekend is "Cambio de Rumbo," which is translated, "Change Direction."

  

We will be completing a study on the life of Jonah--God asked Jonah to change direction and go to Nineveh.  However, Jonah made the decision to change his direction and go toward Tarsus--miles away in the opposite direction of where God wanted him to go.  Jonah's bad decision had consequences for him and for his shipmates.  I'll save the rest of the teaching for after the retreat.

The ladies of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia started preparing the craft for the retreat about six weeks ago.  We thought we were finished, but the women just kept enrolling.  I made 10 more whales this week and then yesterday, Maria Elena and I assembled 110 bags (have 30 more to do today) with the whale, buttons, needle, instructions, etc.  I'll be helping her during craft time on Sunday.

We weren't the only ones working on the retreat, Ena and her leadership team worked all day yesterday and are still working today to be sure everything is ready.   

Pray that all goes smoothly and God is glorified!

A Morning of Ministry

Today, as representatives of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia, Ena, Isabel and I went to our campus in Apopa to share with the ladies ministry.  We didn't arrive in time to have breakfast with them (they start at 7:30 a.m.) and we had a bit of a drive, but we did get there in time to join them for the praise/worship time.  

After the singing, Isabel taught the Bible study lesson.

When she finished, all 35 of the ladies moved to the room next door for craft time--we made fabric flowers which they can put on headbands, in their hair or on their clothes.  It was a little crazy trying to explain to all 35 at the same time, but we made it and they loved the results.

It was a great opportunity to get to know these precious women better.  

Maria Antonia--leader of the women's group in Apopa

Isabel, Ena and Me

Another Baby Shower

Saturday Pam picked me up and we went to a baby shower for Javier and Claudia (missionaries serving with VidaNueva Guatemala City, Guatemala.)  It's a baby boy and his name will be Aldo Javier; he should be arriving sometime in the middle of November.

Claudia's mom, Daisy, is part of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia, so almost all of "us" were at the shower.  In fact, Maria Elena and Isabel, my two teachers, were the hostesses.

I have plans to make something special for Aldo, but I knew it wouldn't be finished in time for the shower.  So, I bought three sizes of onesies while we were in the states and created monthly stickers so they can post pictures from Guatemala for all their family and friends here in El Salvador.  Here's an example of a few of the stickers.  

I know I'm anxious to see Aldo sporting his onesies!