Back at Church

It was great to be back at church today.  The music was especially great today and Stephen didn't even play.  In addition to the regular worship band, we had the pleasure of hearing Kike Pavon, a 26-year old contemporary Christian musician from Spain.  He was in town for a concert last night so he sang in each of our four services. The three songs he did were excellent; I really enjoyed his song called, Dame Un Nuevo Corazon," which translates as "Give Me a New Heart."  If you're really adventurous and would like to listen to the song (in Spanish), click here.

Also, although it is not as easy to listen to a sermon in Spanish, I do love Pastor Julio's messages.  He is doing a series on the names of God.  The first message in the series was on Jehovah; today's message was on Adonai from Daniel 9.

Not just another prom

If you have a chance, please click on this link to read an article about our niece, Elizabeth, who is waiting on a kidney transplant.  It's from the Children's Mercy Hospital website:  Elizabeth

Saying Good Night

It was hard to say good night to the kids last night.  As she got ready for bed each night Maleia would come to say good night like this, "Good night, see you in the morning  light."  We would respond, "good night, sleep tight, see you in the morning light."  Last night, however, since she knew we were leaving she said, "Good night, sorry I won't see you in the morning light."  She was right--when the morning light rose we were at 39000 feet over Mexico!

I know that red-eye flights serve a worthwhile purpose, but they make me absolutely miserable!  We departed SFO at 1:30 a.m. and landed in San Salvador at 8:00 a.m.  As hard as a tried, I don't think I slept more than a few minutes the whole flight.  Stephen didn't even try--he watched two movies.  The lines at immigration were short and our luggage came out quick, so we were in the truck and on the way home by 8:45.  Of course, we both crashed when we got home.  We finally ventured out to the grocery store about 5:00 p.m.

Hopefully, tomorrow will be a more normal day!

My little truck boy

I just can't believe Josiah's vocabulary . . . . this morning while reading the Richard Scary, "Cars, Trucks and Things That Go" book, he pointed out one type of car, truck and big vehicle after another.  The list includes:  excavator, bulldozer, cement mixer, dump truck, pickup truck, fire truck, ambulance, bus, van, sports car, front end loader, bookmobile, hatchback, limousine, tractor, train, school bus, just to name a few.  When playing with his garage he says, "Where's the blue car?", "Where's the ambulance?", "This car is getting stuck", "This is a fast car" and "He's going backwards."  I'm so amazed that a 22 1/2 month old knows so many words and that I can understand what he says.

Being a grandma is so much fun!

 Caught him off guard with the camera!

Lineup of his favorite vehicles!

DIS-E-NEYLAND

Yep, that's the way Maleia says it!  It was a great day yesterday.  The kids did so well--we were gone from 9:45 am to 7:45 pm.  Fun, fun, fun at the happiest place on earth!

 About ready to leave the hotel yesterday.

 It's a Small, Small World--what a feast for the eyes (and ears.)

 Josiah and his Papa O'Neil

 Cinderella's Castle in the background

Maleia and her baby, Lily, watch the parade from daddy's shoulder.

Packed and almost ready

We're heading to the LA area tomorrow and on Thursday morning we'll be standing in line for "It's a Small, Small World" at Disneyland.  Maleia is so excited she can hardly get to sleep tonight.  The kids will have lot's of adults around to watch them because the O'Neil grandparents are going with us, too.  The weather is supposed to be a perfect 70 degrees.  Here's a couple of pictures from yesterday.

 Stephen and Josiah drawing pickup trucks on the patio.

Our future gymnast climbing the tree!

Fun with the grandkids

Grandkids!  Need I say more!

May Day

Labor Day is celebrated on May 1 here in El Salvador.  So, all of the schools, government offices and many other places of business were closed today.   The team went door to door this morning in the neighborhood where we are having a campaign tomorrow night.

Tonight's family festival was in a closed, private neighborhood near the Crown Plaza Hotel where the team is staying and where we have two services every Sunday morning.  It was the first time we've been able to visit/share in this neighborhood.  It so exciting to see how God is opening "gates" in this type of neighborhood.

We've had a great week so far with over 350 professions of faith.  It's hard to believe that tomorrow is our last day, but it is.  The team flies out on Friday morning and our flight to California is at 3:00 p.m.  We're looking forward to hugging our kids and grandkids!

A couple of pictures from the last few days.

 Last minute instructions before heading out to visit in Apopa last night.

 Stephen made a new, shy friend last night.

Teaching the lesson on honesty at a school in Apopa.

ALBC at Lourdes

Sunday morning worship at the "new" church in Lourdes was amazing.  The worship music was awesome and included "Now is the Time to Worship," "Revelation Song," "How Great is Our God" and "His Loves Endures Forever."

Pastor Phil preached a great sermon from Joshua that urged the church not only to remember where they came from, but also to keep looking to the future.

Enjoy a couple of pictures from this morning.

 The whole team at the new entrance to the church.

 "Revelation Song"

Pastor Phil preaching; Pastor Steve translating

 

Jeff, Paula, Kristi, Pastor Phil and us!

They're Here!

The team from Abundant Life Baptist Church, Lee's Summit, Missouri, arrived right on time yesterday afternoon!  We gathered them all up in the big yellow school bus and made the trip up the mountain from the airport to San Salvador.  It was great to see old friends and meet new people.

We came home while they checked in to the Crown Plaza, had a quick lunch and a couple of hours to rest.  They left at 3:00 a.m. yesterday morning, so I know they appreciated the downtime.

Pastor Phil preached last night and Pastor Steve Kern translated.  It is always a great blessing for us to hear sermons in English and even more so when they are being preached by our very own pastor.  Here are a few pictures of the day!

This morning we start with orientation at 8:30 a.m. and then go door to door inviting neighbors to the family festival tonight.  Please pray for divine appointments this week and boldness to share the gospel.

Next Campaign Coming Up

Our next campaign is almost upon us.  A team from Abundant Life Baptist Church will arrive on Friday morning. We're so excited to have a group from our home church in Lee's Summit coming here to work with us.  It will be a busy week.  Stephen will be going out with the group in the morning, but I will be teaching.  We will both go out in the evening.

Please pray that we will have many opportunities to share Christ's love with the people of El Salvador.

Now there are SIX

The ladies of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia met today and we now have finished SIX baby quilts!  Our goal is to have 8 done in time for the Mother's Day celebration the second Sunday of May.  So, unless all of the machines break before our next meeting on May 4, we should easily achieve our goal.  We will be giving two baby quilts away in each of the four services on Mother's Day Sunday, May 12.

There are at least 15 more basted and ready to be quilted and another 10 or so ready to be assembled and basted.  I believe there should be more than enough to take us through the summer months.  It's so exciting to see the ladies using the sewing machines for the first time!

Prayer Request

Our daughter-in-law's oldest brother, Michael (age 33), has blood clots in his lungs. He is in the hospital and they are treating him with blood thinning medicine. He, as well as his father and several other siblings, have a genetic blood coagulating disorder called Leiden Factor V which complicates the situation.  Although this is something he was born with it has not cause any problems in the past.  Please pray that they are able to dissolve all of the clots and that no new clots appear.

Thanks for lifting him up!

I'm dreaming of BLT's

Paula Rhoades brought tomato seeds from home.  Gilma Flores planted, water, transplanted and brought two of the survivors to me.  I've done my best not to kill them.  Yesterday I noticed, the first tomato!  Can't wait for this little hard, green tomato to be red and ripe!  I hope that it's not the only one!

Pretending we're in Kansas City

We're having a Kansas City dinner tonight for our friends, Matt and Marcela.  Matt is Steve Kern's son, but he lived in the states for about 8 years so, I'm assuming, he's familiar with BBQ.  Marcela, his fiance', is from El Salvador, and, perhaps, this will be her introduction to BBQ or not.  The menu is:  baby back ribs, baked beans, cheesy corn and salad.  Hopefully, it will all taste great and they'll both love it.