Praise God for His Faithfulness

Hello Friends & Family,
I marvel at the Goodness and Faithfulness of our Great God! When I think that I cannot go one more day, His strength and ability is always here for me. I have been ill for the past five weeks with "the gripe". Head and chest congestion with fever and cough. Most of it ,except the cough, are now gone. Every day God helped me to teach and direct the school for the Deaf here in the D.R.
I am awed and humbled as I witness the growth and progress of these Deaf children. They are blooming like a beautiful flower garden. My little Alber, who was so withdrawn and shy, is now signing and outgoing and so smart and quick that it amazes me. He is a "perfectionist" and wants all of his work to be the best. Our two little "street boys, who stories break out hearts, are progressing. Bladimir was so serious for so many weeks and is now smiling all the time. Eduardo whose life is so sad and miserable is also improving. He is a challenge but we love him and give him lots of "grace". A recent visit to his house found him with a chain and lock around his ankle. His mother's excuse was that when she left him alone he would run away, so she locks him up. In the states it would be called gross child abuse, but here it is very different. We are trying to get an intervention without causing the child more harm. He has a very abusive step-dad who has beat him in the past. We just rejoice everyday that he shows up for school.
All of the children are happy and growing. Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day at home. While the family feasted on Turkey all of the trimmings, we were having school as usual and eating rice and beans. As I prayed and thanked the Lord for all of His provision, including the rice and beans, I began to cry with thoughts of home and family. God reminded me that missing a holiday dinner was well worth the lives of 14 Deaf children. Their ultimate salvation is our primary goal. Today I taught the Bible class and has the opportunity to pray with all of them to open their hearts to Jesus Christ. It is a beginning as God opens their understanding. It was beautiful to see all of them on their knees praying for Jesus to come into their hearts!
Vivian is a joy! She is one of the most upbeat and positive people I have ever met! She is willing and ready to do whatever I ask of her. I gave her full charge of our three year old. He is learning so fast that eveyone is amazed!
Thank you each and everyone who has prayed and held me up to the Lord. He has answered those prayers! I have changed me plans a little and decided to return home for the Christmas break. I will fly out on Dec. 11 and return on Jan. 8. Hope to see many of you while I am home.
God bless you all!

GETTING INTO THE ROUTINE

HELLO TO THOSE WHO READ THIS BLOG,

THINGS HAVE GOTTEN INTO A "ROUTINE" HERE NOW. IT IS A BLESSING TO HAVE RUNNING WATER EXCEPT NOW THE ELECTRICITIY WANTS TO GO OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS AT A TIME! PRAISE THE LORD ANYWAY! HAVING VIVIAN HERE HAS BEEN SUCH A BLESSING. SHE IS A NATURE TEACHER AND IS WILLING TO DO WHATEVER TASK IS GIVEN TO HER.

WE NOW HAVE A WATER COOLER FOR THE CHILDREN TO HAVE COLD WATER DURING THE DAY. IT IS SO HOT AND HUMID AND THEY DRINK LOTS OF WATER, WHICH IS GOOD FOR THEM. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SICK CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL, WITH WHAT THEY CALL "THE GRIPE". IT IS A COLD AND COUGH. WELL, THEY FINALLY PASSED IT ON TO ME. I HAVE BEEN COUGHING FOR A WEEK. WE NOW HAVE A LADY COOKING FOR US AND SHE MADE ME A "TEA" OF DIFFERENT HERBS, SO.......WE WILL SEE.

GOD IS MOVING IN A WONDERFUL WAY AMONG THE DEAF CHILDRENI . THEY ARE JUST LIKE SPONGES, ABSORBING EVERYTHING SO QUICKLY. THEY ARE SIGNING WITH ME AND WITH EACH OTHER NOW. I TEACH BIBLE CLASS ON FRIDAYS AND ONE LITTLE BOY WAS JUST ENRAPTURED WITH THE STORY OF GOD'S CREATION. AS I TAUGHT THEM THE SIGNS FOR THINGS LIKE "THE TRINITY OF GOD", I BEGAN TO WEEP AS I COULD ENVISION THESE SAME CHILDREN ONE DAY BEING PASTORS AND TEACHERS OF GOD'S WORD AND USING THESE BIBLICAL SIGNS TO TEACH.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE TWO LITTLE "STREET" BOYS THAT I HAVE. EDUARDO IS VERY HYPER AND HAS LITTLE DISCIPLINE AND BLADIME HAS BEEN VERY SICK. HE IS LEFT ALONE ALL DAY WITH A HIGH FEVER. WE SENT SOMEONE TO CHECK ON HIM AND THEY COULD SEE HIM SLEEPING THROUGH THE CRACKS IN THE BOARDS OF THE HOUSE, BUT THE DOOR WAS LOCKEDAND WE COULD NOT GET IN AND OF COURSE HE COULDN'T HEAR US TO OPEN. HOPEFULLY HE IS BETTER THROUGH OUR PRAYERS AND RETURNS TO SCHOOL.

THE TEACHERS THAT I AM TRAINING ARE DOING WELL AND LEARNING QUICKLY. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM ALSO: CATI AND ELIZABETH. THEY ARE BOTH OLDER AND I FEEL THEY WILL STAY WITH ME. VIVIAN WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HER FEET SWELLING BUT IS DOING MUCH BETTER.

ALL IN ALL, EVERYTHING IS GREAT! WE ARE REJOICING IN OUR GOD! HE NEVER FAILS US AND NEVER WILL!

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