THE BATTLE WITH THE SECOND "GRIPE"

I found out that the word "gripe" means THE FLU. I had it for six weeks and then went home to recup for a month and got a second strain one week after getting back in January! I thought it was going to be a mild case but it fooled me. This last week I just got progessively worse until I could not teach for two days and was burning up with fever. Finally on Sat. Vivian decided to go get the doctor who goes to our church here. After she examines me she went and got two IV bottles. tubes, needles, vials of three different medicines, and Antibiotics. I was completly full of congestion and had a throat infection. Well....she "hooked me up" and .twelve hours later she removed the bottle and I was higher than a kite on sugar water and "whatever" was in the meds. Praise God I feel much better today. She came again this morning and gave me two shots in the backside and I am due for an two this evening. Needless to say this was nasty stuff!
I do question God about "why" but I still trust in His faithfulness and guidance. I KNOW THAT I AM IN HIS PERFECT WILL! I was reminded about a long ago Healing Preacher, John G. Lake who when a missionary in Africa ministered to people who had a plague (I think Colorea) and he told his team that they would NOT become sick that when the germs came in contact with their bodies, "the temple of the Holy Spirit" that the germs would automatically die! Guess what? Not one of them became ill or had any adverse effects and went back home later healthy!
I said to the Lord, "Okay Lord if John G. Lake can have that happen why not me? Increase my faith oh Lord!!!!!

Part of the reason I think I got so bad was last Sunday Vivian and I decided to try to find two teenager Deaf kids who are on my waiting list. The only address I had was, "I live in Maimon." so we went out on the street and hailed a motorcyle taxi and asked him to take us to Maimon. Well he thought we were nuts because Maimon is nini kilometers over bumpy dirt roads. He took us downtown and after much haggling with him and his friend about price I decided that this wasn't feeling right so I told him we would go another way and we walk off. I immediately cried out to the Lord, please send us a Christian! About ten seconds later another motorcyle taxi pulled up and said, " I heard you want to go to Maimon." I said, "Yes, are you a Christian?" He responded, "Yes, I am." Praise the Lord! He took us and didn't even want to be paid....but we did anyway. What a ride!!! Picture this: both of us on one motorcyle, no helmets, hair flying in the wind, backsides numb and bruised, laughing and waving at all the people over nine kilometer of bumps!!! What a sight to behold. Two old grandmas acting like kids! Well, we found the kids and they are registered for school now. I paid the price though because all of the wind and dirt just made this Flu worse. But.......I'd do it again! LOL\

A couple of days ago a guy showed up at our school just as the kids were leaving. He is a pastor/missionary from Puerto Rico. He said he was picking up his daughter from the Christian school next door and he just feel so strong for a long to stop and talk to us. He offered us help with some of the teams he has come every year and materials and......he is going to keep his eye out for a house for us as I feel strongly we will have to leave here in May. I have peace if this is God's will. I have learned to love this house which is a miracle but do see the great need for more space as the school has grown to 17 children. The church needs this house to expand their school next door and were so kind to let us rent it this year. Pray for all of this work out perfectly in His will. I had a dream before I left in Sept. about a two story house with a screened in porch in the back. I will know it when I see it!

Vivian has been such a blessing to me and this ministry. She was only here one week when I had to have here completely take up the school for two days this week. Cati was such a help and they worked together great! Shows me that I certainly not irreplacable. Thank God!

My husband is surviving without me but we miss each othere more than ever. I am still praying for him to come back with me as we need him so much. I tried playing kickball with the kids two times. Some of them are running all over the field and missing every base. Meanwhile I am screaming and waving my hands to no avail as they cannot hear me. One boy, Luis, got it immediately and did an awesome job. I know how much Jet likes sports and he could be our PE teacher and all-around painter/handiman too. Pray! It's so hard sometimes to make that first step in faith.....but afterward pure joy!!!

God has been sustaining me in His Word! I do not know how christians can survive with the basking, studying, and meditating upon His precious Word. The Word and Prayer are the two most basic foundations of a Believer's life and must be disciplined every day of our lives with ceasing!

I love you all!