Still no word. Still waiting. Ralph

From someone who lives in Honduras. Good questions and real stuff--not just what CNN wants to report.
From a Harding guy, Daniel Careres, who lives in Honduras.
Honduras against the ropes- Obama supports it?!
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Today at 8:10pm
Im taggin all of you in here to try to get some quality info out there about what's really going on in our country... we need helpOBAMA MORE THAN 'CONCERNED' link: http://boortz.com/nealz_nuze/2009By Neal Boortz @ June 30, 2009 8:11 AM Permalink Comments (94) TrackBacks (0)North Korea launches a missile and it takes Barack Obama and the UN five days to respond. Iran holds fraudulent elections, kills protesters and it takes weeks before Barack Obama can stand up and say that he is "concerned" about the situation.Then the people of Honduras try to uphold their constitution and laws of the land from being trampled by a Chavez-wanna be ... and it takes Barack Obama one day to proclaim that this was not a legal coup.Why the sudden decisiveness? Where were these strong opinions on foreign matters when Iranian authorities were trampling protestors and cutting off media access to the outside world? Where was this decisiveness when Kim Jong Ill decided that he was going to launch missiles toward Hawaii on the Fourth of July? Why ... NOW ... is Obama suddenly speaking out loudlyHow about a little background. Are you really sure you know what has been going on in Honduras? Do you think that this was simply a coup? Let me give you a rough outline here, and then you can sit back and wonder just why PrezBO is in the weeds with Chavez and Castro on this one.Mel Zelaya is, or was, the President of Honduras. He and Hugo Chaves were tight. So tight, it seems, that Zelaya wanted to emulate Hugo by changing the Honduran constitution to allow him to run for office until he durned well gets tired of it.To change the constitution in Honduras you have to convene a constituent assembly. The president cannot do that. The Honduran congress must approve a national referendum calling for the constituent assembly to consider changes to the constitution. Zelaya didn't like the part about the constitution requiring approval of the congress before a national referendum could be called. So ... he decided to call one on his own. OK .. so here we have President Zelaya calling for a national referendum when he doesn't have the power to do so. The next problem is obtaining ballots! Since the Honduran congress had not called for the referendum, as required by the constitution, the government certainly wasn't going to print the ballots! After all, how smart would it be to print ballots for an illegal referendum? So ... Zelaya had to get the ballots printed elsewhere. Here's an idea! Get his pall Hugo Chavez to print them! Yes! That will work!So Chaves prints Zelaya's ballots and they're shipped to Honduras. Enter the Honduran Supreme Court. The court considers Zelaya's election in light of the requirements of the Honduran constitution, and rules the referendum illegal and unconstitutional. The court then issues an order to the Honduran military telling them not to do the logistical work associated with Zelaya's phony referendum. Remember, now ... all of this has one primary goal. To get rid of the term limits limiting Zelaya's rule in Honduras. After the supreme court's decision, General Romeo Velasquez tells President Zelaya that he is subject to a proper order from the Supreme Court and will not be able to carry out Zelaya's referendum. So ... Zelaya fires him. The Supreme Court orders Zelaya to reinstate Velasquez, and Zelaya refuses to do so. At this point Zelaya's ego is getting the better of him. If the military won't run his illegal referendum, he'll just do it himself. He gins up a mob and leads them to the military compound where Hugo's ballots are stored and then has his supporters begin distributing the ballots to the masses. Based on the Supreme Court's ruling the Honduran attorney general said that the proposed referendum was illegal and said that he would arrest anyone attempting to carry out the election. Zelaya was arrested by the military and was escorted out of the country. Now ... does this sound like a military coup-de-etat to you? The attorney general and the military were operating in accordance with the Honduran rule of law. They acted under a valid court order. Coup? The Honduran congress has convened and designated a successor president, all in accordance with the Honduran Constitution. Military coup? The presidential elections set for November .. the election that Zelaya was trying to get around ... will go on as scheduled. A blow for democracy? Fidel Castro, Daniel Noriega, Hugo Chavez ... all on the side of Zelaya. But Obama? Obama fighting against the rule of law and for a wannabe dictator? What gives? ******************************************************************************************************************PS: Due to recent events in which Honduras had to throw our president out, the UN is pushing a commercial block against out nation. Our destituted president was following a Chavez styled government drowning our economy and our nation with it. Within two years our Public Debt almost doubled. Journalistas have died, he has persecuted his opposition paying riots around the country promoting violence and anarchy. To the point, that he is being charged for drug traffic and treason. Now the guy appears off to the world as a victim and is getting away with it while the whole world watches and supports him endorsing an ignorant political attitude that preaches democratic dictators are preferable than the will of the people. Meanwhile Hugo Chavez threatens to impose war on Honduras if Zelaya is not put back in office, all of this while CNN Español has blatantly misinformed almost everyone who watches it. WE NEED HELP: If you can help, please do so by trying to get the word out there to your local authorities in government or anyone who can do so. If you need more information, PLEASE PLEASE let me know and I will gladly deliver it to you, or watch news reports on FOX (to liberal for your taste? they are one of the few networks getting the story right)"Democratic elected office does not come with a ticket to break the law"

It is calm here in La Palma. With the Honduran border closed to commerce, there are no big trucks rolling until Thursday. I can only try to imagine what the border looks like with the apparent hundreds of rigs just waiting - on both sides.

Speaking of waiting, I still am. I stayed in La Palma again today waiting, and I never have been very good at waiting. It is all I can do, but I wait not well. I keep hoping the call will come that things are ready. I even check my phone occasionally to make sure it is working. Salvador, the hotel owner, just spoke with the President's lawyer. He says the papers are ready to sign and the Pres will sign them, but they are busy in a meeting about the Honduras situation until 7:30. The President's secretary told Carmen the same story, so I wait. If he signs them tonight we can get the trucks released from Customs in the morning and be unoading by afternoon. I have been making some visits but am spending most of my time writing reports and the quarterly newsletter that is due today. The newsletter will be late because my mailing list is on the home computer.

I called the embassy again to verify my safety. They assured me I am safe and can even go to Honduras if I want to-- I don't. The lady at citizen services has been very kind and promised to keep me informed if are problems. She honestly does not expect any. If you have my email address, please let me know you are thinking of me. I have used up tons of minutes on my phone and prefer free email conversation.

I have had lots of time to visit with Jose and Jesus. That has been good for all of us. However, I am ready to git-r-dunn and get home! God bless you, Ralph

Still waiting. One source said it would be approved at 11 and another said it would be at 1. Obviously, it was not approved at 11.

Today is the DAY! Pray for success. Rafael.

The El Salvadoran government is struggling because it is new. Now they are preoccupied with the problem in Honduras. The news is that they closed commerce with Honduras for 48 hours. There were very few trucks on the road yesterday, and very few this morning. This is a main highway between the 2 countries, so I suspect that the border is partially closed to commercial traffic. There has been no military traffic, which is a good sign.
Nothing else to report this morning.

Basketball game June 9. The boys thought they would have an easy time against the girls. After about a minute the Aurora girls came alive and it was no contest. They boys got beat badly. Oh, the thrill of Victory!

Two people who do not know each other, both have good friends in the White House (ES), both saying tomorrow is THE DAY !

I have heard something close to that before, but we must NEVER give up.

Breaking news on the containers. The papers can be picked up at the White House tomorrow at 8:30 am and we can take them to Customs for the release signatures, pay the bills, and get them on the road to La Palma.

Things are hectic here with the Honduras situation. There is concern and talk of possibly closing the border with Honduras. There is no military threat or danger, though. I have visited with the embassy about it. You probably know more from watching CNN than I do.

God bless you, Ralph

When young Abby was here the first week, she brought money that she had collected to buy food for poor people. She was able to deliver some of it, but left the rest of the money for later. Today, Jose bought some food and we delivered it to this lady, Lupita. She is blind and has other health problems including fluid on the lungs. Ana has been visiting her and studying with her. Lupita was unable to see the food, but she felt of each item and expressed her sincere appreciation. Her rent is due tomorrow and she has no money, so she is very concerned.

Waiting. James 1: 2-4

This is the day that the Lord has made.

I will get things done!

There was a large crowd at church this morning. Nearly all of the chairs were full, and the kids were in separate classrooms. They need the extra seating that is on the containers. God bless you, Ralph

I was in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with the military in 1985. It is a beautiful country and the people are warm and generous, though very poor. Let's pray that the situation corrects itself quickly and peaceably. Tegu is nearly 8 hours from here by bus. I see no theat to La Palma because of the stuff happening there.

II Corinthians 4: 16 to 5:4

also Gal 6: 8 - 10

from first week

from the first week

photos from first week

Good morning! I am rested and getting ready to eat. The restaurant serves really good scrambled eggs, and the pancakes are real! I mean that.
The photos are from the first week here.
I continue to get reports of why the delay from the President. It seems that there is more than politics involved. The previous administration was extremely corrupt-people on the payroll with no jobs, friends got special treatment and rewards, stuff came into the country by the boatload without paying taxes on it, and the list goes on. The new government is trying to clean up some of that and be very careful what comes in. So, I invited them to come see what we have done with previous shipments and how they benefitted the people. One lady who was here and saw it last year is in the government and promises to help. She has been out with back surgery for --amazingly, three weeks! Monday I go to San Salvador and talk with whomever it requires, even if it is the First lady and the Pres. Also, my very good friend, Napolean, arrives back in the country today and will go with me. He knows just about everyone in government.
Pray for good things to happen! Ralph

These girls have occupied almost 6 hours of my time! We went through hundreds of words in both languages (almost my entire vocabulary). They copied every one of them and practiced saying them. They showed me around the hotel grounds. It is much larger than I realized, and the owner is a gardener with lots of flowers growing all over. We climbed the hill behind the hotel to see the ducks! They I asked for some rest and they began jumping rope. Finally, I went over and asked to jump the rope as they twirled it--they kept it going while I ran in, jumped it five times and ran out. They thought it was so funny that they rolled on the floor laughing! Then we went and had ice cream. Now they have said good-bye and I am resting as I write.

Three girls that I was teaching English. Heydi, Tatiana, Belki.

Good morning again. It is Saturday in La Palma. I have finished all work that I can do here until we get the containers. Some security policies remain to be enforced and reinforced. I have explained twice how important it is to lock things up, but found several violations this morning.
Salvador, the owner of this hotel is calling all of his friends in the same party as the President and asking for help. Surely one of them will come through. Salvador has seen what we have done in the past and appreciates it.
The photo shows Morris, Maxi, and Racquel at lunch with our friend Luis.
As I posted on Facebook, if you have to be a prisoner of politics, this is the place to be. Wow, nice hotel and great food and service. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, and so far NO problems. Two local policemen told me this morning that their job for today and tonight is to protect me! I feel absolutely no threat, but that is nice to know.
Three little girls found me writing on the veranda this morning and wanted lessons in English. I have been teaching them numbers to twenty and the names of the months. We will work on shapes and colors later. I asked for a small marker board--I soon had a large one on a tripod with markers and erasers! They are teaching me Spanish words also. They asked if they could bring their friends for the next class.
The weather remains nice. Light rain in the afternoon (it caught me yesterday while walking back and I got very wet) and cool. All is well except for that one big thing! God bless you, Ralph

Rachel (now Raquel) took a liking to this bird and enjoyed playing with it. See the old iron hanging on the wall behind her? I am bringing it home.

No word --except that no word means no signature and no release. The hotel owner is calling his friends (same political party as the President) and says we can get it released tomorrow! I am willing to try that route. Otherwise I go to San Salvador Monday and beg and plead and cry and throw a tantrum.
I am rested and enjoying some relax time. The relaxing will end soon, but not soon enough.
Keep praying for God to intervene. He can. Ralph

I have been here with three phones and my laptop waiting for word on the container release. Nothing! Don't give up though. Ralph

The movie shows Claudia walking with the parallel bar set that Morris built for her. She is 23 and has some form of CP. She has never walked. In March of 2008 Dea and Debbie helped her stand up and take some steps. In June 2008 she started physical therapy. Her mother learned how to help her work out, and she has made significant progress since then. She has a better wheel chair, ramps which give her access to the bathroom, and an exercise bike to help her. She needs to go back to therapy in September.

Doug arrived at Tulsa OK and is on his way home. He and Morris departed Houston about the same time. Morris should be in Little Rock by now.

I moved to a nicer hotel for the wait. I expect a call any minute, but things do not happen fast here. This is much more convenient to have wireless internet service and a room that does not leak. I am sitting on the veranda as I write. There is beautiful scenery and the facility is nice. After the first week here I had had enough of the other hotel with toilets plugged, showers plugged, roof leaks, wall leaks, cold showers, no water, late food service, mold in the rooms, missing sheets, bugs, and the list goes on and on. I asked Doug to go negotiate a good price with the better hotel and he said he already had! We will pay a little more on future trips but have much better and healthier conditions.
The weather is cool. One night I had to add a towel to my bed because the blanket was not enough. It rains almost every day, but they usually don't last long.
I got an email about the possible military coup in Honduras and will not be going back there --at least on this trip. Just don't want to take any chances.

The work list for the school and church is getting short. I will do most of it today. The drainage situation is corrected and new locks on some of the doors make the equipment much more secure.
The attendance at Bible study Monday night and again last night has been great! It appears that as many people come on those nights as do on Sunday morning. There was a lady baptized last night. She had attended only a short time.
Erika is slightly better each day. The chemo hurts her for a while after each dose. The doctor said it is working.
Fredy and Glenda are getting along much better. They both smile more and are friendly to each other. They are planning to go to a marriage improvement seminar tomorrow.She is excited about that. Her mother was a concern for a few days. Glenda said if she left the Catholic faith her mother would not speak to her for a month. However, last night she said her mother had told her that she had seen a big difference in her since she began going to the church of Christ and it is OK with her!

I found a keyboard with the right symbols on it! It is hard to find the @ and the - and the ! on many of them.
Doug and Morris are on the flight to Houston as I write. I am rested and spending the day with Jose. We agreed that I could speak only Espanol and he can speak only English. It has been fun but there were some difficult times already. We have lots of visits to make and business to attend to.
I have been told by 2 upper level sources that the Pres will sign the document today before noon. I hope that happens and that the containers will arrive tonight.
It has been really good to have Doug and Morris here working on improvements. They got a lot of things done to make things more secure and convenient and attractive.
I will have wireless internet in my room tonight and will post some photos if time permits. God bless you, Ralph

This just in the secretary to the President says he will sign the document before 11 am Friday

I don't know to believe it or not, but we have 4 different people with friends in the 'white house' who are working on it, and hundreds are praying for it including the receptionist at the US embassy.

The new president will not delegate authority to sign for anything coming into the country. He does it personally, and that has caused some delay!

Doug and Morris are going home in the morning. I will stay to get the container released, unloaded, and the stuff distributed as best we can.

Please continue to pray for all things about this mission. Ralph

Good morning again from the mountain city of La Palma, Chalatenango, El Salvador! We are well and healthy except that Morris is feeling the effects of a cold coming on. Sudafed and Vitamin C are the remedies that seem to be helping.
Morris and Doug and installing better locks on some interior doors for security. The existing ones are just too easy to open, even when locked.
Morris built a set of parallel bars for Claudia to exercise on. She has gone back and forth so many times already that her legs are sore! A year ago she could barely stand up from her wheel chair with the help of someone.
Erika is a little better now and continues to get better each day.
All of us are speaking a little more Spanish each day because of the necessity to learn a few new words. Several people here are trying to learn English, so we work with each other.
Still no word on the container release. I have spoken with people at the embassy and tried all of the contacts we know close to government. We are frustrated but not giving up. Please say a prayer today for quick action. We are trying to decide what to do about going home, since our schedule is for tomorrow. I will post something this afternoon, because we are running out of time. God bless you, Ralph

Good morning to all—again. We still have a few things going on, but negotiating for the containers is our biggest job. The president still has not signed the release, and when he does, the Mayor and I have to go to customs to sign for it and pay the extra storage fees, which are almost $2000. Again, we are caught in a political trap. Tito calls and calls and calls, but since he is of the opposing party, they seem to ignore him. I have pleaded that the people of La Palma are the ones being hurt, and he agrees but seems powerless. I threatened to go to the newspaper with a story about it, and he said it probably would mean his assassination. I may be required to extend my stay even longer until we get resolution and delivery,
We had dinner at Reina’s house last night, and then continued our Bible study with Glenda and Fredi. They were both different last night-happy, smiling, and talking to each other. He starts work for us tonight as a part-time security guard for those times when Jose is not staying overnight at the facility.
Brandon and Isaiah left at 3:30 this morning to go home. They spent yesterday afternoon and evening with the extended family of Erika and Gabriel.
The sidewalk project at the school is near completion, and gates are being built for the front and back door of the school building for additional security.
We ask you to pray for us and the release of the containers—quickly. Doug, Morris, and I are the only ones here now. God bless you, Ralph .

I have failed to mention Erika lately. She is better but still has sickness each day. She is up and around. Ralph

Good morning again. It seems a little trite to keep saying that, but we are well and busy. We have organized the stuff that we keep here and that will help in future trips. Morris organized the tool boxes and supply storage.
Dea, Marcy-there is a lot of medicine and supplies here, including a whole tote of vitamins.
We almost finished our list yesterday--just some small stuff remains. Brandon and Isaiah go home early tomorrow morning. We have enjoyed them and they have been helpful. They found very good friends here.
Doug is preparing final specs on new facilities for the school and Bible Institute to issue contracts in September for construction completion by the end of the year.
We have no word on the container delivery yet. Supposedly the president signed the document, but we have no word officially and no schedule. Pray that they will be released and arrive late today or early Wednesday so we can distribute and store the items.
Also pray that we will continue to have health and safety--and a timely trip home.
God bless you, Ralph

Good morning from La Palma! We had a great day yesterday in spite of our concern about the containers not coming. We worshipped with the La Palma church in the morning and the Ocotepeque church in the evening. Both were great.
We counseled Freddy and Glenda Saturday night and invited her to attend church with us Sunday morning. She and her daughter were glad to go with us and enjoyed it very much. She and Freddy both went with us last night to Ocotepeque and both enjoyed the trip and worship. We counseled them again last night late. She told us that if we had not invited her to church she would have stayed in bed and cried all day. He said he would have packed a suitcase and left. We felt good about the success and they both promised to work on improvement.

Isaiah and Brandon have been very friendly to the Gabriel/Erika family and enjoy spending their extra time playing with the children in that area. We have all been tremendously impressed the the young people from Kansas City. They are very caring and compassionate about the people here. The young ladies dressed and acted modestly. The boys work hard.
Doug brought new speakers for both the La Palma church and the Ocotepeque church. They are installed and both systems are impressive. They have much better clarity than the previous ones and are a great improvement.
New documentation is on the President's desk for signature. We now wait to see if there will be new requirements or if we will get the needed clearances. Morris is busy and has boys helping him on projects. We do have a lot of work to do and will stay occupied pending container arrival. We are well. God bless you, Ralph

Good morning from La Palma! We are well and excited to be here to worship God today! A big cloud hangs over the mountain to the east, and Morris says that God is in the cloud and leading us.
Last night we ate hamburgers and french fries--it was a welcome change. They were good. Later Morris, Jose, and I counseled a couple who are having marital problems-big time. (Tony, we need you here today!) We invited the lady to church this morning and she came. We visit with the man this afternoon to try some reconciliation. They have been married for 13 years and are considering dissolving it.
Today we are trying to finalize plans for the upstairs classrooms. A new stair design and some different layouts make more classrooms available and a more favorable access to the 2nd floor.
We learned that those leaving us yesterday got home safely--totally as far as we know.
The photo shows the 2nd week group. It may show up a little dark--cannot tell on this monitor. If it is too dark, Lori or Lana, please fix it.
Tonight we will probably be in Ocotepeque again. Tomorrow we wait on the containers while we do some fixup work at the school. New sidewalks are going in and will improve the mud situation.
God bless you, Ralph

Hola from La Palma! It is Saturday afternoon here, and we are taking it easy. Rachel and Tony left La Palma at 3 am so Rachel could get to the airport for her early flight. A person we know and trust drove them down. They arrived safely and early. Rachel’s flight has landed in Houston and she should soon be on the next leg to Columbus, OH. The later group left at 7:45 and arrived safely at the SAL airport. They are now on the plane enroute to Houston, and the computer shows them leaving the gate early.
Two young men from KC, Brandon and Isaias, stayed with Morris, Doug, and me to try to get the container here and unloaded. We have plenty to do until it arrives.
This morning we visited Erika (much better), Fatima, Legia, Pedrina (the boys enjoyed the ‘tire trail), Sondra, Marta’s mom, Yolanda and Jocelyn, Deysi, and others. Everyone enjoyed it.
Last night after the wedding we had a ‘goodbye’ session for those leaving. We then talked about how the trip affected us and what we would take home from it.
The wedding last night was terrific. Tony performed the ceremony after coaching Jesus and Jose about how to do it. They wanted him to demonstrate, so he did. The girls from KC, along with Gladys, had done a great job of planning, and the event was quite an ordeal, complete with tiered wedding cake! I will follow up with photos of it.
Morris has accomplished a tremendous amount of work to create storage for the school and church. We know there will be more requests, but for now the situation is good. Rick was disappointed last night that the video conference system did not come up when first booted –but he later found that it was working and the test station he was using was down. He was then a happy camper—about 8:30.
Yesterday afternoon there was an activity for the sponsor program children. Most of them had made gifts for their sponsors, and those went home with Rick for distribution.
Some are napping now and the rest of us will a little later. I wanted to keep you updated on travel and events as much as possible. Now that things have slowed down a little, I will do better.
Those of us here are well and healthy. God bless you and the people of La Palma. Ralph

Friday night...

Ralph just called and said that he was in the middle of a blog post today when he got pulled away. By the time he came back it had timed out and he just didn't have time to do it again so he asked me to pass on a few pieces of information...

Everyone is well and the second wave prepares to head home tomorrow. The container's arrival is still hung up due to bureaucracy and politics. Because of this, Ralph, Doug, Morris, Brandon, and Isaiah will stay over till next Friday to help with its arrival and the distribution of the contents. Please be in prayer that the political hurdles will be knocked down quickly and that the container will arrive early in the week so that there is ample time for distribution.

Rick was able to get everything on the LAN working at the school last night, including the video conferencing equipment. Yay, Rick!

Tonight's wedding was beautiful and Lorena and Francisco are now husband and wife. The ladies from Kansas City helped plan the ceremony. Gladys was also helpful in this, since she has helped with several La Palma weddings in recent years.

He also reported that Erika is feeling better today. Praise God! Please continue to remember her health situation in prayer.

Please also pray for safety for tomorrow's group as they travel home. Dios le bendiga.

We just experienced an historic moment in La Palma! The high speed internet is now working in the new school! There are 18 LAN connections in the facility. Rick is very happy, except that now he has 3 days of work to do in the next 24 hours. All is well!

Good afternoon from La Palma! We are all healthy and busy, and somewhat tired. There is a lot of work being done to make the school better, such as creating more storage and putting in sidewalks. Since space is scarce, we are making use of all wasted space and trying to improve both security and convenience for the teachers. We have inconvenienced the school somewhat but told them that we would not bother them next week. Morris also built a large cabinet for church supplies, class materials, and cleaning supplies.
The young people are visiting homes and doing some sightseeing today. Nurse Charri is still busy and doing some organizing in the medical storage area. Doug is taking photos of the school children. Rick is working feverishly on the local area network for the computer system. Tony is preaching each night and has been asked to return in December as a guest speaker for a youth meeting.
We have no word on the containers. We are caught in a political situation that is out of our control.
Erika, a good friend and church member, has uterine cancer. She has declined to have surgery and started chemo treatments today. She is very sick this afternoon. Please pray for her and her family.
Fransisco and Lorena will be married tomorrow night after the church service. We will have a party for them to help the celebration. Then, Saturday we return to the US unless the containers do not arrive today or tomorrow, in which case some of us will have to stay over.

Wednesday update...

Ralph called and said that he is just not going to be able to make it to the computer lab to make an entry today. He said to say that all are well. And that they are "boosy, boosy, boosy." (Many of you will understand that but for those that do not, that is how Brother Jose pronounces the English word "busy" and the group has adopted it and uses it down there.) According to Ralph, the group has "much to do but is accomplishing a lot." Several are helping make preparations for a wedding between Lorena and Francisco which is scheduled to take place Friday night. There is still no word on the container and they are beginning to think that some in the group may need to stay past Saturday to oversee its arrival.

Hi from La Palma! There is a lot going on and yet a lot to do. The team is making good progress on work at the school to prepare for computer classes and the Bible Intitute to locate there. The PA system and projection system are almost ready also.
Our team is probably the best one yet. We are having fun together and sharing work loads. The teens we have with us are terrific.
There were no activities last night so we got to bed a little early. Today and tonight we are visiting and having Bible studies as well as working on school/church projects.
After tonight we are very busy day and night with activities. Tony is loving his work here and is well received and respected as a speaker. He has been invited to speak about drug and alcohol abuse at the high school as a result of the teaching last week by Deny and Leigh.
Nurse Charri stays occupied full-time and then some.
The group in Ocotepeque is working hard also. They are helping with some digging and clearing for a new auditorium in the mornings and teaching and preaching in the afternoons and evenings.
We are all well and healthy. We took a group photo last night and will get it posted soon.
God bless you, Ralph

Monday update...

Ralph called and said it doesn't look like he's going to be able to make a blog entry today. He simply asked that I post that all members of the group are all well and working hard.

Hello from La Palma! We have not been able to get good internet service for a few days, so it is great to be able now to post some updates.
The group left yesterday with mixed emotions. Many would loved to stay, especially for the worship this morning. They all had a good time while here and were glad for the opportunity to come. We believe they are all home safely. The bus that took them to the airport broke down just after the new group got on. It was able to get to Olocuilta, the best pupuseria in the country and they got to eat the national food for a while. The bus was repaired and the new team arrived in La Palma about 6pm. Six went on to Ocotepeque Honduras and will spend the week there for an evangelistic campaign, some construction work, and a VBS session. We will join them tonight for worship.
Yesterday we continued to work on improvements to the school and church building. The signs got moved and a new PA system tested for the La Palma building. We also made some visits.

The new people who are staying La Palma immediately merged into those of us remaining and we are getting along great! They are all anxious to work. We had some great singing and fellowship last night at the restaurant. We were all tired, so we went to bed early. Seven suitcases belonging to the Kansas City group did not get to the airport and had to be delivered this morning --but not in time for them to have good clothes for worship. It is OK now.
This morning was the inauguration meeting of the new church building. Tony did a great job of telling them that the building is a tool and now they have the responsibility to harvest the lost, who are all around. There were 342 in attendance for worship--they came from about 10 congregations plus the local community. The singing was awesome! A ceremony was conducted to make the final payment to the contractor and receive all of the keys from the property owner.
The ladies of the congregation had worked yesterday afternoon and through the night to prepare food for everyone.
We still do not have word on container delivery, but we know that it will happen sometime. We are ready. I am glad it did not come yesterday, because we would not have had room for worship today.
There is a lot to do this week, so we are doing some resting today. We are all well and healthy.
I will try to post some photos of our group soon. God bless you,
Ralph

Saturday update...

Ralph called to say he was not able to update the blog today. He and Gladys have done some visiting in homes today and will be studying the Bible with Ligia (pronounced Lee-Hee-Yuh) at 4:00. This is a follow-up to a study in May with her. Please pray for this study and for Ligia.

The last word is that the group leaving made it to the airport safely and should be on the plane headed home. The group arriving is at the airport in San Salvador and at last word waiting to get through the customs process.

We hope to update the blog later today to announce that the group has arrived in La Palma safely.

Hello from La Palma! Another great day here--the last day for many of our team. They are scheduled to leave for the airport at 8 in the morning.
The photo shows the children on the playground in the new location. They were on it before it was completely assembled even.
Yesterday was a mixed day. Phil (now named Filipe) and I attended a graduation ceremony in San Salvador for the preacher school there. It was a terrific experience for us and we met some very nice people from Livingston, Texas and Mayfiield, Kentucky.
Our team experienced the first accident ever that required medical treatment. Jody fell and had to have some stitches. He is OK but has a bruise on his knee that is very sore. The doctor who sewed him up did a great job and charged nothing. He had been a member of the medical campaign in February and returned the favor that our people bring to La Palma.
We have no word on the arrival of the containers yet. They have cleared Customs but someone in the President's office has yet to sign the final papers.
The school is functioning well and the church is well attended at night. This evening we go to Reina's house for pupusa--a treat that we really look forward to.
We are all healthy and busy. I hope to get time to write more tomorrow. God bless you, Ralph

Good morning from La Palma! I´ve been trying to get this uploaded for nearly an hour and we keep losing internet service. This is the third time I have tried to post this, and the frustration is building—but I am being patient! The photo shows the playground equipment on the ground just after unloading it at the new site. The equipment is now fully assembled and being used. The school is meeting in the new classrooms today. The children love it and the teachers are thrilled!

We are very busy and tired but happy. Carolyn said it quite well this morning: “How glorious it is to be weary in doing the Lord´s work!”

We are all well except Arin, from WPB, who is suffering some stomach problems. Nurse Sara was concerned before we came that she might not have anything to do here. She has been extremely busy and is doing a great job! She is a wonderful addition to the team.

Some folks are in Honduras today working with the children´s program there. Some of us are going to San Salvador to attend a preacher school graduation. The remainder are doing school and church improvements here. We all have plenty to do. Tomorrow is the last day for part of our team. We will hate to say goodbye to them but are looking forward to a new team next week.

Sorry for the short report—I must go. God bless you,
Ralph

Good morning from La Palma! We are well and healthy and happy and busy. Today the school and church equipment and supplies and furniture are being moved to the new facility. We just got a surprise visit from the Ministry of Education with some new requirements for a plan by August for a science lab and more space for next year. Not a problem because we have plans in place for that already—it just takes time and money.
El Salvador plays Honduras in the World Cup soccer qualification game today. The game is in Honduras and dozens of buses are going north full of shouting and excited El Salvador soccer fans. Forty years ago the two teams played and a war broke out as a result—that will not happen today, but we are rooting for El Salvador.
We did experience a mild earthquake Sunday night. No damage that we know of but it was a wierd experience. If you see news about it, disregard your concern. God is caring for us.

Brad left us today so he can get home in time to go on another mission trip to Peru. He has trained 15 firemen, policemen, and ambulance attendants in EMT procedures. Brad’s enthusiasm and exciting personality were well received and he has been invited back soon for more training. We will miss him in our team.
The photo shows our team last night just before bedtime. We are all tired but happy. Much has been accomplished and more is happening. No word on the containers yet but the mayor and I are going to a meeting later this morning.
A group of 14 of us went to an orphanage yesterday to gain some insights on what will be required for us to begin an orphanage here in La Palma. We were all very impressed with their operation and were well received and briefed by the director. We were allowed to hold some of the small children—it was an awesome and humbling experience. The older children go to a Christian school and we visited it also. Some high school boys were playing basketball and I challenged them to send their 3 best guys to play 4 of our girls. In a short time they learned that Jewlya, Abby, Whitney, and Lindsey are great basketball players. The boys soon called in a 4th player but still lost about 20 to 10! Oh, by the way the whole school came out to enjoy the match.
The purity classes taught by Deny and Leigh are very well received. They have been asked to teach additional groups while they are here and to come back for more later! The attendance grew from Monday to Tuesday and will probably grow throughout the week. Attendance at church last night for Phil´s sermon the marriage and the family increased from Monday night also. Five ladies responded asking for prayer for their families and situations.
Visits to homes are going well. We need more time to do that.
For everyone reading this, please mark your calendars for a La Palma reunion at Monett, MO on September 26. It will be a cookout and a chance for everyone who has been here or is interested in the work here to meet, rehash old times, and look forward to new trips together.
This afternoon is the children’s program monthly meeting. We look forward to that. I need to go so I can attend a meeting about the container delivery. Pray for our continued safety and success. God bless you, Ralph

Tuesday night phone update...

From a phone call from Ralph:
"Had another great day. Several of us a visited an orphanage to see how it functions and were very impressed with it. Lots going on. Tomorrow we'll be moving all the church and school items to the new building. Everyone is well. Will try to write a longer blog tomorrow and give more information."

Hola! A few minutes to let you know we are quite busy and well. So much is happening that it is hard to report it all. I will try to catch up tomorrow. Tonight is the very first activity in the new church building! The photos show Jose leading the singing to a group before Phil delivers the first sermon in the new building, with Jaime translating. Deny and Leigh are teaching purity classes in an adjacent building.
The new facility is awesome! The contractor did an excellent job. Everyone seems to be thrilled. The school will close on Wednesday for the move to the new building. We await word on the containers but expect them in a couple days. Plans are in place for the unloading and storage and distribution.

This is a terrific group and a fun trip. I think it is the best ever, but I say that every time I come. We can see and feel the guidance and the power of God on the work here.

We look forward to each day and some are already lamenting the Saturday departure. Sunday will be the ´inauguration´ of the new building. Area congregations will be coming for the event and fellowship to follow. Next week will be exciting also as a new group arrives and new activities begin. Tony, they have plans for you to preach every night! Ocotepeque is also having a campaign next week and part of our team will be there.

Gotta Go! God bless you, Ralph

Monday update...

Just a quick update after a phone call from La Palma...
Ralph said to let everyone back home know that the group is all well, healthy, and working hard. They have had heavy rain for several hours this afternoon. He said you might say that it's been raining "gatos y perros". (cats and dogs) Due to the rain the power has been off and on and he hasn't made it to a computer yet when the power was on. He still hopes he might post an update himself later tonight but just wants families and friends to know the workers are working, the teachers are teaching, and the translators are translating.

Sunday update...

We got a call earlier saying that the group was all healthy and well and had enjoyed the Sunday morning service with the La Palma family. They were on their way to the hotel pool for a baptism at that point and said they may have a couple more later today. Sounds like a great day in La Palma!

The group has arrived at the hotel in La Palma and all are healthy and well.

In San Salvador...

Just received a call saying that they arrived in San Salvador.

Houston

In Houston waiting for flight to San Salvador.

Our team leaves out early in the morning. Some of us have to leave home at 1:30 am to catch the early flights to Houston. As we travel I will inform one of my daughters about our progress and have it posted here--Houston, San Salvador, pupuseria, La Palma. Pray for our safety and success. God bless you, Ralph

Great News! We received approval from the Ministry of Education to move the La Palma Christian School! This is what we really needed so we can move the furniture and equipment next week. We will have a great week!
We will meet in the new church building Sunday the 7th for the 1st time, and will have the 'inauguration' of it on the 14th.

A lady struggles to carry a set of bedsprings up the street, so Jaime helps her by carrying it for her!

The milkman heads back toward home. Every morning this man brings one or two cans of milk into town on a horse. He later goes back home with empty containers. The lack of refrigeration makes immediate delivery a necessity.

Lori gets a kiss from 'Uncle Kevin' as she lovingly looks at Blanca's daughter, Emily.

Those who have been to La Palma have met Christina, the little girl whose mother was 61 years of age when she gave birth! Well, in the 5 years we have been going there, she has been growing up into a beautiful young lady. She is charming and loving-- a real hugger! Here she smiles for a photo closeup. Her mother is little and frail, but she walks briskly and never misses church, although it means a long walk for her--and it is about to get much longer as the new building is on the other side of town.