Children at Ocotepeque preparing for Bible class. They lack the nice facilities that our children here have, but they really participate in the singing and Bible lessons.

A mototaxi takes a full load away from worship at Ocotepeque, Honduras.

Only 19 days until the first wave leaves for La Palma. Those going need to be walking and climbing stairs to get physically prepared. Get your packing lists made and start laying stuff out that you will take. Everyone, whether going or not, pray for health and safety and security and success on the trip.

To accomodate anyone who wants to attend the June 19 wedding, there can be overlap between the group going June 12 and those going June 18. If you want to come home on the 18th or 20th is up to you. Either can be accomodated. We realize that some may not know Jose and Norma and will not care about attending the wedding; others really want to.
The travel options are: June 4- 12, June 4-18/20, June 12-18/20, June 12-25, June 18-25, and June 4-25.
We expect a large group for each time and many have to limit the group size, so please decide early and commit to a trip.

Jose and Norma announce their wedding date of June 19, 2010. If you want to attend, there will be groups going to La Palma on June 4, 12, and 18.

The La Palma Christian School will be studying Central American geography this term. The large board on the outer wall of the admin building was hand-made and hand-painted to help this study.

The next mission trip is March 17-28 with some going down on the 17 and some on the 20th. Be in prayer for the success of this trip, which is primarily a medical mission.

Another example of having no OSHA around. This was a very heavy steel truss being installed for a hospital addition. There just aren't many safety precautions in place.

This gas-powered scooter appeared in La Palma. It was ridden a lot by several boys for fun, but is an interesting means of transportation around town.

June 1, 2009 was the day that Mauricio Funes became the new president of El Salvador. There are 4 political parties in El Salvador. The two major parties resemble our own Republican and Democratic parties--one claiming to be conservative and the other liberal.

The former president had been from the conservative party and was a good friend of George W. Bush. Our countries had a good relationship, and we as missionaries were allowed to enjoy support from the government. The mayor of La Palma was a close friend of the president, and that helped us.

Mauricio was promoted as a candidate by the liberal party because they had no one capable of winning. Mauricio was not a party member but agreed to run as a candidate but without promoting the total party platform.

It now appears that the former president had a lot of corruption in his staff. Lots of money is not accounted for, and programs were in shambles that should have been well funded. Mauricio took time to get his people trained and oriented. It was almost a complete turnover, so there was a long learning curve.

Along with the election of the new president, there was a congressional election. Neither of the 2 major parties gained a majority, but the 2 conservative parties collaborated and hold a majority. It APPEARS that as of now the new government is doing well. Mauricio stated publicly that he is NOT aligned with nor a friend of the Venezuelan President Chavez. He has stated that the United States is a strong ally.

We are told that the education programs are being funded better now, and that medical centers are being funded better now. We have developed good relationships with leaders in both of the major parties and can call for support if needed. We try to avoid political issues to the maximum extent possible.

El Salvador and Honduras are rebuilding their relatioship with each other following the change in government there. Pray for continued support from the government as we try to do God's will.

One thing that has changed significantly is our ability to get shipments into the country. It cost several thousand dollars in storage fees for the two large containers we shipped there last year. We are awaiting someone in government to sign documents allowing the next shipment in. This is taking a long time. We believe it will improve as they see our good works in the La Palma community.

This picturesque door always draws comments - day or night it is pretty.

This lady pauses to look for customers as she sells backpacks and blankets on the streets of La Palma.

Duing one of our home visits we found this guy 'kidding' around on the woodpile.

Remember that in late June there was political unrest in Honduras? Here is the latest, and it is good news:
World Bank Restores Aid – 11 February 0900

The World Bank said yesterday that it will restore $270 million in development aid that had been frozen after then-president Manuel Zelaya was ousted in June. Also, it will furnish a new credit of $120 million.

The announcement is another important step in Honduras’s rehabilitation, and will give a critical boost to efforts by newly inaugurated president Porfirio Lobo to resurrect the moribund economy. By some estimates, Honduras, already one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, lost as many as 500,000 jobs due to reductions in foreign investment and aid caused by Zelaya’s ouster. The increased unemployment has brought about a sharp increase in crime, especially robbery, extortion and kidnapping.

The conservative Lobo was inaugurated as president 27 January after a landslide win in a November election, and soon thereafter escorted Zelaya to the airport to depart for Santo Domingo, ending a seven-month political crisis. Two days earlier, the Honduran Congress followed Lobo’s lead in approving an amnesty for both Zelaya and the six military leaders who sent him into exile on 28 June.

Lobo’s efforts at reconciliation have paved the way for broader recognition of his government. On 26 January, Mauricio Funes, the left-leaning president of El Salvador, indicated that his country would normalize relations with Honduras after the inauguration. The United States also has said that it will normalize relations, as will Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Peru. Latin American leftist regimes, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, remain on the fence, while Venezuela and its allies, including Ecuador, Bolivia, Cuba and Nicaragua, are not expected to recognize the new administration.

Francisco, the young man that we helped get into drug/alcohol rehabilitation, is reported to be doing fine. He is a 'new man' in his habits and was awarded a scholarship to continue in the program. Continue to pray for him and his family.

Febraury 7 was a landmark day in San Ignacio, with the first meeting of a new congregation there. Jesus has moved to that town and will be working to grow this new church. He reports that there were 95 in attndance that first meeting, including children. About 40 had traveled from La Palma to attend that meeting, and some had come from Ocotepeque. There was an overflow crowd. Pray for the continued success of that work.

Agouti: there are two of these animals around the hotel. They are usually seen early in the morning as they scout for food. They look like a combination of a rat, rabbit, squirrel, and ground hog. They are becoming more friendly and less frightened each time we are there. The local people call them 'cotusa'.

The scaffolding used to build the new Bible Institute/Orphanage would make our OSHA inspectors shudder and cry. They are substantial, however, and get the job done.

Jose doing what Jose loves to do--eat! He is a great guy, but for his size it is a marvel how much he can eat.

Remember Marta, who formerly worked at the Montana hotel? She and her children are doing fine.

Many of you will recognize this old gentleman. He seems to always be waiting outside his store for someone to visit with. One of his sons owns the property on which the school and church is located. One of his sons teaches English in the school. He always has a smile.

Christina sits in a doorway and poses with her cute smile.

The medical mission trip this year is March 17-27 for those who can go early and help get ready for it, and March 20 - 27/28 for the main event. That is a BAD travel time because of spring break, so tickets are high priced if even available. If you want to go, you must contact Donnie very soon and get him some money to buy your tickets. Please do not delay on this, and let him know your intentions and questions. It will be difficult to get everyone what they want.
It will be a fun and exciting and rewarding trip, so get into the action if you have any desire to be there. God bless you, Ralph

We were walking along one of the roads from Ana's house and came upon a man selling ice cream cones. Two children were looking on wishing they had the money to buy one. I gave the man money for two cones, and made them happy. This young man came over and shook my hand as he said "gracias".

The children's class at Ocotepeque listens to Gloria teaching. Jorge's camera does not work anymore, and he needs a new one to share photos of their work with us. If anyone has upgraded their digital camera and has a working one they would donate, please let me know. Ralph

Ken is fluent in English and German, but he is still having some challenges with Spanish. He kept believing that 11:45 and 5:30 were times to eat salad! He believed the children were eating healthy at those times.