We were blessed yesterday to visit the PET (Personal Energy Transport) people in Columbia, MO. See http://www.petinternational.org/

They donated 2 adult PET vehicles and one child's vehicle for shipment to El Salvador. They also gave us 51 reconditioned electric sewing machines. Each one is in a carrying case with a pair of scissors, a measuring tape, extra needles, oil, an extension cord, and a pair of reading glasses. Fifteen of those go to Piedras Negras, Mexico, and 4 go to the Carthage Crisis Center.

We also got nearly 60 boxes of fabric. More were available but the trailer weight was too much.

At some time in the future we plan to operate a sewing school for people in La Palma and Ocotepeque, teaching them how to sew, estimate their costs, and earn an income making clothing. This will be a big boost to that project.

Our fantastic Federal Government is so busy with beaurocracy stuff that they are not approving shipments in reasonable time frames. We have a large container and 14 crates waiting on approval. No word on when it will go. They just ignore requests for info. Pray for something to happen. There is a lot more to ship when these get approved and delivered.

Construction of the auditorium for the Ocotepeque, Honduras congregation continues. Our team in September plans to help pour the final floor, install electricity, and paint the walls. There is still space for a few more workers on the trip Sep 10-18. Contact me if you are interested in going. Ralph

The Lalli Family moved into the new building and set up housekeeping today. They are sleeping there tonight after getting sheets and other needed items.

Teresa was very sick today and requests prayers. She seemed to be feeling better this evening but still had a fever.

We Skyped with Lori a few minutes ago. They are all healthy and well. Most of the furniture they need is now in the building and they will move in tomorrow (Monday).

Here are blogs for Monte (family), Lori, Ruth, and Teresa. Follow each of them as much as you can.

http://lallifamilymission.blogspot.com/
http://soylori.blogspot.com/
http://ruthinlapalma.blogspot.com/
http://lapalmagirl.blogspot.com/

Ralph

Teresa has been in La Palma for 3 weeks and is teaching English as well as supporting other efforts of the church. Her blog is at http://lapalmagirl.blogspot.com/

Lori and Monte are now in La Palma to begin their work, which is to develop leaders and teachers in the congregations in La Palma, San Ignacio, La Antigua and Ocotepeque Honduras. Their website is at: http://sites.google.com/site/lallifamilymission/home

Lori has begun a blog at: http://soylori.blogspot.com/

Mary Thomas, frequent La Palma worker, had back surgery today and is doing fine. Planning on going in September and has doctor's ok to do it.

The Lalli family is at the La Palma hotel. After dinner they plan to get some rest. You can only run on adrenaline so long!

First leg of the journey: Tulsa airport. This is where we had to say "good bye".

At 10:45pm they had arrived at the airport hotel and the kids were going for a swim.

Lori and Monte and Ruth and Nathan departed Houston at 6:10 and should arrive at the San Salvador airport at 9:08pm CDT.

Lori, Monte, Ruth, and Nathan travel to El Salvador Wednesday to begin their new work. Pray for their safety, success, and security.
God bless you,
Ralph

Fern gives her child a present, then watches the smiles of girl and mother.

Gladys, Lori, and Sherry comfort a boy with a broken arm. He was tough but it did hurt.

We need to be getting airline tickets for the September trip very soon. Please let me know if you are planning to go. Ralph

This crate is one of 18 waiting USAID approval for shipment to La Palma. The crates contain clothing, wheelchairs, schooldesks, walkers, crutches, toys, and more. Approval is expected within 2 weeks for the shipment.

Morris always works hard and does a good job. He needs no one to tell him what to do--he just finds what needs done and goes after it. Here he paints the background for a fire extinguisher, so it will be easy to see if the extinguisher is not there.

Melvin visits with a new friend in the marketplace.

Just finished a good visit with Stephen and Carolina and Astrid at Monett. They are on a big tour of the country from Florida to Texas to Missouri to Atlanta and back to West Palm Beach. Tomorrow is fishing at Roaring River State park.

Lori and Monte leave for El Salvador in 10 days.

YOu can follow them at: http://tinyurl.com/LalliFamilyMission

Stephen and Carolina and Astrid plan to be at Monett for church Sunday night. Come and visit with them. They will stay with Gene and Carolyn overnight.

There will be a trip September 10-18. Most of the group will go to Ocotepeque, Honduras to work on their new church building and encourage the church there. It will be a WORK trip with some fun stuff added in. Let me know if you or friends are interested in going. Ralph

Two weeks from tomorrow Lori, Monte, and Ruth and Nathan begin their actual trip to El Salvador. The planning has been going on since January, but the reality is setting in.

They have moved out of their house and are living with some friends. (I guess they are homeless!)

The packing is about to start.

Some have asked for information about Teresa. She is a single lady, uppper 20s, with a heart for mission work inherited from her grandfather. She went with the medical team in March and decided that La Palma would be her home for about a year and a half. She quit her banking job in mid-June and has arrived in La Palma. She is living in the living quarters of the Bible Institute, since there are now no students in residence. She will be teaching English and mentoring young ladies of the church.

It is always fun to look at kids and see what they do when a camera comes out!

Teresa is settled in her new home.

This game of softball in the schoolyard was fun for players and spectators alike. The bat was a stick. When one went over the fence it was an easy homerun, because it went down the street quite a ways. There was a lot of laughing.

Teresa arrived in Sal Sal last night. She travels to La Palma today to begin her new adventure.