The container shipment to support the new nursing home in San Salvador is due to dock today or tomorrow. It has already been cleared through customs and is scheduled to unload at the nursing home early next week.

It rained in La Palma yesterday and again today. Typically the rainy season does not start this early. Of course they are happy to have the rain, but it may mean damage to the hillsides and road even worse than normal by starting so early.

Our March team is now 4 weeks from traveling. Be praying for safety and success.

We will be presenting a report on the work in El Salvador and Honduras Sunday night, the 20th, at the Washburn Church of Christ at 6 pm.

Ana gets a new sewing machine! This is Ana and her family of four children. Ezekiel, the younget boy, has leukemia and travels to San Salvador for treatments. Ana earns a living by sewing and ironing, but a couple months ago someone stole her sewing machine. Lori was able to give her one that we had sent down last year, but it did not work well. Some gracious folks donated money to get her a new one, and she received it Friday after moving to a different house. She was excited to get a brand new treadle machine and said she would sew all weekend! She feels blessed.

In just 5 weeks our team leaves for La Palma to begin the medical mission work there. Please be praying for the safety and success of the team, and that God will be glorified.

The Lalli family poses for a photo at the border. Half of the family is in El Salvador and half is in Honduras.

Hanging a cheese grater on a brick wall would be an absolute no-no in our country. In La Palma it is quite acceptable, and with the type of cheese there it probably is not a health hazard.

Spend some time in prayer today for the Christians in La Palma and Ocotepeque.

Pray that our upcoming trip in March will be a blessing to the people of the region.

A closeup photo of Ernestina holding her favorite book--a well used Bible.

Dear Ernestina knows the Bible and numerous hymns. What a lady!

It will be in the 80s today -- in La Palma. Here in Missouri and the 4 state area it is well below zero. Think about going on the March trip! Wonderful weather with lows in the 60s and highs in the 80s.

This March trip promises to be great! Small teams working in remote villages with appreciative people! Great friendships will develop. Great scenes of God's beauty will unfold. Don't miss it!

The March trip will be a little different this year. In the past we have organized a large medical team and gone to larger towns and medical clinics. This has been expensive (for the medicines) and has created an 'entitlement' attitude. People would call their friends and relatives from long distances away and invite them to come get free medicines. People knowing that free medicines were available would list numerous complaints in order to get more medicines.

This year we plan to take only vitamins and parasite treatments and basic medicines to treat basic medical problems. We will go to small villages that are remote, where the people seldom get any medical care and have to travel rough roads to get it. Those needing care beyond the capability of our teams will be referred to a clinic.

We will get to work with the poorest people in the country, who also are the most grateful for what they get. It will be a meaningful experience for our teams and a huge benefit to those we are privileged to serve.

The March trip to La Palma will be March 26 to April 2. There is still time to get into this group, and we welcome you.

We are preparing the final trip cost with changing airline prices. Please let me know if you have questions or are interested. Ralph

The girls got their uniforms this week and are ful-fledged students. Here they pose with Erin with school in the background.

Dea has continued to improve following her knee replacement.

These two girls came to live with the Lalli family. They had gone as far in school as they could in their mountain community, and their parents wanted them to have more. They are attending the La Palma Christian School, and can go home to their family on weekends.

See http://soylori.blogspot.com/2011/01/so-our-familys-lives-have-had-some-huge.html

Had to laugh at this photo! We often see religious messages on buses and cars and trucks, but this one got translated wrong!