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