Nicholas wrote today and sent me Rosel's outline for the woodworking class. He has listed 27 lessons starting with the use of hand tools and progressing through the making of furniture items. I think he's really going to be a benefit and the blessing to the ministry.
Yesterday I was talking with Larry Voight and Jim Redyke about my wanting to bring Nickolas to the US next spring. I really think it's important for him to see the ministry from this side so he can get an appreciation for all of the work, prayer, and planning that are part of the ministry here. I am also very eager for him to meet our coworkers here and for you all to meet him, if you have not already done so. I am thinking that maybe he could come during the mission emphasis week at First United Methodist Church here in Tulsa. I have been sort of testing the waters with him to see if he would be interested in making a trip. I think he would. A couple weeks ago I asked him if he has ever flown. He said only in a helicopter when he was guarding the president of Honduras. I get the impression he would not want to stay very long, perhaps a week or 10 days.
Denny Boersema called this morning from Kalamazoo Michigan to be sure we have received the e-mail with pictures and cost estimates from Luis Paz for the remainder of construction of the church in our village. I assured him that we had. He reminded me that we had wanted for our carpentry students to be able to help with construction of the church pews. A week ago we would not have been able to take on that project. However, we have hired a new shop teacher who would be able to do such a project, especially if he were to have a couple of our students to help him. As it turns out, Luis has someone to make the pews and at a very good price. I have written to Luis to ask if there is any way to use our guys. I'm thinking that even if somebody else makes the pews perhaps Russell could do the finishing. I'm eager to find something for him to do as he is unemployed until we return in September. We would like everybody to pray for this matter.
Yesterday was another busy day. Bill and Cynthia Briscoe arrived just in time for our monthly staff luncheon. Victorina fixed fried chicken, rice with vegetables, and some of the best ppotato salad--for 20 people. After lunch I shared with the staff all of the exciting things that are happening with the ministry. They are greatly encouraged because they feel part of the minnistry of GHH; and also because this is their livelyhood in a place where there are almost no jobs.
Also today we (Alyssa and Jeanette Marshall) went to Las Palmas School--2 classes in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. They did a great job. I am always impressed by the respect and good conduct in these schools that don't even have enough books and supplies for their students. There is a badly disfigured boy that often comes to the gate to the schoolyard and watches the students. Someone has gven him a walker which enables him to drag himself along. I reminded him of the several verses in the Bible that say, "...many who are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (e.g. Matthew 19:30). Today he is asking me for help. There may very well come a day when I ask for his.
Norma Vanilla has shown great courage as she faces flying to Maine, on her own for knee replacement surgery.Norma was one of our daughter, Jennifer's first students. Even though Norma was crippled, she walked each day in the hot sun to wait outside the gate in Seis de Mayo for her opportunity to get an available machine so she could be a student. Not only did she have her opportunity but she worked her way up all three levels and is now the sewing teacher. During a medical brigada here in our mission center a doctor examined her and said if she could get both knees replaced it would take care of her twisted back and legs. It has been a long process, but she is now scheduled for surgery in Maine on April 14th. We had a set back in that she had developed cysts in the top of her mouth. She is under medical care here and will be ready for the surgery after all. We praise God and are thankful for the Ruth Paz foundation for helping us get her the needed medical care here. A dear business man and friend here will donate the price of her tickets, but there are still $400 of outstanding expenses still needed.