We wake to another sunny day filled with promises of God’s love and mercy.

The medical clinic was brought into the center of town this morning. Just a block or so from the center of town where we are having our nightly meetings. We arrived at 8: 30 to set up clinic and there were already about 100 people waiting outside. The police have been faithful at being at the clinic to make sure all goes smoothly with the crowds. But this group is the most orderly and polite that we have encountered. Tresa remarked at how she has noticed how respectful they are of their elders, giving up their place in line for an older person. That is a very refreshing sight and just makes one more desirous to help them as much as possible. One thing we found odd today. There was a female police officer present, complete with fatigues and a gun. This is outside of the typical for a woman in Central America. ADRA has sent 4 dentist and some equipment to assist us today as one of our dentist and his assistant left for home today. And another one of ours is leaving tomorrow. There were about 160 patients lined up inside the building, already being registered by Bob W. and Sue C. at the front desk. They were waiting very orderly in their designated spots. A little boy cried as his dad and the dentist and assistant tried to reassure him that he would not only survive but also feel better after the tooth was out. Just down at the end of the block from the medical clinic there is a restaurant owned by and Adventist. They serve gluten with veggies and you can also watch 3 ABN while you eat! We have been buying tidbits at the restaurant across from the meeting place though as this woman has donated the electricity for the lights at night and has let us store all the chairs each night in her place. Our meeting place is once again being moved. But just in front of where we were. We are still outside but now in the street in front of the town circle. The men came back to work on tearing down the park, so move we must.

This is one of the safest and cleanest areas we have worked in. It is very hilly and many of the roads and walks are very steep. As you look to the background you see large but jagged mountains with houses tucked into the hillside with very little flat land in which to even drive a car. The flowers are numerous with wild amaryllis, which are in bloom right now. There are large trees covered with blue flowers. There are a few very nice houses here and they are all fenced in with barbed wire on the top or shards of glass covering the top of a brick fence. Armed guards patrol some of the homes. Of course the majority are very pour but no where near as destitute as in some areas we have been. By comparison with Yusguare this would be like Beverly Hills! That is not to say this place is so great, rather that Yusguare was that poor. Looking around at it all we all need to say why me Lord? Why have I been so blessed? And then never forget our duty to the poor when we have been so blessed.

The one thing that is fairly much the same is the driving styles. There is no restriction on how many people you may have hanging out of the back of the open part of the pick up; in fact you needn’t even really be in the vehicle at all. Any thing you can hold on to is fine. We saw one young man lying on the top of a very large dump truck, holding on with one hand as they sped down the road with a full load. But…one thing you can not do! That is ride in the front seat without a seat belt on. There is a $50. Fine per person unbuckled. Is that amazing or what? They are very strict about this law I have been told. Of course with the relationship that Bob has going with the local officials they just wave, honk and smile as he goes by unbuckled.

The zip line canopy tour at night was such a hit that more are going to again tonight. We have some fearless people with us it seems. There are some that are even going down upside down I was told.

We received an e-mail from Artie Lord today. You remember that she and Jim have been on numerous trips with us. They were scheduled to be here this time and Jim became sick with what they thought was pneumonia the week before we left. Well it turns out it is cancer and he is in a bad way. Artie has asked us all to pray for him as they go through this devastating trial. Our prayers are with you Jim and for you too Artie as you support Jim through this.

The medical team saw 363 patients.

The optical clinic passed our 94 pair of glasses

The construction team is finished with the brick and today they worked on putting a bond beam ½ way around the building.

I was not able to get a count for the dental clinic today so I will add it on to tomorrow’s letter.

Tonight’s evangelism meeting was continued on the 2nd coming of Christ, the presentation was very good and held the people’s attention. As always, the singing was wonderful and almost everyone participated heartily. There were 104 people present. Some of those received bibles for bringing a guest. The local Pathfinder children were in charge of announcing each Pastor and for one of the prayers. They came up dressed in their uniform and looked so neat and honored to be a Pathfinder.

The children’s evangelism had 72 Nino’s present. They were busy singing away and enjoying the program. At the entrance to the building were at least 5 or 6 older children. They had their noses pressed to the gated door and we invited them to come in but they said oh, no. Nino’s. Meaning they thought they were too old to come in even though we insisted they were not. But at that age you want to separate yourself from the younger children. They were so obviously enjoying the video and songs so much but there just was no convincing them that they were not to old to come in. Even Bob saying that he and I were Grande Ninos didn’t do the trick.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. Rev. 21:4

Smiles across the miles,

Jennifer Young

Mission reporter