May Update

I am sure you have heard the saying "April showers bring May flowers." Well, that has certainly been our experience and not just because it only rained for a few hours the entire month of May or because the flowers here are incredible. Our experience was that the month of April was challenging, but it was all worth it to see the blossoms of May.

We had an amazing Mother's Day weekend in Las Flores, and Manuel and Josue were thrilled to see their families. The highlight of the weekend was swimming in a river. We also checked in with a family that we have served over the years to see how their children were doing. We were especially thrilled to see that their daughter Gloria has NO more asthma issues and is enjoying learning to read in 2nd grade. We appreciate the special sponsors and volunteers that allowed Gloria and her family to receive a chimney, outhouse, and a new roof (click on the links to go back to the blogs about these projects).

Thomas with his Aunt Estefani

Manuel with his sister Sarita

Maria (my amazing mother-in-law) making ticuco

Thomas and Aunt Leydi playing with Bravo Leon

Excited to swim in such a beautiful place

Susana, Josue, Thomas, Estefani, Leydi, and Amavilia Ramos

Marvin and Josue's parents (my in-laws), Orlando and Maria

Celebrating mother's day together

Manuel with some of his family on mother's day: Manuel, Sarita, Manuel, Byron, Maria, Jorge

Abuela (grandmother) Maria, Javier, Michelle, Bisabuela (great-grandmother)Marta, and Thomas

Gloria with her two youngest siblings

May has been a month of birthdays in our home. Manuel turned 16 on the 10th, Thomas turned 2, and Marvin turned 28 on the 15th. We celebrated Manuel with a cake at the Bible study that Eternal Family Project girls and our neighbors join us for each Tuesday night. We read Psalm 16 and Manuel closed the evening in prayer. His prayers show a maturity and deep love for the Lord that we appreciate so much. At 2 years old, Thomas is very entertaining. He knows when everyone's eyes are on him and enjoys showing off new dance moves, animal noises, and his ability to jump. We celebrated Marvin and Thomas with our neighbors Dennys and Yolanda and their children.

Marvin has become more courageous this month. He has played guitar and sang at church twice and the Home of Blessing Ministry once. I hope he will continue to share this gift with others and allow us to continue to enjoy his talent as he practices at home.

This month, Manuel and Josue brought home their report cards. We are constantly amazed at the amount of time and effort they put into their school work. We never have to ask if they have done their homework because they are both so responsible, they take the initiative to do it on their own. Of course, I get to work with them on their English and occasionally with their Science and Math homework, but those are typically very special times to share with them. Josue was on the honor role and was given tickets to have dinner at Casa Lenca with his parents (or in this case, Marvin and I). We ended up taking the whole family and having a blast! We swam in the pool, had an amazing dinner, and celebrated Josue's accomplishments.

Josue and Manuel doing homework on the back porch

We had the pool to ourselves at Casa Lenca. AMAZING view!

These boys make life fun!

Thomas got to share some sweet moments with the girls at Eternal Family Project when our friend Tabita brought some of them over to play. Tabita was in charge while the girls' mommy Allison had a chance to visit with family in Florida. So thankful for each moment with this wonderful ministry.

Snack time with Chloe, Kiki, Estrella, and Thomas

One of the highlights of our month was getting to meet Willy Walker and the Key family while they served at Home of Blessing one Saturday. We loved that they were not shy when it came to singing and playing with the kids or when working in the kitchen. We were especially blessed to be invited to dinner with them where we all got to know each other a little more. These great missionaries were an answer to many prayers and also blessed us financially in a time of great need. God's timing is perfect, and we are so glad that he allowed us to begin what will hopefully be lifelong friendships.

We were so blessed by these amazing new friends!

Isaiah 12 has resonated with me as we stepped out of the April showers and into the beautiful month of May. I hope that wherever you are, up or down, in storms or in sunshine, that you too can sing praises to the Lord.

In that day you will say:

“I will praise you, Lord.
    Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
    and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
    I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense
    he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water
    from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say:

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
    let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
    for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

A bird resting on a branch near the back porch