“One motivator of Jesus to go to the cross was for the joy He received in the restoration of His relationship with the Father.”

Guess who’s quote!  I’ve been chewing on that since I listened to Pipers message via DVD yesterday while working on some stuff for one of our casitas here at LBN.  Of late we have had most of our accomodations full, so there has beem more work for us in the houses. 

This in addition to the upcoming construction we expect to start soon gives me more work and challenges in several areas.  We graduated our first class of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) this week and 25 folks got certificates of completion. (Most learned our scripture verse in English word perfect!) We cut it off a bit early after 4 months of bi-weekly classes.  This helps us concentrate on Vacation Bible School in which Diana is heavily involved.  We are buying (and many of you!  Thanks..) most of the material, with church members contributing as well.  Over two hundred kids are expected, and the school runs for five (5!) hours daily beginning early December.  Summer vacation here is Nov.- Dec. 

Kicked off a small group for men yesterday, seven in attendance.  It was really an encouragement and blessing to me, particularly as they actually understood my discussion questions.  I wish I had understood their answers as well as they understood the questiions.   Such a group for men only is rare here, and I pray It fill a void.  There are many for women, but the men work hard and long, and they often neglect, therefore, basic needs for fellowship, personal devotions, discipleship, accountability, etc.  This leads to the mother in families taking over spiritual ledadership in the home and alienates ol' dad.  Not unlkie many in the U.S.  At any rate, we see this as a critical need here, as past missionaries have focused on evangelism, and very little on discipleship.  Pray for me to lead out in this regard, and to increase languageability toward that end.

Gotta go now...folks in one of our casitas need some kind of help.  Will publish more real soon.  Blessing to all, anf thank you!  niel.