Working.......

Hello, Everyone!!!

I have been so busy and have not had much time for communication. Sorry about that. So much has happened and is happening that I will try to get it all in a short space.....

Abigail is doing great!!!! We have our first success story. Hilma has started a job as a teacher here in San Salvador and will soon be leaving the home. She is totally away from the abusive situation she was in and is healthy in her mind, body, and spirit!!!!!!! Our visit from ISDEMU, the organization for women here in EL Sal was wonderful. They approved everything in our home except for a few suggestions in the area of security. They were very impressed with the home and with the way we were organized. We had another woman who was needing the home, but her mother wanted her to live with her. We can open but still do not have our final paper signed by the government. They say we do not need it, but we are thinking that if something were to happen and that paper was not signed, they could also shut us down. So please pray about that with us.

Another wonderful thing happened with Abigial. A group of ladies from Guatemala had heard about the shelter and wanted to visit. What a wonderful time we had. They too are wanting to start something similar in their country and are wanting to use Abigial as a model. How wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are reaching out to other couuntries and are not even official yet!!! I love it!!!! But HE has a plan. I am going to try and go there soon...within a few months if possible, and see what can be done to help them.

I have not been at my computer for the past few weeks.....I think I have been living in an epsisode of Survivor. I was asked to help work on a construction project with an organization here. (I think it was because I have an electric saw and drill...ha ha) But it has not been a vacation. Every bone and muscle in my body hurts!!! We do have electricity, but no hot showers and no washing machine. So that menas I have leraned to wash all my clothes by hand and yes, with a rock!!!!! It was not too bad except for my bath towel....that was hard.....I was also responsible for lunch one day and well....let me say...I am glad I knew what to do with a live chicken and how to make it into lunch......I have also cut wood for firewood and so many other things. But in the midst of all this, there have been ladies who have come to help who are in bad situations and once again, I have been able to reachout to them. Every minute is an opportunity to be His hand extended and I love it. I am going back to the city tomorrow.....I have a few events with Abiagil, and then I will return next week. This is totally different from anything I have every done and I love it!!!!

I had several opportunities to speak and everyone was great!!!! I spoke had spoken at the International Business Women's breakfast and from that received invitations for more speaking. I spoke at another ladies' breakfast and at the end, a lady came up to me asking me if I could speak that night at a dinner where their speaker had just called sayingshe was in an accident and would not there. So I went. Juanita could not go, but another lady said she could translate so off we went (yes, with me driving) to a town where neither of us knew where we were going. It was great. but we made it and had a wonderful time with the ladies there. I also was able to speak at one of the couple's events and many lives were touched there. HE is truly amazing!!!

I did hear about an area where there are LOTS of children without parents. We have contacted someone in the area and are trying to find out who is in charge so we can go and take food there one day very soon!!!! I heard it was over 100 children!!! What a opportunity to reach out to those who are hurting!!!!! I am pryaing we can make this happen!!!!

On a fun note, I was stopped by the police the other day....I was NOT speeding or doing anything wrong....it was a routine stop. but my heart did skip a few beats......They did look at this gringa kind of funny though.....

So all is good and He is faithful. Every need I have is being met and I am working hard to represent you and Him to the best of my ability. I appreciate all your prayers and support. The work here is slow, which I am STILL adjusting to, but is also very rewarding!!!! I love and miss you all!!!!!

Blessings, Janis