End of week 6

Sunday June 10, 2007 PM
I'm signed up for 12 weeks of language school...so I'm half finished. I hope I'm learning enough. I anticipate that I'll take the Grade B test at the beginning of next weekend. I guess I know what I'll be doing all of next weekend!

When I registered for school back in April, they notified me that they didn't have any room for me at the end of June or beginning of July (3 weeks in total). Therefore I'll be taking the bus back to El Salvador in 2 weeks on Sat the 23rd. I'll be in El Salvador for the 3 weeks that they don't have room for me, then I'll return to El Salvador on Sunday July 13th. I'll have 4 more weeks of school at that point and will be finished around the middle of Aug. Then I'll go back to El Salvador.

Another answer to prayer...all of my previously scheduled afternoon classes have been changed to morning classes. I offered the coordinator a Snickers bar if she got it worked out for me, and...ta dah...the space became available. Actually, I'm kind of kidding. I did try to bribe her with a Snickers, and she did indeed receive the Snickers (twice!) but I honestly don't believe the chocolate was the deciding factor. This coordinator and I have become buddies and I really believe she'd do anything for me she could. Her name is Heidy (kind of like my sister, Heidi)...but it's pronounced like the country Haiti. This continuation of morning classes also means that I get to keep my teacher, Liz...which is really great news. When I come back from the 3 week "break" in El Salvador, it's not likely that I can return to my teacher Liz or to my same house. But I'll worry about that when the time comes.

Remember An-Hui, the girl from Taiwan that lives in my house? The Lord continues to give me really good opportunities to talk with her. She believes in Taoism, which I think is popular in Asian cultures. And it's WAY different from Christianity. I'm excited to see how the Lord chooses to cultivate and water these seeds.

Last Friday I joined a couple of guys from YWAM as we went back out to the park for "soul patrol" ...street witnessing. This is my 2nd time of doing this. The Lord allowed us to lead 3 other young men (in their 20s) to the Lord. And I think we planted seeds into other folks too.

Yesterday, Sat., I went to a free health seminar offered by YWAM. The topic was how to stay health in a developing country and was led by a long-term YWAMer who is a nurse practitioner and helps lead the YWAM medical classes. She focused on the most common health problem for new missionaries and other visitors, which is stomach problems (diarrhea, vomiting, etc). She gave very helpful and user friendly information. And more than ever, I'm convinced that the Lord is really protecting me. I know for fact that my dishes are not being disinfected, just washed in cold (unfiltered/not purified) tap water. And I have reason to believe that the fruits and veggies may not be getting the best of attention either. So, I'm very thankful to God for His continued grace and mercy as He watches out for me. And you know that "meal-time" prayers that we often say? Well, they've become quite serious for me.

Just a note of update re: Kim's dad, Harold. He was able receive the special IV medicine for his out of control ulcerative diverticulitis while he was in the hospital almost 2 weeks ago. Praise the Lord, it seems like the medicine is working. He's feeling better- far from normal- but better. He'll receive his 2nd dose this Thursday.

My house mother, Elizabeth, has an ovarian tumor that was found during a regular check-up. She's not having any pain/discomfort. The MD believes this is benign ("not cancerous"). She's confided a good bit in me and it's interesting to learn the differences in cost and services between the private and public hospitals and doctors. She may have surgery quite soon, like in a week or so from now, or it may be quite a bit longer if she uses the public hospital. It's become evident that she's feeling stressed, and several of wonder if her stress is related to how the quality of our meals have gone down. It should become really interesting in the house during her surgery recovery period. I'll keep you informed when I know more.

I recieved an email from American Airlines about a week ago telling me that they are changing their regulations, and are now imposing expiration dates on their frequent flyer miles. So, you may want to check on your freq flyer miles, regardless of the carrier since most of them have similar rules. And again, if your not going to be able to use them before they expire, please let me know, since I may be able to use them.

Again, thanks for your continued prayers and support. I couldn't be here without you.