6 MONTHS!

Last Wed, Oct 24th, marked my 6th month here. Amazing! It's been quite a rollar coaster ride of emotions, activities, and learning. These 1st 6 months were chopped up quite a bit...arrived in El Sal April 24th, 3 days later went to Guatemala for school for 8 wks, then back to El Sal on a school break for 3 weeks, then back for the final 4 weeks of school, then back to El Salvador....etc. Now, however, things have gotten more into a routine, so I think the next 6 months will be different.

Oct 24th also marked the first day without rain. So I'm glad to say that it looks like rainy season may finally be at or near the end. We'll probably still have an evening shower here and there for part of Nov, but most people seem to think the worst is over. It's also noticeably cooler and we have some light breezes at times. According to a thermometer in my bedroom, it was actually 72.9 degrees one night! Wow! We'll still get into the low to mid 80s at times...but in general it's much cooler and it's quite pleasant outside at night. We haven't had any earthquake tremors in quite a while...but I think they come more frequently during dry season. We'll see.

As I think about the first 6 months, the symbol of a link in a chain comes to mind. On several occasions the Lord has allowed me the opportunity to be a link. Back when I was in school in Guat., I met a lady who desperately wanted to provide some solid Bible resource books for a pastor in a poor community. I was able to tell her about our book ministry and later relayed her book order and ultimately delivered the books from El Salvador into her hands. In reality I had done very little, just a link in the chain, yet she and the community in Guat. were thrilled. It was truly my pleasure. And as I've just been writing in earlier entries...the Lord is allowing me to be a link in the chain between a poor community that needs shoes and a person who is financially willing to provide this for them. What a thrill to be a part of this! Oh, and one other opportunity comes to mind. A friend of mine in the USA will be going to Guatemala soon where he will help in a school that has essentially no school materials. Through our book ministry, I've been able to get some dated but excellent materials and hope to have them transported to Guatemala soon. Again, I'm just the middle man, a link in a chain. But oh what a feeling to be that link. I have a debt of gratitude for these and other opportunities over the last 6 months.