Just another update..

Hello to all!

Sorry that I have taken so long to write this update, we have been extremely busy for the past few days, and I have not had time up until now.
Most of the political drama seems to have blown over, and things seem to be running as they always have here in Tocoa. Honduras was issuing curfews for 6:00 every evening for the past week or so, but I believe last night was the last of these. I’m sure the local businesses are very grateful that the curfews are coming to an end, I’m sure many of the businesses suffered financial loss.

A new team from Kansas arrived on Saturday evening. The girls and their children here at Casa Grande are always ecstatic when new members arrive. This means lots of attention and gifts for them. The blonder the American, the better! The girls are absolutely crazy about fair skinned, light haired “gringos” They are very affectionate, and are constantly hugging and kissing us. I love to watch the interaction between the new members and the girls. There is always some shyness at first, but the ice is easily broken, and bonds are formed very quickly.

Chaunte and I have really started to build relationships with the girls. Missionaries Michelle and Allen are absolutely adored by the girls. They are very genuine and loving. I believe that they are like parents to the girls and their children. They know how to balance discipline and fun perfectly, and are definitely spirit led people. I believe that they represent stability in the lives of these girls. Chaunte and I are like sisters to the girls here. Its amazing how attached I’ve become to them in such a short period of time. I am starting to become aware of their likes, dislikes, talents and dreams. The girls here are all so different from each other, and each one has her own unique talents. It breaks my heart to see such wonderful talent (art and dancing for instance) that is just too expensive to harness. There is one girl in particular that has a beautiful dancing ability, and if she could be signed up for dance lessons, she would be absolutely amazing. Another girl has amazing artistic abilities, but yet again she needs training to reach full potential.

Chaunte really surprised me when she took the initiative to start exercise classes with the girls in the mornings! It started out as a personal thing for her, and then she invited a few of the girls to join her, and before long most of the girls were doing crunches, and stretches! It has become a daily thing now, and the girls have a blast working out with her in the mornings. I plan on starting devotions with the girls in the evenings. I would love to do it first thing the morning with the girls, but that is a very busy time of the day for them, and inconvenient with little ones that are whining and fussing. I’ve decided to start at around 8:15 in the evenings, by which time the girls have showered, put their babies in bed, and had some free time of their own. Kayla, one of the girls here, is from Belize, and can speak English perfectly. She has agreed to help translate for me. Please pray that the devotions will speak to the girls, and plant a desire in their hearts to spend time with God. They are so busy with chores, school and their children, that I think they become discouraged to read their bibles and pray. Hopefully our time in the evenings will help motivate them.

Thanks again for all your kind comments. We love hearing from you, and your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Please continue praying for us as we stay here. Spiritual warfare is so real here, almost to the point that it is frightening. We rely on God constantly, and need all the prayer we can get.
Love you guys!
In Christ,
Leandrie.