The Ocotepeque congregation get together for soccer as a fellowship activity on a routine basis. Lori and Dea joined the cheerleading squad, Ruth and Nathan and Maddie joined the players. It was a fun time!

When we first started working in La Palma in 2004, there was one congregation in Ocotepeque with about 12-15 members, and the beginning of the La Palma congregation.

Now there is a congregation in La Palma with about 30 adults, one in San Ignacio with about 20-25 adults, one in Citala, just started, one in La Antigua with over 20 adults, and the one in Ocotepeque with around 50 adults.  These all have full-time preachers working them and most are growing.

It is time to plant another congregation and expand the borders of the Kingdom.  We looked at some towns and villages, but have selected Santa Anita as the place.  It is about 8 miles up the highway from Ocotepeque toward Guatemala.

Santa Anita was chosen based on geography and demographics.  It will be convenient for the other congregations to help work the town.  We visited the town and the people.  They were very receptive and welcoming, and they said they would be willing to attend it.

As a team, we prayed to God for wisdom, guidance, patience, and boldness as we develop a plan for this work.  We ask each of you to pray also for this venture.

Our team prayed in this location for God's blessing on the city and plans to establish a congregation here. It is Santa Anita, the next town northwest of Ocotepeque on the highway to Guatemala. We visited several people there, gave some little girls some beautiful dresses, and were welcomed. We asked for God to give wisdom and guidance and patience in the planning for the new church there.

I should learn to not be surprised by things like this, but it still happens.  People at home know that we collect medical equipment and supplies to bring down here.  Our barn and garage usually have lots of donated stuff.  We ship some and we carry some with us.  My check bag was near the weight limit but had quite a bit of space, so I put a bag of hundreds of diabetic syringes in the top.  They weigh very little but occupy considerable space.  We had discussed what to do with them when we got here, but that was an unnecessary discussion.  Hiliana, the nurse we all love, came and visited yesterday morning.  I told her about the wheelchairs and walkers and crutches coming in the shipment in a few weeks, then asked her what she needed most right now.  Her reply without hesitation was "diabetic syringes".

We are having a great trip!  We are seeing old friends and making new ones.  Today we will worship in   La Palma, San Ignacio, Citala, and Ocotepeque.  The people here are a real blessing to us.
I will be posting photos this evening if time permits.  There are 10 of us and we are all finding work to do.