Jeremy speaking to the men at the Ocotepeque prison.

The ladies in the Ilopongo prison in El Salvador are not provided with sheets, blankets, clothing, toiletries, cups, bowls or plates. If they do not have a bowl or plate and cannot borrow one, they only get tortillas to eat. The main meal each day is catered in an includes a meat, a soup, and tortillas. Here they are shown lining up for that meal.

Prisoners in the Ocotepeque prison do not receive meals--they are given a ration of beans, rice, and flour and do their own cooking. The men cook over a wood fire. The women have a hotplate to use. They can use their canteen money to buy chicken or other meat. The two women that are there now have plenty of space and facilities--they very seldom leave their cell, which includes a bathroom and washtub.

Pray for Jorge and Marcos and the plans they have to expand the Kingdom in the Ocotepeque region. They are praying men and have the support of the men of the congregation to grow the work there.

We did an evangelistic campaign for two nights in the La Antigua Community Center. The best place for the children's classes was this porch, and it was a full crowd there.

We do a lot of things to help the people there, but the real reason we do what we do is to comply with the commands of Jesus in Matthew 28: 19, 20 We encourage the local preachers to be evangelistic, but we are thrilled when they are successful, as shown in these photos! Praise God!

The women at the Ilopongo prison have a choice of 4 occupations that they can learn while in prison. They can learn sewing, baking, cooking, and one that I cannot remember. Here they are in sewing classes. The facility for the class is crowded but adequate, and the machines appear to be very good. They learn to plan, layout, mark, cut, sew, etc. Many of them really want to do better when they are released.

This prisoner is one of many who do craft work during the day. They are allowed to sell what they make. He is in the early stages of making a hammock, weaving the plastic into the mat part of it.

Some in our group had problems on the suspension bridges. This fellow goes across with a loaded bicycle, proving that it is safe. There are two of these bridges west of La Antigua: this one and one without the overhead cable supports but having 4 intermediate supports. They link some remote villages to the larger town and vehicle travel.

Not exactly a confidence builder, our driver stopped after we had driven only about 2 miles and added oil to the engine. This was on our way up a mountain on a dirt road! This was a Chinese-built bus called a Coaster. Most of the buses in Central America are former US school buses, but the Chinese have imported a lot of these 30 passenger diesels for the express routes in major cities. They are not comfortable for large people, but they move a lot of folks every day.

On Sunday June 3 our team worshiped with the Ocotepeque congregation, which has grown from about 12 members in '05 to about 70 now. They are a loving bunch of people and the huggingest bunch of people! The children were upstairs in class, and there were over 30.

After our work at the prison, we had a photo taken of our group with the chief of the prison.

Lori, Sherry, Tabitha, and Phillip conducting a Bible study with two women inmates at the prison -- both convicted of murder and both receptive to the message. They later signed up for WBS lessons.

Not legal in most states in our country, but it is a necessity in most of the Central American countries. This was our church bus for several days.

Barbe is from Virginia. She has previous trips to China, but this was her first trip to Central America. She was a terrific member of the team. She taught ESL classes (English as a second language) to a group of over 15 each afternoon. They loved the classes and learned a lot of conversational English, plus they learned to sing "Jesus Loves Me" in English. She is welcome back on any trip!

Julie had a previous trip to Panama, but this was her first trip with our group. She is very, very good as a medical person, and very caring as a Christian.

Our team had a wide variety of talents and skills!

One thing that always happens is that the kids swarm anyone who shows any attention to them!

This is our total June group as we left the hotel for worship. We had a variety of talents and personalities, and we had a great trip!

This was a mini medical clinic at Pie de La Cuestas, a mountain village at about 4900 feet above sea level. There are several families who live in the area. The children attend a one-room school. Some of our group conducted a Bible study in one of the homes while Julie (our nurse practitioner) helped those with medical issues. Ruth Erin Lalli translated for her-pretty awesome work for a 15 year old! We estimated that about 25 people came for help ranging from headache to hormone issues. Oh, by the way. The facility for this was their community center-with tin roof, adobe walls, and dirt floor. They all appreciated the help they received.

We have all arrived back at our houses. After Thursday night, we all have a better concept of the fact that we are not home here; we are just pilgrims, camping on this earth temporarily and waiting for our eternal home in Heaven. Friday was a travel day. We toured the La Palma church and Christian school compound, then went to Ilopongo and visited the womens' prison there. We took toys, plastic cups, bowls, and plates, and baby clothing to the section fo the prison where pregnant women and those with children ages 0-4 are held. They are extremely crowded and provided almost nothing. Ruth Erin led the women in some songs, the local minister talked to them, and Marcos prayed with them. Then our group distributed the toys. Tomas, the local minister agreed to come back weekly and continue studying with them. He will bring ladies from his congregation to distribute the clothing and plastic ware we left. We then went to the beach for a brief visit, then to a nice hotel near the airport. This morning we left the hotel at 5 and returned to the US and our various cities. It was a great trip! Watch here for many photos of what we did and where we went.

We had a terrific 'last night' at church in Ocotepeque. There were about 15 responses, most asking for prayer but 2 more were baptized! We are now packing for the trip to San Salvador and our flight home tomorrow. We are all well!

Another new sister in Christ!

We had a busy day already and there is more to do. Early this morning we went up the mountain to a village and had a Bible study, medical clinic, and soccer game! It was fun and exciting and provided some terrific Kodak moments.

Barbe teaching ESL class.

An even larger crowd tonight in the town of La Antigua! A brother named Alexander rededicated his life to Christ today under a large Locust tree in a cornfield! What an experience. He did it with his children present and said he would do better.

Another great day of work in evangelism. Several home visits and Bible studies. Now going to worship in La Antigua.

We had another great day! Julie treated about 30 prisoners who had medical issues. Lori taught two women prisoners. Jeremy preached to the men. 17 prisoners signed up for correspondence courses! And they agreed to weekly Bible study. This afternoon several went visiting in homes on La Antigua. At the 3rd home they went to, Modesto committed his life to Christ and was brought to the hotel pool for baptism. Barbe had two ESL classes (English as a second language). The first was great, with only 4 students. The second with almost 20 she described as stupendous! Tonight we had worship in the La Antigua community center with 65 adults and 36 children attending. Sherry and others taught the final story of Moses. We are tired. Kyle is not feeling well. We are all happy to be here and looking forward to another great day tomorrow!

Erin translating for Nurse Practitioner Julie in the prison. Jeremy preached to the men and Lori conducted a Bible study with the women while the sickest were being seen by Julie. 17 signed up for a Bible correspondence course.

These ladies copied every scripture mentioned in a sermon lasting over an hour! They borrowed paper when theirs got full. That is 'wanting to learn'!

Jeremy preaching tonight. Two ladies asked for prayers that they can be better Christians. We had a terrific day! The morning was the sponsored children's program. What a privilege to be able to help these unfortunate kids! They are awesome and really appreciate the help they get. At lunch we were treated with Kenny Rogers music while we ate good food and had fellowship with the Rodriguez family and Marcos. After lunch they treated me to a birthday cake! Then Marcos and Jorge shared their vision/view/plan for the church to grow in this region. Tonight we had worship with the whole congregation -probably 100 adults and over 40 kids. Then we had singing and a devotional for our group. We are all well and healthy and happy.

We had a great trip overall, although there were some difficulties. After boarding the entire plane at Houston, we had to get off because someone had forgotten to service the toilets! We arrived at San Sal about an hour late, but had good time getting through immigration and customs. Had pupusas and came on to La Palma, picked up the Lalli's and then to Ocotepeque. We are in our hotel, had dinner and are going to bed. Tomorrow will be a full day.