Tuesday evening in Helene. Well, there's YP (Youth Program) at the Methodist Church next door, for the first time in months - so that is a great thing! Today our Bible Study "took it to the streets" by starting our new ministry of visiting unbelievers homes, instead of just meeting with other sisters. (or as the island ladies say, we were "visiting the sinners" - yeah, like that doesn't include every one of us!) Bonnie was very grateful for our visit, even though she hadn't been warned beforehand and was in the midst of cooking when we arrived. She was working up to send us away until a better time when Miss Leolin said "Bonnie, when Jesus comes knocking at your door, you can't send Him away, you've got to stop and hear what He has to say thru us!" Her 8 year old son got in on it, too, by saying "Ma, it's only fried chicken! I guess saying that it is pretty unimportant compared to having a talk about Jesus! Sweet kid, he got the job done, and we had a great hour sharing from the Word and our hearts! I am looking forward to this new way of doing things, God is so wonderful and sure is keeping me on my toes and challenged!

The short term team season starts tomorrow with our first team of the year. I am looking forward to having some fresh faces around here, and the team from Portland WA is always a good one. The teacher training at school is in full swing, with a record number of women showing up to "try out" so to speak, for the teacher and assistant spots. There are some of the teachers from last year that are a little upset that their position isn't guaranteed by that fact, and that they have to attend the training knowing this fact. But it isn't us, but the island led school board that will make those final, difficult decisions. It has worked out very well to have the school board ever since it was formed last year. The new school director, Elizabeth, is doing a fantastic job, and her obvious knowledge of island culture makes everyone feel more confident in the acceptance and understanding of the agreements and decisions. Remie is doing wonderful work in the medical clinic, and now out in the community as he is being 'hired' by various islanders to check blood sugars, give shots, and do wound care. I love to watch his confidence and skills grow and meet community needs in a win-win situation!

Hello again, long time! Since I haven’t written anything in this blog since 2007, I suspect that nobody has been here to see it either! So, just to catch you up…

· I am still in Helene, Honduras serving as a nurse missionary, and have now been here for nearly 4 ½ years!

· God has been growing and stretching me steadily – spiritually, physically, emotionally, and vocationally. I am now doing dental and veterinary work in addition to the medical work!

· I am running or participating in 2-3 Bible studies a week, as well as continuing to disciple/mentor several island girls or young women.

· I am now a Grandma of 2! Aubrie Jean is 3 ½, Wyatt is 9 months old!!

· The Lord has done some amazing things here on Helene, with the school now being run by an island-led school board, my clinic assistant of nearly 3 years went off to college for nursing, so I am training a new assistant with a very strong interest in the medical field, hoping to become a doctor someday!

· We have left the Alternative Missions organization, and are now a part of a new non-profit called Missions Encounters, Int’l (MEI). It is very exciting to watch God open doors and new opportunities and possibilities with this change.

I do plan to become more consistent with this form of communication now, so check back regularly if you are interested in keeping in touch with me or the goings on here in Helene. I would love to hear from you anytime! If you’d like to see some pictures, check out my web album at: http://picasaweb.google.com/livewyre4cj.

God bless!

Deirdre