Well now...

Moving right along...we've been out of internet service for almost three weeks. Right now, we borrow a signal from our neighbors by helping them out with their monthly bill. Unfortunately, the signal went out almost three weeks ago and the owners couldn't get it repaired. There is a shortage of computer technicians in the jungle. Anyway, we are back online and back in the game. It's amazing how much we come to depend on the internet and we don't really realize it until we don't have it.

The dry season is upon us (at least we hope) and the ground is finally not completely saturated. We are hoping to start on our house later this week if we can get the backhoe lined up. We will be starting with the installation of a septic tank (essential) and a french drain in a low spot. Then comes the pilings and the steel frame. I'll post a few photos as things begin to move along.

As for church and the youth program, things are moving along. We have been studying the meaning and application of several words at church on Sunday night. Words like, "Christian", "Redemption", "Regeneration", "Justification", and finally, "Sanctification". Big words that sometimes get thrown around without ever being defined. So, we've been going through a process of studying these words in more or less the order that each takes place in our lives when we become followers of Jesus. It has been enlightening to me and hopefully to others as well.

We are getting ready for the addition of Whit Hazleton to our team. We first met him last January when he was visiting with his family. It's pretty cool to watch God work and bring the right people on at the right time. I'm really looking forward to working with him and there is a good possibility that a friend of his may join us mid-year 2009. We are really hoping to rebuild our team so that we can share in the work together and be more effective for the long haul.

Finally, Maili had her first public ballet performance last Friday night. She did a great job and it was a lot of fun to see her perform. Here are a couple of photos from that night. She has really enjoyed her ballet class and it has given us great opportunities to get to know other families in the area.

Maili is on the far right.