an healing experience......

I have tried three times to write this, our computer turns off randomly and its not the cord. I think someone doesn't want me writing this one.....can you pray that God will heal computers????
Ok I must start by telling you last summer during a basketball game with group members I stubbed my middle finger that didn't seem to ever recover. My middle joint ached especially in the mornings. In the fall as the weather got cooler I found in both hands my joints were achy, stiff, especially in the morning. The pain and stiffness came and went. I usually knew it was going to rain before it looked that way. However my joints weren't noticeably swollen or red. My conclusion was that I might be having early signs of arthritis. My Aunt had it something awful which included her hands being severely deformed. In just the short 8 months I had begun to think I needed to change how I opened jars (as I felt it every time) and just do things to protect my joints.
Well, now to yesterday. I got up early not feeling like a ball of fire but I had an appointment to take 3 ladies to get labs done. I didn't really have to go as the cost was small and perhaps I could trust them not to spend that money on other things. Instead I felt the Lord leading me to go. The appointments were uneventful. However the stop on the way home was anything but. We stopped at a taco stand on the way home. The ladies had to fast for their blood draws so it seemed fitting to eat on the way home. We had stopped at this spot before. The owner and cook is a Christian, funny and very nice. The last time we were there he teased me about if I wanted dog or donkey to eat. This time he was more serious. As I ate he stared at me, in a caring way. However his eyes looked deep and compassionate. I asked him " How are you? Como esta?" Quickly he asked how I was? How's your hands he said? I thought it was odd for him to ask. So I asked why? He responded that God told him to pray for my hands. Damelos. "Give them to me." He asks and prays for healing for my hands. Now it has been hot during the days here but cold in the morning. As he prayed I felt such warmth on my hands. This morning I felt no stiffness or discomfort that I have felt for atleast 6 months now. As I left I thanked him for the food for my body and soul. God touched me yesterday. He healed me I believe. I have been praying for the gift of healing and yesterday I recieved the gift of healing for me hands. I don't know if God would chose me to be used to heal others. Praise God for His healing touch.

Update on Erika......

Well Erika is back home today. The Dr. on Wed. said she did have some third degree spots but that they looked as if they still might heal on their own all be it a lot larger process. A woman from her neighborhood can to learn her bandage procedure. Please pray for Erika because the condition of her house is so much different than her. Dust blows all the time, distilled water will need to be purchased and real time and care needed to give this girl a chance to heal. God is great and can protect her. Thanks for your prayers. Erika is the oldest of five and was very missed by her family.

Another Miracle from God.......

Meet Erika. She's been living with Jim and Betty Betcher this past week. Erika burned her legs near her feet and ankles recently. Last week when a group went to Rio 3 Dr. Carter went with them to see patients. When he saw Erika he knew she needed to be somewhere where she could keep her wounds clean. Jim and Betty knew the Lord wanted her to come home and stay with them while she healed. This was great as Carter could change her dressings 2-3 times a day and monitor her healing. Now over a week later she is beginning to heal with new skin growing. However two spots look suspicious for third degree burns. Will you pray for healing and proper care for her. Praise God she has a consult with a specialist today to see if she is going to need a skin graft. During this time, many people are in a lot of pain. Erika seems to be spared that and rarely complains of discomfort never the less pain. When Carter first saw her she had bandages that weren't right for her wounds and they stuck to her. She cried so hard while he took them off however since then she has had moments of wincing for just a moment. Praise God for the miracle He has done in her life. Had she stayed in Rio 3 there would have been such a little possibility for her to receive the sterile care she needed and infection could have led to amputation or worse. Praise God for what He does and how he used Carter, Jim, Betty and so many others in this girls life. Because she stayed here and we live above Jim and Betty I have been able to get to know her. Last Sunday Ashley, Jim and Betty's daughter, and Erika came up to make cookies. What a joy it is to serve the Lord. Some changing bandages, some offering a home away from home, and even some making cookies and offering friendship.

Draw your sword......

This week at Douglas Church Steve McCullom spoke to the kids. I loved what he did. He had each kid lift up their Bible as a drawn sword then asked them to look up a verse. The child who found it first came up front and read for everyone to hear, then he explained what God is teaching us about that verse. It was so powerful and the kids loved it. I think these kids are seeing the love of God through so many, not the philos love that humans can give but the agape love that only can come from God. Praise God for how He is using so many people and their talents to help bring the word of God to these children.

A little different kind of doctor visit...........

Today I took a woman to the dr. Medicine is different here but get a load of this. We had an appointment with a doctor at 10:00. She never confirmed the appointment so we had to wait until 10:30. (in the states, it seems like we'd wait a month), then as we sit down and talk he gets her history of diabetes that she is not controlling, her hormones that she hasn't taken in the last year, and her poor eating habits. This doctor (a Christian) says the Bible tells us that our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ. Have you done that? The lady says yes. Then you need to care for yourself better since the Spirit lives within. Here on earth God gives us only one body, take care of it. Then he says OK, lets take a look at you. I'm blown away thinking (in the states there would be concern of a lawsuit. After looking at her, he decides she needs to see another dr. for a hernia repair. The woman asks if he could call that dr. to see if he could see us. He calls and after a while asks if we can wait there for an hour and the dr. would come to us. He'd come to the clinic where we were already. (I'm thinking can't imagine that happening in the states.) He not only comes. But consults with the woman, examines her, gives her prescription then goes to the front and tells them not to bill us that it is a free consult. I am praising God and grateful that hopefully Lord willing He will perform her operation next week at cost. God is so good. He helped me find the clinic with oral directions in Spanish and no address, allowed her to see 2 doctors for the price of one and had Biblical teaching to boot. Some days I really like Mexico. Viva la Mexico.

Sign Out

About 2 months ago a babysitter asked if he could use our computer to go on facebook after the kids went down. I thought it was nice he asked and said sure. Ever since though there is the upper body of a cartoon man ok really just a figure like a man on the right hand bottom corner of my computer. Occasionally I have conversations that pop up at the weirdest times. I have since come to learn that it is windows instant messenger. As computer savy as I am, I can't get it off so every time I log onto my computer I have to click on that little guy and press sign off. If I forget someone pops in to say hi to Kevin or writes who are you? in spanish. This is like my life sometimes. Here I can have people popping in my life at any hour of the day, I have unexpected things that are asked of me. Recently I've taken to "signing out". I feel it. I know I should be asking God what I need to do, asking him for power, strength, direction, love, whatever. He can and does provide. I just need to ask. " You do not have because you do not ask..." I believe its a verse in James. Forgive me if I don't remember correctly. Today I'm resolving not to sign out. To take this day by day, moment by moment knowing God will give me all that I need.

Trying to grow vegetables in Mexico....

I had a pretty big garden in Indiana. We grew potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, pumpkins, strawberries.....you get the idea. Well, last year I tried and nothing came up. I think its cuz its was too hot. To begin planting in April and May means 100 days already. So this year I began in Feb. really the end of Jan. So far things are coming up but not sure if its weeds or plants. Actually I believe I see onions coming up, however it maybe too early to see the tomatoes and green beans to grow. If you know anything about warm weather plants please let me know.