October 2024
A Time for Everything
31/10/24 22:53
How much time (days) does it take for eggs to hatch? We had no idea, but all in God's timing. Then I learned that it takes exactly 21 days. We didn't get all the eggs under the hen at the same time, but i recorded the date the hen lay on the first batch: Oct 10th. Today 5 chicks appeared. Exactly 21 days. You can't change God's timing.
And today three of our friends in the park show up at the door: Pedro, Carlos, and Maria. They need a favor and they come to us because they now trust us. One of Carlos' relatives wants to send him money so they can travel to visit them. Carlos needs to use someone's bank account. So I verify the transfer and hand them cash. All part of the process of making relationships with our alcoholic friends. God has his timing.
Health & Community
24/10/24 09:35
The doctor lost her bet. (See here.) Her theory on Faby's headaches didn't work. The problem is not high blood pressure. Now we're focusing on lowering her cholesterol and triglycerides and it seems to help. Memory is still an issue with her, and we continue one day at a time.
As for community work, neighborhood security remains the concern. A couple of thieves were attempting break-ins a few nights ago, but our alert system still has hitches. I've come to realize that the older generation struggles with the new technology. We have a neighborhood security chat, but 60% of the contacts don't know how to put their names in their profile. So all we see is a phone number, and we don't know who it is. I've installed 5 alarms so far, but very few download the application on their phones so they can activate the siren. They don't understand how it all works. We need to hold workshops. It would be easier to prepare a sermon, but that's not how community service works.
Home at last!
16/10/24 09:42
Mom passed away peacefully on Monday, (October 14, 2024), at 95 years of age. A well-lived life of turning a house into a home for many, and sharing her art with others. Her web page holds many examples of her work: www.dorisngordon.com
Health issues
10/10/24 21:03
Years and years of visiting doctors, and Faby's headaches persist. Monday we visited the cardiologist who operated on me in July for my three-month checkup. Praise God my heart has regained its strength! Then we commented on Faby's health, and Faby received a checkup. The doctor even bet me that Faby's problem was high blood pressure and she could cure it! Wow! And so far so good. Looks like I'm going to buy her dinner. We still need to continue the doctor's prescription another week and have another checkup, but Faby's headaches have greatly decreased! God is good!
Public Meeting
03/10/24 16:58
"If it's cold and rainy, why don't you hold the meeting indoors instead of outdoors in the park?" The garbage folk had asked us to call a meeting in our neighborhood to let people know the trash pickup would include all the side streets. Here in Ecuador we don't use garbage cans. We just set out the trash on the sidewalk one hour before the garbage truck passes. Before the truck entered the side streets, people would pile the trash in the park. Now the trash folk wanted to make sure most people were aware of the changes. So why hold the meeting in the park on a rainy night? Answer: if we held the meeting indoors, no one would see us. If we hold the meeting in the park, in a public place, folks see a gathering and know the meeting is taking place. Others see the crowd and come out of curiosity. We made and passed out over one hundred flyers for the meeting. We had about 33 persons gather. Not too bad. It rained before and after the meeting, but not during. God is good and gracious!
