Now THAT'S hard work!

Jobs are limited here in Armenia.  Many people are out of work.  But that does not stop some from working! 
Luz, a friend from one of our Bible studies has a food stand where she sells meat empanadas (turnovers) and arepas (Colombian flat bread).  Her job is not easy but she is continually thanking God for the work He has given her.

Luz, her mother and a friend at her old stand.  She has a new and improved location and grill!

• Luz and her elderly mother climb steep dirt roads (that I find challenging) each morning and to get to the main road.
• Along the way they pick up a small grill similar to a BBQ grill.
• One carries a bag of supplies, empanadas, arepas and coffee while the other carries the grill across the main road and a block down the street.
• There they begin setting things up about 6:30am to begin their 2 hour morning shift.
• At 4:00 pm they repeat the process for the 3 hour afternoon shift.
• You can always hear Luz thanking God for helping her in her business.

Yesterday, with great excitement she shared with us what a great day she had on Monday!  Sales were up!  She ended the day making $18,000 Colombian pesos.  Sound like a lot?  That would be $10 USD!

As we go in to teach them the Bible, they teach us so much as well!

Is there room?

Sometimes Bible studies are held wherever there is room!  

 On Tuesday afternoons we meet in the living room of a home owned by Luz and Ana.

That evening we meet in the bedroom of Albeiro and Jimena´s home.

 Wednesday nights finds us all on the bed with  Alba Rosa, Abelardo and their family!

Lack of space will not keep the gospel from spreading!  

However....

Please pray with us regarding meeting space.  We would very much like to begin spending more time in Patio Bonito.  

This means we would like to lead:

• An English Club
  
• A Kids Bible Club
  
• Workshops for Parents
  
• Classes  for Women
  

The only larger meeting area available to us cannot be used for ¨evangelical¨ activities.  This means everything done would need to be neutral, without clearly teaching the gospel.  

We know that God has a solution to this need and we must wait on Him.  However, we also know we need to ask Him to provide and lead us to that solution.  

Will you join with us in prayer?  Then let´s see how God responds!

Is it a Meal?

Without rice it's not a meal.

This popular saying in Colombia may explain why in some families two or three meals a day include rice!

We just sat down to eat our lunch.  While enjoying our vegetarian lasagna and salad the front door was jarred by someone knocking.
Nelson left his food, went to the window and began talking to the two men.
It was evident that they are part of a foundation that helps men with a new beginning while leaving their life-style of drug addiction.
After working all morning they were now hungry and wanted to know if we could provide a meal for them.
Would our rice-less lunch be considered a "meal"? 
Nelson placed two large portions of the vegetarian lasagna on plastic plates and presented it to them.
They sat down on a step outside our window and began eating lunch.  We smiled at their comments.

• " It's lasagna" 
• "It has vegetables and everything.
•  "It's made good!" 

Hmmm maybe it can be a meal without rice?