We are doing GREAT! What an awesome group we have: small, but like Gideon’s army!

The four churches we’re building are going up remarkable well. There are about 60 volunteers from the local churches who are assisting. Our MP3 folk from Los Angeles raised more than $2000 to hire some skilled block layers to help with the projects. I tell you, they build block buildings here for REAL! Never saw so much re-bar and HUGE footings used for such small buildings, but they have had many huge earthquakes so they know what they are doing.

The eye clinic has been a huge success. In three days they have given out more than 400 pair of glasses. The auto-refractor has been working fine, but we had to do some troubleshooting to get it to work right.

I wish all of you could hear the POWERFUL preaching of our three evangelists, plus Merlin Beerman. They are Pastor Sergio Balboa, vice president for the InterAmerican Division, Pastor Carlos Solome, one of the most powerful preachers in the Hispanic community, and a young evangelist from Texas, Arturo Quintero. We are seeing overflow crowds at each location. For example, at the Scandia SDA Church, the seating capacity is 250. The sanctuary is packed and there are another 250 chairs outside where they are watching the presentation on a projection screen from a video feed. The Central Spanish Church has about 600-700 attending and the Mejecanos Church has well over 300. God is at work here!

Merlin Beerman and the Beerman family (Vonda, Kaylie, and Colton) are doing so well. They are really enjoying their experience here. Merlin tells us that at least 300 people are coming out to his meetings.

At several of the church building locations, we have to deal with the "chicaras," (view video) a locust type bug that makes an ear-piercing sound. Then when thousands of them get going, you can hardly hear each other speak. IT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU HAVE EVER HEARD. And they will be around for at least 3 months.

The spirit of our group is terrific. This group of Hispanic young adults from the LA area is simply one of the best ever! Tell you what, we LOVE small groups. Twenty-five to 30 people are so easy to manage.

Must run! Since we do not have high-speed Internet it is very difficult to send pix. I will have a bunch for you when we return!

Keep us in your prayers,

Joedy & Judy Melashenko