this was the back of the van -- with the rear seat removed, when leslie got back on monday from picking them up.  

it's backpack distribution time! we've collected close to a hundred backpacks, and today we gave out the first two - Brenda and Cristal. It has been overwhelming again - to see the generosity of the churches here in the association as well as back in Virginia Beach - Thalia Lynn collected and filled 54 backpacks - one more than they did last year! :-) It's all good.  

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This is a test.

This is only a test of blogger for word.

If this had been an actual post, it would have contained insightful and relevant commentary.  

As it is, this is not that different from other posts on this site. (

Grace & peace

for a quick reference. took this picture the day we arrived, june 13th, in the evening. before any of the work started. whatever plant that is that was growing in front is still there, we had to trim it down to do the work, but Norberto told me last night that it was already growing back when he left. hopefully it will be back in full swing by next year.  

Saw Norberto and Isidra yesterday at the encuentro. They brought me a roll of film that they took just before leaving Mexico to come here, with pictures they took of Romualda's house. I didn't know they were going to paint it, but it looks AWESOME!!!

They went ahead and painted the interior. Painting the exterior MAY be something we can do next year ... but we'll have to wait and see... she may have gotten to it by then ... or not. It's not unusual for folks to leave the exterior unpainted, but concentrate on making the interiors beautiful.

A merged picture of Norberto and Gumaro doing the finishing work on the floor of the storefront room.
Don't ask about the VW bus out in the street with the flat tire. At first I thought it was from the place where the doors were made, but something tells me it wasn't, and I haven't asked yet. I'll let you know when I know.

Saw Isidra yesterday. Stopped by in the afternoon, just to say hi and welcome back and give her a hug. They arrived this past Wednesday morning, worked Thursday, but there weren't enough crabs for them to work on Friday. So she was trying to busy herself by washing clothes and getting the house in order. They brought pictures. Here they are.