No your eyes aren’t deceiving you, I’m finally writing. Who knows, maybe this will be the year that I start updating regularly.

Before I left for the states I had lots of work to do in order to be ready to leave on the 3rd of December; but some of the girls were busy baking cookies in my apartment. This was the third or fourth year that we have baked cookies. As always Mariela, Cindy M., Claudia and Ana Ruth were a great help! They actually baked all of the cookies the past couple years since I’m always so busy preparing to leave for the holidays. I think they baked about 700 cookies this past year and 800 the year before. They even put all the baggies (about 150) together and then helped me deliver them. I think they have a new tradition that they will enjoy for many years to come : ) A couple of year ago we were sitting around the table eating and talking about traditions at their homes and traditions that they would like to start when they have families of their own. Mariela speaks up and say, “I want to bake cookies for everybody” We all laughed so hard because she was grinning from ear to ear and was so excited. It’s always nice when we can pass along new traditions to those we love!

Many things have changed for me since I returned from the states a month ago. The first change, I’m teaching English in our elementary school! ! ! ! Many of you know that I was a teacher for thirteen years in the states and that I’ve had a desire to teach English at our school for six years. You can only imagine how excited I was when Walter told me at the end of November that I could be teaching in the coming school year. It gave me hope that I could finally be able to do what I love :) Have you ever prayed for something a really long time and it seemed that God wasn’t listening? When that happens it’s really hard to be patient! However, we would save ourselves a lot of headaches if we would remember that God’s timing is perfect : ) Sometimes we think that we are ready to take on a task; but God sees areas that we still need work on if we are going to be successful. I think for me it was my Spanish; just one year earlier I wouldn’t have been ready because there were so my words that I still needed to learn. My Spanish still stinks; but I can communicate with the kids and teachers a lot better than I could just a year ago. It’s nice to be accepted by the teachers and not feel like an outsider. I don’t think that would have happened if I had taught last year because I would have had a difficult time communicating with them. As I look back, God’s timing is perfect! I’m really enjoying teaching and things are going really well in 11/12 classes! The only exception is sixth grade! If you pray for me, please pray that the Lord will give me wisdom with this group.

The second change, I’m in the kitchen a lot less! ! ! ! ! I don’t have to be in the kitchen until 4:30 pm weekdays and I'm usually finish up around 7 or 7:15. I’m taking my off day on Saturday, so that only leaves Sunday that I have to be in the kitchen! Ingrid is the young lady who is helping me weekdays and she has been a great help! There’s only one problem; she is expecting a baby in a few months so I will need someone else when she has the baby. I know God will send someone else; but I would appreciate it if you would keep this in your prayers!

The last change, Jamie is doing the supplies for the dorms. I’m still training her; but it has been a big help having her do the supplies for me! Thanks Jamie!

Speaking of supplies, the following are some things that we could use if you’re interested in bringing things when you’re come to visit.

Strong hairnets - They have good ones at Sally’s Beauty Supply. They are in the shape of a triangle and you tie them. They are about $2.50 a piece; but the one I bought to try has worked out really well.

SOS pads for cleaning - I haven’t been able to find them here.

Maple flavoring - It’s for the syrup that we make for the pancakes.

BIG TOOTHBRUSHES - WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF LITTLE ONES; BUT VERY FEW BIG ONES.

Kids books in SPANISH - These are for the school. All levels from kindergarten to sixth grade are needed.

In closing I would like to say, “Thanks for all you do for Casa!” We couldn’t do what we do without all your support!

I would also like to thank those of you who have been praying for my arm! It’s not one hundred percent better; but the pain is bearable thanks to the exercises that I do at the gym 5 or 6 days a week!

Have a great day!

His servant,
Angie