October Update

Hola!

We praise God for Pilar's recovery so far even as we ask for your continued prayers. Pilar was released from the hospital about a week ago, but remains very weak at home, recovering slowly under Saul's watchful care (and cooking!). The doctors are telling her it will be several weeks until she is fully recovered. Among other things, during this illness she has lost about 25 pounds and is still experiencing cramping and the effects of ulcers that are still healing. She is urged to walk short distances which she does in the morning and afternoon. However, she has very little energy and even short bits of exertion are exhausting. She did go to Santa Cruz on Sunday where people from all the communities came to see her, including 27 people from the Hornos community.

Please pray for her continued recovery and increasing strength and stamina.

Other news and matters for prayer:

There was an unseasonable cold wave within the last week in Mexico City which caused Saul much concern over the wellbeing of children who were freezing in their cardboard shacks. On Sunday in Santa Cruz, it was too cold to meet outside under the roof in the normal place and it was chaotic as they had 80 kids plus parents in the smaller rooms upstairs. However, yesterday the sun emerged and the pressure has been eased for the time being. Pray for the families as winter approaches and the wisdom and resources of Armonia to help to protect them from the bitter cold.

Josias is doing well and was back in Santa Cruz, working and helping with many things. He will continue to wear a mask as a precautionary measure for another couple of weeks, but is really doing very well.

Nico and Lupe will be studying very hard over the next month for university entrance exams in early December.

Nestor (one of the other Oaxaca kids) is having trouble in school, basically with the Spanish-related classes (language, social studies, etc.). Perhaps somewhat ironically, he is doing very well in English, but needs to catch up in 4 of his other classes in which he is on the borderline of failing. Daniel is in Oaxaca and will be working with him and the other kids, particularly as they transition in leadership from Nico and Lupe to others.

Please pray for Saul who is to travel to the UK for meetings, preaching, fundraising and a planned celebration for the 20th anniversary of Armonia beginning on November 13th. At this time it is doubtful that Pilar can accompany him, so they need to make decisions about these things--who will go, for how long, what to continue to try to do, what to cancel or postpone, etc. If Saul goes alone which now looks most likely, Pilar's father will come and be with her.

Thank you for your love and continued concern for Armonia. Please lift these matters up to our great God, who hears, who heals, and who sustains.

Greg