This is Carole in the "shoe workshop", sorting & cleaning gently used shoes in the bay of our garage.

Greetings to all our blogger friends and supporters of Sharing The Sword!
We have been working steadily since September toward our 2015 trip to Mexico, and God has provided for all our needs as we plan to leave at the end of this month.  Thanks go out to so many who have come alongside us to help make this possible!
   The "shoe ministry" has been helped along with our 6 elementary schools bringing in shoes from their early morning "Bible Release Program" for the 3rd year, three Churches have collected shoes, two schools in North Carolina, and many individuals have been excited and motivated to help in this unique program for needy families in Mexico. As our granddaughter, Ashley, helped me with sorting the shoes, she made a poster and asked her principal if she could have her schoolmates collect shoes for the children in Mexico. The response was wonderful, and we received over 200 pairs in only 7 days!

On our way home, we had one "blow-out" about two hours from the border, and another in the states.  Guess 7,000 miles on "inside" tires was too much for these.  Just as Peter was finishing up, a "Green Angel" appeared (what Mx. calls the helpers on the toll roads), so he offered what he could, and we thanked him and gave him a New Testament, which he was happy to receive!

We have so much to be thankful to God for, as we leave this beautiful country.  We arrived home safely, this week, and we can't thank all our supporters enough for the way you have stood by us and prayed for us and for all the people God put in our path who now have a copy of God's Word, who have heard the good news of Jesus, and for the many who prayed to receive Christ in their lives.
     We pray that God's Spirit will cause these dear ones to be like: "newborn babies, craving pure spiritual milk, so they may GROW into a full experience of salvation. And cry out for this nourishment, now that they have had a taste of the Lord's kindness."  I Peter 2:2,3

Tomorrow is April 1st, and we will be leaving Villa Corona to begin our long trek homeward.  We want to thank everyone who has kept up with us on our blog, and have been praying for us as we travel from place to place, handing out God's Word, and sharing Jesus with whomever we meet.  We will spend two more nights in Mexico before we reach the border, and would really appreciate your prayers at this time.  We will fill you in as soon as we have internet service again.  God bless each of you.

After the baptism, the family treated everyone who attended, to a meal & fellowship.   Then the evening service was about to begin.  As we were singing, a farmer was sending his cows down the middle of the street, and when one cow was about to enter the gate to the Church, I sent Peter out to take a picture, but she turned away.  I can't help taking pictures that you just don't see in the USA!
     Then this sweet Christian lady is always ready to give a testimony, but tonight she blessed us all with a song that she sang from her chair - ALL 4 verses - right on tune!  It's things like these that make us so thankful that God lets us experience these special times!  This little Church has really been GROWING, and there were over 50 people who attended.  A large group in a place where there is so much idolatry and strong opposition to Christian teachings.  

The Pastor's wife, Jill, leads this little class of children during Church time so the parents can hear the message without lots of interruptions.  It's quite a challenge when the oldest is 13, and that little one just turned 1. But they all are learning Bible verses, and hiding God's Word in their hearts, and baby Kimberly just claps her hands & makes everyone smile!

On Sunday before the evening service, Pastor Jesse had the pleasure of baptizing a young man from the Church. His little son & a friend had a prime overhead view from the stairs.
     When he came up out of the water, the pastor's "helper" found a dry spot on his shirt, and threw water on it just to make sure he was fully "dunked"!
     Everyone laughed & we were praising God for this young man wanting to honor God and to live for HIM!

My day wasn't over after helping at the school.  I was able to get in touch with a friend I had met in this town 9 years ago, and it was wonderful to catch up on the news in both of our families.

     Then it was off to mid-week Church service, and fellowshipping with more special people.  It always amazes us how welcome everyone makes us feel, and how thankful they are that we come to their Church and encourage them.  We left our last couple of bags of mixed shoes that we had left, and a few people were able to find a pair, and we left the rest with the Pastor & his wife to give out to whomever  was in need.  A big "Thank YOU" went to God for answering my prayer, and the day was far from "boring".  Now I need to get back to our camper, because we're expecting 5 guests for a cook-out!

One of my "jobs" was to correct the work of the students, in their notebooks, and explain the best I could how to change any mistakes.  I drew a "star" at the top of each one's paper, and we had lots of happy faces!! One little boy was so sure his work was correct, that he drew his OWN star at the top. That just cracked me up!

In the 2nd grade class, the emphasis was on how to use "a" or "an" in a sentence, and the kids did a great job.  Javier was expert at getting the kids involved, and getting them to speak English out loud.  The kids were thrilled to see Americans come to their class, and we were happy to be there.
     The day was certainly not "over" for us, because God had more planned for this "bored" missionary!

 Carole was alittle bored on Tues. of this week, & the temperature was not agreeing with me (107 degrees & NO air conditioning), so I asked God to send someone my way.  He is SO GREAT! As I was working on the computer near the office, a worker here where we are staying, came by & we started talking about his "other" job.  He told me he teaches English to several classes at a private school in this town and invited me to come to his classes the next day! I jumped at the chance, & Peter came along to take pictures. I had a blast with the little kids in 1st & 2nd grade!  It was a Catholic school, and the nun greeted us warmly, and welcomed us to her class, where Javier & I taught the children how to pronounce words, and learn to recognize letters & colors in English.

On Sunday we started our day going to a morning service with PastorMiguel in Buena Vista, where Peter was asked to speak to his people who attend there. (Miguel got much of hisChristian training while being incarcerated in an American jail - or as we say,"God's Hospital").  He also learned English there & is on fire for God!  Praise His name!  God can use ANYONE, who is willing to serve our Savior!
     In the evening, at Pastor Jesse's Church in Villa Corona, where we are staying, Jesse is translating for a young graduate from the Bible Institute in Guadalajara.  Jesse is so helpful in encouraging these young men to "practise" what they have learned in school at his Church.  "Jonathan" is anxious to have his own Church in the near future here in Mexico!

This week we also took Pastor Jesse's son, Rey, to a work assignment of building a Church in an area that needed a "light" to shine in the community for Jesus.  He attends a Bible Institute in Guadalajara, that is run by the two missionaries on the left.  They have been missionaries here for over 30 years, and make sure the students put feet & hands on their faith!
   Rey's little sister & brother are checking out the baptistry!  

On Tuesday of this week, the Pastor's wife, Jill, & I bought fresh raspberries, and made pies to give to some people who needed encouragement, and a show of love.  It was lots of fun, and a nice way to say we care, and are praying for them.

We are now in Villa Corona, just south of Guadalajara.  Peter has been praying for this Pastor Miguel for two years since he was told he wanted to serve the Lord by being a Pastor.  Peter was thrilled to visit his Church, and encourage him in the Lord!  We should be here for about two more weeks before heading home.  We are "coming along side" our other Pastor friend, "Jesse", and asking God how we can be a help and encouragement to him and his family as well.
  Thank you again for your faithful prayers.

We enjoyed a short stay in Rincon Guayabitos, and celebrated Peter's 74th birthday with some friends. The food was delicious and true Mexican style!
     Peter was alittle "under the weather " for a few days, so the lack of a busy schedule was just what we needed!
     We were able to re-connect with some old friends, had them over for a cook out, and showed them all the Billy Graham film - "The Cross".

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We said our "goodbyes" to our friends in PV, and arrived in Rincon de Guayabitos for 6 days of very needed rest before we go "inland".  We will send more pictures & news soon. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

These are the last pictures of Puerto Vallarta, where we have been for the past 4 weeks.  This first picture is of a little guy who just was "glued" to Peter every day we worked at the Salvation Army.
   The next group is my English class on the final day.  I had them walk with me down the street to the ice cream place for a treat, while they had to name every thing I pointed to.  This was lots of fun, and helped make learning "Relative" !!
   This last picture is our final attempt to retrieve the shoes that were sent by airplane.  This is the "Captain Raul" from the Salvation Army, and one of our favorite helpers at "DIF", discussing all our                                                                                      efforts to get the "Customs" to release the shoes.

 It didn't happen as we wanted, but we came back to the verse God gave to Peter before we left S.C.:"Go with the strength you have...I am sending you...I will be with you". Right now, we are disappointed, but we know that our ways are not GOD'S ways, and we trust in HIM that HE is in control, and we may not know what happened until we get to Heaven. Peter & I want to thank all of you who prayed about this, and all of you who had a special part in sending the boxes of shoes to us.  We love you and have given this over to God, who always does what is right.

Our days were very full in PV, and we joined with our friend last Sunday to help at her Sunday school class after our morning in Mapache (2 1/2 hours away).  This class is located at the dump area, and there is a wonderful work here called "New Beginnings".  Many of the older children must care for their younger siblings while their parents work, so I enjoy caring for the babies so the kids can enjoy their programs.

Even though we weren't able to give out shoes to our "Mapache" families, we gave out more Bibles to new people who arrived to "Church", in the back yard of a humble home and gave out some donated clothing after the service, and snacks & fruit, and lots of hugs & thankfulness from the entire group of over 140 people from this little village.

This little boy with the huge smile for me is just one of over a hundred severely handicapped children crammed into a tiny house used for the treatments and medicines they need each day.  No one is able to stay overnight to give the parents a "break", and all the Doctors and therapists are volunteers!  This woman I'm with is a friend who lost a grandchild due to severe conditions in his body, and is one of the main fund raisers down here in getting this bldg. completed for the children to move into.  They give "tours" each week for any tourist or interested party to visit the place which is under construction, and they started a "sponsoring program" for each child. A great undertaking, but not beyond what God is able to do for these little ones.  Please pray for the completion of this, which will be run mostly by Christians, and a testimony for the families and all involved.

 One  day at the Salvation Army we gave out about 50 NIV New Testaments.  The kids were very anxious to read them and understand them in an easy version.  Many of these children go to the center on Sundays for Church with their families, and the Captain speaks.

 It was nice to serve with our dear friend from Ct., who comes to PV each year for 3 weeks.  Peter had fun taking these pictures of these 2 little girls who were just gobbling up their food. The one drinking from the cup usually comes running up to the food table as  soon as she sees the food coming out, and we have to steer her to the table for a song and prayer first. CUTE, and a real TUG at our hearts!!

Peter went to get his hair cut, and this boys pet was giving him some "sass".
   Today this little Iguana was slowly making his way to his favorite tree near our camper.
   The horse I'm petting is one of the owner's very expensive horses that is in training for being one that "dances" in the Mexican horse shows. He let me name him when he was born 2 years ago. He is "Majestic Diamond".  He used to have a sleek black coat, and a perfect white diamond on his forehead, but it is now all changing, and when he is 4-5 years old, you won't see even a dim "diamond" on him, and his coat will be a greyish white.  He's a real beauty!

This is my "English class" I just started teaching at the Salvation Army.  We had a slow start, due to the new Captain & Capitana getting to know us, and the language barrier.  When I told them today that we would be leaving PV in one week, everyone was asking me to please stay longer! The thoughts of us not seeing them for another year is very hard.  Even the Capitana is in the class, and we have lots of fun while we're learning.  One day the kids wanted to know where I lived, so we had fun w/the map, and new words and another day, we learned the words for "family", and showed them our family with our new 2014 calendar.  I just love this class, and two of the girls just hug me each day, and I assure them that Jesus loves them even more, and He will be with them until we meet again.

Dear Friends,  I wish I had good news for you about the shoes, but every phone call has not been returned, every promise to reach an important official has not been followed through with, and no documentation has been given to us as to what has happened to the shoes.  "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Romans 8:26-28 (NLT)    
     Thank you for your continued prayers.

We work with a great group of people, and the kids are just precious!
     Peter wanted to be sure to send you this beautiful girl in prayer & thankfulness for possibly her only meal for the day.
    Please pray that we can make a difference in their lives.