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.

 We enjoyed showing our friends from Connecticut around the Salvation Army. The Captain & Capitana enjoy the children, and it was super special to celebrate Valentine's Day with them.

At this time, we cannot get a strong signal to send pictures.  We've had a great time helping prepare food & feeding the children at the Salvation Army in Mojonares (near PV) this past week.  We've also had many opportunities to give out New Testaments and talk to several people in English, who were very interested in reading God's Word & were so thankful to receive a copy for themselves.
    The last report we received on our 8 boxes of shoes held up by Customs at the airport was that they were sending all of them back to the USA. DIF tried their hardest to get our shoes, but they said their rules are stricter now, and all the forms for new and used items must be completed and approved at least one month before sending them to Mexico.  I spoke to an agent from the American Consulate yesterday, and she told me even though she has no authority over Customs, she will try to speak to them and ask for an exception since the boxes are already here.  The Captain of the Salvation Army was also supposed to speak to the President of Puerto Vallarta today to help us.  I haven't heard from either one today, and will let you know as soon as we know the latest status.  Keep praying, and know that God is in control, and there must be some reason for all this to be happening.

 I must show you more pictures! This lady told us she couldn't read the Bible we gave her because she needed reading glasses. My friend took off her reading glasses, put them on her, & the lady was so excited, she didn't stop reading God's Word for a long time!  Guess what we need for NEXT year?!
     Carole always seems to find a baby to hold while the mommy eats, does a craft, etc. This new baby had no name yet (sometimes they don't name a baby until they are "baptized").  So, I suggested several great Bible names, as I handed her a Bible.
   This was such a fun day doing ministry for the Lord!  The kids even arrived by horse!  We just praise God for their hunger for God's Word.  Anyone  wanting to serve God in Mexico?  They are in dire need for a full time pastor & teacher!

 I'm sorry for the lack of communication, but we have to hook into internet service from the office area at our camping spot, and the service is not very strong.  We arrived in Puerto Vallarta on Feb.5, and the next day we went to the airport with 2 Federal workers for DIF (a child protection agency) to pick up our 8 boxes of shoes.  To put this short - even the lawyer from DIF couldn't persuade customs to give us the shoes. Several workers have tried almost every day & today we were told that even the workers are praying for us to get our shoes!! We will keep you posted.  But we had BIBLES, and we drove
with friends, a Pastor, and supplies for over 2 hours south of here on Sunday, to a tiny village where over 100 children CHEERED as we arrived for Church!  It made me cry to see the joy on their faces to be able to have the Pastor arrive with us! He would like to go there once a month, but for the past 2 or 3 months, no one was able to drive him there & he is too poor to have his own car, or take a bus.  He brought his guitar, and everyone sang their hearts out in praise! Those who had no benches to sit on, stood for the entire time or sat on the ground.
One little guy climbed a tree (we called him Zaccheas)!

We gave a New Testament to every adult for their families, and our friends brought oranges, cake, fruit drinks & school supplies for every child, plus a craft that went along with the sermon.  It was a fabulous day! We offered to drive down there again before we leave PV.

 We went to a beach restaurant this eve., & saw one of the school boys there.  We spoke to his mother, & told her we were the ones who brought shoes & Bibles to the school.  Another worker knew English & translated the reason we do this work, & they all thanked us.  We, in turn, thank all of you who had a part in this work, so we could come here & reach people for Jesus.

 This is the last day in Punta Perula.  The daughter
of the owner of our RV Park hooked us up w/the

local school of Kindergarten & 1st grades for shoe & Bible delivery.  We were able to fit most of the kids w/shoes, and all w/New Testaments.  It was such a joy to see their happy faces.

We're enjoying a couple of days of rest here on Chamela Bay, and have the use of the Hotel amenities, including two pools & this beautiful bay with nice warm water.  I met with the owner's daughter, and she will help me distribute Bibles & the shoes we have left to the children at the school on Tuesday.  Please pray for all the Bibles that have been given out, and will accomplish all that God wants for their lives.  We are due to  be at our next place of ministry in Puerta Vallarta on Wednesday, and more shoes should be coming by plane on Thursday.  Please pray that all will go well, and there won't be any problem with customs.  Thank you for standing with us for the sake of Christ!

 Just a couple of pictures of the beauty here in Mexico as we traveled to Punta Perula: miles of vacant beautiful beaches, interesting country roads, and even miles of banana groves. The blue bags cover up the bananas, so they won't ripen too soon.

The last few days of our time in Playa Azul were spent saying "goodbye" to our friends and helpers.  We also had a steady stream of people come to our trailer asking for a pair of shoes, and we gave them a Bible as well.  Pastor Marciano & his wife invited some of the Church group to their home for a barbeque, and surprised us when we arrived.  We had prayer together as they sent us off and promised to pray for safe travels.  We left this morning from Playa Azul and it took 10 hours to drive 280miles to our next destination in Punta Perula because of the mountain route we had to take.  We'd like to thank everyone who prayed for us.