The cast is off!!!! I’ve even moved from two crutches to one crutch and here at home I hobble with no crutches. My physio therapists are on vacation, so I’m doing my homework – my exercises and soaking the foot. You know how you can stand on one foot and rise to your toes? I can’t. That’s a muscle that still needs to be developed and, at least partially, explains why I can’t walk normally yet. Thanks so much for your prayers for healing and please continue to pray for complete healing. Here I am with Vivi, my therapist, who works with me Monday to Saturday and then does this Kinesio Taping for the weekend. You can see all the Fractured Foot photos at http://1drv.ms/1NXMpQ7
I apologize to all who have written without me answering. I showed a picture of the empty apartment in my last letter and asked you to pray that I could find the furniture I needed during the Buen Fin (Good Weekend) Sale. Thanks for praying! I was able to purchase all the major furniture and the 
majority of everything else on sale at great prices (for here!)! I even found a good second-hand store for some of the furniture. You might think that I’ve had plenty of time to get the apartment set up and you’d be right… except that I’ve been doing it all with a cast and then crutches. I have not been able to do anything quickly and it’s been frustrating, but I am grateful to God for all that I’ve been able to do and for all the people He has put in my path to help me out. So, I’ve gotten behind on email because I’ve been putting my efforts into getting the apartment set up so I could have people in for Christmas. It’s still not quite done, but it’s far enough along that I’ve had several groups in for a meal. Today I had some of the friends who helped with my move in for lunch and those who put the reflective film on the windows in for supper. That was possible due to having plenty of leftovers from having the pastors and their wives over last night. Earlier I had other families who helped out over for a meal. The Lord has provided a beautiful and very spacious home. You can see photos of the furnished apartment at http://1drv.ms/1NXLGyB
Speaking of the windows, you should be able to see the huge crack that started near the bottom and spread diagonally to the top. The building owners said it was the fault of the guys who put on the reflective film and I was sure those guys would say it was the buildings fault. I was pleasantly surprised when the guys who installed the film said they would replace the window and put on new film! Since I hear that part of the celebrations tonight will be gunshots, I’m waiting a couple days to have this done.
I’m so glad that Martin and Susie are back and healthy. I’ve been able to meet with the pastors to talk about my assignment. I’ll write more about that (and update my contact info) another day, except to ask you to pray about starting a new cell group. The pastors are in agreement and a couple ladies from the church are interested, but my plan is to invite the people I’ve met because of the fractured foot/move. As far as I know, the people in the following list are unsaved, but they have expressed an interest in studying the Bible, so please pray for the Lord to work in their hearts and prompt them to attend: Luis, Gonzalo, Angel, Gabriel, Roman, Oscar (mentioned in the previous letter), Eduardo, Rigo, Nancy, Raquel, and Alex & Vivi (pictured above).
I still don’t have a photo of just Alicia and her boys, but they did attend our cell group Christmas celebration. Alicia is the first person and her boys are at the end of the table. They accepted my invitation to the church Christmas program and the Thiessens’ invitation to a social get-together and have said they’ll come to church this Sunday. Please continue to pray for their salvation. We had a really fun time with a Mexican asada. You can see those photos at http://1drv.ms/1NXIAdU I’m going to miss this group.
After calling for four months after paying for them, I finally have license plates for my car. Five months ago the government recognized that I had been charged too much for my visa. I just received my document to get the reimbursement, but found out that they aren’t doing that until January 4th when I have to present more documents. Please pray for that process to end quickly with the money in my bank account. Thanks.
Our ladies’ group put on a Christmas program for an orphanage. I led games and 
taught the Bible lesson. We also participated in the church Christmas program with a song. While waiting for our practice to start, I was thrilled to see a male Costa’s Hummingbird and to get a photo 
with some of it’s colouring. When the light reflects off it just right, all the black head/neck area would also be purple. I’m still hoping to get a shot like that!
I thought a sunset photo would be appropriate as 2015 draws 
to close. You can see more sunsets photos taken from my apartment at http://1drv.ms/1NXM5Rm and also see the views all around my apartment taken from the roof at http://1drv.ms/1NXLUFP All the photos after the sunset and two moon shots from Christmas Eve are of the same spectacular sunset with views ahead and behind. The whole sky was displaying a little of the glory of God.
May 2016 be a year filled with the Lord’s blessings and many opportunities to serve Him! And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. (2 Corinthians 9:8-9, New International Version)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Brenda
