New Years Eve in the Caribbean

I managed to twist our board members' arms and get them to agree to a board meeting in the DR. Lord willing, we'll all be there, including spouses, for the Dec. 29-31 meeting. This will be the first time that they will be able to see our programs in action, and I'm excited about that! We'll also manage to find time for the beach. Actually, if you must know, our board meetings will be held at a restaurant on the beach. So think of us sitting in shorts and tank tops in 80 degree weather! You kind of want to be on the board now, don't you? Seriously, please pray for us as we have a lot to cover and important decisions to make.

Pictures!

Here are a few pictures from my fall trip across America. Click on the picture to read the caption.

http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=smegilligan&p=8BB1&AID=2045806

Wedding Bells!

Brian and Bethany get married tomorrow! Please pray for their new marriage.

Also pray for all of us, board included, as we travel to the DR on December 27th. Our board meeting will take place on the 29th-30th.

picking tomatoes in Texas

I'm back in Texas where it's nice and warm. I was making a salad at my friend's house and I asked what she wanted me to put on it. She suggested I go out to her garden and see if there were any tomatoes. What!?!?!? It's December! There are still tomatoes growing in the garden? Oh yes, there sure were. I picked tomatoes and green bell peppers and it was a lovely salad. Ah Texas, everything I remembered it to be.

So over 4,000 miles later, my road trip is over - sort of. My car is still in Philly where I will be for Christmas. I fly from there to the DR on December 27th and then return January 29th and drive back to Texas, our Texas. Hook 'em horns.

I was blessed with safety on the road and plenty of time to pray while driving (with my eyes open). I was blessed with the chance to reconnect with many friends and make many more. I was encouraged by so many people along the way. God taught me what it means to trust only and completely in Him. God provided for all of our needs - often in unconventional ways and often at the last minute, but He always provided.

We have interns and groups scheduled to come down to the DR as a result of the trip, and we have new prayer and financial supporters as well. God is so good!

The Steelers continue to win and the horns are in the Rose Bowl, so I'm going to have to rank this the best football season ever. Even if only bad things happen from here on out, it's still been a great ride. I sure love that foozball.

Brian and Bethany get married on December 18th, so please be praying for them as they start their new life together in our favorite country.

Finishing 2004

I am very thankful for Sharla and all the work she is doing to keep Makarios funded. This week in Caraballo there was a Christmas program. Some Christmas poems were read and some songs were sung. The children did a good job of preparing the program. One group of 3rd and 4th grade boys did a rap that was very interesting.
I am enjoying working for Makarios and the students seem to like the activities in the schools. it is very encouraging. I am however discouraged with how the schools are administered. I figure that in the public schools they actually have school about 80% of the scheduled days and they only stay the full day about 3/4 of those. Teachers don't show up, directors don't show up and when it rains no one shows up. It can get very discouraging. I believe that sometimes the schools really try but there are so many factors against them.
I am finishing up the activities before I leave on Friday in the schools. this week we are going to make Christmas trees crafts which will almost certainly be the only decoration in their houses.