Special Day!

Today is Ronald's birthday.   It does not seem 61 years to Ron and me as we can remember that day as if it was yesterday.   Today, Ronald has received a special tribute on Facebook from his kids in the Philippines as many others are also wishing him a special day.   He and Gigi are in Tennessee, traveling to give reports about the work in Asia.   They will return to the Philippine the first week of November to prepare gifts and activities for the Christmas holidays.   

But, today is a special day for us and we hope Ronald  will enjoy a beautiful day and a good lunch.

We could not be more blessed as our health seems to be stable and we count our many blessings each and every day.   Our work in going well in all locations.   New girls are being added to our safe houses in many locations.   Six girls just graduated from their studies in Nepal and will begin a new chapter in their lives.  

Our goals in Save Asian Souls is to help each girl get the best education she can and be ready to work to support herself and her family.   As they mature and receive many valuable lessons while under their caretaker, they go to school, study the Bible and grow up to be stable adults.   

Without the support of our sponsors and the loving care from the Christians in Asia who help them along the way, they have little hope for a better life.   While we cannot know if they would be tricked into false jobs abroad, we can be assured they are safe now, and are being taught well to prepare to face the future and eternity with a greater hope.  

Sagar, Our main worker in Nepal is the director of the Himalayan Bible School.   He not only oversees our work and is over the 20+ safe houses we have there, but he is involved in training preachers for the Lord's church.   They are conduct gospel meetings and this weekend in one meeting, they baptized 19 people.   

While the world is in turmoil, many people are turning to Christ and holding on as faithful Christians.    Whenever we get the least bit despaired with the world's evils, killings, war and corruption, we have to remember that God is still over all and in control and those who follow him will have a winning hand.

Ronald and Gigi are blessed with nearly a full house of children.   They will add three more girls soon and all beds will be filled.   They have a new building almost complete that will provide small apartments for some workers who live too far away to go home every night.   They will have at least one apartment available for visitors who need a place to stay for a short time.    In the future, plans are to construct a boy's home to house the older boys and make the present boy's home available for more younger boys.   There is always a need and they are doing a wonderful job with these precious children from poor and broken homes.

Our weather is changing as fall approaches.    The days are not quite as hot in Florida.  My patio is in the shade by noon each day and although we've had plenty of rain, no hurricanes have brushed Florida.  We have one disturbance they are watching now but no one seems worried at this point.   The last of September and October will be our risky weeks but we will be prepared and have no worries as we are in safe locations.

Ron and I are blessed to have a nice condo pool that is like our own private pool early in the mornings.  If the water is warm enough, I get in to get exercise and Ron swims laps for 30 minutes.    I have some arthritis in my hands and warm water and exercise is supposed to be beneficial.   It keeps us more flexible and refreshes our early morning before we start our work.   We enjoy our daughter, Leigh Ann, each weekend when we get to spend time with her.   Tatum, our granddaughter, lives in Tampa and visits sometimes.   We are so glad she is not far away as we always love seeing her.    She helps prepare our favorite Chinese food on Friday night following Thanksgiving each year so we are looking forward to that annual event again.    

There are plenty of parks and beaches but since Ron's walking ability is more limited, we have begun to spend our leisure time working puzzles, playing scrabble and listening to music.   I think most people in our condo building do nothing but watch TV and go out to eat most of the time.   They stay up late, sitting on their patios or watching TV and sleep late.   No one is stirring when we go to the pool at 7:30 each morning.   Such is the life of the retired, elderly and wealthy.   We don't fit all categories but we are definitely elderly and blessed to have everything we need with a simply lifestyle.

Thanks to our many friends and supporters who care for us and our work.   May God bless each of you.