Monday, January 24

Dear Praying Friends,

     Yesterday was a good day, especially after some exciting moments.Upon arriving at church, we were greeted by Pedro (who supposedly caused all the trouble with Armando). At the same time, Juve and Amanda arrived. Juve was here last week because his mother was in the hospital. She improved, they drove back to Fort Worth, TX on Sunday/Monday, were called on Tuesday that she was suffering from a leaking aneurysm on the aorta and all the family were being called in. They got back in the car Tuesday night and drove another 30 hours back to arrive in time for her funeral.

     We all went in and a few minutes later, we started the service. Fernando led  us and preached. After the service I was scheduled to meet with a couple interested in working with the deaf. After finishing with them, Pedro approached and said, "I'm going." I said, "You need to get down on your knees, repent and ask God to forgive you." He looked at me with a puzzled expression and then asked the reason. I replied for writing the letter, tearing down the pastor's picture, breaking into the church without permissions, etc. He was really shaken up and started defending himself loudly. I realized very quickly that he was not covering himself, he really didn't know what I was saying. He missed last weeks' meeting because his grandson was in the hospital with liver problems. 

     We went back to last weeks' meeting and explained that his "buddies" with whom he left the church, told us openly that he was the ring leader and that he had done these things. Pedro explained that he didn't even have access to a cell phone, that he could prove whoever wrote the letter did not do so in his handwriting, that he never came to the church to open it without permission and that he SAW the man who tore up the photo. After 25 years with a man, I knew him well enough to say that he was not defending himself, that he really had no idea what we were talking about.

     He was totally swept away that his "friends" would name him as the guilty party in front of the whole church because he was not present. When I saw things developing, I motioned for the members to come closer so they could see that it was all a lie, and that someone else apparently was a liar. Oh! How the devil uses people who are not walking with the Lord! Armando was recalled by his pastor over a huge chunk of nonsense! 

     We are thankful that many eyes were opened as to who was really to be blamed and who was innocent. The ex-deacon who caused all this mess stood quietly aside while the truth was made known. He was NOT the author of the deeds, but may well have been the cause of them.

     Please pray that ALL of the deaf will begin the process of healing, and that those who are at fault will come straight, not necessarily for us, but that they can again enjoy the blessings of the Lord. Thank you for your patience and your prayers.

Gary & Ann