But without the bodies and the smoke and fire. We (meaning mostly Mildred) are in the throes of an unpacking frenzy that will probably last several days. In those four suitcases and several carry-on bags strewn about the house are dirty clothes, clean clothes, items for the radio station, groceries, tools, medicine, DVDs, and all sorts of stuff I can’t even remember and won’t remember till we encounter it.
We arrived back on our beautiful little island yesterday at about noon, totally tuckered out, but with all our suitcases, which is always a pleasant surprise. Sandi, our manager’s wife, was waiting at the airport with our freshly repainted truck. She caught us up on some of the local news on the way home from the airport. I need to take the truck back to the shop Monday, though, for several reasons. They missed a couple spots, they didn’t connect something that the radio needs connected in order to function, and the freon leaked out of the air conditioner where they reconnected it after re-installing the radiator.
We started to get back into the “routine” a little bit today. Thursday is our regular day off, so that worked out well with unpacking. It also gave us a chance to go to for lunch and go to the grocery store which are regular Thursday events. As you can imagine, it cost quite a bit more than usual to get out the door this time as we stocked up again. But we still had a good time there. We bumped into at least six friends who happened to be shopping at the same time. After I took Mildred home I went back to town for the truck’s weekly wash, vacuum, and wax. Then I went to the body shop to schedule a time to take the truck back in so they can fix the stuff I mentioned above.
Tomorrow morning I hit the ground running, or maybe more like stumbling, as I head up to the station at 5:30 AM to get ready for Sunrise Serenade. A live program for my first stint in a studio in 2-1/2 months. Nothing like jumping right back into it. But, as I tell people who are nervous about studio work, “You can’t get hurt doing this stuff.” I’ve lost blood doing lots of other stuff, but never yet while talking to a microphone. 
We are glad we had the time up in the States and sure had an amazing time visiting with loved ones from coast to coast. (OOH! Side story here. Before we left the island in March, our island doctor said he wished he could come along. He’d always wanted to see the places we planned to visit but was afraid to drive in the States even though he’s been there several times. Mildred said, “Really? I’m afraid to drive here.” I often thought of Dr. Raymond as we traveled and wondered what he’d have thought of the places we were seeing, what he’d have thought of our friends all over the country, and what they’d have thought of him. I suspect it would have been love at first sight for everyone. OK, side story over.) As wonderful as our time up there was, it’s sure nice to be back in our own home doing what God has called us to do. I hope you know the joy of knowing you’re doing what He wants in the place He wants you.
I’ll end with a prayer request. Our mission president, Evan Drake, is on his way today to Siguatepeque which is in the mountains of central Honduras. He is having some meetings there with BBI missionaries to see what vision God has for the pastoral mentoring program going on there. On Saturday he and David Guevara will be traveling by car and ferry to Roatán to lead a conference on the Biblical family. While he is here Evan will have a very critical meeting with the leadership of the Baptist Ministries here. We operate at their invitation, on their property, and under their radio license. So it’s essential that we maintain good relationships with those leaders, most of whom are good personal friends to the Silseths and us. Please pray for smooth travel and for godly wisdom all around in all those meetings.
