March 14, 2026
Susan Hoover
Dear family and friends,
Greetings once more in Jesus' Name. Here we are in the middle of March already -- how can it be??
I will begin with one of my favourite passages in Romans.
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose...." then slipping down a couple of verses ... "What shall we say then to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" ... then down a few more verses... "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" ..... "No! In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Read the whole passage! Romans 8:18-39. There is so much in those verses, so rich and precious. I love the thought that the Spirit prays for us. It mentions it three times in that passage. When we have requests and longings too deep for words, He understands. He helps. He prays for us. What a wonderful arrangement! Our glorious, marvelous God. He is so wonderful! The chapter also starts out with "no condemnation". Can you imagine? How wonderful is that!
We are still getting very warm weather nearly every day, but the nights are starting to be a little cooler. We are in March, which would be like your September. Late summer, early fall. It has been quite dry here. A week ago we had a nice rain, but those torrential, subtropical rains have not happened for awhile. I suppose it is more of a winter thing.
We have had quite a bit of activity going on above our heads the last few weeks. This apartment building is getting a second story built on top of it, identical to the apartments that are here already. This was apparently the plan of the original owner, and he built this bottom part. (3 apartments, one of which we are living in.) But the original owner died of Covid, during that era several years ago, and further building came to a standstill, until now. His brother took over the ownership of the place, and now he ordered a construction crew to come and finish what was the original plan. So our house can be a bit noisy some days, depending on what they are doing! This house had only a flat concrete roof, for the very reason that a second story had been planned. Now they have hauled everything they need up onto the roof. Bricks, a cement mixer, tools, etc. The day they started, they did some drilling up there and it was indeed VERY LOUD in here!! Fortunately it did not last long. I find it fascinating how they get the bricks up onto the roof. One fellow stands on the ground and tosses them up, one by one, and another fellow stands on the roof and catches them. Every time! No misses that I am aware of. They have gotten a good start so far.
Ben and Justina have gone to Rio Verde for the weekend. They have a farm there and so they usually go for several days every three weeks or so. We miss them when they are gone and are always glad to see them come back! Last evening we and the Knelsens shared our visitors again. A young couple by the name of Jake and Agatha came to visit, and we all sat out in the yard, visiting together. This couple has one little boy, 2 years old. A few months ago, they also had another baby, that lived only half an hour. I could tell the mother's hurt was still very fresh and deep. I felt for her and pray for her, that God will be her comfort!
Yesterday forenoon Peter and I went to town for several items of business. The pharmacy, the phone payment place, the grocery store, etc. It was 12:30 or so when we got back home. I put the groceries away, took a nap, cleaned the fridge, and then decided to do the laundry yet since it was my usual laundry day. I let it hang out all night, and this morning I was glad it was done and all I needed to do was bring it in and fold it!
Yes, I am old enough to take naps now. I am astounded at myself, how easy it is to fall asleep after lunch!! I never used to be able to fall asleep during the day, but I sure can now.
Another thing we did yesterday in town, was go to the hospital to start the plan for my next knee surgery. My left knee (the one that is not operated yet) has been getting increasingly painful. It hurts much worse now than the operated one. In fact, my right knee does not really hurt much at all anymore, it is just a bit weak yet at times. (I still use one crutch, but at times I think it is more for the sake of the left knee than the right one!) So we did the preliminary talking with the lady at the desk, and I have an appointment on Monday morning with the surgeon, Carlos Wiens. He will check out the knee that he's already done, see if everything is satisfactory, and see if I am ready for the next one. We are thinking probably sometime after the middle of April. As painful as it is at times, I will be glad to have it over with, and this time I will know better what to expect as far as recovery and healing.
We are looking forward to having Micah Russell, a young man from Missouri, come to help at the Home for probably six months. That will be much appreciated! We are thinking it will also be very handy for us to have him around to help us after my surgery. I won't be able to do any driving for awhile, and Peter has not had a drivers' license for years, so Micah can be our driver. Micah was here just for a few days' visit in February, with two other men, and he is the kind that sees what there is to do and just does it, whether it be sweeping the floor, clearing and cleaning the table, or whatever. Peter also got him involved with helping at the Home during that time, and noticed how good he was at that too. It will be a real blessing to have a Christian young man here, who is eager to serve the Lord and the people!
We've been making and enjoying a lot of smoothies lately. We use bananas, mangos, papaya, yogurt, and just a bit of milk, in the blender. Sometimes bananas and blackberries. One time we even added some cooked pumpkin. The smoothies are so-o delicious! Cold and refreshing.
Well, it's been another Saturday, a more relaxing day. I put some chicken leg quarters in the freezer, which Justina brought over for me. I don't have much freezer space, so I had to work a bit to get them accommodated, but they all fit. It was only 2 kilos. Then I did some cleaning, made lunch, did dishes, and mopped the floors. Doesn't sound like a whole lot, but it all takes time. And I love the freshly cleaned Saturday afternoon feeling!
Wishing everyone a blessed weekend!
In Him,
Susan for the Hoovers