It's time for another newsletter! Its been a while since I've had the time to sit down and write one, and much has transpired since the last one.

First, let me tell you about Hurricane Emily. When it came along, we followed it very closely, as it was headed precisely in our direction and was gaining in size and strength. I told our people at the Casa de Unión that we could pray that storm away from the island. They also boarded up their windows and cut down the big trees near their houses for safety's sake. But their fervent prayers yielded results: about six hours before landfall, Emily turned straight north, and struck between Tampico and Brownsville in a far less populated area, causing much devastation but no loss of life or injury! We did get eleven inches of rain in eight hours, and the electricity went out on the island for about eight weeks. This was very hard on our community, as we went without water, electricity, and telephones for that time. But we still are very thankful that the Lord shielded us from the brunt of the storm. Meanwhile, the walls for our building (external and internal) are 75% done! During the two months in which we had no power, we were unable to work, as our electrical cement mixer and our block saws were unusable. Now, however, with power restored, we hope to complete the 25% remaining to be done around the windows and on the southeastern part of the building very quickly. Next, well be contacting Stan Tatara in New York and letting him know that were ready for the trusses for the roof. He is ready to bring trusses and workers to help assemble and install them.

Also, during this time our refrigerator and stove both went out. We were able to bless someone with the refrigerator as scrap iron as we went back north. In the process of delivering furniture to Luis Ocassio's parents in Uvalde, we discovered that they had an icebox and stove that they wanted to give to someone! So God was once again faithful, and we have usable appliances! And there was yet another miracle: While we were in Edinburg, Texas, on our way back, Eloy and Maggie Sanchez purchased a power plant capable of producing 110- and 220-volt current for us. Thanks to His provision, we will never be without electricity on the island again! So we headed south with an icebox, a stove, a power plant, 2X6 lumber for our doors, and six new windows on our trailer, as well as two new passengers, Micha Muerrer and Dwayne Masserang from Riverside Baptist Church in Amarillo, who wanted to see how they could help in our project. At the border, the customs officials only charged us $45.00 in taxes for our load! He is still faithful!

Near Ciudad Victoria, our truck began to smoke heavily. The transmission, however, was not slipping, so we didn't think it was a transmission problem. We stopped at a service station twenty miles further down the road, and they determined that it was a brake hose leaking onto the manifold. We taped it up and went on to Manuel, where we spent the night. The next day, we discovered that there were no brake hoses to be found, but we did find someone who was able to make us one, which is still on the truck to this day!

We were able to make it to the island after that. Micha and Dwayne were incredibly helpful with moving and installing the stove, refrigerator, and power plant. In addition, they helped unload the lumber and windows, cut the grass, and planted two orange trees next to the Casa de Unión. I took them on a tour of the island before departing to take them back to the United States. On our way back to the house, we picked up an islander and proceeded to lead him to the Lord! It was a great blessing, especially with our visitors being part of it! Finally, our visitors saw the problem with water that exists on the island and gave us a HP 220 volt submersible pump that will run off the power supply that the Sanchezes gave us! The villagers will never have to do without water due to a power outage again! But they still weren't done! They gave us a table saw, which will be given to the man on the island that does most of the woodworking for the inhabitants. It is so much fun to see Him bless everyone!

The trusses are ready and waiting in New York. Our plan is to have Stan and his group bring them down in late November or early December. It will take some careful planning, as the distance is great and the load is substantial. The metal for the roof was quoted to us at around $9,000 in Mexico. We found a much better deal in the United States: 116 sheets at $45 per sheet. This price includes not only the metal itself, but its preparation, transportation, customs-related charges and taxes, and 9,000 screws to use in attaching it to the roof! If you are looking for a way to assist with this ministry, please consider purchasing one or more sheets at $45 each. It would be a huge blessing to us!

We returned to the United States and delivered Micha and Dwayne back to the airport to fly home. I was helping my grandson put a form around his back porch for a cement slab, and I managed to hyperextend my left leg in such a way that my left knee became almost unbearably painful. I was disabled for over three weeks, believing all the while that the Lord was going to heal it. The doctors who examined me told me that the pain was caused by bruising, even though I could not remember doing anything that caused it. He has since begun to heal it slowly, allowing me to get back to doing the things that He has set before me to do.

One last story about the goodness of the Lord: When we reached Juana Ramirez Island on the trip that I just described to you, the transmission in the van had started to be very noisy. We were able to get back to Texas despite the knocking. When we took it in for a diagnosis, the shop told us that it was all warranty work, and the repair cost us nothing! I had to replace one U-joint at a cost of $41, but that was it! He takes care of His own! God bless you all, and we'll be back with another newsletter soon. Please feel free to contact us at the numbers and/or address below.

R.L. and Janie Montgomery