Amigas news: Confiando en Dios -- Trusting in God

Amigas del Señor

From Sister Confianza:

On Saturday, we made nearly 3 liters of coconut oil from some 65 coconuts!  

Before moving to town, we never used coconut oil.  It was too expensive, some 350 lempiras for a liter (almost $14), while processed palm oil is only 50 lempiras ($2) for that quantity.  But now that we live in a place with lots of bearing coconut palms, it only makes sense to make our own, even though we have to pay help to do it.  

We started the process on Friday, and since I couldn't find anyone available with an electric grater, William offered to grate the coconut by hand.  That proved to be a very big job!  He rented the rallador (hand grater) from his aunt.  It is made of tiny quartz pieces inserted into a mahogany board almost three feet long, and the bolu (receptacle) is even bigger.  Only old women still have these home-carved appliances -- you can't find mahogany trees that big anymore.

In January we had gotten just 1.25 liters from 40 coconuts.  This round, I was able to observe Lorany rendering the oil, and learned that I hadn't cooked in enough back in January.  The non-oil residue should boil until it becomes tiny fried bits that look like cooked ground beef.  I also learned that you can squeeze even more oil from the residue.  That oil had remained cloudy, but this time we got it to a clear yellow.  

We spent about 700 lempiras to make this oil.  That wasn't easy for me to do, as we are very low on cash this month.  Donations have not kept up with expenses, and in July and August, we've only received half as much as we usually spend. Due to the bank-imposed delay on cashing US checks, that means we are living on very little for September and October.  I have been praying hard about this situation, asking God what to do about it.  Sister Alegria says not to worry, and I know I shouldn't, but I was quite concerned earlier in the week.  "Señor, tengo confianza. Lord, I trust," I prayed.  "Ayuda mi desconfianza.  Help my distrust."  

Well, God, in that divinely humorous way of his, provided as usual.  Saturday afternoon, I went over to the orphanage to pick up some ice from the freezer, where Ingrid lets us keep it.  There is currently a big group of Nicaraguans and Guatemalans there, here to do some Christian evangelism with the local Gospel Crusades church.  They were all hanging out in hammocks and chairs on the porch, and I chatted with a group of them, commenting that we were currently making coconut oil.  One woman asked, "Do you sell it?" 

"No," I replied.  "It is for our own consumption."

"How much does it cost?" she insisted. 

"I'm told it goes for 400 lempiras per liter," I answered, quoting a number William had told me was the new price.  

"I want half a liter," she said.  Then two other women said they wanted 100 lempiras worth each, a quarter of a liter.  

"OK," I said, surprised and smiling.  "I'll get it for you when it cools."  I told William about this interaction, and he said I could probably charge 500 lempiras per liter, the price it goes for in the big city.  

Well, when I went back over later in the afternoon with the order, I was paid with a 200 lempira bill and three 100s.  "Who do I owe change to?" I asked, but everyone said they got what they paid for.  

I just shook my head and looked up to the heavens.  "God, you've done it again!"  We recuperated a big portion of what we spent, and still have two liters for our own cooking.  God and I are living up to my name, Confianza, once again.

If you are willing to help with our cashflow, please make a donation today.  A big thank-you in advance.  Instructions below.

Bendiciones,

Sister Confianza

HOW TO DONATE to Amigas del Señor Monatery:

You can send money directly to us through Zelle or Paypal at:
[email protected]
Name for Zelle:  Colleen Rosshirt (our US money manager)
Name for PayPal:  Amigas del Señor


Or, you can make secure tax-deductible donations to Amigas del Señor by check or online through First United Methodist Church in Hermiston, OR. They are deposited to us at the end of each month.


Donate online using PayPal, Venmo, or a debit/credit card at:
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(click Donate button at top right or go directly to
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On the PayPal form, type in the amount you want to donate.  Choose whether you want to make a One-Time, Monthly, or Yearly donation. Click the drop-down box that says  "Use this donation for General Fund (Missions and Ministries", and select "Amigas del Senor". (We have to pay PayPal a portion of the donation for their services, unless you click "Add $ to help cover the fees".)  Then select how you wish to make the donation: PayPal, Venmo (only available for one-time donations) or debit/credit card.  


Or make out a check to "First United Methodist Church" and write "Amigas" in the memo line. Send it to:


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