Weekend happenings

Well, Saturday was another day of construction, painting, and doing many things around the clinic, much needed work, and all focused on the weekend since the clinic is closed. Painting of the dentist's and medical doctor's room made a rather marked improvement in the look of the rooms. Pouring the pad for the parking/entrance area near the containers began as well. The focus shifted part of the afternoon as some needed rain fell, but the time was filled with more painting and sorting clothes.

Sorting clothes was important for Sunday afternoon's clothing distribution. There were quite a few people waiting for us when we got there, we estimate well over 300 people were there, especially since just in pictures taken of the children was more than 140. The distribution went very well and was a big success for the Church there (which had a huge banner hanging waiting for us that said "Welcome", very humbling).

Construction junction, what's your function?

Ah, construction. I love the smell of concrete, paint, thinner, and dead dog in the air.

We are being directed in a multi-pronged attack with this group, which is good as we are getting multiple things done at once.

First up is furthering the painting work, especially the metal work around the clinic, which will continue today and Monday, involving some painting of the doctor's rooms inside as well, and maybe if time permits, some painting of the garage.

(picture at right is preparing the gate for the Church buses with anti-corrosive paint before giving it a nice shade of dark blue)

Work also continues on that necessary fence. I think we will run out of posts with this group, and shortly be ready for the section that will require the cutting and placement of the containers for safety sake with our close squatter neighbors on

that side of the property. It is very slow work up near the property line, with the distance to the supply line and all, but it is still progressing nicely.

Saturday brings pouring a pad in front of the containers for easier semi access, as well as just a nicer atmosphere and more accessable parking.

CIY team

The CIY team made it safe and sound yesterday. Not only that, but in record time through customs, and with all their bags. Amazing stuff considering the time of year and record of several other groups as of late.

After going over all the normal rules, tour, breaking down supplies and a great adventure trying to buy water, we had supper, and left them to get a good night's sleep for the construction that starts today.

Never a dull moment

Well, the FAME group came and went, but not without a last example for them about the ever present rule for mission

We were anticipating unloading the latest Master Proivision clothing container hopefully on Friday. Honduras customs had other ideas. Their system went down, and as such, we were told not to expect the computer up and running for the container to get out until Monday.

And as such we were reminded of the ever present rule of mission trips....be flexible.

Monday came....and the container? Well, long about 3:30 we get the call. Everyone was pleased as punch, but at least we would have it unloaded and be done with it. Or so we thought. At about 5:00 after we did all the prep work necessary to get the space needed, I called to see where Oscar was with the truck. "Only a block away" he said. He also pointed out they had been there for some time. The guy was stuck, and not going anywhere. Long story short, his clutch or something was not good, and suggested we unload a 1/3 of the container to help the situation. We declined, as that would mean many trips in the truck, which would take an inordinate amount of time, and it was already getting late. After much discussion, we left the container there in the street, put some locks on it, got another truck (the company knew his truck was not in top shape, and also knew which other truck to send to get the load up the hill) on the way here.

Starting at 5:00am the next day, the work began to get the load balanced, rocks thrown under the tires of the new semi, and by 9:15am or so, the load was at the clinic, just in time for the group to see it come in....as we left for the airport. I can not say I was terribly disappointed I did not get to help unload. (a small portion of the load seen here at right)

Work keeps on comin'

The work around the clinic on Thursday was very helpful to the mission. The group arranged all the medicines that came in their bags, arranged the medical container, put the medicines in order, and took out all the surgical supplies that we had accumulated over the past year or so, and prepped them for transport to the local public hospital today. They also cleaned up some of the clothes from the clothing ministry, did some paint prep work, and enjoyed a nap when it dumped some pretty hard rain in the afternoon (rain which as it turns out, did considerable damage down in the other parts of town, and even took the life of a small girl).

The hospital visit was like most...stressful, difficult, wonderful, and encouraging all at the same time. God had several appointments made for us in advance, and it was our privledge to follow through with them.

No time to go into more details now, but God is good, all the time, and showing it to us over and over again, encouraging us in the work He has for us to do. Praise be His name!

Sampedrana event

The group work in Sampedrana went extremely well. We saw well over 200 patients in two half days we were there, and the showing of Matthew Disc 2 last night went very well. Even with the rain threatening (and then dumping) there were something like 80 visitors there to see it. The progress on the Church building continues with part of the concrete floor poured.

Our trip was an encouragement and welcome physical relief to many there, and watching the changes in the community as the Church develops is extremely encouraging.

Oh yeah, and Valerie made the arduous trip to the airport today to get everyone's bags that finally arrived after almost a week in limbo. What fun.

Group update

The clothing distribution on Sunday afternoon went very well, just got some major rain on the way home which dampened things a bit, if you will.

Yesterday's brigade in Guasucaran was well appreciated, and several extreme cases were reported (including the worst case of scabies I have ever personally witnessed in a 45 day old baby). The road to get there was definitely...interesting.

No word on the missing 11 bags yet. Hopefully they will arrive while we are in Sampedrana today and tomorrow.

As old as you feel?

Funny, I don't feel any older. Maybe a bit sick still, as my running this morning was way off pace. Luckily I was not slowing down my running partner.

I had no running partner because the FAME group is here, all present and raring to go, but eight of their bags are in limbo. They arrived Friday, are told not to expect their bags until Tuesday....possibly. So, Rick had nothing to wear to run with me.

Yesterday the group did our first ever brigade in San Juan del Rancho. Always interesting to see different towns and in a country that is not exactly huge, the differences, similarities, and just oddities that each town brings: Why so much fungus amongst us? Why are almost 75% of the people here sharing in the last name Salgado? What is up with the few blonde hair blue eyed kids? There were many that conceded to let us pray with them, but the lack of a Church there (there is a Catholic one) was obvious in the lives of many of the people just in our short time there. We were well received, and the people were grateful for the help.

All went well. The 100 we promised to see were waiting at 6:something in the morning. Good thing we did not promise more (although we saw at least 115...with quite a few pass throughs) as we had to get back to the airport to dig into that mess, the grocery store (for the obligatory snack/souvenir stop), and then back to the "Carrion Fair" store for essentials since the bags are not in our near future (underwear, socks, shampoo, outfit for Church, etc.)

Funny things one notices

There are differences living here. Many times I fail to notice them anymore. People come in groups, and it is like I get to relive my first trip here, listening to comments that I would have or did actually make almost 10 years ago. Good stuff.

Then there is what happened to me yesterday. It is not that big of a deal really, just looking at "Grupo Q" while waiting at the traffic light, seeing the Ferrari and Maseratis for sale (I figured they only brought those in for specific orders), and then noticing the Chrysler minivans right in front of them. The incongruity of the vehicles at first did not strike me, but it soon did.

Imagine a trip to the dealership with the family. Ah, there are the minivans, let us look upon them to decide which....uh, which one....uh, how about that red car? Only two people eh? Hmmm, how about the gray one, can we stuff the two kids in the back window? They like to look at the clouds. I am sure the Ferrari people love the mental image of their cars parked next to such a menial form of mere transportation.