Moving right along

Yes sir, footloose and fancy free, that is us to a T. Uh, something like that anyway. We are almost totally moved into our new house now. No pictures up on the wall yet, but the important stuff is where it needs to be, plugged in (like the internet) and we have almost all the keys we need.

Obviously that has prevented me from keeping up on the blogging. Sorry about that chaps.

One other thing...yesterday while out purchasing supplies, I made an unfortunate sighting. Yes friends, neighbors and accidental visitors, I made my first Christmas season sighting...candy canes and santa chocolates. Now I know that we here in Honduras do not have a temperature change in the seasons and all, but still...it is August, right? I hope the toys they had on display as well were for "Kid's Day" and not also another Christmas preparedness drill.

Official Honduran

Just proof positive I have been accepted as a full Honduran...at least as far as Banco Ficohsa is concerned. And a separate account for the clinic shows separately entered information that says the same thing. Go figure. Oscar did not pass though, he is still listed as a Costa Rican. Double go figure.

We started moving into the house today....five suitcases worth. The vast

bulk should be done and done by Tuesday. I could get used to have a garage door opener. My back is still hurting...mostly when I bend over. Lovely but worth it.

Interesting day

Well, the container did not make it...not even close. We had to unload it via pick up trucks...always fun. But it got done, no great harm done.

Oscar went to trial for the accident...the police said he was at fault for everything. We are debating challenging the ruling, but wonder if it will do any good. Praise God for insurance, either way or the cost would have been hard to fathom.

We arrived home to find out that Dr. Nicolas had died around noon. We went to a memorial service last night, the burial to be today at 11:00am. That was quite a shock to us all since we had been so busy this week and were just expecting him to be brought home at any time. Well, he was taken home, just not the one we were thinking about. His kids told us that they were 100% sure he was saved before he died (which happened in the hospital)...praise God for that. We will miss him but look forward to seeing him soon as well.

Container coming

Well, we thought the clothing container was coming today. We were wrong...at least in terms of what we thought was acceptable. It was ready to leave right before 5:00, but that was not going to work for us. Hopefully tomorrow will work out well.

Hopefully? Prayerfully is more like it. I have to be there at 8:30 (prayerfully) to escort the truck to the clinic. The road is terrible. We hope to take a slightly alternate route to achieve getting him in the big gate (prayerfully...big time), and have the container unloaded in such a time to be on the road to Comayagua for the court appointment about the accident Oscar had (more big time prayer on the outcome there) as well as getting the supplies we need to finish taking up attached to my Ford and up and down the hill and back to Teguc before dark.

Sounds easy enough....for God.

Today brought its own problems and opportunities. I had to run errands with the kids (a long story) and they did a very good job working with me and my oddities on how things go down. Then we were to pick up the Ford and drop off the Musso at the shop. I got the Ford, but quickly found that the new front brake pads were not adjusted properly on the driver's side...it was sticking...kind of a bad scene. So we had to take it back, and wait in the small waiting room for an hour and a half for them to fix it and try to get Cecilia to school. Better late than never...I got to see the kids in the class greet Cecilia with a little song that said something to the effect..."the turtle, the turtle, arrived slow again." I felt bad since that is not Cecilia's fault...and she was worried about getting to class on time. Ugh, that was tough for me to see, while strangely funny and good to see that time was valued in some sense.

Valerie and the rest of the clinic were off when I arrived as Marlen's grandma died yesterday and they were on their way to the funeral. Reina was somehow (no pregnant ladies today) to see all 25 patients that showed up this morning regardless, with Ruth helping her see four or so as well.

Smile and rejoice

I use the title above because when trials come our way, the Bible tells us to consider it pure joy. You know, some may scoff, but those words of comfort really do help in times where otherwise one would be inclined to yell in anger, or wonder loudly "WHY?" Perhaps you still wonder why, but you know the ultimate "why" and the details are not quite so urgent afterwords.


Our latest unfortunate news starts with some great news. Oscar called me Saturday to tell me that baptisms were scheduled for the Church in Sampedrana the next morning. Praise God! He wanted to know if I could go, but we were already on tap to play the music for Union Church that Sunday so I could not go. We decided it would be good if he would go to be there for support, and get some pictures and video for the ministry. That is the good news. Three people were baptized with Christ and more seeds were planted in others that are still on the other side of the fence, if you will.


On the way back, well, long story short: A big truck (not a semi, the shorter, narrower trucks with big, tall boxes on the back for carrying as much cargo as possible...you can start to see where this story is going) came around a curve on two wheels, teetering and looking to fall into Oscar's lane. Ultimately the "box" portion of the truck hit Oscar's Ford. Damage abounds, but the truck is still drivable. (the poor mirror...the duct tape is for the impromptu purchased piece of mirror to still have a mirror, duh!) This picture does not do justice to the damage to the bed...it is movable, which is obviously not good. The front bumper is dented (from the trees that helped stop them), the mirror broken, and some damage to the components below in the steering as well.

More details? Well, after the truck hit (it did not fall over), one of the tubes on the back of the Ford flew off and hit a windshield of another car (total of about four cars involved)...luckily flat on, not straight on, lest there would have been a death for sure. Many aspects of the unfortunate incident were miraculous...if the trees on the side of the road had not stopped the truck, they would have went down "a hill" had they met the truck a little earlier, a bus full of people would have been involved, and had the truck hit another car and not our big Ford, it could have completely fallen over and crunched the opposing vehicle...causing potentially more problems.


The Ford is insured, so either way the judge decides we will be paying a deductable for the damages to our truck. Hopefully nothing more. On that note...the meeting with the judge will be Thursday in Comayagua, so pray for us as we head up that way then (and also making a trip taking construction supplies to the Church up there for the bodegea still in construction).

Decision made

Well, it appears we will be moving soon. We made the decision to take the house that was for rent. I am resigned to the facts that it will be better for us in every way except financial. It is odd, I am not excited at all. Not really that scared either (other than about my running routes...surely to be more dangerous than where we are now), just...resigned. I am sure it will be more exciting when we are actually there, I am just dreading the move itself and the changes we will be going through right before my trip to the US (I guess I will have time to get some furniture for the guest bedrooms!).

I have been translating two days of the CIY conference over the last two days. Luckily Roger adn Darrin are doing half the work this year. Doing it all gives a sense of satisfaction...if I had such time to devote to it. My role has diminished as our group program has ramped up, and that is just fine with me.

Speaking of groups, I believe we have already confirmed nine groups so far next year, all of which are before September. Praise God!

Another visitor

It could have been several, but it is hard to say.

Due to tampering and perhaps some unfortunate luck (they broke the outside door, perhaps the inside metal door was not shut completely?), we had visitors in the mission house this weekend. Sufficit to say, they were not invited in.

What was taken? VCR, DVD, some sheets, all the candy the last group had left, the mission house cell phone and some other small items, but one big thing (well, it was not big in size if not in importance), our safe. It had the proceeds for the month for the eye clinic (thinking being that the mission house was safer, and has been, than the clinic for storage of such). Total loss with everything combined? Oh, figure on $3,500 or so for replacing everything. Since we had been with groups, Oscar had not had time to make a deposit in the bank. Ah, timing.

It could have been worse. We figure it must have been the kids that hang out there (again...different kids though) as nothing big and heavy was removed (not even the suitcase that had the candy in it...go figure on that one). And at least they did no damage or tore anything up. It could have been much worse indeed.

So, pray for safety and for the financial side of things. This would not seem to be of help. Yet I still would remind us all (me now, you as you read this) of James and his words of encouragement:

1:2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything

...I know I am certainly lacking in quite a bit, so unpleasant as it may be, along with that hit to my eye which is healing nicely with the possibility of a scar or two, I do consider it joy.

Pure joy though? Ok, 100% pure might take a little while yet. Remember, I am lacking still!

A house is a home

Well, Tom and Carol left for the US today. Before they left, we took a visit to a house they used to rent for themselves and for mission teams (before the mission house/clinic was built). This house is now up for rent again, and through the contact the family had with Oscar, we got wind of it. The house is ours to rent if we want it...if we want to leave where we are now.

The house is bigger, better and other than the increased financial cost (about $250 more than we are currently paying) it would seem to have no disadvantages to present to us. I mean, five bedrooms, an office, five and a half bathrooms, a covered garage (plus space for several other vehicles), a couple patios, a great view, closer to the clinic, right across the street from a big grocery store, three blocks from the airport...it has it all..convenience and space for us as a family plus the room for invited guests and family to stay long term.

Yet I am conflicted.
-Is it the cost? Surely that is a big concern for us. With the kids getting school aged, and us still without insurance and a savings plan that comes only when we are blessed enough to have some to put aside...$250 per month is quite a commitment.
-Is it leaving our home here and the family we live with, a family that we feel very close to, which is going through a very difficult time now (our landlord is in the hospital and his wife is not doing well either)?
-Is it a desire to wait until we can buy a home or build a home somewhere else? That is something we feel led to in the last six months or so.

What we will do? God only knows. We pray for His guidance as we contemplate this huge decision that we by no means take lightly.

Visit

Well, the group from First Christian left today back to the US after a successful run for the kingdom. Many seeds planted, work done, clothing given out, you name it.

While at the airport, it seemed like a good place to pick up some more people. Luckily we knew Tom and Carol Jeffries were on the Continental plane and ready to come out of customs. They are here for a quick visit after a couple years not being able to make it down. For those of you not in the know, they are the couple that started the medical work here. After a long physical abscence it is great to have them back, even if only for a few short days.

Sharing

Just thought I would share a godincidence that happened last week, Friday night. I was coming home, and went to lock our entrance gate from the outside so that Valerie would find it more convenient when she came home. I walked over to the small gate and used my key to enter. Upon entering, I noticed a family member's car to the people from whom we rent the apartment, and that there was a light on inside the car. The kids were waiting on me to go up to our place, but I thought it would be good to let them know about the light, and plus their main door was open. So I yelled up to anyone listening.

And then several people came, but rather animated, as if they were busy with something else, not the minor light I had noticed. They told me there was an emergency with Dr. Nicolas (the father of the family who owns the house). I was obviously concerned. Then they suddenly asked me if I could come help get him to the car to take him to the hospital. I immediately ran up the stairs to where he was, thinking in the back of my mind that my back was hurting and I had not been able to bend over for a few days. All that went out the window though, and I picked him up, and got down to the car.

Why did I lock the gate on the outside? Why did I see the light in the car? Why did I think to go up to tell them? Any other night, I would have just gone up to our house. There was no man in their home, no one that could have picked him up to get him to the car/ambulance. Wow

Cheese it

I have been busy with the group, most of whom departed for the US today (Soren joined me at the airport via his private driver and when I asked if he wanted to return with them, he replied; "no, me wanta go in the white truck!"). Here are a few interesting pictures and explanations over those days.

The local grocery store apparantly identifies the best the USA has to offer for its display (and accompanying promotional efforts in the store) as Boone's Farm "wine", Hi-top (generic) saltines, and assorted cheeses (very generic). After all, is it not that which makes the USA

great? Hmmm, I hope not.

These poor nfortunate balloon head children were still able to eek out a smile for the camera. Apparantly the one on the right (called her Deana Troi here for her protection) was holding her breath, while the child on the left (we will call him Worf) is suffering from jaundice and only having one ear.

Wer you expecting perhaps Mr. Whipple?

Today was an interesting day. In lieu of working construction (with my unexplicable back injury and of course the eye "thing"), I got to take a trip to the WER (World Emergency Relief)warehouse, with whom we have partnered a bit in terms of helping them get containers into the country for the purpose of getting very low costs on medicines, and in the case of today, vitamins. Marlen came with me to ensure we got what we needed. I think we have enough vitamins to last us a year or so, at a cost that would be relatively cheap, cheap, cheap.

In other news, the aforementioned construction has been advancing the wall, turning the corner as it were, and thus preparing us for the future container piece placement to continue the wall down that side of the Church property. That corner work is by far the most difficult and tricky of all the work for the wall, and obviously we are glad to be done with that.

And in a final update to yesterdays entry, my exam this morning went fine, and I was given an inflamation free bill of health. The dilation drop has worn off, and my vision is back to normal. Now all I have is the requisite band-aid, and a very sensitive socket and bruise spot that is thus not very fun to have cleaned. All in all though, I am extremely pleased with the outcome. The bonus of course being that I keep getting asked "What happened?!" to which I hover between two answers:

1. Valerie finally had enough

2. I was defending the honor of Honduras, thus

suffering for my love of country.

Eye've got a feeling

Construction began today with the First Christian Church of Brazil Indiana group. I began by helping moving the Ford up to the corner of the property to unload some rocks we would need later in the day. Simple enough, right?

First off, the road on that side of the property is extremely muddy, which posed some problems getting up there. But eventually, the mighty Ford prevailed.

Then we started unloading the rocks. Simple enough, right? Until I stand in the path of an oncoming rock that is.

My first thought, which I believe I verbalized, was "OH GOD!", not quite in the blasphemic way, as I really was crying out to Him who could make sense of the sudden pain that struck my face, which I quite immediately gathered would have probably been a big rock (pointy too I later found out). This after I noticed some red substance on my gloves when I raised my hand to the affected area.

I walked immediately to the clinic, after excusing myself and accepting the guilt for the incident, to get an emergency consult with my favorite optometrist, knowing that her joy at seeing me would be added to with the blood running down my face (for those that do not know...Valerie hates the sight of blood, and has been known to faint...often...even with her own blood).

After assuring me nothing was wrong (even with my uneven pupil dilation), and installing a dilating drop in the affected eye (for inflammation), I proceeded to the mission house to rest until 11:00am, whereupon I went down to move a few rocks, but was still a little woozy, for some odd reason.

I still have my eye due to the great protection afforded to me by my Oakley sunglasses. They took the proverbial lickin, and kept on...well, being sunglasses and not little pieces. Had I not been wearing them, the rock would have went right into my eye, as seen by the resultant scratches and dents. And some mock me with my affinity for eye/sun protection....to them I say, mock on!

Updates on my sight to be posted on this site if my sights are redirected to further treatment, otherwise I will hopefully recover soon and be on the ball, so to speak....probably ordering some more sunglasses.