El Padrino

Warning, this post could be considered depressing depending on how you look at things. Despite my pessimistic nature, I tend towards seeing it in a positive light.

It hit me last night how much is going on back home while I am here in the US. First of all just all the normal, everyday stuff that happens that just can not get communicated through a few emails and Skype chats when time permits.

Then, Cecilia lost her first tooth. I suppose since it was not located (maybe she ate it?) I should not feel too left out, but obviously that would have been cool to have been there.

Then last night I got pictures from Valerie after a what was an apparantly very long graduation service for Cecilia (and the rest of her class of course.) I thought I was prepared for that...but then hearing that she needed a padrino (godfather if you will) to guide her in the process, since I was not there, well, obviously that was a little tough. To her credit, Cecilia supposedly did very well holding up throughout the service...although Soren needed a breather after a well. Lourdes and Nahum went with Valerie, so he filled in for me (nice IU sweatshirt by the way) and Lourdes helped with Soren.

The Three Faces of Eve

You would not believe where I am.

Ok, you could probably guess from yesterday's post I am at KCU, but the fact I am sitting in the nursing school, at a computer used for presentations, waiting for our time with the nursing students in another half hour sitting in on their "class." Class in this case being watching the aforementioned movie in the title of this post (from 1957 in case you were wondering.) I have not asked, but I assume this is in some way studying multiple personality disorder. Either that or a study on dramatic music in its progression from movie use in the 1950s to today.

So far so good. We wrap up this afternoon, and then begin the 5-6 hour trip back to North Central Indiana. With a Sonic stop for a fresh fruit slush, I should be good to go.

Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shinin

Well, here we are, in Grayson KY. Oscar's dream of visiting yet another state are fulfilled. It was an interesting drive (good thing I was not driving or we might not have made it...just that stimulating), and we are staying the night getting ready to get to work tomorrow morning.

What are we doing here? Some of you might know that Grayson is the home of Kentucky Christian University. Rick from FAME invited us to join him on the trip, as the purpose is to talk to the nursing students here about the FAME medical trips they can take for credit in June every year. That plus "lecturing" at two different classes, one for each of us, which should prove to be interesting.

Before heading down we stopped at FAME to continue to help get things ready for the container shipping on Saturday. We did that yesterday too until 8:30 at night. Hopefully that will make things go smoother on Saturday. Between the two days, we were very blessed to get donations from several different people and Churches who made the trip to help drop things off. We definitely would not have what we have or be able to do what we do without that help. If I was wearing a hat, it would be off to all of you. It may seem like not a big deal, but getting it done in real life is a little more complex than all that.

What day is this?

Yesterday we had an interesting day. It started with trying to order some parts for the Defender here in the US, always fun, making some phone calls, organizing some things for transport to the FAME container, and then having lunch with Chad (my brother) in Rossville. While in Rossville, I got a call from Jim Smelser...looking for a place to have lunch in Rossville on his way from Lafayette to Michigan. That was interesting to say the least.

Then down to FAME to sort, pick, and inventory things from the warehouse for the container, and from there trying not to get lost to get to the Church in Oaklandon we were to visit, and then back to my parents house by 10:00 that night. I was tired.

And in continuing with our documenting all things interesting and odd from the US, here we discover that the emergency brake that we use all the time in Honduras is in Indiana actually designed for in-car fragrance deployment. Go figure.

Deer reader

What a weekend. We met with a group coming from slightly different parts of Indiana and Michigan on Saturday, stopped by to see some friends down in the Indian Lake area of Indianapolis that came this past summer (I had never been in that area before), and then Oscar finally got his wish Saturday night...a venison delight thanks to our friend, brother, Brad...aka "el hombrelon." The venison stew was delicious despite including sweet potato and pineapple which you would think would not be a great combo...but you would be wrong, or at least I was. Then the very tasty venison steaks...that had to be washed for Oscar to enjoy them (Southwestern spice not something Oscar is fond of trying.)

This morning we got to share a little with the congregation at Sherwood Oaks about the changes in the work in Honduras, hear a great sermon (and great music) about prayer and why we do that which we do, and what we really should pray about and for. You would think I worked hard to end that last sentence with two prepositions, but why for that would I do?

Black Friday?

Why do they call it Black Friday? It is Friday, I get that...but black? Ah, who knows. Sounds like a media frenzy creating device.

But, just to be different, and due to finding some deals we wanted to take advantage of, we decided for both our first times ever, to become part of the early morning frenzy. Why? Well, call it the thirst for bargains combined with more than a smidge of morbid curiosity. Plus, we could do it all and be back before my parents woke up.

Our first and principal target: Best Buy for a good laptop we can use, and subsequently sell the ones we have in Honduras. As I waited in line, I heard the lady behind me mention she was tired. Not that odd I figured since it was so early. So, being the cathy-chatty that I am, I asked her when she got in line, assuming she had probably bested our time of showing up at 4:50AM. She replied 10:30. I first wondered how she got there at 10:30am when it was in fact only 5:30AM...and then it dawned unto my consceince that she in fact had been standing in the 25 degree weather since last night...standing up. Ugh. She did get a ticket for the $220 laptop with printer...which was a good deal....I am just not sure it is that good of a deal. Luckily the laptop we wanted did not require being there before 3:00am to get a special ticket the likes of which has been seen last perhaps via Willy Wonka.

In the end, we both got the main purchases we wanted, I was absolutely shocked to see so many people in so many places (including a line of cars at the hardware store Menards that not only flowed out into the street, but actually had people of this country jumping the curb to park in the grass! Imagine it!), and Oscar even found some leftover items at two more stores he wanted. And indeed we were home before 8:30, without anyone even knowing we had been gone. Just in time to get ready to do some demo and packing for the container in the nice afternoon sun.

Oh, and for those keeping track, Oscar did finally admit that this morning was in fact...cold. Especially standing outside for a few minutes waiting in line.

So are we amongst the ranks of the crazed? Yes, but you probably already knew that then, did you not?

An open letter to my wife

Being here in the US might be fun sometimes, a lot of work, and a reminder that God has more for us to do (since he keeps me from dying at my own hand behind the wheel driving here in this overwhelmingly boring vehicular scene) but as much as it might necessary and fruitful (we pray) that does not lessen the hardship on our relationship, and it weighs heavy on my mind. As such, I quote the following, which probably won't mean much to anyone else if you do not know the song, but here goes anyway:

We've been together now for such a long time

Through every trial we'd ever care to go

When I look back I almost can't believe it

We're not the same people that we used to know

With all the years behind me spent pretending

I didn't need someone like you around

It makes it even harder to imagine

The life I'd be livin', if I hadn't found

Someone to hold me,

the way that you do

Someone who needs me,

the way I need you

Someone to show me,

A way that is true

Someone to love me....the way that I love you.



When there was no one left for me to turn to

When all the world I knew was fallin' down

Oh there were times I could not face the mornin'

But everything's changed since the day that I found (repeat chorus)



Of course, the second verse also reminds me of my dependence on God, which helps keep me grounded in Him who is with me while I am separate from she who is far away. But for reasons to in depth to go into here, just bear with me (always right?), pray with me, and thank God for Valerie. I know I do...right this very minute.

The Big Ugly

Well, today was a day of visiting. First we got to see our former intern Heather and her mom. That was cool, to see pictures, touch base.

Then on to visit a Church...out to lunch first at Bub's. I had heard of the famous burger there, and the challenge had been given...the gauntlet thrown down if you will. That is when...I ate...the Big Ugly.

Not only was it a Big Ugly, but it was Elk meat. The result was quite delicious I must say. Good enough to have been a steak actually. And with the benefits of elk meat being that it is lower in cholesterol, calories, and fat, I maintain that in fact, the Big Ugly was not just an indulgence in large eating, but in fact, a healthy one.

After that over to eat supper with Rick Wolford and his family. But first, how about a four mile run? Nah, not just four, but seven! Oh wait, I got lost, so it ended up being nine or ten. Oh well, no worries, at least I finally made it back. Next time you stop by for supper, I highly recomend the pink salad...that and everything else really.

Back from the NMC

(Brad corrupting me, a pour naive soul, a small town kid in the big city. I survived)

Well, a great weekend indeed at the missionary convention. Our thanks to more people than I could shake a stick at (why would I want to?) for their hospitality, friendship, advice, and time...especially the supporting Churches and ministries we got to see, our board members for the time working with me on all the upcoming stuff, and family of course as our North American tour continues.

The convention was good for a variety of reasons. Allow me to illustrate just a few: meeting with supporting Churches, seeing brothers and sisters that have been down on trips and/or coming on trips, talking to prospective interns, talking to a few people who had question on being called, where to go, how to do it, etc., spending time with our board of directors (during meetings...and in "extra-official" meetings), spending time in workshops, main sessions, meeting with other missions we partner with or wanted to learn from, in phone calls, and a little time in between for eating.

Oscar's comment to my parents tonight was: "we get a nice hotel room, very nice...but we don't sleep!" Ah, who needs sleep? Besides, you better be happy with what you're getting, there's a guy who has been awake since the second world war.

Live from the missionary convention

Well, the nice hotel I am at (thank you to one of our supporting Churches) charges $9.99 for internet, so I am only on this evening thanks to another friend (from the same supporting Church) letting me borrow her laptop this evening she already had to use with internet this weekend.

So, so far the convention has been everything I remembered from last year...walking a lot, seeing people, having to leave those people in a hurry, lots of phone calls, good workshops, spending time with old friends, making new friends, eating interesting stuff, rinse, repeat.

We are enjoying Cincinnati and getting to see some of Ohio...not much though, but pretty sites downtown. Not too cold. I have to go now, my turn to play cards says Doug.

Just keep swimming

Well, we find ourselves this morning in beautiful Fort Wayne Indiana. We are enjoying a good visit with Aaron and Kara, as well as last night visiting and sharing about God's work in Honduras with some brothers and sisters from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Peru. It was the first time I have given our presentation in Spanish, which was pretty cool, just talking with them about different things (and seeing their interest in the electropanel construction method we are using...a different reaction than we get from most people that live here.)

In good gringo tradition, we finally (for the first time) made some time for personal (and mission of course) shopping at ye olde mall. My mom had 30% off at Kohls, so we tried to take advantage and do as much shopping as we could considering the deals were so good, and we might not have time otherwise. Of course, a trip to Lafayette eventually has to include Olive Garden, which gave us more opportunities to practice our Spanish with one of the employees there from Mexico. Chalk me up for yet another "ay, que bien habla el español!" and some interesting conversation with her about learning English versus people here learning Spanish. Interesting people are all around us if we only take the time to move our heads sometimes.

Lost time is never found

That was a sign I saw at a Church this week. Churches here certainly do like using their signs for bumper sticker like effectiveness. I have no particular comment on it, just find it interesting.

Speaking of time...wow, it is certainly flying here. We have been running and gunning, as it were, getting from different Church visits at night, to some in the morning (leaving at 4:30Am was a new twist) to chili suppers and more, it has been mind numbingly fast, but no falling asleep at the wheel or anything, so that is good. Arriving alive is always a plus. Especially with five deer sightings today. Fun for Oscar...not quite so entertaining for the driver (at least at first anyway.)

Speaking of keeping busy, pictured right here is my brother Chad with his daughter Abi...or should I say Oscar's new girlfriend. She formally asked for him to take her on a date Friday.

I heard someone say this past week "I have lost all faith in the human race." I suppose this might be counter intuitive for some, but my initial reaction was....Amen! Having faith in beings destined to fail, to disappoint and in general not fulfill what we need in our lives, is, in a word...misplaced. Long story short: God is faithful, we are not. What surprises me most is that we somehow seem to fail to see this. History shows us from the very beginning in the Garden and every step of the way that we are sinners. Then again, accepting that mankind is depraved is not exactly something likely to make it on a motivational poster. Nevertheless...

Whoa

Hey, long time no type eh? I guess you can gather we have been rather busy.

I will be brief. First up was our trip to Houston TX. That was very interesting on so many fronts, I definitely do not have time to sum them all up here, but it definitely was interesting and hopefully long term fruitful for the Kingdom. We spent almost four days there. One plus that I definitely noticed on a daily basis...the weather was great for just about anything. Visiting FCO at the Univeristy of Houston, seeing the Aquarium downtown, touring the local eateries (Oscar had a bison burger among other things), spending time with group members from this summer, and an evening soire that exposed us in many ways to different things (chocolate fountain? Belguim endive? semi-raw fish?, and more!)

After we got back from there, we made our first drop off to FAME (cereal...big surprise eh?) and then this past weekend visiting a new Church (for us...actually they have been a body for quite some time) in the Bloomington area.

This week is a little more time around the base of operations, running errands and looking for what we need to buy for the container. Oscar is quite taken with shopping at the pawn shop. We will see what happens there.