Sampedrana trip

We got to Sampedrana about lunchtime on Tuesday. After a lot of soccer as well as VBS with the kids, we had supper, and then got ready for the Jesus movie which we showed.

Wednesday morning we trekked with many from the Church down past Comayagua to a remote river for three baptisms! It was a lovely setting, and great to be able to participate in the service. Then after that we took a little tour of Comayagua before heading back to Teguc...for more soccer, and just a few more injuries. One thing for sure...this group plays soccer all the way or not at all.

Around the bend

Today we worked construction, more on the new clinic, in the morning, and then in the afternoon distributed corn through a list the evangelists at the Church created. Due to the areas we were visiting, I did not leave the truck...and that meant Cecilia translated for the group in my truck. I did not get to hear much of what she did, but I was very impressed at her job and willingness to jump in. Some of the group were impressed...and her praying at the last house to close things was great, because we have been talking lately about the privledge we have in prayer, not something to shurk or be embarrassed about doing, and to see her jump in was gratifying. This video gives some examples of her translating for the group...the older man she was talking to gives some interesting answers to her questions...her translation is not surprising given what she was hearing. You will need to turn up your volume to catch all this by the way.

Clothes

Yesterday and this afternoon brought clothing distributions. A suprising number of people in both locations...yesterday for not being as many as we thought (but still a bunch) and today for more than we anticipated given we just did one there a few weeks ago...albiet it was raining then and today was nice, sunny, and warm.

Among the interesting things we have, sell, and have to throw away, was a box of scarves someone brought over a year ago. I took it with us yesterday and they sold very well....as when folded to be used for curtains. We had plenty of Chevy Silverado brand new T-shirts as well...XL being the only size, proving to be a tough sell. And more than a few huge winter coats, which unless cut into blankets, also not a very big seller. The people in both places though were very happy with what we were able to bring in Christ's name overall...and in both places I got more than a few questions on when we would be able to return.

****Sigh****

I am getting tired.

I was up until 1:00AM trying to get parts for the Fords, some of which the Blue Ford needs ASAP. I still did not figure everything out that we need to get (like new headlights...how am I supposed to pick out new, better illuminating headlights via the internet I ask you?)

Then going to the hospital today, well, it is tiring as well...more emotionally and spiritually, but also physically.

Given this little child as an example...this is after a few months in the hospital and marked improvement. Hard to see in this picture is the severe skin allergy he also had.

Praying with the adult women in the cancer ward was especially touching...knowing deep down that many of them might never even get to go home but will die right where they lay, or lie, although I trust everything they told me. Hmmm. Ah, whatever (grammar queen is looking over my shoulder as I type.)

The police keep coming to watch over the clinic. We have been trying to feed them...happy police are better police. Cecilia wanted to go down this afternoon, providing an interesting picture of life in Honduras...or at least so I decided.

Constructing

The group has been busy busy...the last two days getting some experience mixing concrete for the road to the new clinic, as well as in applying the stucco mix to the walls of the clinic. Much needed work to be sure, and getting us that much closer to getting under roof, since they are freeing up the Honduran workers to continue work on the footer. We have slowed the work some to try to stretch the existing funds we have, but still hope to get started on that roof sooner rather than later.

Conundrum

I assume many of you have received those checks from the government, the ones we are supposed to take out to stimulate the US economy. I write to seek out what others have done with those checks....because I am conflicted.

My nature is to take the check, and put it in savings (either starting our house purchasing fund even if not much, or in the kids college accounts) however I know that was not the reason it was given to me.

I could spend that money easily on things I want but do not need, replacing the Ipod that was stolen from me, getting some fancy no-space-needed dumbbells, etc. and so fulfill the intended purpose, but I am not sure I should yield to such conditions on the money...although why I feel that way is odd...if someone I knew gave me money and said, "go have fun, buy something you do not need" I would comply...but a faceless government? Do I have the same obligation to spend the money they give me in the same way I have to pay my taxes to them?

Or, I spend half and save half? It is a good problem to have to be sure.

So, what do you think, or what did you do? I could go either way, I am seeking counsel....unless the counsel is "too much to think about...just send it to me!"

Wow

Well, another group done, a great amount done for the Kingdom. Praise God for what He does through these groups!

Pictured at left is what the beginning of our now almost weekly corn distributions look like near the clinic. The economic situation has deteriorated to the point where people are willing to come to the clinic, sign up for corn, then come back and wait for us on their appointed day for us to take it to their homes. Over 200 families have already signed up. This means some people are waiting months to get their corn. It is not ideal, but the best way we have figured out how to manage this, keep our sanity, and make the corn last as long as we can...otherwise if we gave corn out on the property, we would probaby be out by now.


This picture is of a woman receiving corn...and her sister. Her sister was featured not too long ago in the newspaper here. Valerie has been to visit her as well since she is a friend of Nerys since that time.

Her husband was upset with her one day, something to do with property or a house, and decided to cut off her hands. A situation that is shocking to say the least. The husband fled to avoid being taken by the police, but she still lives in fear he might come back and kill her. She has been approached by the secretary to the first lady here, supposedly to take her to the US to get her a prosthesis on both her hands, hopefully in August. She used to make tortillas for a living.

Speaking of the first lady, due to our president's totally policital move (I could give my brilliant political anaylsis here, but now is not the time) to close TGU to the large planes, (the official designator for Toncontin International Airport here in Tegucigalpa), we made the drive on Friday to drop off the group from Maple Grove. Although the airport is now open again to such planes, it is taking the airlines some time to gear up operations (all should be back at full bore on August 1st.)

Going up was fine weather, although we did see two accidents (both with fatalities, one with three dead and 11 injured)

Coming back however, meant rain, more rain, and then rain with fog. Ah, what lovely safe driving weather. We made it without incident to ourselves (even though we were both alone in the cars...and tired of course) but not before seeing a total of...five or six accidents? I lost count. As you can see, it got bad enough I started documenting the accidents, and the weather. And at one point, I saw a semi trailer driving straight, while its trailer was trying to turn to the right. Forutnately right meant it was skidding away from me, as this was all happening as I was passing him! Going up...4:15 hours, coming back, with stopping for a quick lunch, a total of 5:30. Counting time at the airport (a relatively smooth visit there) meant we were gone for almost twelve hours. I had many opportunities to thank God for my safety, health, family, and fully functioning vehicle, but regardless will be much happier if all things come together and Monday is the last time we have to go to SAP for quite some time.

Eye can not do it alone

Today was an eye brigade in Cantaranas. We deliberately did not publicize it much before we arrived, to avoid being over run, and it worked. We probably had somewhere around 100 patients total, but proper record keeping at a brigade is not exaclty high on the list of priorities. Doug, our friend from Lens Crafters ran the dispensary, while Valerie and I plugged away giving the eye exams (In a learning experience...fortunate for me, unofrtunate the patient...saw a rather large macular scar in one of the eyes of a patient. Fortunatey we were able to let her know why she could not see with that eye, and give her glasses to protect her good eye.)

It opened the door to see more of the people in the community in a reference of sharing the Gospel with them and letting them know of the new Church there next door. We saw many people whose trips to the eye doctor are at best few and far between. And the best and worst part is that the school was definitely available for our use...since the teachers in the public schools are on strike yet again. And who suffers? Ah yes, the kids, and our society in the long run. Lovely.

Church and more

Church yesterday in San Juancito was...different. In a different building than last year, although on the same property. There are walls, a roof, decorations....if not for the lack still of windows and a door, the meeting place is all but completed! Now I can see the way it will be used, and things to continue to spruce it up (I can see how those palms could be put to good use there and at the new clinic as well) like using a future team for a mural inside, painting something or the whole building on the outside....hmmmm, who knows what the future holds in store for that building...not just physically, but more importantly spiritually.

Today the group helped us unload and re-organize two of the containers outside the clinic, in order to move them to make room for the Church's new building they are working on completing. Now the crane just needs to show up to actually finish moving them.

Romantic lighting

Well, first things first. The clothing distribution in Pueblo Nuevo yesterday was not quite what we were expecting. I took some video (not yet uploaded to the computer sorry) to demonstrate the vast quantity of people there (500 or more easily...SWAG) Oscar's Ford broke down before even leaving Teguc, causing him to be about two hours behind us in the white Ford.

So without an early arrival back to the mission house after the mass pandemonium of the clothing sale, I had to somewhat put some spring in my step to get back home in time to get changed and ready for the wedding.

We approached the location, and I made little mental note to the fact the stop light was out...or that the street lights were out. After all, Applebee's had power. You guessed it, the power was out in the building. Candles lit the way, which was rather romantic, but not conducive to video or pictures. We performed our padrino duties with relative ease (more of a relationship guidance role than a huge deal in the wedding itself...we had to put the symbolic lasso around the couple to signify I suppose they were tied together forever.) Of course, as if on cue, the power came on just as we were about to get our plates for the lovely catered food that was served.

Today was the 9th anniversary of the Church in San Juancito...great to see the new building taking shape, now totally under roof and very well decorated for the weekend festivities. They will next be focusing on getting doors and windows on the building to be ready to make the switch permament.

By the way, this summer has been the wettest I have ever seen here now officially. It just keeps raining!

Shaken, but not fried

I know things from the internet side of things probably looks rough here lately, to the point where one very well meaning friend said yesterday "you sound fried man."

I suppose physically, all of us are a little on the edge. Oscar for example is sick today...his back, but mostly just tired. I think I could have a hernia, high blood pressure, and a general state of malaise from lack of sleep, self abuse, and a diet that yo-yos from deprivation to over indulgence.
However, even with him being sick yesterday, we both commented on how well things are going for the Kingdom work...and how was that possible? Heaven knows we should have fallen over from exhaustion or something by now! Oh yeah......GOD!!! After all, we took on this assignment not due to human sanity, but rather to make obvious that through it all God is doing it all, and for Him to be praised! (that is the reason we are on the Earth after all)

We are not fried. I am in fact continually encouraged, especially throughout the physical stuff, the robberies, the constant driving, petty theft, annoyances, personally being lied to, etc. they go on and on, because we live in a world that has fallen, a world of sin. That should not really surprise us, and in fact, if we are being fruitful for Christ, one would expect these things all the more.

I am encouraged because this work God has given us, and as such, He continually fills us up, helping us to go on. So rejoice with us in what God is doing, not lamenting what Satan does, because he will do what he will do. Our reactions, decisions, and work depends not on what happens around us, but on who lives within us! Pray for filling of our tanks, for the Holy Spirit to fill us to overflowing, and that when His time would come, for rest, relaxation perhaps, and time to recharge...to do His will through everything we do (even with this eventual rest!)

Also praise him because according to the police commendant for the area (who got an eye exam Wednesday morning...the robbery was in the afternoon) he will put a policeman at the clinic during operating hours, at least for the time being. This gives us some time for God to show us what to do in the long term, as I do not anticipate such a high degree of police presence in the long term.

And while at it...Thursday the group from Brazil IN left, and the group from Maple Grove (Bloomington IN) arrived, is here doing well, and working construction today, furthering the advancement of the new clinic building, and helping sort, and get things organized in the man cave.

We did have to say goodbye to Lindsey as well yesterday, which is a loss to the work here, she was very handy to have around during her month here. We pray God would guide her in her studies coming up (too soon probably for her) and continue to use her in His ways for His Kingdom.

Peace of God...out.

Robbery, take 2

What a day. My day was challenging...Valerie's and the clinic staff's was down right dangerous, scary, and frustrating to the point of overwhelming.

We went off with the group trying to get to the hospital. Traffic was horrible. Come to find out...a taxi strike was responsible for most of the mess, and an accident the other little part. An hour and plenty later, we arrived, and went to the children at the hospital there. So much suffering, from so far away, sometimes for so long (several patients I saw last month when we went), it is hard to see, but necessary and needed for them, and their parents. Many tears were shed, and not all just by us. Especially hard was the last boy we saw...he had hydrocephalus as an infant, and did not get the immediate valve he needed to fix that Long story short he was abandoned in the hospital, was now getting care from a caregiver from the orphanage where he lives, and because of not getting proper treatment at birth, has the mental age of a three month old, was currently in the hospital for respitory crisis, and we were somewhat surprised to see him still alive at six years old.

The clinic...was robbed yet again. Three men (different ones...at least one was a dental patient from a week or so ago) with weapons, and everyone but Valerie was threatened, but no bodily harm occured. Valerie was giving an exam and for some reason they did not attempt to go into her room...or go up the stairs and see the kids or Dora's daughter Noli watching them.

Again they got quite a bit of money and cell phones....but even worse they pushed the staff over the edge of what they can handle in terms of their safety being threatened and looking around corners, etc. Nery was the first...she was in the waiting room, and with the door closed, but they pointed the gun at her from outside and said if she did not open it, they would kill her.

The clinic is closed tomorrow while we try to figure out a solution to this problem. The staff does not want to return until we can do something to address the situation (this also being the position of clinic director Valerie)

Although we do not have the funds to do so, we are going to either look into a security firm providing someone during normal business hours, or working out something with the police to provide added protection as well. It is either that, or close the clinic and wait until we could be sure of being able to take care of a security guard...not really an option at this point I would care to explore. We have no firm estimate until tomorrow, but I am guessing it will cost us close to $500 per month to do this.

So, pray for the staff...obviously this is a situation no one would care to repeat, let alone twice in two weeks, and for God's continued protection over the lives there, as well as what we should do short and long term to address this problem in terms of security guards. Hopefully some sort of at least temporary solution can be found out tomorrow so we can share that with the staff on Friday and provide some sort of relaxing activity for them to try to take their minds off what happened. How long we will be able to maintain a guard is up in the air, although we trust in God that what He wants will come through.

The security camera angle is in the works, but will probably not be in place until August. Even with the cameras though...today the men just came straight in and split up to control the clinic while they went about their "business." Also pray for them and the other robbers...that God would touch their hearts and drive them to repentance for what they have done, and that they would become followers of Christ. Their salvation is more important than the money and stuff they took.

Mas vale en valle

Here I am, taking advantage of some time I have here in Valle de Angeles while the group is souvnir shopping. Given that I have internet access already paid for at my home, why am I using an internet cafe you might ask? The cost is $.75 per hour, and otherwise I would just take a nap. I might as well be productive, and then hopefully on the end of this day get a little more time to spend with Valerie, or just nap then.

We went to San Juancito this morning to do corn distribution, impactful as usual. The roof is going up on the building...I am going to scrimp somehow for them to have the money necessary for them to try to get the whole building under roof before the 9th anniversary services this weekend, which we are planning on attending.

Paper hanger, one armed

Time for bed, actually past time, quite a bit, but here I am, because I now know there are actually people out there, you for example, reading this, and praying for us, especially this summer.

The group from Brazil....Indiana has been busy helping with stucco work, clothing sorting, sales, and distributing corn. They have been great at getting things done even with Oscar and I trading off to get some time to do some other errands.

This morning, I left to hit the bank, etc. I had no breakfast, thinking I would easily have time after leaving the clinic....uh no. Then I was sure I would have lunch before meeting them at 1:30 to do corn distribution. Wrong again bucko. Busy, busy...in line at the bank for 1 1/2 hours total, then looking for a hardware store to buy a new in-line water heater (one just up and burnt up...giving the person who was in the shower at the time the nickname "Sparky" although she was not personally sparked) and something to fix the dryer handle...currently it is impossible to turn the blasted thing to "on." Sounds simple, eh? We shall see. I made it back just in time to use the facilities, and scarf some no doubt highly nutrious, and totally Honduran "Doritos" and then it was off to do corn, this particular time with some of the evangelism team from the Church for followup visits later (we saw one of the ladies we visited last week in Church on Sunday.)

Sunday, when was that? Just yesterday? Sunday was a full Church day, afterwords discussing, greeting, seeing people we have not been able to talk to otherwise for quite some time. Luis Escalante (some of you know him...he used to be the band leader for the Church) announced his engagement during the service, then asked us to be their padrinos (godparents?) for the wedding....which he then revealed is this Saturday (they had been planning it for quite some time.) We met with them late this evening to talk, spend some time together, etc. Given there is another wedding we are invited to this weekend at the Church, it should make for an interesting time for the group that will be here then (perhaps we will send them in our place to the one down at the Church?) Until Saturday, we are still figuring out, along with Luis and Carolina...what it is that padrinos do. What I do know they do, is walk around making offers others can not refuse. Saturday should be an interesting night indeed.

Back

CIY left with no problems today...at least through security. We left yesterday for SPS, had a good time in the pool, and an early departure today. And then after dropping them off and seeing them off and returning to the hotel at 6:15 or so (yes, it was early) we went back around noon to pick up the next group, one from FCC Brazil Indiana, and after five hours, we made it back to Teguc.

When will the airport re-open? Ah, the debate, politics, and slinging of mud continue while everyone waits, and many here go without any salary in the mean time.

More happened, all good, but I am wiped, and it is time for bed.

Flying by

So, I see I have not posted since last Friday eh?

Whew, Saturday we did a clothing distribution near Nueva Armenia

Sunday brought Rick from the group preaching here in Teguc, and then off to a long afternoon, but good one, in Lepaterique for another clothing distribution.

Yesterday and today we went to stay in Sampedrana, doing soccer ministry with the kids, having a sermon and testimony along with a rather interesting movie presentation, and then today catching up on several small construction projects including fixing the roof of the Church (we think) painting more bunkbeds, and bringing sand from the river for use in block making for the soccer field.

Tomorrow we make the trek back to SPS, slower this time, staying overnight and getting an early (like leaving the hotel at 4:30 or so) start for the group to get back to the US, and then pick up the next group a few hours later and make the trek back again to Teguc and start all over again!