Tired of being in a pickle

Let us get right to it, shall we? I mean, I am too busy to take time for chit chat after all right? Hmmm, it might make more sense to cut to the chase in this forum, but I saw several people today, some planned, some not...and how did I treat those interactions? Did I stop, slow down, take some time to talk and just hang....even if we are talking for one minute? Or did I sash and dash with a few kind words and off running in another direction. We do not confess enough to each other, so allow me to take this little time to say...I often get so caught up in the hustle, I bustle too much and fail to take those oh-so-important moments to their full potential.

We went to San Felipe today. It strikes me that this nicer of the two big public hospitals here is far much easier to get into and around. Sometimes it can be easier emotionally there, sometimes more difficult. Generally the patients are not as far gone....generally. Here are two boys we visited and prayed with in one of the wards (one aspect of ministry where no one has accused me of dashing too fast)....where there were thankfully only three total patients. These two boys had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (affects the nervous system...they used to be able to walk...and with proper treatment will be able to again, but not for quite some time, each has been dealing with this for at least 4-6 months.) They were upbeat, and played back with us very well. Notice I said there were three patients, but only two boys here (actually, three more were out in surgery), the other being a 12 year old girl. She was very somber, but could be coaxed into a brief smile through tickling or threatening of me dancing, but did not really want to talk. She has been there for months...the doctors have yet to come to a conclusion what is wrong with her.

Stop dashing....this employee of the hospital followed us around the halls, and finally came up to ask for prayer for her as well. I came out of our room with a TB patient (no masks for mom or anyone? Hmmm) to see them praying and got this picture...I did not hear what was going on in her life. We also prayed for a very nice little boy, Daniel, who had been going to a bilingual school and could count to 100 in English and knew his colors. His mom was very nice and had a very beautiful smile, even as she told us of his problems, and need to cut out part of his lungs. We prayed...and I looked up to see the women in the group quickly moving to Mom...she was overcome with emotion, for several minutes, during which I tried to play with Daniel.

What could I say to her? What did I say to a friend this week who struggled with justice in the world? God has a plan...if we believe the Bible, we know that. Sometimes that plan is out of our field of comprehension or vision, but we know it is there....and sometimes that is the only thing other than comfort of the Holy Spirit that can give us peace in those circumstances....like bathing your little five year old boy...knowing that he will be soon undergoing invasive surgery, cutting out part of his body, in a hospital where infections, complications, and mistakes are not exactly rare. Wow. What do people do who do not have prayer? Not just then...but every moment of every day? This may sound odd to some of you...but I can praise God right then and there in that seemingly crappy situation...I have been given the gift, the privilege and responsibility to pray...and James tells us that if done right, it has power to make stuff happen.

I went right from there to run over to try to finish the arduous (but nonetheless praiseworthy...at least this means we have the ability to have such opportunities!) process of getting the license plates for the Land Cruisers, which I can happily report that after another three and a half hours of waiting, copying, etc....is done.

After all that, I was stuck on that side of town...too late to go help get the group, so I did some homework...like finding out at the Sony authorized repair shop that it would cost more than the camera is worth for us to fix it (at least $180)....and see this bizarre little display of one woman using a camera...albeit on the move with her windswept hair, and the other apparently admiring her reflection in the LCD screen....since the camera is clearly not turned on. Hmmm, you would think I waited there three hours as well to have noticed all that, but it was actually much less. Go figure.

I also priced tires for the Land Cruisers....none of the tires looks confidence inspiring, and with going to Sampedrana and Oscar preparing for Panama, it got us thinking....more so since Pricesmart has a promotion, buy three get the forth free. I think we are going to take the preventative measure of getting tires for them all (Oscar and me personally, the mission for Sampedrana) although I am not exactly sure how I am going to pay for it yet.









And finally...I ask you, blog reading person that you are....is this a relatively good price for pickles given our location? I have it in my head that pickles are dirt cheap in the US...but can not really remember. This is the hu-mong-ous jar found in the industrial supply area of grocery stores in the US, retailing here for $6.87. As a family (ok...really just Cecilia, Soren and myself...or is that me....or I? I think I now that I read the sentence....feel free to opine on that as well) we really like pickles, but is this a relatively close price to what it is in the US? If not, I think I can wait another seven months.

Sampedrana rocks

I went up early today to help get things a little more organized before opening the clinic at 8:00...putting the chairs in a more orderly fashion, getting the phones finished and installed, which so far are working swimmingly. Valerie and several others all arrived before 8 as well to put up signs, clean, and get things more in order, and the clinic opened at 8:00 without incident.


Let me be clear...much more still needs to happen before I will consider the work on the clinic "done." Like...probably not until late this year between all the odds and ends...but it is open, and functioning (the lab is still functioning as in the old clinic...until we can get the necessary equipment donated, that portion of the clinic will be mostly unused) and Valerie reports a great day seeing patients, although without the TV, it was very quiet. It was a record day, even without Camilo being able to work due to electrical issues with the pump/chair!


Here you see some pictures....of the patients entering after getting their numbers outside (trying a new system there) the new information desk (nursing students will take turns manning that) and the staff praying together before starting the day with a devotion and prayer with those waiting.


The group...we were off to Sampedrana today, sans Land Cruiser (paperwork now in motion...but plates no earlier than Friday) but with a few more than 30 bags of corn for distribution in the unique service planned. We were late due traffic and such, so they got started without us, but we got there in time to hear brother Escoto give a moving testimony about the community being changed by the Church's/mission's presence in the past years, and how he is up walking and feeling fine when his doctor told him last year he would not be able to get out of bed for 1-3 years, some songs beautifully sung (a joyful noise!) and Oscar gave a sermon....about all of us being sinners, needing Christ (Romans 3:23, 6:23, I John 1:9 I recall as main verses) He also mentioned that Churches do not grow because we treat Christ like finding gold in the mountains....we find it, treasure it, but do we share it with others? Why would we not tell everyone of what found us, if it is the greatest treasure we have ever found?

So afterwards we took the corn to the Church for each family Gender invited to then take home. Several people in the group reported seeing people very touched...to the point of tears for the gift, something we have not done there for quite some time due to the length of travel for most people to their homes. Gender made a point of letting them know the gift was not from us...but rather from Him that loves them and cares for them not just spiritually, but physically as well.

Then we went up to see the soccer field...the group brought extra money for soccer projects...so that is where we will be investing it, in continuing the 10' fence that needs to be done, doing the most important parts to start, and going from there as we have the resources.

Speaking of resources, we are moving forward through Gender to see about getting into the coffee selling mini-business to see if this is something sustainable we can do. We want to help them in the short term get a better price for their coffee, and them in the long run by using proceeds for the Church, or buying more property to grow more coffee.

Gender asked after we talked about the coffee if that would mean some money would be coming for the new building.

"What new building?" I said.

"The new Church building! That one does not have enough space for everyone now coming. We want to use the leftover blocks from the soccer field, and start building a separate building next to the house, not attached."

"What would you do with the existing Church building?"

"Open it up...to dry coffee beans for processing in the future."

It was great to see....the Church seeing a need, and pursuing it. Gender only asked me about money because we were talking about the coffee and it helping the Church. I still struggle with the Church here in Teguc, who has an unfortunate expectation set from groups/missions somehow....as it was explained to me last week by the pastors "what is in it for us all these groups coming and staying here?" Struggling there with the possibility of dependency...or if not that, the whole situation of seeing those groups and instead of being challenged....just thinking about how they can "help" (money for construction on the building they have planned...which will cost over $200,000) is puzzling and can be frustrating. Sampedrana is not even a two year old plant...and they are already trying to see ways they can do it themselves, not waiting for us to meet such a great need (needing a bigger place for everyone coming...that is a great need) and already formulating a plan....and doing what they can. That encourages us to help them more...when they need it.

Gender's boy Adrian had roto virus, and is reported to be doing better now as of this afternoon (so is Lourdes...she fainted after seeing them try to put the IV, etc. into Adrian)

The flowers were brought thanks to Dilcia, our new child care provider/house cleaner. She was referred to us by a friend, and so far...she has been working very hard and little things like this are so encouraging after a hard day! (they smell great too)

Enough, I need to get to bed...next week, I plan to actually sleep eight hours in a row!

What a day

So....it has been a long day.

I say that, and of course can only fully appreciate my own version of the day. I spent from 6:40 until 5:30 struggling with, processing, and getting the paper work for the Land Cruisers done, plus coordinating with the mechanic to get all their little problems fixed, as well as change all the liquids, filters, etc...which is adding up, but we are confident it will be for the best long term. So frustrating...and yet so exemplary of how God is with us in the circumstances of life. I had no time to stop for lunch, or water, or the bathroom (but did have to buy two pens...two pens failed me while writing all this paperwork, go figure) and got to know more about paper work, and God working despite my best ineptness to provide a happy result in the end. Of course, we do not have plates yet...but I am assured that it will be a simple matter on Friday to get the rest done. I am sure it will be the case.

The group and Valerie, and Oscar tackled the rest of moving the new clinic. What a good, yet frustrating, yet disappointing day for them on so many levels.

1. Good, because everything did get moved, and they will be open tomorrow for business (Camilo no....still some electrical issues to work out there.)


2. Frustrating...trying to get all that done with the tools we have, and seeing that although it is huge to be in the new building...there is so much left to do (pictures, TVs, extra rooms, break room stuff, organize chairs, install door trim, etc.)


3. Disappointing because although we are in....it will be months and months of more work until it is "done." Good though...at least they have all the space and convenience of the new building while the other stuff comes together.

The group worked their tushes off....until late into the night to get Valerie's equipment up and running, even getting the PB&J ready for tomorrow...when we go to Sampedrana for a new type of project....taking corn to families, at a Church service they are being invited to by Pastor Gender. Please be in prayer for him....Oscar told me tonight that their son is in the hospital (dehydration that got out of hand?) and that after they kept Adrian in the hospital....he got back up the mountain and Lourdes fainted, and now she is in the hospital. I asked Oscar if we needed to cancel tomorrow, and he quoted Gender to say "no, we need to press on with what God has for us to do." I totally agree, and would like to think I would do the same thing in the same situation...but still....wow. I wonder what will come of that service.

I heard that our police officer came in to help with the move as well....in his street clothes in the morning (his day off) and in his uniform in the afternoon (his shift back on duty), which is....amazing, and awesome.

And then I also heard that one of our nursing students was crying...her single mother is out of work, and she will have to drop out of school. Valerie is going to talk to her to see if we can help her get through at least this month to give her and her mother some time to find other work. All the nursing students we have right now are Christians, and have been a huge help and involved not only in the medical side of things, but in devotions/talks/sharing with the staff as well.

So you have seen some pictures of the new clinic....you will not recognize these rooms if I take these pictures in a few months time even, what with the pictures and signs hung, the chairs organized, the rooms finessed (as they see what works best for each room) and more "stuff" added (filing cabinets, desks, hammocks....well, maybe not hammocks, but you get the idea.)

Please pray for Gender and his family for health, and for the clinic staff tomorrow as there will undoubtedly be problems or opportunities for problems what with so much change (and the likelihood for so many patients waiting tomorrow morning to be seen.)

Group up

The group arrived safely on Saturday, no problems, and got started even though it was late with a tour of everything before supper.

Sunday was a good clothing distribution after Church in Sorroguara, then...back for supper.

Today...hard to sum up. I was out most of the day doing banking that absolutely had to be done, then off to the wonderful world of the DEI to try to get the license plates for the Land Cruisers...most importantly being the one for Sampedrana so we could get it delivered. Of course you noticed I said "try." They gave me enough paperwork to choke a horse, then asked for almost 120 pages of copies (of all the paperwork) and go to the other office...conveniently located... 1/2 hour away downtown. So I get to try to do more of that tomorrow morning, in addition to that LC, the others as well.

The group, and the clinic staff, on the other hand, went to work on the clinic. Cleaning out, packing up, and organizing the old clinic, fixing the water to get it working in the new, cleaning out the new septic tank to be ready for use, painting the doors, the walls, cleaning up the construction stuff, finishing the shower (for the doctor's room) installing the curtain rod holders, and even more that I am forgetting right now.

Tomorrow...more of the same, and getting to move everything in to get it ready...the inaugaration is at 4:00, hopefully with everything set up for them to see patients Wednesday.

So, that means everything is done, right? Not by a long shot, but done enough for them to get going without leaving major dust causing projects to be done inside. Sure...the outside must be cleaned, the container storage needs to be organized, moved, and the containers relocated, the concrete drive needs to be finished, and the turn around poured, plus some landscaping (quite a bit actually) and of course the outside of the building painted....but one thing at a time. Hopefully by the end of the summer we will have been able to use the groups to get at least most of those items done.

Whew, I need to stop and pray.

Send and receive

So the group from SWOB (Students With Out Borders) left yesterday. Did I mention here what an incredibly diverse team that was? It was so very cool...especially to hear something like at least five different languages pray the Lord's prayer, not to mention talks on faith, and all the work they did while they were here. A great week indeed.

The drive to and from SPS (or SAP...airport code) was interesting of course. Leaving at 3:00am, we drove through the cold and dark, and passed two Honduran restaurants for breakfast (because they were closed, who would have thunk it) ending up eating at the Burger King in Progreso. We also stopped for the group picture at an interesting shop/billards/restaurant place along the way...they offered us to tour it as well...there are brigdes made out of buses, the second floor is supported by old train tracks, and the roof is made up of bus roofs and sides, not to mention the columns made of bus rims filled with cement, etc.

The drive back alone (Oscar behind me) was a struggle to stay awake, we stopped for lunch, and then beat foot through all the traffic and construction mess to get to Teguc in time to take a taxi along with a friend of Oscar's....whew...to get to the Peace Corps to pick up the documents and take the Land Cruisers....which we did just in time before they closed. Left my house at 2:40 AM...arrived back after all this at about 6:00 PM...I am still tired just thinking about it.


I am posting several pictures here to satisfy those with curiosity, and thank you for such inquiries and curiousity, of what these things look like. There are two different Land Cruisers sold here, the "station wagon" which is the same body style as sold in the US, and the "hard top" which is what we call here the ambulance style, because the red cross has used them for ambulances. The hard top will be for the Sampedrana Church (it meets all the needs of that community except for being a pick up, but finding such a pick up we found to be very unlikely, and would have cost just as much as this one, a 2002, for if we were even able to find one, perhaps from 1988. They hold their re-sale value in case you were wondering. In fact, this type is not for sale very often either, and had it not been at this auction, I doubt we would have been able to afford such a vehicle for them. We are paying for it with some leftover group money, some clothing money, some mission funds, and the generous support from a supporting Church in the US, all adding up to one great tool for them to have there...something tough (double axle, two spare tires, two fuel tanks, aluminum roof rack with factory access steps (all three have these), seating for at least 12 North Americans, probably more like 30 Hondurans), reliable, and easier part availability...being a Toyota, and this being predominantly Toyota country. It needs an oil change, and a once over by our mechanic before we take it up to him....hopefully that will be by Wednesday, when we are planning to go with the group (which arrives this afternoon) otherwise, it will be left to me and X? to drive it up to him and get back to Teguc.


The two 2003 "station wagons" that bookend the hardtop are on the downward side for us, and above it for Oscar and Julia. We bed on all three that were for sale, but "only" won the two (if we had won the other, we would have sold the Defender.) The only discernable difference between the two are the wheels they came with in terms of equipment (here you get a closer view of Oscar's) although the few problems they have also are different, but those should be resolved soon, after we go Monday to delve into the fun process of getting license plates for them (since they came from an International Mission...in this case, the US embassy, the license plates they had which were a different kind, go back to the government, and then we have to go get new ones that are for regular, joe schmoe vehicles....yellow MI plates to regular P green plates for those that know a little more about Honduran driving.)


Here you see the inside...what you can not see from this picture is that they seat theoretically 10 people (the mother in law seat next to the driver...could seat an adult, we will have to try...but it would be tighter than in the Ford me thinks) and the rearmost inward seating seats could definitely hold more than two people each if they were smaller women (that means...not me and Oscar when we tested them out.) These both come with two spare tires, two fuel tanks, and all three are of course diesel (the only way to travel) and actually have the exact same motor, a 2H, 4.7L inline six (more information than some wanted, not enough for others probably.)



All three also have winches....a close up picture with Vanna our leg model is shown here from the hardtop...the winches on the other two are hidden by the cover where it says "Toyota" on the front bumper, and there is a separate panel in the back of the truck for the storage of the controls, another nice, added from the factory feature. I also like the tough truck look of having two handles to grab onto on either side of the truck for the driver and passenger. These trucks were made to go where other trucks fear to tred.

Driving mine back, it is a very different feel from any vehicle we have owned here in many different ways, but the most easily discernable was how...quiet it is. No engine noise, no rattling parts, no shakes. It is almost unsettling to hear such...silence. We have a few little things to fix, clean, etc. and probably will need some new tires in the future, but for now, we are just rejoicing that God made this possible, and both of us (Oscar and I) are hoping we can turn around and sell our other vehicles (him the Hilux...not much cheaper he purchased that than this much nicer and tougher Land Cruiser...we got a good deal on these, lest I not have mentioned that...and us most likely the Musso, which was going to need to be sold for something else in the future somehow anyway) soon to recoup some of the savings we just invested in these rather unique and very useful vehicles...in case you were wondering, that is how we were able to make such a purchase, it seemed a wise enough decision, and was blessed by God, but both families have taken the jump to use almost all our personal savings for the mean time to get these. Praise God for such an opportunity, especially as I have yet to understand the process of how we were made aware of this auction in the first place....by all rights I should never have found out!

Picture this

No pictures today. My camera is officially benched until I can get it fixed. A replacement (along with a few to sell for those always looking for a cheap camera here) is on its way hopefully with the next group on Saturday.

Yesterday we distributed corn in San Juancito, visiting some I had seen before, and some that using the new CHE materials received, that have had Christ come into their lives, and in turn they are coming to Church.

The group I was with certainly got plenty of time to walk...and walk, and climb. I believe it was the first time I can remember in just a casual walk that my ears popped.

I also got a call from the Peace Corps...we won the right to purchase three of the four vehicles we bid on in their auction, which is amazing really, and must be God's approval because it seems improbable that we would win that many otherwise.

Today is the hospital visit, then some site seeing....and getting ready for a very early ride back to San Pedro Sula tomorrow morning (leaving at 3:30 I think....with the road torn up and the anticipated six hour drive, it will be necessary.)

The last few days have been busy...I fell asleep in my chair both nights, sleep has been sorely lacking as of late. Last night I was involved in a very interesting four and a half hour meeting with the pastors (and evangelist) of the Church where the clinic is located. It had been some time since we had all sat down, and although not everything was exactly tickles and grins (if they were...there would be no need for meetings, right?)...in the end God gave me a sense of peace about the meeting, and I think it was not only interesting, but good, and hopefully productive for the future in our relationship.

Plenty has been done, is being done, and will be done on the new clinic. We have set an open date...March 25th. The old clinic will be closed on the 23rd and 24th, we will have a ceremony, with the leaders of the Church invited, and at 4:00PM on the 24th, officially declare it ready. Before then...much still needs to be done. To the point where I wonder how it can all happen, but based on the last two days and how much the group has helped accomplish, I think it will happen.

They mostly helped paint. More paint? Surely you mean the outside. No, I do not mean the outside, but rather an oil based paint for a kickboard (whatever you want to call the area nearest the floor...where normally you see a black or other dark colored rubber protector for when you mop, etc.) around every wall...plus paint white the door frames for installing the already painted from the factory (but may require another coat) doors to each room. Also the doors are being installed (Miguel is helping there...from the clothing store, he is a carpenter) and Juan (if you know Leandra, you know Juan) is helping do the divisions/individual stalls for the bathrooms.

Some of the group has also been shadowing/helping in the clinic these two days. Many of them are in some sort of study for future medicinal work, and quite amazingly the vast majority have very interesting backgrounds....several grew up in other countries, speak different languages, parental lineages, religions, etc. I am enjoying getting to know them more, and of course trying to pick up some Jamacan accent and slang...as well as work on my French (one girl is from France, the other from Haiti.)

In addition, I have been running errands, buying paint, getting the latest documents done and turned in for the next clothing container, and as I said...attending meetings and trying to coordinate more of the mission's future plans. Sounds like more than enough to me. I was able to take time tonight getting home early enough to read a Bible store with the kids and pray as a family before they went to bed...something we do not do nearly often enough.

Driving is conducive to being tired

I left at around 10:00am. A normal travel day to San Pedro Sula...should have been there no later than 2:00 if not before...four hours max. However, this was not a normal day...yesterday the road was closed near Comayagua due to a butane truck overturning (hitting a horse)...so all the semis, people, etc. had to travel today. Oh, and did you know that from Comayagua to Taulabe is all torn up for repair/expansion? Thanks to the milinium fund from the US...they are hopefully getting the road to four lane status, and relocating those whose homes are in the way.

To be brief....it ended up being a very long, very stressful drive. I did things to get further up the road that I have never done before...God was certainly keeping me safe, and still, with only 45 seconds to pee once (glamorous details) it still took me 6 hours to get to near the airport (by that time Oscar had picked them up and met me there...probably 1/2 mile from the airport.) So I got out, the group balanced out between the two trucks (and yes, just one person... Emerson ...rode up front with me...good thing he is good company!) and we were off again. We stopped for supper at Burger King finally when we got back to Comayagua, and then back to the mission house by 10:00pm.

I am tired....roughly 310 miles in 12 hours....and time for some sleep before changing money, taking a tour, and then Church and clothing, and the grocery store all tomorrow.

Driving

I am thinking about driving quite a bit. We have to go to San Pedro Sula today to pick up a group. They arrive at 3:20. I am planning on leaving at 10:00am....and not getting back to the mission house until...hopefully before 10:00pm. We shall see.

I did quite a bit of driving yesterday as well....meeting with Pastor Darren, putting in the bids on the vehicles with the Peace Corps (will not find out...if we find out...we won until "sometime next week.") visiting the bank, and then another bank, and then another bank...and of course shopping for the group. This is just a small example of what shopping for a group is like. I would like to think that for the most part it is old hat for me, but of course, building such a fine example to playing with legos as a child is not always easy. Banging your ankle on that funky cart is not fun either. Shopping is serious business. I am glad Valerie does not have to do it...that stuff weighs a ton to push let alone carry up to the mission house!

I forgot the milk project, so made a quick trip with Soren back to the grocery for that (and another overflowing cart of vegetables, bleach, etc. for the group) I wanted just a picture of him with his cool Cowboys hat on backwards...but instead I kept getting this look like in Aladdin where the Sultan intrduces himself to Aladdin who is posing as Prince Ali and the Sultan says he is delighted to meet him...and then turns to Jafar and says "This is Jafar, he is delighted too." And then Soren...I mean Jafar...says without a trace of enthusiasm...."Ecstatic." The irony is that he was in a good mood and wanted to go (until I did not let him sample one of the two hundred jello cups they were preparing for hand out, or jump in the bouncy castle out front)...I think he was just posing for the camera.

Vehicular transport

Please pray for God's guidance...there is an opportunity for us to replace our personal vehicles tomorrow with two 2003 Land Cruisers, and I am looking for a good slap upside the head to let me know this is the route I should pursue.

Also we will be placing a bid (this is through an auction here) for a ambulance style 2002 Land Cruiser for Sampedrana.

Pray that if this is the way to go, we go, and that we win the silent bid auction.

Clarity

I believe that I need to shed further light to my post yesterday. Several very thoughtful people have commented and offered prayer...and more to the point of my feeling in a clarifying mood...made a comment something of the sort of "I did not know things were so bad!"

If I gave that impression, then I apologize. My intention was quite the opposite.

God be praised! I can find joy in Him!

I thought it would be interesting for you to read about some struggles, balanced with moments of clarity and God allowing light to shine in...the point was that no matter how dark things might seem, how insurmountable, God is there to help us, guiding us, seeing us through it for His purpose!

I will be brief, but today was another day for that....some criticism (I tried to listen...it seems unfair, but still, even when being attacked unfairly, it is sound advice to still take a look to see if there is even a shred of underlying truth there.) The criticism was indirecxt, as I was not present at the meeting. The criticism hurt more than it was probably meant to be hurtful...not an attack on my performance so much as to who I am (not as outgoing or as much of a pop-in-visitor as the former missionaries were.)

However, despite our not being on the same page on what I should be like as a person (I can understand his point of view, especially from this culture, although I have nor the inclination nor especially the time to be that kind of guy)...I can rejoice in the work God is doing through me...and through him! During the recent CHE training we had last week, they gave us a little booklet, a way to share with people the Gospel message (I posted a little of me using it at the clinic), but in a way that involves the other person...not just preaching to them, but getting their input page after page. He casually went to the clothing store, shared in it with 10 people, and at Church the following Sunday, six of those were there...not just as visitors, but proclaiming they would congregate there, that God had touched their lives through those few minutes when they came for clothing.

WOW! They came for clothing...a ministry God provides through us. That store is associated with a Church...that God planted through the mission. The pastor shared training he had received...through a seminar we had a hand in organizing. It gives me pause to think of the true meaning of "Consider Him." Just think of all the steps God went to, continues to go to....to reach out to us involved in His ministry, and those He would have us touch outside bringing them inside.

We do not work for our own gratification, our own comfort! I rejoice in what God does through all of us, in the different ways He equips us, and grows us...it is not always pleasant at the time, but for our good (Romans 8:29) and His glory!

Oh, and I am getting closer on that fun paperwork stuff too. God is glorified in that as well. How...is not my concern, I just know He is, and that I am supposed to do it. That is enough for me! Join with me please in praising Him through it all, and hoping that I have better explained a little portion of my work here lately!

Struggle

Caution...what follows is important, but could resemble written diarrhea at times. You have been warned, and have probably already given up reading by now, but here goes:

Life is a struggle. I am struggling right now with one overwhelming task, and several smaller ones. I say that word a lot...overwhelming. I know I do, and I feel it even more often than I write it, because I do not want it to seem hackneyed. That seems weighty, like trying to hold up a big 2000 pound wall from falling down. Often enough, however, I realize as I figuratively stand there pushing...that God is already really holding it up, and what is more...reminding me I can not do it, to give it to Him.

Like Soren putting on his socks....I pull as hard as I can, I get frustrated, I cry out "O sock, o sock, why has thou shaken me!!" as from my brute strength the only thing that gets done is the sock is streched and my blood pressure rises, sure in my conviction that if I just kick against the goad a little harder, it by my pure will and determination I will surely move where I want! And God comes in, like I do to him, and says "It is ok, I was here to help you all along. Why do you doubt? Why do you keep trying on your own? Why do you struggle instead of coming to me to learn? When you exert all you have in something for which you have not yet been prepared, you kick and struggle, pull and fight...but just like with that goad, you do go where you want, but where I will."

So, here I am struggling with a yearly financial statement I must put together for the mission...no small feat mind you. I kick and try to veer, but firmly I am driven back to my row to hoe by the goad. Not pleasant always (and often it is) but here I am.

To be perfectly honest with you, dear reader and I hope prayer warrior, although there is no doubt in my mind that this is where we are to be, and I am sure we are not alone is that for everyone everywhere, life can be draining. But specifically for me, I can think of only one person here who has called me or has come to see me in the past year that was just for pleasure, not involving some complaint/problem/need/question. Of course, during normal conversation, things are fine, warm, open, and loving...but when my phone rings outside of normal happenstance....it is never someone just wanting to chit-chat. Ah, but such is life for those in positions of responsibility. After all, why would anyone call to say "oh, just wanted to let you know everything is going swimmingly!" And those phone calls are not like a beating drum, lest I play victim too much. God really has provided so much so often, that although my selfishness cries "poor me!" the Spirit reminds me God is saying...."for Me!"

Take today for instance. I was talking with Dora on offering her a full time position, what that would entail (one rule I imposed like the dictator I am...no bottle feeding for her baby, I expect the baby to come with her to work for at least the first six months.) and as my mind wandering inside to the pressing issues I needed to deal with elsewhere...I thought about a woman who almost single handedly has had to scrape and fight for herself and her, now eight, children. I could see flashes of God's intervention in keeping them all healthy, together, and prospering that when taken together had her all the way to the point of having this new position with the mission. Sure, it is more work for me, more problems, another contract to fill out, more monthly paperwork, etc....but that is the reason we are here! Praise God we need help to get all this done...it means He has made this all abound more than we can hardly conceive. She was so grateful...she was not sure how they would survive...literally how they would eat this year. Not that with the salary we are paying her life will be a bed of roses, but to have the hope and evidence of God working in her life was obvious in her thanking God first of all, and I join her, not humble enough, but I can scarcely take it all in that He is doing...everywhere! And to try to think where we are as a family, and what God has done and continues to do? Whew.

Such silly stupid things like a broken digital camera seem so small! And yet, here I sit, trying to avoid getting a new camera despite the constant problems it is giving me. Not its fault however...it leads a rough life on my hip, and has been dropped in the call to duty several times. Now it either is not whirring and buzzing and produces images such as this first one, or with beating, coaxing, and lots of waiting, you can still get fairly decent pictures like the next and following (the second picture is the same as the first...just not as much whirring.) It would be one thing if I did not like the camera...then getting a new one would be a welcome excuse, but no, I liked this one. And my stubborness/budget-mindedness refuses to sit back and pay $220 for a new one, and eBay would take me hours to sift through the results to find an acceptable pocket sized Sony to replace it. Hmmmm, we shall see....but not clearly through the camera very easily.

As you can see, work on the new clinic progresses. Still seems like a lot left to do, but the end is near enough to start to see what the rooms will be used for, even without stuff in them yet. Oscar will be leaving in April for three weeks to visit family, show everyone the new baby (not as new, but new to them) etc., so if we do not get it open by the end of March, it will have to be May before we would do it. I am not sure how likely that is given that although the look is near completion, all the other stuff that needs to happen would be monumental....moving everything out of the existing clinic, moving all the other equipment/stuff that would be needed for the waiting room, pharmacy (uh, new shelving for starters!) not to mention getting Camilo's pump, chair, and everything else moved...they are all small items, but start to add up to weeks of work ,and that does not include that the outside painting has not even started, we still have to finish the concrete drive approach and turn around, move the containers back and then bring up all the storage for the clinic from the man cave. You get the idea. Valerie is not pressuring (mostly because she is so incredibly busy, and sick) but will not be happy to have to wait until May, but I do not see any way around it.

Speaking of Valerie, pray for her health, and for strength. A blood pressure of 90/60 on Saturday, God got her through today somehow...even with staying late due to patients. She has people that come to see her, to talk, to share, sometimes to ask for help...and she has had to turn them all away in the past two months...she simply does not have the time to talk. Me being a cold, closed off person...that is hard to hear, let alone for her, the opposite of me, to have to say to people. And now Gladis, who was taking care of the house and the kids in the afternoon here at home, accepted another job that starts tomorrow, so we have to try someone to take her place. I suppose we were not able to pay her enough to keep her here, I can not blame her....she felt awkward about it, because of the help we were giving her, but the opportunity to make 6,000 Lps versus the 4,000 we were paying (and our 4,000Lps was not quite really full time) won out in the end. Finding someone that can help the kids with homework, clean, and be trustworthy...not an easy combination for us to find, and it is more and more obvious that we need that help.

And another little thing....the Defender has oil in its computer again. I love that truck and although disappointed in its current state, still mindful of how blessed we are to have it at all, but am not happy with whomever designed the wiring loom for it. We totally replaced it ($750 I think with labor) and have done "fixes" twice, plus I clean it out occasionally, but the oil somehow keeps getting sucked back up the line back to the computer. Very annoying, and not handy because when enough accumulates...it will not start. If I can not clean it well, or did not catch it in time...we may have to get a new computer (over $1,000) I am letting the oil drain out of it for now, next step is to get brake cleaner to flush out the rest....and then see if it starts.

And lest I get stuck in the muck and mire....or leave you thinking I am....praise God in it...through it, and after it all, the giver of all good things, and purposer behind everything else to conform us more that are in Him to the likeness of His son!

This week was busy. Very busy. Like a group, yet not. CHE is Community Health Evangelism, and His Eyes along with FAME sponsored. 29 people "graduated" from TOT I training. (Training Of Trainers) with TOT II tentatively schedule for August, and TOT III not sure when at this point.

(seen at right...the road to development, where we identified the biggest problems facing our community....top answers given: trash, delinquency, and vices/alcoholism)

The 29 represented myself, a gringa visiting, a gringa that lives here, the Sampedrana Church (2), the San Juancito Church (3), Cantaranas Church (3), another Church in Teguc (1), a Church near Talanga (1) and 17 from the Church in Tegucigalpa. Not counted there are a CMF/FAME rep in Judy Fish along with three brothers associated with LifeWind who did the teaching, two from Copan and one from El Salvador.

The idea is a holistic approach to evangelism...not just spiritual, not just physical, but an integration of both, along with developing such a program to help communities see the needs around them themselves, and help them through teaching and support as they address those problems themselves while also multiplying such a project through other areas seeing the development being made.

Obviously there was a lot to learn with five full days of teaching, and with "homework" to do for the trainers before the TOT II takes place...a lot to learn, a lot to do, and more to come in the future.


Brother Juan Ramon leading a lesson with representatives from six different Churches around him, and just as many professions.


We pray (and ask your prayers as well) God will bless this new area of ministry by those being trained taking it to their communities, spreading that vision, and taking off from there, and ask for your prayers along with that.

One interesting story from the week of many....we were given a little handout to show people for evangelism (another tool given us) I took the time to talk to one of Valerie's patients, while most other people were sent out two by two around the community. It was interesting to find out that they had Christ in their hearts after walking through the pages with them, and then asked if how long they had been Christians....they were not, they were Catholic, but then they said something that struck me, how they came to the clinic because they were loved, for the great videos we played, that no one judged them, or because they were Catholic spoke against them, or said bad things about the virgen, or Mary, or anything similar that they see in many other places. First of all, I was very glad to hear that....second, although I am sometimes very disapointed with the Catholic Church...its doctrine, policies, decisions, we should always love those associated with it the same as we love anyone else, and pray that God would continue to show them, and us, His will, and desire for our lives, in what we do and say. It was good to talk to them...at least as much for me as it was for them.

Another wacky blog

So here we are catching up on some odds and ends over the past four or five days. Let us start and end on a spiritual note, how about that?

We happened upon a wedding while waiting for the ever delicious Pizza House Maiz and Vegetarian pizzas Saturday night as we were trying to cross the street. It was hard to get a shot into the Cathedral what with all the body guards hovering around the front entrance, but eventually I had an opportunity. Although you can see the couple here, the thing that surprised me more (although we lived within a few blocks of it, this was my first view inside) was seeing Mary so much larger, and being above in more ways than one my Savior. It should not have surprised me after I thought about it, but it still drove me to prayer right then and there for those that have such a mixed up perception that has lead to such idol worship.

After we crossed the road, into the new open mall that is still in the process of developing and opening new stores, we walked down an aisle of very ritzing looking shops, all filled with very expensive, fancy looking...shiny junk. I mean, most of it I would not have even wanted if it was given to me. Regardless, there was a little park-esque affair at the end with this carrosel. I asked those lounging around "does it work?" "Yes, but only for children." As if we would have actually gotten on! (Bummer!) Perhaps something to keep in mind for the kiddos though some day in the future.

Some friends that are visiting had a very good idea (they have several, this being one of them more oriented those more diminutive members of our family) of after seeing Soren so intrigued with mailboxes in the US of bringing one here, and inviting family and friends to send regular mail to them in the US for the kids to get to pull out each morning from their mailbox and read...as well as us to be able to send mail to each other. To say that they have taken to the idea is an understatement...getting mail, sending themselves and each other, and us, and friends mail....soap, and other toiletries and sundries, is now the thing to do.

We had some more graffiti painted on the man cave last week, and this week a break in to where the Church sells food for the patients at the clinic and where our watch man used to stay. Although there is the monetary, physical, and emotional damage done to us...we chose to first focus on prayer for those involved, that Christ would come into their hearts and drive them to repentance in Him. Especially we are mindful of how we might take part in this, as no doubt the thieves are very near by us...and we are somewhat sure we see those that do this to us every day when they come to play soccer and hang out on the property. Until the Church can fix their gate however, the situation continues. One of the boys riding a bike recently spray painted the exact same color of gold you see here is not the brightest thing I have seen either.

I do try not to be a hypocrite. I encourage others to study God's word, and sometimes I admit I struggle to make the time to do so myself. I took my Ipod with me when I was shopping over a week ago before the FAME group got here. I found myself in traffic (no great shock there....although my running habits paid off again by using a short cut that saved me 5-10 minutes here) and instead of just doing the typical guy thing of staring into space, listening to music and not thinking about anything, I whipped out the Ipod and got to reading the Bible. I am behind on my reading plan...but the times I do make are so encouraging, it is like running or working out, it encourages me to do so all the more.

Bugger

I am feeling better today. Still overwhelmingly tired and busy, but health-speaking, better. Not sure what impact that has on the subject line, but there you go.

More pictures for you, I was not planning on

staying up all night, so tonight will just have to be some pictures of kids and babies. People always like kids and babies, so that is good, right?

Oscar and Oscar. No resemblance of course. Now, I am not a huge baby guy, but this baby is alright by me. He is easy to get along with, is ticklish, easy to get to smile, and likes to eat and get to sleep on time. Remind you of anyone?

Here is a picture of Dora at home with the new baby. Both are doing fine...although the labor was her toughest yet.

No word on a name yet for the little girl. I am guessing it is harder to choose with four prior girls, but what do I know.

And our new spokesman for Aguazul....Batboy!

Lot going on

So I am sitting here, printing out documents for the CHE seminar that will start tomorrow. Judy (CMF missionary also representing FAME) had almost 2000 copies made today, and I am printing off a suplemental 200 more pages. The trainer from El Salvador arrived this afternoon and is here working with her. (I have been serving as translator...just helping them communicate.)

Meanwhile, Isiaias is here as well, visiting with Susan, who is making some goodies in the kitchen I think.

Valerie is trying to rest (maybe?) but mostly getting things done like getting lunch, grocery, and wrangling the kids.

Mark is installing the much appreciated parts we received from a very kind Ford dealer in the states that helped us out through a family connection....the new shifter boot, emergency brake cables and suspension arms will wait, but getting that spare tire installed under the bed is awesome! It only took us almost three and a half years to realize that goal!

Preaching went well this morning...at least that is what I heard. I trust people were honest with me. I presume it will be up on the UCC website later this week for others to also decide.

And I am feeling naesous...so much so that I can not bother to do spell check, and although I abhor idol worship, I am preparing my mind and body to bow to the porcelin god at some point soon. Now would be good, so I am off. (TMI I know, sorry...I am a little loopy I think.)