Coffee road

The group left yesterday back for the US. There is some more work to do on the false ceiling raise...but the lion’s share of the work they completed before leaving, we just need to finish the mud work, put the tiles back in, paint...all the hard work of moving everything is pretty much done. We can have some groups help with that in March. They completed a great deal of landscaping as well...surely there will be more to do for the next year or so, but slowly but surely we are making a greater oasis there to honor God. 

Before they left, we took several of them (while the rest stayed behind to continue to work on the ceiling and sewing) to Sampedrana for a site visit for another couple guys that came to see about bringing a group here in July. The idea was to just get to know the area, maybe see the new coffee property via the new road, distribute some corn, and head back to TGU.

The first part...went according to plan.

So did the last two parts. 

The part of visiting the new coffee property...more “interesting.” It is always interesting when half the people in your truck walk back while the rest figure out what to do.

We got most of the way there on this new road, which for the most part is wide enough for the big Ford, when we came upon some “slight rubble.” We had no tools (other than the hammer seen below) to try to break them apart. The irony was...these were not rocks, but dirt. Dirt that had never been unearthed for thousands of years seemingly until the bulldozer moved it...so they were boulders, but most of the smaller ones crumbled when you picked them up...all except the big ones of course that even broke brother Alfonso’s pickaxe. We called for Alfonso as he was working and he came down to help us out...and got a fractured pickaxe for his trouble. Not before chopping down a six inch tree section about 8 feet long to use as a lever to move the bigger “rubble.”

With the rubble cleared...we were out of time to continue up to see the property itself, although we were 95% of the way there...you can see here (if you blow up the picture) the clearing that Alfonso has been doing...the line that starts our property on that edge and goes up and around the bend, where our entrance would be with the road.

Next phase is to put up a fence for the 20,000 seedlings that will be ready soon...without the fence the plants will make for good food for the cattle that roam. Fixing the road...will come later, perhaps with some group help this summer.

So, instead I had to turn around. The pictures here do not do the magnitude of this job any justice. And you won’t see any pictures here of that attempt, as my mind was quite occupied with what I was doing and in prayer. Not only a tight bend, but a big rut in the road for the water to pass, and plenty of water/mud for the back tires. By God’s grace and hand we turned around and headed back...up, and down, up and down, up and down. I am relatively confident that we went from about 4,200 feet above sea level at the Church to well over 5,200 feet at the property (probably 5,600, with the top end of the property over 6,000) We are working on getting Alfonso a motorcycle to get back and forth...right now he walks the two hours up and down every day with whatever tools he will need. As he told me... “It is hard work just walking up, but I do come down a little faster knowing my work is done and I get to see my family.” Imagine how much more he will be able to do with just some basic transportation!

We got to spend some time with a few families on the way down, sharing corn, some conversation, and prayer. One of the mothers in particular reminded me how important what we are doing is when she was surprised by the corn and toys for her children and then my petition to pray for them. I asked if it was ok...and then Gender said “it is ok right? Sure!” Then came her response... “well, if you want to pray, then pray.” Not the heartiest of endorsements...but I took advantage while I had the chance. Prayer makes a difference the scriptures tell us...but many of us do not know the Scripture, let alone Who wrote it.

Some of the girls with their toys...the excitement and surprise of it all was evident, and they seemed so overjoyed.

You can see, for those that have been to Sampedrana in the past, some further improvements on the property here....the white picket fence, the windows in the building (with screens) for greater light and protection from bugs, changed the bars on the windows (they are learning how to do that) and the shift of the old Church building to a garage and bodega (storage room) plus the painting to match the Church building.

 

 

You can see the mission house from the road now! They cut down the older coffee trees to allow more room for growth for the ones planted several years ago...which won’t produce as much for the short term, but will take off...they should produce some this year, but the older plants had given their all and some were catching a disease, so they had to come down. (Coffee plants do not produce more and more as they age...after a certain age they need to be replaced anyway.) The wood from the plants is being used as fire wood for cooking. Also...Gender and Lourdes have a refrigerator! No electricity...that is true, but this one runs on kerosene! It adds the benefit of being able to keep meats and such...but they pay for the kerosene and purchase by selling chocobananos, icy pops and the like to the community, like a mini pulperia. Their daughter Alison is walking now as well!

Gender reports the Church building being well used...Sunday services now see 57 regular attenders and over 30 children! For a community this size...the growth of the Church there is amazing! They even used the Land Cruiser mission vehicle there to take 16 people to the CIY conference in January! Praise God for that, and that the vehicle that seats 13 had enough space for 16 people...plus all their suitcases for a weeks' trip!

Something is brewing in Sampedrana

Each time we go to Sampedrana, I always get at least one surprise. 

This time there were a few in store.

Today we went to see the road going in to our new/future coffee property way up the mountain with the bulldozer that was most generously provided by a donor. That was cool, and a little overwhelming to try to have the vision to see what the road will look like when actually done.

As we made our way up to where the road was beginning, we noticed that the second bridge is now being built in Sampedrana! For those that have been there, this would be to cross the river just past where the soccer field is located. As we drove through the river which was “slightly elevated” I can tell you...the bridge, while small and seemingly undersized, will be most welcome, for vehicles, but also for pedestrians including all the children trying to get to school crossing a 1’ wide log otherwise to traverse the rather scary looking river after anything such as a slight rain. 

 

Standing in the middle of a beautiful, foggy mountains looming in the near distance, cool breeze hitting me, along with the gentle roar of a diesel engine...view, it hit me just how wonderfully odd, weird, and just overwhelming the whole thing was.




The owner whose property our road is crossing was guiding where the bulldozer should go, all we had to do was stand and watch. 

Those around tried to point out to me where the road would go, how nice it would be, how wide, and how (with the route they selected) we would avoid any major hills or problem areas, but all I could see was a road being made...and no road in front of that. I really lack that vision that road builders need apparently.

We met with Alfonso again, who is going to be Gender’s co-pastor and also overseeing the work on the new ~30 acre coffee property we have to use. He will start on Tuesday. We are hoping to find some investors to help us get at least half of the property planted with coffee as soon as possible, as it will take three years to start producing. Having that property producing coffee will mean opening quite a few doors for the mission...helping the Church help itself in terms of supporting its pastor, providing for future building needs, and helping the mission in some of our construction and Church planting goals as well. We have some ideas...but at this point those are just ideas how we would use those funds as soon as that property will start contributing.

Getting back to Sampedrana and talking with Gender we were noticing the chain link fence that is only up on the fence next to where he parks the Land Cruiser. I asked why...people throw stones, and continue to break the windows. I asked how he was doing, how the Church was doing...he said the Catholic Church just down the street came again to complain about the Church services they hold on Sundays...they are too loud, and if necessary they plan to go to complain to the civil government because that is just too much noise at 9:00AM on a Sunday. We asked what happened, and I believe he said he gently reminded them of Acts 5:29 and is waiting to see what else might come of this. I suggested that if they can not make a joyful noise inside the building, perhaps go on parade every Sunday morning. Hmmmm

I thought our Church service was long in Teguc...he reports that although he only preaches for 25 minutes, the services are regularly 2.5 hours long, because everyone wants to be there, to keep singing, to keep the service going, spending time together (sound like any other place you have heard about?) They have a service on Friday nights that is just for teaching, and that goes for two hours...and no one sits in their chairs yawning, that in fact most of the two hours is because everyone has so many questions and wants to talk about what they are learning. Gender has been focusing on the family unit and fortifying and strengthening that as a basis to those Friday evening times.

Despite what all of us would say are challenges (I won’t list all those here) God’s Kingdom will not be stopped. The Church continues to add to its numbers, from the teaching those in the Church receive they go out and put it into practice.

The new Church building just finished last month? They don’t have enough chairs. They bought more chairs, and moved the front row closer to the stage...and still, not enough chairs, it is standing room only in the back. Already some are talking about how in a year they will need a bigger building, or what will they do? Good problems to have, good problems indeed. Just sitting together today, Gender was talking about how having the new coffee property will be great because eventually all the coffee on the property will have to go...needs for Sunday school rooms, counseling rooms (he briefly touched on the huge need there) a small area for a clinic...what a vision.

And speaking of visions, as we left back for Teguc, between the rain and the sun....this picture does not do justice to what God was painting, the sin bathing our current coffee property, the river, the greater Sampedrana area all in sun while we were in the shadows. Quite often if we are looking for it, God has something for us to see. Sometimes in how we should react with our hands...but this time I got the idea and just smiled, said thanks Dad, snapped the picture, and kept driving.

What a trip!

Two days...harder to sum up in a blog than any two days in recent memory.  

Wednesday the 10th we left for Sampedrana with the group from Christ’s Church, plus pastor Celeo, Jonathan, and two brothers from San Juancito. We arrived and set about to get the new Church building painted for the inauguration service later in the evening.

The sheer fact that a Church building is completed is in itself a testimony to what God has done in that community...our involvement was essentially that day painting and what we contributed through Hill Climber coffee. Essentially they took this year’s payment for the coffee and along with much more other fundraising and work in the community, put together the funds and labor to make it happen.

That is exactly what our goal is in planting Churches...help them become independent financially but still work together and advance the Kingdom spiritually. We did not expect a new building to go up so quickly in Sampedrana...and I am extremely happy to have my expectations shattered.

With a group of 11 plus the others making the trip, the painting was surprisingly done in a few hours, including a great color in the front and some rather good trim work.

The five joining in the celebration

It was a good thing as well, since there were baptisms scheduled for the afternoon...five total as it turned out, plus quite a few family members.

The baptism site was just a short walk from the Church property from the back side up a marked path to the river and its rather... “cool” water.

The service was to start at 6:00pm that evening, but I saw people arriving from before 5:00. Once things got started...after a few songs the children moved to the old sanctuary building for a children’s party that the group organized. They probably did not think at that point they were going to give a party that would last over two hours, or include the craziness of trying to celebrate with a piñata in such a small space with over 70 children and quite a few spectators, but they pushed through and did a great job.

This is before the carnage of the piñata incident.

I am happy to report that the piñata gave its all for the children. 

Having Roxana there to translate certainly helped in crowd control. 

They had games, songs, a lesson, actual puppets, and plenty of time :-)

And this was just some of the crowd "observing" the children's service/party.  The door was shut only after all the children that were there for the service were crammed in...we knew that more children would come afterwards that we would not be able to handle...but I did not expect so many adults watching as well. 

In many ways...there were two Church services going on at the same time!

Here is a rare picture...the ability to get all three of the His Eyes pastors on stage together, this particular time singing a special song on the occasion of a Church member’s birthday (seen at the bottom of the picture receiving one of many hugs from others in the service as he waited up near the stage.)

Oscar brought the message for the service, although from this picture you cannot see that since by that time I had given up standing and finally sat on the floor. Sitting on the floor was very cool....it was nice to see that the Church is going to need to fill that building with more chairs than they previsouly had space for in the old building.

Fortunately there is plenty of space yet to fill with new chairs!

Attendance in the new building was over 100...plus those that still dare not darken the doorstep and instead observe from outside (see below.)  All told between those inside, the children, and those outside...over 200 people, which is just amazing.

The service was over...well, started to be over after a few hours or so, with the celebration turning to tamales and some starting their walk back home (some walked five hours...and had to leave at night because they had to be at work early the next morning.) and Gender reporting that he did not get to bed until 12:30.

(This picture does not show those "observing" from across the street)

The next morning...we visited the site for the new Hill Climber coffee property, purchased by some friends from the US. Over 30 acres, climbing from about 5,600’ to probably over 6,000’ as it reaches the peak of the mountain. Right now it looks like just light overgrowth, so seeing the potential there is hard, but looking like next door to brother Escoto’s coffee plantation helps envision what it could become. This is relatively virgin property.  The family that owned it has not farmed it for many, many years...and I am fairly confident we are the first non-Hondurans to ever step foot there. 

Our next step is to get a road carved out to get easier access, which should be a relatively easy process, except that is for the guys that will have to do it, and see about how we might be able to get the funding (potentially some short term loans from friends of the mission) to start getting the three year process of waiting for coffee to produce to where we can start harvesting. Clearing the property will be easy enough...having the funds to pay someone full time to watch over and care for the property, etc. will be another matter, but it is so beautiful, so peaceful...so high! The potential is high as well...remembering what the Church property looked like five years ago and what is there today...I pray God would guide that property to help further his Kingdom in a different but equally valuable way in another five years.

Take a little time

Last week was rough personally.  So busy, I could even notice it creating tension between Valerie and myself.  Not good.  Both of us were just too busy for our own good.  Blogging...fell by the wayside. 

How about a few bullet points of things going on:

1.  Had to stand for at least fifteen minutes at Church on Sunday again...increased seating capacity, so needed.  Progress made on the leveling for the foundation of the new building.  Fundraising being spurred by a few very generous individuals, but struggling otherwise.  We are thinking of borrowing from the mission's general fund if necessary to try to get the down payment made on the building to get it here.

2.  Cecilia saw my old California Raisin figurines and exclaimed "oooooh, M&Ms!"  I think she needs an eye exam...and a history lesson. 

3.  An opportunity seems to be presenting itself to buy property in Sampedrana for more coffee production to support the Church there and the mission...praying how to proceed there. 

4.  The above opportunity that bore fruit in Cantaranas...is now bearing tomatoes.  Harvest starting this week, praying and looking for good outlets where to sell the tomatoes, and connections for future crops (we will have to vary crops between plantings to prevent disease, land overuse, etc.)  In less than six months that property is making a huge difference for the mission and Church there. 

5.  Work in Talanga continues with the TV station.  Power outages take their toll on equipment however.  We are seeking new cameras and most importantly battery backups with good voltage protection.  With the arrival of some new equipment, we are also praying about finding a good used shipping container here that we could transport there for use as a secure studio on the Church property site. 

6.  Laurie continuing to develop the Milk Project...keeping busy and looking to be even busier as an outreach to the community, with ideas to expand even more.  Her leadership there takes a big burden off the rest of us...and is certainly providing for ways for the MP to be bigger and more impactful than it ever was before.  A very good thing.

7.  Investigating options to get filtering system for drinking water (versus buying bottles) for the clinic and mission house.  A Godincidence that sparked it might make for some initial cost...but could be much more convenient as well as less expensive in the long run. 

8.  Overwhelmed with the sheer amazing number of God driven things happening here...makes me smile...and at the same time think I need a vacation.  Would love to have one here, but when in the house I have a magnetic relationship with the laptop that seems to prevent me from unplugging my mind from taking a whirl in the tornado of ideas and possibilities.  The kids will get to go to the US this summer, which should be...very interesting, not sure when Valerie or I, or both, will get out and about somewhere, but looking forward to it, while still relishing in being here and getting to participate in all this God stuff being driven around us as well.    

9.  Smile, even if you have to fake it...you just might end up enjoying it. 

10.  Ten seems like a nice round number...picked up our latest intern on Saturday.  She will be here for two months, working on Spanish by living with Oscar and family.  Good to have her, already putting her to work today.  While at Oscar's, he showed me his lime experiment.  No wonder why he and Jonathan are doing well with their plantain/pineapple/ and now cabbage/beans property....he is growing his lemon tree in an old 55 gallon drum with no dirt, just kitchen scraps/organic material....and in a short time, it is already several feet tall...and producing limes.   I'll have to get a picture next time I am over.