Monday’s trip to San Pedro Sula brought us the new experience of traffic jam, Honduras style. But it was no match for our intrepid driver who boldly went where few dare go and delivered us to The Ark–a family ministry church where our translators worship when in SPS. The principal of the trilingual church school there described their mission and vision, and progress toward their goals.
The vision looked terrific except for the last line–conquer the nations. More Conquistadores? Actually, no. We had a very interesting discussion on the cultural differences in how this word is interpreted. In the Honduran culture, loving couples ‘conquer’ each other with their love and caring concern. There is no hint of violence or force; it’s a process of wooing and winning. That’s part of the vision of the school. Their goal is to woo and win the nations for Christ.

Karen struck up a conversation with some of the students who had returned from a two-week intensive training trip to Washington D.C., and was able to go far beyond just “Como se llama” and “Me llamo Karen.” This place is a bright light in the country. You just might see some future leaders of the country coming from this Mennonite school that’s supported largely by a major Catholic funding source. The principal is a man of God who began a ministry 26 years ago under a tree. Now in its tenth year, the school is building more classrooms in a three-story addition, This will allow them to add a 10th grade in 2009, continuing the plan to add a new grade level each year.

We also visited their day-care center that had 31 at-risk children of working mothers in a poor neighborhood. The kids there were like the others we’ve seen–hungering for a hug, a smile, a kind word from an adult. They get those at that place.

Allen

Seven team members returned home today, and one new member arrived. So until next Saturday, the team remnant here will be Allen, Karen, and Ron. The week’s agenda is being finalized and will be concentrated in Santa Clara, where the house-building continues toward completion. We will attempt to carry on with updates on what God is up to there, recognizing that it will be difficult to fill Tommy’s shoes as blogmeister. So check in tomorrow night or Tuesday for an update.

Allen

As the sun sets in Quimistan and on our trip here these past 10 days, the team would like to thank all of our family and friends who have supported us in so many ways. I have asked each team member to briefly reflect in the final post for this trip on the many great experiences that we have shared together.

• You can see the hand of God was at work in the formation of the team as each member brought different gifts to be used in His service. – June

• We experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to spread the love of Jesus Christ by providing medical treatments to people in small villages, food to those who searched through the garbage, religious training to children, building new homes, and giving a loving smile to all we met. – Ken

• On our “to do” list was to fashion a protective cover for our auto-refractor instrument – so it was done. – Lee

• This has been a wonderful experience. It has shown what great things can be accomplished with prayer, humor, and dedication. – John

• God’s presence was ever-present throughout this trip, from forming the team to the changes that occurred while here, which opened new opportunities to serve the people of Honduras. – George

• Seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Worshiping together joyfully with fellow Christians in a foreign language I don’t half understand. Working on a home which will help ease the strain on a very poor but loving family and joking with the workers and the family. Being able to tell the people with whom I work that we are here to show God’s love to them all. Provisioning a home at the end of our stay and knowing we have made a major difference to that family. I thank God for allowing me to be part of all these things. – Jerry

• Jesus taught us “Love one another.” Honduras draws the love to the surface like cream, to be enjoyed by the people of Honduras. – Stephen

• Words cannot explain how much I’ve enjoyed the warm, loving Hondurans I’ve met, and the incredible Christians I’ve served with this week. – Claudia

• Smiling faces, hugs of joy, squealing children, tears of joy and sadness, God’s handiwork in the countryside, and a team of brothers and sisters uniting with the purpose of manifesting God’s love among the people of Honduras – – these are the treasures I carry with me as I move forward in faith along the journey God has placed before me. To God be all the glory for the great things he has done and will continue to do here in Honduras and in the lives of those who’ve been touched by the people here. – Karen

• Evidence of God’s caring concern keeps popping up in new ways in new locations. The Foundation continues strengthening the medical and educational outreach in and around Quimistan as we expand our outreach to Santa Clara–building a house for a truly needy family while using bricks made in a new little village enterprise there, preparing to build fuel-efficient vented stoves to reduce respiratory diseases, and working with Samaritan’s Purse to bring pure water to every house in the village. Mrs. Amalia was so gracious today, thanking God for bringing help to her family and village. The awesome part is realizing that God has chosen to work through us to bring hope to those who have felt abandoned. – Allen

• I am very thankful and humbled to have been a part of this well-oiled machine that has worked together extremely well as we shared Christ’s love with the wonderful people of Honduras. – Tommy

As a treat for the AP children who helped make our VBS week a success, three team members and translators accompanied them to San Pedro Sula on Saturday for a time of shopping and lunch at the local mall. For many of these kids, this was a treat that occurs only a few times a year.

For those of us from the U. S., it served as a brief reminder of the things we take for granted – – shops full of clothes, books, specialty items, and food to suit any taste. Interestingly, when given a choice of food at the food court, most of the kids opted for Pizza Hut, Quizno’s, or Burger King. Pepsi was, of course, still the preferred drink of the day. The sights and sounds of our brief time there presented a stark contrast to the simpler village life we’ve become accustomed to since our arrival here.

Karen

Our VBS week wrapped up in style, as we ministered to about 70 kindergarten and elementary age kids in the village of Santa Clara. Two of our AP kids, Carlos and Vilma, led the teaching time, and the children joined in enthusiastically as we sang, colored, made bracelets, and played outdoors.

This was an extra special time for all of the team members, both old and new, as we celebrated the joy and love of the Lord with the precious children we have come to love dearly in recent months. At the end of the program, the VBS kids and 20 additional children were treated to a special lunch prepared by members of Mrs. Amalia’s extended family.

At the end of our time, I felt the disappointment of realizing that the fun we had shared with the AP kids and village children all week had come to an end. Fortunately, I carry with me many fond memories of our time working together.

Karen

Yesterday (Friday) I completed construction of the auto-refractor transit/storage case. It is configured to restrain the instrument inside the plywood box, having dimensions of 18” by 24” by 27” high.

The case is fashioned as a box fitting over the instrument, and its supporting nesting fixture that fastens to the base with locking devices. Handles are on all 4 sides for convenient handling.

This task had its frustrations, due to limited material and tools, but it was quite enjoyable to do something I don’t often do.

Lee

On Friday afternoon, I met with our translator’s friend, Serafin Menjivar, who lives along the road. He has 4 children. His 2 older daughters were at the dump when we arrived, looking for 2 and 3-liter plastic bottles. They can sell 100 bottles and get 10 lempira (about 53 cents).

Serafin had 10-15 bags of empty bottles stacked beside his house. He built the house of adobe block as a squatter on government-owned right-of-way, as did most of the other families living there. He has water from the town of Quimistan, but no power. Water is only available in the evening and at night, and costs 30 lempira (roughly $1.60) per month. He lives in the third home on the left from the bridge. No homes above his have water, and no homes along the road have power. The homes above his on both sides of the road get their water from the river. Their biggest needs are food and medical care. Most of the children attend the school at Luz de Valle.

Serafin works part time at the brick kiln in town as a kiln firer. In fact, he has been hired in the past to work at the kiln in Santa Clara. He attends the Monday and Friday night services now and then. He says the services are usually led by a church member, not the pastor.

We went back later for the evening service. It was an amazing scene! Once everyone arrived, there were around 175 present, about 100 of them children. The church had prepared a meal, and after the service everyone was fed a small plate of rice, vegetables and chicken, with 2 flour tortillas and a drink.

The service was started by the youth/children’s director, then the pastor spoke for a while. The service concluded with an evangelist from El Salvador, a friend of the pastor’s. He closed with an altar call, to which about 40 children and adults responded.

WOW, what an evening to behold! The Lord was truly present there by the road. The light for the entire building was provided by a single Coleman gas lantern hanging from the edge of the lean-to porch /patio.

Praise God for small miracles! Everyone was fed a small meal, and Martha gave out small bags of rice and flour to every family present.

George

One my visit to Santa Clara Thursday, a few things stood out to me about the people. First, they are all very friendly, especially the kids. You can’t pass anyone along the street without saying “Hola!” or “Buenos dias!” They can find fun in anything, from watching the “gringos” beat up on a rock, to playing with their homemade scooters. How many of our kids or grandkids would be happy with a toy like this?

Also, they are very industrious. Most people I saw were either sweeping their dirt front yard, washing clothes or dishes, cooking or preparing food, or some other chore. When I checked on the progress on Mrs. Amalia’s house, I was pleasantly surprised to see at least four of the family members helping out, including two of the kids.

This family is very needy and very deserving of a new house, but they are not sitting there watch it happen; they are actually helping it to happen! Helping folks in the name of Christ feels great, but helping those who will pitch in and do what they can to assist us feels even better!

Tommy

Today was another great morning with the VBS Program. After a bumpy, windy, and at times muddy road trip up the mountain, we arrived at the community of El Pinal. We had the privilege of joining the AP kids in presenting the VBS program to about 69 elementary age children. They were all dressed in their school uniforms as they crowded into the classroom. Juan Miguel, from the AP program, took the lead teaching the lesson today, and did a fantastic job of presenting the material and engaging the children in the activities. The children were very enthusiastic and eagerly volunteered to help put the balls on the demonstration salvation bracelet, and perform the motions to the songs. As Claudia and I shared with each other, it seems the program gets better each day!

One special surprise of today’s program came toward the end, as the principal of the school. Jairo Alberto Enamorado, presented the Honduras Agape Foundation with a certificate of recognition for our collaboration to benefit the education of the children and youth of the community. As Jerry accepted the certificate, he reminded them all that we were there to manifest the love of Christ to the children and their families, and that all the credit for any work done belonged to God alone.

Karen

We began yesterday to chip away at a large rock that was blocking a culvert under the road at Santa Clara. We used sledge hammers, cold chisels, a pick, and finally a grinder. All of these, with a large supply of elbow grease, finally got the job done. We defeated the rock, but I’m sure that in the morning when I feel the aches from infrequently-used muscles, I will know that the rock put up a good fight.

The ditch should work, though, and that’s the important thing. The aches will go away, but the drainage ditch will stay and, I pray, be a benefit to the folks of Santa Clara.

All in all, the project was a lot of fun. It was a great experience to work for the love of the people there, and for the glory of God.

It has been a privilege to be a part of this ministry, and I thank God for leading me here at this time. If Vanna, my “piano-banger”, or Robyn are reading this, I didn’t lift the sledge hammer over my head.

John