Greetings to All you Faithful Readers!!
Today was a great... fairly laid back... and relaxing day. We all went to the school and played with the kids there for a few hours while their parents and teachers were in a seminar with the professor from Baylor. We ate lunch on the shore of the beach which was fun and relaxing. The beach is pretty to look at because it is surrounded by the Mountains... it has GOT to be the best view in the world. I will definetly be going back there on occasion and will get pictures of the perfect scenery. We went shopping shortly there afterward. I went ahead and bought mostly all of my stuff to bring home because I figured it would be way more fun to shop with teams here then all by myself with Tenisha in July or August.
I am feeling so much better now. I'm not sure if it's because I'm feeling more comfortable in the city... driving around ans what not or if I'm just getting more settled in and over the homesickness. Apparently there is this 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 month marks. At each of these points a person will expirence homesickness. So expect the doubts and loneliness to hit again in a few weeks. HA!
God has definetly been working it all out together perfectly. Thank you all for your prayers in that department for my peace of mind and strength. God has put people in my life that are encouraging me in ways I could have never imagined possible. Thank You! :)
God is revealing to me how um... selfish, generally rude, and insanely difficult Americans can be in a forgein country. I know I know I am American too but I really hope at this point that I do not act like the typical American "tourist". The lack of respect toward the culture here and the differences. The way a restuarant can have everything set up perfectly to serve 30 americans and then the Americans can't handle the heat and have to move to a completely new location. AHH!!!!!!!!!! Ok I'm over that. It's just confirmation that I am called to serve aboard not in America.
Anyway, we're watching a movie now and just relaxing this evening so it's nice. We've got villages the next two days so those will be long hard days and then thursday and friday we are going to the jungle. So that'll be fun to get away and relax. So I need your help. We have the choice to raft or to the zipline. I ziplined last year but if I did it this year I would find away to get some video footage. Please let me know your ideas.
Continue to pray for the health and safety of the teams. You guys are great and wonderful. Love You All!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Camp Days
Camp is over! It was a great year! All of the teams did such a great job organizing and keeping everything right on track. I video taped mostly all of it. I think I have an hour of video footage which for 3 days doesn´t sound like a lot but I promise it´ll cover the basics of camp so I´m excited to charge the camera and watch it.
There is so much to post and I don´t have near enough time. It´s hot and I´m DISCUSTING and need a shower and I want to rest and spend time with God all before 6 tonight. Whew! That´s a lot to do but I know it will all get taken care of.
I just don´t know where to start. There were so many familar faces. My daughter Cinthia from last year was back and remembered me. She has grown so much too in her language. Jackie your daughter was back as well and so was Lacey´s. I got a picture of all three of them together.
Even my little sweetheart Gersten was back. How he is too funny! I just love that kid. I´m sorry to report that Enuar your little hearing pal was not back this year. Gosh guys. There are just so many people to tell you were back only comparing pictures will work.
I am so excited and blessed to say that little Mike Williams and his mother came to camp. He is the three year old boy that just found out was deaf. I think he really enjoyed it and he might not have learned alot from directly sitting and watching but I think him being completely emersed was really great. His mom is so sweet too. Having known her before camp and seeing the transformation in her was amazing. She has pride in herself and in her son now. She as well picked up some of the sign language and ways of communication. It is going to be so fun and exciting to watch both of them grow in the Signs of Love program. It´s even better because they are located here in La Ceiba and will be able to attend the deaf church as well. Pray for both of them to continue to develop.
There´s really not too much more to report here on the Honduras side of things. I will have a calm calendar now so I will be able to post daily from now on. Please keep the comments coming. I am LOVING them! They bring so much encouragement to me. You are all wonderful!!
Continue to pray for the teams as they spend their last week here. Pray for Elise as she flies out tomorrow morning to Colorado. Pray for my strength and God´s guidance. I love you all!
There is so much to post and I don´t have near enough time. It´s hot and I´m DISCUSTING and need a shower and I want to rest and spend time with God all before 6 tonight. Whew! That´s a lot to do but I know it will all get taken care of.
I just don´t know where to start. There were so many familar faces. My daughter Cinthia from last year was back and remembered me. She has grown so much too in her language. Jackie your daughter was back as well and so was Lacey´s. I got a picture of all three of them together.
Even my little sweetheart Gersten was back. How he is too funny! I just love that kid. I´m sorry to report that Enuar your little hearing pal was not back this year. Gosh guys. There are just so many people to tell you were back only comparing pictures will work.
I am so excited and blessed to say that little Mike Williams and his mother came to camp. He is the three year old boy that just found out was deaf. I think he really enjoyed it and he might not have learned alot from directly sitting and watching but I think him being completely emersed was really great. His mom is so sweet too. Having known her before camp and seeing the transformation in her was amazing. She has pride in herself and in her son now. She as well picked up some of the sign language and ways of communication. It is going to be so fun and exciting to watch both of them grow in the Signs of Love program. It´s even better because they are located here in La Ceiba and will be able to attend the deaf church as well. Pray for both of them to continue to develop.
There´s really not too much more to report here on the Honduras side of things. I will have a calm calendar now so I will be able to post daily from now on. Please keep the comments coming. I am LOVING them! They bring so much encouragement to me. You are all wonderful!!
Continue to pray for the teams as they spend their last week here. Pray for Elise as she flies out tomorrow morning to Colorado. Pray for my strength and God´s guidance. I love you all!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Highs and Lows
Today has just been one of those days filled with really high highs and really low lows. I started this day out on the low end of the spectrum. I again, was being left alone to care for the kids and teams while Robin, Elise, Joy, and Sarah all went to buy groceries for the camp. However, I did sleep really well last night and had a late morning. But woke up early enough to spend some good ol quality time with my Father in Heaven.
I have so loved being able to sit out on the veranda in the cool of the morning spending time in the word and praying. Oh how I wish I had one of those in America. That would be so nice and peaceful. That brought me to the High. I read the verse in Matthew where it talks about not worrying about the future or what God is doing but to just trust in him for all the day we are in. We have enough strength for one day at a time. We can´t use tomorrow´s strength worrying about tomorrow because we don´t have it yet.
The rest of the day into the village was pretty much a high. We were in the villiage of a man that has a cancer growth on his face. He is such a precious man. We loved on him until I don´t know if we could love on him anymore.... ok ok we could have but time didn´t allow it. I helped him make a craft last year at camp. It was so good to see him again. We also saw little Jonathon. Jackie do you remember him? He was Lacey´s child at camp and always ran away. Jonathon is the little boy that had never brushed is teeth before. He has grown so much in the last year. Not only physically where he has lost teeth... but also his language growth. It was so difficult to communicate with him last year at camp and now-- he has language and communication.
There have been a couple of other lows since being back from the villiages but none that are significant enough to mention tonight. Just pray for my strength and protection from Satan. I kind of feel like today was the first time in the trip where I´ve ¨missed¨ home but at the sametime I want this to be home too. I just feel like this expirence could be so much more enriched by having my loved ones with me to capture the beauty of this country and its people.
We at a delicious resturant tonight with bar b que and black beans. Jackie!! You remember those? I know you do... they were amazing tonight and no worries I ate enough for me and you together. Ha! We even danced... I love watching the deaf dance... they sure do have moves.
Tonight has definetly ended on a high. It has potential to end on a low but I think this high moment is going to carry me for the rest of my life. Miguel has been with us a week now and oh I wish there was a way I could have taped evey moment he has been here so that you could watch him grow and soak in all of the language he has learned. Since I´ve been tucking them in at night I´ve kept Tenisha in her routine which of course includes prayer. Miguel has gotten into that routine too. He hasn´t let me forget once. Tonight he lead his bed time prayer. It was such a beautiful sight and comfirmation that although I go through highs and lows God is working in the lives of the Deaf here as well as mine because he is using ME!
Camp starts tomorrow... Pray for that. Pray for Robin´s sanity during this time. Pray for safety and learning. Just Pray for Camp and the campers!
I will try to post but I´m not sure if we´ll be staying at camp or here at the house. I love each and everyone of you!
I have so loved being able to sit out on the veranda in the cool of the morning spending time in the word and praying. Oh how I wish I had one of those in America. That would be so nice and peaceful. That brought me to the High. I read the verse in Matthew where it talks about not worrying about the future or what God is doing but to just trust in him for all the day we are in. We have enough strength for one day at a time. We can´t use tomorrow´s strength worrying about tomorrow because we don´t have it yet.
The rest of the day into the village was pretty much a high. We were in the villiage of a man that has a cancer growth on his face. He is such a precious man. We loved on him until I don´t know if we could love on him anymore.... ok ok we could have but time didn´t allow it. I helped him make a craft last year at camp. It was so good to see him again. We also saw little Jonathon. Jackie do you remember him? He was Lacey´s child at camp and always ran away. Jonathon is the little boy that had never brushed is teeth before. He has grown so much in the last year. Not only physically where he has lost teeth... but also his language growth. It was so difficult to communicate with him last year at camp and now-- he has language and communication.
There have been a couple of other lows since being back from the villiages but none that are significant enough to mention tonight. Just pray for my strength and protection from Satan. I kind of feel like today was the first time in the trip where I´ve ¨missed¨ home but at the sametime I want this to be home too. I just feel like this expirence could be so much more enriched by having my loved ones with me to capture the beauty of this country and its people.
We at a delicious resturant tonight with bar b que and black beans. Jackie!! You remember those? I know you do... they were amazing tonight and no worries I ate enough for me and you together. Ha! We even danced... I love watching the deaf dance... they sure do have moves.
Tonight has definetly ended on a high. It has potential to end on a low but I think this high moment is going to carry me for the rest of my life. Miguel has been with us a week now and oh I wish there was a way I could have taped evey moment he has been here so that you could watch him grow and soak in all of the language he has learned. Since I´ve been tucking them in at night I´ve kept Tenisha in her routine which of course includes prayer. Miguel has gotten into that routine too. He hasn´t let me forget once. Tonight he lead his bed time prayer. It was such a beautiful sight and comfirmation that although I go through highs and lows God is working in the lives of the Deaf here as well as mine because he is using ME!
Camp starts tomorrow... Pray for that. Pray for Robin´s sanity during this time. Pray for safety and learning. Just Pray for Camp and the campers!
I will try to post but I´m not sure if we´ll be staying at camp or here at the house. I love each and everyone of you!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Memories
So... we woke up WAY early this morning. Elise-- a girl from Baylor that is staying at the mission house and myself went to the hotel to pick up her group of girls for breakfast. We went and bought street food called Baleadas. They are basically like a breakfast taco so those were really good.
Then my van full of the 6 Baylor girls and Kerry-- one of the Deaf Signs of Love leaders along with a van driven by Matthew and his group from ICC along with the Boston group all went into the village of Tocoa.
Last year, we completely missed out on all of the villiage programs. Trust me Jackie-- we REALLY missed out. It would have been a great expirence for you to have gotten to go. Maybe you´ll just have to come back with me and we´ll go do the village programs. But anyway, the Baylor team taught the deaf kids while the Boston team taught the hearing kids some signs. It was great to see all of the children breaking their boundaries and interacting. The innocence of children amazes me. How we should all strive to be more childlike. I do believe the world would be such a better place.
Tocoa is one of the bigger villages. We had 7 deaf for the program. One was the lady I fell in love with last year at camp, Neldin, she is a great great lady and even remembered me so that will be fun to be able to sit down at camp with her again and visit. Her neighbor is one of the cutest little girls too. It was great to see familar faces especially the familar faces of my ¨favorites¨. Ha!
We spent the entire day there and then when we got back to La Ceiba we had some free time until dinner. It rained and poured, gatos y perros. It is very evident in this town the lack of drainage. I felt like we turned from a van into a boat. It was really funny though to just drive through the streets that had in about 30 min. become rivers. Crazy. It has however stopped raining for now and the streets drained shortly after it stopped.
I am at home alone with my two little babies, Tenisha and Miguel. They have had their showers and brushed their teeth. We said their prayers and they are sleeping now. Which is funny in itself because of how crazy we get in here and you don´t have to be quiet and tip toe around because the kids are sleeping--- they can´t hear a thing-- it´s pretty funny! Ha!
We´re going back into villages again tomorrow but we won´t go until 12 which means we get a really late morning which is much needed! Yippie! I can NOT wait! It´s crazy that it has already been a week so I only have 9 more to go. Nuts!
Anyway, I guess that is about all of the news I have for tonight. Once again, thank you all for your constant support! All of your precious comments make my morning when I read them and give me strength and encouragement to continue to make it through the day.
Grandy-- It was soo good to hear you tonight. Sorry I couldn´t talk long we´ll have to try again soon. I love you and miss you!!
Then my van full of the 6 Baylor girls and Kerry-- one of the Deaf Signs of Love leaders along with a van driven by Matthew and his group from ICC along with the Boston group all went into the village of Tocoa.
Last year, we completely missed out on all of the villiage programs. Trust me Jackie-- we REALLY missed out. It would have been a great expirence for you to have gotten to go. Maybe you´ll just have to come back with me and we´ll go do the village programs. But anyway, the Baylor team taught the deaf kids while the Boston team taught the hearing kids some signs. It was great to see all of the children breaking their boundaries and interacting. The innocence of children amazes me. How we should all strive to be more childlike. I do believe the world would be such a better place.
Tocoa is one of the bigger villages. We had 7 deaf for the program. One was the lady I fell in love with last year at camp, Neldin, she is a great great lady and even remembered me so that will be fun to be able to sit down at camp with her again and visit. Her neighbor is one of the cutest little girls too. It was great to see familar faces especially the familar faces of my ¨favorites¨. Ha!
We spent the entire day there and then when we got back to La Ceiba we had some free time until dinner. It rained and poured, gatos y perros. It is very evident in this town the lack of drainage. I felt like we turned from a van into a boat. It was really funny though to just drive through the streets that had in about 30 min. become rivers. Crazy. It has however stopped raining for now and the streets drained shortly after it stopped.
I am at home alone with my two little babies, Tenisha and Miguel. They have had their showers and brushed their teeth. We said their prayers and they are sleeping now. Which is funny in itself because of how crazy we get in here and you don´t have to be quiet and tip toe around because the kids are sleeping--- they can´t hear a thing-- it´s pretty funny! Ha!
We´re going back into villages again tomorrow but we won´t go until 12 which means we get a really late morning which is much needed! Yippie! I can NOT wait! It´s crazy that it has already been a week so I only have 9 more to go. Nuts!
Anyway, I guess that is about all of the news I have for tonight. Once again, thank you all for your constant support! All of your precious comments make my morning when I read them and give me strength and encouragement to continue to make it through the day.
Grandy-- It was soo good to hear you tonight. Sorry I couldn´t talk long we´ll have to try again soon. I love you and miss you!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Hot and Sweaty...
Well, the title sums up today. Picked up the teams at the hotel this morning, fed em breakfast, and then we were all sent off into the streets of La Ceiba with one of the Signs of Love deaf leaders.
It was a really great expirence. I was partnered with Ruth and her little 6 month old baby Flinn. He is super cute and I wouldn´t mind bringing him home with me either. hee hee... But we walked around the town square part of La Ceiba which was rather interesting. We saw a lot of different shops-- mostly lined up on the street. We even went to the meat market that was just plain nasty. The smells and flies were disgusting... but over it was a really great expirence. Just super super hot!
Came back to the mission house and the teams prepared for camp while we finished up our last minute tasks and went the grocery store to buy stuff for tomorrow. I went all by myself so I´m pretty proud. We ate at the place tonight where I ate the fish eyes last year. No Jackie--- I didn´t eat them again, I shared them with Tenisha! ha!
We´re going into villages tomorrow until 2 so that will be fun and interesting since I´ll be driving. It´ll be hot too so just Pray for all of us to stay hydrated and ready to go, full of strength.
I´m off to shower cause well... I´m hot and sweaty! So I´ll chat with you later! Love Ya´ll!
It was a really great expirence. I was partnered with Ruth and her little 6 month old baby Flinn. He is super cute and I wouldn´t mind bringing him home with me either. hee hee... But we walked around the town square part of La Ceiba which was rather interesting. We saw a lot of different shops-- mostly lined up on the street. We even went to the meat market that was just plain nasty. The smells and flies were disgusting... but over it was a really great expirence. Just super super hot!
Came back to the mission house and the teams prepared for camp while we finished up our last minute tasks and went the grocery store to buy stuff for tomorrow. I went all by myself so I´m pretty proud. We ate at the place tonight where I ate the fish eyes last year. No Jackie--- I didn´t eat them again, I shared them with Tenisha! ha!
We´re going into villages tomorrow until 2 so that will be fun and interesting since I´ll be driving. It´ll be hot too so just Pray for all of us to stay hydrated and ready to go, full of strength.
I´m off to shower cause well... I´m hot and sweaty! So I´ll chat with you later! Love Ya´ll!
Monday, June 2, 2008
OH Gees...
Work started early here this morning. The Signs of Love team--- Orlan, Amanda, Kerry, Ruth, and Nancy all got here at 9:00 to start their normal work. Robin, Sarah, and I all left to run some errands pick up my vehicle, and the teams.
We got an automatic and I´ve been driving today. I just got home from driving from the hotel without following anyone. I only had to turn around twice so I am very proud of myself... ha! It´s really not too bad you just have to be super aware of your surrounds especially the crazy taxi drivers and the stupid motercycles-- dad, I´m really starting to hate them... they are nuts!! But all in all i´ve been fine driving, no worries. I will get a lot of practice in driving around and learning how to get to places before Robin leaves so that´s extra good.
God has continued to answer the prayer of the teams all arriving late. The ones from Boston that were suppose to get her yesterday at 11 am that were delayed until 9pm. Well their plane was delayed again last night so they ended up spending the night in San Pedro Sula and were suppose to be here this morning at 11am but once again their flight was canceled-- the plane is broken-- so they came by bus and got here at 2 pm. We´re still waiting on 2 more teams. One should be here soon and the other had to come by bus too so they won´t be here until 7 or 8 tonight, if we´re lucky!
Really nothing to report, we are going into villages tomorrow so that will be more practice yippie! I´m tired, Sarah´s tired, and I´m almost positive Robin is tired. Please be in prayer for our strength and peace of mind that everything will go smoothly. Also, Pray for me as I drive 12 or more Americans around Honduras. Pray for our safety and for me to know where I´m going.
You guys are wonderful. I´m thankful and blessed by each one of you. Love Ya´ll!
We got an automatic and I´ve been driving today. I just got home from driving from the hotel without following anyone. I only had to turn around twice so I am very proud of myself... ha! It´s really not too bad you just have to be super aware of your surrounds especially the crazy taxi drivers and the stupid motercycles-- dad, I´m really starting to hate them... they are nuts!! But all in all i´ve been fine driving, no worries. I will get a lot of practice in driving around and learning how to get to places before Robin leaves so that´s extra good.
God has continued to answer the prayer of the teams all arriving late. The ones from Boston that were suppose to get her yesterday at 11 am that were delayed until 9pm. Well their plane was delayed again last night so they ended up spending the night in San Pedro Sula and were suppose to be here this morning at 11am but once again their flight was canceled-- the plane is broken-- so they came by bus and got here at 2 pm. We´re still waiting on 2 more teams. One should be here soon and the other had to come by bus too so they won´t be here until 7 or 8 tonight, if we´re lucky!
Really nothing to report, we are going into villages tomorrow so that will be more practice yippie! I´m tired, Sarah´s tired, and I´m almost positive Robin is tired. Please be in prayer for our strength and peace of mind that everything will go smoothly. Also, Pray for me as I drive 12 or more Americans around Honduras. Pray for our safety and for me to know where I´m going.
You guys are wonderful. I´m thankful and blessed by each one of you. Love Ya´ll!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
God's Laughing!!!
Church last night was in Spanish so I didn't really understand a lot of what was going on but it was good to go and see a improverished people praising the God that created them. It was a wonderful expirence.
Last night, Robin was saying how she wished we could have one more day in our week to finish up the last minute preparations for camp before teams started coming and things got really crazy. So I... silly ol me... suggested that we just pray for more time-- which would me the teams would get delayed from flying in and wouldn't get her at 11 like they are suppose to. We all laughed but regardless prayed for a miracle of more time. I woke up this morning to Robin telling me that Travis and his team of 6 from Boston called at 4 am and said their plane had been delayed. We laughed at how God answered the prayer but now since Travis was suppose to preach at the deaf church this morning we are all running around trying to finish the last minute stuff before teams arrive and getting a sermon ready for church this morning.
I have been the one preparing that since it was my great idea to pray the teams would be delayed so yea! But I am laughing at how God must be smiling down on us. We have it all done. I'm reading the story of the Prodigal Son while Robin translates/acts it out for the people to understand, then we're going to do a skit on forgiveness and acceptance. It's going to be wonderful but please pray for it to go smoothly and for the Lord that is smiling down on us to speak through us. Church starts at 1:30.
Miguel, the boy staying with us. Found out he's not 8 but 11 he's just TINY! He only came to us with the clothes on his back and one extra shirt and underwear. So when we ran our errands yesterday and went to the mall we bought him shorts, two t-shirts, and underwear. He woke up this morning so excited and ready to take a bath and put on his new clothes. He's SO precious. He has been loving the nintendo 64. We have decided that all boys must be born with a gene that automatically helps them understand video games. He's really good for having never played and not having a T.V.
We're getting cars either tonight or tomorrow. ECK! However, Robin did say that we would be getting an automatic but we would probably start out with a standard. Pray that it will just be an automatic to start. I would already feel much more comfortable with that even though the driving will still be scary at least I won't have to be shifting to.
You guys are wonderful. Going to go and finish all the painting before we change to go to church.
Mucho Amor!
PS-- Keep those comments coming... they are a highlight.
Mom- I tried the calling card again but it wouldn't work so I'm not sure what the deal is with that. You can try calling the cell later tonight if you want. Love you MORE!
Last night, Robin was saying how she wished we could have one more day in our week to finish up the last minute preparations for camp before teams started coming and things got really crazy. So I... silly ol me... suggested that we just pray for more time-- which would me the teams would get delayed from flying in and wouldn't get her at 11 like they are suppose to. We all laughed but regardless prayed for a miracle of more time. I woke up this morning to Robin telling me that Travis and his team of 6 from Boston called at 4 am and said their plane had been delayed. We laughed at how God answered the prayer but now since Travis was suppose to preach at the deaf church this morning we are all running around trying to finish the last minute stuff before teams arrive and getting a sermon ready for church this morning.
I have been the one preparing that since it was my great idea to pray the teams would be delayed so yea! But I am laughing at how God must be smiling down on us. We have it all done. I'm reading the story of the Prodigal Son while Robin translates/acts it out for the people to understand, then we're going to do a skit on forgiveness and acceptance. It's going to be wonderful but please pray for it to go smoothly and for the Lord that is smiling down on us to speak through us. Church starts at 1:30.
Miguel, the boy staying with us. Found out he's not 8 but 11 he's just TINY! He only came to us with the clothes on his back and one extra shirt and underwear. So when we ran our errands yesterday and went to the mall we bought him shorts, two t-shirts, and underwear. He woke up this morning so excited and ready to take a bath and put on his new clothes. He's SO precious. He has been loving the nintendo 64. We have decided that all boys must be born with a gene that automatically helps them understand video games. He's really good for having never played and not having a T.V.
We're getting cars either tonight or tomorrow. ECK! However, Robin did say that we would be getting an automatic but we would probably start out with a standard. Pray that it will just be an automatic to start. I would already feel much more comfortable with that even though the driving will still be scary at least I won't have to be shifting to.
You guys are wonderful. Going to go and finish all the painting before we change to go to church.
Mucho Amor!
PS-- Keep those comments coming... they are a highlight.
Mom- I tried the calling card again but it wouldn't work so I'm not sure what the deal is with that. You can try calling the cell later tonight if you want. Love you MORE!
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