I am sure many of you know by now the sad happenings that are taking place in Honduras. I don't want to go into it, the situation is difficult. A "coup d' etat," or a legal action, the whole situation is a mess and every day is spent wondering what will occur next. My family is flying me back to the home to the States tomorrow morning, Wednesday. I should be home safe, Lord willing, by the end of tomorrow. This is an experience I never saw coming, events that are hard to grasp. I hope that the situation does not increase to get worse, and that it begins to stabilize in some fashion. The possible involvement of other nations in the quagmire is scary. I don't know what to think, and I don't know what to say. Problems like these are not too far away from any country. It is a sad situation from all sides, for everyone involved. Our God is still in control of the situation, and He is not surprised. These crises always seemed so distant from my life. I praise God that He has kept me safe and the violence has stayed minimal. No one has lost his life, and I hope it stays that way.
Please pray for God to use this situation for his glory, that people may come to Him. Also pray for a peaceful resolution to this volatile situation. This tragedy can be resolved, and I know that God will take care of His children. God bless you and your life.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
It was the best of times and it was the worst of times.
Not very often do such extremes happen in succession like they did this past week. It was one of absolutes for sure. I still am shocked by how much happened to me in such little time. So, here I go.
Monday I started my new project at the school. On Monday Tuesday and Wednesday the plan is that I work with the struggling students of the 1st grade (mon.), 2nd grade (tues.), and 3rd grade (wed.) For 45 minutes each of these days I talk with about 20 students who need help due to poor performance in class or behavioral problems (bad language, fighting, disrespect, you name it). So Monday, the very first group, went anywhere but well. It was close to impossible for me to keep their attention and the notes I had went out the window. It was a learning experience. After Monday I realized that these kids need positive attention as much as they need to hear good words. They need someone who cares. So, that being said, I felt like a failure to the max after the first day. Kids have sooo much energy. Trying to speak a different language is difficult enough, haha.
Tuesday I woke up hungry (which is strange) but this was soon to change. About 900 I tried to eat at break time and knew something strange was happening. To make a long story short I made some bad food decisions and it cost me. I made it through the class with the second graders Tuesday and it went extremely well!!! I was so surprised. I found out they like using colored pencils :) After classes I had a monstrous headache and stomach problems unlike anything I have ever experienced. I was sick! I cannot explain the immense discomfort. Anyhow, I could eat nothing. I could barely drink anything. Tuesday night was rough.
For safety reasons I accompanied the pastors and their daughter on their planned trip to the north coast beach Wednesday. This was a great idea since they didnt want me to be alone in the house while sick and I needed a relaxing break as well.
I joined them for approximately 6-hour trip to Tela, and we arrived Wednesday evening my stomach only accepting very little of anything. I woke up the next day early to enjoy the peace, sand, and waves. Thursday was a phenomenal time at the beach. I soaked it in (maybe a lot too much) and enjoyed swimming and such. I was able to eat more, too. I love the beach. It is so relaxing and beautiful. However, I was sunburnt. It was almost like I used no sunscreen or something. I was really red and in some pain. However, I relaxed and stayed in and Friday we returned back to Tegucigalpa. My stomach was improving but my shoulders and back were not. I had a blast anyway. I got in one good day of fun at the beach for sure.
Last night we used aloe straight from the plant and applied it to my sunburn- wow it was cool. Anyhow, I am doing alot better- stomach is still a little weak- and I am enjoying a little down time.
Through it all I am doing okay now. I had some fun at the beach and some time away which was nice. I just hope I don't get sick again. I will be alot more careful about what I eat, you can guarantee that. I am also hopeful that my teaching experience with the struggling kids will continue to improve. Sometimes it takes a little while for things to work out.
Here are some photos of the beautiful beach city of Tela.
Monday I started my new project at the school. On Monday Tuesday and Wednesday the plan is that I work with the struggling students of the 1st grade (mon.), 2nd grade (tues.), and 3rd grade (wed.) For 45 minutes each of these days I talk with about 20 students who need help due to poor performance in class or behavioral problems (bad language, fighting, disrespect, you name it). So Monday, the very first group, went anywhere but well. It was close to impossible for me to keep their attention and the notes I had went out the window. It was a learning experience. After Monday I realized that these kids need positive attention as much as they need to hear good words. They need someone who cares. So, that being said, I felt like a failure to the max after the first day. Kids have sooo much energy. Trying to speak a different language is difficult enough, haha.
Tuesday I woke up hungry (which is strange) but this was soon to change. About 900 I tried to eat at break time and knew something strange was happening. To make a long story short I made some bad food decisions and it cost me. I made it through the class with the second graders Tuesday and it went extremely well!!! I was so surprised. I found out they like using colored pencils :) After classes I had a monstrous headache and stomach problems unlike anything I have ever experienced. I was sick! I cannot explain the immense discomfort. Anyhow, I could eat nothing. I could barely drink anything. Tuesday night was rough.
For safety reasons I accompanied the pastors and their daughter on their planned trip to the north coast beach Wednesday. This was a great idea since they didnt want me to be alone in the house while sick and I needed a relaxing break as well.
I joined them for approximately 6-hour trip to Tela, and we arrived Wednesday evening my stomach only accepting very little of anything. I woke up the next day early to enjoy the peace, sand, and waves. Thursday was a phenomenal time at the beach. I soaked it in (maybe a lot too much) and enjoyed swimming and such. I was able to eat more, too. I love the beach. It is so relaxing and beautiful. However, I was sunburnt. It was almost like I used no sunscreen or something. I was really red and in some pain. However, I relaxed and stayed in and Friday we returned back to Tegucigalpa. My stomach was improving but my shoulders and back were not. I had a blast anyway. I got in one good day of fun at the beach for sure.
Last night we used aloe straight from the plant and applied it to my sunburn- wow it was cool. Anyhow, I am doing alot better- stomach is still a little weak- and I am enjoying a little down time.
Through it all I am doing okay now. I had some fun at the beach and some time away which was nice. I just hope I don't get sick again. I will be alot more careful about what I eat, you can guarantee that. I am also hopeful that my teaching experience with the struggling kids will continue to improve. Sometimes it takes a little while for things to work out.
Here are some photos of the beautiful beach city of Tela.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
My week off, etc.
Well, since Monday I have had a wonderful week. Being away from class this week has been a blessing of rejuvenation and refocusing. I have had the wonderful opportunity to share in special things. Hanging out with friends and seeing new sights/places have been common the past few days. I went to the mall with one of my new friends here, Joel, and had a wonderful time with him. I said hello to one of my friends from Asbury, Heidi, who is working here with WGM for the summer. I was able to do some reading and go to a church prayer service as well. Finally, Thursday was the most unique of all. I went with Pastor Núñez and Moises to his other property outside the city. I was able to get my hands dirty and work oustide all day. We planted several trees, avocados, coconut, mango, and we cleaned up the yard as well- weeds, trash. I really appreciated this opportunity to clean up the area. Moises and the pastor are such hard workers and it was difficult for me at times- wow the sun here is a lot hotter! Thank the Lord for sunscreen. I think I had the best snack in the world for the moment though, absolutely perfect timing, in the form of a pineapple/coconut ice cream. Planting trees/cleaning the outdoors is hard work, and I am glad to be back relaxing, clean and still a little sore.
Friday I had pizza hut here with the pastors, and man, it was quite delicious. I also went on a couple visitations to people of the church in the evening. This was a different experience for me. The culture is different- It is really open and community oriented. Yesterday was relaxing and today we went to church, pastor Núñez shared, and afterward we went to a party. Now I am back in the house ready to relax for the rest of the day. Tomorrow I start back working at the school and I am looking forward to the adventure. I am supposed to be starting a new project this week with the kids. Our God is awesome and He is doing so much.
Friday I had pizza hut here with the pastors, and man, it was quite delicious. I also went on a couple visitations to people of the church in the evening. This was a different experience for me. The culture is different- It is really open and community oriented. Yesterday was relaxing and today we went to church, pastor Núñez shared, and afterward we went to a party. Now I am back in the house ready to relax for the rest of the day. Tomorrow I start back working at the school and I am looking forward to the adventure. I am supposed to be starting a new project this week with the kids. Our God is awesome and He is doing so much.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
FINALLY, AN UPDATE
Apologies, apologies, it has been way too long since I updated. Therefore, I have much to say in this post...
I have continued working at the Christian school in the ministry areas. I was able to assist the Bible professors and spiritual leaders of the school in various ways. I attended the devotional times (chapel services) for each age group. I am really enjoying the opportunity to build relationships with these amazing people. Each one has a passion for these kids. I have been given the opportunity to entertain several classes at the school, too. The students are full of questions! I have been able to get to know several of the students on a deeper level as well. I am able to to assist one-on-one with students (which is such a blessing) as well as chat with the leaders and their plans. I love witnessing the heart and passion of the leaders for their students.
The Bible teachers and ministry leaders of the school took some of the high school students on a retreat for the (day two fridays ago). The retreat was located near a large mountain of the city, La Tigra. I was able to see more of Tegucigalpa and further build relationships. We treked through the forest and I saw new types of wildlife and beautiful views of a less-populated and very green Honduras.
Also, I visited the arbory that is part of a national park that sits atop one of the mountains in Tegucigalpa overlooking the city. The park was beautiful and the view was breathtaking! I did not bring my camera, though. We picked up some trees and later planted two of them here at the house.
Finally, this past week at the school was just as much a blessing as the first. I continued to work on projects for the ministry department of the school. It is truly a special environment I find myself in. I love it. I love being an encouragement and doing many different tasks.
The food here is so amazing. everything is so fresh! I have been trying all kinds of new tastes. And, just for the record, I think Chilean grapes are probably some of the best in the world. They are huge!
I am definitely unable to write all I could to you about my last week and a half. However, I want to tell you about a smaller town called Esperanza. This past weekend Pastor Núñez and I traveled several hours westward to this town so he could lead a class for the pastors of the area. This place was gorgeous. We drove through some of the biggest mountains and Valleys I have ever seen. I met some more wonderful people, including a local pastor of a young, but growing, church. There was a group from the States there working on projects as other workers from the states who ad been there awhile. The members of the church were so welcoming to me, and I chatted with some of them for awhile. I am blessed to know them. Also, I watched the US-Honduras qualifying match with some of them. It was such a tremendous blessing for me to have visited Esperanza. It was an encouragement in so many ways for me that I can't put into words right now. Also, fittingly, "esperanza" means "hope." I really feel rejuvenated and refocused after this hiatus.
I am learning so so much and am processing many things. This is an experience for life. The Lord has been so faithful in all areas. It is amazing witnessing God's power. He is doing so much by love.
This week there are no classes at the school, so I am able to hang out with a couple friends and help in other areas. (As well as find time to rest) I really thank you for your prayers, they do make a difference.
Wherever you are right now, in the States at home or away somewhere else, I find it amazing that the same great God is right there with you as is here with me. Our Father, the Creator of the universe and the Giver of all love is pretty awesome. I hope that whatever you are doing at this time that your summer experience is going well and you are able to see God's Peace in it. I thank you for taking the time to hear what's up with me. I will update sooner next time, I promise.
God bless you.
I have continued working at the Christian school in the ministry areas. I was able to assist the Bible professors and spiritual leaders of the school in various ways. I attended the devotional times (chapel services) for each age group. I am really enjoying the opportunity to build relationships with these amazing people. Each one has a passion for these kids. I have been given the opportunity to entertain several classes at the school, too. The students are full of questions! I have been able to get to know several of the students on a deeper level as well. I am able to to assist one-on-one with students (which is such a blessing) as well as chat with the leaders and their plans. I love witnessing the heart and passion of the leaders for their students.
The Bible teachers and ministry leaders of the school took some of the high school students on a retreat for the (day two fridays ago). The retreat was located near a large mountain of the city, La Tigra. I was able to see more of Tegucigalpa and further build relationships. We treked through the forest and I saw new types of wildlife and beautiful views of a less-populated and very green Honduras.
Also, I visited the arbory that is part of a national park that sits atop one of the mountains in Tegucigalpa overlooking the city. The park was beautiful and the view was breathtaking! I did not bring my camera, though. We picked up some trees and later planted two of them here at the house.
Finally, this past week at the school was just as much a blessing as the first. I continued to work on projects for the ministry department of the school. It is truly a special environment I find myself in. I love it. I love being an encouragement and doing many different tasks.
The food here is so amazing. everything is so fresh! I have been trying all kinds of new tastes. And, just for the record, I think Chilean grapes are probably some of the best in the world. They are huge!
I am definitely unable to write all I could to you about my last week and a half. However, I want to tell you about a smaller town called Esperanza. This past weekend Pastor Núñez and I traveled several hours westward to this town so he could lead a class for the pastors of the area. This place was gorgeous. We drove through some of the biggest mountains and Valleys I have ever seen. I met some more wonderful people, including a local pastor of a young, but growing, church. There was a group from the States there working on projects as other workers from the states who ad been there awhile. The members of the church were so welcoming to me, and I chatted with some of them for awhile. I am blessed to know them. Also, I watched the US-Honduras qualifying match with some of them. It was such a tremendous blessing for me to have visited Esperanza. It was an encouragement in so many ways for me that I can't put into words right now. Also, fittingly, "esperanza" means "hope." I really feel rejuvenated and refocused after this hiatus.
I am learning so so much and am processing many things. This is an experience for life. The Lord has been so faithful in all areas. It is amazing witnessing God's power. He is doing so much by love.
This week there are no classes at the school, so I am able to hang out with a couple friends and help in other areas. (As well as find time to rest) I really thank you for your prayers, they do make a difference.
Wherever you are right now, in the States at home or away somewhere else, I find it amazing that the same great God is right there with you as is here with me. Our Father, the Creator of the universe and the Giver of all love is pretty awesome. I hope that whatever you are doing at this time that your summer experience is going well and you are able to see God's Peace in it. I thank you for taking the time to hear what's up with me. I will update sooner next time, I promise.
God bless you.
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