Mission Trip to La Paz, Honduras

August 7-15 was the annual Friends of Barnabas Medical Mission trip that I organize once a year.  This year we held two clinics near Pena Blanca and three clinics new La Paz.  We served many wonderful people again in the mountains where few had ever seen a doctor.  Four of our team members were medical persons and we had two translators in a team of 13.  As always, where there is a common purpose, there is always wonderful unity as we share our joys and work together in love.  We had an awesome team. 
The day before our mission we decided to visit some neighbors near the Barnabas House rather that do some of the tourist places.  With 70 comfort dolls, hand knitted by ladies form Virginia, Vermont, and as far north as Canada, we rode in our trusty bus up an extremely bumpy road to the village of El Tigre to visit a child Care/soup kitchen which I have visited several times.  After walking up a narrow path, Sister Maria and about 40 little children greeted us at the gate looking very shy and inquisitive.  Sister Maria is a nun who has dedicated her life to taking care of pre-school children so their siblings can go to school in the mornings and their parents can work in the fields.  Each morning they have breakfast, organized play and learning sessions.  At noon, when the brothers and sister come from school, she feeds 113 children with donated supplies and volunteer help.  Needless to say, her faith that the Lord will supply all needs is very strong.  She was very thankful for her donated chickens and chicken house and was exited that someone had just given her two cows, so the children will now have milk.  Her desire is that the four bins in the kitchen will always be filled with corn, beans and rice so the children we have food.  The team was very happy to meet all the children, give them their comfort dolls and lots of hugs and smiles. 
We then drove to within a mile of the Barnabas House to an orphanage started 50 years ago by Dr. Youngberg and his wife from Texas.  Of course, we immediately went to where the little ones were housed in a neat, clean building with rows of beds and lots of toys.  Each member seemed to become attached to one individual child and spent much quality time holding, loving, hugging and playing with them and their comfort dolls. What a blessing it was for me as a team leader to see members of team 8A react with compassion and care for all these precious children.  That was just the beginning of a week of helping to make a difference, one child at a time in Honduras.

Gardening for Nutrition

Because I am a gardener and know the nutrition needed for the children in Honduras,  the Spirit has given me a burning desire to help families grow gardens.  If the fence posts can grow, and they do, surely they can have gardens to provide year round vegetables for nutrition.  So, seeds were purchased and sent  back with Rodilio and his father and Elmer will do test gardens for us.  This could be an exciting adventure!  Although, with the hard rain and roaming chickens, dogs and pigs, it will be a different way of gardening but I think it can be worked out.  With out vision we will get nowhere, right.  I will keep you posted.

Rodilio from Las Vegas to DC

My dear friend Rodilio, from Las Vegas, Honduras is visiting Washington DC for several days.  He's visiting long time friends who are very interested in his dreams.  Yesterday we met with the program manager for World Vision for Central America.  We learned so much from her as we think about working on new projects.   We also are going to learn more about Micro businesses in Honduras.  Will spend more quality time with Rodilio when Brian gets here tomorrow.
Our Friends of Barnabas team for August is completed and will be there from August 7-15.  We will be spending severall days in communities in La Paz, Honduras  in three new communities.  Six members of our team will be going for the first time and are very excited.

Last three days spent in Puerto Cortes

Caught the FOBF bus to San Pedro on Sat morning, which was going to pick up the next mission team and met Mario there who is the Headmaster of the Cortes International School.  He is the person who picked up the 45 computers of which he kept 16 for his school.  We went directly to the school where I was surprised by total reconstruction of the school  They were able to get a coop loan and will eventually have 12 grades in a two story building, with a cafeteria, a computer room and an office.  It will be great when it is finished and Mario promised a bonus to the construction workers if they finish by the end of August.  Believe me they were busy as bees working about 10-12 hrs a day.
I stayed in Mario's grandmother's house and enjoyed playing board games and cards with their children and his beautiful wife Carol.  I had a few restful days despite the fact that there was no water in the bathroom sink but a pitcher of water, no hot shower but it felt good in the heat, mangoes falling on the roof--love mangoes and little ants in my bed, just brush them off. You know when you are tired enough, you are so thankful that you have a bed to sleep in.  Oh I forgot the roosters that start to crow at 4:30-airconditioner and earplugs wotk. They were very gracious to let me stay there.  Mario only asked for one thing.  He teaches cooking classes and well he should.  Yummy meals. The women do not have pots and pans.  So if I collect them he will find a way to get them there.  Wanna help?  Used or new it does not matter.  Just let me know and I can pick them up.  It's just a little way we can help to make a difference with nutrition.
I left feeling great that God opens my eyes and heart to see where the needs are and act upon them as much as I can.  To God be the glory great things He has done.  Sorry these are so long but I had to condense 8 days into three entries.

Two Days in Las Vegas--------Honduras that is.

Thursday, after waiting to get the dead battery charged, I drove to Las Vegas where all the sponsored children were waiting for me.  Thank Heavens Sylvia, the kindergarten teacher was there because she was the only one who could translate.  All the children thanked me individually,wishing me God's blessing and safety plus a big hug.  Some even said something in English.  Even the parents gave big hugs.
Rodilio and Marie Augstino,the Director of the Seeds of Liberty and I went to see two of the new girls receiving scholarships in the school.  Their father appeared from up the street with a severe limp.  In fact it looked as though he was using his lower leg as a cane.  He was an absolute delightful man and upon asking he informed us that he had polio when he was two and he is now 31.His leg has no muscle and his foot is deformed.  He was left by his first wife with three small children, married a few years later and had three more children.  So, there are six children and two adults living in a two bedroom house which was very clean and tidy.  He works as a nightwatchman at the nearby college for their support.
In the morning, after an interesting evening with a family who spoke no English, I immediately thought of Emanuel and want to help him to less pain now and in the future.  So I got the family to understand that I wanted to take Emanuel to FOBF to see if they could do anything.  Now, I'm in their truck with three people who speak no English.  We did manage.  As it turns out, he needs to see an orthopedists and Rodilio is taking him to San Pedro on the 25th to a clinic.  I think he needs a built up shoe and a brace above his knee so he can walk straight and won't have to bend over holding his knees to walk.  Praise God for his messages to help those in need.

Another Honduras Adventure August 7-15,2010

Sorry for the late entry but life happens in between.  After a 51/2 hour layover in El Salvador and a much needed time to relax, I found Elmer and two interns waiting for me in the airport.  In the morning I had a wonderful surprise, Rodilio said I could use his extra car for a few days. That just suited me fine and Hanna, an intern and I went straight to the Martinez House to see the progress and also to have Hanna as a translator.  Wed. was my day with Elmer  as it was his day off.  Because I am always impressed with what Sister Maria does at her Soup Kitchen, we went there and found all the bins full of corn, beans and rice. She was so excited because someone had given her two cows and she could give the children the nutrition of milk.  However, we met five children, ages 3-14,who had been orphaned for only two months due to their mother dying of aids and no family to care for them.  Sister Maria was given custody of them.  When I asked her what her greatest need was, she said for the children to have mattresses.  Through the generosity of FOBF we have five mattress and also though money given to me from a member in our church, The children all have new colorful sheet sets.  God is good.

Returning to Honduras

I'm returning to Honduras June 7 for a week just to touch base and see how the sponsored children are doing in school.  The Martinez house is also being built and I'm anxious to see progress on that project.  There are teachers needed for all the schools we are associated with and I want to check out the places to live and what is needed.  This is truly a very exciting time in our lives and we look forward to seeing what is in store for us in the future.  Keep our missions in your prayers as we follow God's guidance.

Arrival Safe and Sound

The computers were picked up today by the headmaster of the Cortes International School, after several glitches and duty payments.  They are very thankful to everyone who made this mission possible.  Now our prayer is that they will be used to create skills for the betterment of the children, their families and their country.  They will be going to the Cortes International School in Puerto Cortes, Lago de Yojoa Christian School in Pena Blanca, Seeds of Liberty Christian School in Las Vegas and Rancho Ebenezer near Tegucigalpa.  Bless all of you who have helped make this possibl

Honduras Here We Come

The 45 Computers were picked up on Monday in Penna.and delivered to the port in Deleware.  Tuesday they were on the ship leaving for a Sunday arrival in Puerto Cortes.  So exciting and we pray that God will make the arrival and pick up easy.  Sometimes it is difficult to bring things into the country.Will post later how all things went.

Another shower of blessings

Through more networking, we were connected with a blessed Honduran woman who owns a shipping company out of Deleware.  Because she knows we are doing many things for the children in Honduras, she is letting us send the 45 complete computers at no charge.  Is that not wonderful?  She even found a trucking company near Harrisburg that will pick up the computers and deliver them to the port.  We are waiting for a price from the trucking company.  Mario,from the Bilingual school in Puerta Cortes, will meet the ship when it arrives and pick up the computers for the three schools.  He also has several people who will pay the duty if there is one.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  Sometimes we need to stop and realize that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is alive, well and real.  Will keep you informed as plans work out. 

More good news

The Martinez father has been cutting down trees next to their present house in preparation for their future home.  We are getting closer but there are still more details before building.  The man who is going to do the building works on the El Mochito mine compound and is very happy to do the work.  His name is Marco.  We met him while we were there in Feb.  He has the biggest hands I have ever seen so I'm sure he can do a great job.LOL
Other good news We now have 44 children attending school but we have set 50 as our limit.  We want to still know their names and where they live.  Our personal contact means alot to the families and to our mission.  God has been so good through this whole process.  Thanks again for your prayers.

Good news from Honduras

We are getting closer to having a house built for the Martinez family.  They have much need for a house with a floor and stable walls.  They now live in a house with three rooms, a dirt floor and seven people sleep there.  They cook inside on an open fire which causes the rooms to be filled with smoke causing respiratory problems. The baby crawls around on the dirt inside and outside where the dogs and chickens freely roam. 
Mila, the new mayor of Las Vegas, acquired money for the building supplies from the municipality. We are so excited. The next step, after the money is received, is to contact the mine for matching money.  So stay tuned for continued information.  Hopefully I can attach a picture of the Martinez family.  Keep our projects in your prayers.

Latest news on Friday

Again recheduled our flight for Sunday, Feb 14 as DC had another big snow on Wed.  We chose to stay here rather than be stranded in Atlanta.  Even though we hear Atlanta has had snow today, we are praying that the runways remain open.  
  I also visited the newly painted school in El Eden today and there where children everywhere.  In one classroom alone there were 40 students and another with 30.  There are two shifts per day- 8-1 and 1-5. 250 children attend this school.  There are 6 rooms and a library which has very few books.  There is a seventh room but the roof collapsed and no one has the money to fix it.  We are contacting several sources to see if a roof can be purchased and built, which would add another room.  No one spoke English so I just smiled and took pictures. There will always be so many projects.

Honduran gift to Elmer

Remember the little boy who had Leukemia and wanted to go to school. Whe he got to school the next day there was no desk for him. We got an extra desk from our friends at a private school  and when Elmer took the desk to his house the grandmother was so happy she gave Elmer a live chicken as a gift.  Elmer's family enjoyed lots of chicken soup.  I can just imagine Elmer driving down the road with a chicken under his arm.  One good deed deserves another, right?

Home safe and sound

Finally after two reschedulings, we able to leave Honduras on Sunday Feb. 14 as the airports were open in Atlanta and DC. During our wait time in San Pedro and Atlanta we were blessed to spend much time with Nancy, one of the new directors of Friends of Barnabas,  It was great to get to know her and her vision for the foundation.  We look forward to meeting her husband and working with them in their new positions.  After we go through re-entry, I will post things as they develop.  God bless you all again for supporting these wonderful children.

Visiting the children and delivering gifts

Friday Elmer and I delivered the gifts to the children in El Eden near the newly painted school.  They we all so excited as they never get gifts and they loved seeing the pictures of those who sponsored them to go to school.  We are bringing letters back for all the sponsors to show their gratitude. There is now a total of 38 children attending school because of you, the sponsors. God bless you for your love and care for these children.   There was one little boy age seven, who has leukemia and his mother was sad because they didn't have money to send him to school.  Now he is able to go to kndergarten .  They went with us to the store where he got his uniform, shoes, sneaker, backpack and everything he needed.
We saw the newly painted school in El Eden but will return later as many parents and children were still cleaning ..  Since we knew we would have an extended stay here,we moved to Las Glorias, a nearby Honduran resort on the lake, where we knew the food was safe and the water was dependable.

Back to last thursday

Since the Seeds of Liberty Christian school wants to partner with the Cortes bilingual school we went with the new English teachers and founders of the school on a day trip to Puerta Cortes.  It was about a three hour drive but when we got there the headmaster was cooking lunch for us.  It was wonderful. The children only go to school from 8-2. So when we got there the children were gone.  The teachers got together and decided what books the children would need to learn to speak English.  When the children finish 7th grade at this school they speak three languages. English Spanish and French.  The Headmistress speaks 8 languages from traveling as a child.  Mario the headmaster took us to his parents home which overlooked the ocean and everything was absolutely beautiful.  After the long ride home, we met Elmer for few minutes since he just got home and we crashed.

Blessed are the Flexible

Well, here we are twelve days later and hoping to get home soon.  With all the snow in DC and the runways closed, we chose to remain here rather than be stuck in Atanta.  Unfortunately, there were no Delta flights until Thursday.  So, because we could only make changes to our flights once without an extra charge, tomorrow we have to at least go to Atlanta.  Who knows when we will get to DC and home.  There is a purpose in everything.  We have had a chance to meet and see many more children and make more contacts.  We have been staying at a hotel on the lake owned by new friends and are also having some R&R after a very busy week God's work. We are coming home with many lettters written by the chidren or parents to all their sponsors.  We hope to have them translated before our arrival.  Will write more later.  Please lift our situation up to the Lord.  So far our attude remains positive.

Visit to the College(secondary school)

Wednesday we visited the College in Las Vegas where the two oldest Martinez sisters will travel every morning by bus.  They will attend school from 8-1 five days a week and which will  begin on Monday.  We waited to meet the principal who was very nice and will do everything to help the girls.  We even have a teacher friend who will help tutor if needed.  Rodilio wanted us to see the Home for the Aging.  This is a project that is unheard of in Honduras.  One side is lined with cots for women and the other for men and they share a courtyard and meals in the dining room.  It was very clean and everyone was so friendly.  The project was built with money from a church and priest in Spain.  The priest at one time lived in Las Vegas.  In the evening we were part of an interview on the local TV station, promoting the Seeds of Liberty School and also talking about the support of American people who we represented.  The new Mayor saw the interview and called to meet us for dinner.  We shared with her our desire to get a new home for the Martinez family.  She wants to meet us at their house on Sat.  She is a very kind, humble person who worked for the Red Cross for 13 years before running for mayor. Big day planned on Thursday/

Tuesday in Las Vegas

After moving to the hotel at EL Mochito Mining camp on Monday evening we settled in for a good night of sleep. Tuesday we visited the Martinez family in Quelepa which is the family we sort of adopted and are helping to a better life. They live in a very bad atmosphere as the floors are dirt and Yeny's 1 yr old baby crawls around outside in the dirt and mud which is where the chickens and dogs run free.  It is so sad to see.
In the afternoon all the children who have sponsors from the US to attend Seeds of Liberty Christian School, gathered with their parents to receive their gifts from the sponsors and thank us for the connection.  Before we left later in the afternoon, they all brought letters for us to bring back home.  How grateful they are for your support.  God bless you.

Patience doesn't come easy

After many glitches in technology, we managed to begin creating blogs again.  Monday we met Pastor Chris who took us to see the Lake Yojoa Billingual Christian School near the Barnabas House.  The children were awesome.  When we entered their rooms, they all stood up and said, Good morning and had a little ritual to greet us. Some even sang songs in English and they all speak English very well.  We then drove up a very rough road to Sister Maria's (a nun) where she has a morning day care so the older siblings can go to school rather than take care of the younger siblings.  She feeds 112 children two good meals with donations.   When we got there the bins for beans, rice and corn were empty.  The children had nothing to eat.  She was so excited when we gave her a donation and rode with us to town to get food.  The children would have chicken and rice for the next day. Her whole life is devoted to the children. More entries later.  Praise be to God.
Pray that we can get home soon as we are flying into DC whenever they open the airport.

It takes much patience

a House.

First days in Honduras

Hello from Honduras.  After a late flight and being met by the director or Friends of Barnabas at the airport, we were escorted out of the city to familiar territory.  Thank you Melvin.  I soon recognized the route and even felt comfortable driving like a maniac.  We arrived at the Alfredo House and were greeted by the security guard who spoke nor read  English and since Elmer was not there, because of the death of his father, we had to use smiles, hugs and charades to communicate.  We WILL learn Spanish. We were greeted on Sunday morning by a lady who spoke English and invited us to her billingual church service across the road.  What an awesome service.  The pastor spoke in English with a Spanish translator.    The church had no window panes and there was no roof on the children's SS room but the Spirit was definately there.  It's being finished in stages by volunteers.  After a late lunch at Los Glorias(a resort)with the pastor and his wife from New Mexico,we were happy for some total solitude.
Will add more tomorrow as this is getting lengthy.

Good news from Alabama and Penna

Just got news today that two men from Alabama will be visiting the private Christian school in Las Vegas, Hond. and also the school in Puerta Cortes to check to see if they meet the requirements.  That is good news as it will make a difference in their communities.  Clean drinking water from Living Waters for the World. Also heard from the shippers (Missionary Expeditors) and they can ship the computers for $2317.  That is a good price considering they pick them up at the warehouse in Pa.  They will be shipped from Baltimore directly to Puerta Cortes and they will check on dates whenever the money is received.  I'm checking with fraternities and other association to work on fundraisers or grants for this project.  We only need $270 for the computers which come from Compministry and are $6 each for the entire unit.  Hard to believe.  They are used and refurbished from colleges and are boxed and waiting on skids for shipping. If you can give me suggestions as to how to get funds, I would appreciate any and all.  God's work done in God's way, will never lack for supplies.

God is Good

We now have all 10 buckets of paint donated and Brian sent a moneygram to purchase the paint for our arrival.  Hopefully the rainy season will cease by that time.  The children will be so excited.
Through a team member and other contacts in Texas and Alabama, the two private school in Honduras may be getting Living Waters purification systems.  A Chrisian group in Northern Alabama was looking for a contact in Honduras for systems they had ready and through five different channels we were connected.   Coincidence is truly not a factor here.  It is God's goodness.  The school will maintain the systems and sell, for a meger amount, water to the community to sustain it.  This is so exciting.  Stay tuned for other blessings

A new mission in Honduras-One time overview

I thought I would share a little background of our other mission in Honduras. When I was called to join another FOBF team in November,  I decided to spent an extra week there to help or just enjoy my friends,  Remembering that children cannot attend school there unless they can afford uniforms, shoes, etc., I inquired as to how much it would cost per child. $80 per child is the cost for the year. God  blessed us with 30 generous, caring friends and family from the US, who sponsored children to go to school in Honduras.  With the help of Elmer, community coordinator with Friends of Barnabas, Rodilio, one of the founders of the private Christian school and the director of that school, we found, visited and equipped 32 children so they could start school in February.  Many of the children in Pena Blanca are neighbors of  Elmer, and each one has their own  amazing story. Ex: father of eight loosing his leg trying to come to the US, family of eight living in two rooms with the rain running through when it rains, a little boy age 11 who became paralyzed during surgery for hydrocephalus who will begin 1st grade.  He is so excited to start school even though he is wheel chair bound. Also, there is a boy in Las Vegas who has leukemia and is dyslexic who just graduated from 6th grade and because the kids make fun of him, his mother didn't want him to go to school.  With a promise of tutoring he will continue to 7th grade. He and his sister are both adopted and their father just lost his job.  The stories are endless.
 The purchase of the gear was very interesting. We went to a little store in Pena Blanca with a list of sizes, genders and choices.  Even with challenge of the language barrier and confusion, we got the shopping completed.  Elmer, was a huge help as he speaks English very well , was able to climb on the shelves for shoes and had a great sense of humor.  Each child had their own bag of goodies and received them for Christmas. This included Navy pants or skirts, white shirts, Black dress shoes, sneakers and backpacks,etc.  We had to take a day to go to the city to purchase all the other schools supplies. Because the children in Las Vegas wear light blue uniforms, they had to be ordered.
The children sponsored are from two locations.  The group in Pena Blanca will go to public school. The group in Las Vegas(Honduras) will go to public school and also a private Christian school called Seeds of Liberty.  Rodlio, an awesome, visionary man who also works for the mine, took me to meet many people in Las Vegas including the mayor and the lady running against him in the election.  She won (yeah)and I will enjoy meeting with her again when we return.   I am working on getting the city to build a new house for the family with the two rooms with flowing water.
Those are the blessings and these are the needs.  The school in Pena Blanca is in great need of paint and repair.  It will take 10- 5gallon buckets of paint at $50 each.  I now have 5 paid.  We have a painter there who has volunteered his time to coordinate parents and children to paint the school.  Our hope is that it will help create a sense of pride in the school and promote a better environment for learning.  Second, there is a source for used computers from computer ministry in Penna. that are available for $6 per complete computer-yes, $6.  I have requested 45.  It will be a process but they are badly needed at the Christian school and also another International school in Puerto Cortes that we visited in Nov.  They have to be shippped in a container from Baltimore to Puerto Cortes.  I will have more details later.  There are also several other children who would like to attend school.  So if you would like to help with any of these projects, please let me know.  God is in control of this whole process.  He has given the vision and  it's up to us to follow His call.  May God richly bless you.

Anxious to share Honduras with my husband

Brian and I will be arriving in  Honduras Jan 30- Feb. 7,2010, renting a car and hopefully the school will be painted during that time, among other things.  Will keep you posted.  Much planning in the next three weeks.  Keep us in your prayers.