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.