Monday, January 31, 2011

Heartbreaking News

Yesterday afternoon Marc went to Nueva Oriental.  He left there with very sad news.  The feeding center has closed.  This feeding center has fed about 300 kids 5 days a week for a long time.  For most of those children, it is the only food they receive.

The feeding center has always closed for 2-4 weeks around Christmastime, but due to financial problems, it could not reopen.  We  have always shared food that came in on the containers, but it wasn't enough to keep the doors open.

Many of our groups have worked there and fallen in love with the children and the workers. 

This is so sad for all those children that are not eating and for the people that work there that are not receiving a paycheck to feed their families. 

We need to pray for a solution.

Terri

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Budding Artists

Several of the kids have been taking art classes since school was out in November.  The older kids would have class one week and the younger ones the next week.  The kids have enjoyed this activity.

All of their pictures have been framed and some are even under glass.  Today, the teacher displayed all of their drawings and had a small art show.  Some of the pictures are quite well-done.
Some of the kids' drawings are displayed for the art show.

The kids were excited about their work.  No one bought any of the drawings today, but I am thinking there are some sponsors that are going to want to buys some of these drawings.
The kids, their drawings and the teacher.



Friday, January 28, 2011

Birthday Pizza

While Marc and I were in the States, four of the kids had birthdays.  Marc told them earlier in the week that we would take them to town tonight for pizza to celebrate a belated birthday.  Jose and Jackson were excited, Doris didn't care one way or the other and Ana nearly drove me crazy all week as she asked about the outing every few minutes.

One suggested we eat chicken but was perfectly happy when we arrived at the Pizza Hut.

We ordered pizza and soda and let the kids play on the playground while we waited on the pizza.
I am with the birthday honorees, Jose, Ana, Jackson and Doris



We ordered plenty of pizza and let the kids eat all they wanted.
Jose ate until he claimed he could eat no more.

Then we ordered a sundae grande.  When the waiter brought it to the table, Ana's eyes were so big I thought they might pop right out of her head.  All of a sudden, everyone thought they could eat some more.

Sharing the sundae grande

And Jackson getting the very last drop

Marc and I enjoyed this special treat with the kids, as did they.  We think we will do this for everyone this year.  So, after the next four birthdays, we will be making another trip to the Pizza Hut

Happy belated birthday  Ana, Jose, Doris, and Jackson.

Terri

Thursday, January 27, 2011

An Evening At Manos Felices

Rosy, Daniela, and Sisi with their painted faces

This evening there was an event at Manos Felices, Rosy's school.  Marc and I decided we would take Rosy and a few others.  Karen decided that the five kids that do not get to go to visitation tomorrow would go.  I liked that.  We left here about 3:30.  We had to stop for gas and Rosy and Sisi were fighting before we got the car full of gas.  I thought it might be a long evening.  Thankfully, things settled down for the ride to town.

We arrived at Manos Felices to games, balloons, and face painting.  All five of the kids got a face or a hand painted.  I love to watch Rosy in her world, where she can communicate with others.

We were then served a nice meal and the event was over.

Then the real fun began.  We were no more than five minutes from Manos Felices, traffic is backed up, and Daniela announces she has to go to the bathroom.  I say, "sorry," and Marc says you should have gone before we left Manos Felices, there is only five bathrooms there.  Both Daniela and Sisi chime in and say no there's not, there's only four.  Whatever.

There is absolutely no place to stop and we are not going very fast.  Daniela just keeps saying she has to go to the bathroom, NOW.  And then Sisi begins to say the same thing.  More than 30 minutes later, we get to Burger King.  All five kids jump out of the car and start running for the entrance, with Daniela and Sisi holding themselves.  I wasn't going to let those kids go into Burger King without supervision, so I am right behind them.  Burger King is fairly crowded and half the crowd turns to see what is walking, or I should say running, through the front door.

Rosy finishes first and washes her hands and wants to leave the bathrmoom.  There is not even a slight chance I will let that child leave the bathroom without me.  I am quite sure Burger King's electricity bill was doubled from the number of times Daniela and Sisi used the dryer.

At last, I had everyone back in the car and we were headed for Santa Ana.  We still had a lot of traffic to battle and it was a long trip home. 

Mostly, it was a good evening and the kids had a lot of fun.

Terri

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Car Repairs

Before I left for the States, I had said the transmission in the trooper was slipping.  I had the transmission fluid checked and it was fine.  Karen had the fluid checked while I was gone and it was fine. We returned to Honduras on Thursday.  Marc put the trooper in the shop on Friday.

The shop to which we took the car, is a bit more expensive than some others, but they can work on automatic transmissions and they always do a good job on the fixing the cars. 

Monday, we were told that the problem was not the transmission, thank you Lord.  The shop said they weren't sure yet what the problem was, but it was not the transmission.

Last night Milton called and said the car was ready and could be picked up today.  Marc asked the cost and was told 500 limpiras, which converts to $26.00.  Don't you love it, $26.00 for car repairs.

Terri

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Braids, Braids, And More Braids

Ana

Most of our girls love to have their hair done in some way other than a ponytail.  Fortunately, Dalys, the counselor, loves to braid hair.  Yesterday, she worked on several of the girls' hair.  The were sporting pretty braids all day yesterday, and some of them still had their braids for church this morning. 

Cindy


Reina and Doris


Saturday, January 22, 2011

Blue Skies, Sunshine, And Warm Temperatures

It was cold while we were in the States.  Cold at the beach, cold in Texas, cold in Atlanta when we left.  The prediction was for more cold, ice and snow.  I know my friends in Illinois and Oklahoma and other places received what was predicted as many parts of the country became a deep freeze.

In Honduras, the winter months are the dry season, meaning the hottest months of the year.  When we stepped off of the plane in Tegucigalpa, I was shedding my jacket.  It was hot. 

Today in Santa Ana was just about a perfect day, weatherwise.  The kids were enjoying the soccer field, among other outdoor activites.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Ten Years Old

Ana and Jackson recently had birthdays.  Both were ten years old.  Turning ten at Casa de Esperanza is a huge milestone.  It means you no longer have to take a nap.  Both Ana and Jackson have been anticipating this for some time.  I think Ana has been more excited than Jackson.  Not taking a nap means extra chores after lunch.  When school is out, like now, after those chores are done, the kids can read or color.  They cannot go outside to play, though.  During the school year, they can start on their homework, which has to be completed before playing outside.  Ana loves to work.  She won't mind the extra chores.  We will have to see about Jackson.

Some day, when the kids are my age, they will say, " Oh, to be nine years old again,  when we got to take a nap.

Terri

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Never Enough Time

Tomorrow at this time, I will be home.  Home in Santa Ana, Honduras.  I am ready.  As ready as I am, there is just never enough time to do everything.

It goes without saying there is never enough time when we are with the kids and the grandgirls.  Never.  Never enough time with our families in Texas.  Never enough time to visit all of the churches we like to visit.  We really missed not getting to go to Topeka, Jacksonville, Overland Park and several others.  When we visit the places that were once home, like Fairview Heights and Columbus, there is never enough time to see everyone and do everything.  We tried, but there was not enough time and never will be.

Yesterday got so busy there wasn't even time for one more trip to Wal-Mart. 

There was not enough time to go everywhere and see everyone, but the places we went and the people we saw uplifted and encouraged us.  We are renewed and refreshed, ready to get to the work God has planned for us.  Thank you for sharing your time with us.

Terri

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Another Great Weekend

Gulf Coast Getaway has been amazing.  We have been blessed far more than we blessed.  The church of the future is in very good  hands.

Here in Panama City Beach, there has been at least 7 baptisms.  And at home, in Santa Ana, there has been 10 baptisms.  God be praised.

There is much to be thankful for as this weekend ends.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Draw Me Deeper Lord

Marc and I are enjoying a time at Gulf Coast Getaway.  The singing is heavenly and Randy Harris is presenting some awesome lessons. Marc did two break out sessions this afternoon and will speak tomorrow night.  The fellowship is warm.  This is a great way to spend our last few days in the States.

As we sang "Draw me deeper, Lord" this morning, I was moved.  I do want to be drawn deeper to the Lord.  I also noticed there are college campuses full of people that want to be drawn deeper to the Lord also.  College students everywhere are no longer content to sit in the pews to worship.  The deeper relationship they strive to have is worshipping God by serving.  They are serving in their communities, as well as globally.  This is the deeper relationship we all long for. 

I think campus ministers in our Christian universities and the state universities as well, are to be praised for the work they are doing.  And of course,  before this happens, to God be the glory.

Terri
P.S.  It is warmer, but still cold on the beach.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Sunset On The Gulf



Today, we drove to Panama City Beach, Florida. From Friday to Sunday, we will be attending Gulf Coast Getaway. There will be over 2500 college students. Marc will be leading two break out sessions and speaking Sunday night. He is here to uplift and encourage, but we know, before we leave, we will be uplifted and encouraged.

We had a nice drive from Baton Rouge today. We got to Panama City Beach before sunset. We were not going to be to our room, and knowing how much I love to watch a beautiful sunset, he pulled into one of the beach access places.

We walked out to an almost deserted beach. There was about a half a dozen other people walking the white sandy beach. I have never seen a deserted beach and it was beautiful. The waves were small and calm. The reflection from the setting sun sinking into the ocean made the white sand appear a pale pink. We watched until the sun disappeared and headed back to the car.

As beautiful as it was, there is just something wrong about needing to be bundled up in coat in gloves on a Florida beach, even in January.

Terri

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Fun In Baton Rouge

Marc and I arrived in Baton Rouge on Thursday afternoon. We are staying with our friends, Kin and Donna Ellis. We are doing a lot of chilling. In more ways than one. It is cold here, but I guess I should not complain. It is not Borger, Texas cold or Atlanta cold or St. Louis cold. We are relaxing and preparing for our time at Gulf Coast Getaway and then returning to Honduras.

We have not been in Baton Rouge many times. I have been here more than Marc. The only way we know to get any where is from Matt and Nicole's apartment. They don't live here any more, but we still refer to it as Matt and Nicole's. We spend a lot of time on Stumberg so we can find where we want to go. This does not sound like two people who drive in Tegucigalpa, does it? Not to mention, that to go to Matt and Nicole's and then drive to where we want to be, is usually the long way there.

Today, we went to the post office, the one by Matt and Nicole's. Then we needed an Office Depot. Before we found Office Depot, we decided beignets would be good. We had no idea where Coffee Call was so we called Matt in Costa Rica to ask. We found Coffee Call, Office Depot and Wal-Mart all in the same center. We were sure it was meant to be to go for beignets. The beignets were hot and wonderful.

As usual, the Tindalls are having grand adventures.

Terri

Saturday, January 8, 2011

WOW!!

This is the time of the year when I have to think about contribution statements. I actually have to do a lot more than just think about them.

Tonight I was starting to type those letters to our donors. WOW! There is a lot of them. That is not a bad thing.

Many people have given and given and given some more. You have given to Casa de Esperanza, to the dump, to Los Pinos, to Santa Ana, and to other places as well. Hungry people have been fed, houses built, children cared for, Bibles distributed. Those in prison were visited, medicine given to the sick and the good news of Jesus was spread.

I want to thank every single donor for every single donation. None of this could have been done without you.

All of us thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God bless you in 2011.

Terri

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

A Sad State Of Affairs

Recently, a press conference was held and a performance report card was released. The facts in this report card are pretty dismal and attempts have been made by both the previous and current presidents to keep these facts hidden.

Well over one million Hondurans do not have access to any kind of healthcare. It is hard for me to imagine being sick or having a sick child and not any access to any kind of health services. Furthermore, thirty per cent of all healthcare facilities remain closed because they were only built for political campaign purposes. Money spent on big buildings and the buildings are sitting there not being used. In addition, there are no defined rules for the acquisition of medicines, leading to huge acts of corruption.

Education in Honduras is of extremely poor quality. Honduran children, on the average, receive about 120 of schooling a year, far below most other countries. Children in Haiti receive an average of 200 days per year. In 2009, the year of the political crisis, Honduran children received less and 100 days of school. Yet, across the board, they were promoted to the next grade. Average scores for students in 3rd and 6th grades were 45% in spanish (their native language) and 38.8% in math. No wonder there was an attempt to hide this information.

Healthcare and education are vital to improving the quality of life for all Hondurans. I pray that powers that be in Honduras will find a way to help all people and not continue oppressing the poor.

Terri

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Out Of The Mouth Of A Babe

Last week, Marc, Camille and I were riding along and something was said and Marc or I one kind of said something else. Camille got defensive and said, "but my daddy said. And, I can't think of a single time he has ever been wrong." What admiration a child has for her daddy.

I hope she still feels that way when she is 16.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all took that position as we think on the things our Heavenly Father has said and were willing to state it the same way, "but my Daddy said, and I can't think of a single time He has ever been wrong."

Terri