From the time Marc and I began coming to Honduras on mission trips, people from Borger, Texas encouraged us. They helped raised money and items to bring. Then one year, one of them came with us. The next year five came. That year they raised over $10,000 for benevolence, over and above the cost of their trips. Marc gave the five of them pink tool belts.
They still come. They still wear their pink tool belts. They still raise a lot of money. They participate in all our projects and are some of our cheerleaders. While they are here, they work hard. They are not afraid to mix concrete, shovel dirt, haul big rocks or whatever needs to be done. Lanetta can lead a house crew and build it perfectly. Maria is driving one of the trucks and using a chainsaw as well.
Yesterday, they hauled rock, moved dirt, mixed some concrete and then came to help me price items for the store so that I could get ready for last night. They never complain. They have to be tired, but no one would ever know it.
Yes, Borger girls rock. And not just the ones that come to Honduras, all of you rock.
Terri
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Anniversaries
This past week was one full of anniversaries.
Seven years ago the church at Los Pinos was constructed and opened its doors. The church is thriving and continues to be a beacon in the community.
Five years ago, the church here in Santa Ana was completed and the first worship was held there. Our little church has seen some growth this year, not only in the number of people attending, but in the number of Bible studies and baptisms. We praise God for this.
Also, five years ago, ground was broken for Casa de Esperanza. How things have changed since then. And how the time has flown. It seems like only yesterday, we broke ground.
I pray that Casa de Esperanza and both churches see many more anniversaries.
Terri
Seven years ago the church at Los Pinos was constructed and opened its doors. The church is thriving and continues to be a beacon in the community.
Five years ago, the church here in Santa Ana was completed and the first worship was held there. Our little church has seen some growth this year, not only in the number of people attending, but in the number of Bible studies and baptisms. We praise God for this.
Also, five years ago, ground was broken for Casa de Esperanza. How things have changed since then. And how the time has flown. It seems like only yesterday, we broke ground.
I pray that Casa de Esperanza and both churches see many more anniversaries.
Terri
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Cindy
Today is Cindy's ninth birthday. Everyone that has been here the last two or three weeks already knows that as she has told us several times a day.
Cindy is a little stinker sometimes. When we are taking the kids somewhere if they are good, she never gets to go. Marc asked her to go to supper and devo with the group tonight. Therefore, we had her birthday cake before supper. Then we left. Cindy enjoyed being with the group. She loved the attention of being the only child with 80 other people. I was so proud of her tonight. She was a perfect little lady. Yes, I am talking about the same Cindy that never gets to go anywhere because she can't behave before we leave.
Terri
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Vacation Bible School At The Dump
Today is Wednesday, the day hungry people that live and work in the dump get fed. Today other things were planned at the dump as well. A Vacation Bible School and a clothing give away. Seven people came to Casa de Esperanza to work on the soccer field, fifteen went to Los Pinos to build a house and everyone else went to the dump.
People were fed as usual and were given a ticket to get into the clothing give away, which was to be at 1:30 in the school across the street. After feeding, Vickie Cubillos led Vacation Bible School. Many people spent long hours organizing this Vacation Bible School. And songs were practiced in spanish. Vickie has led Vacation Bible Schools in Honduras for years. We always think things went well and Vickie is usually not satisfied with the way things went. Today she was pleased. It must have been something to witness. She had a craft and everything planned.
Then at 1:30, the clothing give away began. This had the potential to get extremely out of hand. Without a doubt, many people prayed about this. Probably all morning. God is good. All the time. The only word I heard about the clothing give away was awesome.
It was another good day at the dump.
Terri
People were fed as usual and were given a ticket to get into the clothing give away, which was to be at 1:30 in the school across the street. After feeding, Vickie Cubillos led Vacation Bible School. Many people spent long hours organizing this Vacation Bible School. And songs were practiced in spanish. Vickie has led Vacation Bible Schools in Honduras for years. We always think things went well and Vickie is usually not satisfied with the way things went. Today she was pleased. It must have been something to witness. She had a craft and everything planned.
Then at 1:30, the clothing give away began. This had the potential to get extremely out of hand. Without a doubt, many people prayed about this. Probably all morning. God is good. All the time. The only word I heard about the clothing give away was awesome.
It was another good day at the dump.
Terri
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ladies Beware
It is always fun to watch Wesley work and share the gospel. Even though he has a different translator, great things are happening in Honduras this summer.
Maria Phillips arrived Sunday and Maria Garcia yesterday. The ladies of Honduras better watch out, as they two godly, spirit-filled ladies team up to work together and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
The next week will be awesome as Wesley and Wilmer continue to work together and the two Marias begin their work.
Terri
Maria Phillips arrived Sunday and Maria Garcia yesterday. The ladies of Honduras better watch out, as they two godly, spirit-filled ladies team up to work together and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
The next week will be awesome as Wesley and Wilmer continue to work together and the two Marias begin their work.
Terri
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Today At Los Pinos
Today the group attended church at Los Pinos. Many in the group were here when we built that church building seven years ago.
Wesley preached this morning. A man named Wilmer was his translator. Wilmer and Wesley did an awesome job. Seven women and two men were baptized this morning. Praise God.
What a great way to start another week in Honduras.
Terri
Wesley preached this morning. A man named Wilmer was his translator. Wilmer and Wesley did an awesome job. Seven women and two men were baptized this morning. Praise God.
What a great way to start another week in Honduras.
Terri
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Prison
Today about twenty people visited the prison. According to all who went, it was an amazing, interesting experience.
Before arriving, the group packed little bags with toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap.
When the group arrived, there was a bit of a delay entering due to a new manager not knowing the proper procedure. While waiting, they played cards with some of the prisoners. Our group was taught a new way to play Go Fish without ever saying "go fish".
It was soon discovered that the prison in Honduras is much different than the ones in the States. The prisoners wore regular clothes, thus it was hard to tell the prisoners from the visitors. If a prisoner does not have family or friends to bring him food, then he eats beans, rice, and tortillas three times a day. Will talked to one man who does not have family or friends. The man stated it was a pretty tough life when there is no family or friends. There were little pulperias inside the prison where the prisoners can buy food and other things if they have the money or have someone bringing them money.
The biggest difference that everyone saw was that there are also churches inside the prison. There was a Catholic Church, a Church of Christ and probably others. Each church had its own little area complete with pews, a microphone, a baptistry. It was noted there was a little chart that told who led singing, who served communion. Sounds like home, doesn't it?
Ryan said that he never felt intimidated or threatened. Everything felt safe. A couple of songs were sung in spanish and then a couple in english. Wesley was asked to preach, and preach he did. There were seven baptisms and two that asked to be restored.
There were at least three Americans in this Honduran prison, one from New Orleans, one from Pennsylvania and one from somewhere I don't remember. Perry visited with each of these three men and said the conversations were interesting.
The married prisoners are allowed to have their wives come two times a month. There are little hut-like things set up that are covered with sheets or blankets during these visits, possibly explaining why there are babies in the prison.
There are about 3000 men prisoners. Will said the ones that have become Christians have a greater comraderie than the others and that they seemed to be a pretty tight little group.
The group then went into maximum security. Some stated they were a little bit afraid and a little bit excited about going into maximum security. All they did there was hand out some of the care packages.
After maximum security, the group went into the women's side. There are 117 women prisoners and about 60 are Christians. Again, it was noticed there was friendship and comraderie among the Christian prisoners.
Most agreed the women looked a little healthier than the men.
A woman can keep her baby in prison with her until the child is two years old. Today there were ten babies in the prison. The women that had babies said it was hard to get diapers and enough formula. One lady asked the group to take her baby because she did not know what would happen to her baby when he turned two. How sad.
Some of the women gave their testimonies and again, Wesley preached. Two women made the decision to be baptized and one was restored.
The group from the prison was very excited about the events of the day. This is something we definitely will do again.
In addition to the prison visit, one house was built today and one group bought fresh fruits and vegetables, packed them and delivered them to 200 families.
It has been another great day in Honduras.
Terri
Before arriving, the group packed little bags with toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap.
When the group arrived, there was a bit of a delay entering due to a new manager not knowing the proper procedure. While waiting, they played cards with some of the prisoners. Our group was taught a new way to play Go Fish without ever saying "go fish".
It was soon discovered that the prison in Honduras is much different than the ones in the States. The prisoners wore regular clothes, thus it was hard to tell the prisoners from the visitors. If a prisoner does not have family or friends to bring him food, then he eats beans, rice, and tortillas three times a day. Will talked to one man who does not have family or friends. The man stated it was a pretty tough life when there is no family or friends. There were little pulperias inside the prison where the prisoners can buy food and other things if they have the money or have someone bringing them money.
The biggest difference that everyone saw was that there are also churches inside the prison. There was a Catholic Church, a Church of Christ and probably others. Each church had its own little area complete with pews, a microphone, a baptistry. It was noted there was a little chart that told who led singing, who served communion. Sounds like home, doesn't it?
Ryan said that he never felt intimidated or threatened. Everything felt safe. A couple of songs were sung in spanish and then a couple in english. Wesley was asked to preach, and preach he did. There were seven baptisms and two that asked to be restored.
There were at least three Americans in this Honduran prison, one from New Orleans, one from Pennsylvania and one from somewhere I don't remember. Perry visited with each of these three men and said the conversations were interesting.
The married prisoners are allowed to have their wives come two times a month. There are little hut-like things set up that are covered with sheets or blankets during these visits, possibly explaining why there are babies in the prison.
There are about 3000 men prisoners. Will said the ones that have become Christians have a greater comraderie than the others and that they seemed to be a pretty tight little group.
The group then went into maximum security. Some stated they were a little bit afraid and a little bit excited about going into maximum security. All they did there was hand out some of the care packages.
After maximum security, the group went into the women's side. There are 117 women prisoners and about 60 are Christians. Again, it was noticed there was friendship and comraderie among the Christian prisoners.
Most agreed the women looked a little healthier than the men.
A woman can keep her baby in prison with her until the child is two years old. Today there were ten babies in the prison. The women that had babies said it was hard to get diapers and enough formula. One lady asked the group to take her baby because she did not know what would happen to her baby when he turned two. How sad.
Some of the women gave their testimonies and again, Wesley preached. Two women made the decision to be baptized and one was restored.
The group from the prison was very excited about the events of the day. This is something we definitely will do again.
In addition to the prison visit, one house was built today and one group bought fresh fruits and vegetables, packed them and delivered them to 200 families.
It has been another great day in Honduras.
Terri
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