Feeding Center

Yesterday ground was broken on  the feeding center/church in Buen Samaritano.  The footers were dug.

Here stands Marc explaining the layout of the new feeding center to me.

Today the plan was for concrete to be mixed and poured into the footers.  But, as we all know, the best laid plans do not always come to fruition in Honduras.  A water truck got stuck in the entrance to Buen Samaritano.  I would not try to drive around the truck.  Marc drove the car for me and he drove it back out again, when I was ready to leave.  

The site looks just like this tonight.  The water truck finally was moved.  The sand and the gravel could not get to the site because of the stranded water truck.  The sand and gravel arrived late in the day.  Concrete work will start tomorrow.  Welcome to Honduras, Team Oklahoma.

Praise God for this building which will feed kids 5 days a week and nourish the souls of the children and their parents on Sunday.

Terri

Fogon

We have a new outdoor stove, known as a fogon.  It is a woodburner.  It is an eco-fogon, which means it burns 2/3 less wood than a regular fogon.  Elvia is quite excited about this edition and proudly showed she three pots cooking at the same time.  We will still use the indoor stove, but this will save money.  Also, our girls need to learn to cook on the fogon.  It is a huge temptation to Americanize them, but, in reality, they have to learn to live in this country after they leave here.  We hope to learn to make our own tortillas, among other things.

Right now, the excitement is running high, as with any new object.  Well, Fernando is not too excited.  Because he stole some money at school, he is the wood-gatherer.  He was hot and sweaty on Saturday and really did not want that job any more.

The fogon is next to the pila and is covered.

Do you think I can get Thanksgiving dinner prepared on it?  Do you think I am even going to try?  The answer is no, to both questions.

Terri

Green Shoes

Miss Guadalupe is very proud of her green shoes.  She wears them frequently.  When I got home last week, it was the very first thing she showed me.  Aren't they cute?

Tug-Of-War

Today Team Oklahoma arrived.  A group of 28 (25 newbies) came ready to work.  First stop, Casa de Esperanza.  They came bringing a tug-of-war rope.

Scott Coleman knows what a tug-of-war rope is

Kids came running and grabbed the rope.  The adults joined, too; just not quiet as quickly as the kids.

One employee joined the fun

And, of course, a cheater in every bunch

There were lots of screams and cheers and laughter.  I am sure we will be seeing more of the rope in the week to come.

Terri

Another Angel Has Gone Home

We learned today that Vitalina died last week.  I know she is in heaven today with a body that is no longer sick.  No longer hurting.  She showed everyone around her how to live and how to die.  Her story is a sad one.

I haven't seen Carla yet, but I talked to her on the phone.  It goes without saying, she is sad.  She will be sad for a long time.  She loved her mother.  I think her dad and her brothers are in good hands, though. 

We plan to help this family for as long as they need it.  Thanks to those who have donated for that cause.  Right now, let us all lift them in prayer as they grieve the loss of a wife and mother.

Terri

London On A Budget

We knew things in London were expensive.  We just did not know how expensive. 

Yesterday we did a walking tour of London.  We saw most of the things to see in one day.  From the outside.  It cost to go in everything, even the churches.  We started by walking from Dan and Linda's along the River Thames.  We crossed the Tower Bridge.  We stopped for coffee and a bagel near the London Bridge.  Continuing beside the river, we soon crossed over on the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian bridge, which took us directly to St. Paul's cathedral.  We walked around that for a while and walked on down the street, seeing all sorts of sites.  Later we crossed back over the river and saw, not rode, the Eye of London.  Then we walked across the river again on the Westminster bridge, where we could easily see the houses of Parliament and Big Ben.  We walked around Parliament Square for a bit and around Westminster Abby.  All the while, I am clicking away.  Some of the buildings of which I took pictures, I don't even know what they are.  They are huge, massive, beautiful structures.

We continued making our way to Buckingham Palace.  Marc rested and I walked around taking pictures of everything I could.  We then strolled through peaceful Saint James Park.  With the help of the internet and maps, Marc says we walked about 10 miles.  I am comfortably assured of walking off last weekend's cream cake.

Today, we saw the Tower of London.  This is the only thing we are paying to see.  It was impressive.  Our guide was very knowledgeable.  I think most British are very polite, very well-dressed, very formal, very knowledgeable and very proud of their heritage.

I think tomorrow might be a day for museums since they are all free.

Terri

England

In August 2013 we will see the first team from England.  We are excited about this opportunity.  Right now we are spending time with those folks that plan on coming to Honduras to work next summer.  We are missionaries.  I was a bit hesitant about coming to England for several reasons, one being we are missionaries.  We used frequent flyer miles and here we are.

We spent the weekend near Nottingham.  Saturday we went to Chatsworth.  In a land of castles and queens, the story of Chatsworth is something of a fairy tale.  When one of the family members died, to pay the death taxes, all these little businesses were started.  A farm, a store, touring the mansion.  I believe it is the only mansion not home by the government.  When a family can't pay the death taxes, the estate must be turned over to the government.

We saw some of the countryside and small towns that are just so englishly charming.  We went to Bakewell and had famous Bakewell pudding.  I could, indeed, get use to the English life; mid-afternoon tea, cream cakes.  I will be hitting the treadmill hard next week.

It is cold this far north, but as is the case everywhere we have been, fellowship with other Christians is warm and sweet.  I continue to be amazed at how small this world is.  We met people with whom our paths have crossed before.  And there is always someone that knows someone we know, even in England.

We are off to London for a few days.  We will see Dan and Linda and spend a few days sightseeing before returning to Nottingham again for the weekend.

One of the very best things is I am really taking some time off.  I have not worked in any form or fashion since Thursday.   Yay me!

We are having a jolly good time.  

Prayers needed as Marc negotiates driving on the left side of the road.  We will park the car in an hour or so and not return to it again until Friday.

Terri