The Dump, Again

Today Milton and Luis and I, along with two new friends from Gulfport, Mississippi went to the dump to feed people. They were ravenously hungry and thirsty. There was pushing and shoving and clawing and grabbing to get to the food. No one wanted to wait in line. Everyone wanted their food NOW. The food was gone almost before we began. There were more little boys than I have ever seen at the dump. Some were really little. They were so dirty. I do not know how a little child ends up there.

As the dry season continues, the smell in the dump becomes worse each week. Rotten. Putrid. I can't think of adjectives to describe what we smell. It was hot and there were a couple of fires burning. My stomach turns and we were there for only a short time. Some people live in that smell.

As most people are when they visit the dump for the first time, our Mississippi friends were speechless and touched from deep within. No matter what I say here, you cannot be prepared for the sights, sounds, and smells of the dump.

My friend, Trey Morgan, from Childress, Texas has been touched, deeply touched, by the pictures on this and other blogs. He has not been here yet to see this firsthand, but he has been deeply moved. Next week, on May 5, he is raising money on his blog, www.treymorgan.net so we can continue this weekly feeding at the dump. I am not sure what all Trey has planned, but he is going to be around all day. Please check out his blog.

Terri

Marc Has Gone To Texas

Today Marc left for Texas. He has three very important speaking engagements and will be gone until May 8.

I can promise you, when we moved to Honduras, the thought never entered my mind that I would stay here while Marc went to the States, or anywhere else for that matter. It was beyond what my mind could wrap itself around.

When the invitation came, of course, I was invited, too. That was before we hired Siamara, and now, leaving here and placing Karen in a bind with not enough people to do what needs to be done never entered my mind. I did not have to think about it. I simply said, I cannot go. Marc understood that completely. He did not go with me when I went to speak last November.

For years, I lived with Marc always being gone. It grew old. I know I will miss Marc and be ready for him to be home, but I am thinking I can eat popcorn for supper if I want. And probably will. I can sit in bed and read or work puzzles until 1:00 a.m. if I so desire. I probably won't, though. I am usually way too tired to stay awake that late.

After several issues cropped up today that normally Marc would handle, tonight I am thinking Karen's job may be easier than Marc's.

Terri

Frenzied Friday

Miss Maryuri when she was having a better day than today.

Today everyone had to be somewhere, but not the same place. Some of the kids had to go to school at 8:00, some to visitation, at 10:00, some to Teleton at 11:00, and one had to go to both visitation and Teleton. We sat down and carefully mapped out all of this. Dorian would leave for visitation at 9:00 and get Rosy on his way home. Karen would take the kids to school and stay here and go get them from school. I would leave for Teleton at 9:45. I would drive to Teleton and take Sandra, Doris, and Reina. I would then drive to Casitas Kennedy and get Maryuri and drive back to Teleton. Piece of cake. Right.

All went according to schedule up until the time I left Teleton for Casitas Kennedy. Karen called and said Maryuri's appointment had been changed from 12:00 to 1:00. We decided I would stay at Casitas with Dorian. Since we had not prepared any snack, I would leave Casitas at 12:00 with Maryuri and stop and get sandwiches for the girls and Sandra.

Little Maryuri had a DPT shot yesterday and is not feeling well. When it was time to leave Casitas, she started crying and screaming for her mommy. Then the mother asked if she could go to Teleton with me and talk to someone there. I did not feel good about this at all and said no. Maryuri is screaming and crying louder. I said we will stop at Wendy's. I hated saying that in front of Cindy, Brayan and Jackson because they weren't stopping. They were coming home to eat. That did not appease Maryuri. I took her in my arms and headed to my car. She only screamed louder for mommy.

My stomach and everything else was churning. In my opinion, this mother is crazy. I thought she might show up at Wendy's and/or Teleton. And, if so, I wasn't sure what I would do.

We got to Wendy's and Maryuri would not go to the bathroom, but wanted to play on the playground. I had to say no. She is still screaming for her mommy. I caressed and cuddled and spoke soothing words, all to no avail. I managed to order chicken nuggets for the girls and sandwiches for Sandra and me. When we got back in the car, I managed to settle her a bit. She loves to play where's Maryuri and she had no interest in that today.

I got to Teleton and whisked her inside. I felt safe there because no one gets inside Teleton without the proper papers. When she saw Sandra, she rushed to her. I thought maybe she will completely settle. Sandra picked her up and loved on her. Everyone eagerly ate their food except Maryuri. My stomach was still churning and I should not have eaten my sandwich. I ate it anyway. I wish I had not.

When the psychologist came for Maryuri, Sandra walked her to the door. The psychologist and Maryuri went in and shut the door. In less than five minutes, they came back out and Maryuri was having a complete meltdown. The psychologist could not even begin the session today.

We got in the car and started home.

Reina sang most of the way home. Maryuri would not sing with her. Maryuri refused to talk until we were almost home.

My heart was breaking for the child. I don't know what she was feeling. Try as I may, I could not help her or make it better for her. Please pray for this little one as she experiences emotions most of us have never known.

Terri

Thirsty

In this hot, dry, dusty, smoke-filled season, I am always thirsty. No matter how much water I drink, I can still taste the dust and the smoke and crave more water. Cool water is much better than room temperature water. Marck splurged and bought me a water cooler. And I do appreciate that.

I often think of the dusty little villages that have no water, much less cool water. I do not know how they stand it. Today at the dump, we were busy handing out sandwiches and bananas. I heard Marc say don't give out any more cups, we are out of water. I nearly cried. I know how much I want water. And those people are always thirsty.

As we left the dump, and I was so thirsty, and I knew the people at the dump had to be thirstier than I was, I kept thinking of the Jesus' words about drinking of the living water and never thirsting again. I like that imagery. Of never being thirsty again. Always being quenched. As we give a cup of water in the name of Jesus, I pray those people at the dump will come to know the One that will provide the living water and that they will never thirst again.

Terri

Tia Siamara

Today was the first day for our new tia to work. Siamara and her two girls, Linda and Joselyn have moved to Casa de Esperanza. Many of you will know them from Los Pinos. Siamara is a Christian and has been a hard worker in the congregation at Los Pinos. She also came highly recommended by our good friend Timoteo. She and her girls will be living in the new cottage. In thirty days, we hope to start putting new kids in that cottage with them.

Marc drove to Los Pinos to move Siamara and the girls. Everything they owned easily fit into the back of a pickup truck. Kind of sad.

We will be enrolling the girls in school here in Santa Ana. It appears all three have come ready to work.

Terri

Iglesia De Sordos Nueva Vida

Rosy and I at the dedication

Rosy and Marc coloring at Chili's while we waited for our food

Rosy devouring her sandwich

When Karen and I first visited Manos Felices, we were told once in a while Rosy would need to attend the church for the deaf. The church meets in the same building as the school and is called Iglesia de Sordos Nueva Vida. Church of Deaf New Life. This morning was one of those times. Marc and I took her.

It was a special day at this church. They were having a dedication for the students. Each child went up on the stage, introduced themselves and their parent. Rosy chose me to go with her. She signed her name and introduced me as her mama. I was beaming with pride. It got really hot on that stage with that many people up there. It was really sweet as the children and the teachers were prayed for.

Church was interesting. I never thought about this before, but deaf people do not bow their heads when someone prays. The only way they could possibly know what is being said is to watch what is being signed. There was no sound during the singing, but it was beautiful to watch and they were just as passionate about the words they sung as anyone I have ever seen. The sermon was about Noah and the ark. How only eight people were invited onto the ark, but now God invites everyone in. Latin Americans are very expressive anyway, but with that much hand motion going on, everything was expressive. Everyone was friendly and welcomed us warmly.

After church, we took Rosy to Chili's. Imagine a child who has lived on the streets and fought to survive, going into Chili's that has eight big screen tv's. And hanging lamps. And all sorts of pretty things. It was like taking a child to Disneyland. It was overstimulation. She wanted to touch and explore, but was really good about not doing those things. Of course, the minute we got there, Rosy had to go to the bathroom. Not going into the kitchen was almost too big a temptation. We ordered food, but she wanted hers right now. Marc got some chips and that satisfied. Rosy had a chicken sandwich and french fries. She salted them, licked the salt off and then ate the fries, with a lot of catchup. She ate some of her sandwich as well.

It was an exciting day and Rosy took a short nap on the way home.

Terri

Karen Will Be Home Tonight

Everyone that is on the mission field full time has those special people in our lives that pray for us, encourage us, support us, send an email just at the time we think we cannot go one step more. People from Karen's home church have been in Honduras this week. I did not hesitate one second when I said I would cover for her so she could spend time with her people. We all need that from time to time.



I have known for a long time that Karen is amazing with these kids. I know even better just how amazing she is. I really do better one on one with the kids, or even groups of three or four. I do not do any where near as well as she does with all fifteen. Marc and I did not run as tight a ship as Karen does, but everyone got fed three times a day, got their homework done, got to and from school and appointments and got to bed on time. I think. I hope I did not leave a kid somewhere. We have good employees at Casa that were a tremendous help. All of them had a vital role in helping us so Karen could enjoy this week with friends, but Sandra definitely is the MVP for the week.



Sandra has worked every day. Not had a day off. I asked her last night if she was tired since she had not had a day off. She said no. I said I think I am going to die. She laughed. I was serious.



There were some nights at 8:00 or 8:30 I was not sure I could walk down here to my house. I was exhausted. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.



Marc and I definitely have had some challenges. Some kids that needed to test the waters with different people in control. But we have loved them and know each one a bit better. Today, was the most challenging for everyone. Not only was there no electricity all day and into the night, I think everyone was missing Mommy Karen. They are ready for her to be back.

I know before I even talk to Karen that she had a great time with her friends. I also know, even though at this moment, I am so exhausted I feel I could sleep for a week, that next time Karen's people come to town I will gladly do the same thing all over again.

Terri