I really needed one more day in Mississippi. Too many people I did not get to see. But, when you wake up in Columbus, Mississippi and know you will be sleeping it is a long, long day. Our plans were to go the southern route and eat with friends in Dallas. With Isaac dumping rain all along I-20, I-40 seemed like the better choice for today.
We decided to stop for lunch in Conway, Arkansas. We both began salivating when we saw a Golden Corral as we came off the interstate. But, first we had to find a place to overnight something. That took sufficient enough time that we arrived at Golden Corral at ten minutes before 1:00. We found that for people over 55 there was a very discounted price beginning at 1:00. We waited for 10 minutes. We are both 56 and, clearly, we were, by far, the youngest people waiting on this discounted price. We waited with the red-hatters, among others. We soon were back on the interstate.
It is a long, hot way across Oklahoma.
The Texas panhandle has a beauty all its own. And very few people appreciate that beauty. I am one of them. Texas welcomed me with a God-created sunset. And, I did, indeed, feel very welcome into the state of my birth.
We still had 100 miles to go.
Fifteen hours and 890 miles laters, Borger never looked so good.
We are here with family for a few days.
Terri
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Emma Kate Update
Tonight, the news on Emma Kate is mostly good. She came out of ICU on Saturday. We think her blood levels are back to normal. She is still having trouble with her oxygen level and having to remain under oxygen. She has had several tests, checking for all sorts of things. She smiled for the first time today since she entered the hospital a week ago. That is a definite improvement. We need lots of prayers, still. We want the baby home, but we also want her well.
Nicole is exhausted. And Haley is protesting about Mom being gone so long. Haley has declared she will not talk to Mom until she returns home and is moping around every day waiting for Emma and Mommy to return. The whole family is coveting your prayers
Your prayers and love continue to sustain us.
Terri
Nicole is exhausted. And Haley is protesting about Mom being gone so long. Haley has declared she will not talk to Mom until she returns home and is moping around every day waiting for Emma and Mommy to return. The whole family is coveting your prayers
Your prayers and love continue to sustain us.
Terri
Friday, August 24, 2012
The Deplorable State Of Education In Honduras
Education in Honduras has always been in a deplorable state. And, it is getting worse.
Each year thousands more children are finding a way to attend school. That should be good news. But it really isn't. There are no more classrooms being added, no more textbooks being purchased and no more teachers being hired. We have seen that in Santa Ana. Some of our Casa kids are in classrooms with 50 or more students. How can one teacher possibly teach that many students? Maybe, they are not.
There are over 3000 schools where there is only one teacher. The State says a teacher can easily teach six grades as long as there are not more than 24 total students. In every instance of a school with only one teacher, there are 48 or more students in the school. I don't see how a teacher teaches 48 in the same grade, much less 48 students spanning six grades.
Teachers are striking at least one day a week because they are not being paid. I can't say that I would want to keep working if I wasn't being paid, but the children suffer because of this.
There are over 19,000 elementary schools in Honduras. More than 90% of those need major structural repairs that would cost over 7 million dollars. Dollars, not limpiras. When a country can't pay its teachers, how would they ever pay 7 million dollars for repairs.
The "State of Education in Honduras" reveals cannot possibly meet the Millennium Development Goals in the area of education. One of these goals is by 2015 to reach an enrollment rate of 95% of all children in the primary grades. No one thinks it will happen. And, if it did, could the children be adequately educated in overcrowded, dilapidated classrooms, with not enough textbooks and supplies?
Another goal is to have all children between ages 15 and 24 to have a sixth grade literacy. This is not expected to happen either. What standard is being used to measure sixth grade literacy, I am not sure. Our kids fourth grade teacher was teaching Roman numerals wrong and Karen had to go teach the teacher. And having to write the numbers from 1 to 30,000 in the course of the school year is not productive learning. I could give several examples of inadequate, unproductive learning that I see being required of our kids every day.
Honduras is lagging far behind in the area of education even among other countries in Latin America. What kind of future is there for Honduras as another generation is barely able to read and write?
Terri
Each year thousands more children are finding a way to attend school. That should be good news. But it really isn't. There are no more classrooms being added, no more textbooks being purchased and no more teachers being hired. We have seen that in Santa Ana. Some of our Casa kids are in classrooms with 50 or more students. How can one teacher possibly teach that many students? Maybe, they are not.
There are over 3000 schools where there is only one teacher. The State says a teacher can easily teach six grades as long as there are not more than 24 total students. In every instance of a school with only one teacher, there are 48 or more students in the school. I don't see how a teacher teaches 48 in the same grade, much less 48 students spanning six grades.
Teachers are striking at least one day a week because they are not being paid. I can't say that I would want to keep working if I wasn't being paid, but the children suffer because of this.
There are over 19,000 elementary schools in Honduras. More than 90% of those need major structural repairs that would cost over 7 million dollars. Dollars, not limpiras. When a country can't pay its teachers, how would they ever pay 7 million dollars for repairs.
The "State of Education in Honduras" reveals cannot possibly meet the Millennium Development Goals in the area of education. One of these goals is by 2015 to reach an enrollment rate of 95% of all children in the primary grades. No one thinks it will happen. And, if it did, could the children be adequately educated in overcrowded, dilapidated classrooms, with not enough textbooks and supplies?
Another goal is to have all children between ages 15 and 24 to have a sixth grade literacy. This is not expected to happen either. What standard is being used to measure sixth grade literacy, I am not sure. Our kids fourth grade teacher was teaching Roman numerals wrong and Karen had to go teach the teacher. And having to write the numbers from 1 to 30,000 in the course of the school year is not productive learning. I could give several examples of inadequate, unproductive learning that I see being required of our kids every day.
Honduras is lagging far behind in the area of education even among other countries in Latin America. What kind of future is there for Honduras as another generation is barely able to read and write?
Terri
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Mississippi
Sweet tea. Lemonade. Front-porch sitting. Friendly people. Good manners. Fried catfish. Grits. SEC football. King Cotton. Caramel cake. Antebellum homes. Civil war battlefields. A treasure trove of history. Pecans. Old Waverly. The Blues. Bible belt. Precious friends. Sweet memories. A great place to call home.
I am enjoying the time with Nathan, Julia, and Camille. We will be in Mississippi for another week with plans to be in Columbus, Starkville, and Tupelo before leaving.
Mississippi is a very special place to us. I am thankful to have called it home for seven years. I am blessed by the special people and great friends we have here.
Terri
I am enjoying the time with Nathan, Julia, and Camille. We will be in Mississippi for another week with plans to be in Columbus, Starkville, and Tupelo before leaving.
Mississippi is a very special place to us. I am thankful to have called it home for seven years. I am blessed by the special people and great friends we have here.
Terri
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Travel Days
We just completed 12 weeks of groups. We have never had 12 straight weeks of groups. It was amazing, all the way until the end. But we were exhausted when it was over. To be perfectly honest, I was exhausted before it began. We left the day after the last group left. We have never done that before either. We usually allow ourselves two or three or more days. I had worked several nights until 11:30 or later. And most mornings, I get up at 4:00. I kept saying I might not go to bed at all on Sunday night. I did finally get to bed at 12:15 and got up at 4:00.
Haley was starting pre-school and her first day of school was Monday. Matt and Nicole brought the girls to the house to say good-bye before Haley went to school. I hugged Haley. Nicole handed Emma to me and said hold her until we get back. Emma was sick and was getting sicker in my arms as I held her. Haley's school was just a few minutes away, but I called Nicole once to tell her sick I thought Emma was. Nicole, being the mommy, knew that. When Matt and Nicole got back, they immediately left for the emergency room. Nicole was crying. So was I. I hugged Nicole and I cleaned up the big black tears off of my face. I continued to rush around doing last minute things. Marc left after he hugged the girls. He had so many errands to do. All of a sudden it was 9:00 and I needed to be on my way.
I began to drag my luggage to the car and Dorina took me to the airport. I talked to Nicole a couple of times and they were waiting on the doctor..
I was so tired. I have never been so ready to leave for a few weeks. And, at the same time, it has never been harder to leave.
Our plans were to fly to Oklahoma City and then drive to Jackson on Tuesday. That meant Camille hugs on Tuesday night. And Nathan and Julia hugs, too. It has been a year since we have been with them. Just as we boarded the plane, we found out Emma was being admitted to the hospital. I was already in turmoil. Again, I began to cry. I did not have to worry about black tears this time. All mascara was long gone. Thinking about leaving Nicole and the baby in the hospital. Thinking about Camille hugs. What should I do? Should I not leave? Should I offer to stay? I cried all the way to Atlanta. From lack of sleep and crying, my eyes hurt. Thankfully, I always carry Visine.
We talked to Nicole in Atlanta. Emma was slightly better. The flight from Atlanta to Oklahoma City was tearless, but I was still worried.
How good it was to have Pat and Kim meet us at the airport. Yesterday, we got up and enjoyed sweet time with our friends. Talking, praying, sipping on coffee, having a good breakfast. Then we loaded our car and left for Jackson. Yay.
We made it all the way to Mount Pleasant, Texas before I went to Wal-Mart.
News from Nicole was all over the place. Emma is better. Emma has pneumonia. Emma is out of the incubator. Emma is anemic and has to have blood. And we were on our way to Jackson.
It was 10:30 when we arrived at Nathan and Julia's new house in Jackson. Nathan and Julia were waiting on us. Of course, Camille wasn't. It was a school night. But we got to wake her up and give her hugs.
We are here for a few days. Time to slow down. Time to relax. Time to enjoy our kids. Then we hit the road with many stops and many miles ahead of us. Many hugs and shared precious moments with family and friends.
News from Nicole this morning is not good. Emma has aggressive pneumonia and has been placed in ICU. I am still not sure what I am going to do. I way go back to Honduras. I may stay here. Baby Emma, Nicole, Matt and Haley all need your prayers. Marc and I do to. Either we travel and need prayers for safe travel or we make a decision to go back to Honduras.
Terri
Haley was starting pre-school and her first day of school was Monday. Matt and Nicole brought the girls to the house to say good-bye before Haley went to school. I hugged Haley. Nicole handed Emma to me and said hold her until we get back. Emma was sick and was getting sicker in my arms as I held her. Haley's school was just a few minutes away, but I called Nicole once to tell her sick I thought Emma was. Nicole, being the mommy, knew that. When Matt and Nicole got back, they immediately left for the emergency room. Nicole was crying. So was I. I hugged Nicole and I cleaned up the big black tears off of my face. I continued to rush around doing last minute things. Marc left after he hugged the girls. He had so many errands to do. All of a sudden it was 9:00 and I needed to be on my way.
I began to drag my luggage to the car and Dorina took me to the airport. I talked to Nicole a couple of times and they were waiting on the doctor..
I was so tired. I have never been so ready to leave for a few weeks. And, at the same time, it has never been harder to leave.
Our plans were to fly to Oklahoma City and then drive to Jackson on Tuesday. That meant Camille hugs on Tuesday night. And Nathan and Julia hugs, too. It has been a year since we have been with them. Just as we boarded the plane, we found out Emma was being admitted to the hospital. I was already in turmoil. Again, I began to cry. I did not have to worry about black tears this time. All mascara was long gone. Thinking about leaving Nicole and the baby in the hospital. Thinking about Camille hugs. What should I do? Should I not leave? Should I offer to stay? I cried all the way to Atlanta. From lack of sleep and crying, my eyes hurt. Thankfully, I always carry Visine.
We talked to Nicole in Atlanta. Emma was slightly better. The flight from Atlanta to Oklahoma City was tearless, but I was still worried.
How good it was to have Pat and Kim meet us at the airport. Yesterday, we got up and enjoyed sweet time with our friends. Talking, praying, sipping on coffee, having a good breakfast. Then we loaded our car and left for Jackson. Yay.
We made it all the way to Mount Pleasant, Texas before I went to Wal-Mart.
News from Nicole was all over the place. Emma is better. Emma has pneumonia. Emma is out of the incubator. Emma is anemic and has to have blood. And we were on our way to Jackson.
It was 10:30 when we arrived at Nathan and Julia's new house in Jackson. Nathan and Julia were waiting on us. Of course, Camille wasn't. It was a school night. But we got to wake her up and give her hugs.
We are here for a few days. Time to slow down. Time to relax. Time to enjoy our kids. Then we hit the road with many stops and many miles ahead of us. Many hugs and shared precious moments with family and friends.
News from Nicole this morning is not good. Emma has aggressive pneumonia and has been placed in ICU. I am still not sure what I am going to do. I way go back to Honduras. I may stay here. Baby Emma, Nicole, Matt and Haley all need your prayers. Marc and I do to. Either we travel and need prayers for safe travel or we make a decision to go back to Honduras.
Terri
Friday, August 17, 2012
School
Every year there are so many days the kids do not go to school. The teachers are always striking. Last year, there was not a week they went to school every day until May or June. This year started off with the kids going almost every day. The later into the year we go, the more days they miss. They have not been to school on Friday in weeks. On Monday and Tuesday, the elementary kids went, but Brayan and Pamela were home because the students were striking.
Marc is already telling us that next year, being an election year, will be even worse. I guess we will see about that.
No one really gets hurt but the students.
Terri
Marc is already telling us that next year, being an election year, will be even worse. I guess we will see about that.
No one really gets hurt but the students.
Terri
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Puppies
I more or less live in my own world. I work my shifts with the kids. I run the errands. I pay the bills. I work on the paper work. I know what is going on with the kids, but sometimes not much more. Saturday morning I noticed Tibbie (Haley's dog) was pregnant. I did not have any idea how long she had been pregnant or when the blessed event was to occur.
Yesterday afternoon Emma had a doctor's appointment. Since it was Tuesday, my day off, I went with Nicole. Nicole, Emma, and I were with the doctor when my phone rang. It was Karen and she was talking so fast it was hard to understand what she was saying. Last time Karen called and was talking that fast, three of the kids had a predinner drink of gasoline. I knew this probably was not good news. But, it really wasn't bad news. Tibbie had had a baby. Right out in the middle of the cancha and would not have anything to do with it. As God always works these things out, there is vet here with the group. I told Karen to call Marc and she did. About two minutes later, Marc called and said Tibbie had had four babies and she was dropping them all over the place. She covered two with dirt. I am not sure I would want to have anything to do with a baby if I was still in labor.
Nicole and I had thought we would not make it back to Ojojona to eat with the group and had planned to get food to go from Burger King, eat in the car and try to get back for devo. We scratched those plans and decided to come on home.
Tibbie finally had six babies and did not want anything to do with any of them. The puppies were attached to Tibbie and she allowed them to nurse. The vet said she could not promise if any of them would live.
Denis came to work this morning asking about the puppies and if they all lived. He was so worried about the puppies because Tibbie was not being a good mother yesterday.
This morning, Tibbie was being a much better mother. Right now, they are in my house. It is raining and there is a leak above the dogs. Tibbie is allowing her back to get wet so the puppies stay dry. So far all of the puppies are alive and nursing.
Haley and Matt get back tomorrow. Oh how fun it will be to see Haley's face when she sees the puppies.
Between Tibbie and Nicole, the puppies and Emma, there is a whole lot of nursing, pooping and crying happening. I know I use certain phrases often: "it is what it is", "welcome to Honduras" and "there is never a
dull moment." But truly, there is never a dull moment.
Yesterday afternoon Emma had a doctor's appointment. Since it was Tuesday, my day off, I went with Nicole. Nicole, Emma, and I were with the doctor when my phone rang. It was Karen and she was talking so fast it was hard to understand what she was saying. Last time Karen called and was talking that fast, three of the kids had a predinner drink of gasoline. I knew this probably was not good news. But, it really wasn't bad news. Tibbie had had a baby. Right out in the middle of the cancha and would not have anything to do with it. As God always works these things out, there is vet here with the group. I told Karen to call Marc and she did. About two minutes later, Marc called and said Tibbie had had four babies and she was dropping them all over the place. She covered two with dirt. I am not sure I would want to have anything to do with a baby if I was still in labor.
Nicole and I had thought we would not make it back to Ojojona to eat with the group and had planned to get food to go from Burger King, eat in the car and try to get back for devo. We scratched those plans and decided to come on home.
Tibbie finally had six babies and did not want anything to do with any of them. The puppies were attached to Tibbie and she allowed them to nurse. The vet said she could not promise if any of them would live.
Denis came to work this morning asking about the puppies and if they all lived. He was so worried about the puppies because Tibbie was not being a good mother yesterday.
This morning, Tibbie was being a much better mother. Right now, they are in my house. It is raining and there is a leak above the dogs. Tibbie is allowing her back to get wet so the puppies stay dry. So far all of the puppies are alive and nursing.
Haley and Matt get back tomorrow. Oh how fun it will be to see Haley's face when she sees the puppies.
Between Tibbie and Nicole, the puppies and Emma, there is a whole lot of nursing, pooping and crying happening. I know I use certain phrases often: "it is what it is", "welcome to Honduras" and "there is never a
dull moment." But truly, there is never a dull moment.
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