Dump Day - May 8

The Tegucigalpa city dump, where people, cattle, and buzzards fight for the same food.  People work and live there.  It is filthy.  The smell is indescribable. People are often sick from rummaging through the garbage and the filth.  And for those that rummage to find something they can sell, they are receiving less money for more product.

Five years ago, regular feeding began in the dump.  A weekly hot meal continues for those that live and work in and near the Tegucigalpa city dump.  These truly are the poorest of the poor.

Feeding is important, but this ministry has gone beyond feeding only.  Several children are now attending school.  Medical care and dental care is being provided to some.  Bible studies.  Bibles are regularly asked for.  And, regularly bought.  Marc has helped with funerals. 

Relationships have been formed.  The people in the dump know Marc and Matt and others will be there every Wednesday.  They know who they can call, when they really need something.

A sixteen year old had her two front teeth pulled in March.  No one, especially a 16 year old girl wants to not have their two front teeth.  We would love to get implants for her.  They are only $600.00. 

In December, we fed 1600 people at the Jesus Banquet, a sit down banquet and these hard working people were served.

Weekly feedings, implants, school, medical care, funerals, the Jesus banquet, all of this takes money.  We only ask for dump funds once a year.  Next Wednesday, May 8, is dump day.  Please pray about making a donation.  A monthly pledge works just as well.  Please join  us in fasting and praying on that day.

Angie is now going to school and no longer working in the dump because of dump funds.

The Jesus Banquet- hundreds were served a meal from one of the best restaurants in Tegucigalpa.

A house in the middle of the dump

Workers in the dump

Working in the dump - a not so great work environment

Ramblings

It has been a hard day.  A really hard day. 

I wrote that blog this morning and was doing ok.  Ok until the first song started in church this morning.  Rosy turned around and saw me crying and had to share that news with Daniela and Cindy.  All three girls were staring at me and I tried to hold it together until the kids left for class.  That did not work out too well for me.

I was glad when the kids left for class.  And, I was glad none of those special songs were sung this morning.

As I reflected during communion, I really lost it.  God is God and I am human and, therein, lies a huge difference.  I love my son so much and would have given my life to save his.  How, o how did God willingly sacrifice His only son for all of lost humanity.  For me, a sinner.  I love my kids more than anything in this world.  And yet, God loves me more than that.  He gave His only son for me.  When thinking of unwillingly losing my son, those thoughts kept running through my mind.  And with the thoughts, a flood of tears.

After church, Marc decided to get me out of here for a while.  We went to Popeye's and then went to the Valley of Angels.  We sat and had a granita.  I probably did not need the caffeine, but I had it any way.

I was drowning in my tears as wave after wave of grief came crashing in on me.  I could not stand up and get my footing before another wave came rolling in and knocked me down again.  But, I think leaving was probably better than being here and curling up in a ball and crying all day.

We had Ryan for almost 20 years.  We were blessed.  Today, I was blessed with all your prayers and kind words and thoughts.  I love you all.  Thank you for lifting our names to the Father and for carrying us in our weakest moments.

Terri

Where Are We Going For Lunch?

When my kids were little, Sunday mornings were a marathon.  By the time I fed them, dressed them, gathered Bibles and diaper bags, and got them loaded in the car, I was exhausted.  I was so thankful for the respite of Bible class as I prepared to do battle in big church.  Making them be quiet, sit down, not take communion, sing when the rest of the church did and not while the preacher was preaching usually felt like battle.  After church, we went home and ate.  I wanted to get everyone fed and down for a nap, including myself, before we started this over for Sunday night.

Rarely, did the thought of going into a restaurant with them enter my mind.  That would have been battle, round 3.  If I ever entertained the thought of us going into a restaurant for a family meal, I just had to remember the vacation in Galveston.  Or the Great Wall.  Fortunately, we drove by The Great Wall to get to church so I was reminded weekly, Marc and I do not take three little kids out to eat.  Maybe never.

As the kids grew and learned to behave better, once in a while, we would go out for lunch on Sunday.  But, at some point at time, we started eating out every Sunday after church.  Those were treasured family times.

After we moved to Columbus,  almost every Sunday, Ryan would slide in beside me just as the first song was beginning.  I am in church to worship and I love singing.  Ryan would look at me, with that great big smile, and say, "where are we going to eat lunch, Mom?"  I usually did not know at time, but I did not want him asking me during church.  Because it irritated me so, he continued to ask every Sunday.

This morning how I wish he would slide in beside me a few seconds after the first song begins and, with his great big smile, ask me where we are going for lunch.  I would smile back and say, "because its your birthday, we will go any where you want."  We might even discus the options and then join in singing again.

 Ryan, I know today you are feasting on a heavenly birthday meal.  I love you and I miss you.

Giddy-Up

I think it is safe to say that our kids do not get bored.  Someone can always think of something new to do.  Two ropes, a tree, and rocking horse that no longer rocks makes a nice new swing.

Is that a smile on Yair's face?

Junco

As summer approaches, I have been thinking about new items for the store.  There will be some new t-shirts.  Some new lenca pieces.  In addition to those things, I was something new, as in different.  I have long wanted some of the junco.  I just did not know where to find it. 

After an internet search, I learned it was made in Santa Barbara.  Melissa is originally from Santa Barbara.  I asked her what she knew about it.  She was sure if we made a trip to Santa Barbara we could find it.  Melissa visited Santa Barbara during Holy Week and she found the lady that makes it.

It was past time for Melissa and I to spend a day together, so today was the day we set for making a road trip to Santa Barbara.   We left early.  Early for Melissa and April.

As we drove past the coffee roasters, it smelled so good, making us both want a good cup of coffee.  We soon stopped for granitas.  This girl has been almost two weeks without coffee.  A granita revved up my engine.

The fuego trees and bougnavillas were the most brilliant colors I have ever seen them.  Once we left the main highway and headed for Santa Barbara, the highway was pocked with pot holes, thus slowing our journey.  Not that we minded.  It is a beautiful drive.  The haziness of the morning made the mountains even more beautiful.  Winding our way into Santa Barbara, it was hot. 

Melissa told me about the legend of the castle.  She said those that go to the castle, do not return.  We did not go to the castle to learn if this was true or not.  She told me how her mother was walking to the hospital when it was time for Melissa to be born.  The mother did not make it to the hospital and Melissa was born in the street.  I am glad I did not know that story as I raced down the mountain to get Melissa to the hospital before April was born.

As we neared Santa Barbara, Melissa' excitement level clearly rose.  And, did it mention it was HOT.  Melissa directed me through El Centro with its narrow winding streets.  She showed me the church and central park, a beautiful church and park.  Then she showed me the street where she was born.   It was just a couple of blocks from the hospital.

Then we began to search for the lady's house to where we going.  Melissa had her phone number and it took several phone call to finally arrive there.

The lady's name is Munda and she is 75 years old.  She has been making junco since she was 7 years old.  Her daughter does not make junco, but embroiders the purses and hats.  They say they are the only people in Santa Barbara still making junco.  It is all made by hand and is pretty labor intensive.  Some pieces take 3-8 days.  Munda says no one wants to put that kind of time into for what they can sell it for.  Munda also has cataracts but is very thankful she has never lost her eyes since she needs them to this work.  If she is the only one that still makes junco, it won't be long until this beautiful are is gone.  Melissa says there are other similar forms, made in other parts of the country, but not made out of junco.

Junco is a type of weaving.  The reeds are small and the weave is tight. 

This is a junco tree.

The dried reeds.

The tool used to weave the reeds together.  To me, it looked like it was bone, but I don't know for sure.

I did not completely understand how the reeds are died, but I gathered it was a lot of work and took some time.

Samples of the finished products

April modeled one of the hats.

It was after 1:00 when we left Munda's house.  When we got to Siquetepeque, we ate at Wendy's and then made our way up and down the mountains of Honduras.  April began to get fussy just before we got home.  By that time, we were all bit a tired.  

Another good day in Honduras.

The New Mission House

I went to see the progress on the new mission house.  Progress is being made daily.

We are still dealing with well, pump and water issues daily and those are being resolved. 

The dining hall is being built now and will soon be ready for the roof.

It is pretty easy to imagine evening devotionals around this fireplace.

The mission house will sustain the new campus.  Dreams are becoming reality.

New Umbrellas

Since school started in February, Josue and Any have to walk to kinder.  An adult always goes with them and goes after them.  Right now it is the hot, dry season.  Did I mention HOT?  It won't be long until it is raining every day.

One day it rained and I walked them home.  I had my umbrella.  I got soaked keeping them dry.

Yesterday when I was in town, I saw two cute little umbrellas.  I decided to buy one for Any and one for Josue.  After the other kids left for school, I took the umbrellas up to them.  I didn't see Josue and gave his to Karen.  I went over to Any's house and told her it was for when she walked to kinder and not to play with.  As I was telling her what it was for, the door opened and in raced this great big blur.  It was Josue running as fast as he could.  He threw his arms around me and said, "gracias, Terri.  Gracias." 

Then Nicole walked in and Any began telling Nicole about her umbrella.  About five minutes later, she looked over at me and said, "gracias."  Then she went back to what she had been doing. 

At 1:15, someone called and said he was at the gate and needed to see me.  I started up and I saw Mirian and the kids leaving for kinder. Both of them had their new umbrellas.  I went back to the house and got my camera and left John waiting at the gate.  He didn't have to wait long.  I got one cute picture.

Josue was holding his way above his head.  If he continued to carry it that way, I am sure his little arms got tired.  Any wanted to carry hers with her face completely covered.  I convinced her to raise it just a little for the picture.  There wasn't any convincing him of  lowering his, not even just a little.

Aren't the cute?  And, off they went to kinder.