Today was a great day in Santa Ana. Mark Connell's group came out for church. The singing was beautiful. We sang in both spanish and english. Dorian preached a great sermon. At the end of the service, Dorian announced there was a lady that wanted to be baptized. Praise God.
Carmen said her life was a mess and that there were many problems in her family. She said she was ready to give everything to God. Carmen has attended church with us for months. She came to Dorian months ago asking for help for her niece. Her niece is Gabriela, the young lady that had been in a motorcycle accident and was in danger of losing her leg. God provided the financial help for Gabriela to have the surgery she needed and she did not lose her leg.
It was indeed a great day as this lovely lady decided to accept Christ and be baptized.
Terri
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Buckets of Bucks
In Honduras, or at least in Tegucigalpa, approved organizations can raise money by walking busy intersections with a five gallon water botter in the hands of volunteers. A volunteer has to walk up to the car while the light is red. Guess what Manos Felices, Rosy's school, did today? Walked the street raising money? Guess who were the volunteers were for this project? Marc and I and three of the kids, Brayan, Fitto, and Linda. The kids wanted to go with us.
We left here at 6:00, which is way too early on Saturday morning. Marc stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way. That always helps. We got to Manos Felices and waited our assignment. When we got our empty water bottles, we had the area in front of the U. S. embassy. Otherwise known as Wendy's Texaco. We were excited about our assignment as there are several Torch groups here, all staying at the mission house. We thought they would be coming through that way and we would get a lot of bucks.
When we got there, Marc decided to put Brayan and Fitto together, he and Linda together and me by mself. I wasn't very happy with that decision. At first. I could see Fitto and Brayan the whole time. In the beginning, they wanted to run over and show me everytime they got money.
They quickly learned how to approach the cars when the light was red and stay out of the street when the light was green. The employees at the Wendy's Texaco took a liking to them and let them approach the cars that were buying gas.
A lady selling newspapers wanted Linda to be with her. Marc work the fourth part of the intersection where he could see Linda the whole time.
Marc took good care, making sure we all plenty of water.
My first walk through I did not get a single donation. I was sure it was going to be a long morning. After a couple of times, I gained my confidence and was approaching each car with a smile. After all, I do believe in Manos Felices and what they are doing for Rosy is amazing. Hondurans are very generous. I saw many families with five or six children in barely-running, beat up old cars pull out a limpira and stick in the bucket. Some would hand it to one of the children to give. By far, the taxi drivers were the most generous. That has certainly changed my attitude about them.
The road is full of pot holes and other uneven surfaces. I managed to step in one and fall. Now that would have been the picture. A middle-aged gringa in the middle of the road with a water bottle. Marc said you mean no one helped you. I said I jumped up so fast, I didn't give any one time to help me. I walked until the light turned green before I even looked down. I got over to the side of the road and saw my last pair of jeans is minus the knee and my knee was badly scraped. And hurt, but not bleeding badly. Yay for the stupid kid. I will be at Nicole's in a little over three weeks and will have new jeans then.
We started walking at 8:30. At 10:00 I wasn't sure I could make it until 1:00. At 11:00, I was over half way, but two hours still looked a long way to go. Shortly after that one of the people from Manos Felices came by and told us to come back at 12:00. Best news I had ever heard.
I did see one of the Torch buses. I went running down the street, passing other vehicles. Marlon was driving and was stopped at the light. I jumped on that bus said help me with money, told what we were doing. Marlon was telling everyone to send their money up. They were on their way to the dump and had no money. Mark Connell came driving by and gave a nice donation.
A few times, I got left out in the center of the street when the light turned green and could not get back to the edge. I did not like that. Lots of people were gracious. Some said thanks for what we were doing. A few were rude. I was being very careful and still nearly got hit a couple of times and propositioned once.
One story was especially touching to me. I was in the middle of two lanes of traffic, working both lanes at the same time. One car rolled down the window, which always meant a donation was on its way. An elderly man sat in the passenger seat and, perhaps, his son in the driver's seat. I said buenos dias as both men reached for their wallets. The elderly man said he could not hear me. That he was deaf and wanted to help the children that were also deaf. I nearly cried as I smiled a bigger smile and said muchas gracias.
When it was time to quit, I was ready. I got back over to the Wendy's Texaco. All five of us sat our bottles down side by side. The bills came higher in the bottles on mine and Linda's. Way to go girls. That doesn't mean we really raised more. The bills might be bigger in some of the others. I don't think so, but maybe.
Marc bought us all a gatorade. And we headed back to the school. We all agreed it was very hard work, harder than we expected. But the kids said for donuts and gatorade they would not mind doing it again.
Lunch was to be served at the school. We got back and found lunch was not going to be served until 2:00. No way could our kids wait that long. So we went to McDonald's. There were certainly three smiling faces.
I know one thing for sure. I will always have some small bills with me and never ever pass another group that has bottles trying to raise money.
Terri
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Casa Store
The Casa Store
When I moved to Honduras in 2007, I had a dream to open a store at Casa de Esperanza. The profit when this store was to be used entirely for the children. Karen had much the same dream. She had purchased t-shirts and few other items and sold them out of the hallway. Even in that setting, we saw profit.
Karen and I both were excited about having a real store. We cleaned out a little room in which our guards had kept their stuff. We painted and bought a few shelves and opened La Tienda de Esperanza. We knew we had a lot to learn about running a store. Even with buying shelves and paint and getting started, we realized a profit the first year. Enough to make payroll to our Honduran employees for one month.
We wanted to learn from our mistakes and make the second year even better than the first. We added Lenca and pewter and candles. Things Americans like to buy. We have worked with the artesians and created some very special Casa de Esperanza pieces. We fully expect to see more profit this year than we did last.
We have pondered ways to help the store make more profit so that the children benefit more. Thus, the idea of the Casa Store online was born. Please check out new Casa Store at
Take a few minutes and browse through those things being sold online.
As with any new venture, there are always a few kinks that need to be worked out. Please be patient with us as we go and grow through this process.
Your support of Casa de Esperanza is always appreciated.
Terri
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Meeting With The Mayor
This afternoon Marc had a meeting with the mayor of Tegucigalpa. I am not usually involved in these kinds of things. But since Tuesday is my day off from Casa de Esperanza, I was in town with Marc. I had no idea for what purpose this meeting had been called. I soon realized I was glad it was my day off and I just happened to be along for the ride.
The city has identified 3000 families that are living in such poverty that it is unsafe. In addition, to the poverty they are living in areas of high probability of landslides when the heavy rains start in the fall. For the time being, the city has priotized 3 areas that have the highest need. This involves about 500 families. They want to find property in more suitable area and relocate the people. They can find the property, but the city does not have the money nor the manpower to construct new houses. They were asking TORCH Missions to help with this project. Beginning June 29, we made a commitment for 20 houses. These houses will all be constructed in Nueva Oriental/ Mirador Oriente, a community in which we already work.
I don't know how long this project will take, but I am glad TORCH gets to be a part of it.
Terri
The city has identified 3000 families that are living in such poverty that it is unsafe. In addition, to the poverty they are living in areas of high probability of landslides when the heavy rains start in the fall. For the time being, the city has priotized 3 areas that have the highest need. This involves about 500 families. They want to find property in more suitable area and relocate the people. They can find the property, but the city does not have the money nor the manpower to construct new houses. They were asking TORCH Missions to help with this project. Beginning June 29, we made a commitment for 20 houses. These houses will all be constructed in Nueva Oriental/ Mirador Oriente, a community in which we already work.
I don't know how long this project will take, but I am glad TORCH gets to be a part of it.
Terri
Monday, June 8, 2009
Santa Ana Youth Group
Last night we took the youth group from the church here in Santa Ana to Santa Lucia for devo with Mark Connell's group. I, personally, love the devos at Santa Lucia and was looking forward to the worship in english.
I have never been around this youth group except in church on Sunday mornings. As is the case with youth groups, the kids are completely different than when they are in church on Sunday morning. They laughed and sang and played games in the van, bringing back fond memories of youth group trips with my kids' youth group.
There was a malfunction in communications and the devo to which we were going, got changed until tonight. No one complained. Marc wanted to salvage something of the evening and we went to KFC. Chik-Fil-A and Krispy Kremes are what is supposed to happen on youth group trips. But when in Honduras, do as the Hondurans do. KFC.
Two years ago Dorian started working this youth group. There was maybe five. Every week Dorian works hard with these kids. There were 16 that went last night. Dorian has a good relationship with the kids and interacts well.
In case you don't know, Dorian is doing a great job as the preacher in Santa Ana. May God be praised.
Terri
I have never been around this youth group except in church on Sunday mornings. As is the case with youth groups, the kids are completely different than when they are in church on Sunday morning. They laughed and sang and played games in the van, bringing back fond memories of youth group trips with my kids' youth group.
There was a malfunction in communications and the devo to which we were going, got changed until tonight. No one complained. Marc wanted to salvage something of the evening and we went to KFC. Chik-Fil-A and Krispy Kremes are what is supposed to happen on youth group trips. But when in Honduras, do as the Hondurans do. KFC.
Two years ago Dorian started working this youth group. There was maybe five. Every week Dorian works hard with these kids. There were 16 that went last night. Dorian has a good relationship with the kids and interacts well.
In case you don't know, Dorian is doing a great job as the preacher in Santa Ana. May God be praised.
Terri
Friday, June 5, 2009
Outraged
There are some things to which my Americanized, computerized mind will never adjust.
We provide health insurance for our employees. We wanted to do that, but it is a law and we have no choice. I have no problem with providing health insurance for employees. But the system works me up every month. What happened this week was worse than most.
Every single month, someone hand delivers our paper work to the front gate. This usually happens on or around the 10th of the month. I have to take the paperwork and go stand in line at the bank and pay our health insurance. I have to pay in cash and it has to be done before the 19th. We then have to take our paid receipt and go to the insurance office and stand in another long line to get our employees' green cards. This usually can't be done until after the 26th of each month. Sometimes later. That office is a long way from Santa Ana. The green cards are hardly ever ready when we go, thus, forcing a return trip. Imagine every employer doing this every month.
In May, we went FOUR times before we got the green cards. It was May 17 and they expired May 31. Our employees cannot see a doctor without their green cards.
We had a group here and I was sick and we did not even get down to try to get the green cards. They are never ready on time anyway. One of our employees, Reina, had to take two sick children and herself to the doctor. One of the kids had dinghey, was very sick and needed to be treated. Of course, the employees have to wait in long lines as well. Reina was called out. Her green card taken and xed all over with a black pen and told she could leave. Since she had an expired green card that meant she had not paid for June. Of course, she was humiliated and upset. Who would not have been?
I felt awful when I heard this. We should have tried harder to get those green cards.
I had already put getting those green cards on Marc's list for yesterday. Even before I heard what happened to Reina. I was outraged when Marc called and said he had been to the office once and the cards weren't ready. Yesterday was June 4. I had paid the bill before the 19th. In fact, I made a special trip to town to do it before the 19th. Marc had to wait around and do other stuff and return to that office yesterday afternoon and finally got home after 7:00 last night. Oh yes! He had green cards in hand. I was so upset about those green cards Marc might have tried to print them himself rather than return without them. Uhmmm. I wonder if he did print them himself.
Terri
We provide health insurance for our employees. We wanted to do that, but it is a law and we have no choice. I have no problem with providing health insurance for employees. But the system works me up every month. What happened this week was worse than most.
Every single month, someone hand delivers our paper work to the front gate. This usually happens on or around the 10th of the month. I have to take the paperwork and go stand in line at the bank and pay our health insurance. I have to pay in cash and it has to be done before the 19th. We then have to take our paid receipt and go to the insurance office and stand in another long line to get our employees' green cards. This usually can't be done until after the 26th of each month. Sometimes later. That office is a long way from Santa Ana. The green cards are hardly ever ready when we go, thus, forcing a return trip. Imagine every employer doing this every month.
In May, we went FOUR times before we got the green cards. It was May 17 and they expired May 31. Our employees cannot see a doctor without their green cards.
We had a group here and I was sick and we did not even get down to try to get the green cards. They are never ready on time anyway. One of our employees, Reina, had to take two sick children and herself to the doctor. One of the kids had dinghey, was very sick and needed to be treated. Of course, the employees have to wait in long lines as well. Reina was called out. Her green card taken and xed all over with a black pen and told she could leave. Since she had an expired green card that meant she had not paid for June. Of course, she was humiliated and upset. Who would not have been?
I felt awful when I heard this. We should have tried harder to get those green cards.
I had already put getting those green cards on Marc's list for yesterday. Even before I heard what happened to Reina. I was outraged when Marc called and said he had been to the office once and the cards weren't ready. Yesterday was June 4. I had paid the bill before the 19th. In fact, I made a special trip to town to do it before the 19th. Marc had to wait around and do other stuff and return to that office yesterday afternoon and finally got home after 7:00 last night. Oh yes! He had green cards in hand. I was so upset about those green cards Marc might have tried to print them himself rather than return without them. Uhmmm. I wonder if he did print them himself.
Terri
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Down And Out
One of the few reasons I stay away from my blog for very long is when my internet is down. As far as I know, my internet has not been down. But I have been.
Friday afternoon I started not feeling so good. Friday evening, I went to bed early, an almost unheard of event for me. By about 12:30 Saturday morning, an all out war had infested itself in my body. I have very little recollection of Saturday, Sunday and most of Monday. I really hated not getting to be with the group the last couple of days they were here.
I do not remember the last time I have been that sick. I could think of a couple that, perhaps, came close. But since I was living this one at the moment, I am sure it was, by far, the worst. Nothing I took seem to ease anything.
This is not the diet plan I would have chosen for myself.
Yesterday, Marc took me to the ER. At Vierra, not Hospital Escuela. I might have been turning the corner toward recovery, but I was not wanting to take any chances. I knew they were going to do blood work. On the way to the hospital, I thought about how bad that needle was going to hurt going into my dehyrdrated veins. It hurt more than I could have ever imagined.
We spent six hours in the ER. I was given two liters of fluid, antibiotics, anti-nausea, and pain medications. At least, I had a nice nap. When we left, I had prescriptions for pain, anti-bacterial infections, anti-nausea, anti-parasites and I am not sure what else. Oh, if you have never had to take meds for parasites, well, that certainly has some interesting side effects.
I am better today, but a long way from 100%. Marc is taking great care of me. Today, he is trying to make me drink gatorade and eat toast. Gatorade was successful. Not so much on the toast.
I have dozens of emails to answers. Yes, some are urgent regarding your trips. I will be working through those.
Please pray that I continue to recover and am better every day.
Terri
Friday afternoon I started not feeling so good. Friday evening, I went to bed early, an almost unheard of event for me. By about 12:30 Saturday morning, an all out war had infested itself in my body. I have very little recollection of Saturday, Sunday and most of Monday. I really hated not getting to be with the group the last couple of days they were here.
I do not remember the last time I have been that sick. I could think of a couple that, perhaps, came close. But since I was living this one at the moment, I am sure it was, by far, the worst. Nothing I took seem to ease anything.
This is not the diet plan I would have chosen for myself.
Yesterday, Marc took me to the ER. At Vierra, not Hospital Escuela. I might have been turning the corner toward recovery, but I was not wanting to take any chances. I knew they were going to do blood work. On the way to the hospital, I thought about how bad that needle was going to hurt going into my dehyrdrated veins. It hurt more than I could have ever imagined.
We spent six hours in the ER. I was given two liters of fluid, antibiotics, anti-nausea, and pain medications. At least, I had a nice nap. When we left, I had prescriptions for pain, anti-bacterial infections, anti-nausea, anti-parasites and I am not sure what else. Oh, if you have never had to take meds for parasites, well, that certainly has some interesting side effects.
I am better today, but a long way from 100%. Marc is taking great care of me. Today, he is trying to make me drink gatorade and eat toast. Gatorade was successful. Not so much on the toast.
I have dozens of emails to answers. Yes, some are urgent regarding your trips. I will be working through those.
Please pray that I continue to recover and am better every day.
Terri
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)