I'm leaving on a....

Oh...no I'm not....we're driving...sigh...

Starting the drive - in two days. Our internet will be unplugged tomorrow, so this will be my last post for probably 5-8 days (depending on if we get some wi-fi while in route).

We are packed. The house is in order. Sheets cover almost everything - it's SO dusty here, that I can't imagine what 6 months of dust is going to look like as it is - this is my attempt of trying to save things :-)

So - prayers our way....the adventure begins!!!

Our life possessions for 6 months (duffel bags wrapped in plastic bags for the inevitable rain that we will encounter)


The house enshrouded in sheets.

Sad Goodbye's and Bittersweet moments

Five years ago, Mike, Madison and I walked along the streets of Armenia Bonito, dreaming about what God would have us do while we are here. We dreamed and prayed and asked God for a vision of what that meant.

When we came here almost 2 1/2 years ago and started the ministry in Armenia with a few soccer balls, a small bag of meds, and servants hearts, that vision started to become more solidified. We started looking for some property to purchase, and to start envisioning what would go on it. Mike started the aggressive pursuit of funds to purchase the land. Within a week the funds arrived.

The "dream" - the property as it appeared when we were looking to purchase it:


It was clear that God had big plans. He partnered us up with the McCann's, then new potential team mates came to Honduras as a vision trip, and to see if there was "something" that a construction guy could do (insert John Clow here), He sent the Clow's to partner with us, and to be the foreman and overseer for the construction. After the land was purchased, Mike again began aggressive support raising, and more money came in. The wall was built. Once again, Mike continued with support raising, more building, more support raising, more building, until here we are. A guard shack, storage area, and most of a multi-purpose building/soccer field has been built.

The multi-purpose building/soccer field that will be finished while we are gone:


The guard shack and storage area:


Here is my bittersweet moment. This has been a dream of ours, and of following God's plans for Armenia Bonito. Because of timing, and the teams decision, the building will be dedicated, celebrated, and ministry started while we are in The States. I must confess - my heart is celebrating, and yet sad at the same time. To share in the joy that will go on, to be there when it is dedicated...to be at the first event ever held on the property that started as just a dream so long ago - and we won't be there to join in the festivities. I rejoice with all, even with a saddened heart.

We have a lot more funds to raise, as we still want to construct the High School, medical clinic, church, bathroom facilities and eventually even more. So prayerfully consider how you may be involved - to pray for the facility and the lives that will be touched - to financially contribute so it can be built - to come and work on the property and get your hands dirty in raising a wall :-)

Driving Honduras To The U.S. – 8 Days, 3,901 Miles

On Monday, September 6th Mike and I are jumping in the car and starting on a long drive that will end in Sacramento, CA. We don’t think we’ll have good communication while on the trip. But, if we can we will blog along the way to share the adventure. At least you can count on a video when we are done.


3,901 miles, 8 days, 4 countries, 2 people, 1 dog

We have a very conservative schedule, with lots of room for rest stops and flat tires. While we have planned each day, we may (and likely will) deviate from this schedule.

So that you can join us in the planning and praying phase here is what we have planned out:

Day #1 – September 6 – 206 miles

La Ceiba, Honduras to Copan Ruins, Honduras

Day #2 – September 7 – 249 miles - Honduras/Guatemala boarder crossing

Copan Ruins, Honduras to Hehuetenango, Guatemala

Day #3 – September 8 – 570 miles - Guatemala/Mexico boarder crossing

Hehuetenango, Guatemala to Veracruz, Mexico

Day #4 – September 9 – 509 miles

Veracruz, Mexico to San Lois Potosi, Mexico

Day #5 – September 10 – 387 miles

San Lois Potosi, Mexico to Monclova, Mexico

Day #6 – September 11 – 593 miles – Mexico/U.S. boarder crossing
Monclova, Mexico to Ft. Stockton, Texas

Day #7 – September 12 – 651 miles

Ft. Stockton, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona

Day #8 – September 13 – 736 miles

Phoenix, Arizona to Sacramento, California

Getting Ready to Leave

Seems like that's what's been on the forefront of our minds lately. Ministry work still has been going strong - English class, Kids Club, Clinic - and in the midst of that we are trying to get our lives ready to leave Honduras for 6 months. This is almost as difficult as it was leaving the States - but we didn't have to plan on returning to the States, but we will be returning here. Here's what that looks like:

1. Renew the lease contract on our house
2. Certification for our dog to leave country and enter the U.S.
3. Pay for additional year on our P.O. Box
4. Copies of all our documents
5. Obtain original title for our car so we can cross the borders
6. Packing up things we aren't going to use
7. Re-organize all our ministry supplies/medications we are leaving
8. New tires for the car
9. Turning off cable/internet
10. Getting our trees trimmed
11. throwing away TONS of "stuff"
12. Getting car insurance while we are in the States
13. Finding a place to stay both in California and Arizona
14. Final orthodontic appointment for Madison
15. Renewing Registration for the car
16. Cleaning out pantry
17. Cleaning out refrigerator
18. putting dust sheets over EVERYTHING in the house
19. Packing to leave
20. more to come....

I think my gardener and I had different ideas on what "trimming" a tree meant...


Shelves made my my team mate, John - now all the supplies are organized, labeled, and ready to go!

Last clinic / family arrived

Today was our last clinic day for 6 months. It's kind of weird with where we have come from. I started with one suitcase size full of whatever meds or supplies I could put, and took the bus to get there - to what we have now - 6 boxes of meds, 2 huge containers of supplies, 1 box just of dressing supplies, and tons of education and teaching materials, 2 folding tables, one privacy screen, and a truck to carry it all in! We've come a long way baby :-) And HUGE thanks to John and Kathy who jumped right in to clinic today! We were a little short staffed as the McCann's are out of town, so John took over in pharmacy, and Kathy helped Madison in intake! Thanks so much you guys!

Me asking a little boy if his ears hurt.


Today Mike's sister, Jeri, arrived to be with us for our last week in Honduras for this year. She has come to visit, see our ministry in action (came to the clinic today), and to just hang out! She will be flying back with Madison, so Madison doesn't have to take the long drive back with us! How awesome is that! So blessed we are that Jeri wanted to do this! We love her for her sweet heart! :-)

What DID you do in Honduras for two years?

Our first term as missionaries in Honduras comes to an end on September 6th. With the help of our teammates, prayer partners, financial supporters and supporting churches so much was accomplished. This video answers the question: So what DID you do in Honduras for the past two years?

Watch this 2 minute and 38 second video to find out:

Armenia Bonito Property Update - Fall 2010

Here is an update of the two acre ministry center we are constructing in Armenia Bonito, located in La Ceiba, Honduras. This facility will contain a high school, church, medical clinic and a multi-use building.

Watch this 3 minute and 20 second video to see the progress on the property: