Enjoying Christmas Break

Last night we had a game night - from noon until 11pm, the McCann's (our team mates), Madison, Mike and I ate, played, and had a great time!

Today, Madison's friend, Rudy from school, came over. As La Ceiba is such a small town, there isn't much to do during vacation times if you aren't going anywhere. So, Madison and Rudy took this opportunity to hang out together. And, of course, they played games all day! Fun times indeed!

Update

Been relaxing, playing Wii, and I've been sick. In bed for 2 days, but much better now. Still have a cough that makes me feel like I'm hacking up a lung, but no fever or body aches any more. Love to all, pray your Christmas was blessed.

Christmas

Today was Christmas - our 4th country in 5 years. England, The States, Panama, Honduras. Quite an adventure, I must say - but such is the life of a missionary! For quite awhile Madison has been asking for a Wii. For various reasons including the cost, we have not gotten her one. Well, this year with the help of both sets of grandparents she got a Wii and lots of accessories! After Madison opened her first Wii accessory, we told her not to get overly excited because it was our team mates who were getting the Wii but we wanted her to have accessories to be able to play at their house (I know...I know...a little white lie - but she LOVED it in the end). Like the great trooper that she is, she said, "hey - that's great!". Her "final present" was a clue which ended up leading her on a treasure hunt to over 20 different locations around the house, which ended up leading her to her Wii! She couldn't have been more shocked and thrilled! So - for the remainder of the day we played :-) We look forward to some serious competitions in the future!

Madison opening her stocking - yes - it's what you see - A-1 sauce! A Madison favorite and a special treat indeed as it's EXTREMELY expensive here, so rarely purchased!


Our dear friend from church, Cherilyn, hand-crafted this AMAZING Raggedy Ann doll with three different sets of clothing! Madison was SO EXCITED to get this incredible gift! It didn't leave her side all day!


Dad enjoying his Crunch and Munch from his stocking.


The unwrapping of the Wii!!!

6th Annual Event

Okay - I know that every family has traditions during the holidays. Some fun, some serious, some just...I don't know...different... One tradition we have is to celebrate Advent. Another is that Madison gets to open a gift on Christmas Eve. We also have a huge dinner on Christmas Eve (think Thanksgiving feast, just slightly smaller scale). One of our traditions is the annual viewing of...no - not It's a Wonderful Life (although we do watch that), and not the Grinch (although we also watch both of those - the animated and the Jim Carrey version) - but...all three Extended Release versions of The Lord of the Rings - yes...that's what I said - all three...in one day...11.35 hours in all!!!! Glorious indeed! Even when we were in Panama for Christmas, the DVD's came along with us - and we sat on the bed of our hotel room, ordered KFC, and watched all three movies on our lap top. Although - Mike has put a ban on quoting the movie during the watching of it (of which Madison and I are RENOWN for doing - what a bah humbug move!). Crazy, you say?! Well - we just love them that much! So, even when Madison is grown up and out of the house - she WILL return each December to our house to watch all three of them! It's a day of no cooking (donuts for breakfast...pizza for lunch and dinner), enjoying awesome movies, and spending the whole day in each others presence. I think as a holiday tradition - it's a good one :-)

This isn't what we looked like after 12 hours of Lord of the Rings...just a great shot of Gollum


Enjoying the pizza, great movies, and the comfy couch :-)

Christmas Celebration 2009

On December 20, 2009 we took nine kids from Armenia Bonito out for a Christmas celebration. First we cooked them a Christmas dinner and provided them with a wrapped Christmas gift. Then we went to a Christmas presentation at a local church. There was music, a great play about the birth of Christ and a strong evangelism message. These kids had never experienced a Christmas celebration quite like this.

Take a look at this 2 minute and 35 second video to watch our celebration:

Kids Christmas Party 2009

On December 19, 2009 our mission team hosted our 2nd annual Kids Christmas Party in the poor community of Armenia Bonito. Over 200 kids received games, Christmas songs, a Gospel presentation, a Christmas gift and a plate of food. This event was a great blessing.

Watch this 2 minute and 40 second video to see this Christmas blessing:

Scholarships

Something that has been on our heart for a long time has been to scholarship some kids from from the village of Armenia Bonito. We have a contract the kids, parents, and one of us signs. This includes passing grades, tutors as needed, writing letters to their sponsors in The States, working for us one day a month, etc. This gives the kids buy-in, and a desire to do well. The scholarships are a year-by-year basis. So, we are starting with three kids, and are resting in God's provision for these kids. We have registered these kids before we have cash in hand. I took two of the kids to their school today for early registration, the other young girl we will register next month when the school is open.

Walter is one of the young boys who has worked with us for a long time - many of you who came down on short-term missions trip will recognize him. He was a favorite among many with his sweet personality, patience with everyone's Spanish, and a very hard worker! His desire is to be a computer technician. Walter finished school in 6th grade (3 years ago) and has not been to school since. His father died, and his mother works to put food on the table. Past 6th grade, kids have to pay for school, and for most all the kids in Armenia, this is totally beyond their means. For that reason, Walter has been trying to work odd-jobs here and there, but his on-going desire has been to attend school. His dream has now come true. Here he is:



George is a young boy of 12 who just graduated 6th grade. His mother died when he was young, and school past 6th grade was always something he knew was WAY out of his reach. However, he is now being given the opportunity to pull himself out of the poverty in which he lives. His desire is to graduate and then attend a Vocational school for car mechanics. This will allow him to get a good paying job and to be able to support himself, something he always thought was an impossibility.



So we stand by our desire to scholarship these boys and know that God will provide the funding from individuals in The States for them. The other young girl we will scholarship will be highlighted in a later blog entry.

Christmas Performance

Madison had another opportunity to sing with the choir from her school. This time it was at the local mall. They did 1 dance, and 3 songs. A lot of people were there and it was fun to see her! We are up on the second floor overlooking them. This is her last week in school until a much looked forward to 2 week vacation from school!

Clinic

Each clinic day certainly has a "theme". Last time was mostly children, today was mostly adults. Unfortunately, I had a lot of bad news for a lot of people. Blood pressures and blood sugars were very high, a few so high I recommended they seek in-town medical care immediately. Unfortunately, I know that most won't. This comes on the day after there were 3 deaths in the village. The first was from a car accident as they were coming into the village, the other was from an elderly woman who had a heart attack, and the third was a young girl (13 years old) who took her own life because of conflicts with her boyfriend and mother. So many people were taking my news seriously, but I don't know that many will make the serious change to their lives that they need to. I have created many easy reader/pictoral health education teaching sheets that I give out and have a lot of time with health education. These are definitely situations that without some basic information, their lives will not improve. I talked a lot about diet, and doing things that they CAN do. So although the news was serious for many, this gave me a GREAT opportunity to do some serious health education today. So my brain is tired from talking a LOT of Spanish today, and my body is tired because last night was a night of insomnia for me...ah well...I live each day as a joy as I'm working for the Lord :-)

Advent

For those of you who read my blog who live in countries around the world - here is a link for you. It is an on-line Advent calendar. I know December has already started, but it's not too late. It's been wonderful for us to follow along with this advent. We have our own at home, but this has been fun too!

Conference on Jesus In The Old Testament in La Ceiba, Honduras

December 3-5, 2009 our mission team hosted a conference for pastors and church leaders in La Ceiba, Honduras. Our visiting teacher, Joe Fitzpatrick, taught 29 students on the theme of Jesus In The Old Testament. Many church leaders in La Ceiba have only a 6th grade education. This type of inexpensive theological training is rare and highly coveted.

Watch this 2 minute 15 second video to see the conference:

Christmas Program

Tonight Madison and many of her school mates joined together for two purposes. The first was for a Christmas Program with the private schools in the area. Each school represented sang 2 songs. The second purpose was a competition between all the schools. Last year Santa Teresa Bilingual (where Madison goes to school) won first place. They did an awesome job with a full band support behind them! By far the best. However, they came in second place. A job well done. Madison was part of the choir and did a fantastic job!


One of these things is not like the other....

The whole group with their second place trophy.

Update

We are preparing for our conference that starts tomorrow. It is "Jesus in the Old Testament". We give a conference to local pastors and lay-leaders twice a year. Tomorrow is the first of 3 days for this conference, and we look forward to a successful event. Most of the pastors and lay-leaders out in small villages have little to no theological training, so this is a huge opportunity for them to come and learn.

Madison is in the second day of her quarterly exams, and is looking forward to the end of this week!

All in all a quiet week...