A New House For Argentina

In the early part of 2010 we built a new home for a single mother and her three kids. This family from Armenia Bonito previously lived in a one room house made of scrap wood and a dirt floor.

Watch this 3 minute video to see Argentina's new house:

General Assembly

I have come to Nashville, Tennessee to be a part of MTW's General Assembly. My primary "job" is going to be manning a booth for MTW, meeting with pastors, and general hanging out with folks! I am here through Saturday morning where I leave on an early flight back to Honduras. My husband booked my flight in a day early so I could do some much needed shopping, and is also gave me the ability to see Nashville! Never been here before, and I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here! I love, love, love country music, so I couldn't be in a better city for that!

View of Nashville from the pedestrian bridge

The Parthenon

Music City Hall of Fame

Tropical Storm and Tennessee

I'm off to the States this morning to attend General Assembly in Tennessee. There will be a MTW booth, and I am scheduled to be at the booth everyday. If you are around - make sure you come and see me :-) But - things couldn't go too smoothly - a Tropical Storm, Alex, had to make his presence last night. It's been pouring rain all night, and some this morning. I am flying out of a little airport in La Ceiba, into the island aiport of Roatan. Often times both airports close because of poor visibility when a storm is here. We shall see what happens...

Short-Term Mission Team June 12-23, 2010

June 12 - June 23, 2010 we hosted a short-term mission team from East Lanier Community Church in Buford, GA. The team of 17 did some amazing work, including lots of soccer ministry during the World Cup.

Watch this 2 minute 45 second video to see their great work:

Coming to the end

Today the team was busy! The morning was spent at our team mates house, The Clow's for a yummy breakfast, some training, tour of La Ceiba, "gringo church" at our house, dinner, then off to Armenia Bonito for church. Tomorrow is another full day of broadcasting the Honduras game, English class, and hanging with the kids. This will be the last full day out in Armenia for this team. Tuesday is a day at the beach, then heading home bright and early the next morning. This team has provided us with an endless supply of energy and enthusiasm!

Mountains, Games, and buying some goodies

Today the team went up into the jungle. It's an incredibly beautiful hike to a waterfall and swim hole. There they ate lunch, enjoyed a leisurely time, and made the return treck home. Then back to our house for a quick change, to the souvenir shop to buy some goodies for themselves and folks back home. Afterwards it's over to our team mates house for a cook-out, then to some fun playing soccer. Quite a way to spend their day off :-)

Tomorrow's event is an all-day soccer tournament with about 60 kids/youth from Armenia Bonito. Going to be a full day of sweating and playing, and having a great time! The team will be ready for a breather on Sunday!

This week has been heating up, and with that additional loss of power. We've lost electricity twice today for extended periods of time. Please pray that this is short-lived and won't effect the rest of the summer!

Ministry Center In La Ceiba, Honduras

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 2 minute and 30 second video to see more:

Sandal Distribution

On June 11, 2010 we distributed free sandals to 400 people in the poor community of Armenia Bonito. Each person received a Spanish language evangelism tract and personally fitted, new sandals.

Watch this 1 minute 45 second video to see more:

Welcome East Lanier

Welcome to our third team of the summer. About 30 seconds after they arrived we lost the electricity. At least dinner was already prepped and cooked. So, we all sat around in candle light and lanterns, had orientation for the the schedule for the week - and everyone tried to get settled by using the few lanterns we have, cell phone lights, and candles. Two hours later, in the pitch dark, everyone is managing quite fine. I'm upstairs in my room listening to the beautiful guitar and music of many of the youths sitting on the back porch singing and am just in awe of God's grace. In the midst of what could potentially be a logistical nightmare, God's people go forward. I've yet to have heard a spit of complaint, and everyone is charging forward as if nothing strange is happening - other than they are sitting in the pitch dark, outside, in the beautiful night of Honduras. My battery back-up which is allowing me to post this will be going out anytime - so I must be quick. More tomorrow.

Short-Term Mission Team June 5-12, 2010

June 5 - June 12, 2010 he hosted a short-term mission team from Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Douglasville, GA. The team had great Spanish, great construction knowledge and amazing hearts.

Watch this 2 minute 51 second video to see their hard work:

Honduras in the World Cup

So how big a deal is it for Honduras to be in the World Cup? Just take a look at this article in the local paper:

The Honduran government has approved for 200,000 public employees to take time off from work in order to watch the national team play in the World Cup in South Africa, and is encouraging private enterprises to do the same.

Africo Madrid, the government minister in charge of the changes, said Tuesday that employees would not have to begin work until 10 a.m. local time on June 16th when Honduras plays Chile. The match begins at 5:30 am, Honduran time.

Honduras faces Spain on June 21st and Switzerland on June 25th. Matches those days begin in the early afternoon, Honduran time, and employees will be allowed to leave work at 11:30 a.m. on those days.

End of School Year

Madison finished school last Friday. So far in her life she has attended 5 different types of schooling since Kindergarten. Kindergarten and 1st grade = public school; 2nd - 5th = private homeschool; 6th - school in Costa Rica; 7th grade = private bilingual school; 8th grade = different private bilingual school. What does that do for a kids education? Well - if nothing else - she has learned to be pretty darn flexible! Needless to say, her first year in Honduras at the bilingual school where 4 of her classes were in English and 4 of her classes were in Spanish, she struggled a bit. But her second year here she thrived! She ended this school year on the Dean's Honor Roll for the whole year, Perfect attendance for the entire year, Head of Class (chosen by all of her 8th grade teachers), and merit points to use. She was class president, and seriously enjoyed her time! That's pretty cool when you think back on your time in Jr. High. Granted, school here is different - there are students from pre-kinder all the way through 11th grade. She is actually already considered in "college". So graduation was not a big deal at all - no ceremony to attend. The two ceremonies are graduation from 6th grade since the majority of kids finish there - and only 12% of kids in Honduras go beyond 6th grade. So her graduation ceremony will be from 11th grade. Way to go girl! We love you dearly and GOOD JOB!!!

Mission Team to La Ceiba, Honduras - 5/29-6/5, 2010

May 29 - June 5, 2010 we hosted a short-term mission team from Faith Church in Ballentine, SC. The entire time they served the people of Armenia Bonito and advanced our ministry.

Watch this 2 minute 45 second video to see the great work they did:

Wife/Mother/Missionary - what AM I?

With our first summer team here I've been pondering this question. I'm trying to be a good mother and helping Madison finish her last week of school well, spending time with her, etc. Trying to be a good wife and assist where I can. Trying to be a missionary and prepare meals, clean the house, prep for ministry, be a nurse at our clinic. I feel pulled in so many directions at once. Many people look at me and wonder why I feel pulled because I have a thirteen year old after all, and for some reason people assume that she can be left to her own accord, and I don't need to guide her into woman hood. Not sure why people assume this. I feel this is such an important time in her life - honestly - more important than most other times of her life. This is when she will make the good v.s. bad decisions that will potentially effect the rest of her life. Anyway...I digress...I so know I am not unique in this particular situation. Any mother/missionary/wife feels the same. Where is the balance? When do you feel like you are participating or spending so much time doing "stuff" that you aren't involved in the team, but knowing that there is much to be done to be a helper and a good wife/mother/missionary. Sigh...if ANYONE has the perfect answer - please let me know. I think the answer is there IS no perfect answer! I think that trying to find the balance is what it is all about. Trying to be a wife/mother/missionary (WMM) and just being what God would have us be.

So - signing off - this WMM.